To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

groucho

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2006
Messages
182
I buy those little air powered die grinders when they're on sale for $4.99. I keep a different burr in each of the 4 or 5 I have so I don't have to switch burrs in the middle of a job with my greasy hands. Hell, for $4.99 ya don't lose any sleep when one gets tossed in the trash (which hasn't happened in the 2 yrs yet)
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

larry4406

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
18,977
Location
Northern Virginia
Harbor Freight 91938 Abrasive Cut-off Saw - Fail

The "2 HP" motor is grossly under powered - the 15A motor draw willingly trips a 20A circuit and stalls readily. The index marks for the fence are not square to the blade but you can compensate by adjusting it with a square and lock it "out of square" to be square. The table is thin sheet metal and flexes so as you cut, the table deflects downward cutting a significant unwanted bevel in your piece - almost 1/4 inch bevel top to bottom on a piece 1.5 inches tall. Mind you, this bevel effect occurred when trimming an end of a piece (stock largely on left side of the blade, making a trim cut of about 1/4 inch). If you are cutting stock in the middle somewhere, it is support by both sides of the table, so the table does not deflect and does not produce this unwanted effect.

I replaced the included 1/8" thick abrasive blade with one from DeWalt (slightly thinner at 7/64) and it cut a little better, but not much.

If all you want to do is make random cuts to make material manageable for throw away, this is a great saw. If you actually want to make accurate cuts with a square and plumb end on the piece you cut, walkaway from this saw.

I am returning it. Not sure what I will get to replace it. HF has a "industrial" saw 68104 for $20 more, may check that out. Not sure how it can be 3.5 HP while still at 15A draw.

The Hitachi's, Dewalts, Milwakee's are all about $100 more and seem to have the same cheesy table.
 

Attachments

  • Harbor Freight 91938 Cut Off Saw.jpg
    Harbor Freight 91938 Cut Off Saw.jpg
    17 KB · Views: 14

IONH

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
2,043
Location
Central Massachusetts
Harbor Freight 91938 Abrasive Cut-off Saw - Fail

It is so unfortunate that no one includes pictures when they make claims like this review did... or better yet, video of use.

I have the older orange version of this saw and it performs as well as I expected. If you push down too hard, the blade flexes and you won't get a straight cut. The stop wasn't square, but I rarely find any of them don't require a little tweak with a real square, big box store or HF.

As far as being under powered, you're probably the same type to complain about air powered grinders being under powered when you jamb it into a piece of steel with all your body weight. If you want a clean cut, let the disc do the work, not your arm. Yes, the stand is sheet metal, no surprise there. It flexing for you is probably another sign of pushing way too hard.

I am not claiming the newer gray ones are as good as the older orange ones, we all know HF quality has become more and more questionable in recent years. But there is a lot of user error out there which is tough to differentiate from with the anonymousness of the internet.
 

mtkst19

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
1,248
Location
blitzburgh pa
i swung in hf yesterday to try and buy the extended reach cutoff tool. they only had 3 and the were all on raincheck--so i couldn't get one.

however, the hansen knock off socket racks were on clearance sale for 3.77. In addition, all the socket sets looked streamlined-- all similar packaging and "upmarket" if you will. It looks to me that hf is making a push to loose the "cheap" image.
 

air

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Messages
184
100 Ft. Steel Hose Reel - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/100-ft-steel-air-hose-reel-46342.html

Seems to do its job just fine, so far so good.

40 Piece Alloy Tap and Die Set - Pass/Fail

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-piece-alloy-steel-tap-and-die-set-39424.html

It's cheap, but I managed to fix some stripped stuff on my leaf blower. I highly doubt it would hold up to any real use, but for the average joe, I suppose it's fine. Oh, the 'T' Handle is an absolute joke, and the tap wrench itself also *****.

6 Piece Socket Organizer Set - MEGA FAIL x Eleventy Billion

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-socket-drawer-organizers-99717.html

Sockets don't fit, nuff said. They should seriously pull this from the shelves. It's a defective product. :mad:
 
Last edited:

BQuicksilver

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
560

BQuicksilver

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
560
Black & Orange Bar Clamp/Spreader

FAIL - Used about half a dozen times. The other night, it was about 40F in the shop, tightened it, and the end snapped right off.

FAIL as well.

My Dad keeps friggin buying these....and they keep breaking. I'd bet I've seen 10 break now.:)
 

BQuicksilver

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
560
I have the 4' version. PASS. It was on sale for $10-15?

48" Box Frame Level

Item # 92994 Manufacturer: Cen-Tech
image_7157.jpg

Pass as well. Mine has taken abuse and still working fine.
 

BQuicksilver

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
560
Also the first person to say the Craftsmen torque wrenches are any good. The locking rings always break, the internals come loose, and they don't hold a cal. Just had a fairly new Craftsman fail on me this Summer. Everything I could find online said the HF ones are very good. Ran across a post by a guy who claimed to be a professional calibrator and he said the HF and Husky brand wrenches hold their cal as well as any Snap On. HF wasn't having a sale that weekend so I bought the Husky.

I'll FAIL their torque wrenches. I can't speak to holding calibration, but their "click" is so fine you often don't even notice it. Of course with the big lever on a torque wrench that's bad news to keep turning. Both of mine went to eBay.
 

rayzor32

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
323
Location
Buffalo, NY
the click is weird it varies with how much torque you dial, I use the 1/2" for torqueing lug nuts and its perfect for that one job I dont use it for anything else.
 

rustynewyorker

New member
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
1
Location
Upstate NY
3/8" breaker bars: Pass/Fail. Every one I've had lasts about a year before the end eventually twists off - which is a pain in the *** if you're using it with an extension. On the bright side it's warrantied - in fact the first one I broke they replaced it with a 1/2" because they were out of the 3/8ths.

Impact sockets, deep-well: Pass/Fail. Occasionally you get one that has internal flaws and they crack instantly - I've had one and one store had several sets on the clearance table with one missing from replacements (one had a cracked one right there in the box). Otherwise, they're fine.

4" Grinder: Pass. The orange one died only because after 3 years of rough use it got some sand into it cutting away on some trans crossmember bolts. The blue one's lasted about 18 months now, rough use, no issues, and it was all of $9 when I bought it. By rough use I mean it stays in the back of the truck almost all the time, if I have to go out in the yard to cut up something using a generator it may get dropped in the dirt, mud, snow, etc.

I notice they cleared out the socket racks/shelves, looks like a new line or new packaging coming in for all of that stuff.

3/8"-1/2" combo ratchet: FAIL. First thing I tried it on, a clean bolt, stripped it. Clicks sound like the guts could be plastic. I only bought it because it was on sale and I promptly returned it. (I looked at some ratcheting box-end wrenches recently and passed because they sounded the same when clicking).

Hand riveter set: Pass/Fail. I've gone through three of them; the jaws slowly strip out, they're made for doing like one job. I suppose if you strip the jaws for the small 1/8" rivets you could step up a size and keep going; the last one I used the large rivets until I used them all up and it worked okay. They did exchange it no problem, but I haven't seen them in the store the last few times.

18V cordless drill: Fail. Mine is an older one, but two things happened to it - first, the battery didn't last, it stopped taking a charge after a few months. I had a 14.4V that lasted much longer (had about another year in it at that time) - I only bought the other one because it was cheaper/faster than driving home to get the one I forgot that day. So it sat in the back of the truck and one cold day I opened the door, it fell out, fell about 3 feet to the ground and the top half broke right off at the button. While it worked it was fine, it would be a good disposable piece, but plan for it to not last forever.

14.4V cordless combo kit: Pass, more or less. I see these seem to no longer exist. I had no issues with the kit other than I now can't replace the battery that after several years won't charge, and when running the sawzall to cut metal it only lasted about 10 minutes. After pricing out better quality kits, I just bought a cheap 1000W generator and use the regular tools.

Magnetic tow light kit: Pass. The only problem I have with the damn thing is it's wired backwards so the wires stick out the wrong side of the right light to go across to the left light, some one of these days I'm going to remember to pop off the lenses and swap them side for side to fix that. For $10 with coupon they're hard to beat, I've even used them as trailer lights.
 

subarub4

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,188
Location
Connecticut
Pass: 800 lb capacity transmission jack

http://www.harborfreight.com/800-lb-capacity-transmission-jack-3185.html

It retails for $149.99. It was on sale for $129.99. With my 20% off coupon it cost me $103.99.
The cashier stated that the 20% off might not fly. I stated that it was not a floor jack (no coupons can be used on floor jacks), but a ****** jack. He tried to scan it and it worked.

I used it on the 300lb ****** in my F250.

Worked very well. I figure I got my money's worth on the one job. I was surprised that the big joints in my driveway didn't stop the small casters from rolling.


wow thanks for the heads up.. damn no 20% off on the aluminum jack then :(
 

mrholeshot

MEMBER EMERITUS
Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
8,043
I think I have one or two of these in drawers all over my house. Had I not known about Pittsburg and HF I would be actively hunting a set. Noy only great for the money but just great period. I think I own about 30 of them. I wish I could find them in Torx

The HF ad I saw showed that the following items I MIGHT be interested in getting would be on sale starting Jan 20th. I did not happen to see these reviewed here yet...

Can anyone provide some feedback on these:

Cost: $1
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-x-4-inch-phillips-screwdriver-94707.html
:
 

zer0cell

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2010
Messages
1,325
Pass and Fail. I bought this, and as i walked out realized it was bound up/broke. The next 3 I grabbed were as well. I finally found one that worked, and it's been no drama for a year now. i guess draw your own conclusion??

Okay... so make sure I test it well before taking it home.

Looks like the screwdriver is a pretty big hit too. Now for the most important question... does it stink like dirty diapers? :lol_hitti
 

subarub4

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,188
Location
Connecticut
Anyone know about powder coating and if this 30,000 BTU heater will work for the paint?

67856

I have a gas oven and it's not good for that.
 

Muffduster

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
549
Location
Arkansas
Tried out my newly purchased 1/2" deep well SAE socket set (purchased on clearance for ~$12), as well as the wobble extension set (item # 31203)

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-wobble-extension-set-31203.html

image_160.jpg


I'm mildly disappointed with both. The wobble set has a very poor, cheap looking finish, but I'm ok with that (as long as they work). I used them a few times tonight, with both 3/8 and 1/2 impacts. The retention slots in the extensions are -worthless-. The extensions I used were literally falling off the end of the gun. I replaced the retention o-ring / steel ring on my 3/8 gun last week. It works WELL. Maybe too well, as I've had to pry off a socket or two (Craftsman). These extensions, however, just fall off the gun. I HATE it when sockets / extensions fall off my ratchet / impact gun.

They did give good wobble action, and the 1/2 held up to use with my SO MG725, so those are positive points.

Is this guy for real? You were using chrome extensions with an impact gun? And a beast of one at that?

Oh my.:headshake:dunno:
 

dodge610

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
5,467
Location
North Canton Ohio
Anyone know about powder coating and if this 30,000 BTU heater will work for the paint?

67856

I have a gas oven and it's not good for that.

I own a father son powdercoat bussiness and i cure 60% of my parts with a Mr Heater that is like that one and i also use my electric stove all my customers parts come out lookin fine so yes you should be able to use that heater curing time should take approx 15 to 20 minutes in a heated shop.
 

subarub4

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,188
Location
Connecticut
I own a father son powdercoat bussiness and i cure 60% of my parts with a Mr Heater that is like that one and i also use my electric stove all my customers parts come out lookin fine so yes you should be able to use that heater curing time should take approx 15 to 20 minutes in a heated shop.

I have some wheels to do and they are 16" I was just wondering..
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

dodge610

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
5,467
Location
North Canton Ohio
I have some wheels to do and they are 16" I was just wondering..

Wheels are our specialty we have done quite a few and they all come out lookin better than new and hold up very well its all in the getting the wheel prepped correctly too bad you dont live closer i could cut you a deal oops guess im not aloud to say that it might be spamming.:)
 

subarub4

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,188
Location
Connecticut
Wheels are our specialty we have done quite a few and they all come out lookin better than new and hold up very well its all in the getting the wheel prepped correctly too bad you dont live closer i could cut you a deal oops guess im not aloud to say that it might be spamming.:)

I do have a question about the wheels is it necessary to hang them when spraying? If so I would have to rig something up for that.
 

dodge610

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
5,467
Location
North Canton Ohio
I do have a question about the wheels is it necessary to hang them when spraying? If so I would have to rig something up for that.

Yes they need to be hung i went to my local weld supply store and got some1/4 inch brazing rod and made hangers make sure its the no flux brass they make the best hangers to support the weight of the wheel hang them at eye level from the rafters in your garage or shop you should be good to go yu also need to mount the propane heater on a 100# propane tank and set that on a HF movers dolly bingo your ready to cure.:thumbup:
 

scott37300

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2010
Messages
3,450
Location
Wisconsin
#92374
http://www.harborfreight.com/11-piece-snap-ring-pliers-set-92374.html

Bought 1set yesterday and a bunch were pretty lousy. Misaligned tips, twisted handles. Went in today and opened 4 kits and made myself a proper kit. For the 10 plus bucks with coupon these are hard to be if you get a good set.

This is one of the tools I would not buy from harborfreight. Like you said the tips are all messed up crooked and misaligned. Even if you do put a halfway decent set together they still have weak tips.
 

subarub4

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,188
Location
Connecticut
Yes they need to be hung i went to my local weld supply store and got some1/4 inch brazing rod and made hangers make sure its the no flux brass they make the best hangers to support the weight of the wheel hang them at eye level from the rafters in your garage or shop you should be good to go yu also need to mount the propane heater on a 100# propane tank and set that on a HF movers dolly bingo your ready to cure.:thumbup:


Im still trying to figure out what is supporting the wheel I'm trying to think how the brazing rod is being used..

and a 100 lb tank that sounds a bit too much don't you think?

I will pm you for more info so we wont hog the thread because Im sure those heaters are seasonal at HF.
 

motoguy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
157
Location
MO
Is this guy for real? You were using chrome extensions with an impact gun? And a beast of one at that?

Oh my.:headshake:dunno:

Yup, I'm for real. My other chrome extensions have worked well so far (Craftsman, SK, Snap On). My main concern with the extensions above is the fact that their retention is poor, and they won't stay on the gun (or hand ratchet).
 

motoguy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
157
Location
MO
This is one of the tools I would not buy from harborfreight. Like you said the tips are all messed up crooked and misaligned. Even if you do put a halfway decent set together they still have weak tips.

Agreed. These are near worthless. The tips may as well be made of butter. I think I'll have to **** it up and buy some Snap On units.
 

Wes28376

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
302
Location
Lacey, Wa
This is one of the tools I would not buy from harborfreight. Like you said the tips are all messed up crooked and misaligned. Even if you do put a halfway decent set together they still have weak tips.

Have to agree. I received this set for Christmas and broke a tip trying to pull the snap rig off of a CM raised panel ratchet.
 

PT Doc

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
3,197
This is one of the tools I would not buy from harborfreight. Like you said the tips are all messed up crooked and misaligned. Even if you do put a halfway decent set together they still have weak tips.

I opened up 4 CM raised panel ratchets and all went as planned. Maybe this set is better than the ones with the interchangeable heads. I tried 6 of the 8 pliers.

For me for now I give it a pass.
 

tsherry

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2011
Messages
19
Panel Flanger: Pass
Air cut off tool: Pass
1/2" Torque wrench: Pass
Spring clip pliers: Fail. blew up the first time used.
Air grease gun: Fail. wouldn't work, replacement and second replacement wouldn't work.
Jackstands: Pass
Brick saw (not a shop thing, but whatever) Fail. Assembled incorrectly, came apart after about an hour. Replacement is a Pass, but I also double checked the entire assembly.
Crescent wrenches: fail. Suh-loppy.
Screwdrivers: Pass, but just.
Small socket sets (3/8") used for occasional junk yard work: Fail. Ratchets are plastic and explode.
Flux wire feed welder: Pass
Instant-darkening welding helmet: Pass
4" Grinder: Pass
6" Polisher/grinder: Pass for polishing.
3/8" reversible drill: Pass
1/2" Hammer drill: Pass
Heat gun: Pass
Parts washer: Pass
Higher quality spray gun kit: Pass. Better than my Binks model 7, although the Binks is 35 years old.
Spray gun brushes: absolute fail.
Torx-type screwdrivers: Pass
Security hex screw compact drivers: pass
Stationary belt sander: Pass, but man does it draw power.
Ratcheting tie down straps: Pass on the heavy, uber-fail on the light duty.
Tarps: Pass
Electrical splicing materials, wire ends, wire: Pass
Jumper cables: Fail.
12v compressor: Pass
Tire changer: Pass, but be ready to appreciate all the guys who dismount your tires for you. It's a pile of work.
Wood and general purpose clamps: Pass
Grinding discs: Uneven quality. Some are pass, some are fail.
Sand paper: Same as above
LED flashlights, 2 pack: Fail: Push the button on the back and the guts will blow out the front, lens first. Compress the aluminum housing to crimp the lens, and you have a pass. Last forever, and they're free.
12 ton Hydraulic Press: Pass for the press for light duty stuff; fail for the press plates. they're cast and will crack.
 

TheDukeofDeere

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2010
Messages
236
Location
IL
Used the search feature but nothing came up.

Anyone have any experience with any of the HF air hose swivel connectors?

I have a few Matco branded 1/4" swivels and love them. Found a couple on ToolTopia as well but the HF ones are considerably less than Matco and Tooltopia.

The first one might be the standard grade version, the other two look to be higher grade.

1/4" Air Hose Swivel Connector
Item #46123

image_1208.jpg


1/4" High Flow U-Joint Swivel Coupler
Item #66410

image_7829.jpg



3/8" High Flow U-Joint Swivel Coupler
Item #66413

image_7830.jpg
 
Last edited:

RAYJAY

Well-known member
Joined
May 29, 2006
Messages
2,638
Location
UNION DALE PA
Used the search feature but nothing came up.

Anyone have any experience with any of the HF air hose swivel connectors?

I have a few Matco branded 1/4" swivels and love them. Found a couple on ToolTopia as well but the HF ones are considerably less than Matco and Tooltopia.

The first one might be the standard grade version, the other two look to be higher grade.

1/4" Air Hose Swivel Connector
Item #46123

image_1208.jpg


1/4" High Flow U-Joint Swivel Coupler
Item #66410

image_7829.jpg



3/8" High Flow U-Joint Swivel Coupler
Item #66413

image_7830.jpg

don't know if its any help but this is the ones i have from HF got them a while ago there stamped Taiwan on them. they work great also the 1/4 in air ratchet item #34900 is a complete full pass works awesome:thumbup:
 

Attachments

  • HF air Swivel Coupler 001 (Medium).jpg
    HF air Swivel Coupler 001 (Medium).jpg
    73.9 KB · Views: 48
  • HF air Swivel Coupler 002 (Medium).jpg
    HF air Swivel Coupler 002 (Medium).jpg
    67.9 KB · Views: 41
  • HF air Swivel Coupler 003 (Medium).jpg
    HF air Swivel Coupler 003 (Medium).jpg
    80.9 KB · Views: 46

motoguy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
157
Location
MO
Looking to add to my toolbox. A quick inventory found that I'm needing these sockets. I'm wondering if HF has any items that will satisfy "daily use" for these sockets? I'll be running the sockets on an MG325 and MG725.

1/2" drive 6 pt shallow chrome SAE
1/2" drive 6 pt deep chrome SAE
--basically, I don't have any chrome 1/2" stuff that isn't 12 pt

3/8" drive shallow impact, SAE
3/8" drive deep impact, SAE
--have basically no 3/8" impact sockets

1/2" drive 6 pt shallow chrome metric
1/2" drive 6 pt deep chrome metric
1/2" drive 6 pt deep impact metric

3/8" drive 6 pt deep impact metric
3/8" drive 6 pt shallow impact metric
 

787B

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 16, 2010
Messages
294
Location
Baltimore, MD
Used the search feature but nothing came up.
Anyone have any experience with any of the HF air hose swivel connectors?
[...]
1/4" Air Hose Swivel Connector
Item #46123
image_1208.jpg

PASS.

Been using this one for years on my ratchet and impact gun. Haven't failed yet. Leak a tiny bit, but never gotten worse.
 

Attachments

  • 2011-01-17_19-17-33-2.jpg
    2011-01-17_19-17-33-2.jpg
    17.7 KB · Views: 1,457
  • 2011-01-17_19-17-192.jpg
    2011-01-17_19-17-192.jpg
    11.4 KB · Views: 33

TheDukeofDeere

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2010
Messages
236
Location
IL
don't know if its any help but this is the ones i have from HF got them a while ago there stamped Taiwan on them. they work great also the 1/4 in air ratchet item #34900 is a complete full pass works awesome:thumbup:


PASS.

Been using this one for years on my ratchet and impact gun. Haven't failed yet. Leak a tiny bit, but never gotten worse.

attachment.php

Thanks a lot guys!!!

Good deal, I was hoping they would get the "PASS" stamp.

I love my Matco swivels on my IR2135TiMax and IR2115TiMax impacts, but at $25 a pop :shocking: , HF swivels should certainly fit the bill (pun definitely intended) for some IR die grinders I got for Christmas.

Thanks for the reply! :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom