The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[greasemonkey44]

8 piece offset box endneeded the 19 to get at a coolant temp sensor, worked great
ive used it a few times since and they are pretty good, dont know how long they will last tho

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

thought this tread looked interesting...i buy from them here and there. So im subscribed

 

[3 at 8]

I see the 1/2" earthquake has gotten pretty decent reviews, but would anyone actually recommend it as a cheap back up? I work as a C-Tech, and have a very good older IR impact gun that my old man handed down to me, and I oil and take care of that thing every day lol, but I'd like to have an inexpensive backup in my box that can hold up for a day or two, just in case my gun ever goes down.

Yes, it seems it is tolerated very well even in a professional enviroment.

Look here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115628&highlight=earthquake

 

[Farmer Joe]

Thanks! Answers some of my questions and seems like it would definitely serve as a "if all else fails" back up impact for a couple days. I hope my gun never dies though lol

Yes, it seems it is tolerated very well even in a professional enviroment.

Look here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115628&highlight=earthquake

 

[outcast]

I hope my gun never dies though lol

it will. i have a pile of them.

 

[Danglerb]

I see the 1/2" earthquake has gotten pretty decent reviews, but would anyone actually recommend it as a cheap back up? I work as a C-Tech, and have a very good older IR impact gun that my old man handed down to me, and I oil and take care of that thing every day lol, but I'd like to have an inexpensive backup in my box that can hold up for a day or two, just in case my gun ever goes down.

From a standpoint of reliability you know the IR should be working fine for some time, so make it your backup and beat on the HF til it dies if ever. Most HF fails are DOA, so at a minimum, use it enough to be sure it has no issues while its still under warranty.

 

[racer1735]

1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench, Item # 239 - PASS. Bought for $14.99 in early August. Brought it home and it didn't 'click' initially when I thought it should. Completely loosened the adjuster, then ran it all the way to its highest setting, then backed it off again and re-set it to several different settings. Each time it performed and clicked as it should I double checked with another torque wrench which I'm confident is within spec (a beam-type) and the HF model is operating within spec.

Lesson learned, if the wrench doesn't seem to work initially, loosen it completely, then tighten it, then back it off again. I'd read where doing this can fix the issue (regardless of brand).

 

[allinon72]

If you read the reviews on HF.com, the torque wrench is pretty accurate for $9.99. I've had no problems with mine. What can you really expect for $9.99 anyway?

 

[Davefr]

1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench, Item # 239 - PASS. Bought for $14.99 in early August. Brought it home and it didn't 'click' initially when I thought it should. Completely loosened the adjuster, then ran it all the way to its highest setting, then backed it off again and re-set it to several different settings. Each time it performed and clicked as it should I double checked with another torque wrench which I'm confident is within spec (a beam-type) and the HF model is operating within spec.

Lesson learned, if the wrench doesn't seem to work initially, loosen it completely, then tighten it, then back it off again. I'd read where doing this can fix the issue (regardless of brand).

In addition, I never set a torque wrench to the final setting on the first pass. I start with approx. 1/2 the spec'd torque and make sure it clicks and then go up from there.

(unless I'm using the old fashioned beam style torque wrenches)

 

[nuclearlemon]

For anyone looking to get brake drums off, the easiest way to get drums off is to loosen the adjuster on the back. Then take a hammer in the 2.5-4lb range, and hit the drum TOWARD the axle. The vibration will free it up. You can also whack at the sides, but I've broken chunks out of drums doing that...

Another option is a air hammer. It'll do the same as a regular hammer, but quicker. haha.

i've always loosened the adjusters, but the drum would corrode onto the hub. i'll definitely try the air hammer thing tho....thanks for the tip!

 

[Squankum]

Interesting. I bought the 2 jaw puller set to get some stuck drums off, busted the first time I tried using it. Returned it and just went crazy with a rubber mallet.

Uh, on the brake drum? Or Harbor Freight employees?

 

[Kilo70]

Uh, on the brake drum? Or Harbor Freight employees?

 

[rlitman]

Pneumatic Paint Shaker Item #94605: Pass
I had a bunch of fun with it re-mixing years old stain before, but last night I had a new use for it. You know that "natural" peanut butter that separates to a lump of concrete on the bottom, and an inch of oil on top? Well 5 minutes on this, and it was smooth as, um I guess peanut butter.

 

[omr]

Pneumatic Paint Shaker Item #94605: Pass
I had a bunch of fun with it re-mixing years old stain before, but last night I had a new use for it. You know that "natural" peanut butter that separates to a lump of concrete on the bottom, and an inch of oil on top? Well 5 minutes on this, and it was smooth as, um I guess peanut butter.

i wondered if that would work ..lol that stuff is a pain in the *** to stir

 

[rlitman]

Nah, stirring is for chumps who don't have a paint shaker. LOL
Now I need to figure out what else I can do with it.

If only my wife would let me have one of these in the kitchen . . .
I can't really complain. She did let me have a paint shaker in the first place.
And I guess it would shake the whole house if I bolted it to the kitchen counter.
Oh well, a man can dream.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Got this for $10:

http://www.harborfreight.com/variable-speed-multifunction-air-tool-67538.html

and one of these to remove grout in the shower:

http://www.harborfreight.com/carbide-tipped-half-moon-cutter-blade-67462.html

I flogged both for two days cutting out old grout. Worked like a champ. I used one blade, and it's still ready to cut more.

 

[bhclark]

I just pour the oil off and eat the peanut butter.

Works for almond butter too. (much healthier for you!)

 

[TireTracks]

Nah, stirring is for chumps who don't have a paint shaker. LOL
Now I need to figure out what else I can do with it.

If only my wife would let me have one of these in the kitchen . . .
I can't really complain. She did let me have a paint shaker in the first place.
And I guess it would shake the whole house if I bolted it to the kitchen counter.
Oh well, a man can dream.

You can put a rusty motorcycle tank on it, leave some gas in it, then put a handfull of nuts or steel shot in it. Will nock rust off the inside so you can use a sealer on it.

 

[rlitman]

You can put a rusty motorcycle tank on it, leave some gas in it, then put a handfull of nuts or steel shot in it. Will nock rust off the inside so you can use a sealer on it.

Now you got me thinking. I wonder if I can use an empty 1 gallon plastic paint bucket in it as a tumbler.

Anyway, if I pour the oil off, the peanut butter isn't spreadable. Besides, the oil isn't that unhealthy. It's nothing like the saturated oil they add to stuff like Skippy, which is why that doesn't separate.

Oh, and jtbinvalrico, you ****. I paid $20 for that pneumatic multitool.
It was still well worth it though. Sunday, I had to cut through a bracket on my strut to free up the brake hose. When I cut the brackets in the front, I was able to fit a 4 1/2" cutoff wheel in there. When I started on the rear, I wasn't able to fit the grinder, or a mini hacksaw in there.
Then I remembered that I had a metal cutting plunge blade for that multitool.
The teeth were pretty shot after cutting two brackets (but that's NOT a comment on HF's blades, because I was using a blade from a Craftsman multitool which I kind of force fit) , but it was well worth it for the precision cut I was able to make in such a constrained space (the torch would have burned right through the brake hose, and I can't think of anything else that would fit in there).
They make a "knife/scraper" blade for these tools, that is incredible at removing caulk.
One of the projects on my way too long to-do list is to re-caulk my shower, and this will help a lot.

 

[outcast]

i calibration tested my 1/4 and 3/8 torque wrenches, today.
close enough to say "dead on".

definite PASS

 

[tpolley]

i calibration tested my 1/4 and 3/8 torque wrenches, today.
close enough to say "dead on".

definite PASS

how'd you test the calibration? do you have a machine or did you put the head in a vice and hang a weight from i or however some do it. i'd like to see a video of that.

 

[outcast]

how'd you test the calibration? do you have a machine or did you put the head in a vice and hang a weight from i or however some do it. i'd like to see a video of that.

we have a few snap-on torque wrenches in the shop.
i took a bolt with a nut ran all the way down, bolted that in a vise. then 3 washers and another nut. i then went back & forth with the wrenches at different settings, and with different methods. each time, the end results were the same. i am confident with the results.

 

[outcast]

has anyone used the cordless screwdriver ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...s/48-volt-cordless-screwdriver-kit-68394.html

 

[greasemonkey44]

has anyone used the cordless screwdriver ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...s/48-volt-cordless-screwdriver-kit-68394.html

nope; have you tried this one out

 

[mrrisotto]

has anyone used the cordless screwdriver ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...s/48-volt-cordless-screwdriver-kit-68394.html

We harvested the motors and batteries out of a couple of these cordless screwdrivers for a robotics class in college... I don't know about longevity, but they were quite torquey and quick to charge!

 

[route246]

Rafter Square: Pass

I couldn't find my rafter square last weekend for some reason. I needed to cut some wall caps at 45-degrees. So, I picked up this one at HF for under $2.

Granted, I'm not using it for building my roof but it works great as a gauge to cut 45's in stone.

 

[mrrisotto]

Bought the 24" Bolt Cutters P/N 41149 for $12.99 on sale and just used them to cut some 1/4" wire rope... worked like a champ! PASS!

 

[outcast]

nope; have you tried this one out

no. but that looks way more than what i need.

 

[TruckTech915]

Micro Torch item #42099- HUGE FAIL

I was in a bind and needed a micro torch for melting heat shrink connectors on trailers, in a drop yard. I swung by HF and picked this up hoping it would at least get me through the day until I could get my other micro torch from work. This thing was a complete POS, it would shoot a steady flow of butane out the tip when you turned the knob.

 

[kc-steve]

Pardon me if this has been brought up before, the thought of reading 166 pages isn't very appealing to me.

I know many others have mentioned that the ultrasonic cleaner is a "failure" but I am wondering if anyone has tried the vibratory bowl and your thoughts about it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html

Thanks!
Steve

 

[Provincial]

I was using my HF 93230 24" tire irons today, and give them a PASS grade.

I was working on some 14" pickup tires that had been on the rims for at least 20 years, so they were very stiff and the rims weren't slick at all.

It takes at least three irons to work a stubborn tire off a rim. I have four, but only used three today.

I also give the Bobcat 341 Bead Breaker a PASS grade!

 

[Danglerb]

Pardon me if this has been brought up before, the thought of reading 166 pages isn't very appealing to me.

I know many others have mentioned that the ultrasonic cleaner is a "failure" but I am wondering if anyone has tried the vibratory bowl and your thoughts about it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html

Thanks!
Steve

More than one HF ultrasonic cleaner, some have had good results. Same for the Vib bowl.

No need to read all the pages, just do a search with the thread open to the first page.

 

[dankicksass]

FAIL

68535 3pc hex shank countersink set with handle
Countersinks are soft and poorly machined, not adequate even for aluminum or plastics. Handle is terrible, badly flashed and does not properly retain 1/4 hex. You get what you pay for.

PASS

68100/68102 3pc socket tray set, Hansen-type
Overall, these are a good fit for chrome or impact sockets. I found a couple sockets out of around 300 did not fit due to the size of the ****** that comes up thru them. Removing the ******* is easy and at $10 a set or less it doesn't hurt.

FAIL

67578 40pc hose clamp assortment
Hose clamps are thinner and weaker than typical, inadequate. You get what you pay for.

PASS

67524/67598 127pc heat shrink and 42pc marine heat shrink assortments
The heat shrink works, the sticky one is sticky, I'm happy with it.

PASS

67554/67580 382pc SAE and 397pc metric O-ring assortments
These look and feel exactly like the set at Napa they keep behind the counter and charge you $1.09 per O-ring for the privilege of them opening it. I had some initial quality worries since they're Harbor Freight but these look feel the real deal, no blowouts in the couple I used this week.

PASS

94375 40 bin organizer with full length drawer
I wanted something to hold taps, dies and matched drills. Been using it a week, this does a good job for me and it's relatively cheap. You can get similar products at similar price from good brands like Akro-Mills and Stack-On, but I wanted to be able to hold everything that I use typically in one stack, plus drive tools, and this happened to meet the specs. It is not a one-piece body and will not hang on a wall. The drawer pulls hold old-style raised-letter Dymo 3/8in labels very well.

PASS

91616/96275 3pc/2pc TiN coated step drill bit sets
Nobody ever has a bad thing to say about these. I'm only disappointed I had to buy two sets to get both a 32nds bit and one that goes over 1in.

 

[outcast]

i bought that cordless screwdriver. i have not used it, yet. but it seems like it will do the job just fine. how long it will last
and, the instructions say nothing about charging. can they be over charged ?




and these sockets. they seem great. BUT, what about the missing sizes ?!!!
was anyone tried to get these, are they even available ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...deep-wall-metric-impact-socket-set-67915.html

 

[tpolley]

has anyone tried this central pneumatic air compressor?

i understand the us general's are pretty decent. however the comparible us general is 220v and in my current situation i can't use a 220v without spending a bunch of money rewiring the garage (it's a rental house). this one runs off of 110, its oiled, belt driven, should be fairly quiet and should run a half inch impact. i'm thinking about asking for a bunch of harbor freight gift cards for christmas and my b-day.

 

[John316]

Maybe this has been covered but HF 3/8 Locking extension set:
Major Pass

Changed head/Intake gaskets in a Silhouette GM3400 and broke these in. They were great. The knurling on the locking mechanism is a great place to hand spin the extension once the bolt is loose. Very happy with these.

 

[dodge610]

Maybe this has been covered but HF 3/8 Locking extension set:
Major Pass

Changed head/Intake gaskets in a Silhouette GM3400 and broke these in. They were great. The knurling on the locking mechanism is a great place to hand spin the extension once the bolt is loose. Very happy with these.

This is great to hear I just ordered a set of 3/8 and 1/2 ones there not here yet but should be in a couple of days. Thanks for testing them out for me lol.

 

[TireTracks]

Pittsburg Pro #2 phillips driver-
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/2-x-4-inch-phillips-screwdriver-94707.html
BIG pass.

The "super coupon" book had them for a buck, so I got one along with some other tools, And i'm amazed. It's a really nice screwdriver.


6' Bar clamps-http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/clamps/6-inch-bar-clamp-96210.html

I dont get why you wouldent buy these!, The threads on the screw are good, the handles are nice, being that they are for wood working you shouldent be able to break them, and they are dirt cheap! My dad used them along with the screwdriver to build a set of saw horses.

13 peice Deep ASE impacts- http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-sae-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67903.html

I must have got the New Pro versions, because I cant find anything wrong with them like everybody says, the numbers, are stamped in, the oxide finish is good, the insides are clean and correctly made, the drive holes are square and in good shape. And for $17 I can really complain if anything does go wrong with them.

Update- 10 months.

The screwdriver has amazed both me and my dad. I have used it almost every day for everything you can think of useing a #2 phillips on and for and it's still going on strong. Used it to build the drawers in my toolbox. Amazeing what $1 got me. Seems like it might be better than my cman drivers.

The clamps are still working, though the little rubber jaw protectors have become messed up and fall off. Havent remembered to glue them back on.

The sockets are great. Finish does scratch and ding easy. So they might rust in a wetter enviroment than I live in. Thinnking of ordering them in metric too, cant beat the price.

 

[98TJ]

Quick question on the HF coupons.

I'd like to get the 56" cabinet using the coupon that soob posted in September. It's good until December 2nd so I'm definitely wanting to use that coupon between now and then.

Due to when that issue was available on the shelves, will HF accept a printed coupon?

Would it help to make several small purchases between now and then and flirt with the cashiers?

Otherwise I'm left trying to find a copy of that magazine.

 

[bhclark]

I've made 6 or 7 purchases in the last 2 weeks and only run into a single cashier that gave me any trouble on the printed coupons.
Just try...if it doesn't work, try again next shift or next day.

On a toolbox, chances are they won't care. Just like any business, revenue is king.