The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[Bulldog13]

Just used the 14.99 Nylon Rivet tool...some people complained about it but I found it worked like a charm.One quick squeeze and the rivet was in and the end snapped flush..best 15 bucks I've spent in a while --PASS

 

[outcast]

i am looking that the 3/8 & 1/4 torque wrenches. i did a search, and most say they are good. a few say junk.
as far as i am concerned, if the accuracy is close, +/- 10, that is good enough.

 

[rlitman]

I've got two 1/2" and two 1/4" HF torque wrenches. Paid $10 for the 1/2" and $12 for the 1/4" (go figure). They're both great. Not quite as good as my SO, Husky, or Craftsman ones (but only because the handles etc are not as ergonomic), but plenty good for anything I'd ever need a torque wrench for.
There's WAY too much torque wrench snobbery going on on this site . . .

 

[scott37300]

Just used the 14.99 Nylon Rivet tool...some people complained about it but I found it worked like a charm.One quick squeeze and the rivet was in and the end snapped flush..best 15 bucks I've spent in a while --PASS

Are these for the plastic rivits that chrysler uses on body trim panels?

 

[MNRZR]

Are these for the plastic rivits that chrysler uses on body trim panels?

I was wondering the same thing. Do you have the HF item#

 

[scott37300]

I was wondering the same thing. Do you have the HF item#

I just went to HF site and searched rivit and it was the first item, http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-with-40-industrial-strength-poly-rivets-97757.html

I was trying to take the front bumper off my concorde last week but couldn't get it because it was held on by a bunch of plastic rivits and I didn't have any to replace them if I removed the old ones.

 

[68rustang]

Flooring Nailer - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-1-flooring-air-nailer-stapler-97586.html

Just another vote for the flooring nailer. Found a magazine coupon that had it for $99.99. Even if I paid the current "sale" price of $149.99 it was cheaper than renting anything for $30/day.

I am about 2/3 done with ~750 sqft of 3/4 oak floorig and it has been great so far. Even if it craps out now I am well within the 90 day warranty so I can just get another one and finish the job.

 

[Kaervak]

A few more new items that I've picked up over the past few weeks.

1/2" drive 18" breaker bar http://www.harborfreight.com/12-drive-18-breaker-bar-67932.html PASS
Haven't really beat on it, but for the "stubborn" nuts/bolts I've used it on it's been great. I'm thinking of picking up the 25" on as well

15MM & 19MM 1/2" Deep well CR-V sockets. http://www.harborfreight.com/19mm-high-visibility-12-drive-deep-wall-socket-67812.html & http://www.harborfreight.com/15mm-high-visibility-12-drive-deep-wall-socket-67810.html PASS
Got them for $1 each. The 19MM is for my lug nuts and the 15MM is used all over the car, comes in handy with the above breaker bar.

Pistol grip grease gun http://www.harborfreight.com/grease-gun-with-pistol-grip-66664.html PASS
Picked this up yesterday. Got it after I replaced my rear swaybar links with ones that have zerk fittings. Needed a grease gun and HF was there to help out. Easy to load, easy to use no problems with it at all.

3/8" drive torque wrench http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-807.html PASS
Picked one up for $10 a while back and finally got around to using it. Just like the 1/2" drive one, it works just fine. Now I have the whole set.

10" Random orbital polisher http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-random-orbit-waxer-polisher-43424.html PASS
Bonnets do fit a bit poorly, but for $16 after coupon it's not a big deal.

Snap ring pliers http://www.harborfreight.com/snap-ring-pliers-with-interchangeable-heads-3316.html PASS
For $2, why not. The interchangeable head setup is actually pretty solid, nice pliers.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

air hammer quick release chisel holder
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...hammer-quick-release-chisel-holder-66621.html

PASS- i have this on my matco hammer, works great

 

[Bulldog13]

Plastic Rivet Gun

Yep...Chrysler /Jeep used all plastic rivets on fender flares,bumpers etc. I found that the plastic (nylon) rivets wont fit in a conventional rivet gun.The only place I could find one that was affordable was HF....my local Fastenal dealer had the rivets at a decent price but wanted 70 bucks for a rivet gun.I just did a Jeep Liberty front bumper and it worked great...

 

[slowz32]

I felt the black hard handle pry bars in the store and DID NOT buy them. I felt as if i could flex them with just my hands and they felt way too flimsy and cheap even for $7 bucks or so. Did buy the Pittsburgh pro green handle stubby 3/8's ratchet, used it a few times so far, feels good and works well so far.

 

[Illini Pete]

Flooring Nailer - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-1-flooring-air-nailer-stapler-97586.html

Just another vote for the flooring nailer. Found a magazine coupon that had it for $99.99. Even if I paid the current "sale" price of $149.99 it was cheaper than renting anything for $30/day.

I am about 2/3 done with ~750 sqft of 3/4 oak floorig and it has been great so far. Even if it craps out now I am well within the 90 day warranty so I can just get another one and finish the job.

Dittos on the flooring nailer! I laid 600 sq ft of 3/4" oak - about 5000 L-cleats (I lost count but remember something like about 10 boxes) - without a single jam. Before purchase I read the multiple reviews on the HF website that gave it 4 to 5 stars and also suggested using Bostich nails. The only problem I had was occasionally not setting a cleat completely flush so I tried a box of Bostich but they worked no better than the HF at about 2 or 3 x the price. A nail set and hammer remedied this problem easily. Best part was with a coupon and sale, I got it for $129.99, around 1/3 the price of name brands.

I also rate their tool stands a Pass for the price. Got one for my Makita miter saw (used on the flooring) along with the roller stand.

 

[jeffk14]

item 67994 1/4" and 3/8" Drive x 14-3/8" Double Head Flex Ratchet Wrench. paid $30 for it full price in store

at 1st, i was hesitant to drop 30 bucks on a hf ratchet. so i passed on it. the following week i counted a few times wher ei felt owning this tool may have saved time aggravation--mostly on tight fitting accessory belt tensioner locations. so i went back and bought it.

been using it for over a month now as needed with no complaints. i dont use it as a main ratchet or anything of that nature. mostly use it as a serp belt tool. so far so good.


pass so far and recommend for light duty use-- i.e. not to use as a breaker bar or a ratchet that you exert a ton of tq on. im sure there will be a day where i will have to abuse this tool and find it's weak spot.

I was at the HF store in Fayetteville, GA this morning and picked one of those up. It was marked $19.99 and I got it for $15.99 with a 20% coupon. Feels to be of pretty good quality but like you, I won't be using it to break loose lug nuts or anything like that.

 

[Vinny]

Was wondering, I saw Harbor Freight had these heavy duty ratchets, 72 teeth, but it seemed like they were constructed out of plastic. I'm guess the metal is underneath. Anyways, anyone ever use them, and how are they? The plastic really threw me off, but hey, that might make it more comfortable for all I know.

 

[soob]

The plastic (or "composite" if you don't like calling your glock plastic) ratchets aren't heavy duty. I mean, they're pretty tough, but it's a light-weight ratchet first and foremost. Yeah, it's metal under the plastic. I like them a lot based on that. They have a very smooth action that doesn't reverse fasteners, nice handle shape, lots of teeth, smooth quick release, etc.

Watch out for the plastic button over the quick release. Sometimes they're cracked, which will cause it to fall out eventually. My first one was like that. Fortunately HFT waranteed it no problem.

 

[Farmer Joe]

Pittsburgh 1/2" Extendable Ratchet. Item #98831. Has the green and black handle. This thing is amazing at only about 16-18 bucks normally. The cushioned grip is comfortable, and the tool works great. Has some good weight to and and feels like a quality tool, which really surprised me.

I have used it for the past 5 months regularly as my go to 1/2" ratchet. I use it on all my oil changes for the drain plugs, makes it very quick. I also use it on a good percentage of all brake jobs to break loose caliper and housing bolts. I love this tool so much, I went to buy 2 more just a couple weeks ago to leave in my toolbox in case this one decides to **** out on me in the middle of a job.

The "Pittsburgh" writing has worn off the handle from so much use, so a couple of the techs at work have borrowed this from me a few times and they are stunned when I tell them its from HF. One guy thought for the longest time that it was a SO until I told him.

But overall, great tool. I can easily say its the best tool I've bought from HF so far.

 

[Josh662234]

Pittsburgh 1/2" Extendable Ratchet.
But overall, great tool. I can easily say its the best tool I've bought from HF so far.

Agreed!

 

[Tristessa]

The plastic (or "composite" if you don't like calling your glock plastic) ratchets aren't heavy duty. I mean, they're pretty tough, but it's a light-weight ratchet first and foremost.

I bought one of the 3/8" composite ratchets back in April based on the reviews given in this thread, and have been trying to break it ever since. Standing/bouncing on the handle to loosen stubborn bolts, cheater pipe over the handle .. the usual things you're not supposed to do with a ratchet.

Haven't managed to break it yet, which is more than I can say for my 3/8 Craftsman flex handle .. heck, breaking the Craftsman is why I was standing/bouncing on the handle of the HF ratchet -- it was the only other thing I could find at the time.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I bought one of the 3/8" composite ratchets back in April based on the reviews given in this thread, and have been trying to break it ever since. Standing/bouncing on the handle to loosen stubborn bolts, cheater pipe over the handle .. the usual things you're not supposed to do with a ratchet.

Haven't managed to break it yet, which is more than I can say for my 3/8 Craftsman flex handle .. heck, breaking the Craftsman is why I was standing/bouncing on the handle of the HF ratchet -- it was the only other thing I could find at the time.

A few weeks ago I bought these ratchets, I was very skeptical on them and It took time to do the plunge. From what I see so far they are very smooth and very nice to use. If they hold up the way other people say on this site, they could become my new #1 ratchet even above my 3 Snap On ones I have.

 

[machine_punk]

I wouldn't have bumped the thread just for this, but since it was already bumped today...

DEFINITELY PASS:
- Red five-drawer service cart (95272). It is a little fiddly to assemble, but definitely worth it. Currently can be had for around $160 ($199 with a 20% coupon). Yes, the 20% coupons work on tool carts...just ask them to run the coupon at the cash register.

http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html

- The seven-drawer end cabinet (90321). This is very solidly built. Also very secure (I can attest to that...I got a discount for mine, since the keys were locked inside the cabinet at the store--the locking system for each drawer is very robust and it uses an unusual key. I had to drill the lock to get it open--which is fine, since HF Customer Service will likely send me a new one for free) The 20% coupon will NOT work on this one...sorry.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-drawer-red-end-cabinet-for-roller-tool-chest-90321.html

 

[outcast]

1/2f to 3/8m impact reducer.

i managed to break it today. but i was very much abusing it. i am 99.999% sure i would have broke my matco reducer.

so far = PASS

 

[NavySeal]

When I was a young squirt back in the early 50s an old WW2 mechaic told me that in the long run the cheapest tool you can buy is the best quality you can find no mater what the cost. Time has proved the old fart correct over and over again!!

 

[NWphotog]

When I was a young squirt back in the early 50s an old WW2 mechaic told me that in the long run the cheapest tool you can buy is the best quality you can find no mater what the cost. Time has proved the old fart correct over and over again!!

Wow he was a real kool-aid drinker.

 

[Danglerb]

When I was a young squirt back in the early 50s an old WW2 mechaic told me that in the long run the cheapest tool you can buy is the best quality you can find no mater what the cost. Time has proved the old fart correct over and over again!!

Other than pride of ownership there is very little difference between tools of "workman" quality and the best quality, but the difference in cost can be well beyond what I suspect the old guy could even imagine. Maybe he meant the best quality as sold by Sears?

 

[Vinny]

Thanks for the votes of confidence for the HF composite wrenches, guys. I think I'll pick up a set next pay day. I must've been fiddling with it for half and hour in store, but the plastic just turned me off. Was smooth, but that plastic... I opted for a socket/ratchet set they had because I had no small 1/2 drive sockets. Kind of wish I didn't, because get ready to crucify me: I don't want to have a bunch of ratchets lying around.

 

[greybeard]

When I was a young squirt back in the early 50s an old WW2 mechaic told me that in the long run the cheapest tool you can buy is the best quality you can find no mater what the cost. Time has proved the old fart correct over and over again!!

It has been my experience that there is a price point with just about any type of tool or even musical instrument where you get the best bang for your buck. When you go beyond that point you start experiencing diminishing returns. I have however, experienced really cheap tools and they do work as long as you don't work them too hard. Case in point, I had a set of really cheap Allen sockets that worked fine on light duty stuff but, when I really needed one to take a rusty bolt off of my old F150's mirror, it snapped like a twig. I went and bought a Craftsman and finished the job. My point is that I don't need the best tools money can buy, I just need something that will do the job and not snap like a twig.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Wow he was a real kool-aid drinker.

Yeah, those old timer used to drink kool aid with their whiskey ....while on the job as well......

 

[nuclearlemon]

When I was a young squirt back in the early 50s an old WW2 mechaic told me that in the long run the cheapest tool you can buy is the best quality you can find no mater what the cost. Time has proved the old fart correct over and over again!!

kind of. you do usually get what you pay for. harbor freight tools, often last for one job. a quality brand name tool will most likely last for multiple jobs. a cheap tool may get the job done, but are more likely to cause damage by rounding a bolt or breaking a knuckle when it slips or snaps. a quality tool should help you get the job done quicker (better designing, ratchets that ratchet tighter, etc). a quality tool means you shouldn't have to waste time and fuel to drive to harbor freight and replace the allen head wrenches that busted just before you were done

harbor freight has its place. quality tools have their place. this does not confront quality tools that end up being ****

 

[jim2664258]

kind of. you do usually get what you pay for. harbor freight tools, often last for one job. a quality brand name tool will most likely last for multiple jobs. a cheap tool may get the job done, but are more likely to cause damage by rounding a bolt or breaking a knuckle when it slips or snaps. a quality tool should help you get the job done quicker (better designing, ratchets that ratchet tighter, etc). a quality tool means you shouldn't have to waste time and fuel to drive to harbor freight and replace the allen head wrenches that busted just before you were done

harbor freight has its place. quality tools have their place. this does not confront quality tools that end up being ****

I think you are really exaggerating there. I am not a HF fan, but saying they last for one job, in general, is simply a huge overstatement. I've never had a tool last for only one job or only several jobs, regardless of quality. There's no question higher quality tools will last longer and do the job better than HF tools, but don't take it to that extreme.

The art is in deciding what quality tool you need, given how often you will use it. Then each person has to factor in their love of working with good tools vs. their own desire to spend as little as possible but get the job done. The answer is not the same for everyone, nor should it be.

 

[NoSloCoupes]

I've bought 2 of the palm nailers, $9.99 a piece with coupon. I give them a PASS so far.

I bought them for nailing under soffit/eaves, although they don't fit a roofing nail head. Had to drill them out a bit. But for $10, no big deal.

 

[six-T-seven]

kind of. you do usually get what you pay for. harbor freight tools, often last for one job. a quality brand name tool will most likely last for multiple jobs. a cheap tool may get the job done, but are more likely to cause damage by rounding a bolt or breaking a knuckle when it slips or snaps. a quality tool should help you get the job done quicker (better designing, ratchets that ratchet tighter, etc). a quality tool means you shouldn't have to waste time and fuel to drive to harbor freight and replace the allen head wrenches that busted just before you were done

harbor freight has its place. quality tools have their place. this does not confront quality tools that end up being ****

yeah ... cause the truck brands have never rounded a bolt or busted a knuckle.

nice logic.

 

[Farmer Joe]

the 3/4" axle nut sockets (sorry, don't have a part number at the moment, but its the only one they sell now) are a pretty great deal. I bought the metric set. $29.99 for it, and its made of chrome moly. My co-worker has been using them for years and lets me borrow them from time to time, and they feel very strong and have held up to his mishandling of tools lol. I had to order myself a set, along with a 3/4" to 1/2" adapter. Its a great buy for the money in my opinion.

 

[nuclearlemon]

yeah ... cause the truck brands have never rounded a bolt or busted a knuckle.

nice logic.

that was an example of the kind of problems that you usually have with lower quality tools. open your mind a bit.

i don't own any truck sockets, but i have some quality sockets that do fit tighter than the few hf sockets i own.

 

[SuperSocket]

I bought one of the 3/8" composite ratchets back in April based on the reviews given in this thread, and have been trying to break it ever since. Standing/bouncing on the handle to loosen stubborn bolts, cheater pipe over the handle .. the usual things you're not supposed to do with a ratchet.

Haven't managed to break it yet, which is more than I can say for my 3/8 Craftsman flex handle .. heck, breaking the Craftsman is why I was standing/bouncing on the handle of the HF ratchet -- it was the only other thing I could find at the time.

I bought 1/2" composite rachet... I have not done any real torquing on it yet like you have, lol... but they sure as heck feel solid. I was hesitant at first until you get a couple of bolts bolted.

 

[WR250F]

3 in 1 riveter kit a definite PASS.

I set over 60 riv nuts with this today and it worked like a champ all the way around

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-riveter-kit-94100.html

 

[NWphotog]

harbor freight tools, often last for one job. a quality brand name tool will most likely last for multiple jobs.

There are some HF tools that are mainly useful for one job uses. There are many more that are more than adequate for professional use. MNJ has proven that. I can definitely understand a pro wanting better quality but there is a huge jump from that to paying insane tool truck prices.

 

[NWphotog]

The art is in deciding what quality tool you need, given how often you will use it. Then each person has to factor in their love of working with good tools vs. their own desire to spend as little as possible but get the job done. The answer is not the same for everyone, nor should it be.

Well stated!

 

[outcast]

i went yesterday

the 56" tool box. it has kinda cheap slides on it. in no way are these slides going to be as reliable as snap-on slides, with a lot of use.

.........

i tried to warranty the broken 1/2f-3/8m reducer. i only brought the one piece, in the set of 3. and i was told that i HAD too bring ALL 3 pieces of the set , for the warranty


...................

 

[fxt]

i went yesterday

the 56" tool box. it has kinda cheap slides on it. in no way are these slides going to be as reliable as snap-on slides, with a lot of use.

.........

i tried to warranty the broken 1/2f-3/8m reducer. i only brought the one piece, in the set of 3. and i was told that i HAD too bring ALL 3 pieces of the set , for the warranty


...................

they do that at sears also

 

[scott37300]

i went yesterday

the 56" tool box. it has kinda cheap slides on it. in no way are these slides going to be as reliable as snap-on slides, with a lot of use.

.........

Are you really trying to compare a 500 dollar box's slides to a 5000 dollar box's slides? I wouldn't expect the harbor freight slides to be anywhere near the snap on slides! I'm sure they are comparable to other boxes in the same price range. You have to decide what quality box you need. If you need slides that will hold hundreds of pounds then spend the money on a snap on box. If you only need slides to hold a hundred pounds or whatever hf rates them at then the hf is a decent box for the money. But you cant honestly compare hf slides to ones that cost ten times the cost.