The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[LEVE]

Cen-Tech 96451 - Non Contact Laser Thermometer.

PASS.

I've used it to troubleshoot engines and snap switches on pellet stoves. It's getting to be invaluable. On sale this week-end for $26, a very good deal.

 

[Tom2]

Good to know. I have the little mini $10 version. Really haven't used it enough to remember whether it works well or not.

 

[subarub4]

has anyone tried this battery charger?

2/6 Amp, 6/12 Volt Battery Charger
ITEM # 66783

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...olt-battery-charger-engine-starter-66783.html

6/12 Volt Electronic Battery Charger and Maintainer With LCD Display
ITEM # 65834

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...er-and-maintainer-with-lcd-display-65834.html

10/2/55 Amp, 6/12 Volt Battery Charger/Engine Starter
ITEM # 66783

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...olt-battery-charger-engine-starter-66783.html

 

[472scout]

95 pages now. Way too long to be very practical. Too bad more people aren't posting reviews on the HF website now that it has that feature.

 

[subarub4]

I would like to post on the site but each time I do so they never get posted so I don't bother..

wow it seems like the HFT review thread at slickdeals is gone?!?

 

[bchee]

I would like to post on the site but each time I do so they never get posted so I don't bother..

why does it not work?

 

[Davefr]

why does it not work?

HF probably screens which reviews they post on their site. To read an honest review you'll need to get one here or at a non HF site.

 

[rayzor32]

i couldnt post a review either.

 

[scott37300]

95 pages now. Way too long to be very practical. Too bad more people aren't posting reviews on the HF website now that it has that feature.

I use this thread all the time, if you look on the right hand side just above the posts there is a tab labeled "search this thread". Click on that and type in what you are looking for and it will come up with posts in this thread about that tool. Sometimes you have to try a couple different search terms. Also I try to check in here each day or every couple days and will read the new posts in this thread.

Yes it would be nice to have a list of reviews but have to do with what you got! The problem I see with the HF reviews is that you don't know the guy posting(not that you really know the guys on here) but atleast I trust most guys on this site have a decent expectation of thier tools and the guys here know thier tools. Some or all of the posts on the HF site might be from guys that only own a hammer and screwdriver and go buy some neat tool and think it's the greatest thing in the world without ever putting it threw any tests.

 

[rayzor32]

we should probably include a part number in all of the reviews that would make it easier to search

 

[Bolster]

95 pages now. Way too long to be very practical. Too bad more people aren't posting reviews on the HF website now that it has that feature.

Welcome to the forum, 472scout. You need to learn to use the search function.

Guys, these suggestions are incorporated into the first post...but nobody reads it. Copy paste:

4) Please post a product number or photo if possible.

Use the blue "Search This Thread" button above to find what you're looking for.

I'm also very suspicious of HF's own website...what motivation does the seller have, to post their own negative reviews? It's not like Amazon where you can buy a competing product from the same source.

 

[subarub4]

HF probably screens which reviews they post on their site. To read an honest review you'll need to get one here or at a non HF site.

i couldnt post a review either.

To the both of you I can't remember what my review was about but it was nothing negative at all.

A lot of the stuff I have has no reviews on the site at all but it is here.

I always include the item number so it will come up in the search.


I tested out my 3-in-1 battery jump box this morning on a flat tire.. from 0-35 psi it took 10 min which is just long enough to run the pump before waiting to cool down for another 10 min.

it fills faster then my cheap 12V air pump I had.

 

[Danglerb]

HF web site reviews, FAIL

Electricians screwdriver set, PASS. Had some electrical work, and never bought any of the insulated shaft screwdrivers, so I picked up this set for $8 with coupon. I didn't die, and new light switches work. Tips are a black, maybe a coating or something, and appear to be flat ground (flat at tip, curved to outer diameter of shaft). Marked 1000v VDE, medium sized blade fit the switch screws well.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-electricians-screwdriver-set-97303.html

 

[Bolster]

Cool. How does the Phillips #2 bit fit, on those insulated drivers?

 

[Danglerb]

Cool. How does the Phillips #2 bit fit, on those insulated drivers?

Nothing special, the tips look/feel kind of funny, sort of like an impact socket surface. 3x Phillips, 4x blade, big blade was too thick, next one smaller fit fine.

 

[bchee]

I can understand the suspicion about HF reviews, but I read plenty of negatives on their own site.
Plenty of 1 and 2 star reviews.

 

[Bolster]

I can understand the suspicion about HF reviews, but I read plenty of negatives on their own site. Plenty of 1 and 2 star reviews.

Can you tell if the published negatives are exclusive to items of which they sell similar others? Not much harm allowing negatives if you've got something similar you can sell them. (The Amazon Method.)

 

[bchee]

Can you tell if the published negatives are exclusive to items of which they sell similar others? Not much harm allowing negatives if you've got something similar you can sell them. (The Amazon Method.)

I'm not sure how to do that but I will keep my eyes open.
How does that sales strategy work?
I assume it makes the "similar" item appear more attractive.

 

[Indy_500]

I have this digital meter here the cen-tech 98674.. Does anyone else have this?

It's a pass but the sound reading level seems to be way off.. in a silent room it's reading like 50 dB.. if I blow into the sound mic it shoots to 100 dB.

Other then that it works right and the autoranging works and cool how the sockets light up if you don't have the correct plugs in if you give the meter to someone that does not know a advance meter.

works great for the big price i paid for it (free)

 

[subarub4]

How did you get that free?

 

[Indy_500]

How did you get that free?

coupon....

 

[subarub4]

Are you sure about that??

I'm talking about this meter

 

[LEVE]

Here's another of my favorite HF Tools:

Chicago Electric Power Tools Industrial 45252: PASS


I've had it for two years, and it works better than my 1/2" Air Impact wrench. The only problem is that I don't like the trigger for forward and reverse. I've learned to live with that.

It was very useful building the garage, driving lag screws, tightening bolts when I was constructing the decks.. and wonderful for removing/installing wheels and springs off my vehicles.

 

[787B]

66619 - 800 Watt Gas 2-stroke Generator: Preliminary Pass

I bought it day before the sidewalk sale. It can be had for $64 with a 20% coupon. I gapped the plug, gassed it with fresh premix, and gave it the ol' heave-ho. Started on the fourth pull. Ran it for two hours with a 300 Watt halogen light, then ran it for an hour with an electronic battery charger with a terrible power factor (0.5). Generator held it's voltage right at 115 with the light, but went as high as 134 on just the battery charger (within the charger's range of 135). Frequency was pretty steady from 59-62 Hertz. Overall, seems like and OK generator. I haven't had time to pull the plug yet and see how it looks after three hours of use.

 

[Mike B26]

66619 - 800 Watt Gas 2-stroke Generator: Preliminary Pass

I bought it day before the sidewalk sale. It can be had for $64 with a 20% coupon. I gapped the plug, gassed it with fresh premix, and gave it the ol' heave-ho. Started on the fourth pull. Ran it for two hours with a 300 Watt halogen light, then ran it for an hour with an electronic battery charger with a terrible power factor (0.5). Generator held it's voltage right at 115 with the light, but went as high as 134 on just the battery charger (within the charger's range of 135). Frequency was pretty steady from 59-62 Hertz. Overall, seems like and OK generator. I haven't had time to pull the plug yet and see how it looks after three hours of use.

How's the noise level? Will it piss off my neighbors or friends at the race track?

 

[subarub4]

How's the noise level? Will it piss off my neighbors or friends at the race track?

From another thread here it's like 92 dB that's pretty loud... don't bring it to a camp site that's for sure..

HF needs to get those Honda clones in stock.. I've seen some on youtube and they are just about as silent as the Honda's

 

[SCscoutguy]

Here's another of my favorite HF Tools:

Chicago Electric Power Tools Industrial 45252: PASS


I've had it for two years, and it works better than my 1/2" Air Impact wrench. The only problem is that I don't like the trigger for forward and reverse. I've learned to live with that.

It was very useful building the garage, driving lag screws, tightening bolts when I was constructing the decks.. and wonderful for removing/installing wheels and springs off my vehicles.

This is BY FAR the best HF purchase I have ever made. I have one I have had for 4 years and it was so great I bought another when they were on sale for $34.99 last year. You can not beat this thing for breaking lose old bolts and nuts. It is stronger than my earthquake air impact.

 

[subarub4]

I still prefer my 1/2" earthquake

 

[wbclassics]

66619 - 800 Watt Gas 2-stroke Generator: Preliminary Pass

I bought it day before the sidewalk sale. It can be had for $64 with a 20% coupon. I gapped the plug, gassed it with fresh premix, and gave it the ol' heave-ho. Started on the fourth pull. Ran it for two hours with a 300 Watt halogen light, then ran it for an hour with an electronic battery charger with a terrible power factor (0.5). Generator held it's voltage right at 115 with the light, but went as high as 134 on just the battery charger (within the charger's range of 135). Frequency was pretty steady from 59-62 Hertz. Overall, seems like and OK generator. I haven't had time to pull the plug yet and see how it looks after three hours of use.

HF website says output is 20amps... however 800W / 120V = 6.66.. amps

 

[bursty]

Has anyone tried these cabinets? My local HF didnt have any in stock

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/cabinets/hanging-tool-cabinet-39213.html

 

[cdan03]

1/2 Torque Wrench- FAIL

I had to torque my flywheel to the crank and my pressure plate to the flywheel. On the pressure plate torque specs were 25 pounds i set it at 25 pounds.. Start to tighten evenly around pressure plate. Keep going... and going and going still no click or flex in torque wrench... So i stopped. I went and checked something that i knew was over 25 pounds to see if toruqe wrench would click still. it did. so i continue to toruqe to come to breaking the bolt. I thought it felt way more than 25 pounds when i was torquing it down and returned it and didn't want another. I go buy a new torque wrench and i was curious to see what my flywheel was torqued down to and it was torqued about 18-19 pounds over what i set it! Clearly the pressure plate was overtorqued. Not do to operator function but the torque wrench failed. It must have been out of calibration. I certainely wouldn't trust this for rebuilding my motor.

Orbital Palm Sander (blue/gray) PASS

This thing is awesome. I have literally used this so much for body work on my car at probably has nearly a hundred hard hours on it in and it still runs like it was new.

Rotary Sander/Polisher (orange) PASS
Works great not as many hours as the other sander but it does have some use on it and it works great

3/8 Deep Sockets (multicolored ones) PASS

Decent product. Don't care for the colors would prefer silver. The color chips off with use. And it doesn't come off very easily but it still works decent.

Sand paper for Palm Sander- Pass
Works great. Life is decent on it.

1 ton cherry picker - Pass

Works great! Pretty solid.

Thats all i can think of now. I will be getting some more stuff in a couple of weeks and i will post after some use on those. I definetly like HF, i can't say i will buy all my tools from their. Sockets and wrenches i wont but i will but impact sockets soon. I want to buy swivel head sockets, screwdrivers not as main set but back up/ stuff i wouldn't want to use nice stuff on, air tools, 41 inch top/bottom tools chest (have already looked at several times and seems way better than craftsman, kobalt, and husky; it is definetly better than stuff at comparable prices and you get stronger, smoother, and more drawers. I would say from what i looked at it compares to top line if not better craftsman and also better than the top kobalt stainless steel tool chest.)

 

[kursplat]

Has anyone tried these cabinets? My local HF didnt have any in stock

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/cabinets/hanging-tool-cabinet-39213.html

i got one a couple months ago. seems fine. the shelves will hold more weight than i'll ever put on them. built it, haven't installed it yet. going to mount it on the outside of my garage under the carport, whenever i get IT done

edit: it's bigger than you'd think just looking at the box

 

[dodge610]

Has anyone tried these cabinets? My local HF didnt have any in stock

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/cabinets/hanging-tool-cabinet-39213.html

I have had one in my workshop for years the shelves hold a lot of weight and i love the cabinet holds way more than i thought it would when i started to organize stuff in my shop so i could find it if i remember correctly got it at the grand opening sale of the new harbor freight closest to me money well spent.

 

[Indy_500]

Are you sure about that??

I'm talking about this meter

close to that, mines red and the 4 holes on the bottom are on the side

 

[smokinscott1977]

tool cart us general the red one usually 199.00 on sale PASS
impact sockets PASS
cen-tech multi-meter FAIL the leads were junk right from the package
central pnematics gravity feed spray gun "purple" PASS works good for decent paint job expecialy on tractors etc.
sandpaper FAIL
metal bandsaw blades FAIL
9000 lb winch PASS make that a double pass had one mounted on a open car hauler all year in the weather i would replace it one a year under warrenty
pittsburg sockets PASS a guy at work has them never breaks

 

[anodyne33]

I have this digital meter here the cen-tech 98674.. Does anyone else have this?

It's a pass but the sound reading level seems to be way off.. in a silent room it's reading like 50 dB.. if I blow into the sound mic it shoots to 100 dB.

Other then that it works right and the autoranging works and cool how the sockets light up if you don't have the correct plugs in if you give the meter to someone that does not know a advance meter.

A quiet room can easily be 50dB. And after looking at the manual, the 100dB limit isn't going to do you a whole lot of good. Furthermore, the manual doesn't show any way to change how the meter is weighted, which makes is not very useful.

 

[472scout]

I use this thread all the time, if you look on the right hand side just above the posts there is a tab labeled "search this thread". Click on that and type in what you are looking for and it will come up with posts in this thread about that tool. Sometimes you have to try a couple different search terms. Also I try to check in here each day or every couple days and will read the new posts in this thread.

Yes it would be nice to have a list of reviews but have to do with what you got! The problem I see with the HF reviews is that you don't know the guy posting(not that you really know the guys on here) but atleast I trust most guys on this site have a decent expectation of thier tools and the guys here know thier tools. Some or all of the posts on the HF site might be from guys that only own a hammer and screwdriver and go buy some neat tool and think it's the greatest thing in the world without ever putting it threw any tests.

You definitely have to take reviews with a grain of salt. I pretty much ignore any review that doesn't have specifics. "3/4 inch sockets - PASS" for instance doesn't tell me anything and I see a lot of that in this thread.

The search would be great if people posted the item number.

 

[Steve_P]

HF probably screens which reviews they post on their site. To read an honest review you'll need to get one here or at a non HF site.

They do not seem to screen reviews: I've submitted multiple 1 star reviews for crappy items and they are still there. If you look at some of their FRL units they have almost all bad reviews posted

 

[787B]

66619 - 800 Watt Gas 2-stroke Generator: Preliminary Pass

How's the noise level? Will it piss off my neighbors or friends at the race track?

It's not loud, but you know it's running. It's not quiet enough that you could run it all night long in a typical race paddock or neighborhood without irritating somebody. But neither is it as loud as some of those bigger 4-stroke genny's some people run at the track. (All the tracks I go to have power boxes in the paddocks now.)

 

[brrman]

Cheapest hand grinder (mine has blue handle): PASS
The switch on the thing is stiff, but other than that it works fine. I bought it when I was in a pinch (left my Bosch out in the rain) on a project and it went strong for 2 years. I killed the HF one as well when I hit some dirt (cutting bricks) and sand hit the motor/brushes. A big series of sparks and it was dead.


4 x 8 Folding Utility Trailer (1190 lb cap): PASS
Built like a tank and has worked great for the weekend DIYer for the past couple years. I have hauled over 1200 lbs of retaining wall stone in this thing and it never blinked.
I DID replace the casters since they disintegrated after I folded the trailer a couple.
times. Putting it together takes a long time.


And as far as this thread getting too large - you can always use the "Search This Thread" function.