The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[mtkst19]

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.

i still have the box ill take a look.

i know their welding blankets are made in Russia. neighbor guy bought some last weekend. but have not used it to give a report.

 

[RAYJAY]

ok been using them for a while at work seen them on sale last time and thought for 15 bucks try them ...there great big pass good balance heads don't mark up

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-fiberglass-handle-ball-pein-hammer-set-39217.html

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Socket organizers...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-metric-socket-tray-organizer-95783.html

... are a pass if if you relabel them. The metric set is the worst, as it really skips around. The SAE set only skips 19/32", so no loss there, but 1 1/8" and 1 1/4" sockets will not fit as the spacing is off. Much cheaper than buying the Hansen set, and they work great.

 

[muddinguy]

Auto compressor drain kit.

UBBER FAIL !!!!!
I installed this and after the 3rd cycle it stuck open ! after doing a little research im not the only one.. this thing ***** !! dont cut your hose to put this in.. now i have to find some way to fix the hose and chuck this thing in the trash..

 

[bchee]

Auto compressor drain kit.

UBBER FAIL !!!!!
I installed this and after the 3rd cycle it stuck open ! after doing a little research im not the only one.. this thing ***** !! dont cut your hose to put this in.. now i have to find some way to fix the hose and chuck this thing in the trash..

Are you referring to this one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/automatic-compressor-drain-kit-46960.html

Wan't sure what you meant by cutting your hose.

 

[Bolster]

Well, we reached a quarter million views, so as the OP, I have a few words to say on this auspicious occasion:

I think this thread is pretty worthless. Seriously. Why?

(1) Because I'm convinced that HarF has massive amounts of inconsistency from batch to batch on many of its items. From week to week you don't know: different supplier? Did Wong get the heat treat right this time? Who knows! Buy it and find out. So any review posted here may be specific to a particular batch that showed up in a particular store. Luck determines the utility of your tool.

(2) Because I've seen too many postings in this thread that are merely ego-maintenance cognitive dissonance reduction. "I purchased it, so it's good!" For some people that's all it takes. I bought it, I brought it home, I laid it on my workbench, it's still shiny, therefore it's GREAT! And I'll feel better about my purchase if you go buy one too!

Yes, I know some people put their HarF swag through the ringer before posting, kudos to those who do. Yes, I know some HarF stuff is good toolage; I own a few good HarF items myself. But I've seen waaaaay too many posts here where people are posting positive reviews to stuff they just hauled home. Use it for a year, and then talk to me.

Not to mention all the "Pass, if you fix it..." postings. Himmel! It's not supposed to need fixing or modification as soon as you get it home! You wouldn't even tolerate that from Sears! Yet all these "FAILs" regularly get pawned off as "PASSES."

Now go have a nice day!

 

[babyjay8495]

I guess i've been looking over this thread for too long and have bought too many HF tools not to post so here we go.


3/8" Close Quarters Drill with Keyless Chuck- Pass, used it many times. Doesn’t bog down and have never had any issues.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...-quarters-drill-with-keyless-chuck-95877.html


4" Tile Saw with Wet Tray- mine is a little older, but pretty much exactly the same. Pass, been used by many family members and still on the same blade that came with it. Just make sure you keep water in the tray or it bogs down some.


11 Piece Metric Highly Polished Long Handle Combination Wrench Set- Pass. Actually I wasn’t expecating much out of these, but have came in useful in many situations.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...long-handle-combination-wrench-set-47067.html

5 Piece Metric Flex-Head Combo Wrench Set- Super pass, used them many times, can’t break one yet.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-metric-flex-head-combo-wrench-set-66286.html

4 Piece Professional Adjustable Wrenches- Pass. Use this more than I thought. I grab these a lot and the cushion grip does help the hands. I had these four feet down in a mud hole putting in my water line at my house, was filled with mud and sand, just rinsed them off and good as new.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/4-piece-professional-adjustable-wrenches-93943.html

A/C Manifold Gauge Set- Pass, works as it’s supposed to. No issues.
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/refrigeration/a-c-manifold-gauge-set-92649.html

Air Vacuum Pump with R134A and R12 Connectors- Pass, wasn’t expectating it to work, but hell it works great.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...pump-with-r134a-and-r12-connectors-96677.html
4 Piece Socket Adapter Set-Pass, haven’t broke one yet (should have).
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-accessories/4-piece-socket-adapter-set-1793.html

9 Piece Wobble Extension Set- Fail. Even though I haven’t broke one yet, the fit and finish is not great and doesn’t feel like the socket fits like even a craftsman does.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-accessories/9-piece-wobble-extension-set-31203.html

7 Piece 3/8" Swivel Impact Socket Set- I have the metric set, works great, has saved my *** a few times.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...ghth-inch-swivel-impact-socket-set-40985.html


3/8" Heavy Duty Composite Ratchet- Major pass, I have these in the ¼ as well. I converted my brother in law, who is a snap on only guy to try this at work. He’s sold on it as well.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66313.html

10 Piece 1/2" Torque Limiting Extension Bar Set- Pass, asking myself why I didn’t buy these earlier. Accurate and so much faster than hand torquing lug nuts on.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-torque-limiting-extension-bar-set-92890.html

4 Piece 3/8" Quick-Release Extension Bar Set- Major pass. Great fit and finish and has saved my *** on doing rear bank spark plugs on front wheel drive cars.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...ch-quick-release-extension-bar-set-99882.html


Seal Puller w/2 Tips- Major fail. Snapped like a tooth pick when trying to take out the timing cover seal on a Malibu.

http://www.harborfreight.com/seal-puller-35556.html

5 Piece Retaining Ring Pliers Set- Fail twist and bend way too easy. I guess I need to save my money for a set of knipex.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/5-piece-retaining-ring-pliers-set-610.html

 

[Danglerb]

Auto compressor drain kit.

UBBER FAIL !!!!!
I installed this and after the 3rd cycle it stuck open ! after doing a little research im not the only one.. this thing ***** !! dont cut your hose to put this in.. now i have to find some way to fix the hose and chuck this thing in the trash..

I bought one, looked up some reviews, never took it out of the box, but I seem to recall its one of those things where a few people figured out how to fix it and replaced the troublesome bits.

 

[Danglerb]

This is a great thread, and its useful. HF does have a LOT of variation in quality, even in the same tool. Its like the Fire Swamp, once you know what to look out for, its not so bad.

 

[Kev442]

Bolster makes some good points. I have not posted any of my HF purchases on here ever because they don't earn a pass from me until they have surpassed more expensive products from other manufacturers over the long term. The few HF products I would give a pass to, like the orange 10" compound sliding miter saw, are out of production before they have earned my seal of approval! Even then, I had to take the cheesy safety interlock out of the handle and bypass it as it broke in the first 3 months. It is also just for cutting construction lumber, not fine detail work, so is it really a Pass?
I do subscribe to the "it's cheap enough that if it gets through this one project it's paid for itself" theory of HF stuff, but I'm not sure that earns a Pass here. There are definitely some items I thought were great the first few times I used them that are going the other way as they mushroom and bend.

However, I do want to be aware of items from HF that are also sold by other places at triple the price that are the same exact item as HF's. The smaller air compressors are a good example. I see them painted different colors at double the price all over the place.
So there is some value to this thread. Keep it going!

 

[drmarkr]

"Never buy anything at HF that turns more than 100rpm's......"

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[spartyon8]

I have finally had a chance to put the 7" sander/polisher through its paces last weekend. I used it to cut/buff/ and polish my 2010 Tundra. I must say that it did its job and was a quality purchase. The only gripe that I have if that it has an awkward feel when applying pressure to the surface of the car. BTW did the pads it comes with. I am using Meguiars 8" pads and they work great with the HF velcro backing pad.

Pass - http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/polishers/7-inch-variable-speed-polisher-sander-92623.html

 

[JohnFreeman]

"but I seem to recall its one of those things where a few people figured out how to fix it and replaced the troublesome bits. "


It works fine as long as you replace the parts that make it not work fine.

A motto for China Freight Tools?

 

[wbclassics]

Seal Puller w/2 Tips- Major fail. Snapped like a tooth pick when trying to take out the timing cover seal on a Malibu.

http://www.harborfreight.com/seal-puller-35556.html

Seconded - MAJOR FAIL!

If it wasn't for the lifetime warantee I would never have been given a second one, and it has now broken, I can only assume the third one that I'll own will also break.

First one failed at the pulling teeth. Second one failed at the point where the pulling head is pinned into the shaft.

 

[lipadj46]

I will add that the brass wire wheel dremel sets are a fail. I don't see the set online that I got. Even keeping my dremel under the RPM max level on the package I was still getting little brass needles shot into my chest and legs and arms. Cleaned up the vise nice enough but I went through 2 entire packages (each package had 6 or 8 different wire brushes.

 

[King Bojack]

The Centech multimeter (the 25$ one not the 3$ one) has sort of failed on me. It still reads correctly but the screen is somewhat busted, you have to apply pressure to certain spots on t LCD for it to display correctly. My crime? Forgetting about it in the car for a couple of days after working on a family member's car. So a pass on being a DMM, fail on durability.

 

[Bolster]

"Never buy anything at HF that turns more than 100rpm's......"

Or that is supporting weight over your body.

My question is: "When this thing breaks, how could it hurt me?" If it can't, then I may buy it.

Which is why my HarF calipers and microfiber rags get a pass.

 

[mrholeshot]

I buy stuff at HF and bring it home do my best to destroy it. I hate reviews where no real testing has been done. I'll have to say that the majority of the stuff is a waste of money and pure and utter **** but there are a few things I do like. I'll list a few I have tested hard.

US General 41 inch roll cab. Tough as nails, priced cheap and better than Craftsman Ball Bearing series (Not the Professional series)

Pittsburg Snap-On Copy ratchets. Very well designed, very strong and finished well. Beats out several US made ratchets.

Pitsburg roto ratchets. Strong although just a bit tight and is a single pawl design, It biggest problem is it's not seviceable.

The 5 drawer roll cart. As good as about any made at a fraction of the price.

Other things worthwhile are the digital calipers, Unibits, pro screwdrivers. 20 ton press.

But for the few things that are good there are a 1000 things that are real ****. I still enjoy shopping there because it's like a treasure hunt. My wife calls it day care for men

 

[nuclearlemon]

"Never buy anything at HF that turns more than 100rpm's......"

or that goes on tools that turn more than 100rpms. their cutoff wheels are downright dangerous. had 3 out of a 5 pack shatter on me. now i buy quality ones and they only shatter when i drop them, chip them, then continue to use them.

i won't buy any consumables from hf...they're all ****.

 

[Skin]

some of the consumable brands they sell are the same as the stuff found at HD like the flap wheels.

Speaking of 100rpm I've had no problem with their 8" buffer/grinder. Thing with anything they sell with an electric motor is theres an excellent chance you can find at least a very close resemblance to a similar unit being sold at HD, Lowes and/or Sears so i'd chance that stuff.

 

[Bolster]

... Unibits....

I agree with your "good" list, but on the Unibits, there was discussion (rumor? speculation?) a while back that HF changed out the supplier and that the Unibits stocked now (or a while ago? Who knows) were not the same quality as when we first got the word that their Unibits were good.

I got a set while people were posting positives, and I like mine just fine, but haven't purchased any of the recent ones, so can't comment. Buyer beware.

 

[mrholeshot]

I agree with your "good" list, but on the Unibits, there was discussion (rumor? speculation?) a while back that HF changed out the supplier and that the Unibits stocked now (or a while ago? Who knows) were not the same quality as when we first got the word that their Unibits were good.

I got a set while people were posting positives, and I like mine just fine, but haven't purchased any of the recent ones, so can't comment. Buyer beware.

Mine are about 4-5 years old. I have used them "A LoT" Shame that they changed suppliers. After I used them for a month or so I was going to go back and get a few more sets (9.99 for a pair) but never did. Wish I had now

 

[subarub4]

That Torque Limiting Extension Bar Set I have never seen it in the store would it be in the section where the wrenches are?

 

[ytlas]

That Torque Limiting Extension Bar Set I have never seen it in the store would it be in the section where the wrenches are?

In the HF store I went to, they weren't near the wrench section. I'm drawing a blank on what they were next to but they were in the same aisle as the wheel chocks.

I've used the 80lb and 100lb limiting extensions and they both torqued the lugs just a hair under their ratings. I checked the lugs with an old beam-type torque wrench and the HF click type.

 

[hedjhawg]

In the HF store I went to, they weren't near the wrench section. I'm drawing a blank on what they were next to but they were in the same aisle as the wheel chocks.

I've used the 80lb and 100lb limiting extensions and they both torqued the lugs just a hair under their ratings. I checked the lugs with an old beam-type torque wrench and the HF click type.

I my local store, they are in the automotive dept, near the suspension and brake tools.

 

[Danglerb]

That Torque Limiting Extension Bar Set I have never seen it in the store would it be in the section where the wrenches are?

Torque sticks are in the socket section of my store.

 

[subarub4]

Ah geeez I will check.. are they in it's own box or is the case showing? I don't think I will be to HF until next month or last week of this month.

 

[Bolster]

Mine are about 4-5 years old. I have used them "A LoT" Shame that they changed suppliers. After I used them for a month or so I was going to go back and get a few more sets (9.99 for a pair) but never did. Wish I had now

Well for 9.99, by a new set and try 'em out, see if the quality has indeed gone down or not? Again, the "changed suppliers" was conjecture from someone here on GJ. I don't want to spread a false rumor if it's not true.

This is what drives me crazy about HarF....inconsistency, or potential inconsistency. I guess you gotta buy, use it immediately, and return it quickly if it fails. So another "rule" I have for HarF swag, is that it gets immediate hard use. No buying for a project that starts in a month.

 

[Danglerb]

Torque sticks are in the socket section of my store.

Ah geeez I will check.. are they in it's own box or is the case showing? I don't think I will be to HF until next month or last week of this month.

They were in a clear or open packaging, color coded as I recall for the torque setting and looking kind of like 8 inch extensions, hanging on the wall pegs.

If you don't see them right off, just ask one of the wandering store employee's they are there to serve.

 

[subarub4]

Sometimes it's not easy to track one down.. I noticed most spend time in the stock room.

 

[lipadj46]

These are a big pass, I have not used every size but have used them with an impact driver. The chrome and overall finish is great, made in Taiwan, cost like $8 each. The sizes are all over the place but I have not run into a situation yet where I needed another size allen wrench.

 

[reznunt]

the quick change screwdriver bits that look like these but they're all black and come in a small black plastic case are a FAIL. i used the #2 phillips bit in my snap-on ct561 for the first time to drive a drywall screw into a predrilled 2x4 (the hole was just a bit too small) and it stripped the teeth on the bit instead of stripping the screw head!

 

[rayzor32]

lipadj46, did u use the phillips with the impact driver or the hexs?

 

[lipadj46]

I used the phillips 3rd from right (#4) on a rotor and the hex 3rd from left on a seat bolt with an impact driver (the kind you hit with a hammer).

 

[mtkst19]

just a follow up on the 115 piece cobalt drill set. I was asked where they were made from, since older hf bits sometimes came from Russia. they are made in china according to the package.

However, they are doing just fine.

 

[Simplespeed]

These are a big pass, I have not used every size but have used them with an impact driver. The chrome and overall finish is great, made in Taiwan, cost like $8 each. The sizes are all over the place but I have not run into a situation yet where I needed another size allen wrench.

Is that a 9mm hex? I cant seem to find one anywhere.

 

[lipadj46]

Is that a 9mm hex? I cant seem to find one anywhere.

Nope, in grand HF style it skips 9, 11, 13, 15 and 16

Sizes are: 3/8" drive: 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm and 10mm
1/2" drive: 12mm, 14mm and 17mm

 

[hooptytank]

First post here after reading this thread the whole day.
I've been pleasantly surprised with the majority of HF purchases over the past 10 years or so. I've been getting bolder with my purchases, moving up to power tools and electronics lately. I mean why not? I walked the power tool isle at OSH and Home depot last week and checked the origin of various Bosch, Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee and others on display, 98% made in China, the other 2% in Mexico. HF tools probably come from the same vendors that are supplying parts for the other guys.

I've noticed some negative reviews of the HF stuff comes from people expecting way more quality for next to nothing, while better reviews come from ones who don't expect anything but a throw-away after a few uses but end up with a tool that last years after being used on a weekly basis.

EPIC PASS:
US General 700lb capacity 5 drawer red tool cart $120 at parking lot sale w/20 % off coupon. Solid, solid, solid, big casters, once my buddies saw it they ran out an got themselves one. Building tip: DON'T TIGHTEN THE BOLTS AS YOU PUT EACH ONE ON. when its all assembled and all the bolts are finger tight make sure the cart is on a level surface and all the sides are square to the floor, then tighten everything up

PASS:
-Blue cart for mig welder
-auto darkening helmet w/ shade adjustment (preferred over speedglas which I had to manually turn on and got me a few times)
-Pittsburgh 3/8 impact sockets deep and shallow, sae/metric
-3/8 impact extensions
-brass handled center punch
-single speed multi tool, few uses but great every time
-pittsburgh long nose pliers, a little soft for heavy gripping but great for spring clips in odd spots, random clips, etc.
-magnetic trays
-1/4 and 3/8 drive torx bits
-multi angle finder w/mag base
-metal socket rails, for 1 dollar ea on sale how can you go wrong
-Goodyear air hose
-sta-lube moly grease gun refill tubes
-air drill w/ 1/2" chuck
-air chisel, tips are a bit soft, but you can buy quality replacements when they are worn
-micrometers, not much use but verified against calibrated starretts at different openings

FAIL:
-plastic and brass tipped dead blow hammer, still collecting lead shot off the floor years later
-6" screw C-clamps, will sorta hold stuff but not really clamp stuff
-90 or 100A flux core welder (EPIC FAIL), just a POS I got on craigslist as a package deal with the helmet and cart above for $40. the wire was live the moment the switch was on and the trigger only activated the wire feed...WTF?
-3" air cut off wheel, no power from day one, on its way back to China via the recycle dumpster
-multi size hole saw kit in gray box
-newest batch of nitrile gloves, tear like paper
-cut off wheels, they dont last, chip easily and have a real funny smell
-Air fittings

THINGS I WILL NOT BUY AT HF:
-drill bits, except the unibits I will try based on decent reviews
-wrenches, any of them
-non impact sockets, any of them, plus I have all the CM sockets I need
-screwdrivers, used too often to warrant a trip to the store
-anything edible
-consumables like abrasives, blades, etc unless it's a known brand
-torque wrenches, I can't risk a 10-15K engine build to an improperly torqued fastener
-Impact guns, I want to have the power to break stuff

I'm sure there's more, but that's it for now

 

[djb2]

-3" air cut off wheel, no power from day one, on its way back to China via the recycle dumpster

You might want to give this another try. The one I got was fine. I bought it specifically to remove a transmission mount nut when a series of sockets, extractors and nut splitters wouldn't work. I do think of its as a big Dremel with a cut-off wheel, rather than as a small angle grinder, so perhaps it is a matter of expectations.

A few of the H-F chrome socket sets are quite nice. Not the cheap kits with ratchets, but the metric-only or SAE-only sockets. They are made in Taiwan, have a high polish with great chrome inside and out, and are strong enough that I haven't broken one yet.

I agree that their $10-on-sale 1/2" impact wrench is a throw-away (I gave mine away in like-new condition), but you should try the Earthquake ones before deciding that they are all weak.

 

[Dewaynep]

I'm fairly new here, but I'll post a few of my Fails and Passes. I went on a HF spree a few months back when they had 25 and 30% off coupons in the car magazines. Here are a few of the things I purchased:

Punch/Flange air tool: FAIL, leaks hydraulic fluid every 4 or 5 punches. Chucked it in the trash.
Air 3/8 drill: PASS, barely. Has no guts at all, but I only use it for 1/8" holes for pop-rivets.
10 Ton C-Frame hydraulic shop press: PASS, big time. They don't sell these anymore (I'm not sure why, it's great) so I bought it on clearance with a coupon, total cost: $70. I would have paid the $199 it originally sold for. It is well made and works great. Doesn't take up as much room as an H frame shop press.
Air angle die grinder: PASS/FAIL. It works OK, but it is loud. Compared to my IR, there is no comparison. I think I paid $20 for the HF and $50 for the IR. I would by the IR again.
Air Body Saw: FAIL. Tossed that in the recycle bin after about 30 minutes use. The clamping fixture stripped the threads on the air motor connection.
English Wheel: PASS. I got this on sale and with a coupon for $160. Can't beat that price even though I will probably never put it to a real test. Same for their plannishing hammer setup. Got that for $80 on sale with a coupon. It works for what I need, but again, I won't really be testing it.
Digital dial calipers: PASS. Work great for a quick check of rotor thickness or rough sizing on the lathe.
Ball joint press kit: PASS for the occasional user. Not up to the quality of an OTC kit, but it does do what it is supposed to do. Make sure you grease the screw every use.
Power steering pulley puller set: PASS, again not for professional use, but does what it is intended to do. No comparison to the OTC tool I bought afterwards but it does work.

That's all for now. I've kinda given up on HF for now. I had too many of the tools I purchased on that shopping spree go bad within a few uses. I'm tired of buying junk and having to replace it a few uses later. I've resigned myself to buying the best quality I can afford at the time I need the tool.