First time I used one, the plastic nub that the orange plastic pivots on inside snapped off. I drilled and put a #10 machine screw through the whole thing, and it's much better now. When clamped tightly, it's a bit rough on the fingers to push the darn button to release it. The design is not great, but they seem to work ok for the $2 I got them for a while back.
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
- Thread starter Bolster
- Start date
BiltFordTuff
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2010
- Messages
- 104
which ones, i have the 3/8" clicker type and it works fine,
JohnFreeman
Well-known member
http://www.harborfreight.com/rechargeable-24-led-work-light-95181.html
<img src=http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_3177.jpg /image_src>
It's a strange form factor 24 LED light, rechargeable
The good news : It's one VERY bright light
The bad news: It self discharges in a week
What good is a dead light? So---> FAIL
I had high hopes for this, but it inexplicably self discharges if left off, in only a week.
I should have known better...
<img src=http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_3177.jpg /image_src>
It's a strange form factor 24 LED light, rechargeable
The good news : It's one VERY bright light
The bad news: It self discharges in a week
What good is a dead light? So---> FAIL
I had high hopes for this, but it inexplicably self discharges if left off, in only a week.
I should have known better...
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Maybe it needs a few more charge/discharge cycles
I'd return it/exchange it.
You might have gotten a bad apple.
User's manual says to charge it every month if not used.
jakeb
Well-known member
I agree these are a pass.... I actually used the bar of the short one as a BMW fan clutch removal tool....
Took the fixed clamp off, bolted the bar to the water pump pulley to hold it from moving. Didn't bend a bit when using a fairly long 32mm wrench on the fan clutch nut.
JohnFreeman
Well-known member
I should take it apart and fix it...can't be much in there.
Like most/all HF stuff, it's ALMOST good and might be, if you spend the time to fix it.
Sigh....
(It's a month or so old, before I noticed this... no receipt now, etc...)
John
41ratrod
Well-known member
found a HP battery drill in my yard had the cast broken and had some of the screws missing . put it back together and it works, I had for about 4 years
its slower then most drills, went to get another battery and got a new drill
in the cast with battery and charger cheaper then just battery alone.
My Dewatt 18 volt drill is alot better and is used more often.
jack stands pass
car dolly pass (one wheel broke) two sets
tin snips *****
24" hyd. cyl. for engine hoist pass
pipe bar clamps are ok broke one had bad casing
pop rivet gun pass ( sears one broke and they would not replace it lest then
a year old)
sears torque wrench 1/2 "leaks oil and not right bought it on sale and there was no return on it .
its slower then most drills, went to get another battery and got a new drill
in the cast with battery and charger cheaper then just battery alone.
My Dewatt 18 volt drill is alot better and is used more often.
jack stands pass
car dolly pass (one wheel broke) two sets
tin snips *****
24" hyd. cyl. for engine hoist pass
pipe bar clamps are ok broke one had bad casing
pop rivet gun pass ( sears one broke and they would not replace it lest then
a year old)
sears torque wrench 1/2 "leaks oil and not right bought it on sale and there was no return on it .
southernfriedcj
Well-known member
I use a box per week of the blue nitrile HF gloves and they are great. The latex HF gloves have never let me down either.
IONH
Well-known member
It's stuff like this that gives HF a bad name. People buy stuff and, if it happens to be broken, they sit on it till the excuse time kicks in. This way, they can't exchange the item for one that potentially works perfectly and will always badmouth HF for the item.
Yep. HF is a bit inconsistent that's why you have to take it home and immediately put it through its paces before you lose the receipt and the warranty runs out. Guess that's the price you pay for inexpensive tools.
Yea, I use the latex gloves daily and love them. They hold up better than any other latex/nitrile gloves I've ever tried. nice and stretchy so they stretch instead of breaking easily.
Fueler
Well-known member
I also use the blue gloves. Boy was I surprised to find them holding up far better than some more expensive name brands. That will probably mean they will be of cheaper quality as time goes on since we like them. Pass
subarub4
Well-known member
blue nitrile gloves? If so no
IONH
Well-known member
Absolutely. I've also been prone to buying an item here and there and not touching it for months. My father purchased a band saw for me (93762) last February and I did not open it up until earlier this month. Even though the box and foam were in good condition, the motor had a dent in it and the bracket it mounted to was bent. Anyway, I straightened out the bracket and with the dent the motor still works. I doubt they'll fix it under the 2 year warranty should it fail, but I wish I had opened it sooner so I could have brought it back right away.
I also have a 40 pound blasting cabinet still in the box for a year or so now... hope it's not beaten up as well. But at least that's an item of basic construction and I can probably fix anything which may be wrong with it.
brats.n.harleys
Well-known member
6'' cross slide vise- pass
only used on my drill press to line up items without messing with removing bolts or clamps, cleaned it up a little, some lock tite on the screws and its awesome
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_224.jpg
only used on my drill press to line up items without messing with removing bolts or clamps, cleaned it up a little, some lock tite on the screws and its awesome
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_224.jpg
Vern X-100
Active member
Hand Riveter set w/ gun and rivets - FAIL
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html
Couldn't even get the first rivet to set. In fact, the rivet got stuck in the gun. Threw this POS as far as I could, walked over to it and threw it even further outta sight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html
Couldn't even get the first rivet to set. In fact, the rivet got stuck in the gun. Threw this POS as far as I could, walked over to it and threw it even further outta sight.
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SCscoutguy
Well-known member
Hand Riveter set w/ gun and rivets - FAIL
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html
Couldn't even get the first rivet to set. In fact, the rivet got stuck in the gun. Threw this POS as far as I could, walked over to it and threw it even further outta sight.
The new ones must have changed because I have one that is about 5 years old that I bought along with the pneumatic one and it is still going strong.
jakeb
Well-known member
Some recent purchases and/or gifts
99618 - 4 Piece Box Wrench Socket and Bit Adapter Set - HUGE pass!! I used these twice today, where a socket w/ wrench would not fit and a wrench wouldn't really either this did the trick.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-box-wrench-socket-and-bit-adapter-set-99618.html
Item #94190 - leak down tester - FAIL, it worked...then didn't work, it was showing leakage when not hooked to anything and my finger plugging it.... I could hear it leaking at the tool itself, its going back.
Item #95187 - compression tester, PASS...but hard to mess this up
Item # 92699 - fuel pressure tester, fail, leaked.... The adapter that screws into the T is not long enough and hits the body of the T before it tightens up.
http://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-injection-pump-tester-92699.html
Item #66312 - 1/4" composite ratchet, PASS so far...very impressed with these, smooth
Item #66313 - 3/8 - pass
Item #66314 - 1/2 - pass
Item # 40591 - polished 3/8 ratchet - pass, nice action, smooth
Item # 40592 - polished 1/4 ratchet - pass, I really like this one
Item # 40582 - polished 1/2" ratchet - so far I am not that impressed with this one, it feels pretty course and a bit sloppy... should I exchange it?
Item # 96092 - 3/8 ratchet w/ indexable head - so far a pass....havn't really used it much yet tho, but it feels nice...
Item # 96369 - 3/8 flexible ratchet, ....pass - it doesn't what it is supposed to do, but not sure how much I actually like the design of it. I think I would like a single flex rather than two.
99618 - 4 Piece Box Wrench Socket and Bit Adapter Set - HUGE pass!! I used these twice today, where a socket w/ wrench would not fit and a wrench wouldn't really either this did the trick.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-box-wrench-socket-and-bit-adapter-set-99618.html
Item #94190 - leak down tester - FAIL, it worked...then didn't work, it was showing leakage when not hooked to anything and my finger plugging it.... I could hear it leaking at the tool itself, its going back.
Item #95187 - compression tester, PASS...but hard to mess this up
Item # 92699 - fuel pressure tester, fail, leaked.... The adapter that screws into the T is not long enough and hits the body of the T before it tightens up.
http://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-injection-pump-tester-92699.html
Item #66312 - 1/4" composite ratchet, PASS so far...very impressed with these, smooth
Item #66313 - 3/8 - pass
Item #66314 - 1/2 - pass
Item # 40591 - polished 3/8 ratchet - pass, nice action, smooth
Item # 40592 - polished 1/4 ratchet - pass, I really like this one
Item # 40582 - polished 1/2" ratchet - so far I am not that impressed with this one, it feels pretty course and a bit sloppy... should I exchange it?
Item # 96092 - 3/8 ratchet w/ indexable head - so far a pass....havn't really used it much yet tho, but it feels nice...
Item # 96369 - 3/8 flexible ratchet, ....pass - it doesn't what it is supposed to do, but not sure how much I actually like the design of it. I think I would like a single flex rather than two.
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
Item #94190 - leak down tester - FAIL, it worked...then didn't work, it was showing leakage when not hooked to anything and my finger plugging it.... I could hear it leaking at the tool itself, its going back.
I don't know if I got lucky or if they redesigned it, and either the old one or the new one is better??? But, I love mine, it has never failed me, and I use mine a lot.
I'm pretty sure the manual states that before you hook up an air supply the regulator must be closed, and then to gradually increase the pressure, failing to do so could blow the seals in the tester causing it to leak.
RAYJAY
Well-known member
Hand Riveter set w/ gun and rivets - FAIL
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html
Couldn't even get the first rivet to set. In fact, the rivet got stuck in the gun. Threw this POS as far as I could, walked over to it and threw it even further outta sight.
I never had a problem with the one i have here also, i have a new one i just bought ( could not find my old one ) and they both worked great
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
Item # 92699 - fuel pressure tester, fail, leaked.... The adapter that screws into the T is not long enough and hits the body of the T before it tightens up.
http://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-injection-pump-tester-92699.html
I have this also, it works, but yes it does leak; some Teflon tape before each use should correct this.
I know this sounds like a hassle, but it really is not. Plus for the $10 I paid for it, I don't mind.
jakeb
Well-known member
As to the leak down tester, it did work a couple times but was giving all sorta of funky results on later tests...and I could hear it leaking when not hooked to anything. I followed the directions to a T as well as watching videos on other people using it.
I can make a fuel pressure tester for less than the HF one and it won't leak.... I will use a HF gauge tho...
I can make a fuel pressure tester for less than the HF one and it won't leak.... I will use a HF gauge tho...
IONH
Well-known member
I also did not have much success with the leakdown tester. It seems that the input pressure once regulated probably does not get much past 15psi. I'd rather test up around 90-100psi or more if possible.
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
I have tested up to 100 psi, worked fine, you just can't give it a 100psi blast immediately. After every use, I just make sure to close the regulator, when I am about to use it, I hook up my air line, then gradually open the regulator up to 100psi.
Strut spring compressor PASS but the Chinese directions are hard to read and i still don't know what the ring does.
http://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html
Air Saw Not tested but it is nearly exactly like my $110 Blue Point
http://www.harborfreight.com/high-speed-metal-saw-91753.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html
Air Saw Not tested but it is nearly exactly like my $110 Blue Point
http://www.harborfreight.com/high-speed-metal-saw-91753.html
IONH
Well-known member
Yes, of course you can put 100psi to it. The regulator steps that pressure down substantially.. starting from 0. It would appear to only allow about 30psi in before the left gauge is where it should be and then you stop opening the regulator.
Hello, I am new to this forum - what a great site and this is an interesting thread. Well, I am tired of my dirty fingers from my occasional auto tinkering/repair. I saw that the HF&S Nitrile gloves were good (and inexpensive). I went to HF&S and they had about four different disposable gloves - latex, latex/nitile, and a couple of nitriles (light blue and darker blue I think?). What is the recommended glove? I did some searching in this thread, but have not found specifics yet - 100+ pages!
Thanks
Thanks
RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
Everything I've ever bought from harbor freight came with directions written in English only....
babewatcher
Well-known member
Your best bet for gloves is to get them at your Club stores (Sam's club, BJs, Costco.) The quality can't be beat and the price is much much cheaper than at HF. They are located over in the same area as the toothpaste and deodorant. I think the nitrile ones are for folks that have an allergic reaction to latex. My favorite are the ones Costco sells. I use a lot of these gloves. I figure I've paid my dues over the years with trying to get my hands clean-- using bleach and everything else but STILL having crappy looking hands that were embarrassing.
It's a great new world with the gloves.
RAYJAY
Well-known member
on the strut compressor read pdf page 2 optional parts. (the ring is for when you have a spring that is to small for the compressor to grab )
http://www.otctools.com/newcatalog/products/105568.pdf
RAYJAY
Well-known member
Your best bet for gloves is to get them at your Club stores (Sam's club, BJs, Costco.) The quality can't be beat and the price is much much cheaper than at HF. They are located over in the same area as the toothpaste and deodorant. I think the nitrile ones are for folks that have an allergic reaction to latex. My favorite are the ones Costco sells. I use a lot of these gloves. I figure I've paid my dues over the years with trying to get my hands clean-- using bleach and everything else but STILL having crappy looking hands that were embarrassing.
It's a great new world with the gloves.
i tried the light blue ones in our Sam's club here and the HF light blue one are much better, thicker glove, had a box of the black ones from HF they were really stiff and tore easy
the ones i use form HF are
http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-100-large-nitrile-gloves-37051.html
babewatcher
Well-known member
Cool, I'll give em a shot.
allinon72
Well-known member
Any of their pipe wrenches = FAIL. Sloppy pieces of junk.
Walterchang
Well-known member
Ratcheting clamps- Complete fail, I bought 6 of various sizes on Thursday first use I broke one. The plastic broke off from to much pressure. Broke a second one later today won't ratchet anymore.
Anyone have these? Quality?
Look like they could come in handy.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/15-inch-long-reach-locking-pliers-97609.html
Look like they could come in handy.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/15-inch-long-reach-locking-pliers-97609.html