The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[ihateminimumwage]

12 Piece Diesel Engine Compression Tester (93644) - FAIL
Fitting assigned for 6.9/7.3idi Diesel engines does not fit, and the compression gauge can fail quickly.

Coil Roofing Nailer (68024) - PASS
Older model than what's currently listed on the website. Worked great, no misfires or jams for entire garage/studio roof (can't remember exact sq footage). Plastic case was a little flimsy, but survived.

Flooring Nailer/Stapler (97586) - PASS
Bought older model used, but worked great for doing entire house.

 

[jam022316]

The harbor freight poly carts are nice and sturdy. And they're great because they don't scratch, don't get bent out of shape like metal, etc. But they cost more. I think I paid $70 for the smaller one.

Yeah that's what I really wanted but I was too cheap

 

[bimmerZ5]

Harbor Freight Service Cart 16x30 item # 5107

Pass and Fail

Pass: It does exactly what I needed, which was a cart to throw all tools while I'm working on something that I could roll around. I didn't really want to spend the money for the cart with drawers that everybody raves about since it was more just to keep things off the floor. Can't beat it for $30 (I was able to use 20% coupon).

Fail: Very flimsy metal, I mean flimsy! lol See action shot below. It's not on a hill or torqued or anything. It's naturally not square.

maybe putting some "X" cross braces on the two short ends and maybe one "X" on the wide end will probably strengthen it up?

 

[Danglerb]

Harbor Freight Service Cart 16x30 item # 5107

Pass and Fail

Pass: It does exactly what I needed, which was a cart to throw all tools while I'm working on something that I could roll around. I didn't really want to spend the money for the cart with drawers that everybody raves about since it was more just to keep things off the floor. Can't beat it for $30 (I was able to use 20% coupon).

Fail: Very flimsy metal, I mean flimsy! lol See action shot below. It's not on a hill or torqued or anything. It's naturally not square.

Thin metal is going to wiggle without some support. The trick I think is to make the support something useful and easy to make. Maybe a sheet of pegboard in metal for the sides or back?

Make sure all the bolts are tight, and or replace with better bolts.

 

[Big_John]

The harbor freight poly carts are nice and sturdy. And they're great because they don't scratch, don't get bent out of shape like metal, etc. But they cost more. I think I paid $70 for the smaller one.

I've bought 5 of these, two small and three of the larger ones, for use at work. They've worked out real well. The weak spot is the wheels though. The rubber "tires" break down after a lot of use with heavy weight. I had one stolen and one fell off a dock in sub-zero weather and broke. The others are still going after a couple years of hard wear. Well worth the money and a definite PASS.

 

[98TJ]

Harbor Freight Service Cart 16x30 item # 5107

Pass and Fail

Pass: It does exactly what I needed, which was a cart to throw all tools while I'm working on something that I could roll around. I didn't really want to spend the money for the cart with drawers that everybody raves about since it was more just to keep things off the floor. Can't beat it for $30 (I was able to use 20% coupon).

Fail: Very flimsy metal, I mean flimsy! lol See action shot below. It's not on a hill or torqued or anything. It's naturally not square.

I have one of these. Picked it up for free at the local recycling center. A soldier was moving and tossing it. I just moved it from his truck to mine, brought it home, refinished it with red paint, sprayed the trays with truck bed liner, and I've been using it for almost three years now.

It holds various paint, cleaners, waxes, and such. It rolls fine on my garage floor, but it could use new casters.

Would I have bought one? Probably not, but I've kept this one around and found it useful enough to consider buying new casters for it.

 

[monster1]

1/2% table top drill press- FAIL
lots of slop in the shaft which causes your drill bit to walk unless you use a punch to put a crater in your work before you begin.

 

[G_P]

HF 16 slot Wrench Rack -----FAIL

http://www.harborfreight.com/16-piece-wrench-rack-36930.html

This thing is an absoloute pile of trash. It skips the most commonly used sizes! There are no slots for 10/13/15mm and you cant even fit a 10mm wrench in the 11mm slot!

Also does not hold wrenches securely at all. they just fall right out if you bump this thing. Absolute trash.

These are getting returned and maybe I'll try the metal ones.....

 

[Andy Griffith]

These are getting returned and maybe I'll try the metal ones.....

Thanks for the heads up. Please let us know on the metal ones.

 

[G_P]

Thanks for the heads up. Please let us know on the metal ones.

Going back sometime tomorrow afternoon. If the metal ones dont skip over the common sizes I'll pick them up. If they cant even bother to put in a place for an extremely common 10mm wrench then I wont even bother buying them.

 

[Recoil Rob]

1/2% table top drill press- FAIL
lots of slop in the shaft which causes your drill bit to walk unless you use a punch to put a crater in your work before you begin.

I suspect all of their drills are made in the same in the same factory , to the same tolerances. I tried to buy their SDS Plus Rotary hammer, the chick was off center so the bit wobbled. I returned it and with the help of an HF employee proceeded to open up the nine they had on the shelf. Every one wobbled to some degree.

Bought a Bosch (also made in China) but it works.

 

[Toymeister]

1/2% table top drill press- FAIL
lots of slop in the shaft which causes your drill bit to walk unless you use a punch to put a crater in your work before you begin.

There are three benchtop drill presses, one for 59.99 another for 149.99 (yellow handles on the quill handles) and a third for 229.00. Certainly the prices change all the time but which one did you have a problem with? I almost expect problems from the 59.99 one but not the 229.99 one.

 

[subarub4]

picked up the powder coating gun today I hope it's good.. I picked up the black matte powder as well.. I don't know how good it is..

Also picked up the Portable Abrasive Blaster #37025 and some coarse walnut shells.

 

[rslaback]

1/2% table top drill press- FAIL
lots of slop in the shaft which causes your drill bit to walk unless you use a punch to put a crater in your work before you begin.

Isn't center punching a hole standard operating procedure? I learned (and teach) it that way.

 

[trboxman]

Isn't center punching a hole standard operating procedure? I learned (and teach) it that way.

Same here.

 

[jam022316]

picked up the powder coating gun today I hope it's good.. I picked up the black matte powder as well.. I don't know how good it is..

Also picked up the Portable Abrasive Blaster #37025 and some coarse walnut shells.

Keep us up on the Portable Abrasive blaster. Was curious about that.

 

[98TJ]

Isn't center punching a hole standard operating procedure? I learned (and teach) it that way.

That is, after all, their intended purpose.

I center punch every hole I drill through metal.

 

[subarub4]

Keep us up on the Portable Abrasive blaster. Was curious about that.

We have a break in the weather today (Sat) so I will see how it work out on some aluminum wheels.

 

[pearltsi]

Three jaw puller, All FAIL. Stripped the threads on the first try with them.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-three-jaw-puller-set-40965.html

 

[bcradio]

Not exactly a pass/fail, but does anyone have much experience with this bit set?

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-12-drive-screwdriver-bit-socket-set-67881.html

 

[IONH]

picked up the powder coating gun today I hope it's good.. I picked up the black matte powder as well.. I don't know how good it is..

I have their powder gun from probably 6 or 7 years ago and it worked fine on the few small engine parts I had coated.

 

[IONH]

Automotive Pulley Puller - PASS I used it to pull the pulley off a 10+ year old walk behind lawn mower engine and it worked just fine. Used leverage, not an impact gun.

 

[subarub4]

OK so I'm outside here trying to blast my wheels clean.. using coarse walnut shells.. with Item #37025 here is how it shoots... Maybe 3-5 seconds then no flow... on and off..

Maybe I can't use walnut shells? I'm close to taking it back.. Unless I should try some other media.. It's not pulling in continually like it should be.

 

[dodge610]

OK so I'm outside here trying to blast my wheels clean.. using coarse walnut shells.. with Item #37025 here is how it shoots... Maybe 3-5 seconds then no flow... on and off..

Maybe I can't use walnut shells? I'm close to taking it back.. Unless I should try some other media.. It's not pulling in continually like it should be.

Walnut shells might be too course for the tip you have in it. Try changing the nozzle see if that makes a difference for you.

 

[dodge610]

Walnut shells might be too course for the tip you have in it. Try changing the nozzle see if that makes a difference for you.

Re quote there ad says pecan shells or glass beads for a portable unit like that I would stick to glass beads. The hose they have on that is way too small for shell media.

 

[subarub4]

Bah so it is true.. I figured it was too small because looking at the air hole where the connection is you can see it jamming up in that area..

The downside is I don't want to have to go all the way up to get more media.. It's like 40 mile one way

 

[dodge610]

Bah so it is true.. I figured it was too small because looking at the air hole where the connection is you can see it jamming up in that area..

The downside is I don't want to have to go all the way up to get more media.. It's like 40 mile one way

If you have a Menards or Home Depot near you they both carry blast media. I would say menards first I use theres all the time I do this as a side business, And have had very good luck with there media.

 

[subarub4]

If you have a Menards or Home Depot near you they both carry blast media. I would say menards first I use theres all the time I do this as a side business, And have had very good luck with there media.

Never heard of menards here.. but before I go checking out blast media.. I just checked the gun.. the hose to where it meets the gun I found if I pull it when it gets clogged I have a bunch of walnut shells that fall out.. and if I put the hose back on and blast again it will flow again until it clogs.

So is it the ceramic nozzle issue or the media still?

 

[toolmaker1]

Tractor supply also sells media so if you have one of those in your area you should be all set. What about opening the orifice with a drill

 

[subarub4]

Tractor supply also sells media so if you have one of those in your area you should be all set. What about opening the orifice with a drill

What media does home depot sell? The only stuff I can think of off hand is sand but I'm not going to use that stuff.. It's so cold and windy out today I don't think I'm going to do much of anything else today.

 

[Danglerb]

Not exactly a pass/fail, but does anyone have much experience with this bit set?

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-12-drive-screwdriver-bit-socket-set-67881.html

Looks like a new product, other bit sockets from HF I've used have been ok, so unless I noticed something bad I might try them when they go on sale, but I don't see much application for this type of bit socket vs a bit. I don't put a lot of torque on a Phillips or blade with a ratchet, I use an impact driver or a T handle at most otherwise the tips don't stay in the fastener.

 

[dodge610]

Never heard of menards here.. but before I go checking out blast media.. I just checked the gun.. the hose to where it meets the gun I found if I pull it when it gets clogged I have a bunch of walnut shells that fall out.. and if I put the hose back on and blast again it will flow again until it clogs.

So is it the ceramic nozzle issue or the media still?

Different media would work out much better for you. Cant remember what HD calls it I usually go in tell them I need blasting media and they hook me up with theres.

 

[subarub4]

I will swing by tomorrow to give HD a check again I doubt they have aluminum oxide but you never know.

 

[G_P]

Thanks for the heads up. Please let us know on the metal ones.

Returned the POS plastic ones today. Looked at the metal ones but the tabs that hold the wrenches from just flopping out looked like hell. I pushed one with my finger and it bent and did not flex back. I chose not to purchase them.

I did buy the small gravity feed spray gun. It seems like a decent sprayer for the 12 bucks I paid for it but I have yet to actually paint anything with it yet. I just sprayed some thinner through it just to make sure it worked and didn't leak.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Returned the POS plastic ones today. Looked at the metal ones but the tabs that hold the wrenches from just flopping out looked like hell. I pushed one with my finger and it bent and did not flex back. I chose not to purchase them.

Thanks much for the intel, I'll look elsewhere.

 

[anthony73]

3/8 drive torque wrench-----PASS. I checked it against my 1/2 inch Craftsman and it was dead on. Worked fine too. What the hell is it with the smell in that place? Is it cosmoline from the ship on the way over from China? Or something else I cant place it.

 

[trboxman]

cheap rubber and plastic...

 

[subarub4]

Haha I call it the HF smell.. Things that are the worst that hold in the smell are the plastic blow cases.. I still have some from 2 years ago that still smells but not as bad as it did when new.

 

[subarub4]

Returned the POS plastic ones today. Looked at the metal ones but the tabs that hold the wrenches from just flopping out looked like hell. I pushed one with my finger and it bent and did not flex back. I chose not to purchase them.

I did buy the small gravity feed spray gun. It seems like a decent sprayer for the 12 bucks I paid for it but I have yet to actually paint anything with it yet. I just sprayed some thinner through it just to make sure it worked and didn't leak.

Which HF did you go to? The one in Vernon or Berlin?

 

[bimmerZ5]

3/8 drive torque wrench-----PASS. I checked it against my 1/2 inch Craftsman and it was dead on. Worked fine too. What the hell is it with the smell in that place? Is it cosmoline from the ship on the way over from China? Or something else I cant place it.

i measured the HFT torque wrench against the alltrade digital torque adapter, which has a certificate saying it is within +/- 2% accurate and the HFT was more accurate than my Craftsman microtork torque wrenches. I threw the HFT torque wrench on the concrete floors a few times and kicked it around and it was still just as accurate. other than a few scratches on the surface, this $10 tool is durable and accurate. both the 1/2" and 3/8" are awesome... i only wish they had a N-m scale since that's what I work in most of the time.