The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[Burtonrider10022]

One general rule about Harbor Freight: Never buy anything with a plug from there.

A second suggestion: If you are a new homeowner, or are planning on keeping these tools for a long time, my great aunt said it best. "Buy cheap, buy twice" and she's right. Spend a responsible amount of money up front and just buy a tool that you can pass down to your children. I can promise you that a HF saw is not going to last that long. But something like my fathers ~15 y/o DeWalt circ. saw? Yeah, I'll be getting that some day.

Sawhorse "kits" can be found for less $$ than the HF ones, and all you need is some lumber.

For power tools, I strongly recommend www.tylertool.com They are a CPO Outlets store, and they sell factory reconditioned tools, open box tools, and also new tools. They tend to have great prices on a lot of power tools. A few weeks back they had a Ryobi Circular saw on sale for the same price as an HF model.



Jigsaws are useless IMO. Unless you're doing more fine carpentry/cabinet making. Menards has one in store for ~$15 you could always go grab if you need it in a pinch. I wouldn't waste the money on a HF one, personally.

 

[RCStocker]

I can't fail to passing by. I go in every time and I always fail to buy anything.
I had a 25 % off coupon one everything but tool storage, jacks and a few other things. I could not find anything to buy. They had their 27 inch box with 16 drawers 8 top and 8 bottom on sale for $299.99 again. I have picked up 5 of them this year and they all pass with flying colors. I got another one today and my youngest grandson who is 10 will get it for Christmas. I already have a full set of tools to put in it for him. They are one hell of a box for the money.

 

[CRXPilot]

For all three tools shown, I would find a local Re-Tool location and buy a lightly used, name brand equivalent.

Okay, Community NOOB here . . . I sought out a "Tool Talk" Community such as this one to specifically see what others are saying about Harbor Freight tools. I've been reading mixed reviews throughout my research - so I thought I would try a more robust Community of experienced experts.



THANKS !!!


TOM

 

[diggerrick]

One general rule about Harbor Freight: Never buy anything with a plug from there.

I couldn't disagree more - we have had great experiences with oscillating multi-tools, angle grinders (for light/medium grinding, cutting, and surface prep), and a drill I bought for my wife to keep her away from my DeWalt drills.

A second suggestion: If you are a new homeowner, or are planning on keeping these tools for a long time, my great aunt said it best. "Buy cheap, buy twice" and she's right.

I agree - buy a few "disposable" tools for way less than the cost of 1 name brand tool. Saves you big $$$ up front, and you can upgrade later when you can afford it. We've sold many of our HF tools in garage sales after we upgraded.

Spend a responsible amount of money up front and just buy a tool that you can pass down to your children. I can promise you that a HF saw is not going to last that long. But something like my fathers ~15 y/o DeWalt circ. saw? Yeah, I'll be getting that some day.

Sawhorse "kits" can be found for less $$ than the HF ones, and all you need is some lumber.

For power tools, I strongly recommend www.tylertool.com They are a CPO Outlets store, and they sell factory reconditioned tools, open box tools, and also new tools. They tend to have great prices on a lot of power tools. A few weeks back they had a Ryobi Circular saw on sale for the same price as an HF model.



Jigsaws are useless IMO. Unless you're doing more fine carpentry/cabinet making. Menards has one in store for ~$15 you could always go grab if you need it in a pinch. I wouldn't waste the money on a HF one, personally.

Both of my jigsaws are the Menards Tool Shop brand - got them for $10/ea on sale! If there were a HF closer to me than Menards, I might have bought HF. Both prolly came outta the same Chinese factory. I've also used mine to cut sheet metal since my bandsaw is still in Dad's shop - no prob!

Oh, yeah, we've bought some real **** from HF, too...

 

[creativecars]

Captain,
"Originally Posted by CaptainMarvel
Okay, Community NOOB here . . . I sought out a "Tool Talk" Community such as this one to specifically see what others are saying about Harbor Freight tools. I've been reading mixed reviews throughout my research - so I thought I would try a more robust Community of experienced experts.

I am just starting to get into wanting to do a lot of DIY projects - starting with building a "dream" workbench in the two car garage of the house we just moved into. So, being the newbie to the "craftsman" world (no Sears pun or reference intended), I am obviously excited to get started - while at the same time not wanting to take out a second mortgage in purchasing my first power tools. So, naturally, I'm checking out Harbor Freight power tools. I am fortunate enough to live close to several locations - having already visited a couple of them to check out the tools "in person" (vs only online or within their flyers).

So, I am hoping to get some opinions as to the following items I am looking at (to start) ...and/or any warnings or alternative suggestions . . . .

I'm just finishing a 4X8 work bench made with HF tools. I have the 12" miter saw you have listed. It has worked fine, but the lazer is a joke. I also have used it to trim out a bedroom. I happened to also have a Makita circular saw and a sawzall that were both used, so it was not a total HF project. My HF hammers performed flawlessly (lol) but the real time saver was the 18V 1/4" impact driver for the screws and lags putting it together. I also used the 29 pc. titaniam drill bit set and 4 pc chisel set.

 

[Kev442]

I bought the circular saw without laser for work.
We can't kill it. Pallets, green treated, paving blocks, It's still going. We cut up two van loads of wood for kindling. Solid core doors, hundred year old planks with nails, etc. It's a running joke at the shop now to find some other godawful job for it.
Whether it is accurate, I have no idea. We used the miter gauge on the paving blocks, but within 1/8" is fine for that!

 

[mayday0017]

Hope this isn't a repeat, but I would need a month to get through over 100 pages of this thread. I posted this on my motorcycle site:

Fail...but read on

Bought this last week, Motorcycle Wheel Balancer. $49.99, on sale $39.99 + 20% off so $32.

Motorcycle Wheel Balancing Stand

Pittsburgh Motorcycle

Item #: 98488
Only: $49.99
Sale: $39.99

Put it together last night to start using is when I relace my wheels.
The stand itself is nice, powder coated, the little bearings roll quite freely. For a China import, the base is of nice quality.

But the 1/2 rod that you mount the wheel? Ugh...I couldn't believe how warped it is.

So today, I ran to Sear's Hardware and picked up a length of 1/2 rod. It is a little warped, but I think when I cut it to size, it has a straight section long enough.

For the price, it isn't worth bringing the stand back to HF, but wanted people to know what they might find.

Junk, don't buy one... the bearings do NOT spin freely enough to accuratly balance the wheels... tried 3 different ones, But if you have access to lathe you can turn the ends so you can stick better bearings on the end of the bar and drill and tap to hold the bearings on, then you don't need the stand any 2 objects that are the same height will do (i use 2 jackstands).

 

[CaptainMarvel]

Honestly, buy yourself a good circular saw. You'll thank me later so many times over. You don't have to go top of the line, even the lowest end Ridgid would be good enough. It can do everything the miter saw can do while you're starting out, you will just need a little more time to prep some complicated cuts & clamps.

If you get yourself a good circ saw and get comfortable with using it, you can make yourself a workbench and most around-the-house repairs without having to buy a miter or table saw. Yes both of those are good investments eventually but the point is you can get away with not having them when you're starting out. I think you should make room in your budget for around $100 for the circular saw or get a good condition used one from a known brand.

Here is what I would buy from HF if you're looking at building a workbench for yourself;

Saw horses Take your time building them, get some locktite (the HF locktite is fine) and glue the plastic feet to them. If you do it right, they will come out square and not wobbly. They aren't perfect but I like them and I'd buy them again if I needed more.
Level or other straightedge to set up your cuts. Also a combo square or rafter square just make sure to check the straight/square/general quality of any measuring tools, and keep in mind Lowes or Sears have these for not a whole lot more.

Finally, HF sells clamps. I'm not necessarily encouraging you to buy some from there, but if budget is most important, they will usually clamp pieces together for you to get through a few cuts. Don't expect them to last a long time but they can get you started on your projects. You will eventually break mid-high end quick clamps also, the more plastic the more likely.

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH for this great advice !!!

 

[cheechi]

Just trying to help. Remember the thing about HF is there are some gems, there are some things you buy to 'play with' or because you wouldn't want to mod an expensive tool. The hard part is just telling the difference.

I hope you'll post some pics of the bench you make, and if you need some help along the way just let us know.

 

[Provincial]

On the subject of saw horses, I bought two sets of the Foldable Saw Horses, #41577 and have had good luck with them. They come with "pressed paper" instead of wood for the top board. I used 2/6 fir lumber instead because I wanted a wider surface. A 2x4 would work just as well for most purposes.

I find them quite stable and sturdy. They seem to be a good working height, too. I have never folded them since they were put into use, but they did fold up well when I tested that feature after I assembled them.

Ah, assembly! Take your time and follow the instructions. Leave all the fasteners a little loose and tighten them after you have set up the horse on a level floor. This will give you good alignment.

Pass!

 

[MachYou]

Went by the local hf to check out their 44" box and 4 drawer service cart and was amazed by how good the quality was. After the holidays I think I will pick up the 44" box for home to replace my 26" overflowing craftsman 3 box stack.

 

[olytdi]

HF portable band saw -- pass

HF portable bandsaw -- major pass. On sale for $89 and I took-in a 20% off coupon.

Bought this to cut some unistrut and it's a pretty formadible tool. Not Milwaukee-level quality but it's very good and cost me $73 vs $300.

There are threads on other sites about this tool and its reliability. First thing to do out of the box is remove the wheels and lube the tension mechanism and grease the drive gear. If needed, align the guides, make sure the bearing sleaves are fully pressed-in, and lube-up and tighten-up everything. Mine was pretty much all ready to go and needed only some lube.

One nice upgrade from the older saws is that they used to come with plastic wheels and drive gear but they went to steel with aluminum drive gears -- very adequate in terms of robustness. Additionally, the free wheel (on the tensioner side of the tool) has the same geared inner wall so that if for some odd reason, you needed to replace the drive wheel, you have a spare on the front of the tool -- just swap them out.

The body is cast and quite substantial as well. There is a sheet metal cover over the drive system that will go a long way to keeping things clean and tidy. It's loud but has the balls to cut well and feels solid. I was surprised. It wouldn't be a good choice for a tradesman pipe fitter or plummer but for the home shop guy with limited space for a real bandsaw, it's a good tool. Like all HF, test well during the return window so that if you picked-up a lemon, you can return. I've had pretty good luck and haven't had to replace tools.

Oh yeah, on the way home from the store, stop at HD or Lowe's and pick up a pack of milwaukee blades and use those -- the supplied blade is cheap and useful only for wood. I bought 18 TPI milwuakee and it worked excellently -- like butta!

 

[anthony73]

EZ zip drain cleaner up by the counter 1.49 worked like a charm . Simple plastic wand with little cuts in it to grab hair in the drain.

 

[mikebramel]

1/2" heavy duty low speed drill
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...inch-heavy-duty-spade-handle-drill-93632.html

Drill is nice, and has insane amount of torque, but chuck is garbage

1" SDS rotary hammer, demo hammer, drill
http://www.harborfreight.com/73-amp-3-in-1-1-sds-rotary-hammer-69276.html

Cuts through concrete (with Bosch bit) like nothing. Great tool

 

[CaptainMarvel]

Re: HF portable band saw -- pass

HF portable bandsaw -- major pass. On sale for $89 and I took-in a 20% off coupon.

QUESTION . . . .
So even if an item is already marked down ON SALE, you can STILL bring in one of their 20% off coupons and they will take off the additional 20% off of the SALE price??

I ask because if this is the case - then there is an item or two I would like to pick up on Black Friday - already marked down quite a bit for the sale - and try to use the 20% coupon for further discount.


TELL ME IT'S NOT TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE !!!

 

[Provincial]

Re: HF portable band saw -- pass

QUESTION . . . .
So even if an item is already marked down ON SALE, you can STILL bring in one of their 20% off coupons and they will take off the additional 20% off of the SALE price??

I ask because if this is the case - then there is an item or two I would like to pick up on Black Friday - already marked down quite a bit for the sale - and try to use the 20% coupon for further discount.


TELL ME IT'S NOT TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE !!!

My experience is that if you are not using a coupon for the purchase (in other words, it is full price or on sale), then they will accept the 20% coupon. If you use a coupon that lowers the price on that particular item, then they will not let you use the 20% off coupon.

I have had my choice of using an item-specific coupon or sale price+20% coupon and the latter always is cheaper.

 

[olytdi]

Yes -- you can almost always use a 20% coupon and something being on sale doesn't matter. In fact, I make sure I always have a 20% off coupon (find them online) and print off a bunch. They'll only let you use one per day but I've used one after another or give one to someone else to get the other item.

I usually wait until something I want is on sale then use the coupon. Got the 1/2 hammer drill for $49. Looking at the gantry (they've come a long way in term of quality) which is on sale for under $700 and the 20 off would be another 150 bucks saved...

 

[rande]

My closest store won't take 20% off coupons on sale items. They site the text on the coupon that says something like "no other discounts apply". I've had other stores take them on sale items. Depends on the store. YMMV.

 

[cheechi]

Certain sales they won't. Anything on the upcoming BF weekend for example, they won't take an additional 20% off it or any other coupon.

Each store has the option to do it or not, the ones I've been in will do it for me. I think it helps if you collect the coupons you want and buy about $50 or more at a time, otherwise it's not worth their time. Make sure they remember you buying something big and you will have more luck.

 

[xbeatles4x]

I purchase the socket trays both metric and imperial. Definitely awesome for harbor freight. I am happy I didn't spent $65 for the Hansen. This actually feels sturdier than the Hansen.

 

[groucho]

My HF parts washer's about 20 yrs old and still works. The stream is pretty weak now, but I'm part to blame. I've run it very low on solvent most of the time (see photo) allowing the pump to **** air. Also, I've forgot it running all night on many occasions. Also, while at HF about 5 yrs ago I saw one on sale for $68. I think I paid $120(?) for mine. I made a comment that it probly won't be on sale when mine takes a dump. The salesman said no problem, and gave me a non dated, open ended rain check for one at the $68

 

[groucho]

I also had a hydraulic trans jack that I abused for years. I think it was $120. I even used if to raise a car off my hoist so I could reposition the leg of my hoist when it was in my way of loosening a crossmember bolt or something. My $500 OTC jack just bleeds past the seals if I try that

 

[Provincial]

I also had a hydraulic trans jack that I abused for years. I think it was $120. I even used if to raise a car off my hoist so I could reposition the leg of my hoist when it was in my way of loosening a crossmember bolt or something. My $500 OTC jack just bleeds past the seals if I try that

Actually, the OTC jack is bleeding past the overload safety valve when you try that.

The HF jack sounds like a strong one. I have the biggest one they make (#4075) and it has worked perfectly. I used it to remove heavy truck transmissions for clutch jobs and repairs. Now it stays at home and comes in useful as a lift table in between uses as a jack.

 

[groucho]

Actually, the OTC jack is bleeding past the overload safety valve when you try that.

.

Either way, the OTC is less handy because of that. Also, it leaks pretty good from BOTH ram seals and I don't think I used it 10 times. The problem is, it took a couple yrs to use it the 10 times.....so no warantee. Not happy I stepped up to the OTC.

 

[arthur1920]

Magnetic tool strips..semi fail....holes are not 16 inches on center so you cant put them on the studs.

4 1/2 in angle grinder Drill Master...pass so far,used for 1 hr, runs good and smooth, I had to bend the guard a little for clearance.

HVLP Gravity spray gun...Fail. directions said clean first, I did, it was full of ****, put it together and it leaked in two places.

"Roloc" copy backing discs, pass

 

[arthur1920]

MASSIVE PASS (after a simple fix) : I got this spray gun:

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-high-volume-low-pressure-gravity-feed-spray-gun-47016.html

and at first, I couldn't figure out how to stop it from leaking air. I thought it was the air inlet stem, as i could feel air coming from there. But that wasn't it, it was the air volume adjustment valve. I unscrewed it and noticed they tried some thread sealant but it got pushed up and didn't seal the threads. I re-sealed it with some teflon tape and the leak was no longer.

so yesterday, i decided to test it out and spray my shutters. i've been renovating my living area and i wanted the shutters to match the new color of the walls. I diluted the latex paint with 20% water and started spraying. first some testing on cardboard and scrap wood i had around... very easy to control and figured out how i wanted to set all the adjustments like air flow, fan pattern, paint flow, etc. then started to spray the shutters.... wow! for an amateur i can't believe the paint came out so beautifully! the atomization of the paint is incredible and results were amazing. even though there were a few spots i messed up, i just sprayed over them again and you can't tell i had messed up there. there's no way that any bristle or foam brush or roller could lay down such a smooth finish. i'm almost convinced that i should always spray the paint instead of using rollers or brushes.

i was using this with my tiny pancake compressor and it had the motor working pretty hard to keep up. so next time i'll probably use my 33gal compressor instead. but for $10 (bought with coupon), i'm very impressed how well this little thing works. i'm starting to think about spraying polyurethane with this on my bar counter top and other things around the house...

bought that, cleaned first as per instructions-full of junk- apparently the sealing of parts is made by white caulking material like pipe sealant instead of actually fitting parts cause that was in there. Cleaning disturbed this material. When I tested it with water it leaked from the front of the gun and from the cup. Teflon tape did not cure the cup leak. So I didn't bother chasing the other leak. Took it back.... and did not get another.

 

[arthur1920]

kind of. you do usually get what you pay for. harbor freight tools, often last for one job. a quality brand name tool will most likely last for multiple jobs. a cheap tool may get the job done, but are more likely to cause damage by rounding a bolt or breaking a knuckle when it slips or snaps. a quality tool should help you get the job done quicker (better designing, ratchets that ratchet tighter, etc). a quality tool means you shouldn't have to waste time and fuel to drive to harbor freight and replace the allen head wrenches that busted just before you were done

harbor freight has its place. quality tools have their place. this does not confront quality tools that end up being ****

Maybe. For 95% of the jobs. But, I have found various applications where only the expensive wrenches fit. Though having the same size in several c onfigurations in off brands and craftsman, I have had a couple of nuts where only the Snap on item would work.

Another generalization, when space is limited the higher quality tools, made with better steel, I'm guessing, can be thinner and slimmer and fit in where cheap ones cannot. I see this occasionally and more often with impact sockets.

 

[bimmerZ5]

bought that, cleaned first as per instructions-full of junk- apparently the sealing of parts is made by white caulking material like pipe sealant instead of actually fitting parts cause that was in there. Cleaning disturbed this material. When I tested it with water it leaked from the front of the gun and from the cup. Teflon tape did not cure the cup leak. So I didn't bother chasing the other leak. Took it back.... and did not get another.

don't know what to tell ya. I've had this for a while now and have used it numerous times. it's still incredible and I've gotten my $10 worth from it probably 100 times over by now... next time I get another $10 coupon for it, I'm going to get another one.

 

[BFalfa]

i purchased a HF beverly shear look alike, i heat treated the blades in my oven after reading to do so on another board. i have had this for a least a year and so far it definetly passes imo. mostly use it for aluminum, and actually used it to cut some .063 atp today.

 

[Andy Griffith]

i purchased a HF beverly shear look alike, i heat treated the blades in my oven after reading to do so on another board.

I should probably do that to mine, where can I find the info?

Thanks

 

[BFalfa]

I should probably do that to mine, where can I find the info?

Thanks

i cant remember for sure, but i think it was on the metal meet forum. if i remember correctly i put the blades in the oven and then turned the oven on to 350f..let it get up to temp and then left them at 350f for about 30 minutes then shut the oven off and let them cool down real slow in the oven overnite.

come to think of it i may have even gotten the idea from one of the hf reviews..maybe?

 

[BFalfa]

here is a link,,they say 500 degrees, idont remember using quite that much heat, but here is the link for you,

http://www.harborfreight.com/throatless-shear-38413.html

 

[IONH]

Battery failed in my Centec 66550 inspection camera. The model isn't sold anymore but in case someone else decides to hotwire it via a DC adapter, I did a brief little write-up on what I found inside it here.

 

[Armed Bear]

Pass- Backpack Sprayer

I bought this a while ago for my Landscaping business to spray weed killer and it works better than the expensive name brand sprayers, I've had other sprayers that always would break and not work properly.

The HF Sprayer only cost $25 and its much better than a $75 sprayer that most landscapers use.

 

[thightower]

Bought 14" and 18" pipe wrenches.
Professional use (occasional cheater)-FAIL
Home use (no cheater)-Maybe pass and not sure on that one either.

 

[skulldrinker]

Fail>> Bought this and it stops as soon as you touch the metal. If you keep backing off and touching the metal it will stay spinning but it might take an hour to cut a 1/2" bolt. i returned it for a replacement thinking (hoping) it was bad. But same thing. For $39 I'm keeping it cause using it in my own garage I'm not in big hurry and it may come in handy as a last resort.

I read and suspected that the right angle gear might need to be lubed but I haven't tried to figure how to open it up yet.

The problem is not my compressor. I have a 60 Gal tank.

I have to fail this. The cheap $9 "normal" cut off tool works 100% better than this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-extended-reach-air-cutoff-tool-67996.html

 

[O_M_Jeep]

less than 1/2" hose and it wont work very well, I was using 3/8" air line and switching to 1/2" made a world of difference in all my air tools.

I had the same problem with the cut-off tools until I switched airline sizes.

 

[skulldrinker]

less than 1/2" hose and it wont work very well, I was using 3/8" air line and switching to 1/2" made a world of difference in all my air tools.

I had the same problem with the cut-off tools until I switched airline sizes.

Shouldn't have to use 1/2 you know what i mean. I have a 3/4 impact gun and going to add 1/2" anyway so I will try it on this. Thanks for the suggestion (hope).

 

[InsanePyro]

How good is that $90 welder they have? I'm very much a beginner having welded maybe two or three things in my life. To start with I'm looking to weld on a new muffler on my Bronco and my dad's Suburban. I'd then probably like to use it to repair a few rust holes on the Bronco

I lied...seems to have gone up in price...I'm talking about this one http://www.harborfreight.com/wire-welder-90-amp-flux-68887.html

 

[skulldrinker]

Has anyone got anything bad to say about the 301 pc tool kit? item#45951

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

I need a set for the auto-class I'm taking in January. Just something to keep in the campus locker.

I have a coupon for $159. I think I'm getting a lot for the price.