The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[Alchymist]

Sorry for the poor cell phone picture. The rivets are not completely set, especially on the nearest the end of tape. It protrudes enough to catch the end of the lumber. I hammered it down some but don't want to take the chance that it might catch on a metal edge or sharp wood edge again.

Can happen with most any tape measure if the conditions are right, though it does look like those rivets protrude more than necessary.

Whenever buying a tape measure, it pays to quick check it against another. Was on the ground cutting trim for another carpenter once. He would call down a length, I'd cut it and throw it up. Every time it was too short. Finally we compared tapes. Mine was off over a 1/4 inch in 5 feet! (Checked against a third tape). And no, it was not a HF tape!

 

[rslaback]

Sorry for the poor cell phone picture. The rivets are not completely set, especially on the nearest the end of tape. It protrudes enough to catch the end of the lumber. I hammered it down some but don't want to take the chance that it might catch on a metal edge or sharp wood edge again.

You may already know this but make sure you don't pound the rivets down too far. By design, the hook on a tape measure needs to be loose enough to slide back and forth in an amount equal to the thickness of the hook. This keeps the tap accurate when you have it pulled over the end of a board (as in the pic) and accurate when pushed up against a surface (like measuring the inside of a rough opening).

 

[PECVD2]

Alchymist,

Great point...."Can happen with most any tape measure if the conditions are right"


rslaback, another good point.

I actually threw the darn thing away.

Not to de-rail the thread but who makes a good 16' tape measure these days? Perfer USA made.

 

[chrisexv6]

Alchymist,

Great point...."Can happen with most any tape measure if the conditions are right"


rslaback, another good point.

I actually threw the darn thing away.

Not to de-rail the thread but who makes a good 16' tape measure these days? Perfer USA made.

I LOOOOVE my Big Johnson.....measuring tape that is. But alas it seems like the design has changed. This is the version I have: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009WG4FE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you can find one of them somewhere, Id buy it up quick. Nice and smooth, decent standout, nice included belt clip. Excellent customer service (I lost part of the quick connect belt clip, they sent me a replacement for free no questions asked)

 

[mikeceli]

I will second that. Stripped out the first two I tried and haven't opened the box since.

Me too. I threw them all in the trash. Not gonna have one of my cars at the side of the road.

 

[subarub4]

I have a quick question you know HF came out with those preadtor line of generators I wonder if item 68528 will work with the old air compressor that Hf used to sell that was red.

I made a video maybe about 2 years ago

when starting back up at 85 psi the amps jump to like 22 A for about a second but then drops back down to 14 or 15 A.

 

[subarub4]

can someone tell me what's the point of these two jump packs in price?

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ry/3-in-1-jump-start-air-compressor-8884.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...2-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html

As far as I can tell they are pretty much the same.

 

[chris142]

The grey one has a built in air compressor.

 

[IONH]

can someone tell me what's the point of these two jump packs in price?

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ry/3-in-1-jump-start-air-compressor-8884.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...2-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html

As far as I can tell they are pretty much the same.

I have had the second (yellow) one for a couple of years now and it has treated me well. I have only used it a half dozen or so times to actually jump start a car, it did its job. I used it a couple of times during power outages with the DC jack to run a power inverter so I could charge my iPod and phones as well.

 

[subarub4]

The grey one has a built in air compressor.

oh man how could I miss that

My air compressor on the black one failed at least a year ago but I used it way more often then one would use it.. almost like every other day for maybe about 4 months.

the black one with a 175W inverter on a clock I got 6 hr and 30 min from the battery I also had a 14W CFL connected as well.

 

[Jawn]

http://www.harborfreight.com/engine-cleaning-gun-68290.html
Central Pneumatic Engine Cleaning Gun:

FAIL

I couldn't get this thing to consistently move liquid. If I lifted the container up to the same level as the gun it'd start to spray, then it'd quit. Mess with the flow adjustment, it'd spit a little more then stop. Shame, I could see it being really useful if it actually worked!

 

[diggerrick]

A few years ago I needed to repair an underground plumbing line to my pool. Its held onto the pool return jet by worm clamps (and barbed connections but the clamps are there for backup basically)

It took me FOREVER to find good quality worm clamps. Best place to find them? Marine supply stores (West Marine in my area). You could tell right away they were high quality because there were twice as many "slots" to crank to. The material was much thicker and stiffer than anything else I could find.

I paid for the quality (6.00 each!) but considering where they were going was about to be concreted over, Id rather spend a little more and have the peace of mind.

When we re-plumbed my parents' pool, I bought stainless worm clamps from the plumbing department at Menards. They're much better than ones you'll find at the auto parts store. i have to disconnect the pump and filter every fall and reconfigure the plumbing under the deck. Then I have to do the reverse in the spring. I've had these clamps on for at least 5 years, and they still work fine.

back to HF - has anyone here used the Headlamp Restoration Kit?

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-minute-headlamp-lens-restorer-kit-65938.html

Cheapest price I've seen for a drill-powered kit - with 20% off it's only $8.

 

[unslow1]

can someone tell me what's the point of these two jump packs in price?

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ry/3-in-1-jump-start-air-compressor-8884.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...2-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html

As far as I can tell they are pretty much the same.

I've had one of the yellow ones for 6 years. Used it many times. It's just now starting to get weaker. I wish I knew how to test it.

 

[IONH]

back to HF - has anyone here used the Headlamp Restoration Kit?

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-minute-headlamp-lens-restorer-kit-65938.html

Cheapest price I've seen for a drill-powered kit - with 20% off it's only $8.

My dad tried that on his mustang headlights. They cleared up nicely but were more hazy than ever after just two or three months.

 

[chrisexv6]

My dad tried that on his mustang headlights. They cleared up nicely but were more hazy than ever after just two or three months.

The secret is to seal them with something once you've "restored" them. I dont know if the HF kit comes with a sealant, not even sure the more expensive 3M kit does either, but once you restore them try a sealant (not a wax) product (Meguiars NXT 2.0 is a decent one and should be available at most stores).

That should keep them clear for a while. Reapply the same you would a wax/sealant on your car.

 

[Macgyver_ga]

The secret is to seal them with something once you've "restored" them. I dont know if the HF kit comes with a sealant, not even sure the more expensive 3M kit does either, but once you restore them try a sealant (not a wax) product (Meguiars NXT 2.0 is a decent one and should be available at most stores).

That should keep them clear for a while. Reapply the same you would a wax/sealant on your car.

The best thing to do is actually to wetsand them with 1500 grit, then with 2000 grit, then spray them with automotive clear coat to seal them up. The problem is once that factory protective coating is gone, they will yellow out again in time if they aren't re-sealed.

 

[subarub4]

I urge you to check this out it's wet sanding and then putting spar-urethane over the headlights to provide UV sealant.. I know it sounds crazy but from what I see it holds up way better then just sanding and polish.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...sealant-spar-urethane-vs-opti-coat-2-0-a.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/36528-headlight-restoration-50-50-a.html

it's a huge thread so it will take awhile to read but worth it!

 

[chrisexv6]

The best thing to do is actually to wetsand them with 1500 grit, then with 2000 grit, then spray them with automotive clear coat to seal them up. The problem is once that factory protective coating is gone, they will yellow out again in time if they aren't re-sealed.

Yeah, that too! But its more work than just using the kit I suppose.

Even some Megs compound with a microfiber made my truck headlights look at least a little better. But I didnt seal them so they yellowed again within a month.

 

[JEM]

Hose clamps -Awab 316SS from marine suppliers eg Jamestown Distrivutors, shipstore.com, theres one cheaper but it escapes my mind, find the part # and google it.

Rolled edges, embossed band (not cut thru)

 

[Danglerb]

My dad tried that on his mustang headlights. They cleared up nicely but were more hazy than ever after just two or three months.

You must put on a UV sealer.

 

[99_xc600]

Had to replace a outer tierod end on the Jeep today and I was in the need for a 21mm impact socket. So I head down to my HFT and picked up item #67915.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67915.html

It was a PASS. Actually it was a complete HFT pass. I used the following in the repair

HFT 2 Ton Hydraulic Jack
HFT Jack Stands
HFT Twin Hammer impact gun
HFT 21 MM Socket
HFT Vice Grips to hold the tie rod from spinning while removing the end.

Job done in 15 minutes. Nothing broken, nobody killed and money saved. It was a great day.

 

[concealer404]

Anyone have any input on any of the cheaper drill presses? Looking for something that will likely never do anything but put holes in small brackets for catch cans and such.

 

[concealer404]

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.....

For what it's worth, the metal one is better. Doesn't fit every size 100% perfectly, but it works ok.

Not a bad deal, but not worth seeking out.

 

[furballi]

Electric Drain Cleaner with GFCI - Pass, Very good quality for the price! My brother is a plumber and he gives his recommendation. The cable is solid and heavy duty.

http://www.harborfreight.com/50-ft-compact-electric-drain-cleaner-68285.html

Please provide feedback on this HF 50 ft. Compact Electric Drain Cleaner...Pacific Hydrostar - item#68285 if you have one. This item comes with 90-days warranty. It looks similar to the drain cleaner shown above, but I'm reluctant to purchase if long-term reliability is a problem. What was the lowest advertised price with coupon over the last year?

If the motor, cable, housing bearings are robust, then I would think that this is a great buy considering similar units selling for $500 at Home Depot.

TIA,
F

 

[concealer404]

HF Dual Temperature 1500 watt heat gun.

PASS.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html

Works great so far, and if i only get one use out of it, who cares, it was $10 with coupon. Used it to roll some fenders, keep the paint hot so it didn't crack. It'll also light leaves on fire.

 

[eljefino]

It took me FOREVER to find good quality worm clamps. Best place to find them? Marine supply stores (West Marine in my area). You could tell right away they were high quality because there were twice as many "slots" to crank to. The material was much thicker and stiffer than anything else I could find.

I paid for the quality (6.00 each!) but considering where they were going was about to be concreted over, Id rather spend a little more and have the peace of mind.

+1 I took this picture back in 2009 of a boat that was known to have been beached in Hurricane Gloria (1986?). Yeah, marine clamps are pretty good.

 

[JimDon]

Whadya mean the engine won't start? Spray some Kroil on that puppy and it'll be good as new in a week or two!

 

[Enon]

Ok, I made it to page 78, reading every post. I am looking at this, any experience?

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-68127.html

I also have the 44" top and bottom chest. Pass

4" electric angle grinder - Fail - I was grinding surface rust off of a frame. Took 4 of these grinders, The motors kept dying on me.

 

[chrisexv6]

Ok, I made it to page 78, reading every post. I am looking at this, any experience?

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-68127.html

I also have the 44" top and bottom chest. Pass

4" electric angle grinder - Fail - I was grinding surface rust off of a frame. Took 4 of these grinders, The motors kept dying on me.

Interesting, I saw someone loading one of those compressors up as I was walking into HF last week. Looks like a decent one but who knows.

Not sure what 349 gets you at HD but you might want to check out the Husky compressors. Back when I bought mine they were on-par with some of the better Campbell Hausfeld models at much lower prices.

 

[coostv]

Has anyone tried the Metal Shrinker/Stretcher Set # 95062?

Unfortunately I do not have any long term data to report to you. I will also not be using it much until June or so... But I have the set in question and have at least bent in both directions! I am mid process of building a stand for them. Just need to make the foot pedal portion of it. Not fancy by any means, but the base will double for both this and my bead roller.

Here is the test piece. It is 18ga and was a bit of a process to get the minor bends you see. I will almost never use them for 18ga again, but that is what is being used on the Jeepster in the background, so that is what I had laying around to play with. I will likely use it on 20 or 22ga exclusively, it should do really well on that.

PASS, so far. I will update later and reference this post.

Chris

 

[walwalka]

Has anyone tried the new socket organizers?

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/3-piece-sae-socket-trayorganizer-68100.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-piece-metric-socket-trayorganizer-68102.html

I don't like that they are the same color, but some blue and red electrical tape could solve the which is which easily.

 

[rslaback]

I have them. They are ok. I relabeled my metric 1/2" drive with a labelmaker so it excludes the socket sizes that are rare enough to not be in most sets.

On a related note does anyone else find it odd that the sizes in the 1/2" drive metric shallow and deep sets don't coincide? For example there is a 15mm deep but not shallow etc.

 

[Enon]

Interesting, I saw someone loading one of those compressors up as I was walking into HF last week. Looks like a decent one but who knows.

Not sure what 349 gets you at HD but you might want to check out the Husky compressors. Back when I bought mine they were on-par with some of the better Hausfeld models at much lower prices.

I am replacing a husky that the walls of the head got reamed out by the piston, and it was oil less. Not making that mistake again!!! It seems that a comparable CH is almost double the price!

 

[JoeyMitch]

3" High Speed Central Pneumatic Air Cutter-PASS
Tack Hammer-PASS
Heat Shrink tubing-PASS
Screwdriver set-PASS
3 gal. Pancake Compressor-PASS
Air Tool Kit-PASS

 

[chrisexv6]

I am replacing a husky that the walls of the head got reamed out by the piston, and it was oil less. Not making that mistake again!!! It seems that a comparable CH is almost double the price!

Yeah, I took a look at HD and noticed the prices are a lot higher than I remember. I got the 60 gallon single stage unit (oil-lubed) for something like 300.00 back when I bought it. Equivalent is now about 500.00 (maybe more, I didnt check to see if its really equivalent).

Nice thing about buying back then is that they were at least stamped as made in USA, and the motor on it is an Emerson so its pretty decent. The most important thing to me was getting an oil-lubed model. Its stationary in my basement so the quieter the better and the oil-less ones wouldnt cut it (even the oil-lubed is a little loud when its running, but that just means I cant do hard work at night while everyone is sleeping )

 

[skulldrinker]

Question... I'm charging a commercial battery with the 6/12 V dual rate charger and before the charge it was like 8V or so.. Anyways the needle was showing a charge and so it slowly tapered off and now the needle is like quivering near the lower part of the scale.

it's item 45005 I've only charged up smaller 12V batteries and not a huge battery that has like 1000 CCA 12V So not sure if it's normal.

just a wild guess is that the charger was made as cheaply as possible and it severely lacks a final stage filter capacitor or lacks one large enough to smooth out the output waveform there for causing the flutter. Hook up a muti meter and see if the voltage reading also goes up and down. A scope would be better but most people don't own an oscilloscope. That will determine if it's the DC coming out or if it's a bad panel meter.

It still will charge the battery but will take longer due to the time periods that the voltage drops down to zero. (or whatever it drops down to)

If i am correct then you could go to Radio shack and pick up a giant capacitor and drop in in to steady the output wave form. You might even need to add two.

 

[bcradio]

Roto head ratchets-pass (very nice)
Digital calipers -pass (read the same as my Starrett)
Dead blow hammers- pass (only the orange ones)
brass hammer-Pass
US General tool boxes 40 inch -pass (super box but not crazy about the finish)
magnetic trays -pass (better than Blue-point)
Stubby Flex ratchets- Fail
Angle wrenches-Fail
Drill bits-major fail
Unibits- pass for now but the jury is still out
1/4 3/8 1/2 combo socket set- Fail
Black chrome socket sets- pass but only come in shallow
ball pein hammers -fail (either wood of F-glass)
welding hammer-pass
Big battery load tester-pass
Fuel pressure gauge set (small set) Fail
Fuel pressure set large-pass
Any harbor freight pullers-fail fail fail
casters =pass great deals
US General roll carts 550&750 models- passX2
Pittsburg extra long wrech set- pass
3/4 inch drive set-pass (never tried the ratchet)
laser temp sensor-pass
Screwdrivers-fail (not a good set in the house
3 pc pry bar set-pass
Extra long needle nose orange handle pliers set-pass
5 pc pliers set-major fail

Any explanations on these? Pretty much everyone else likes the Ball Peins but you do not?

 

[Provincial]

I think he got the welding hammer and the ball peins mixed up. I got a fail (too soft) from the welding hammer. My set of wood handled ball peins has held up well.

 

[bcradio]

I think he got the welding hammer and the ball peins mixed up. I got a fail (too soft) from the welding hammer. My set of wood handled ball peins has held up well.

I hope so... I'm looking at the fiberglass handled ones and am curious if he had a problem with them. Thanks

 

[Miter Wrench]

Pneumatic Brake Fluid Bleeder #92924

Pass. Uses a compressor to pump out the old fluid. Has a bottle to set in the master cylinder reservoir which supplies new fluid - that takes the worry out of running too low on fluid during the bleed. Made short work of a one man brake bleed.

http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html