The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[Coach James]

i measured the HFT torque wrench against the alltrade digital torque adapter, which has a certificate saying it is within +/- 2% accurate and the HFT was more accurate than my Craftsman microtork torque wrenches. I threw the HFT torque wrench on the concrete floors a few times and kicked it around and it was still just as accurate. other than a few scratches on the surface, this $10 tool is durable and accurate. both the 1/2" and 3/8" are awesome... i only wish they had a N-m scale since that's what I work in most of the time.

Realy? No difference in accuracy test results? For a beam style I would expect that but not a clicker.

Coach

 

[Altec]

Realy? No difference in accuracy test results? For a beam style I would expect that but not a clicker.

Coach

As long as he doesn't damage the internal spring, or the mechanism, it shouldn't effect it.

 

[trboxman]

Funny thing about clicker torque wrenches....most folks are told to treat them very gingerly, not to use them continuously as ratchets, that they're ruined if dropped, not to use them to remove fasteners etc... and I believe that this valid advice more than not. However, I have a copy of the manual for one of my torque wrenches that makes some statements that are, if not contrary to the letter of the advice, somewhat different than I was expecting to see.

some excerpts:
*wrench cannot be damaged by normal handling or dropping from a workbench.
*may be used continuously at maximum torque.
*may be used for uncontrolled wrenching as long as torque does not exceed maximum capacity.
*does not need to be returned to lowest torque value after use unless it's to be stored for an extended period of time.

Now, none of that says to abuse it, but it also doesn't say to treat it likes it's particularly fragile either. I'd imagine that unless a torque wrench was made with plastic internals that they're pretty robust over all, they just need to be treated with a little respect and checked for accuracy periodically.

 

[subarub4]

Got to use the Powder coating gun today very nice I had the compressor set to 20 psi and adjusted the regulator on the gun and it did better then I thought it would of been.

 

[Provincial]

1/2" to 1" Ratcheting Pipe Threader Set #94101

I'm going to give this a PASS. At the end of the day, with proper lubrication, I was able to thread 7 or 8 pipe ends today. To start the threads were quite a challenge. My dad helped out by pressing the threader into the pipe end while I ratcheted so it would finally bite. Sure, not ideal to require two people, but it did get the job done. Also backed off often to break free the steel windings.

I used this set to thread about 15 1" pipe ends. It broke the thin housing that holds the die hex after about 10 uses. I got another (the 90-day warranty had run out) and finished the job. The 1" die was getting worn and hard to turn by the time it broke the housing. I used Relton Rapid Tap fluid for cutting oil and backed off to clear the chips often. It seems like the threads are a trifle oversize since they don't want to engage very deeply into the fittings, but they do seal up OK. I found that it was hard to get the die started, so I started grinding a small lead on the end of the pipe, which helped greatly.

I don't want to give the set a PASS for 1", but it seems OK for 1/2", and probably 3/4". The 1/2" die also seems to cut oversize. I haven't tried the 3/4" die yet. I'm not sure what rating to give it yet.

 

[TommyK]

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piec...-782A-E011-B31E-001B2163195C&mr:referralID=NA

1/2' impact wobble extensions= PASS

Bought these yesterday and they work fine. These will either wobble or lock in the straight position to use as a regular impact extension.

 

[IONH]

I used this set to thread about 15 1" pipe ends. It broke the thin housing that holds the die hex after about 10 uses. I got another (the 90-day warranty had run out) and finished the job. The 1" die was getting worn and hard to turn by the time it broke the housing. I used Relton Rapid Tap fluid for cutting oil and backed off to clear the chips often. It seems like the threads are a trifle oversize since they don't want to engage very deeply into the fittings, but they do seal up OK. I found that it was hard to get the die started, so I started grinding a small lead on the end of the pipe, which helped greatly.

I don't want to give the set a PASS for 1", but it seems OK for 1/2", and probably 3/4". The 1/2" die also seems to cut oversize. I haven't tried the 3/4" die yet. I'm not sure what rating to give it yet.

I only used the 1/2" die. I believe my dad had used the 3/4" die in the past with better (easier) success than we were having with the 1/2".

At the end of the day, it did the job. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars for doing the job even with difficulty.

 

[subarub4]

opps...

Long story short fell off a 12 Ft ladder but it still works!

 

[Skysurfer]

110 lb. pressurized abrasive blaster, item 95014 Pass.

Spent the last few days blasting an outdoor patio set. As recommended, I bought the play sand from Lowes and laid it out in the sun to dry, then screened it. Only trick is to hold the air nozzle open and then adjust the flow of sand. Turned the sand valve off again if I wasn't going to operate the trigger for couple of minutes, it doesn't clog but shoots out a heavy flow of material until it clears. The deadman nozzle uses a small metal plate glued to a rubber pad to stop the flow of material. After a few hours use the plate gets a notch worn in it and no longer works properly. Replacements are available through HF for $1.50. In a pinch, I popped the plate off with a knife and turned it around using two-sided tape to reattach. This allows you to use all four edges of the plate before it's time for another. I also found the nozzle shuts off better if you use a flat file to bevel the rubber tip slightly so that the metal plate sits more parallel. Besides the intended use for rust removal, this also is a quick way to remove oil stains from the driveway.

Edit: Forgot to mention I used a good quality respirator and eye protection under the supplied hood.

 

[beerdog]

Engine support bar - Pass

 

[Everett]

4 inch grinder, fail big time, grinding lug nut off car , locking , fire came up threw the vent hole and almost caught car on fire , this was a hour after i bought it, also those small dremel sandpaper-grinder wheels fail big time, last mayby , if lucky 20 mins , before sending pieces all over shop.

 

[6-Speed]

Goodyear 3/8" air hose, 25 & 50 ft lengths - pass.
18" ratcheting 1/2" breaker bar - pass.
24" fixed 1/2" breaker bar - pass.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Engine support bar - Pass

can you say more? a friend of mine was considering buying this so that we can change out the engine mounts...

 

[rlitman]

Goodyear 3/8" air hose, 25 & 50 ft lengths - pass.

Agreed. The Goodyear air hoses are excellent. I really like the orange Pliovic ones. They're lighter and more flexible, and actually have a higher pressure rating too. I've got several of these (black and orange), that have been pressurized in the shop continuously for a number of years.

The house brand rubber air hoses OTOH, while cheaper, ****.
I've had the crimped ends leak (and sometimes completely fail), and I've seen the rubber crack over time. I have a few of the random size hoses as extensions to tools, but I do not leave these pressurized overnight.

 

[1991Syclone]

Having to pull up a bunch of tack strip nails I looked at the multi-tool that's supposed to be able to cut nails:

http://www.harborfreight.com/oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-68303.html

FAIL.

I don't think the blade made much of a dent in the nail. I switched to the angle grinder:

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-95578.html

PASS.

My son wanted to help with the tack strips and grabbed one of the pry bars:

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-heavy-duty-pry-bar-set-1654.html

PASS.

I've used those pry bars for a lot of stuff and haven't had an issue yet.

 

[IONH]

15" Heavy Duty Pry Bar #2529

Big PASS

I have about 3 of these and have significantly beat on them with hammers and used them to shift objects many times. I did snap one of the "ears" off the angled end of one somehow, but I am sure I did something very excessive at the time. There is not what I would consider to be an excessive amount of flex in it either.

 

[Recoil Rob]

I remember seeing a TV ad for Feins multi tool cutting a nail. Proceeded to try it with my new tool and ruined the $20 blade. It ain't so.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

4 inch grinder, fail big time, grinding lug nut off car , locking , fire came up threw the vent hole and almost caught car on fire

Geez... I thought those were fireholes..Makes sense..Maybe they are to give the fire more oxygen, for a better burn....

 

[rlitman]

I remember seeing a TV ad for Feins multi tool cutting a nail. Proceeded to try it with my new tool and ruined the $20 blade. It ain't so.

Ruined a Fein blade? I'm surprised.

I've got the HF pneumatic multitool, and have used it with Craftsman blades (they don't fit quite right, but I can get them to clamp well enough to work), and have cut through plenty of steel with them.

 

[Alchymist]

Router inlay kit:
http://www.harborfreight.com/solid-brass-router-inlay-kit-99552.html

Fail, big time. Not only did I spend some machining time to make a plate to adapt it to my router (baseplate hole too big for kit), but first time I tried it - routed about 8" along the template and bit snapped off. Was feeding slowly, with only about a 7/32" depth of cut.

 

[sasquach]

Chop saw .... Pass
Motorcycle lift table ......Pass
3 pack unibits ........ Pass
Die grinder bits ..... Triple fail

 

[powertrip]

I remember seeing a TV ad for Feins multi tool cutting a nail. Proceeded to try it with my new tool and ruined the $20 blade. It ain't so.

The tool is great, the blades are ****. The bosch and porter cable brand blades are a direct fit.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Just picked up the red, smooth finish 5 drawer cart that everyone raves about.

I give it a pass. Putting it together was a pain though as some of the holes did not line up quite right. I've heard this could be issue on some of the units, but I managed to make it work after using an old punch as my line up assistant.

The only real gripes I have is:

No matter the amount of adjusting, the right front corner catches a little bit when trying to open the top lid. I finally bent the lip out some to make it not catch.

Also one of the swivel caster wheels did not come with a grease zerk installed and the ball bearings were not lubricated.

I need to install a zerk and put a little grease on the caster so it swivels smoothly.

 

[SQ is the SQUAD]

700 lbs. Capacity Five Drawer Tool Cart

Item # 95272 Manufacturer: U.S. General PASS!!

it took some time putting it together. dont tighten down any of the bolts until it is all assembled. then sit it level and tighten them down. got it for $149 with coupon.



3 Ton Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump®

Item # 68048 Manufacturer: Pittsburgh Automotive PASS!!

used this to put my motor back in my honda accord. everything worked smoothly. no complaints what so ever. got it for $64 with coupon. i added the 2 year ESP for $19.99

 

[ndnchf]

For you guys who just bought the 5 drawer cart, you might want to look at this thread on cart modifications for ideas. Also, please post any mods you do to yours so others can benefit.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137365&highlight=modifications

 

[wacomme]

700 lbs. Capacity Five Drawer Tool Cart

Item # 95272 Manufacturer: U.S. General PASS!!

it took some time putting it together. dont tighten down any of the bolts until it is all assembled. then sit it level and tighten them down. got it for $149 with coupon.



/QUOTE]
How did you get your coupon to work. I bought the cart two weeks ago, and the 20% coupons I tried wouldn't work at the register. Still, $199 wasn't too bad, and I'm happy with the cart. For me, the holes lined up just fine. I didn't tighten the bolts until everything was assembled. I found the process relatively easy and straightforward.

 

[SQ is the SQUAD]

there are actually $149 super coupons for this item

 

[wacomme]

there are actually $149 super coupons for this item

Do you have to be a club member to get these super coupons? Perhaps this is why the two 20% coupons I tried to use didn't work.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Do you have to be a club member to get these super coupons? Perhaps this is why the two 20% coupons I tried to use didn't work.

no, the $149.99 coupon can be found in magazines or online around here and slickdeals.net; no ITC membership necessary. the 20% coupons usually exclude tool boxes, which i guess includes this tool cart.

 

[wacomme]

no, the $149.99 coupon can be found in magazines or online around here and slickdeals.net; no ITC membership necessary. the 20% coupons usually exclude tool boxes, which i guess includes this tool cart.

Darn! I could have saved $50!!!

 

[bimmerZ5]

Darn! I could have saved $50!!!

sorry dude... in fact, it is regularly on sale without coupon for $179 or $169 ... always check for coupons and do a little search for lowest prices when buying big items at HFT.

 

[wacomme]

sorry dude... in fact, it is regularly on sale without coupon for $179 or $169 ... always check for coupons and do a little search for lowest prices when buying big items at HFT.

I thought I did my research. I was told on this forum that the 20% coupons worked on the carts, but not the tool chests. When I went to pay for the cart, the HB salesperson said that this used to be the case, but no longer. Thus, I thought the coupon system changed (exclusion now applied to carts and chests), and I was too late buying cart to get the discounted deal.

 

[Butters]

Even at $200, it's still an awesome deal. It is a shockingly good cart for the money IMO. But $50 in your pocket is even better.

 

[powertrip]

Good thing I bought the cart when I did. 20% off worked for me a few months back.

 

[DCC!!]

1/4" and 3/8" Drive x 14-3/8" Double Head Flex Ratchet Wrench: pass
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...38-double-head-flex-ratchet-wrench-67994.html

This right here is a great buy saved my *** 2 times today alone. Thin flex head that can get in anywhere.

 

[CC's dad]

$8 fog light kit- pass
I set it up as a backup light system on my daily driver, spliced on extra wiring and have the toggle in the cab, it still works great even though the housings are not sealed/ waterproof. I got it to see if I liked the look on a personal vehicle and my wife would OK it, it still works so I haven't replaced it like I thought I would of by now.

 

[IONH]

Darn! I could have saved $50!!!

Go back to the store and buy another, then return it with the old receipt.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Go back to the store and buy another, then return it with the old receipt.

won't they give you the difference if you bring them the coupon and your receipt?

 

[IONH]

won't they give you the difference if you bring them the coupon and your receipt?

They'd have to return/rering anyway. They may just want to make it difficult for you.

It's just a matter of if they will do it without you having to have buy another at the lower price and return it with the first receipt. This would also mean that if they have none in stock, you can't buy one to return.

 

[wacomme]

won't they give you the difference if you bring them the coupon and your receipt?

That's certainly worth a try. Can anyone send me a link to a coupon that works. I went into the store with two 20% coupons that I thought would work. I'd hate to go back to request the price difference with another coupon that doesn't work.

Thanks. Michael