The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[soob]

HF drawer organizers: PASS.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-compartment-drawer-organizer-99729.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-compartment-drawer-organizer-99730.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-drawer-organizer-set-99731.html

They could be deeper, but it's just as well that they don't take up the whole drawer depth wise because it leaves room at the front.

I find them very useful. With stuff loose in the drawer you don't like stacking it, but with those trays everything stays neat. I've got one in my big compartment, holding ratchets, extensions, u-joints, etc., that go with the sockets.

 

[Chrislols]

Anyone have any insight on the 3/8" green swivel ratchet, 1/4" stubby, and the heavy duty composite ratchets in general? Thanks!

 

[PT Doc]

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-compartment-drawer-organizer-99729.html

This tray works pretty well when storing impact guns. Store the gun upside down (on the slide of the gun). This keeps the quick connect straight up, keeps the square inches used down to a minimum and makes good use of my 12" deep drawer.

For those that have 28" deep drawers, the dimensions of this ready does not work very well. Seems they made these for the less deep boxes.

 

[Coach James]

I have the 3/8 swivel head ratchet and give it an A+. Mine had a lot of use and no complaints fro me.

Coach

 

[Bill P]

Anyone have any insight on the 3/8" green swivel ratchet, 1/4" stubby, and the heavy duty composite ratchets in general? Thanks!

I have the green swivel ratchets in 3/8 and 1/4, as well as the composites in both sizes. I reach for the composites constantly, and the swivels not as much. The swivels are fairly well made, although I had to exchange a 3/8 that would skip a few teeth now and again. If you can catch them on sale, they're worth having in your box. The composites are great, especially when you can get them for 6 bucks with a coupon.

My goto ratchet is a Gearwrench offset flex head, only because HF doesn't really offer such an animal.

BTW, the green extend-able 1/2 ratchet is fantastic, particularly to keep in a smaller toolbox.

Also, Hi.

 

[Altec]

Anyone have any insight on the 3/8" green swivel ratchet, 1/4" stubby, and the heavy duty composite ratchets in general? Thanks!

I have the 3/8, and 1/4 Composite. I've used the 3/8 quite a bit. Here was what I had to say when I first used it... Still liking it.


First, I must have been smoking some good stuff the night I said it wasn't backwards... It is bass ackwards...

Haven't really done anything serious with it... Simply using it to swap parts on a 4.7L Dodge engine. Nothing over a 15mm... Seems to transfer power well, no slipping, and I haven't felt any flexing.

The composite material seems to ding pretty easy. Like a couple light wraps on a smooth valve cover left marks... As far as dirt goes, with a wet cloth wipe it cleans up to like-new condition! Even with heavy grease that leaves the gray surfaces black.

I really feel this is a great light duty ratchet, and I wouldn't bat an eye picking up the 1/4". I haven't used it for enough heavy work to form a opinion about the usefulness of a 1/2"...

My conclusion so far is that it is a great ratchet for light duty work. Even handy for the pros. Cold weather, sensitive painted/finished areas, glass work, and anywhere else you may risk hitting something you shouldn't.

 

[yjWrangler]

Any opinions on these?

http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/workbench/200-lb-capacity-portable-work-stand-38778.html

 

[Danglerb]

Any opinions on these?

http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/workbench/200-lb-capacity-portable-work-stand-38778.html

Looks online only, its the sort of thing I would want to see before buying, but does look like a handy thing to have. I've been taking about some doors, pulling the glass, motors, etc. and they sound like they would have been useful.

 

[Carl B]

Any opinions on these?

http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/workbench/200-lb-capacity-portable-work-stand-38778.html

A friend of a friend of mine - had a company that made these here in Clearwater. He sold them mostly to body shops. I bought 4 of them at the Friend of Friend discount - they were $40.00 each and that was actually close to his cost. Retail to the body shops they were $65.00 each.

I use them quite frequently - I put pieces of 1/2" plywood on them to use as portable work surfaces - or for holding smaller parts while painting. Sometimes I set two of the up - and put a 6' long by 3' wide piece of 1/2" plywood between them - gives me a large surface area to set light weight items on..

Easy to hang on the wall when not needed.

Amazing that HF can retail these for $18.00....

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[subarub4]

using the 1/2" composite wrench yesterday.. with the 14mm 12 point socket trying to get the headbolts off my car I had to step on the ratchet but since that did not work I used a long cheater bar.

holding good I might say..

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Any opinions on these?

http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/workbench/200-lb-capacity-portable-work-stand-38778.html

i have one. works fine. i've had doors and fenders on it, no problems.

 

[Carl B]

using the 1/2" composite wrench yesterday.. with the 14mm 12 point socket trying to get the headbolts off my car I had to step on the ratchet but since that did not work I used a long cheater bar.

holding good I might say..

Good to know that the tools held up but....

I will only mention for the benefit of those following - that is not a good practice to follow in most cases. Applying static torque with a socket, ratchet and breaker bar - can result in broken sockets, ratchets and far worse - twisted/broken head bolts.

Far better to fit a high quality box end wrench - and apply dynamic torque via using a heavy brass hammer with a good swift smack or two.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[ChrisN812]

My first post on GJ!

PASS: 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 composite ratchets, I prefer them over my usuall proto and cman ratchets. A few drops of lucus oil treatment inside the heads really smoothes them out.

FAIL: pnuematic die grinder, doesn't produce enough torque to do any heavy duty stuff, maybe I'm working the tool beyond its capacity. Not sure the model number. It was a cheapie.

PASS: Chicago Elec NiMH AA rechargable batteries. Use quite a few of these in camera flashes and tv remotes. No complaints.

PASS: Pickle fork ball joint seperator. I beat the hell outta this thing getting my 3/4 tons ball joints apart. Tore it up a bit, took it back to HF and they gave me a brand shiny new one.

PASS: Yellow handle screw drivers. More comfortable and stronger than the husky set I have. Broke a few tips doing stuff screwdrivers are not suposed to do. HF traded em in no questions.

Ill post some more later. There's no denying HF return policy has been one of the best I've had the pleasure to experience. Much better than the Sears across the street.

New GJ Junkie, Chris N

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

 

[rlitman]

They have several pneumatic die grinders. I've got a few that will do some serious work with a 1/2" diameter burr. They all have a safety widgit on the lever.
The one smaller one I have looks the same in the pictures but is scaled about 25% smaller, and only has enough power to run a 1/4" diameter burr. It's kind of weak, but also easier to control in tight spaces.
They're all "cheapies".

 

[subarub4]

has anyone tried the click stop 1/4" torque wrench? item # 2696

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-2696.html

 

[allinon72]

has anyone tried the click stop 1/4" torque wrench? item # 2696

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-2696.html

I could use a wrench that does inch pounds. Never seen a coupon for the 1/4" size and I'll have a hard time paying double what I did for the 3/8"

 

[Danglerb]

I could use a wrench that does inch pounds. Never seen a coupon for the 1/4" size and I'll have a hard time paying double what I did for the 3/8"

Just wait, it comes up from time to time, maybe not as a coupon, but on sale cheaper in a flyer.

 

[hoffmand]

has anyone tried the click stop 1/4" torque wrench? item # 2696

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-2696.html

I bought one and checked it at work with our calibrated testers. I checked at 90 in-lb and it was within +/- 5-10 in-lb. Not great, but better than trying to tighten a thermostat housing to 89 in-lb by feel

 

[Recoil Rob]

I'm giving a PASS to the seven drawer end cab. I just hung one off my old SO and it matched right up, the build is heavier than a comparable C-Man and a real SO is over 5 times the cost, $1225 vs $199.

My only complaint is I didn't see the 13 drawer roll cab on sale for $349 first.

 

[subarub4]

I need to set my cam bolts to 80 inch pounds.. I've never had to use in-lb for anything else better then guessing I'm sure.

 

[socalbodydude]

I'd like to bring up the fact that with all air tools you have to keep them oiled. If you neglect them of course they will eventually break!

In general HF air tools are great value for money.... especially if you don't have any.

6" palm sander PASS! Use it almost every day. Requires modification (3M backing pad and I don't run the dust hose)

Angle Die Grinder PASS

Cut off tool PASS

HVLP (purple with brass dails) PASS (great primer gun)

High speed metal saw (usuable) FAIL.

Sockets FAIL.

6 piece panel/trim removal set PASS

Putty knives PASS

body filler spreaders plastic and metal varieties PASS

 

[subarub4]

What sockets fail?

 

[soob]

The 1/4" torque wrench is an ITC deal of the day soon--$10. Can't remember the day offhand.

 

[Nick_Escalante]

I'm giving a PASS to the seven drawer end cab. I just hung one off my old SO and it matched right up, the build is heavier than a comparable C-Man and a real SO is over 5 times the cost, $1225 vs $199.

My only complaint is I didn't see the 13 drawer roll cab on sale for $349 first.

yeah, I agree. PASS. Just added it to complete the 13 drawer unit. Now, it's just time to fill it!? ....

 

[Machobuck]

Electric sheet metal shear and the HB beverly shear both pass with colors!

 

[allinon72]

Does anybody have one of the HF trailers?

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Does anybody have one of the HF trailers?

here you go

Hey Rick, that trailer will go a long, long way at double the speed it's rated for. Not that I'm recommending that.

I have one of the smaller ones with the 8" rims. It was given to me by the original owner. It probably has 50,000 miles on it. We both used it as a track tire trailer, and when my 3rd-gen RX-7 was my only car, I used it as a trunk. Hauled all kinds of heavy stuff with it. First owner drove all over the East coast and to California and back to Maryland with it. He spent over an hour hauling it over 100 MPH in Arizona (state troopers confirmed ). I would regularly make the 1.5 hr trip to track at 75-80 MPH hauling four tires and a large bin full of jack, tools, spares, air-tank, etc. Only problem I ever had was one of the fenders fell off because it is poorly mounted. The metal fatigues and cracks, then it falls off. Took more than a month to get a replacement from China, but I was surprised I could even get one. No trouble since with large washers under the bolts spreading the load.

Neither of us ever repacked the bearings. I just make sure they are tight and running cool every now and then.
870 Lb. Capacity 40" x 49" Heavy Duty Utility Trailer with 8" Wheels and Tires - Big Pass

 

[Bill P]

has anyone tried the click stop 1/4" torque wrench? item # 2696

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-2696.html

I have the 1/4" inch pound wrench. It works fine, and agrees with the SO 3/8 ft/lb wrench in the shop. We use it for water pumps, valve covers, all sorts of stuff. It's as inelegant as the other torque wrenches, but at 12 bucks or so, I'm just not complaining.

 

[subarub4]

I have the 1/4" inch pound wrench. It works fine, and agrees with the SO 3/8 ft/lb wrench in the shop. We use it for water pumps, valve covers, all sorts of stuff. It's as inelegant as the other torque wrenches, but at 12 bucks or so, I'm just not complaining.

hmm $12.. I gotta scan my sales slip because the price in the store was $19 but with the 20% off it was saying it was worth like $32 or something like that..

 

[soob]

 

[diggerrick]

Does anybody have one of the HF trailers?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1398919&postcount=2525

 

[socalbodydude]

What sockets fail?

The standard pittsburg whatevers. I havent used em alot but every toolbox ive seen em in has broken ones. I did crack one removin a bumper bolt. the pro ones look ok and the black pro impact sockets and extensions look quality. I would buy those.

 

[Bill P]

The standard pittsburg whatevers. I havent used em alot but every toolbox ive seen em in has broken ones. I did crack one removin a bumper bolt. the pro ones look ok and the black pro impact sockets and extensions look quality. I would buy those.

The difference between Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pro is night and day. I use the PP chrome sockets on a SO impact all the time, and they're plenty strong. Good fit on the fastener, as well. The PP tools are Taiwan-made, and I think they're an outstanding value. You'll see those green ratchets being sold in other colors, elsewhere, for a lot more money.

I do have some Pittsburgh (non pro) stuff, like obstruction wrenches and they're OK for occasional use.The 13 pc 1/2" impact sockets are fine, and a great deal. They're kinda hefty, lotsa wall thickness, but very strong.

 

[JMartel]

Having one of each flavor of composite ratchets now and using them quite a bit while working on my bike, they continue to impress me. Rubber handle feels nice (though stains relatively easily), very fine tooth count, and has held up very nicely so far. Much better than my craftsman 3/8" flex head. Only complaint is that they don't have very long handles, especially with the 1/2" version. My 3/8" craftsman has a longer handle so I'll use that with an adapter to remove the rear axle nut (36mm socket, 1/2" drive). Definitely a Pass on all of them.

 

[balane]

The other day I wanted to alter my 3/8 air hose reel to use 1/2" hose. I needed to drill out and re-tap the swivel mechanism to accept 3/8-18 NPT fittings. The reel originally accepted 1/4" fittings. Sadly, my large Snap On tap and die kit did not have any NPT tools so I needed to find a tap for the new size. There was nothing I could find locally in this size with the exception of Harbor Freight.

I bought this kit for $15

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-pipe-tap-die-set-91395.html

Figured it wasn't much to lose if it didn't work. So I drilled two 9/16" holes and ran the 3/8-18 tap and it worked like a charm. Nice looking threads, the fittings turn smoothly and no leaks. I'm happy.

I can't comment on the long term durability of these tools but they did the job I asked of them, the price was very low so I'm giving this kit a pass.

.

 

[diggerrick]

Red shop towels - PASS

Not as heavy as the towels in some of the shops I've been in, but they work fine, and I haven't had one just fall apart yet. I use them mostly for cleaning my hands, tools, and parts. They don't seem overly absorbent, but I use paper towels for that anyway.

For a bag of 50 for $8 (w/coupon) you can consider them disposable.

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-50-15-inch-x-13-inch-all-purpose-shop-towels-46163.html

 

[subarub4]

Red shop towels - PASS

Not as heavy as the towels in some of the shops I've been in, but they work fine, and I haven't had one just fall apart yet. I use them mostly for cleaning my hands, tools, and parts. They don't seem overly absorbent, but I use paper towels for that anyway.

For a bag of 50 for $8 (w/coupon) you can consider them disposable.

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-50-15-inch-x-13-inch-all-purpose-shop-towels-46163.html

Agree!! I use them for cleaning my engine to wipe the oil off the dipstick they really come in handy I did not know they had 50 for $8 I have to go and pick them up next time.

 

[subarub4]

Having one of each flavor of composite ratchets now and using them quite a bit while working on my bike, they continue to impress me. Rubber handle feels nice (though stains relatively easily), very fine tooth count, and has held up very nicely so far. Much better than my craftsman 3/8" flex head. Only complaint is that they don't have very long handles, especially with the 1/2" version. My 3/8" craftsman has a longer handle so I'll use that with an adapter to remove the rear axle nut (36mm socket, 1/2" drive). Definitely a Pass on all of them.

I got to use my composite ratchet this past week to work on the motor on my car.. It's good BUT.. I wish the handle was not so fat because I was unable to use my cheater bar on it so I had to switch over to a 1/2" husky tool.

other then that I used some deep wall sockets on it I love the fine tooth and like you said it does stain pretty easy.

 

[soob]

Red shop towels - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-50-15-inch-x-13-inch-all-purpose-shop-towels-46163.html

I really like these towels. I washed them three times in hot water to get out all the bleeding dye and lint, and they held up really well.

 

[route246]

Major PASS (again)
I used this over the weekend to mix up another yard. No complaints. It's a true bargain compared to the competition as long as you use a coupon and even better if you get it on sale.

3-1/2 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer - Item # 67536 --- PASS

I have used this 4 times and mixed about 3 1/2 yards of concrete total so far. It has got the job done without issue. Don't forget to plug this into a GFI outlet or get a plug in type GFI since there will generally be water involved in mixing concrete.