The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[930dreamer]

How's the inner tie rod tool set?

 

[fartymarty]

Yeah right, just pretend to be reviewing a HF hoist when in reality you just wanted to make us all machine tool jealous.
Mission accomplished!
Hate beam aimed at your cactus, let us know when it dies.


regards, Joe King

 

[fartymarty]

Anyone have these? I need these all the time for the motorcycles and this price is good.
Ball End Hex Key Set

I do...pretty good with certain exceptions. Slightly sand or grind the flat ends of the handle hex keys to give them sharper edges that will bite into the screws....only use the ball ends for speed removal of already loosened screws. You may be tempted to use a ball end in a deep place and you may get away with it a few times but eventually you'll wish you had just got out the hex socket and an extension for your ratchet wrench. These tips may actually apply to all hex wrench sets but they certainly apply to these....I can't remember the exact make up of your bike stable, but if you have any Kawasaki s in the mix the ball ends will round out (if used for loosening, not spin out) those wide headed 5MM socket screws that Mama Kaw' is so fond of using.

 

[tez929rr]

I do...pretty good with certain exceptions. Slightly sand or grind the flat ends of the handle hex keys to give them sharper edges that will bite into the screws....only use the ball ends for speed removal of already loosened screws. You may be tempted to use a ball end in a deep place and you may get away with it a few times but eventually you'll wish you had just got out the hex socket and an extension for your ratchet wrench. These tips may actually apply to all hex wrench sets but they certainly apply to these....I can't remember the exact make up of your bike stable, but if you have any Kawasaki s in the mix the ball ends will round out (if used for loosening, not spin out) those wide headed 5MM socket screws that Mama Kaw' is so fond of using.

That’s exactly what I needed to know. Thank you. And I have one Kawsaki, two Suzukis and one Honda.

 

[fartymarty]

That’s exactly what I needed to know. Thank you. And I have one Kawsaki, two Suzukis and one Honda.

You're welcome, it seems you've cut back by at least 33%...hard for me to believe you and I have the same number of bikes* and the same manufacturer ratio numbers when my garage is not even 5% the size of yours. Of course I can barely get around in mine and you can throw parties in yours. I'll bet you've probably still got me beat in total actual engine cc displacement too.

......and just to stay on topic a bit more, as a follow up, I still recommend the HF transmission jack for both a bike lift and a bike dolly if adapted properly to the bike it is used for. I'm still using mine and it is a definite pass for this purpose:
https://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-low-lift-transmission-jack-61232.html
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-pass-fail-thread.27192/page-253#post-8421343

..of course only those of us with a smaller garage would need such a thing.



*yes I do count my Honda Trail 90 (125cc Chinese clone engine) as a bike, the state does, the insurance company does, that's good enough for me.

 

[subarub4]

This is a fail. I bought a few of them and I liked them at first but they have all started to fail. Junk.

https://www.harborfreight.com/215-lumen-magnetic-pocket-work-light-58569.html

LOL I had one of those I got it in a pinch and it's like the battery socket never really made good contact.. I forgot how long I had it but I know the clear cover over the COB LED's ended up coming off, at that point I just threw it in the trash.

 

[Chance]

You can get a kit with over 20 pieces and both a L/H and R/H tool for about $20 on ebay. There's a bunch for sale.

22PC Disc Brake Caliper Wind Back Tool Kit Piston Pad Compressor Rewind Tool Set | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 22PC Disc Brake Caliper Wind Back Tool Kit Piston Pad Compressor Rewind Tool Set at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Great! thanks Jayemm!

 

[jayemm]

Great! thanks Jayemm!

You are welcome!

 

[vanapplebomb]

What are the c-clamps and aluminum stock for, keep things centered? I realize it's only an inch off the ground and pretty safe. And looks like the boom extension is in the "1 ton" position. lol Pretty impressive for that thing.

Correct, they are to keep it centered and the base away from the casters. If the base is up against the legs, I couldn’t turn the machine easily because the casters couldn’t swivel.

And yes, highly not recommended, but it is in the 1 ton position. The 1.5 ton position was too close to the frame to balance the machine.

 

[vanapplebomb]

How did you manage to get the hoist out from behind the mill once you moved it into the corner?

I removed the legs. There are two pins that hold each leg on. With the legs removed, I could roll the rest out from behind.

 

[vanapplebomb]

Yeah right, just pretend to be reviewing a HF hoist when in reality you just wanted to make us all machine tool jealous.
Mission accomplished!
Hate beam aimed at your cactus, let us know when it dies.


regards, Joe King

Haha, I am a sucker for old tools. As for the cactus, not native to Michigan, but I have had it since I was 5 years old. As for the hoist, I was pretty surprised how well it did with the lathe. It’s a short 5’ long bed, but it fit right inside the legs of the hoist when balanced. Easy to move. The mill… that was more difficult, but it got there. That wells index is a beast.

 

[rick carpenter]

HF bit holder. Neither pass nor fail, just minimally functional until I find or make something better. It needs to be deeper and/or have skinnier diameter holes. It holds short single-ended impact bits OK, but longer bits and double-ended Japanese bits flop around. I've seen this bit holder sold by many companies.

 

[Madjik Man]

HF bit holder. Neither pass nor fail, just minimally functional until I find or make something better. It needs to be deeper and/or have skinnier diameter holes. It holds short single-ended impact bits OK, but longer bits and double-ended Japanese bits flop around. I've seen this bit holder sold by many companies.

This is the one I have saved in my cart for future purchase. Looking at the photos in the reviews it appears to hold the bits a lot better than that HF one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXZ6HIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dscheidt]

HF bit holder. Neither pass nor fail, just minimally functional until I find or make something better. It needs to be deeper and/or have skinnier diameter holes. It holds short single-ended impact bits OK, but longer bits and double-ended Japanese bits flop around. I've seen this bit holder sold by many companies.

I have one of those, sold by someone else. The bits are a loose fit in the holes, but they're noticably closer than that.

 

[rick carpenter]

This is the one I have saved in my cart for future purchase. Looking at the photos in the reviews it appears to hold the bits a lot better than that HF one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXZ6HIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks. The holes do look skinnier but it looks too shallow, maybe barely 7mm(?) deep, for double-ended Japanese bits which don't have the 1/4" section all the way to a flat base like the single-ended hex bits on the first row right and the western (9mm anvil) socket bit in the middle in my pic. I think that's the reason why Japanese bits fit ~40mm deep into my Anex & Vessel interchangeable bit handles.

 

[rick carpenter]

HF bit holder. Neither pass nor fail, just minimally functional until I find or make something better. It needs to be deeper and/or have skinnier diameter holes. It holds short single-ended impact bits OK, but longer bits and double-ended Japanese bits flop around. I've seen this bit holder sold by many companies.

I separated the magnetic bottom and added about 1" with plywood & hardboard. I plasti-dipped it hoping enough spray would get into the holes to tighten how the bits fit. It's better, I'd now say PASS with MODS.

 

[mashguy4077]

HF bit holder. Neither pass nor fail, just minimally functional until I find or make something better. It needs to be deeper and/or have skinnier diameter holes. It holds short single-ended impact bits OK, but longer bits and double-ended Japanese bits flop around. I've seen this bit holder sold by many companies.

On The Go Bit Holder - Non Slip

The Silicone Bit Holders are just what you need to keep 37 of your 1/4 inch screw driver bits organized and available for use in the field or on your bench. Why are On The Go Bit Holders so cool? They are made of a solid block silicone with chemical and heat resistant properties. If your bit...

countycomm.com

 

[mashguy4077]

I separated the magnetic bottom and added about 1" with plywood & hardboard. I plasti-dipped it hoping enough spray would get into the holes to tighten how the bits fit. It's better, I'd now say PASS with MODS.

You should check out these.

On The Go Bit Holder - Non Slip

The Silicone Bit Holders are just what you need to keep 37 of your 1/4 inch screw driver bits organized and available for use in the field or on your bench. Why are On The Go Bit Holders so cool? They are made of a solid block silicone with chemical and heat resistant properties. If your bit...

countycomm.com

They have them in orange or glow in the dark silicone.

I’ve got 2 but haven’t actually used them yet.

 

[Bagherra]

Anyone have these? I need these all the time for the motorcycles and this price is good.
Ball End Hex Key Set

I have a the set where each size is a different color. Love that cuz i can tell my son to hand me the "red" one

 

[rick carpenter]

You should check out these.

On The Go Bit Holder - Non Slip

The Silicone Bit Holders are just what you need to keep 37 of your 1/4 inch screw driver bits organized and available for use in the field or on your bench. Why are On The Go Bit Holders so cool? They are made of a solid block silicone with chemical and heat resistant properties. If your bit...

countycomm.com

They have them in orange or glow in the dark silicone.

I’ve got 2 but haven’t actually used them yet.

Thanks. Pretty interesting, tapered holes in a silicone block to provide secure bit fitment. And for a good price. Please try them out and let us know how well they work.

 

[Prospecter]

I have several HF bit holders. They don't seem any different than others I bought (for color variety). Big Pass on the HF. I love 'em. Nice fit and right hold. Not too loose. Not too tight. I use them in shallow drawers (upright), so anything really long is lying flat in the drawer.

 

[wingnutx]

Icon micro-ratchet set, PASS

Also functions as a t-handle and screwdriver.

It's perfect for my motorcycle tool kit. Replaces the ratchet & allen wrenches on the right, saving space and weight. I looked at a ton of similar tools and this one rocks.

I think it's manufactured by High-Five and sold under a bunch of different brands.

https://youtu.be/tyvhq65iJ8s

 

[GeoBruin]

Icon micro-ratchet set, PASS

Also functions as a t-handle and screwdriver.

It's perfect for my motorcycle tool kit. Replaces the ratchet & allen wrenches on the right, saving space and weight. I looked at a ton of similar tools and this one rocks.

I think it's manufactured by High-Five and sold under a bunch of different brands.

https://youtu.be/tyvhq65iJ8s

I've been thinking about it for my ebike/trailer. Between the bike and trailer, I've got a number of different Allen fasteners and hex bolt sizes and of course screws. It seeks like I could cover all of them with this kit and a few sockets.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

quinn pistol grip wire stripper

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

haven't had them long enough to see how they hold up, but so far they work as they should, so a PASS for now. if they do wind up breaking i'll update. made in Taiwan

after almost a year, so far so good, still working just fine. just used them again this afternoon

 

[Loose Ctrl]

after almost a year, so far so good, still working just fine. just used them again this afternoon

What gauge wire do you use this to strip? Most everything I do is 10-18 ga.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

What gauge wire do you use this to strip? Most everything I do is 10-18 ga.

same size, i just used it running a painless harness in my truck.

 

[Odd-job]

Icon scraper for around $11 after coupon is a pass. Used it to scrape a kid induced sticker infestation off of several windows.

Can use it with two hands. A lot more comfortable than a small retractable one I had been using.

 

[Rockable]

Just bought the Chief Needle Scaler. This is a heavy duty, quality tool. PASS. The lighter duty needle scaler is being phased out and would have been a fail.

Professional Air Needle Scaler

Amazing deals on this Professional Air Needle Scaler at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[lolaetype]

I needed a light duty workstand for use in the 2nd garage. I've got a Workmate hanging onthe wall in the other garage but it's a hassle to drag it back and forth as needed. So, I bought this:

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

Surprisingly sturdy given it's weight. I'll use it as a small portable workbench when I don't want to make a mess in the garage.

I give it a pass, especially for $23

 

[BreeStephany]

I have a pretty nice MAC tap & die 'super set' for my home toolbox, but wanted a small, quality tap & die set for my work truck (electrician) for those random moments where I need something other than the standard 6-32,8-32,10-24,10-32 & 1/4-20 drill taps in my Greenlee DTAP kit.

I recently picked up the ICON 41pc. SAE drill & tap set from Harbor Freight, which with a 25% off coupon, wasn't too bad.



I have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the taps & dies. The centering adjustment on the die wrench isn't comparable to tool truck quality and there were some surface imperfections on the outside of the dies, but so far the taps & dies have been easily cutting clean threads and don't flex like cheaper sets.

For an 'occasional use' set to keep on the truck, its a PASS, especially for $98.

 

[Outahere]

I used my HF Memorial Day 25% coupon to buy this Viking 1000A carbon pile battery tester, for $150 plus tax. I like it. The analog meters are properly calibrated, when checked against my Fluke meters. This unit is a higher quality carbon pile than the Chicago Electric 500A carbon pile I bought from Hf about ten years ago. This is a PASS.

 

[Kenstone1]

I needed a light duty workstand for use in the 2nd garage. I've got a Workmate hanging on the wall in the other garage but it's a hassle to drag it back and forth as needed. So, I bought this:

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

Surprisingly sturdy given it's weight. I'll use it as a small portable workbench when I don't want to make a mess in the garage.

I give it a pass, especially for $23

I have one of those, and the Workmate version as well.
The HF is way sturdier, but I stiffened up both by welding the joints of the front and back cross braces and legs.
The Wmate has big gaps, so I laid a finish nail in the joints/gaps and welded over them.



I used the HF as a make-shift welding table for a while.
I put wheels on 2 legs and a handle opposite so I could roll it outside to weld:

Sorry for the bloviation, way too much info.
.

 

[zendriver]

I've had the inexpensive reliable HF automotive battery/charger tester for years, but was looking for something a bit more advanced, to use as backup.

Wasn't even on sale, but not a terrible price and seemed to fail bad batteries and pass good ones, verifying charging health, on the systems tested. There are similar designed testers on youtube.

PASS would have been even happier if it was on sale (that's life).

12V Digital Battery and System Tester

Amazing deals on this 12V Digital Battery And System Tester at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[dagofast]

I finally gave up trying to find a cheap portaband saw at yard/estate sales and bought one of these: https://www.harborfreight.com/10-amp-deep-cut-variable-speed-band-saw-64194.html for a buck twenty.

My plan was to also pick up a SWAG table to mount it to but then Harbor Freight introduced these: https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-portable-band-saw-benchtop-stand-59640.html It is pretty much a steal at $99.

It does the SWAG table one better by not just being a vertical bandsaw, it also lets you use it as a horizontal cut off saw that does straight and miter cuts. It takes a little fiddle farting around to get the saw lined up just right in the stand and a little more farting around with the on/off lever to activate the trigger switch on the saw but once you get that all done, it works a treat. It also comes with a table when using it as a vertical bandsaw and various brackets to mount a Bauer, Hercules, Milwaukee or DeWalt brand bandsaw.

I'd rate both as a pass.

 

[bubinga]

I used my HF Memorial Day 25% coupon to buy this Viking 1000A carbon pile battery tester, for $150 plus tax. I like it. The analog meters are properly calibrated, when checked against my Fluke meters. This unit is a higher quality carbon pile than the Chicago Electric 500A carbon pile I bought from Hf about ten years ago. This is a PASS.

That's nice. Reminds me of the old Sun VAT 40's? Does it test starter draw too

 

[Toyo72]

Fortress 2 gallon air compressor - PASS
This has been a really nice addition to the garage, have had it for 2 years and it has been flawless. Runs very quietly, fills up to pressure quickly when you power it up, runs small air tools like my Metabo finish nailer with ease.

Bauer 6 gallon wet/dry shop vac - PASS
Bought this hoping it would last through one construction project, and it has been surprisingly durable through lots of abuse. Sucked 15 gallons of water, uphill, out of some buried conduit. I've vacuumed concrete dust slurry, drywall dust, and lots of construction cleanup mess with this thing, and it just keeps going. Guess I should replace the filter...

Chicago Electric 4 in. Biscuit Plate Joiner - FAIL
It works, but way too much slop in the mechanism. Not for precise work. I returned it.

 

[zendriver]

ZR15s OBD2 Code Reader - PASS​

Always been a fan of inexpensive automotive diagnostic equipment, especially ODB2, which I upgrade over time, as they add more features. This model has a large screen, lot of features and luckily, plenty of keys to easily maneuver through them. Realy like the battery/alternator tests, ID's vehicles easily and stored codes from multiple vehicles if the batteries are installed in the unit. TPMS support on some level, on a '14 Highlander, bunch of info, not sure yet how to decipher. connect to the repairsolutions2 site got a bunch of info on recalls, repairs parts and service bulletins. Free at least for now.

Just a fun piece of high tech test equipment. Used 20% off ITC coupon, grabbed the last one they had.

ZR15s OBD2 Code Reader with 3.5 In. Display and Active Test/FIXASSIST

Amazing deals on this Zr15S Active Test Obd2 Code Reader at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Maybe it's just me(or the heavy ply tire), but I give the Pittsburg tire plug kit - epic FAIL

The handles are strong but the tool metal is soft and flimsy. The adhesive on the plugs was like freshly chewed sugar-free gum, just a mess. runny glue.

Tubeless Tire Repair Kit, 9-Piece

Amazing deals on this 9Pc Tubeless Tire Repair Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Tomstir]

same size, i just used it running a painless harness in my truck.

thoughts on the painless harness? you can message me to get this off this thread

 

[XJSuperman]

I bought the new chopsaw frame for the portaband. I am not impressed. It's been a real pain to setup so far. I made one cut that was pretty crooked, after spending a lot of time checking for square and clamping the saw in place.
There's no great way to clamp a workpiece without a specific clamp that isn't included. C-clamps doesn't work, and the frame floor doesnt allow for typical locking visegrip type clamps. The on/off trigger setup is pretty useless, but maybe more finnageling and I'll get it figured out. The stand is adjustable but fitment still manages to ****. The blade should easily align with the opening in the frame floor, however it is physically impossible to attain that when using the Bauer saw. I like the Bauer saw, but in the frame it just isn't working well. I'll update if the weekend brings about better results.

 

[dchawk81]

thoughts on the painless harness? you can message me to get this off this thread

If a harness is painless, is it really a harness? @PelicanPines