Captain Spaulding
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I didn’t think the Bauer name had been in use anywhere close to that long.
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
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bmdubya1198
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I have two sets of these, one for several years. Actually right when they started the Maddox brand. The threads on that set are beginning to show wear, but nothing you wouldn't expect from several years of use with an impact lol.
Keep them clean and the threads oiled and you'll get a lot of use out of these. $22.99 with ITC right now, can't beat em!
bmdubya1198
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About 7-8 years now I believe. That backpack sprayer came out maybe 2-3 years ago max, if that.
dante2
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I got the Greenwood backpack sprayer during the summer. I had an old folding golf bag caddy not being used so after a few mods it's now a weed spray cart. It took a little fussing get the hose to stop leaking but it's a PASS. Pump the handle about 4x and it sprays for about 30 feet. https://www.harborfreight.com/4-gallon-backpack-sprayer-63092.html
I bought a Bauer paddle switch angle grinder last weekend to replace a Chicago Electric that has a failing switch. I have a DeWalt with the paddle switch and really prefer this the fumbling with a slide switch. Just one use so far but it feels and looks well made. It will get some time in as the flap wheel grinder so time will tell. PASS https://www.harborfreight.com/8-amp-4-12-in-paddle-switch-angle-grinder-57002.html
I bought a Bauer paddle switch angle grinder last weekend to replace a Chicago Electric that has a failing switch. I have a DeWalt with the paddle switch and really prefer this the fumbling with a slide switch. Just one use so far but it feels and looks well made. It will get some time in as the flap wheel grinder so time will tell. PASS https://www.harborfreight.com/8-amp-4-12-in-paddle-switch-angle-grinder-57002.html
I have two of those; one with a grinding wheel, the other with a cutoff. I agree with the PASS.
Loose Ctrl
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I think you're right. Mine is another brand sold by HF. The label has long since removed itself. I had to go check after seeing your post.
atch
Well-known member
I have 12 angle grinders. Ten of them are H-F. All kinds; very cheap to the "good stuff". I have no complaints on any of them. By having this many I (almost) never have to change out the wheels/stones on them. Just put one down and pick up another one. Most of them run towards the cheap side pricewise. I think I'll pick up a couple more the next time I go to town and then might never have to change out a wheel again.
I know that this post doesn't technically point out a pass/fail for any specific tool, but it sorta does.
I know that this post doesn't technically point out a pass/fail for any specific tool, but it sorta does.
atch
Well-known member
On these magnetic hooks I agree with emeraldcoupe; these get a pass. The one I use the most is the one on the side of my sandblast cabinet that I hang earmuffs on. My compressor is very near the blast cabinet and it is nice to have the hearing protection right there at my fingertips. I can't say for sure how much these hooks are capable of holding up but it's way more than I've ever hung on one.
seber
Well-known member
Thought I might do a little surface work on knife blanks with this. No go. Wore out before finishing the first blank.Any thoughts or experience for this HF Gordon 4 sided diamond hone block?
bwringer
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I don't really know the story with this pic, but:
Yeah, I'd agree that this engine crane was extended all the way and pretty obviously overloaded. Some ***** trying to blame HF instead of their own moronitude.
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
Tubing bender, pass. I've had this for a few years, makes bends without kinking 
DGersic
Well-known member
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.
Updating this.
The sander works fine. Ran it for several hours the other day working on cabinets in my entry hallway. Dust collection worked well with a shop vac, except for when I forgot to use the (included) hole puncher after mounting a new sheet of sandpaper.
One problem, the little black rubber tips on the sandpaper clamp bars will mark anything they come in to contact with, so sanding in to a 90* corner can mark the vertical. Fortunately, they pull right off and are not actually needed.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I just picked up a "Badlands" jack today. I have to say, I like it way more than a Pro Eagle. Definitely a good buy.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
My 10(?) year old $15 HF heat gun went up in a cloud of acrid smoke yesterday while warming some shrink tubing. Inopportune time for sure but I'll be buying another today, for $10 with a coupon this time.
that's a pass, right
that's a pass, right
bwringer
Well-known member
Same. I paid $8 for my first HF heat gun, and after being dropped onto concrete for the 1,898th time over ten years it quietly gave up with no drama. (Must have been a broken wire or connection.) I promptly went and bought another in the current color of plastic.
I caught a pretty sweet discount on the Bauer heat gun a few months back (just over $20, IIRC), and it has a little more heatitude and a slightly better fan than the low-buck "Warrior", plus a variable heat dial. The cord is a lot less stiff as well, more rubberish than cheap plasticky, which really helps remove one of the main irritations with cheap heat guns. But honestly, either works just fine and they're an absolute screaming bargain.
That said... I recently got a cordless heat gun compatible with the official battery religion observed in my garage, and holy hell, this thing is an absolute game changer. You don't get a lot of run time on any battery, obviously. But since 95% of heat gun jobs are "short runs", like a couple of pieces of heat shrink or loosening a recalcitrant sticker, it's incredibly handy and quick. For stuff like scraping paint, you obviously need a corded heat gun.
bulletpruf
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Yukon 48" x 72" x 18" storage cabinet - https://www.harborfreight.com/48-in-x-72-in-garage-cabinet-64401.html?_br_psugg_q=yukon+tool+box - $399 and I got two. FAIL. Too fooking flimsy. Shelves rated at 90# and I wouldn't try anywhere near that on them. I bent the hell out of a bottom shelf when I put a 40# shot bag on it.
In my defense, they didn't have any in stock anywhere in San Antonio so I could check to see how sturdy they were, so I looked at the ratings (4.7/5) and comments and ordered them at my local store. Took about 3 weeks to arrive at the store; got them home on my car trailer.
They'd be fine if you're just storing a few cans of spray paint, some old socks, and maybe a box of Christmas ornaments. Anything heavier and you're **** out of luck.
I'm going to sell them both and put the proceeds towards another Durham cabinet or two. Not cheap, not light, but strong as hell.
In my defense, they didn't have any in stock anywhere in San Antonio so I could check to see how sturdy they were, so I looked at the ratings (4.7/5) and comments and ordered them at my local store. Took about 3 weeks to arrive at the store; got them home on my car trailer.
They'd be fine if you're just storing a few cans of spray paint, some old socks, and maybe a box of Christmas ornaments. Anything heavier and you're **** out of luck.
I'm going to sell them both and put the proceeds towards another Durham cabinet or two. Not cheap, not light, but strong as hell.
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Nick Rivers
Well-known member
Bought one on a Black Friday deal. Not using it for knives, but as a deburring block for cleaning up sheetmetal and shim stock edges.Any thoughts or experience for this HF Gordon 4 sided diamond hone block?
Sorry, dont mean to laugh but the "storing some old socks" part ...
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I needed some wobble extensions as my old ones were pretty clapped out. Picked up the new Icon set for $37 out the door. I didn't want "wobble plus" style, so these fit the bill. Good retention, mild knurling. Definitely a good buy. Not Snap On, but definitely an upgrade over Chinese stuff.
bmdubya1198
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These are great extensions. The Pittsburgh ones are honestly not too bad, especially when they go on sale for $10, but these Icons are so much nicer. I have yet to break one, and I use them heavily.I needed some wobble extensions as my old ones were pretty clapped out. Picked up the new Icon set for $37 out the door. I didn't want "wobble plus" style, so these fit the bill. Good retention, mild knurling. Definitely a good buy. Not Snap On, but definitely an upgrade over Chinese stuff.
XJSuperman
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These little guys are handy. Magnets feel great, stick really well. Pass.
atch
Well-known member
Please complete my education. What are these used for?
These little guys are handy. Magnets feel great, stick really well. Pass.
Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad Kit, 4-Piece
Amazing deals on this 4Pc Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
Supporting pieces for light welding and assembly per the product description
XJSuperman
Well-known member
Yep, they work great for holding metal in place for welding, or at least tacking. The pivot points are stiffer than they look, which seems to be helping actually. I'm impressed so far
atch
Well-known member
Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad Kit, 4-Piece
Amazing deals on this 4Pc Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.www.harborfreight.com
Supporting pieces for light welding and assembly per the product description
Thanks folks. It looks like I should grab some of these for when the time comes I need them.
This plastic ultrasonic cleaner is a FAIL.
It‘s significantly more expensive than the many other significantly better options on Amazon, for one.
But most importantly, it does not hold up over time to the heat cycles and all of the plastics become brittle and crack. The inner basket, the top lid, and the actual outer shell/case of the unit itself will all develop cracks and fall apart, ultimately making this a safety hazard for shocks or electrical fires.
Do not buy!
It‘s significantly more expensive than the many other significantly better options on Amazon, for one.
But most importantly, it does not hold up over time to the heat cycles and all of the plastics become brittle and crack. The inner basket, the top lid, and the actual outer shell/case of the unit itself will all develop cracks and fall apart, ultimately making this a safety hazard for shocks or electrical fires.
Do not buy!
I saw those showcased recently and seem like a must-have. I was looking for magnets as well for aligning panels, but as holders these look pretty handy, as well.These little guys are handy. Magnets feel great, stick really well. Pass.
thanks for posting.
craftsman creep
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Been thinking about buying one for a while now but figured I see if any had a bad experience with one first.
-Preston
atch
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$40 for the tool. How much for the batteries?
craftsman creep
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Here’s a few example photos of mine, which was just replaced yesterday by a Vevor unit from Amazon. The lid looks not so bad, but was on its second super glue repair after further degrading and completely coming apart again:
6 ton jack stands, pass. I bought 4 of the earlier version several years ago, two of them were returned because they were recalled. These newer ones are solid. They have steel pads welded on each foot for more surface area, and a cross pin that locks them in position. This is not just a nice safety feature, but also convenient if you need to pick up the stand and move it without losing the height setting.
My son and I just replaced a clutch on his old Corvette and we needed the 23" height to pull the trans out. These jack stands were well worth the price for us. I still have 2 of the earlier (non-recalled) 6 ton stands, the 6-ton Daytonas are a big upgrade.
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
Seen talk of angle grinders so I thought I would share. I picked up a Bauer 4.5in angle grinder with the trigger vs the slide switch or paddle switch and it's been great. I really like that thing. You can lock the trigger and choke up on it like a slide switch style or just use the trigger and no hand cramping like I get with the paddle switch style. I have a Milwaukee with the paddle switch that as stated cramps my hand when used quite a bit. The Bauer replaced a craftsman that got hot but worked and a craftsman professional that had so much power and rpm it was scary to use and didn't have a guard because I inherited it
racer1735
Well-known member
I have that gun. At 3/8 and just 4AH on the battery, its not strong enough to bust anything loose that you couldn't do fairly easily with a standard rachet. It pretty much stays in the bottom drawer of my tool chest. I did get the Hercules 1/2 gun and its a beast, but I'd pass on the 3/8 model.
Been thinking about buying one for a while now but figured I see if any had a bad experience with one first.
-Preston
demarpaint
Well-known member
9" Long-Nose Slip-Joint Pliers. The Snap On knock off, pass. Hard to beat for the price.
The big green moving blankets are one step above toilet paper when it comes to tear resistance. Fail.
My 75 year old FIL tore one of them the first time we tried wrapping something with it. In disbelief, I grabbed another undamaged area of the blanket and was able to easily tear it apart with my hands. Junk.
If anyone knows where I can get some XL sized quality moving blankets, I'd love to know. Thanks!
My 75 year old FIL tore one of them the first time we tried wrapping something with it. In disbelief, I grabbed another undamaged area of the blanket and was able to easily tear it apart with my hands. Junk.
If anyone knows where I can get some XL sized quality moving blankets, I'd love to know. Thanks!
Madjik Man
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Don’t get the blue ones from Walmart. Unless you love tiny blue fibers all over every surface it comes near. Including your hands and clothes.
Thanks! I have some decent smaller ones, but the 80"x144" size of the HF green ones is perfect for this application. A little bigger would be fine too, just not any smaller.
Just used several of them Friday for a dining room table and 6 chairs. They worked fine for me. I recommend them as a cheap movers blanket.. . . something in my book that is sacrificial as long as it does it's job and protects what it's wrapped around.
$47 worth of blankets to move and protect a new $3200 dining room set. Pass.