The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[subarub4]

has anyone tried the HF 5 gal portable air tank?

I got pissed when I picked up a 7 gal from autozone new and unopened and went to fill it with air and the pressure reading was still at 0 PSI when I had 90 psi in the tank.. I returned it.

 

[dlc]

20% off coupon good thru Dec. and other up to date coupons here:

http://dealspl.us/harborfreight-coupons

 

[dlc]

has anyone tried the HF 5 gal portable air tank?

I got pissed when I picked up a 7 gal from autozone new and unopened and went to fill it with air and the pressure reading was still at 0 PSI when I had 90 psi in the tank.. I returned it.

I've had one for a while now. Works great after I changed out the air chuck with a good one. It would leak down overnight.

 

[subarub4]

I've had one for a while now. Works great after I changed out the air chuck with a good one. It would leak down overnight.

Ah ok.. I was also thinking about picking up that 110lb blaster that's on sale coming up.

 

[bchee]

FInally I feel like i can contribute...
I have a Harbor Frieght store down the street... here is my pile oF pass/fail:

Lasted about a year I bought the protection plan, and ended up getting my money back since they didnt have one in stock to swap it with
3 HP, 21 Gallon, 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor FAIL
3 HP, 21 Gallon, 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor

Just bought one of these (94667 compressor) and there is a pinhole in the top weld.
I could hear the air leaking and found it right away.
FAIL I guess, although I haven't actually used it yet.

I will exchange it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-21-gallon-115-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-94667.html

 

[HomeBrewA4]

I have bought various things over the years at Harbor Freight, nothing to the amount you guys have but here is what I have found.

Today I picked up the light blue nitrite gloves and they are 10 times better then the expensive ones my fiance picks up for me in other places. I was able to wipe oil off of the gloves with a rag without tearing the gloves. I can even taken them off and use them over and over (I take them off when going to the bathroom or getting into my car or something). Anyways, the expensive gloves tore after grabbing a wrench from my box, these do not. Def a PASS

I bought the bigger welder magnets and the pack of really small ones. The small ones were FAIL. They wouldnt even hold small sheetmetal projects together. The bigger ones, if I used 2, I could hold 2x4x.125 box tubing together for when I built my old trucks frame. so I PASS the big ones. Both sets I threw out after a year though

Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Auto darkening welding helmet. I have this helmet and a Speedglass 9100XX. I am a certified welder and use to build fire trucks and worked in the ladder department. Out of my 10-12 hour shift, I spent at least 7-8 out of that under a hood, doing certain welding patterns on ladder sections. I use to grab my HF hood over my speedglass hood all the time. A lot of the time it was due to the fact it was lighter and seemed to ventilate well. Not only that, but as I was going around my jigs at work, a bar clamp smashed the face and destoryed it. I def PASS the HF hood. I love it.

Rapid Pump jack This was bought because I work 99% on lowered audi's and vw's on my off time and nothing else will fit. I have used it to lift my boss' 04 audi, my 00 audi and my 97 jetta, among other cars. Working over a year without any problems at all. PASS

1000lbs Engine Stand This engine stand has held 4-5 motors in the last 9 months for extended periods of time. All but 1 motor have been 20v 1.8t motors. The other motor was my 2.7tt motor. I had the iron blocked 2.7tt motor, complete, hanging on it for several months without any issues. I'd say its a PASS

2 Ton Cherry Picker This has pulled 5-6 motors in the 9 months that I have owned it. Again, mainly 1.8t motors, a VW 2.0, my old 2.7tt and a Ford EFI 5.0. Its worked amazingly. I'd PASS it.

Air Hammer I bought this because one of my pinch bolts was seized into my upright on my Audi and I had to drill and hammer the bolt out. It worked great and had no signs of slowing down. PASS

3 piece step bits I bought these about 3 years ago when I was building my old Nissan (full frame, air bags, bodydropped (hot rodders call it channeling). I have used them many many many times. They have drilled through 1/4" steel plate with a pilot hole first made. The tip is finally going dull on the middle sized one, but the stepper parts, are still very sharp. I drilled through 2 pieces of 1/8" steel on my shop doors for a lock on my slider doors that other wise, is no good way of locking them up. It cut through it without issue. PASS

I haven't bought a lot, but also haven't bought any junk. I dont buy their abrasives, or anything chinky. I guess because I have to drive 20-25 minutes 1 way, I dont even go there too often, at least, not as often as I should be.

 

[Danglerb]

has anyone tried the HF 5 gal portable air tank?

I got pissed when I picked up a 7 gal from autozone new and unopened and went to fill it with air and the pressure reading was still at 0 PSI when I had 90 psi in the tank.. I returned it.

I don't know the size but I've had a carry around air tank from HF for more than 10 years, holds air, shows the pressure, just not as useful as I thought it might be once I got a real compressor.

 

[sasquach]

Homebrew who did you work for when you built firetrucks ?

 

[rayzor32]

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-18-volt-cordless-impact-driver-67028.html

Anybody ever use this guy?? Not sure if 18v from HF is worth anything.. but if it is ill give it a shot for 20 bucks.. OR should I just spend the $$$ on a ryobi. The ryobi ive used before is freaking awesome will drive right through pressure treated 4x4s, built a deck and did framing all day long with that thing and it didnt quit but had to change batteries a couple of times. Maybe buy this thing take it home try it out if junk then take back for a refund.. only concern is battery life (though they are only 10 bucks).

 

[amt]

http://www.harborfreight.com/multifunction-power-tool-67256.html

Add me to "satisfied" with this tool. I can't comment on longevity yet, but this thing so far is a real work horse. I have used it for both sanding and cutting a hole in the back of a built in shelf for wiring network cables. It works like a charm. I really can't believe this thing is only $35 on sale. I suppose you could spend a lot more on accessories eventually.

 

[nuclearlemon]

i only gave this a marginal pass, because it was cheap. the casters were ****, so i replaced those. i have old landcruisers, so i left the 10mm bolts cause i use those all day long, but on the chains for the bottle, while long enough, the lower chain is useless...it's too far down to do anything but sit on the ground. to get the bottle snug up against the back brace also puts it right up against the back of the welder, pushing it forward.

Chicago Electric Welding Systems 90305 Mig Cart PASS

At the time of this writing, it's on sale for $40. I put one together and it's a decent item for the $. Takes up less space than my old flat bed cart (also a HF unit) and is much, much sturdier. Eastwood sells what looks like the same cart for $50, which is cheaper than the regular HF price of $60. Go figure Eastwood cheaper than HF. The hooks for cords and cables looked small, but worked fine. The casters and rear tires work OK and the cart maneuvers fine but they could be reworked to a better grade for little extra $.

Notes:
I changed most of the hardware from Chi 10 mm to 1/4" I had plenty of 3/4" 1/4-20 bolts and a whole sack of serrated flange nuts. Made it very sturdy. I left the Chi hardware on the top shelf to leave clearance for my Hobart 140. All holes were plenty big, no drilling required.

The chains actually reach around my big mix bottle, unlike the old cart which came with what looked like a collar for a very small dog.

My Hobart 140 has a side door that comes all the way down on the left (facing the controls). I slid a piece of cedar shake under that side so the door clears the tray. I'm on the lookout for some cheap stick on rubber feet to put under the welder.

I'm tall - 6' 1". The cart is a decent height - no problem with the welder controls. It would still please me if it could be a couple of inches taller. I want to grab the welder to move the cart instead of the lip on the top tray. The rear tire shaft is a metric 1/2" (about .435) diameter. The tube under the welder takes a real 1/2" shaft just fine, so I will probably buy a set of 4" or 5" casters and some slightly larger diameter rear tires.

 

[HomeBrewA4]

Homebrew who did you work for when you built firetrucks ?

Crimson Fire

 

[lipadj46]

Just bought one of these (94667 compressor) and there is a pinhole in the top weld.
I could hear the air leaking and found it right away.
FAIL I guess, although I haven't actually used it yet.

I will exchange it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-21-gallon-115-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-94667.html

I have that compressor, I would get the slightly larger compressor (its the black 110 volt model with the slightly larger pump and tank and is rated to 125 psi). While I use the compressor and it works great with impacts and air ratchets, it is slow, has low CFM, is loud and the max you can set it to is 125psi. I still think it is a good but at $130 or whatever when it is on sale with the coupon.

 

[mikevango]

holy **** i found something there that actually worked!
ww.harborfreight.com/super-toilet-plunger-65788.html

 

[roldar]

The had a 7 function digital multi-meter on sale for $4.00 today. I got one to keep in the tool box. Will post about it when I get a chance to use it. I have a used Fluke from a pawnshop but it stays in the garage. So this will not be a primary.

 

[kab00m]

Inner Tie Rod Removal Set

Item # 96558 Manufacturer: U.S. General

PASS

The only exception to this tool is one of the ball detents popped out and will not stay in. It did not affect the usage of the tool though.

 

[Rivethead]

i've used the earthquake 1/4 drive air rachet and found out its pretty badass. im so impressed with it im getting the 3/8 air rachet, but its on backorder and wont get in the warehouses until october 1st . i went to the harbor freight in shreveport, la and they had the 56' rolling cabinet on display. i checked it out, tried to see how much it would flex, and played with the drawers some. i will say the drawers were DEEP, at least 22 inches. the only thing holding me back from buying it is idk if there's a top box for it or not because i would like to have that option for the future. maybe not from hf but does anyone know of one anywhere?

 

[lipadj46]

i've used the earthquake 1/4 drive air rachet and found out its pretty badass. im so impressed with it im getting the 3/8 air rachet, but its on backorder and wont get in the warehouses until october 1st . i went to the harbor freight in shreveport, la and they had the 56' rolling cabinet on display. i checked it out, tried to see how much it would flex, and played with the drawers some. i will say the drawers were DEEP, at least 22 inches. the only thing holding me back from buying it is idk if there's a top box for it or not because i would like to have that option for the future. maybe not from hf but does anyone know of one anywhere?

I think you will like the 3/8" earthquake ratchet. The 3/8 and 1/2 impacts are badass too.

 

[Scout Driver]

I broke one of these screwdrivers right in the store yesterday. Therefore.....FAIL.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/6-in-1-screwdriver-with-tpr-handle-98899.html

Scott

 

[Rivethead]

i took a pic of it. if you look in the back on top of the box, you can see how deep it is

 

[bchee]

i took a pic of it. if you look in the back on top of the box, you can see how deep it is

Just saw one in the store today for $800. Looked pretty good for $640 with coupon.

 

[bchee]

I broke one of these screwdrivers right in the store yesterday. Therefore.....FAIL.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/6-in-1-screwdriver-with-tpr-handle-98899.html

Scott

You didn't break it, the shaft is supposed to come out.

 

[Bolster]

Hmm, this thread is approaching a quarter million views.

I suppose someone will want me to say a few words at the 250,000 mark?

Very well then I shall prepare something.

 

[lipadj46]

Hmm, this thread is approaching a quarter million views.

I suppose someone will want me to say a few words at the 250,000 mark?

Very well then I shall prepare something.

As long is it not "HF *****!"

 

[drivethechevy]

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html
301 peice mechanics tool set
PASS, i bought it for my brother so he could fix his dirt bike and work on his truck, and has never had a problem with them and they get used hard, he has had the set for almost 2 years now, my dad even bought a set to keep in the tractor for feild use
lots of tools for cheapthe shalow 1/2 inch drive even held up when used on the mac air impact i gave my brother last christmas

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-34683.html
13 Piece 1/2" Metric Deep Wall Impact Socket Set
MASSIVE FAIL, a guy at my work had them for about 2 weeks using mainly the 19 and the 21mm, the 21mm failed when the 1/2 inch drive slot wore loose and the socket wouldnt stay on any of the drive heads, the 19mm shattered when taking off a wheel he was really lucky he and no one else was hurt

 

[Scout Driver]

You didn't break it, the shaft is supposed to come out.

The shaft pulled the retaining ring out of the handle.

Scott

 

[meissen]

Super pass on the hydraulic ones. I have also used the cheap four wheel caster one, which worked, but these can move a car light nobodys business. I actually have to hold the fenders to slow the car down as I push it.

Does anyone know the part number of this dolly? I'd love to get the hydraulic ones but I don't see it on their website.

 

[Bolster]

As long is it not "HF *****!"

Well now what am I going to say?

 

[buford36]

Does anyone know the part number of this dolly? I'd love to get the hydraulic ones but I don't see it on their website.

here you go
http://www.harborfreight.com/1250-lb-capacity-mechanical-wheel-dolly-67287.html

 

[jwx]

The shaft pulled the retaining ring out of the handle.

Scott

I've had that happen before. I just pushed it back in and never have had any problems with it after that on the ones I've used.

 

[nuclearlemon]

Super pass on the hydraulic ones. I have also used the cheap four wheel caster one, which worked, but these can move a car light nobodys business. I actually have to hold the fenders to slow the car down as I push it.

what kind of weight? i have heavy landcruisers and am looking for a quality set of these. the standard black car trays that hf sells ****.

 

[BerninicaCO3]

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-cushion-grip-screwdriver-set-1847.html

FAIL: bought them and put them in my toolbox in my car, on maybe a 90-degree day.
Pull one out to unscrew some bits of trim on my car, and the HANDLE starts rotating around the metal shaft, which is staying stationary along with the screw. The handle had softened sufficiently in the heat to become rubbery. I'll say again: this was not that much heat either! I let them cool down inside and they resolidified, but my god, what cheap plastic. I'm not in the polymer industry, I understand it has something to do with the length of the polymer chains that make a plastic more or less rigid, and the stiffer plastics/longer chains are more expensive. They must have used some real short polymers to turn semisolid at 90F

 

[zx9rgreen]

[url]http://www.harborfreight.com...metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-34683.html
13 Piece 1/2" Metric Deep Wall Impact Socket Set
MASSIVE FAIL, a guy at my work had them for about 2 weeks using mainly the 19 and the 21mm, the 21mm failed when the 1/2 inch drive slot wore loose and the socket wouldnt stay on any of the drive heads, the 19mm shattered when taking off a wheel he was really lucky he and no one else was hurt

My 19mm deep well impact socket exploded today while rotating the tires on my car.....FAIL!

 

[mtkst19]

the last garage i rented with friends, there was 10 of us in the garage. Skill levels are all over the place. Some people abuse tools, others had more finesse.

one garage mate picked up the 115 piece titanium nitride coated drill bit set. This gets a huge PASS I have witnessed all of these bits get abused/miss used and tortured. They drilled through stainless steel schedule 40 weld ells that we make turbo headers out of, and various other hard things. I seen people over speed the bits--dull them to where smoke was rolling off what they were drilling. Put a new edge on it though and kept on going. http://www.harborfreight.com/115-pi...d-m2-high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-1611.html
what killed this set was people never putting bits back where they got them. all the bits basically came up missing.

with this in mind, i bought myself the cobalt drill bit set on sale for 99.99 plus another 20% off. i will say, they seem to be nice quality. if they last like the above set did i would be happy. so far they are doing well, but i dont generally abuse my bits. so far a pass, but jury is still out

i also picked up the left hand drill bit set. the 1st set i bought i used up on broken bolts or whatever. they got abused, and i even broke some of them. they get a pass though as they got the job done. the failure was caused by me. I bought a second set to replenish the bits i already broke. worth having in the box just in case. i give them a pass http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-left-hand-drill-bit-set-95146.html

next up is this long neck funnel. http://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-long-neck-black-funnel-66479.html if you only have one funnel in the garage this is the one to have. it is strong and durable, and long enough to reach most hard places or use in gas tank filler necks. i have a few around the garage. a pass

this 6 piece stainless steel pick set also gets a pass. http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-pick-set-93514.html this is not a "strong" pick set like something you use to pull seals or what have you. more or less for fine work. they are more like dental picks than automotive style. but they have come in handy for me. none the less a pass

i bought a set of their wooden handled ball pein hammer set too for the home garage. i give it a pass. However, you may need to buy some hammer wedges to pick up the slop in the handles to hammer heads. I get those for 10 for a buck at the flea market, so no big deal. even my more expensive hammers will need a new wedge in the top after a few years of abuse. i dont see a link to them on their website though. just the fiberglass handled version. I prefer a wood handle. But i always used a wood ball bat instead of an aluminum one even while playing college ball.

 

[Tom2]

I bought the left hand bit set.. Didn't drill very well at all IMO. And yes, the drill was set in the correct direction Maybe I'll give them another shot on the next broken bolt I have.

 

[Rstamand]

I purchase the 3 in 1 flooring nailer last year and did my entire house with it. I used Bostich cleats in it that I purchased locally. It preformed very well. Never misfired or jammed. Not ever. The purchase price was less than the cost to rent one at my local home improvement store. A good deal for sure. PASS

 

[Homoudont]

I purchase the 3 in 1 flooring nailer last year and did my entire house with it. I used Bostich cleats in it that I purchased locally. It preformed very well. Never misfired or jammed. Not ever. The purchase price was less than the cost to rent one at my local home improvement store. A good deal for sure. PASS

I had spent the extra $$$ on a porter cable brand flooring nailer and it worked very well. But when the pro's were rebuilding my mother's house I noticed they were using the HF flooring nailer, and their floors came out nearly perfect. So in this case I'd purchase the HF flooring nailer if I had to do it all over again.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

I have always shunned HF but, there drawer lining material is 7.99 for 18 X 72 Home cheapot sells 18 X48 for 6.99, I have also bought a wire brush set round for cleaning the box end of wrenches both PASS

I have not had a problem with the socket clips KINDA pass

 

[wbclassics]

with this in mind, i bought myself the cobalt drill bit set on sale for 99.99 plus another 20% off. i will say, they seem to be nice quality. if they last like the above set did i would be happy. so far they are doing well, but i dont generally abuse my bits. so far a pass, but jury is still out

Any idea where that Cobalt drill bit set is made?

A few years ago at HF (when they used to sell individual drill bits), I picked up a pair of 3/8" Cobalt drill bits that were made somewhere in a former Soviet country. Excellent quality - quite possibly the best drill bit I've ever owned. My other Cobalt bits are Dewalt brand, made in Germany, and they're not the equal of the HF EasternBloc Cobalt bits.

 

[snakeroo]

I bought two of the 12-ton H frame bottle jack presses in July. The one has been totally fine. The second, we only took out of the box last week. And right away the jack failed. Bled it numerous times, but it kept failing. So yesterday afternoon, exchanged it for another. After the 3rd crank down on the handle it made a "pop" sound. But we released and started cranking over again till the bar went down to where we needed it. Woke up this morning to find it failed sometime overnight. This is extremely frustrating, as the closest HF store is 1.5 hours away. FAIL. (2 out of 3 bottle jacks thusfar, at least)