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The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

shampoop

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Jul 12, 2009
Messages
1,947
Location
SW Washington
Item 66501/Magnetic Glove Box Holder

image_7854.jpg


PASS,the glove box fits in it and the magnets stick to the side of the tool box. :bowdown:

+1 love it. Surprised how strong the magnets are. The screwdriver/spray can holder passes also.
 
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ajchien

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Sep 3, 2010
Messages
2,649
Location
Los Angeles, stuck on the 60 freeway.
boo yeah! used the same coupon and bought my second one last week so i have a grinding wheel and wire wheel:thumbup: although its my first grinder and i havent put it to use that many times, i liked the performance. I much rather have a few of these with all different attachments and pay less then 1 brand name one with one attachment and pay more..

Where did you find this coupon? I only found one for the heavy duty one for $15
 

davidj

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Messages
327
Location
Georgia
long handle wrenches Item # 47067: PASS
Jackstands Item # 38846 and Item # 34924: PASS
tongue and groove pliers (channelock style) included with Item # 38082: epic fail they slip
rubber mallet with fiberglass handle Item # 95083: epic fail i hit something about 5 times with it and then the head flew across my yard.....
stubby flex head ratchets Item #46742: not saying pass or fail they are ok but the flexhead part doesnt want to stay still when you are wrenching on something like a better quality one would.
step bits Item #96275: Pass
drill pressItem #38119: Pass i have used this thing like crazy. it has never let me down
 
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IONH

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
2,043
Location
Central Massachusetts
long handle wrenches: PASS
Jackstands: PASS
slip joint pliers (channelock style): epic fail they slip
rubber mallet with fiberglass handle: epic fail i hit something about 5 times with it and then the head flew across my yard.....
stubby flex head ratchets: not saying pass or fail they are ok but the flexhead part doesnt want to stay still when you are wrenching on something like a better quality one would.
step bits: Pass
drill press: Pass i have used this thing like crazy. it has never let me down

There are so many variants of everything you just posted about. Without item numbers, the pass/fail ratings are not going to help anyone.
 

rayzor32

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Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
323
Location
Buffalo, NY
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-3-8-eighth-inch-metric-swivel-impact-socket-set-95038.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-1-2-half-inch-metric-swivel-impact-socket-set-94516.html

I havent seen anyone review these yet so ill give it a go. Tech at work has a set he said he's had for 4 years and their still going strong, he said the only weak point is the cheap band that holds the pin in place, his 15mm broke but all he did was mig weld the pin back in and works great. Lifetime warranty anyway. Used my 20% coupons and got them on sale paid 11.50 for the 3/8" set and 13.00 for the 1/2". Talk about DIRT CHEAP, I used them today and they are GREAT, was going to shell out $250 for a ONE snap on set but i think not now... only gripe is the 3/8" skips 15 and gives you a 16, but the 1/2" set gives you the 15mm so i guess im still covered.
 

pmohr

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Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
158
Location
Maryville, TN
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-3-8-eighth-inch-metric-swivel-impact-socket-set-95038.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-1-2-half-inch-metric-swivel-impact-socket-set-94516.html

I havent seen anyone review these yet so ill give it a go. Tech at work has a set he said he's had for 4 years and their still going strong, he said the only weak point is the cheap band that holds the pin in place, his 15mm broke but all he did was mig weld the pin back in and works great. Lifetime warranty anyway. Used my 20% coupons and got them on sale paid 11.50 for the 3/8" set and 13.00 for the 1/2". Talk about DIRT CHEAP, I used them today and they are GREAT, was going to shell out $250 for a ONE snap on set but i think not now... only gripe is the 3/8" skips 15 and gives you a 16, but the 1/2" set gives you the 15mm so i guess im still covered.

I love these impact swivels. As said, the o-rings that hold on the pin-retention collar tend to get cut up on stuff, but I've found a stash at work that are perfect replacements.

I've broken one after close to a year of constant use, the 3/8" 13mm (and even then, only the pin. This includes being used with an adapter on a 2135Ti). Funny, because I've broken all 5 of my SO impact swivels at one point or another. For the ones I've got doubles of (HF and SO), I always go for the HF first, as I trust them more to not break.
 

SCscoutguy

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Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
2,229
Location
South Carolina
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-3-8-eighth-inch-metric-swivel-impact-socket-set-95038.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-1-2-half-inch-metric-swivel-impact-socket-set-94516.html

I havent seen anyone review these yet so ill give it a go. Tech at work has a set he said he's had for 4 years and their still going strong, he said the only weak point is the cheap band that holds the pin in place, his 15mm broke but all he did was mig weld the pin back in and works great. Lifetime warranty anyway. Used my 20% coupons and got them on sale paid 11.50 for the 3/8" set and 13.00 for the 1/2". Talk about DIRT CHEAP, I used them today and they are GREAT, was going to shell out $250 for a ONE snap on set but i think not now... only gripe is the 3/8" skips 15 and gives you a 16, but the 1/2" set gives you the 15mm so i guess im still covered.

I have had the SAE set for years and have beat the hell out of them and they are still going strong. I just bought the metric set this weekend on clearance because the SAE set was so great.
 

pmohr

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Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
158
Location
Maryville, TN
I don't know why they have to use that dumb band though, why cant they just weld the pin in like these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-and-1-2-half-inch-universal-joint-impact-set-36846.html

I might try this set out too as I need a 3/8" impact swivel, too bad it comes with the 1/2" too don't need that. I still don't get why they leave out the 15mm!

That's actually the old style that's been discontinued. I bought that set about the same time as the impact swivels, and finally broke the pin in the 3/8" a few weeks ago. The 1/2" has held up fine, but I rarely use it.

Just picked up the Pittsburgh Pro impact swivels (that are replacing those above), and they're manufactured much like the C revision SO impact swivels, with a smooth outer 'shell' with no visible pin. Not coming up on the site and I don't have the part number handy, but they were out on the shelf next to the now discontinued line (at the same price, no less). They look and feel to be much beefier than the old style.
 

rayzor32

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Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
323
Location
Buffalo, NY
Wow thats cool, im pretty sure they just weld them in and then grind it down smooth so you can't see it, at last thats what a snap on guy told me except he said "precision laser welded" or something like that. Just need the 3/8" so I can use it on my deep wells.
 

Vettman

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Joined
Jan 27, 2009
Messages
443
Location
Ca. Sierras
HF seems to have a new tool box and it seems pretty damn good. I wish I could remember the dimensions and drawer count. It was red and had a finish like the black tool cart and 56" box. At any rate I pulled out one of small the drawers (roller drawers) out and put a good 60+ lbs on it and it didn't budge. Had good drawer action and seemed to be of excellent build quality. Any one else seen this?

Pre-emptive PASS.


Saw it yesterday. Red, smooth finish. I wish I'd waited a few months as I bought two of the wrinkle finish ones.
 

Vettman

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Joined
Jan 27, 2009
Messages
443
Location
Ca. Sierras
I'm returning a cordless drill (65930) tomorrow. It doesn't have any more torque than 12 yr. old Craftsman I'm replacing, and the battery is more difficult to remove.***** Fail ******
 

LEVE

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Joined
Jun 23, 2008
Messages
1,727
Location
On the Willapa
The Can Crusher, Item 95678, Pass!

image_3332.jpg


It's much better constructed than I suspected. Works like a charm. Not bad for <$9 using a 20% off coupon.
 

subarub4

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Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,188
Location
Connecticut
I'm returning a cordless drill (65930) tomorrow. It doesn't have any more torque than 12 yr. old Craftsman I'm replacing, and the battery is more difficult to remove.***** Fail ******


**** I was hoping it would be good.. I wonder if it's better then this 9V roybi I have.
 

johnnybentwrench

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Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
1,737
Location
Los Angeles
I have a 12 ton hydraulic press from HF. It was free. Big fail on breaking a pitman arm from a gear box ( 1990's dodge 1/2 ton truck) I watched a neighbor play around with hammers and little pullers. I offered a proto puller first no go. Told him to use the press, I saw the bottom flex first. I told the neighbor F it pull the handle & crack it down, it'll break loose. well it POPPED.

In this POS presses defense it has seperated many many shaft drives on BMW motorcycles. That's what I get for being a good neighbor:headscrat nahh he is cool and saved the landlord(friends mom) big $$$$ on electrical stuff and he knew our friend who passed, gosh our friend loved HF and was probably a member here! matter a fact I am gonna PM bull right now, JBW
 

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pmohr

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Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
158
Location
Maryville, TN
Has anyone tried the Rear brake piston tool (95713)... I need to buy one.

That's what I use for almost all of my rear brake jobs. Short of some Fords, it's worked on everything I've touched so far (though I think I did a little bit of grinding to one of the faces to make it fit a VW caliper).
 
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rayzor32

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Jul 26, 2010
Messages
323
Location
Buffalo, NY
Its the best one there is IMO, even the snap on guy sells the lilse's instead of the SO ones. The lilse you can put a ratchet/wrench/air ratchet on the end of it to spin the piston in. The HF has a t handle that you have to use by hand. For occasional home use the HF one is ok, but for pro use get the lilse.
 

pmohr

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Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
158
Location
Maryville, TN
Its the best one there is IMO, even the snap on guy sells the lilse's instead of the SO ones. The lilse you can put a ratchet/wrench/air ratchet on the end of it to spin the piston in. The HF has a t handle that you have to use by hand. For occasional home use the HF one is ok, but for pro use get the lilse.

There is no t-handle...

You're speaking of a different type of rear piston tool, if you actually go to the website and search the item number given above, he's talking of the cube style tool.
 

rayzor32

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Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
323
Location
Buffalo, NY
http://www.harborfreight.com/four-wheel-disc-brake-piston-tool-95713.html

If thats the part number you posted than those things are a piece of junk.. I thought you were talking about this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/caliper-tool-set-for-disc-brakes-40732.html



The "cube" ***** big time, it only works maybe 25% of the time, because most of the time you need to put pressure on it as well as spinning it and the cube only spins itc, ive put it on a ratchet and c-clamped the ratchet and caliper together once to get the job done, maybe screwing around in your driveway is ok but at work forget it.
 

pmohr

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Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
158
Location
Maryville, TN
http://www.harborfreight.com/four-wheel-disc-brake-piston-tool-95713.html

If thats the part number you posted than those things are a piece of junk.. I thought you were talking about this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/caliper-tool-set-for-disc-brakes-40732.html



The "cube" ***** big time, it only works maybe 25% of the time, because most of the time you need to put pressure on it, ive put it on a ratchet and clamped the ratchet and caliper together once to get the job done, maybe screwing around in your driveway is ok but at work forget it.

Apparently it's all in how you use it, as I use the cube for almost every rear brake job I do, and it works close to 90% of the time, the only exceptions being some Fords. This is in a professional environment, not 'screwing around' in my driveway.

If you use it properly, it works perfectly.
 

pmohr

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Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
158
Location
Maryville, TN
How the hell could you use it improperly you put it in and spin.. maybe in tenesee it works where nothing is rusted

That's what I'm wondering, how could you use it improperly to the point where you can't get it to work but a quarter of the time?

If you think nothing down here is rusted, you've not worked on many vehicles from around these parts. We have to break out the torch often enough, though granted not quite as often as up there.
 

rayzor32

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Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
323
Location
Buffalo, NY
I used it about 4 times and all but one time the piston just spun and spun and wouldnt go down w/o the pressure of a c-clamp along with spinning it... gee I wonder why the REAL TOOL uses pressure and spinning?????? I dont know why it works for you if it does GOOD FOR YOU BUT IT DONT WORK FOR ME. Southern cars have brake lines you can touch without breaking, you can change wheel cylinders without replacing entire lines, bleeders that actually crack open, wheel bearings that come out, u-bolts that un-bolt. Half the time I do a rear brake job the rotors are rotted out and the pads and sliders are seized and need a new bracket.
 

TN_GARAGE

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 16, 2010
Messages
1,634
Seems HF tools are a bit inconsistent. Therefore, I'd suggest taking them home and putting them through their paces before you lose the receipt and/or the warranty runs out.

Another tip: NEVER go to the store without first checking the ads and internet for coupons (seems just about every item in the store goes on sale sometime throughout the year).

I've had pretty good success with Harbor Freight. Then again, I'm not a heavy user and only buy "simple" stuff.

heavy duty red hand truck - PASS (sure, you have to keep an eye on the air pressure, but that's normal for pretty much any pneumatic tires)
image_8268.jpg


12" Ratchet Bar Clamp/Spreader - PASS
image_1278.jpg


8" Lineman's Pliers - PASS
image_712.jpg


18" Flexible Funnel - PASS
image_1465.jpg


7 Function Digital Multimeter - PASS (mine works good enough)
image_2304.jpg



5 Lb. Telescoping Magnetic Pickup Tool - PASS
image_577.jpg
 

granitestater

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Joined
Nov 5, 2010
Messages
57
Location
New Hampshire
These bar clamps, item 46805 are a pass.

I build a lot of wood models with my son and the soft rubber jaws don't mar the wood. They get tight enough to hold 2 pieces of wood together while the glue dries. I bought these for $1.99 each at the store which was less than the emailed coupon of $2.99. I saw the same item at Lowes in a 4 pack from Irwin (but the jaws were blue instead of orange) for $19.99 for the 4 pack. So these are a PASS and a really good HF deal.
 

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BiltFordTuff

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Nov 11, 2010
Messages
104
5 piece Ball Pein Hammer Set: PASS in my book, me, my dad, and my brother had really good luck out of these hammers.
5pieceballpein.jpg

7 function Digital Multimeter: In between PASS and FAIL, they are good sometimes for testing parts on the old truck and fuses, but sometimes I'd rather use the Craftsman.
7func.jpg

5 piece Industrial Series Air Tool Quick Coupler Set: PASS, if you are hooking up another air hose or needing a male end coupler on a new air tool, these are pretty handy to have.
5piecequickcoupler.jpg

9 piece Magnetic Quick Release Nutsetter Set: I don't know about you but my dad can vouch for FAIL, he put one of these in his 18v Ridgid driver and it wouldn't come out, he ended up having to put it in a vise and pull, but there could've been something manufactured wrong on that particular bit.
9piecenutsetter.jpg
 

NWphotog

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Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
1,471
These bar clamps, item 46805 are a pass.

I build a lot of wood models with my son and the soft rubber jaws don't mar the wood. They get tight enough to hold 2 pieces of wood together while the glue dries. I bought these for $1.99 each at the store which was less than the emailed coupon of $2.99. I saw the same item at Lowes in a 4 pack from Irwin (but the jaws were blue instead of orange) for $19.99 for the 4 pack. So these are a PASS and a really good HF deal.
Even better with the coupon for free! :)
 
OP
B

Bolster

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Joined
Jul 8, 2008
Messages
4,056
Location
Mexifornia
These bar clamps, item 46805 are a pass.

I build a lot of wood models with my son and the soft rubber jaws don't mar the wood. They get tight enough to hold 2 pieces of wood together while the glue dries. I bought these for $1.99 each at the store which was less than the emailed coupon of $2.99. I saw the same item at Lowes in a 4 pack from Irwin (but the jaws were blue instead of orange) for $19.99 for the 4 pack. So these are a PASS and a really good HF deal.

Wow I'm surprised these are getting passes. Maybe they have upgraded them since I last tried them, my impression was ultra low clamping power. I mean, I've seen rubber bands that could hold things together better than the HF clamps I tried.
 

archirelic

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Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
2,263
Location
texas
Funny that you mention these clamps, as I was just in there yesterday purchasing consumables and happened to look at these same clamps.

[I'm an Architecture student and often times am working on projects that require many, many clamps]

My opinion of them, is that they're obviously not as smooth as say Irwin clamps, but at their price point, they really can't be beat. I was very impressed with the clamping power as well. While I was gathering my consumables, I had used these clamps to hold various things on some shelves nearby their display...and I'm talking some heavy stuff. The clamps performed admirably, no loss in grip for the 30 or so minutes I was there.

I decided then to pick up a few.

The only drawback to them, is if you're not careful, you can easily pinch/squeeze the web between your forefinger and thumb while operating the squeeze lever. Cheap plastic body, but definitely has clamping power.
 

LEVE

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Joined
Jun 23, 2008
Messages
1,727
Location
On the Willapa
Item 03670, 3/8" Drill. I've been using it for 2 weeks. The cost was $15, on sale. Not a bad deal and it's worked well on several projects.


 

Danglerb

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Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
9,736
Location
SoCal
Wow I'm surprised these are getting passes. Maybe they have upgraded them since I last tried them, my impression was ultra low clamping power. I mean, I've seen rubber bands that could hold things together better than the HF clamps I tried.

I've had some fail when asked to clamp to hard the insides strip out, but for any kind of light work they are fine, and heavy stuff use pipe clamps etc.

IIRC these are also lifetime and replaced easily.
 

BiltFordTuff

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2010
Messages
104
some more...

Air nibbler - F-i-L has one, used it to cut his new house's air ducts. still going strong. PASS
magnetic bowls - PASS
20 ton press - you need to assemble it carefully and true it up but it's really just a metal frame. pass
jack stands - never bought them and never would. FAIL without even thinking about it (more below)
nitrile/latex gloves - FAIL, buy them at costco/sam's. HF's are pre-hardened and brittle.

Reinforcing what eschoendorff & Ray-Ca say: if it's a one-off and you think the tool will last the job, go for it. If you want something to last, either buy their nicest model (the cream of the **** :) or shop somewhere else.

If I want something precision, I'll go somewhere else. If I want something that could kill me if it fails (like a jackstand), there ain't no way in H$LL I'm buying it at HF!

actually every jack stand me, my dad, and my brother ever owned were HF and work great
 
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