The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[Tom2]

This thread has been reading my mind lately.. The generator and trailer are both on my soon to buy shopping list.

I wonder if you could run a regular house hold appliance with the generator? i.e the refrigerator, furnace, shallow water pump, etc.. Obviously just one at a time. Just something to be able to run a little bit to keep the food from spoiling, keep the house from freezing, etc.. Probably not rated for it, but wonder if it would run them at all.

Free 5 pc screwdriver coupon was in my Sunday paper this week. Their fine for light use around the house.

 

[wbclassics]

I wonder if you could run a regular house hold appliance with the generator? i.e the refrigerator, furnace, shallow water pump, etc.. Obviously just one at a time. Just something to be able to run a little bit to keep the food from spoiling, keep the house from freezing, etc.. Probably not rated for it, but wonder if it would run them at all.

Those were the same thoughts I had. Harbor Freight claims 20A output, which would be enough to run the furnace... BUT my math puts the output at just under 7A (800W / 120V = 6.66A), and that is not enough to run any decent sized appliance like a refrige or furnace. Maybe a sump pump.

 

[787B]

Those were the same thoughts I had. Harbor Freight claims 20A output, which would be enough to run the furnace... BUT my math puts the output at just under 7A (800W / 120V = 6.66A), and that is not enough to run any decent sized appliance like a refrige or furnace. Maybe a sump pump.

The "20A" on the website is obviously a mistake. The correct specification is 800 Watts, and that's what it says on the generator itself and in the manual. Neither specifies Amps. Probably just some underling flunky at HF headquarters saw the blank space and figured he'd be real smart by putting something in it he'd seen elsewhere. I've been meaning to look at the breaker on it and see what size it is. I bet it's 7.5 Amps, which would be 900 Watts.

The generator will run anything that draws less than 800 Watts continuous, and less than 900 Watts peak. Your appliances will have what they draw clearly printed on them (unless they came from HF ).

 

[787B]

A general reminder to posters in this thread:

Thank you very much for your reviews, but
Posts are useless without part numbers!

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

[Sterff]

PASS Jumbo 925 wrench set

I needed a 1-7/8" wrench so I went to HF and picked up their "Jumbo Wrench 925" set. I figured if Im only going to use them a few times Id try the Pittsburgh wrenches. Suprisingly they are very nice wrenches and fit the fitting I was working on very tightly. With the 20% off coupon I got them for $32 or so. I would recommend them to anyone that wants large sae wrenches for a non snap-on price. I had to get out a flap disk though when I got home and sand off the "Pittsburgh China" logo though

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-sae-jumbo-combination-wrench-set-925.html

 

[mrholeshot]

Stamp Craftsman on the 2 inch with a part number about 5 up from the 1 5/16 and take it in for replcement

 

[Danglerb]

With a little effort I bet you could change CHINA to CHINO.

 

[subarub4]

I'm in the richmond area here in VA visiting any issues with 20% printer copies?

 

[Bolster]

I was asking the same question earlier about CA and I've not been able to find a single report of someone being turned down for a printer copy yet, even tho the coupon says "no printed copies." So I tried it, and no problems at all. Give it a shot.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

A general reminder to posters in this thread:

Thank you very much for your reviews, but
Posts are useless without part numbers!

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

[subarub4]

I was asking the same question earlier about CA and I've not been able to find a single report of someone being turned down for a printer copy yet, even tho the coupon says "no printed copies." So I tried it, and no problems at all. Give it a shot.

Yeah Not sure why they would turn them down to.. I know when I use them I'm always walking out with more then one item.. If I don't stop at the one here I will when I get back to NJ.

 

[Joelfke]

ive had no issues with any 20% off coupon ive presented, although the workers have started to mark out the barcode for the coupon from like a magazine, which is no big deal i just print out another and they cross off the barcode on that one...

 

[Indy_500]

I went to get myh $8 off because online the price of the impact wrench i wanted was 39.99 and in store it was 49.99 and i couldnt convince em so i brought the ad in the next day and it was a differetn person working and she had to ask the manager if she was allowed to honor the online price plus 20% off, i got my way without arguing

overall, never been a problem with any 20 percents i've used

 

[subarub4]

Sorry for the late updates.. I went to HF once to get the electronic battery charger that was for $39.99 item 65834

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

It was a super fail.. on the 2nd try something inside blew up and the display no longer worked.. So I drove back (mind you $10 toll for driving back home $20 total) and I picked up item 45005 instead 2/6 Amp, 6/12 Volt Battery Chargerand it works.. I brought back a battery sitting at 0V for 2 years..

Only thing is in the 2 A setting is the float charge still working? I thought it should be an on/off type?

In the 6A setting it goes from charging to not charging but the 2A setting it seems to range from 13.9V to 14V but never dropping below 13.9V

and speaking of that of that hassle driving back to NJ my clutch cable snapped so I was stuck for about 2 hours and taking me 4 hours to get home when it should only take about an hour.

 

[lipadj46]

A general reminder to posters in this thread:

Thank you very much for your reviews, but
Posts are useless without part numbers!

Thank you for your cooperation.

Yeah OK, I did not come here to spoon feed you, pics will do just fine, part numbers are a plus. Oh yeah, seriously lighten up.

 

[lipadj46]

I'm in the richmond area here in VA visiting any issues with 20% printer copies?

I print one out every time I visit the store, no problems.

 

[mrholeshot]

I print one out every time I visit the store, no problems.

I print mine out before I go, lol

I keep a few on hand and keep a few in the glove box of my vehicles

 

[787B]

Yeah OK, I did not come here to spoon feed you, pics will do just fine, part numbers are a plus. Oh yeah, seriously lighten up.

First, it was a joke! You guys need to lighten up.

Second, the OP asked that pics or parts numbers be posted, and then asked at least one more time. So it's just courtesy to do what he asks, right? Just reiterating in what I thought was a humorous way. Sorry you didn't see the humor.

 

[subarub4]

I post because it's helpful if a link is not given with a post I search with the item number.

 

[xcgates]

I had the bottom wrench rack, and ended up throwing it out, the spacing was uneven, and quite a few slots held either way to tight, or way to loose.

 

[GrantCee]

I recently bought the top one; the fingers got loose within a few days, and wrenches started falling out. Fail.

 

[Stick Figure]

I have the top ones, and use them all the time. Mine haven't loosened up in over a year but it probably will depend on the exact wrench you use them on. I have mine holding my Snap on set. I know i have more than one of those but don't remember where the other one is .... i'm thinking holding a set of non ratcheting gearwrench combos in my home tool cart.... at least 6 months w/ those and nothing is falling out anytime soon.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I have had the top one for a few years and they have worked great. They are still tight and hold my wrenches well with constant use. I also have the bottom one and I agree with the poster above that it is total ****.

 

[Indy_500]

The top ones were too tight and my wrenches didn't fit, i bought the plastic ones and customized them so the wrenches lay in there instead of holding the wrenches tight to the rack.

 

[Boost Creep]

i have the metal ones. since i don't take all my wrenches out at the same time and they're just to keep em organized in the box, i bent all the metal tabs back so they sit loose in them so they are easy to remove. i also bent the handle up so it takes up less room in the box. they do what they're supposed to for my use

 

[Danglerb]

Yay or nay on either of these? I have about 5 sets of wrenches and want to compress space in my wrench drawer.

They worked fine for me, but I just didn't care for laying out my wrenches that way.

 

[Infidel]

Chrome Moly 10 piece deep impact- PASS.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-1-2-half-inch-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-95470.html

I bought these about 8 months ago when I was in a hurry to get some impacts for work, and didn't have money for truck brand at the time. I have used them every day and they have held up perfectly so far. The only downside is the laser size markers wear off quickly with heavy use. I use the 17, 19, 21, and 22 for wheels daily. I have beat the **** out of the 19mm with a Snap-on MG725 with no problems at all. It has almost no black oxide left, but the socket is in great shape. They do appear to have some sort of anti-round-off cuts in them and you can see after using them on wheel nuts that they don't beat directly on the corner. The only real damage that I have done is scratch marks down the side of a couple of sockets, where I placed the socket in a vice to beat out a stuck lug nut. I have also used the smaller sizes with great results. These are much higher quality then the cheaper impact sockets at HF. Me and a friend at work were sharing tools, and he picked up a set of SO in 1/2. I actually preferred these for wheels, because they are much thinner, and are less likely to to scratch a wheel. I have only had a few times were they were to thick and they were all on crappy Chinese aftermarket wheels. Another guy in the shop has used these sockets for over a year and has had great luck also. His 19mm is almost to the point were it looks like a chrome socket it's had so much use. It also has dents in it were he has thrown it on the ground to bust a lug nut loose out of the end, but they still function flawlessly. I would suggest these to anyone looking for an entry level set of impact sockets, for home use, or for someone who is removing wheels a lot. The only thing this set is missing is a 10, and 16 to complete it.

The Nitrile gloves, and the 36 count boxes of 2in chip brushes are one of the best deals you can get if you are doing fiberglass work. don't buy the latex gloves for fiberglassing though, they will melt. ask me how i know.

Also the electric bug swatter works as intended so if you leave the door open and about 20 flies get in leave them alone. The buzzing is much more tolerable then the smell after the fireworks.

more reviews to come.

 

[lodemia]

Yay or nay on either of these? I have about 5 sets of wrenches and want to compress space in my wrench drawer.

Tried the bottom one, second or third time I removed a wrench, it broke. The plastic was just too stiff and brittle. Replaced it with Ernst, and I am pleased that I did.

 

[meissen]

I have three that I can finally contribute to the thread. I don't have years of use, only a few uses each, but thus far I'm very happy with the functionality. I'll update this post should my opinion ever change.

HF 2 ton low profile jack - PASS
I tried to find the part # or link on Harbor Freight's website but it doesn't seem to be listed anymore? My fiance bought it for my birthday for ~$80. It's orange and only needs like 2.5" clearance but goes up quite a bit. I've used it to jack my car up quite a few times already and it works flawlessly. It does take a bit of muscle to push the handle down but it lifts the car quickly. It's big, heavy, and steel and it seems like a well built floor jack.

2HP, 8 Gallon, 115 PSI Portable Air Compressor (Oil) - PASS
Works great so far - I've only used it for one weekend. My only qualm with it is that the instructions for filling the oil level specifically shows 32oz so I thought that it was telling me how much it needs. I bought 3 bottles of 16oz air compressor oil. I started pouring the first bottle slowly but seeing no change to the oil level I figured "Well, the diagram said 32oz..." so I dumped the rest of the bottle in only to watch in frustration as the oil level went right past the full line. :? Had to drain all the excess oil back out. Since we all know their products are cheap Chinese stuff, I got a 2 year warranty on it just in case.
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...on-115-psi-portable-air-compressor-95386.html

18 Gauge 2-in-1 Nailer/Stapler - PASS
I bought this with the compressor and used it for about 5 hours last night. It took me awhile to figure out how to load the nails - I'm a newb to air tools. Worked flawlessly. I made sure the tool was properly oiled as directed. I built a couple cabinets last night and the tool worked great and I actually found the nailer to be more accurate than the rented nailer I was using from Home Depot.
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/nailers-staplers/18-gauge-2-in-1-nailer-stapler-97524.html

 

[alberto]

Aluminum Foldable Step Stool: item 66911 (url would'nt show for some reason);[/url] $24 on sale with 20% coupon

Well built, safety locks. Gets a pass with flying colors.

 

[Steve_P]

Yay or nay on either of these? I have about 5 sets of wrenches and want to compress space in my wrench drawer.

I've had several of the metal ones for a long time; they work fine for me.

 

[southernfriedcj]

PASS - 1/2" 25" breaker bar - jumped on it many times, hasnt broken, bent, etc

I give this one a PASS as well. Best $9.59 (with coupon) I've spent. I had to take off 32 lug nuts this weekend that my impact couldn't loosen. I put the breaker on them, stood on the end on the handle and jumped up an down. Very little flex and no bending. Worked well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-25-inch-breaker-bar-30395.html

 

[Theloniousmonk]

BOTH the 1/2" and 3/8" long breakers are a pleasure to use daily.

 

[Steve_P]

I give this one a PASS as well. Best $9.59 (with coupon) I've spent. I had to take off 32 lug nuts this weekend that my impact couldn't loosen. I put the breaker on them, stood on the end on the handle and jumped up an down. Very little flex and no bending. Worked well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-25-inch-breaker-bar-30395.html

yeah, the 1/2 breaker bar is great. I used it to set up a ring and pinion and when tightening the pinion nut and crushing the crush sleeve there was quite a bit of deflection, and I was nervous, but it worked fine and nothing broke. I would bet it took 400+ lb-ft torque so it's definitely beyond what you should be using a 1/2 bar for. I am in the market for a reasonably priced long handle 3/4 after that.

 

[usmc_noma]

Aluminum Foldable Step Stool: item 66911 (url would'nt show for some reason);[/url] $24 on sale with 20% coupon

Well built, safety locks. Gets a pass with flying colors.

Not to go against the HF stool, but Northern Tool has the same type for $20. I bought mine there and have used it numerous times, mostly to paint the interior of my home.

 

[scott37300]

Not to go against the HF stool, but Northern Tool has the same type for $20. I bought mine there and have used it numerous times, mostly to paint the interior of my home.

I bought one from lowes http://www.lowes.com/pl_Scaffolding....10-_-SC_Ladders++Scaffolding_Area1-_-19611_5. It used to go on sale all the time, think I got it for 25 bucks.

 

[rayzor32]

http://www.harborfreight.com/22-oz-solid-steel-framing-hammer-38383.html

22oz all steel framing hammer: FAIL, as a HAMMER it was a PASS. But every time you hit a nail with it it would emit a long loud RINGING! Like the claw end was acting like a tuning fork, I couldn't stand it and took it back I'll spend the extra dough for an eastwing.


http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-windshield-removal-kit-96339.html

I just bought this today after piano wire and a knife failed to do the job, will let you know if it works or not.

 

[LEVE]

I had a 16 year old foldable 2 ton engine hoist from Northern Tool collapse while lifting my Caravan... the hoist was toast.... totally my fault. But it was time for a replacement. I purchased one from HF:



I've used it with the NT Load Leveler for about a year and it's never let me down (pardon the pun). For the money it was a good buy. Now it sits folded up against one wall waiting to be used; it's good to have in the garage.

 

[Bolster]

WARNING:
Harbor Freight's new crop of digital calipers are now junk. (design recently changed)

I actually like cheap digital calipers. They're accurate enough for everyday work and fairly inexpensive in case you drop them. (unlike Starrett)

A year ago I bought a 6" set which I'm very fond of and just decided to buy another set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html?p=2

There was a little sticker that said the caliper may be different then the image on the box. The sticker was right. They are now complete junk!!:

- The older set was smooth as silk. The new set has a very rough feel.
- The older set had automatic turn on the instant the calipers were moved. The new set doesn't have this feature despite claiming so in the manual.
- The LCD on the new set has tiny hard to see numbers. The old set's display was much larger and easier to read.
-The new set is silver. It looks like the scale is simply a cheap foil decal. The old set was anti glare black

If you're looking for inexpensive digital calipers go to Ebay or Amazon instead and try and get the older black ones.

I notice these new silver "junk" calipers are on sale for .87 cents each.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-caliper-with-extra-large-lcd-readout.html

I wonder if they're blowing them out and replacing them with something that works.

OH BY THE WAY, no negative reviews of this item on the HF website. Makes you a little suspicious they monitor and censor negative reviews, doesn't it?

 

[southernfriedcj]

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-windshield-removal-kit-96339.html

I just bought this today after piano wire and a knife failed to do the job, will let you know if it works or not.

I've always used one of those coarse ribbed (for lack of a better term) guitar strings. Saws right through the windshield puddy.