The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[qqzj]

Lots of Honda strut bolt are 24mm

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Lots of Honda strut bolt are 24mm

Whoa! That was a close one. Mark me safe from Honda strut bolts. I love their motorcycles and own a 2014 CB500X that I set up for offraod adventure riding. I've owned their dirt bikes and ATVs when I was a kid. All good stuff. I also own a 1992 Accord and it is a total pain in the ***. Glad it's not my only vehicle.

 

[Wrench97]

It's a very uncommon size for me. I was an auto tech for over a decade and I never touched a 24mm tool until I needed to replace the EGR tube on my Furd Ranger.

Aka a 15/16".....................use both all the time on trucks.

 

[mark-NJ]

LED Trailer Lights....PASS

12V LED Trailer Light Kit

Amazing deals on this Led Trailer Light Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

My boat trailer came stock with the cheapest possible lights. Old-fashioned 1157-style lamps pressed into cheap tin-plated "holders" (I can't call them sockets). The lamps would rattle themselves loose as I drove, so sometimes I didn't have lights, unbeknownst to me. And, if they managed to stay in place, and if I forgot to disconnect the trailer harness while backing into the lake, the illuminated hot bulb would hit the cold lake water and it was usually game over for the lamps as often as not. (not a fault of the assembly, but still). And over time, corrosion began to take its toll.

What to do?

I was at HF looking for something altogether different (isn't that always the case?), and I saw that they had these LED replacements. Hmmm....Interesting! And for about $30 (back then...this about 4 years ago) I figured I had nowhere to go but "up", so I bought them. I didn't have high hopes, but anything was better than the stock assemblies.

These HF LED kits are circuit-board mounted multi-segment LEDs with a conformal coating, so they're more-or-less sealed & impervious to vibration, shock, water, dirt, etc. They're awesome and have been trouble-free from the day I put them on. And they're a lot brighter than the old 1157 incandescent lamps, too! Additionally, I back into the lake with no issues at all...they shine brightly underwater, no issues! (note: I cannot speak to the effects of salt water....my boat is a lake boat only).

The license plate frame is garbage, but I long-ago make a nice heavy one for the trailer, so that was not an issue.

Anyway, installation was simple, wiring was easy, and it's been about 4 years now of zero problems. I'd buy these again in a heartbeat.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Any input on the HF Shrinker/Stretcher set? At $149, it's $100 less than Eastwood's set and it appears to be the exact same bodies. Just wondering how the jaws hold up and if they are replaceable with better jaws in the future.

Metal Shrinker/Stretcher Set

Amazing deals on this Metal Shrinker/ Stretcher Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Chance]

It's a very uncommon size for me. I was an auto tech for over a decade and I never touched a 24mm tool until I needed to replace the EGR tube on my Furd Ranger.

The rear drums on a '68 (?) VW I had were held on with 24mm castellated nut, IIRC. I kept the socket for 30 years when it turned out to be exactly the size for the oil filter cap on my 2004 BMW. So a common enough size for European cars, I guess.

 

[TdK71]

Have you guys seen this:

EARTHQUAKE XT 1/2 in. Composite Ultra-Torque Air Impact Wrench, Twin Hammer, 1500 ft. lbs.

I can't wait for the Torque Test Channel review of this, should be interesting.

 

[bcradio]

Have you guys seen this:

EARTHQUAKE XT 1/2 in. Composite Ultra-Torque Air Impact Wrench, Twin Hammer, 1500 ft. lbs.

I can't wait for the Torque Test Channel review of this, should be interesting.

I haven't. Looks interesting.
Is it a pass or fail?

 

[TdK71]

I haven't. Looks interesting.
Is it a pass or fail?

Don't know I'm hoping TTC will do a YT review and I'll be able to determine whether or not to purchase.

 

[JRC3]

These will be great for gates. Or anything. https://www.harborfreight.com/combo-cable-bike-lock-66689.html

• $5
• Easy to set combo
• Good feel
• $5

 

[WWheeler]

These will be great for gates. Or anything. https://www.harborfreight.com/combo-cable-bike-lock-66689.html

• $5
• Easy to set combo
• Good feel
• $5

And about 5 seconds to defeat

/lockpickinglawyer probably

 

[JRC3]

And about 5 seconds to defeat

/lockpickinglawyer probably

Just so potential new neighbor kids or random utility worker doesn't leave a seldom used gate open. Locks are about keeping honest or mostly honest people that way, shitbags are a different matter and will have a way to easily defeat it.

Funny thing about those rubber/plastic coated cables, the coating keeps the strands in place so you can actually cut through them with side-cutters or even crappy scissors. I mean like you're cutting a piece of rope.

 

[DGersic]

I don’t think I’ve mentioned them, but the 2” and 3” round magnets are great. Cheap, and easy to use to mount something on any steel surface.

 

[TdK71]

Big fail on this: Double Garage Magnetic Screen Door

Thin screen janky top mounting system and little velcro squares for the side closures are too far and few between, as well as no storage methodology.

 

[Hohn]

Pass-- Icon flush cutters. VERY sharp, superbly made. You can use these are precision fingernail trimmers and cuticle nippers if you're inclined, and they also cut flush very nicely for electronics and soft wire. Just avoid hard wire and they should last awhile.

Another great Taiwanese HF tool.

 

[DGersic]

Big fail on this: Double Garage Magnetic Screen Door

Thin screen janky top mounting system and little velcro squares for the side closures are too far and few between, as well as no storage methodology.

I have it. It’s cheap, but it works ok for the price. For the top, I just drove in some screws with heads that will fit the grommets. I have a one car garage, so it’s already way too wide, and I just let the sides hang. Agreed, the little Velcro stickies are (would be) useless.

For storage, I made a simple zipper bag from scrap fabric. Also, a small practice project for the sewing machine.

I should cut it down to better fit the door opening and do something to finish the edges. Maybe I‘ll get to that someday.

 

[Ton ton]

Has anyone bought the electronic fly swatter from HF?

 

[ERG80]

Has anyone bought the electronic fly swatter from HF?

I have actually been very happy with the ones I got long ago as free items. Funny you mention this because I have one at work today I plan to give to a coworker as a gift.

PASS - keep in mind it takes 2 D batteries so can be a little heavy for kids.

 

[fartymarty]

Yes I have one received for free as well. I'm not sure it's efficiency is better than a real swatter, and sometimes it just stuns them so move in quick to finish them off, as I've seen them come to and fly off again. Don't try to use it like you would a regular fly swatter, use a sideways motion, because if you smash it down on a hard surface it will break. As the bug takes flight it should fly right into the electric swatter's path of motion. Two advantages are, 1) it's kinda fun in a sadistic "I hate those darned flies" kinda way, 2) unlike a real manual swatter you aren't left with a messy fly guts clean up job afterwards. Pets sometimes react negatively/scared at the japping electric frying sound, I'm guessing the noise puts out a lot of sound in frequencies I can't hear.

 

[tarbellb]

BIG PASS! This grinder shroud has been great.

Well built, plenty of adapter pieces for most grinders (mine a older Hitachi) and multiple hose attachments.

Excellent dust control, and makes grinding concrete a breeze.

7 in. Surface Grinding Dust Shroud

Amazing deals on this 7In. Universal Dust Shroud at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[GeoBruin]

BIG PASS! This grinder shroud has been great.

Well built, plenty of adapter pieces for most grinders (mine a older Hitachi) and multiple hose attachments.

Excellent dust control, and makes grinding concrete a breeze.

7 in. Surface Grinding Dust Shroud

Amazing deals on this 7In. Universal Dust Shroud at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Great to hear. I actually bought this a while ago when it was on sale but haven't got around to using it yet. Does the moveable front portion work well or did you have a chance to test it?

 

[zendriver]

BIG PASS! This grinder shroud has been great.

Well built, plenty of adapter pieces for most grinders (mine a older Hitachi) and multiple hose attachments.

Excellent dust control, and makes grinding concrete a breeze.

7 in. Surface Grinding Dust Shroud

Amazing deals on this 7In. Universal Dust Shroud at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Lol, good to hear.

I just found one of these unopened in a box of stuff, on my garage yesterday. Purchased it with the 13 amp grinder a while back and just used the grinder, for a different job.

I have some concrete resurfacing jobs coming up that to put it to use.

 

[tarbellb]

Great to hear. I actually bought this a while ago when it was on sale but haven't got around to using it yet. Does the moveable front portion work well or did you have a chance to test it?

Lol, good to hear.

I just found one of these unopened in a box of stuff, on my garage yesterday. Purchased it with the 13 amp grinder a while back and just used the grinder, for a different job.

I have some concrete resurfacing jobs coming up that to put it to use.

The front part does in fact move, lots of dust will escape when open tho.

I had the most success by adjusting the stiff bristles to just below my grinding wheel.
Once that is set its super easy to depress the bristles allowing for a very controlled grind.

Very controlled and 7" grinder don't typically fill the same sentence!

 

[JRC3]

Has anyone bought the electronic fly swatter from HF?

I did about 15 years ago...I had to shave my balls to make contact though.

 

[ZRX61]

Has anyone bought the electronic fly swatter from HF?

My parents took a bunch back to the UK many years ago. Step dad trapped a fly between the swatter & a window at my place one day so pressed the other side with his finger... *ZAPPPP!!!* He was quite impressed with it's efficiency, in fact I think the neighbors heard his product endorsement.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Fail: Pittsburgh R134A A/C Manifold Gauge Set.


I purchased this out of desperation, after the USPS decided not to deliver my Yellow Jacket gauge set on time and has it held up in shipping...

I was able to successfully pull and hold vacuum with this set but it failed when I tried to charge my AC. While charging my AC, the High Side line started to leak where the fitting from the gauge physically attaches to the high side hose. Because of that, I had to close off the valve on the quick connect fitting and detach it from the system and I was unable to read my high side pressures.

I tried to quickly remedy the problem by attempting to attach my high pressure line from my old Mastercool set that has a faulty gauge, but the threads were smaller on the HF manifold set.

I'm bringing it back today and requesting a refund. I know this thing has worked for several others but I cannot recommend after my experience yesterday.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Fail: Pittsburgh R134A A/C Manifold Gauge Set.


I purchased this out of desperation, after the USPS decided not to deliver my Yellow Jacket gauge set on time and has it held up in shipping...

I was able to successfully pull and hold vacuum with this set but it failed when I tried to charge my AC. While charging my AC, the High Side line started to leak where the fitting from the gauge physically attaches to the high side hose. Because of that, I had to close off the valve on the quick connect fitting and detach it from the system and I was unable to read my high side pressures.

I tried to quickly remedy the problem by attempting to attach my high pressure line from my old Mastercool set that has a faulty gauge, but the threads were smaller on the HF manifold set.

I'm bringing it back today and requesting a refund. I know this thing has worked for several others but I cannot recommend after my experience yesterday.

I'm surprise. I bought a Master Cool set and they were identical to HF set.

 

[toyotadriver]

I had a R134A HF gauge set from a few years ago. It worked a couple times and then suddenly failed. I don’t remember the specific failure point now. I replaced it with an all brass set. Can’t recommend the HF tool.

I do have a HF vacuum pump for HVAC and it’s been working great

 

[GeoBruin]

I had a R134A HF gauge set from a few years ago. It worked a couple times and then suddenly failed. I don’t remember the specific failure point now. I replaced it with an all brass set. Can’t recommend the HF tool.

I do have a HF vacuum pump for HVAC and it’s been working great

Which vac pump do you have? Is it still made?

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

I had a R134A HF gauge set from a few years ago. It worked a couple times and then suddenly failed. I don’t remember the specific failure point now. I replaced it with an all brass set. Can’t recommend the HF tool.

I do have a HF vacuum pump for HVAC and it’s been working great

I have one of their pumps and it has worked well. Too bad the same can't be said about the manifold gauges. If the high pressure line wouldn't have failed where the fitting met the line, I would have kept it as a backup unit.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

I'm surprise. I bought a Master Cool set and they were identical to HF set.

My MasterCool set is an older USA made set with the sight glass in it. It was working fine for the last 8 years but now the Low Pressure gauge is not working. I believe after all of the use over the years, it probably got knocked around and now the gauge doesn't read properly. After my new set comes in, I'll probably purchase a new gauge for the low pressure side of the MC unit and keep it as a backup.

 

[toyotadriver]

Which vac pump do you have? Is it still made?

I have this one.

https://www.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-vacuum-pump-61245.html

When I buy another one, I'll buy this one.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-cfm-two-stage-vacuum-pump-61176.html

 

[toyotadriver]

I have one of their pumps and it has worked well. Too bad the same can't be said about the manifold gauges. If the high pressure line wouldn't have failed where the fitting met the line, I would have kept it as a backup unit.

We might have just gotten bad ones because lots of people seem to be happy with them. But, I can't recommend the gauges.

 

[decableguy2000]

I have the HF R134 gauge set and the 3cfm vacuum pump, they worked well for me for the one project I done with it so far.

 

[lardy1]

I bought the Doyle crimping tool with a 20% off coupon. I used it to wire my basement project and the crimper worked just fine. I wasn't impressed with the cutter at all but I didn't buy it for that.

I have no reason to doubt this thing will continue to crimp for a long time to come so I'll give it a pass. If I was using one every day I would probably spend the money on something better but for occassional use, it;s good.

 

[JRC3]

I wish they made a Doyle set that included something with like side cutters, needle nose, linesman, and slip pliers. I would try them in my daily bag but am to cheap to buy them separately.

 

[bmdubya1198]

I don't do a TON of AC work, but I've had my HF manifold gauges for a couple years and have used it several times without issue. Same goes for the vacuum pump. I actually just used both to vacuum down my Mr. Cool mini split in my shop. Just needed R410 adapters, worked perfectly.

 

[Snapped-off]

Have you guys seen this:

EARTHQUAKE XT 1/2 in. Composite Ultra-Torque Air Impact Wrench, Twin Hammer, 1500 ft. lbs.

I can't wait for the Torque Test Channel review of this, should be interesting.

Looks like the Astro Thor

 

[toyotadriver]

This is the gauge set I replaced the HF set with.

Didn’t realize it has been this long. I bought this set in 2017. I remember buying the HF set in 2010.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01BW39F4A

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Does HF offer the high pressure set for HVAC and refrigeration work? I didn't see them. I'm planning to install two central heat and air units in my house and I need a set.