The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[ws6formula]

Last year, I also purchased the Harbor Freight AC Gauge set

http://www.harborfreight.com/a-c-ma...O&utm_medium=Inbound_links&utm_source=linking

I think I got it for $39.99.

I purchased this set to fix the ac system on a 1998 Buick...I used the set to check the high low /side pressure. The set worked ok for checking the high and low side pressure. My problem turned out to be leaky oring seals in the v5 compressor. I had to evacuate the R134a. The set worked ok for this...mine was able to pull a vacuum...though I can not recall how many microns it got down too...

My set had a problem when charging...it just leaked..whatever hose was attached to the center manifold port seemed to leak near the manifold fitting when I tried to add r134a..I am not sure what was the problem...

I eventually used a short hose and can, like this

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...-Interdynamics_9017488-P_N3569_T|GRP2001_____

and manually added a bit of R134a at a time...while checking the pressures with the set...

I would give the Harbor Freight AC Gauge set a marginal pass...maybe 3/5...

 

[ws6formula]

Here are a few pics of the Harbor Freight ac gauge set...

 

[ws6formula]

have not done any ac work in last year...if the hoses and/or the plastic fitting in the hose end is the problem...local store here makes hoses..if price is decent (something like 3 hoses for $30)...I am thinking of getting a few new hoses made....

 

[Danglerb]

I would make that a marginal fail, leaks is leaks.

Fits the general category of HF stuff that needs to be used or tested before the warranty runs out. I bought mine on sale for $39 and used a 20% coupon, so something like $31, but I "lost" it in my garage. Bunch of stuff getting moved around at the time and the case got buried. Now I am kind of concerned that finding it won't be much fun.

Couple more weeks and the good deals on good AC gear will start popping up.

 

[Timothayyy]

The harbor freight heat gun 66098. I bought it a couple days ago and used it when I was putting herculiner on a jeep to help peel the tape off real cleanly and it worked perfectly. It heats up real fast and put out REALLY good heat. For those who are curious I think there switching the color from red to blue and I got the blue one, idk if theres any internal differences between the two but I dont think so.

Overall so far it works great.

 

[fxt]

Rapid Pump 2 Ton Low Profile Heavy Duty Floor Jack - 68050 - pass

i was in need of a good low profile high rising jack (2-5/8" to 23-3/4")

works great and i like that the release is a small twist knob on the end of the handle.

but the thing is heavy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/rapid-pump-2-ton-low-profile-heavy-duty-floor-jack-68050.html

 

[WVBrady]

Last year, I also purchased the Harbor Freight AC Gauge set

http://www.harborfreight.com/a-c-ma...O&utm_medium=Inbound_links&utm_source=linking...
My set had a problem when charging...it just leaked..whatever hose was attached to the center manifold port seemed to leak near the manifold fitting when I tried to add r134a..I am not sure what was the problem...

Are you sure you didn't lose the little black washer in the end? Mine worked fine until I lost that washer. Fortunately, I had some material to make a new one.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Rapid Pump 2 Ton Low Profile Heavy Duty Floor Jack - 68050 - pass

i was in need of a good low profile high rising jack (2-5/8" to 23-3/4")

works great and i like that the release is a small twist knob on the end of the handle.

but the thing is heavy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/rapid-pump-2-ton-low-profile-heavy-duty-floor-jack-68050.html

personally speaking, if I were to pay $110 for that 2ton jack, I would rather spend $98 on the 3.5ton low profile (3.5" to 21.5") floor jack at Costco; lifetime guarantee through costco.

 

[fxt]

personally speaking, if I were to pay $110 for that 2ton jack, I would rather spend $98 on the 3.5ton low profile (3.5" to 21.5") floor jack at Costco; lifetime guarantee through costco.

dont have a costco near me.

plus that one doesnt meet my requirements for being low and high and the twist handles to release are a pain in the **** sometimes.

 

[bimmerZ5]

dont have a costco near me.

plus that one doesnt meet my requirements for being low and high and the twist handles to release are a pain in the **** sometimes.

well, i guess if you don't have a costco, you don't have a costco. but i'm not sure what you mean by your requirements for "low" .. both clear 3.5" on the low. I know the HFT one has about 2" more on the high.

 

[smogtech]

vacuum/fuel pressure tester

hella fail. plugged it up on one vacuum line, removed it gauge stayed 15hg vacuum. tried to zero it out with a vacuum pump no good. going to return it hopefully it was just a defective one as it looks exactly pike the kdtools one. going to try it in the parking lot first.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

personally speaking, if I were to pay $110 for that 2ton jack, I would rather spend $98 on the 3.5ton low profile (3.5" to 21.5") floor jack at Costco; lifetime guarantee through costco.

I want your costco,the last I knew costco had a 2 year warranty.

 

[bimmerZ5]

I want your costco,the last I knew costco had a 2 year warranty.

Not sure what you're talking about, but Costco's policy is available to everyone:

http://www.costco.com/service/featurepageleftnav.aspx?productno=11204333

I quote it here:

Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, touch screen tablets, MP3 players and cellular phones.

The exclusions list from the "forever guarantee" doesn't include floor jacks or similar. It helps to keep the box if you lose the receipt as they can search for the purchase by barcode and your membership number. I don't recommend that anyone abuse this liberal policy (abuse of it is what caused the creation of the exclusion list of electronics), but it was really helpful when my Costco floor jack failed. Costco's commitment to their members is what makes me go back and buy more, sometimes even if I pay a little more. But in this case, it's even cheaper than HFT and has greater capacity.

 

[subarub4]

That's odd about the Ac gauge set i got mine back in Feb of 2010 and it works fine and no leaks.. i get to do it again because my charge leaked out when I removed the engine the o-ring on the compressor was old..

give me reason to also change my AC dryer as well.

Having said that i have the 2.5 CFM vacuum pump I was thinking about getting the larger one but the more I think about it the more I think it's not needed.

 

[allinon72]

Let's talk trailers, the bigger ones. Any luck with those?

 

[jeepmedic]

Let's talk trailers, the bigger ones. Any luck with those?

I have had the one with the 12" wheels for over 10 years used it to haul just about everything, sometimes overloading it and it has done great.

 

[muibubbles]

i use to praise the 4.5" grinders till last week both of mine crapped out.. the only power on when you hold them vertically..... im going to have to change my mind to fail.. lasted about 6 months....

 

[rlitman]

I've got the old black 4 1/2# deadblow hammer. In preparations for hurricane Irene, I pounded several 4' 1"x1" wooden stakes into the ground to bolt down my swingset, and managed to break one face. YAY! Now I finally get to get it warranty replaced with the non-marring orange version.

 

[AlchemyMetalworks]

i use to praise the 4.5" grinders till last week both of mine crapped out.. the only power on when you hold them vertically..... im going to have to change my mind to fail.. lasted about 6 months....

You have a lose wire somewhere in the housing, most likely a ground. Disassemble and repair. If it still works, it's a PASS.

Even some of the big-name brands will have that happen, usually if they've been dropped.

 

[dabirdguy]

Look unscrew and remove the brushes. Look inside...they get warm and the plastic flows over the contacts. Clean out the overlap with a pointy awl. I've done that to 2 units and they wroked fine again.

 

[Roger_F]

56" 11 Drawer industrial roller cabinet.

http://www.harborfreight.com/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html

Mega PASS! I have a similar Snap On box and while the Snap On box is nicer in several ways, this box is shockingly good I got it with an Inside track coupon for $699. Snap on box goes for 5K. Love this box!

 

[Mr Ron]

2 hp dust collector-pass; 6" digital caliper-pass; 1500# motorcycle lift-pass; free 9 LED flashlights-pass; spin jig-pass; transfer punch set-pass; roller bandsaw guides-pass; 48" Jorgenson type bar clamps-pass, but light duty; 18ga nail gun-FAIL; 3/8" air hose and manual crank hose reel-pass; several drill bit sets-pass; magnetic base-pass; shop towels-pass; X-Y compound rest-pass; mortise machine-pass; 12" wood lathe-pass; 12" sand paper discs-FAIL. I guess I'm pretty satisfied with HF taking into account the quality of their tools. I can't compare them direcrly with other name brands, but for the money, they serve me pretty well. With HF, one has to do their homework well before purchasing. Know their limitations.

 

[Mr Ron]

I've got the old black 4 1/2# deadblow hammer. In preparations for hurricane Irene, I pounded several 4' 1"x1" wooden stakes into the ground to bolt down my swingset, and managed to break one face. YAY! Now I finally get to get it warranty replaced with the non-marring orange version.

I would have to call this abuse of a tool; using it for a purpose not intended. I can't fault the tool in this case.

 

[racer1735]

The harbor freight heat gun 66098. I bought it a couple days ago and used it when I was putting herculiner on a jeep to help peel the tape off real cleanly and it worked perfectly. It heats up real fast and put out REALLY good heat. For those who are curious I think there switching the color from red to blue and I got the blue one, idk if theres any internal differences between the two but I dont think so.

Overall so far it works great.

I beleive the cover is now black (at least the one I have is black). Puts out tremendous heat on both 'high' and 'low' settings. Great for shrink tubing, as well as soldering (I find it easier to use than a soldering pencil).

 

[greasemonkey44]

the new earthquake 3/8 air ratchet; has anyone tried it?
my current one is a cheapy northern i picked up for 10$ and reversed the handle on
but i heard the new HF ones are reactionless and put out decent torque?
any reviews, info or links?

 

[Chrislols]

the new earthquake 3/8 air ratchet; has anyone tried it?
my current one is a cheapy northern i picked up for 10$ and reversed the handle on
but i heard the new HF ones are reactionless and put out decent torque?
any reviews, info or links?

I don't have any links, but I've read a post on here where somebody said that the new air ratchets are rated for less torque but are just as powerful if not more, and incredibly ergonomically as well as much less quieter than the older ones.

For what it's worth,

-Xpistos

 

[Brentocool]

My new General cart is awesome. Pass
Impact sockets are to thin in some sizes! Blow up!! fail!!!
Chrome wrenches pass
Jack stands Pass
long 1/2" breaker bar Pass/Fail broke one Standing on it. they gave me a new one. I dont stand on it and its been ok.
thats all I have bought there,

this is my take on the place. If its something that can kill ya if it fails, that stuff is ok ! If its just a finger or eye look out!!

 

[Brentocool]

3/8 air ratchet from Lowes. $30.00 same as Matco and Mac!! Been using it 10 years at work. Still works like new. and it has a life time warranty!! Not to sure about Lowes future though??

 

[subarub4]

I don't have any links, but I've read a post on here where somebody said that the new air ratchets are rated for less torque but are just as powerful if not more, and incredibly ergonomically as well as much less quieter than the older ones.

For what it's worth,

-Xpistos

I hope they are a little bit less noisy.. I have the 1/2" and I remember I forgot to rotate the exhaust away from my ear one day..

ear was ringing for a few minutes

 

[scottmlew]

I used the HF 12 ton hydraulic puller yesterday, and it worked fine. I know the thread suggests not posting feedback until you have used the tool enough to see if it will last, but I really hope I won't need to use it again for a long while -- this brake rotor was really stuck, and I'd rather not run into a similar situation again! This actually seemed like a reasonably well-made, durable tool, but as always, YMMV.

 

[rlitman]

I would have to call this abuse of a tool; using it for a purpose not intended. I can't fault the tool in this case.

Oh, I'm not faulting the tool at all. My SO deadblow took no more abuse before breaking too. I'm actually happy that I get to use the warranty and upgrade to the newer model.

 

[dlc]

it has a life time warranty!! Not to sure about Lowes future though??

please explain why you are unsure about Lowe's future.

 

[stricht8]

Pneumatic Flooring Nailer - Major Pass

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

Oh, I'm not faulting the tool at all. My SO deadblow took no more abuse before breaking too. I'm actually happy that I get to use the warranty and upgrade to the newer model.

I

I had a dead blow fall apart from hf, I no longer use one I bought a lead mold and make up my own 3 lb lead hammers and put the dead blows to shame. built two Baja,s class 5 style all tubed and the lead hammer is still working. no comparison to a dead blow like hF AND even sold off my Snap on deadblow. I even made one and sold it on ebay to offset the cost of the mold. you don,t know what you are missing.

 

[JMartel]

Motorcycle bead breaker - Pass. Wish the handle was a wee bit longer for more leverage, but it worked. Much faster than the C clamps I had been using.

 

[Carl B]

I

I had a dead blow fall apart from hf, I no longer use one I bought a lead mold and make up my own 3 lb lead hammers and put the dead blows to shame. built two Baja,s class 5 style all tubed and the lead hammer is still working. no comparison to a dead blow like hF AND even sold off my Snap on deadblow. I even made one and sold it on ebay to offset the cost of the mold. you don,t know what you are missing.

Agreed - I like the lead hammers. However I use a Brass Hammer most of the time. Funny thing was - a couple years ago HF was the only place I could find that actually carried brass hammers in the Store. Nice set of brass drifts as well at very attractive prices.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[Twiggss]

long 1/2" breaker bar Pass/Fail broke one Standing on it. they gave me a new one. I dont stand on it and its been ok.
thats all I have bought there

I'll have to remember this. I have the 25" and 18" I've always stood or added a cheater to my other breaker.

 

[ytlas]

I'll have to remember this. I have the 25" and 18" I've always stood or added a cheater to my other breaker.

I have the 25" breaker bar and it's a major pass. About a month ago I replaced the engine on my 17 year old mower. I started with the 17" 3/8" drive breaker bar and sockets, but the bolts holding the engine to the mower housing were so frozen that the socket kept popping off from the 3/8" breaker. I took the 25" breaker, 1/2" drive and socket and snapped the heads off all three frozen bollts and got the engine out.

Despite the 17" 3/8" breaker bar failing on the mower engine, it's still a pass for me because I've used it numerous times breaking loose bolts around the car engine which were overtightened at the factory.

 

[myboostedgst]

Has anybody tried this Hot Blade Decal Remover? Removing decals can be a huge pain in the ***, so this might be neat.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hot-blade-decal-remover-65057.html

 

[SocketDeviler]

DrillMaster 100 Piece Security Bit Set

Though I have not used every bit I'm going to have to give this a Fail or at least a Mostly Fail. I initially bought the set (on sale for $8.00) for one odd bit and that worked fine but it was obvious I could not use the bit for long.
This past Friday I used one of the security torx bits to remove some parts out of a broken headlamp and the bit tip shattered on the third screw. Mind you I used very little pressure on the bit. I borrowed a Cornwell bit from a co-worker and got the screw out with ease.

I'm sure some of the other bits will come in handy for those oddball screws in lightweight settings but for anything beyond that this is not a dependable set. I did not expect much for the price but I did expect to get more use out of one bit than I did.