The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[DGersic]

Dovetail jig works. Setting up the cuts requires a lot of fiddly adjustment to get everything just right, but I suspect that’s going to be true of any dovetail jig.

It is really only intended to cut 1/2“ or thicker stock. With minor modifications, I have it set up to cut 7/16” stock. That’s not a knock on the jig, it wasn’t intended to cut 7/16” stock.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

56 in top tool chess : super fail, and I’m a bit pissed . 3 of the drawer slides have taken a major **** . Anyone else ever have this happen ? If so what was the fix ? Thanks and be safe

maybe just bad luck? i have an 18 year old 44" and a series 2 72" with plenty of weight in the drawers no problems.

 

[mreisner]

I don't have a picture of it, but the Doyle nut setter is fantastic. Very well made with quite an assortment of dies.The only complaint I have is I wish they would sell the inserts in the store ,but Amazon does have them. I used it to put nutserts in a metal cabinet to place more shelves as it has odd brackets and it worked perfectly.

 

[atch]

Bought a battery powered LED magnetic shop trouble light recently. 63766. Had occasion to use it today. Definite pass.

Stuck it to the under side of the hood (base is magnetic) and it lit up the engine very well. Probably better than any of my other trouble lights.

This thing was on sale with a coupon. Should have bought whatever the limit was.

Edit: I have no idea why the pix are blurry. They are crystal clear in my phone gallery. Maybe on a desktop screen they might be clearer.

 

[Hakeem]

The Harbor Freight screen door was a big hit this year. Worked great for only $10. Magnets closed reliably and it withstood the windstorms we got no problem. I expect to get at least one more season out of it.

My dogs LOVED to sit in front of it:



and when someone walked by they would jump out and bark at them from this little enclosure I made for them:

Definitely a “PASS”

 

[XJSuperman]

The Icon impact swivel sockets seem to be working for the little I've used them so far. My only complaint is they are kinda shallow. PASS for now.

Both the Pittsburgh chrome and Icon impact wobble extensions are holding up. PASS

The impact sockets from Pittsburgh get used constantly and are doing great. PASS

The new Icon ratchets are ok. I miss the push-button release sometimes and I had one of them lock/bind on backdrag, but was replaced without issue. Need more time with them. The tooth count is exponentially better than the USA Craftsmans they are replacing, so heres hoping they work out ok for my purposes.

I used a warrior polisher on a set of 5 truck wheels recently and it seems to be working fine. It was the cheapest one I could find there, thinking that if or when it died on me I wouldn't be out much. It lived through them and should be ready for whenever I need it again. I am pleasantly surprised. PASS
Link: https://www.harborfreight.com/power...riable-speed-rotary-polishersander-70589.html

 

[MOS3522]

I don't really know the story with this pic, but:

 

[Ohio Andy]

Harbor freight has two versions of their outlet strips that I like and both going to pass from me

I have three with a magnetic backing and the USB charge ports. The magnets have held just fine where I want them. It made it easy for me to place place the outlets and a convenient location.

Both versions have plastic and portions that provide an easy method for wrapping the cords around the outlet strip.

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-outlet-magnetic-power-strip-with-metal-housing-and-2-usb-ports-green-57252.html

The magnet versions above come in numerous colors so you can match your cabinets. I attached mine to some older Craftsman stuff and I just chose colors I liked

The version without a magnet I have mounted over my workbench, well one of my workbenches, so I can plug things into it and have the cord come in from above

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-outlet-power-strip-with-metal-housing-yellow-62437.html?event_id=182934

So I really like the paper towel holders and I give them a pass, but there are two caveats. First, the magnets hold the paper towels just fine, but, unlike a holder that is screwed into the wall, you can't just pull paper towel and then do a yank to rip it off because you might pull that magnet off whatever it is attached to. Second, those holders are very slick, which means that the paper towel will spin very easily. So, if I pull off say two sheets of bounty, that is enough weight who caused the paper towel to unravel.

So with those caveats, I bought a couple and then I went back and bought more. I even have one on the refrigerator. My youngest daughter managed to just Yank on them and cause the whole thing to fall once. My wife loves it. I have one in the garage on a cabinet. I have them in my shop.

https://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-paper-towel-holder-blue-56454.html

I give this Doyle riveter a strong pass. I've used this a lot and I really like it

13 In. Heavy Duty Professional Hand Riveter

Amazing deals on this 13In Professional Hand Riveter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

This is only $25 and it works really well.
I also bought some of their rivets that have worked fine. Not had any problems with them but I'm not going to enumerate them. I wanted a particular set of rivets that they didn't have, but they were included in a cheap $5 rivet gun. My original intent was just to keep the rivets and maybe pitch the hand. Riveter, but I gave it a try and it works, but you need a lot of hand strength to use this thing. So I've only used it a couple times and it did work. It's just buy the other one if you need to do rivets and you don't need to get into tight spaces. If I needed to get into tight spaces and I was going to be doing it a lot for more than like the 1/8-in rivets for sure I would evaluate other options that might provide better leverage, but, it works so it gets a pass from me for occasional light use, but, you need a lot of hand strength to use this. Buy it for the rivets. Keep it if you don't have anything better. I haven't used other hand. Riveters, but, just lots of hand strength.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html

I really liked my mini vice grip locking plier set. Well they're not fabulous but they just work and for the size and the cost, I've considered buying A second set for another location so I need them. I don't have to walk to find them. They're only seven bucks I don't expect a lot of strength, I mostly use these to do things like hold very small parts like tiny nuts when I'm polishing them. Which means that they have to withstand whatever my Dremel tool gives to them. Things that small. I don't usually put against my regular buffing wheels or my wire wheels.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/locking-pliers/mini-locking-pliers-set-3-piece-63840.html

 

[Steel_Rain]

I don't really know the story with this pic, but:

You just hope nobody was hurt. Cherry pickers are the most often overloaded item I've seen in my experience, but yikes.

 

[WMichelsen]

I don't really know the story with this pic, but:

Well, it does say "Folding Crane"

 

[Loose Ctrl]

I don't really know the story with this pic, but:

Clearly the boom was extended all the way out. They were probably lifting an engine that was too heavy, while reefing on the engine lift, trying to get it to roll over rough surface. I've seen quiet a few engine hoists fold from this.

 

[DGersic]

Pass.

Bought this because I needed to make bubble flares. It does that. It’s maybe not quite as nice as my Imperial flare tool, but that one on,y does double flares. The included cutter and reamer tools are a nice touch.

 

[DGersic]

After many years of using my old Black & Decker 1/4 sheet palm sander, I decided I wanted a new one with dust collection.

I thought I wanted the DeWalt. Seems like a nice sander. It’s corded, which I wanted. It has dust collection. It’s a palm sander.



But then I found that the only dust collection is the stupid little bag. If you want to connect it to a hose, you have to first buy this extra adapter.



And while I can buy the sander today ay Lowes, I can’t buy the adapter without ordering it from Amazon or some similar online retailer.

The Craftsman, Bosch, and other brands at Lowes and Menards are all designed like this.

So, instead of that nonsense, I bought the Hercules.



Has the same basic specs, and the same bag arrangement, but HF was smarter than SBD, and the bag can be removed to reveal a hose connector that fits either a large or small shop vac hose.

I haven’t used it yet. I’m assuming that it’ll work as well as my old B&D sander and that the dust collection actually works.

 

[Hakeem]

After many years of using my old Black & Decker 1/4 sheet palm sander, I decided I wanted a new one with dust collection.

I thought I wanted the DeWalt. Seems like a nice sander. It’s corded, which I wanted. It has dust collection. It’s a palm sander.



But then I found that the only dust collection is the stupid little bag. If you want to connect it to a hose, you have to first buy this extra adapter.



And while I can buy the sander today ay Lowes, I can’t buy the adapter without ordering it from Amazon or some similar online retailer.

The Craftsman, Bosch, and other brands at Lowes and Menards are all designed like this.

So, instead of that nonsense, I bought the Hercules.



Has the same basic specs, and the same bag arrangement, but HF was smarter than SBD, and the bag can be removed to reveal a hose connector that fits either a large or small shop vac hose.

I haven’t used it yet. I’m assuming that it’ll work as well as my old B&D sander and that the dust collection actually works.

Not including adapters for dust collection is so petty and offputting. Stop trying to nickel and dime your customers for every little accessory and just include them with your tools. Big win for HF here.

Harbor freight has two versions of their outlet strips that I like and both going to pass from me

I have three with a magnetic backing and the USB charge ports. The magnets have held just fine where I want them. It made it easy for me to place place the outlets and a convenient location.

Both versions have plastic and portions that provide an easy method for wrapping the cords around the outlet strip.

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-outlet-magnetic-power-strip-with-metal-housing-and-2-usb-ports-green-57252.html

The magnet versions above come in numerous colors so you can match your cabinets. I attached mine to some older Craftsman stuff and I just chose colors I liked

I have one of these and like it generally but sadly both USB ports failed within 6 months or so. I would chalk it up to a fluke but someone on the Reddit said the same thing happened to them. I was planning on buying a second one but now I think I will hold off …

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have one of these and like it generally but sadly both USB ports failed within 6 months or so. I would chalk it up to a fluke but someone on the Reddit said the same thing happened to them. I was planning on buying a second one but now I think I will hold off …

Oh boy, I hope not.

 

[Wiz02]

Oh boy, I hope not.

If you want some additional anecdotal data, one of the USB ports in my HF outlet strip (only use one) is working fine after more than a year.

 

[MOS3522]

Slightly OT, but IMHO outlet strips with built in USB are a bad idea for a shop setting. Aside from the fact they invariably fail, those USB ports are little vampire current suckers 24/7. I prefer to plug in a charger block when I need it to charge my phone or my bluetooth speaker.

 

[GeoBruin]

Slightly OT, but IMHO outlet strips with built in USB are a bad idea for a shop setting. Aside from the fact they invariably fail, those USB ports are little vampire current suckers 24/7. I prefer to plug in a charger block when I need it to charge my phone or my bluetooth speaker.

Not to mention they probably deliver like 10 watts when modern charge bricks can do 50 to 100 watts.

 

[john.k]

Ridiculous ratings for Chinee floor cranes ..........a little pyramid with 2 ton written on it ...........do these morons even know what 2 tons of cast iron looks like .............anyhoo ,I got ripped off by the Oz version of Amazon ,called Koggan .........so ,I complained to the Victorian Cranesafe people ....all cranes are subject to cranesafe laws......and all the ads have been taken down,and the sellers of these 'things' are facing prosecution under Hoists and Cranes legislation.

 

[bmdubya1198]

Not to mention they probably deliver like 10 watts when modern charge bricks can do 50 to 100 watts.

I'm not sure about the output, but I use my USB ports regularly in my shop to charge my lights, phone, etc. and it seems to charge my iPhone 15 pretty quickly. Not quite as fast as my Anker 20w, but faster than any car charger or other USB A adapter I've used.

On the topic, I have the orange US General strip (not that the color makes any difference) and it's been great. The magnets are sufficiently strong and it's given me zero issues.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Bauer Cordless 20v grinder P/N 58308 Pass. I've used it for cutting metal up to 1/8th inch with very little problems. I use the Bauer brand 4.5 cutting discs P/N 71066 pass. I have the 5ah battery also a pass.

I think I posted this, but I'll post it again. Bauer 20v heat gun P/N 56791 Pass. I use this to remove decals and stickers off of vehicles and shrink down heat shrink. Works well with the 5ah battery. 1.5 doesn't last very long. Made it through three or four 1.25 pieces of heat shrink. I had to change batteries.

Their silver tarps are way better than any of the cheaper ones.

 

[shoggoth80]

Been a bit since poking in here.
Bauer 20v impact driver. PASS. Little thing has been putting in the work.

Bauer 20v 1/2 impact gun. PASS. It's definitely not the most compact one, but it hasn't let me down yet.

Warrior left hand drill bits and extractor set. FAIL. Drill bits broke pretty easily, and the extractors had visible damage after use. They were cheap, but these aren't for repeated use, unless they've changed them in the recent past.

 

[vwpieces]

Has the same basic specs, and the same bag arrangement, but HF was smarter than SBD, and the bag can be removed to reveal a hose connector that fits either a large or small shop vac hose.

I haven’t used it yet. I’m assuming that it’ll work as well as my old B&D sander and that the dust collection actually works.

I went to Lowes looking too. None were off the shelf compatible for remote dust collection.
I bought the Bauer for $25 because it has the hose adapter for small Vac hose built into it. No extras to buy. I have used it hard, even spent too much time searching for a new pad because I wore off the hooks. Lower bearing has been popped open and cleaned and re-greased 2x so far too after it started Squealing like a pig. Still going....
While I have heard of complaints and some burning up etc. I have zero complaints and of course I have spent more time making it live longer... It still works after many hours straight sanding butcherblock tops on my benches. Tops are actually tractor trailer flooring so it is not in great shape to start.

Only regret is I have seen it for $20 on Sale since I bought it for $25.
The Amazon replacement pads I bought are currently unavailable or I would post a link. It was a 2pk and I have one remaining.

 

[DGersic]

I went to Lowes looking too. None were off the shelf compatible for remote dust collection.
I bought the Bauer for $25 because it has the hose adapter for small Vac hose built into it. No extras to buy. I have used it hard, even spent too much time searching for a new pad because I wore off the hooks. Lower bearing has been popped open and cleaned and re-greased 2x so far too after it started Squealing like a pig. Still going....
While I have heard of complaints and some burning up etc. I have zero complaints and of course I have spent more time making it live longer... It still works after many hours straight sanding butcherblock tops on my benches. Tops are actually tractor trailer flooring so it is not in great shape to start.

Only regret is I have seen it for $20 on Sale since I bought it for $25.
The Amazon replacement pads I bought are currently unavailable or I would post a link. It was a 2pk and I have one remaining.

The Hercules sander has hooks, but also has clamps for standard paper, and a hole punch so it’ll still do dust collection. I didn’t see a Bauer option, but checking the web site it looks like one is available.

 

[vwpieces]

The Hercules sander has hooks, but also has clamps for standard paper, and a hole punch so it’ll still do dust collection. I didn’t see a Bauer option, but checking the web site it looks like one is available.

Mine is the 5in round variable 8 hole orbital hook-loop. Not square sheet. I was more speaking toward the hose connection and doin the same Lowes route you did, before buying at Horrible Freight. Then went on about my experience with it.

 

[bmdubya1198]

Speaking of impact drivers, the Hercules 20v brushless 1/4" driver is a PASS. I've used it a good bit so far, and I love it. Nice and compact, and plenty of power. It's replaced my M12 stubby 3/8" impact as my go-to.
I got the kit so I could get some extra batteries, plus I had HF money from my card, so it came to like $70 for the kit with the standard 2ah battery and 4ah 21700 cell battery. Sold the charger to recoup $30. 5 year warranty on the tool too, can't beat it for the money!

 

[zendriver]

Now that I think about it, I did just purchase their 1/2 brushless “ultra” impact kit included a deal with a free add-on battery. My 14-year-old Chinese craftsman finally quit.

Was ripping pretty good taking the rusty bolts out of the pick up truck bed for removal, but noticed towards the end of it. It would occasionally shut off and turn back on. It’s like WTF but it did get the job done.

Went to use it again and it did the same thing. Then I remembered I put the included battery on the charger and just shoved the extra battery in it without charging it.

Fresh charge battery and off it went again working perfect solid well built.

The only thing I didn’t like about it was using it up under the truck bed kind of scratched up the front area of the tool, which is just paint over aluminum. Maybe that’s typical for heavier duty impact guns? Bumbs out of tool polisher

PASS

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-12-in-ultra-torque-impact-wrench-with-friction-ring-tool-only-58887.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12189147054&campaignid=12189147054&utm_content=168016345168&adsetid=168016345168&product=58887&store=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4czNlwGGRg9hYPW59QDKBVa8&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4Oe4BhCcARIsADQ0cskWr8wEpc44-HfrfR7sJl9ago2UER_n3ay2M4F89jYe3jjX0UrgjYkaAp7nEALw_wcB

 

[Ohio Andy]

After all the positive comments about Bremen locking pliers, and have ok luck with some Pittsburgh locking pliers, I bought

BREMEN 11 in. Swivel Pad C-Clamp Locking Pliers​

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/locking-pliers/11-in-swivel-pad-c-clamp-locking-pliers-63865.html

The fit and finish seemed fine, but after you unlocked them, they did not open. I had to then manually pull them apart. It looks like this is the behavior for this model.

The Pittsburgh variety do pop open.

For this style, all my others are malco eagle grips. So that is my reference. All my other locking players of all makes do pop open when I do that

So for me, no thanks.

 

[DGersic]

After all the positive comments about Bremen locking pliers, and have ok luck with some Pittsburgh locking pliers, I bought

BREMEN 11 in. Swivel Pad C-Clamp Locking Pliers​

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/locking-pliers/11-in-swivel-pad-c-clamp-locking-pliers-63865.html

The fit and finish seemed fine, but after you unlocked them, they did not open. I had to then manually pull them apart. It looks like this is the behavior for this model.

The Pittsburgh variety do pop open.

For this style, all my others are malco eagle grips. So that is my reference. All my other locking players of all makes do pop open when I do that

So for me, no thanks.

That seems weird. They’re not just stuck or bent or something like that? If not, yeah, I wouldn’t want those either. Having to open them would ****.

 

[XJSuperman]

I have in my hand a brand new Bremen 11" swivel pad C-clamp locking pliers that I purchased yesterday afternoon. After reading the above posts I went to the car and grabbed my bag of purchases from yesterday to check. I pulled off the plastic and squeezed the lock release and the pliers popped open. To ask an obvious question to @Ohio Andy, is the spring present on yours? Without having used them yet, I'm thinking these will be a nice addition to my assortment, and certainly feel nicer than the Pittsburgh models.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have in my hand a brand new Bremen 11" swivel pad C-clamp locking pliers that I purchased yesterday afternoon. After reading the above posts I went to the car and grabbed my bag of purchases from yesterday to check. I pulled off the plastic and squeezed the lock release and the pliers popped open. To ask an obvious question to @Ohio Andy, is the spring present on yours? Without having used them yet, I'm thinking these will be a nice addition to my assortment, and certainly feel nicer than the Pittsburgh models.

That's a really good question. I returned them today because I didn't like having to pull them open. They would release them but they stayed in a locked State.

I went to some still on the shelf, and in their packaging, I could only partially test them, but, when I popped those, but I didn't open all the way and I still had to pull them apart while they were in the packaging.

Before I went, I was at Ace hardware and I tested some of their equivalent Milwaukee brands that were in the packaging and they completely popped open when I hit the lever.

My first test was to see if the lever had more clearance or the same or less clearance as the set I had. And they all had exactly the same clearance.

So on the surface, the other one that I tried in store, appeared to behave the same way, but it was still in its packaging. So, I just returned it.

I did not want to just do a swap out. Open it and then see exactly the same behavior.

I mean it would snap and release, but then I had to pull it open manually and that was doable, but it was a lot of effort when all the others that I have just completely open.

Anyone else tried these 11-in?

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Bauer Backpack Sprayer 58671

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-4-gallon-backpack-chemical-sprayer-tool-only-58671.html

Mega Fail

100% Garbage. Dig into the reviews on their site and virtually everyone has the same problem.

The pressure switch diaphragm starts leaking and ruins the switch. If it does ruin your battery or douse you with herbicide or pesticide first.

This thing is mostly well made and feels great. Does a beautiful job spraying.But if you get a full season out of it, you are doing well. If you get a second season, you should have gone to the casino. The whole design of the pressure switch is terrible. A cheap piece of plastic with an offset screw holds the diaphragm in place, or tries to.

For anyone who got stuck with one of these, HF issued a recall on them. Finally. Dangerous junk.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

For anyone who got stuck with one of these, HF issued a recall on them. Finally. Dangerous junk.

I guess I got a good one. I've had it for over 10 years. I use it twice a year and have never had a problem.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-magnetic-hook-set-98502.html

4 pack of magnetic hooks, pass 98502

 

[FTG-05]

Any thoughts or experience for this HF Gordon 4 sided diamond hone block?

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-sided-diamond-hone-block-92867.html

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Very impressed with the Harbor Freight US General cart.

PASS

 

[shoggoth80]

Very impressed with the Harbor Freight US General cart.

PASS

The newer US General stuff strikes me as high value. I've got an old black 5 drawer that's still doing duty (personally owned). We've got several bottom cabs at work, and no room for complaint found yet. I really like the grey. Recently bought one for a new coworker... And even he says as much as he'd like to dog it (he's a tool truck fan), he can't

 

[Cc_windsurfer]

Any thoughts or experience for this HF Gordon 4 sided diamond hone block?

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-sided-diamond-hone-block-92867.html

It's junk. Not flat on any surface

 

[mike93lx]

Any thoughts or experience for this HF Gordon 4 sided diamond hone block?

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-sided-diamond-hone-block-92867.html

600 grit for sharpening? No thanks

 

[lolaetype]

I used these on a 2006 Fusion. Worked great. Pass.

https://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-63262.html