The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[mikebramel]

Dead blow hammers : pass

Black rubber mallet: fail
handle broke when i smacked the sh*t out of it

 

[ytlas]

Black rubber mallet: FAIL!

Stunk up half the garage

Black rubber mallet: fail
handle broke when i smacked the sh*t out of it

I've had the 1lb black rubber mallet for about a year with no problems for light duty work.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-lb-rubber-mallet-39646.html

 

[chewy7]

Black rubber mallet: FAIL!

Stunk up half the garage

did it break though?

 

[PT Doc]

Finger ratchets 3 pack: FAIL #94011

Had 1 set and 3/8 was not able to reverse. Exchanged for new set and 1/2" doesn't reverse. They said they are discontinued and I think I know why.

 

[ZRX61]

did it break though?

I haven't hit anything with it yet..

 

[SQ is the SQUAD]

i guess i got jerked cuz mine dident have a chuck with it

 

[babewatcher]

Probably been posted. don't have time to search through thread.

Central Pneumatic Earthquake 1/4" Air Ratchet 65159 -- Pass

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-professional-air-ratchet-wrench-65159.html

Great little ratchet. I was tired of throwing the weak *** Craftsmans in the trash. This thing is great. Powerful as heck, as powerful as some 3/8" air ratchets I've used.
The two year extended warranty makes it an awesome unbeatable deal IMHO.

Of course it doesn't have the seal of legitimacy(Snap On) on it though. So take that into consideration.

 

[fr0mastaj]

Tried a search on this thread, but didnt come up with any hits...

Does anyone have thier 50ft Retractable air hose reel?

http://www.harborfreight.com/50-ft-...ose-reel-with-3-8-eighth-inch-hose-93897.html

Also, does this ever go on those 'super coupon' deals (i dont recall ever seeing one for it) or is the 20% off coupon the best I will get?

Thanks!

 

[Odorcide]

Tried a search on this thread, but didnt come up with any hits...

Does anyone have thier 50ft Retractable air hose reel?

http://www.harborfreight.com/50-ft-...ose-reel-with-3-8-eighth-inch-hose-93897.html

Also, does this ever go on those 'super coupon' deals (i dont recall ever seeing one for it) or is the 20% off coupon the best I will get?

Thanks!

Inside track sale tomorrow,

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...c_plsearly.html&cust=78152118466&keycode=0000

 

[Big_John]

Tried a search on this thread, but didnt come up with any hits...

Does anyone have thier 50ft Retractable air hose reel?

http://www.harborfreight.com/50-ft-...ose-reel-with-3-8-eighth-inch-hose-93897.html

Also, does this ever go on those 'super coupon' deals (i dont recall ever seeing one for it) or is the 20% off coupon the best I will get?

Thanks!

I have one, its decent, does the job in my home garage. Gotta pull it a little slow when you want the ratchet to lock, but it works well with no leaks.

 

[dodge610]

Inside track sale tomorrow,

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...c_plsearly.html&cust=78152118466&keycode=0000

If your an inside track member tonight is the night to get the hose reel for 59.99 im goin over for a few small items.

 

[RichardNorman]

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.

I've been looking at that model myself. How quickly does it refill once the pressure switch kicks on if you don't mind me asking? Is it LOUD?

 

[Bolster]

Ceramic Polishing Media - PASS, although I have never used a competing product.

A mix of silicone dioxide and aluminum oxide. Put it into the tumbler with your work, run it for 4 hours, and you get a nice "stonewashed" finish with smooth edges everywhere. Another 8 hours with walnut media, and you have a no muss no fuss bright satin finish with smooth edges.

This is the kind of thing I have no fear of buying at Harf.

 

[babewatcher]

I have one, its decent, does the job in my home garage. Gotta pull it a little slow when you want the ratchet to lock, but it works well with no leaks.

I've had poor results from that generic Chinese air hose. It always dries and cracks in a short period of time. Can't speak to the reel quality.

 

[Ford52PU]

"Does anyone have thier 50ft Retractable air hose reel?"
I always have trouble getting it to lock, should have taken it back.

 

[Odorcide]

I've been looking at that model myself. How quickly does it refill once the pressure switch kicks on if you don't mind me asking? Is it LOUD?

It is pretty damn loud, takes about 45-60 sec to refill from 90psi to 125psi.

 

[Big_John]

I've had poor results from that generic Chinese air hose. It always dries and cracks in a short period of time. Can't speak to the reel quality.

The hose seems to be OK. I've been using it for 2 or 3 years now.

 

[subarub4]

how has it hold up and work?

I love it never had any problems at all with it, works great on removing the strut mount bolts on the strut towers on my Subaru.

 

[diggerrick]

Has anyone here tried this welder?

http://www.harborfreight.com/110-amp-220-volt-flux-and-mig-welder-94164.html?utm_source=retail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1011a

15% duty cycle @ 110A for $160 sounds tempting. My little Lincoln Handy Mig just doesn't have the juice to weld some of the thicker stuff.

 

[bchee]

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-hi-flo-male-plug-set-65894.html

Hi-flo air plugs. Milton V-style copies.
#65894
Currently on sale for $1.97 for 4.

These have been working, without leaking, but the QC is very poor. I checked 6 different packages and the inner diameter was not consistent among any of them, and even worse, the inner machining was incomplete. I'm not sure how to describe it - it's like when you drill a hole in metal, and the metal shavings are about to come off, but not completely.
So the metal was cut but not polished.

 

[80z28s6]

Has anyone here tried this welder?

http://www.harborfreight.com/110-amp-220-volt-flux-and-mig-welder-94164.html?utm_source=retail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1011a

15% duty cycle @ 110A for $160 sounds tempting. My little Lincoln Handy Mig just doesn't have the juice to weld some of the thicker stuff.

Where did you find that coupon for $159?

 

[brimorga]

Bought this today

4-1/2" Angle Grinder

Item # 95578 Manufacturer: Drill Master

Read the manual and it said:

1. This power tool is intended to function as a grinder, sander, or wire brush.
   
2. Operations such as polishing or cutting-off are not recommended to be performed with this power tool.

So I checked out the heavy duty model, 91223, and it said:

1. This power tool is intended to function as a grinder, sander, wire brush or cut-off tool. Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool.
   
2. Operations such as polishing are not recommended to be performed with this power tool.

As far as I can tell the only difference is one is 4.3 amps, the other is 4.5 amps.

Any idea why only the heavy duty model is intended for cut-off and if it matters or not?

 

[xcgates]

Is the heavier duty one orange?

I'm not sure which one I have, except that it is orange and I bought the bulk pack of grinding and cutoff wheels. I've used it on a few projects without any problems. Bought it probably 2 years ago, and the projects have ranged from battling rusted exhausts (from the salt belt) to smoothing broken brake levers. (I have a nasty habit of dropping bikes on their right side.)

 

[diggerrick]

Where did you find that coupon for $159?

Coupon is from March Monthly Savings Book.

I got the printed flyer last week and the email yesterday.

I've been getting the email coupons for several years, but just starting getting the Monthly Savings Book a few months ago.


http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wswidgets/common/displayCoupon.do?hdr=mag&week=1011&campaign=a_retail&page=1011a_retail.html&cust=33000271113&keycode=0000

Look at the bottom of the page - join Inside Track Club for $30, get a $10 gift card, not a bad deal. I may actually try it.

 

[brimorga]

Is the heavier duty one orange?

I fixed the photos because I had them incorrect, but neither one is Orange anymore. I think you probably have the Chicago version.

I bought the black Drill Master one and want to know if it passes the grade to use as a cut-off tool, or if I should pay a little more for the Heavy Duty Chicago model.

 

[sparky7]

i have that heavy duty one i think, i got it from northerntool but it looks the same to me. Either way the northern tool one is a beast.. and for 24 shipped i have no complaints it beats buying another milwaukee to keep a wirewheel on

 

[JimDon]

Use the cheaper one that you already purchased and use it for a dedicated cutoff wheel. I think the people who write the instructions just don't have a clue for the most part. The use of a cutoff wheel does not need the power behind it that you need with a grinding wheel. You want to be slow and careful and deliberate using a cutoff wheel so you don't get cockeyed in the curf and cause it to break. Speaking of breaking, buy some Norton cutoff wheels, or some of the other quality ones, and you won't have to worry abou the cheap Horrible Freight ones blowing up in your face.
Cheers,
Jim Don

 

[xcgates]

Now that you mention it, I probably do have the Chicago Electric version, I just thought both versions you were talking about were under the same name, and had switched. I could look for you if you want me to. Haven't looked at it recently.

 

[LEVE]

Pass on the following:
32906 Receptacle Tester, checked non GFCI garage circuits, worked fine

32907 GFCI Receptacle Tester, checked house and garage GFCI circuits. I caused an open neutral condition as a test, it caught it.

94011 Thumbwheel Ratchet set, one of the thumbwheels was a little stiff out of the package. A little lube in the gearing smoothed things out. They're not super high quality, but they should be fine for a shade-tree DIY'r mechanic like myself.

 

[bchee]

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-pneumatic-scraper-kit-95826.html

#95826 air scraper
Purchased within the last 6 months for $15 with coupon.

PASS

Used to remove vinyl tile and floor adhesive.
The blades have stayed sharp with repeated sharpening. They appear to be good quality steel. I dig them into the concrete and they don't chip or dull.
If you apply enough pressure, it is powerful enough to damage the concrete.

The reviews are not very good on hf.com - and I had a similar experience. At first it sounded like it wasn't doing anything, just passing air. I believe the piston inside gets gummed up from sitting on the shelf. I gave it a few taps on the ground and it started working.

I took off the regulator and run it at 115 psi.

 

[fatboyf150]

You guys using your side grinder with the cut-off wheels, should check out the tile guard to use with it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/safety-guard-for-angle-grinders-45921.html

 

[bchee]

You guys using your side grinder with the cut-off wheels, should check out the tile guard to use with it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/safety-guard-for-angle-grinders-45921.html

I like that idea. I'm going to check into that.

 

[fatboyf150]

I like that idea. I'm going to check into that.

 

[78Staff]

Maybe this is old news but have you guys been to harbor freight lately? They replaced everything with a "pittsburgh PRO" line and are selling SINGLE sockets now. The impact swivel sockets also got rid of that stupid band design and are all steel like snap ons. the new stuff looks really good.

Went to local HF today to look at the impact swivels...they still had the old design . I guess I can get the PRO's online just would like to do a hands on first.

Keeping inline with the topic...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-pneumatic-polisher-kit-99934.html - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-high-speed-air-cutter-47077.html -PASS

I use both of these for "light duty", mainly in working with repairing golf clubs, shafts, etc and they have worked out fine.

 

[scott37300]

You guys using your side grinder with the cut-off wheels, should check out the tile guard to use with it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/safety-guard-for-angle-grinders-45921.html

I really like this. Do you know if it works on any brand grinder or just the HF grinder? Is it built from cheap metal so it can flex when you are cutting or is it pretty sturdy and won't bend at all?

Thanks for sharing, I can see this being very usefull for cutting metal or tiles to get fairly straight cuts.

 

[fatboyf150]

I really like this. Do you know if it works on any brand grinder or just the HF grinder? Is it built from cheap metal so it can flex when you are cutting or is it pretty sturdy and won't bend at all?

Thanks for sharing, I can see this being very usefull for cutting metal or tiles to get fairly straight cuts.

I have one on my grinder with a cut-off blade and love it. I have not tried to use it on my john deere branded grinder yet. It could stand to be a little better material, but it will get the job done for what I use it for.

 

[toolman1967]

I just picked up a welding blanket that works great and did NOT catch on fire! Also bought the welding cart to put my new Plasma cutter on and it is nice looking and sturdy!

 

[scott37300]

I have one on my grinder with a cut-off blade and love it. I have not tried to use it on my john deere branded grinder yet. It could stand to be a little better material, but it will get the job done for what I use it for.

I assume it comes with the round guard and the foot as one piece? I will have to take a look at it. Would be nice to know if it will fit all brands of grinders or just the HF ones. I have a couple dewalt and milwaukee grinders so don't need another.

Thanks again for sharing.

 

[xcgates]

From the pic it appears that it is two pieces, with the foot held on by wingnuts, so you can adjust how much of the cutoff wheel is exposed.

(Unless you are asking if it is together in one package, then I'll keep quiet)

 

[fatboyf150]

I assume it comes with the round guard and the foot as one piece? I will have to take a look at it. Would be nice to know if it will fit all brands of grinders or just the HF ones. I have a couple dewalt and milwaukee grinders so don't need another.

Thanks again for sharing.

It is sold as together as one. If you can measure where the guard mounts on your Dewalt, diameter and width, I'll measure my HFT grinder

From the pic it appears that it is two pieces, with the foot held on by wing nuts, so you can adjust how much of the cutoff wheel is exposed.

(Unless you are asking if it is together in one package, then I'll keep quiet)

Yes it is adjustable and sold as one.