The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[SpeedwayRyan]

This is hardly a fail. To me the exact numbers are irrelevant. It's the difference in the numbers that matter. You still got a 15psi difference with both testers, your conclusion is still the same.

105 - 95 = 10psi
130 - 115 = 15psi

Granted, the percentages are pretty close though.

 

[KU_MechE]

Has anyone tried the Harbor Freight "Nitrous" brand Oil Temperature gauges? (or any other gauges?)

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-led-lit-oil-temperature-gauge-98476.html

I'm contemplating one for my old '99 4Runner transmission, so I don't want to spend much money. For $22 - 20% = $17.60 it may be worth it. Just wondering if anyone has had huge success or failure with these

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-led-lit-oil-temperature-gauge-98476.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-led-lit-oil-pressure-gauge-98475.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-led-lit-vacuum-gauge-98482.html

 

[motoguy]

2 Piece Universal Impact Joint Set (new Pittsburgh Pro line)

#67920

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-universal-impact-joint-set-67920.html

FAIL! Used the 1/2" unit last night for the first time, to remove a drive shock on a Freightliner. 1 1/8" nut and bolt, loosening with my MG725. The MG725 ripped apart the 1/2" wobble nearly instantly.

I ended up borrowing a Snap On unit from another tech, and finishing the job with it. I noticed the HF unit is only about 60-70% the size of the SO unit. Diameter, diameter of ball wobble, etc. The 1/2" HF unit looks comparable (in size) to the 3/8" SO unit.

I'm on the SO site now, placing their 1/2" and 3/8" wobbles in my "basket". I'll be taking the HF units back for a refund, unless someone can provide some valid evidence that this failure was a fluke.

 

[creativecars]

2 Piece Universal Impact Joint Set (new Pittsburgh Pro line)

#67920

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-universal-impact-joint-set-67920.html

FAIL! Used the 1/2" unit last night for the first time, to remove a drive shock on a Freightliner. 1 1/8" nut and bolt, loosening with my MG725. The MG725 ripped apart the 1/2" wobble nearly instantly.

I ended up borrowing a Snap On unit from another tech, and finishing the job with it. I noticed the HF unit is only about 60-70% the size of the SO unit. Diameter, diameter of ball wobble, etc. The 1/2" HF unit looks comparable (in size) to the 3/8" SO unit.

I'm on the SO site now, placing their 1/2" and 3/8" wobbles in my "basket". I'll be taking the HF units back for a refund, unless someone can provide some valid evidence that this failure was a fluke.

I like the value of Harbor Freight tools, but would never try to put one in a bind on a big truck. You gotta think, the price of both of these probably won’t cover the tax on the SO, for a reason. There are some places you can skimp. Big trucks, big impacts, 1 1/8" sockets. Don’t skimp there. Take it back, replace it, use it, with some common sense.

 

[motoguy]

I like the value of Harbor Freight tools, but would never try to put one in a bind on a big truck. You gotta think, the price of both of these probably won’t cover the tax on the SO, for a reason. There are some places you can skimp. Big trucks, big impacts, 1 1/8" sockets. Don’t skimp there. Take it back, replace it, use it, with some common sense.

"With some common sense." What are you trying to say?

As you mention, HF tools can offer a great value, IF they're up to the task for which one needs them. There is such a massive difference in price between HF and the tool trucks, that I'll often "experiment" with HF, just to see how it works out. The store is located in an extremely convenient area for me, so it's easy to try a tool out and get a refund / exchange if it doesn't work as I'd hoped. I'm fortunate in that I don't have to worry about losing money / not being able to finish a job / being in a bind if one of my "test" tools break.

That being said, I'm also not one to relentlessly chase a false economy, either. I've got a top-of-the-line 3/8" and 1/2" air guns. That MG725 was turning a HF 1 1/8" impact socket, being backed up by a HF 1 1/8" wrench. Both of those items have worked great, and there are multiple other techs in the shop putting the same HF parts to work every day. Those tools have already made money for me in multiples of their purchase price.

Now that I've seen the HF wobbles won't hold up to my usage / needs, I'll just return them and get a "known sufficient" tool. As a matter of fact, I just placed and order for a SO IP80D, and IPF800B.

 

[betulauber]

i got a torque wrench from HF that never worked. i don't know the part number but its the type that you set the torque by turning the handle then tighten a nut at the end. i dont' think i can fix it.
so fail for that.

 

[mtkst19]

i finally claimed my rain check on this today. hope to put it to use this week.

initial thoughts are not terrible for the money, but seems a bit cheap compared to tool truck brands. half *** description right now but im certain it will get put to the rigors this week.

i feel i can give an adequate review on this tool now that i have used it a bunch.

the tool as noted above is not as nice visually as the tool truck brands. it is a straight die grinder w/ an long 90* extension. nothing more or less. it doesnt look pretty but it is 150 cheaper thana tol truck brand. so i can deal.

the cut off wheel they give you with the tool i tossed. i dont know if i'd trust it at 18k rpm.

I have burned through 3 quality cut off wheels now in 2 weeks time period. I have been lending it out for others to try too. i keep it lubed w/ the ingersol air tool grease. never had a hiccup with it. has chopped through broken studs, stainless exhaust, and anything i have put in it way.

so far a definite pass.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

picked up the blue welding cart yesterday and assembled it today

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding-cart-90305.html

cart itself is decent but the hardware it comes with is a joke. used a 20% off coupon on it, so it was $39.99 . i have my lincoln weld pak 100 on it and it's pretty sturdy. kinda looks funny with a red machine/blue cart

 

[gsport]

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding-cart-90305.html

kinda looks funny with a red machine/blue cart

lol.... i made my own cart, and painted it red, it looks funny having a blue machine on a red cart

 

[Beer:30]

The cheapy HVLP gun # 47016/67181....Pass. I bought this for like $10.99 I think with a coupon a while back. I just had the opportunity to try it out several times. I wasn't expecting much, in fact I was thinking it would pretty much be disposable.

I bought it to try spraying some POR-15 on my auto restoration project, which I wouldn't want to spray through my nice DeVibliss gun for fear of gumming it up.

So I first used it to spray some POR-15. Didn't thin it, just straight from the can. Adjusted the gun... Dang. It shot pretty good. Cleaned it out, Shot some more POR-15 through it the next day. Still good. Then I used it to spray primer around all the door jambs, door edges, and interior roof. Worked okay for that too.

Mind you, I wouldn't use this to shoot large areas or for real nice paint work, but to lay down some coatings in smaller areas it is a PASS. I will pick up another couple to keep around for when this one craps out.

 

[Average Joe]

Seems to me after reading quite a few of these post there is a trend going: If a HF tool has moving parts if has a great likelihood of failing if it is a singular parted tool ie: pry par, parallel blocks, hammers etc. they pass pretty easily. Also the more complex the mechanism within the tool the more likely a fail is to happen.

I do have 2 HF tools I have used quite a bit, they are Pneumatic metal shears and metal nibblers. The lasers on the tools are useless but they are more for novelty than anything, most people that know how house these tools aren't going to use a laser.

Nibbler: http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/16-gauge-air-nibbler-46061.html

Shear: http://www.harborfreight.com/inline-air-shears-98833.html

For the $ spent I can not complain at all....PASS

The dog house and the ceiling in my shop have been my main projects with these tools, I have also used them for several smaller jobs as well. No problems.

Also the heat gun so far has done good what little I have used it, mostly heat shrink tubing, removing stickers and helping uncrease 4 wheeler fenders after a hard day riding. Once again, for the price pretty good...PASS

Heat gun: http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html

 

[babewatcher]

The dog house and the ceiling in my shop have been my main projects with these tools, I have also used them for several smaller jobs as well. No problems.


Heat gun: http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html

Killer dog house. First time I've ever seen one like that. If it's your own design it's pretty impressive.

 

[Average Joe]

Killer dog house. First time I've ever seen one like that. If it's your own design it's pretty impressive.

I definitely is my own, My wife said we needed a "BIGGER" and "better" dog house for our boys. We have 2 Rotweilers that weigh in at about 130# each.

The floor of the dog house is 4' x 8' and the roof is 6' x 10'. it was made from scraps I had left over from my shop build. (My first little project inside my new shop) All the walls, ceiling/roof and floor are all framed up with 2x4s and insulated. The roof hinges up for easy cleaning out and putting fresh bedding in each winter. All the inside walls are covered with 1/4" luan and the exterior is covered with 1/2" OSB then covered and trimmed out with leftover metal.

Joe

 

[racer1735]

picked up the blue welding cart yesterday and assembled it today

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding-cart-90305.html

cart itself is decent but the hardware it comes with is a joke.

My experience has been that the HF hardware is always cheesy, so after making a purchase, I open the box, read the 'replacement part' list, then head to the nearest hardware store and purchase the necessary mounting hardware (nuts, bolts and washers). Even the washers are so flimsy that when you torque or cinch a fastener down, it will split.

Guess you need to add the cost of purchasing the upgraded hardware into the 'bargain price', but its still a very good deal

 

[gsport]

I definitely is my own, My wife said we needed a "BIGGER" and "better" dog house for our boys. We have 2 Rotweilers that weigh in at about 130# each.

The floor of the dog house is 4' x 8' and the roof is 6' x 10'. it was made from scraps I had left over from my shop build. (My first little project inside my new shop) All the walls, ceiling/roof and floor are all framed up with 2x4s and insulated. The roof hinges up for easy cleaning out and putting fresh bedding in each winter. All the inside walls are covered with 1/4" luan and the exterior is covered with 1/2" OSB then covered and trimmed out with leftover metal.

Joe

this takes "your in the dog house buddy" to a whole new level... great job on it..

 

[jakeb]

That heat gun would be even better if it has a LASER like the nibbler and shear!

 

[nuclearlemon]

cart itself is decent but the hardware it comes with is a joke. used a 20% off coupon on it, so it was $39.99 . i have my lincoln weld pak 100 on it and it's pretty sturdy. kinda looks funny with a red machine/blue cart

ditto, but in addition to the hardware, the casters were also **** and i swapped them two days later.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

Average Joe, post your boys here, if you haven't already.

 

[gnx547]

Does anyone here have the Central Pneumatic 67474 air angle drill? If so how is it?

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-reversible-air-angle-drill-67474.html

 

[SQ is the SQUAD]

i have that unit. its decent. the little round button activates the reverse. i hit it sometimes on accident. its a pretty decent unit. i used it to drill out some spot weld on my raidator support. i think i got mine for 9.99 on sale...............

 

[SQ is the SQUAD]

and it dosent come with the chuck key to change bits

 

[Dust]

Compact 1/2 Impact Wrench


MAJOR FAIL

Bought the first one in July 2010. Used it for approximately three months before the throttle body retaining roll pin vibrated out and shot the throttle body out of the gun. Exchanged it for another one. That one lasted two months before seizing up. When I whacked it to unseize the hammer mechanism, it fired once and then seized up with such force it shot the grease fitting out of the gun body with a big spark. Exchanged for one more, just for giggles. Worked fine for about a month, then started losing power dramatically. At the very end it would have trouble removing 19MM lugnuts torqued at 85 lb/ft. I returned it forever this morning. Note that I oiled it every day before use, and if I did a lot of tires that day, I oiled it again. A shame, since I loved the weight and size of it.



5-Piece Trim Stick Package


MAJOR PASS

I use these all the time at my job. I have never once broken one. The only downside is they tend to flex a little bit, so if you're fighting a piece of trim with particularly strong clips, you might have to bust out a more rigid tool. That said, I have no complaints.



32 LED Flashlight


PASS

I bought this sucker for six bucks, and it works fantastic. It's small, throws out a ton of light, and takes AAA batteries. The only problems with it are that it eats batteries like popcorn, and mine is starting to flicker. I think it might have a bad connection somewhere. No matter, I bought another one today for six bucks. They are usually ten, but are currently on sale.



Extended Reach Cut-Off Tool


PASS

Works great. A bit noisy, but what cut-off tool isn't? The head has a bit of gear noise, but I have not noticed any issues. May just need greasing.



Extended Reach Die Grinder


PASS

Works just as you'd expect a die grinder to work: Fast and loud. I use it with a Roloc disc on transmission pan rails with no problems.



4 LB Deadblow Hammer


MARGINAL PASS

It works perfectly fine as a heavy deadblow, but one of the plastic faces has torn and is starting to come off. This appears to be due to how the weight contacts the backside. I'd recommend it, but with a caution. I'm always a bit concerned that the next time I use it to hit something it might completely tear off the face and the weight'll shoot out. I figure a bit of Gorilla tape would fix it up, though. Note that the 1 LB version is perfectly fine.



3/8 Drive Mini Air Ratchet


MARGINAL PASS

It's great for running off nuts and bolts, but when running them down the head will slip once the fastener is bottomed out with more than 5-10 lb/ft. Kind of like a built-in torque limiter. It's also very loud for what it is. I don't know if I got a bum one or not. However, sometimes it's the only thing that will work in some situations.


I have numerous other things from Harbor Freight, but have forgotten what they are at the moment. I will say that all the sockets I have bought from there work great, except for the 3/8" deep metric impacts. Those are very thin walled, and crack very easily.

 

[Aklass]

On the website, I see they are starting to create chrome moly sockets under the pittsburgh pro line to replace the CP earthquake ones, anyone try these yet?

 

[dodge610]

Does anyone here have the Central Pneumatic 67474 air angle drill? If so how is it?

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-reversible-air-angle-drill-67474.html

I have one also as said before decent ive used mine numerous times put it thru its paces still going strong i also got mine for 9.99 at one of the side walk sales my HF has a few times a year but 39.99 plus a 20% coupon is still a good deal.

 

[Tom2]

I bought the 120V 1/2 impact last week. I wasn't expecting much. But I'm pretty impressed.

I sold my compressor and all my air tools last month, but I really needed an impact to do my ball joints.

It's not quite as fast as a good air impact. So don't expect it to blast your lug nuts off instantly. You just gotta let it hammer for a moment and twist it back and forth slightly.

I used it to press out my rusted ball joints, press in the new ones, removed all 20 lug nuts, and ring gear bolts on the differential.

I doubt it's gonna produce as much torque as you can with a long breaker bar - but it can definitely speed up jobs. No air compressor to worry about. It's larger and heavier than a air impact, but still easy to handle.

Was $50, plus a 20% off coupon. So around $40.

Glad I bought it.. No way I could have pressed out the ball joints without it.

 

[porphyre]

Anybody use the Denim Apron #32306?

It's the Deal of the Day this Thursday 2/24 for $2.50.

You can't buy denim fabric for less than that. I'm thinking to buy two, one to wear (grinding and wire wheeling mostly, no welding) and one to cut up to make tool rolls for the wife's tire change stuff.

Is the denim too thin to be worth anything or is it ok?

 

[KU_MechE]

I found this on the shelf yesterday. The splines of the E14 socket were totally rounded out and stripped. P/N: 67898

FAIL: Impact E-Torx sockets.

 

[fxt]

so your saying they failed because they are rounded already on the shelf. not by your own use

put that set down and grab another, inform someone about it and move on.

i'm sure with every brand some defects that make it past QC, even chrome on snapon is a problem sometimes.

 

[diesel research]

Compact 1/2 Impact Wrench

MAJOR FAIL

Bought the first one in July 2010. Used it for approximately three months before the throttle body retaining roll pin vibrated out and shot the throttle body out of the gun. Exchanged it for another one. That one lasted two months before seizing up. When I whacked it to unseize the hammer mechanism, it fired once and then seized up with such force it shot the grease fitting out of the gun body with a big spark. Exchanged for one more, just for giggles. Worked fine for about a month, then started losing power dramatically. At the very end it would have trouble removing 19MM lugnuts torqued at 85 lb/ft. I returned it forever this morning. Note that I oiled it every day before use, and if I did a lot of tires that day, I oiled it again. A shame, since I loved the weight and size of it.

The anvil case (front half) needs to be greased. Not same as oiling it, but using an actual mini grease gun and impact grease. My guess is, they come w/o any grease, or that is the way the one I bought for a buddy came. Pumped it up and had no problem with 15/16 3/4 and 1 ton diesel truck lugs all day at a dealership.

 

[KU_MechE]

so your saying they failed because they are rounded already on the shelf. not by your own use

put that set down and grab another, inform someone about it and move on.

i'm sure with every brand some defects that make it past QC, even chrome on snapon is a problem sometimes.

The ones I found on the shelf had been used by somebody and they returned them. The crack sales team at HF just threw the failed tools back on the shelf for sale. This was definitely not a manufacturing error, these failed while in use

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

The ones I found on the shelf had been used by somebody and they returned them. The crack sales team at HF just threw the failed tools back on the shelf for sale. This was definitely not a manufacturing error, these failed while in use[/QUOTE

Someone was probably replacing a clutch on a BMW.

 

[mtkst19]

3/8 Drive Mini Air Ratchet


MARGINAL PASS

It's great for running off nuts and bolts, but when running them down the head will slip once the fastener is bottomed out with more than 5-10 lb/ft. Kind of like a built-in torque limiter. .

thats actually a nice feature in my eyes. wish my more exspensive brands did this.

 

[stopdroplol]

I found this on the shelf yesterday. The splines of the E14 socket were totally rounded out and stripped. P/N: 67898

FAIL: Impact E-Torx sockets.

All impacts are rounded, that's part of what makes them impacts. Compare an impact to a chrome socket side by side and you'll see a huge difference. If they weren't rounded they would fracture much easier due to sharp edges/points.

That said, impacts still wear. If what you have is worn beyond the original design then ok. Fail.

 

[SQ is the SQUAD]

thats actually a nice feature in my eyes. wish my more exspensive brands did this.

good if your doing a bunch of 10mm body bolts

 

[obsessive]

I found this on the shelf yesterday. The splines of the E14 socket were totally rounded out and stripped. P/N: 67898

FAIL: Impact E-Torx sockets.

Just the inside tips are worn off, and there's no rub marks whatsoever deep in the slots, at the outside edges. Look at the black finish - it hasn't been touched. That tells me they were used for a non-torx fastener.

Just as I posted in the other thread, I'd bet money someone incorrectly used them on a regular hex fastener and that caused the inside edges to strip.

 

[joshthedieseltech]

thats actually a nice feature in my eyes. wish my more exspensive brands did this.

This tool is a great little 3/8" stubby great for running bolts down.

 

[bsaint]

21 gal 2.5 hp compressor

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-67847.html

Pass so far. Using it for 4 hours while I do work on the Blazer. Its good for running nuts but when you use an air hammer you can feel it drain.

 

[alberto]

Wheel dolly: http://www.harborfreight.com/1250-lb-capacity-mechanical-wheel-dolly-67287.html ---- PASS

I've read complaints on these related to them being difficult to move around with weight on them (didn't roll very well, according to some of the complaints).

I bought a set anyways, however, with these concerns in mind, I took the wheels off and greased the wheel bearings, including the swivel bearings. I can see why others have had problems with them not rolling very well. The bearings have an inconsistent amount of light oil (looks like motor oil) on them, some were virtually dry, others had a fair amount of oil. I greased them up with some synthetic grease (that's what I had handy, I don't much suspect it matters which grease you use). Used them today and they worked absolutely perfectly. In fact, perhaps a bit too well; the car wanted to keep rolling (it seems I have a bit of a slant to the garage) a little bit after I thought I was done moving it. I had to make sure it was completely stopped before I went on to something else.

So, if you get these, and I recommend them if you are in the market for a set, do yourself a favor and take some time to grease each of the wheels.

 

[KU_MechE]

i have that unit. its decent. the little round button activates the reverse. i hit it sometimes on accident. its a pretty decent unit. i used it to drill out some spot weld on my raidator support. i think i got mine for 9.99 on sale...............

I just used mine for the first time tonight and was pleased. It feels pretty beefy and the chuck is great. It does come with a chuck key. The reverse feature is pretty well designed. If you push down on the button and turn, it becomes locked in reverse.

 

[ZRX61]

Black rubber mallet: FAIL!

Stunk up half the garage