I don’t shop at HF on a regular basis but I don’t hesitate to go there for tools that I think will meet my needs. All of the tools below are not one time use tools, they have seen regular use in my shop for at least a year. I am not a professional mechanic so these tools don’t see anywhere near the use cycle that they would see in a professional shop…and for me, that’s the whole point. In the case of these specific tools, I couldn’t/can’t justify the price of professional/industrial tools. I full well believe that I would make different choices if my livelihood depended on the tools…however, I also believe that these might just be capable of withstanding professional level use.
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/pistol-grip-air-shears-98580.html
Pass: I’ve had these for several years and have used them for a variety of sheet metal projects that would have been a bear with snips and shears.
The tools below are mostly used in the assembly and service of bicycles. I prefer to use hex sockets pared with the HF roto head stubby 3/8” ratchet over standard L hex or T hex drivers although I have and use those too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...th-inch-stubby-swivel-head-ratchet-98668.html
Pass: Mine has a green handle instead of the red handle shown in the picture. I love this ratchet! The rotation of the head makes it a pure joy to use when working on bicycles, the stubby handle helps you keep your torque ranges light prior to putting on the torque wrench for final tightness. I don’t generally like quick release ratchets but again, in the application that I use this for it is a great feature. I’ve almost completely stopped using my L hexes and have completely stopped using my T hexes.
http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-2696.html
Pass…maybe: The picture shown on the web site is different than torque wrench that I have, the specs are the same. I put the maybe in because I don’t believe that the wrench pictured is the same and I can’t speak to whether it will be as good as the one that I own. I bought this on sale for $9.99 and sent it off to be calibrated before I ever used it, total cost was still below $50.00, far cheaper than I could by a NIST calibrated unit, and the calibration lab didn’t have to make any adjustments. I use this torque wrench frequently on fasteners needing torqued between 4 Nm and 15 Nm, above that I move up to a 3/8 or 1/2 drive non-Harbor Freight torque wrench as needed.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...high-visibility-socket-adapter-set-67925.html
Provisional Pass: I only use the 1/4 drive to 3/8 drive adapter and nowhere near any sort of torque that should stress the adapter. It’s a Provisional Pass because it meets my modest needs and your mileage may vary.
http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...tric-long-reach-hex-bit-socket-set-67890.html
Pass: These are made in Taiwan, the size is spot on as measured with a digital caliper. The label on the socket holder states that the blades are S2 steel, the oxide finish wears off pretty quickly however they show no sign of deformation on the working surfaces. I’m thrilled that I can rely on them not to ****** up fasteners.
http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...ive-metric-hex-bit-socket-set-67880-html.html
Pass: Same as the long bladed metric hex set above.
http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...tric-long-ball-head-hex-socket-set-67888.html
Pass: Same as the two sets above. As with all ball head hex drivers one has to be careful to only use with hardened fasteners if you’re going to be torqueing on them.
The only other HF tool I own is the new model 1/2" Earthquake impact gun that I just got. I’ve not included it in the list above because I’ve not used it enough to be able to give it a pass or fail rating. I will say, however, that my limited use makes me very hopeful that it will withstand the test of time, it’s got a lot of power and has no issues with lug nuts and it would be a shame if it fell apart or drastically dropped in performance. Hopefully I’ll be able to provide a Passing grade next year.
