The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[rslaback]

The link you added says cylinders not included, do you mean you own other tanks? I am looking for a full size set. Thanks

I wanted the portable tanks so it didn't take up as much room in my garage. A full size cart can be a pretty big space sucker whereas this fits under the workbench.

For me it was cheaper to go with the Northern kit and buy the tanks from my local welding supply. It costs $136.61 for the tanks and the original fill is free. An exchange is $49.83. It ended up $5 cheaper to buy the Northern kit and the tanks locally than it would have been to get the tanks from HF (empty) and then exchange them.

One other thing you might consider if you only want the torch and not the tanks is buying the HF portable kit and then selling off the tanks. On eBay the Acetylene tank will fetch about $45 to $50 and the Oxygen $70 to $75.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

Anyone try out the 4000 Watts Max/3200 generator? Looking to grab one of these in the next few weeks I have a coupon for it that's good until March for $249 should I get the warranty on it?

I need it to use it to run the small 10 gal air compressor

Nay get the champion generator same starting/running watts from either Home Depot or BJ Wholesale. Not that expensive. I wont buy any powered stuff from HF if I were u.

Hand tools are good.

 

[subarub4]

Nay get the champion generator same starting/running watts from either Home Depot or BJ Wholesale. Not that expensive. I wont buy any powered stuff from HF if I were u.

Hand tools are good.

Anyone else? I haven't heard anything bad at all from it. I doubt home depot can beat the $249 coupon I have for it.

 

[IONH]

Nay get the champion generator same starting/running watts from either Home Depot or BJ Wholesale. Not that expensive. I wont buy any powered stuff from HF if I were u.

But the great part about HF that you can buy a warranty and they will simply replace it.

Since subaru isn't looking to use it for 'power out' situations, even if it fails, it's probably just a matter of running a long enough extension cord to do the job.

 

[subarub4]

But the great part about HF that you can buy a warranty and they will simply replace it.

Since subaru isn't looking to use it for 'power out' situations, even if it fails, it's probably just a matter of running a long enough extension cord to do the job.

Yep.. I've used the 2 stoke one loaded up with about 1,000 watts I used a extension cord and I was able to run a full sized fridge, LCD tv, laptop, wireless router and a CFL lamp with no issues, durning hurricane Sandy I put about a good 18 hours on it like that.

I'd be using the new generator away (will be in NC) during the summer and I want to get it now so I can break it in instead of buying it and throwing a huge load on it right away.. I may convert it over to tri-fuel later on when I come back here and use it for when the power does go out by way of a interlock switch.

 

[JerryC]

I picked up one last night, using a rain check from the 1/11 sale, got the $49 extended replacement warranty. I was surprised to read that it starts after the manufacturer warranty expires (90 days), maybe I read that wrong...

I plan to get it running today and break it in. I got it as "break glass in case of emergency" item that for the $249 plus the $49 27 month warranty seemed cheap enough to just have around "just in case".

The cashier made a point of saying it was a "no questions asked" warranty and to "just bring it in and get a replacement".

 

[Steve_P]

Both of the HF torch sets have pretty good review on their site. Do any of you have personal reviews? Are they copies of what brand?
I am looking at the 98958
http://www.harborfreight.com/oxygen-and-acetylene-welding-kit-98958.html
and the 92496 Industrial
http://www.harborfreight.com/industrial-oxy-acetylene-welding-outfit-92496.html
What is the difference between them?
Thanks...

I have one of the above, but I don't know which one as I've had them for ~20yrs; I assume it's the non-industrial unit. The only issue I've had is the hose dryrotted after a few yrs and I eventually replaced it with a goodyear.

 

[subarub4]

I picked up one last night, using a rain check from the 1/11 sale, got the $49 extended replacement warranty. I was surprised to read that it starts after the manufacturer warranty expires (90 days), maybe I read that wrong...

I plan to get it running today and break it in. I got it as "break glass in case of emergency" item that for the $249 plus the $49 27 month warranty seemed cheap enough to just have around "just in case".

The cashier made a point of saying it was a "no questions asked" warranty and to "just bring it in and get a replacement".

cool let me know how it goes.

 

[JerryC]

I picked up one last night, using a rain check from the 1/11 sale, got the $49 extended replacement warranty. I was surprised to read that it starts after the manufacturer warranty expires (90 days), maybe I read that wrong...

I plan to get it running today and break it in. I got it as "break glass in case of emergency" item that for the $249 plus the $49 27 month warranty seemed cheap enough to just have around "just in case".

The cashier made a point of saying it was a "no questions asked" warranty and to "just bring it in and get a replacement".

Anyone try out the 4000 Watts Max/3200 generator? Looking to grab one of these in the next few weeks I have a coupon for it that's good until March for $249 should I get the warranty on it?

I need it to use it to run the small 10 gal air compressor

Got mine running right now.
Took just over half a quart of oil for the initial fill.
Put in a couple gallons of gas and pulled teh rope about six times slowly to fill the carb get some oil moving etc...
Surprised at how easily it pulls, none of my lawnmowers pulled near this easy.
Choke on, power switch, give it a good pull and it started first pull.
126 volts at the 110 outlets. They are in banks of two eeach rated at 13A.

Let it run a few minutes and hooked up an electric heater. This is one of those that looks like an old fashioned steam radiator with settings for 600/900/1500 watts.
Voltage with heater on:
600W - 120
900W - 120
1500W - 118 by my calculation this right at the limit of the circuit ~12.5A and it sounds like the generator is under a good sized load.
The other 110 bank stayed at 126 with no load on it.

Turning the heater on produced a noticable load on the unit at any setting with some initial uneven running under load. This has smoothed out somewhat but not entirely. Perhaps it will go away after the initial break in period, maybe not.

Next I put my 10000btu (9.6A rated on teh sticker) window AC unit on it by itself on the other bank. turning the AC unit on produced no noticable (by sound) load on the gen. Voltage dropped from 126 to 123.

Turning the heater back on at 1500 in addition to the AC unit had the same effect as before.

Noise, it's loud. Maybe as loud as a mower and a different tone, probably because a mower has the blade spinning vs no blade for the generator. It sounds about like I expected it to sound.

 

[JerryC]

Remebered that I have DB meter from the home theater days.
0' - 85db
9' - 82db
21' - 75db

Under load it was one db lower across the board.

 

[subarub4]

That's still pretty good as far as the voltage from my understanding it has a voltage regulator, I need this for my 10 gal air compressor which is about 18 A which just about full.. and I need two fans but looking to get item#97762 which is the 8" portable Ventilator I always wanted to hear how loud it was in the store but I can never find any outlets in the store to use it.. I'm curious to see the amount of air it pushes. That and maybe 500 W lights or do a string of lights around with CFL's at night.

 

[JerryC]

After about 3 hours of continous running to break it in it seems to be fine. It's 1 DB louder than when it was 3 hours ago. Sounds like the rpm might have increased a bit. It also sounds a bit smoother running.

The no load voltage has come down from 126 to 123, the voltage under load stayed the same.

I varied the loads from no load to ~2500 watts. So far so good.

 

[Hoot]

They've already been mentioned at least once, but the mechanical wheel dollies work very well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1250-lb-capacity-mechanical-wheel-dolly-67287.html

They are knock-offs of the Go-Jack brand wheel dollies. I put my all steel 20ft car trailer (3000 lbs +) on them, with a cheap HF furniture dolly under the tongue jack, and easily moved it around inside my garage by myself. I thought the jack mechanism would be a little hokey, but it also worked well (so easy that I can work it by hand).

I took apart all of the casters and greased them for better operation. Some had a little grease, others were almost dry. I don't believe the needle bearings are real bearings. They seem to be made of a wire stock, but they work well enough. I did find a bearing missing in one wheel, so I improvised with a large nail that I cut down and polished up. I also cleaned up and polished the inside bore of the metal wheels because they had some paint overspray and a couple of burrs. Waiting until they go on sale, using coupons and including shipping (Bought 2 in the local store and ordered 2 more online), I'm into a set of four for about $250-$260.

 

[itsvegas]

ive heard replacing the spark plug in the generators with a brand name one helps them run better. worth a shot, at only a few bucks for a spark plug.

 

[sjlee]

Anyone have any experience with the "Pittsburgh Pro 6-In-1 Aluminum Professional Screwdriver Set" (Item #66586)?

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...minum-professional-screwdriver-set-66586.html

I'm looking for a non-magnetic screwdriver to use when I'm working on my PC and figured this might work.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I've got the US general fuel injection cleaner canister, really well made, but it didn't come w/ any adaptors or ways to get them. I think the end of the hose is like the otc cleaner canister.

 

[Artfrombama]

Anyone else? I haven't heard anything bad at all from it. I doubt home depot can beat the $249 coupon I have for it.

Where did you get the $249. coupon? Thanks!

 

[06 DIESEL]

Does anyone have a review on the 18'' Sheet Metal Fabrication Kit?
A few different thread searches came up with nothing.

Reviews on their website sound positive:

"4/5 - I've been using mine for 4-5yrs and added a motor to mine from a garage door openner, made it even better w/ help of a machine tool & die guy, I been making new and different dies to use"

"4/5 - I've had the kit for about 6 or 7 years now. Use it for building Plenums for furnaces. Had no problems. Need to keep lubed or in dry area to prevent rust."

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-sheet-metal-fabrication-kit-34104.html

I have one that I used to put a bead on my intercooler pipes between my twins on my diesel truck using exhaust tubing. You need to stiffen the arms in some way so that they do not flex. Other than that it works great. Pass in my opinion.

 

[skulldrinker]

I've got the US general fuel injection cleaner canister, really well made, but it didn't come w/ any adaptors or ways to get them. I think the end of the hose is like the otc cleaner canister.

I am in the market for a cleaner like this. I can not find this on HF web page. What is the item # please.

 

[ex-x-fire]

The model #95834, I think I ordered it online, it was 50 bucks about 5yrs ago. I made my own fuel rail connections, If you remove the quick connector on the end of the hose, you'll find that it has a npt threaded end. Then I put a barbed fitting on it.

 

[subarub4]

Where did you get the $249. coupon? Thanks!

Sorry I checked again it's $289 and a family member found it in one of her magazines.

 

[sjlee]

Sorry I checked again it's $289 and a family member found it in one of her magazines.

If anyone else is interested in it, the coupon code is 12832522. You can also order it online and get it for the same price plus $6.99 shipping.

 

[subarub4]

If anyone else is interested in it, the coupon code is 12832522. You can also order it online and get it for the same price plus $6.99 shipping.

My coupon code is 41095911 and expires 4/1/13 and is for the 3200 rated/4000W max generator.

 

[sjlee]

My coupon code is 41095911 and expires 4/1/13 and is for the 3200 rated/4000W max generator.

Not sure what the expiration date for my coupon code, but it is for the same generator. I found it here:

http://slickdeals.net/f/5411996-212...Generator-Harbor-Freight-290-6-99-shipping-AC

It takes $40 off the current price ($329), which brings the price down to $289. I verified that the code still works on HF's website.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

i would give the 1/4 rotohead ratchet a pass. It's been working fine so far.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96781

green one is good too

 

[the1nonlyjl]

Just wondering if anyone has 90 amp welder... Is it any good? Thinking of buying one for occasional welding. Lemme know. Thanks

 

[the1nonlyjl]

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-sae-s-type-wrench-set-99700.html?hftref=cj

ITS OK OK NOT THE BEST.

 

[ryan t]

Just wondering if anyone has 90 amp welder... Is it any good? Thinking of buying one for occasional welding. Lemme know. Thanks

It's decent for what it is. Ditch with wire that comes with it and get some quality Lincoln .030 or .035 wire, it will make a world of difference. Just to learn on/fix things that won't be bearing the weight of a car or protecting your life, it's fine. I've used mine to repair small parts on farm equipment, etc and it has worked fine.

 

[skulldrinker]

The model #95834, I think I ordered it online, it was 50 bucks about 5yrs ago. I made my own fuel rail connections, If you remove the quick connector on the end of the hose, you'll find that it has a npt threaded end. Then I put a barbed fitting on it.

That item number comes up blank on their web page. Since it was 5 years ago maybe they don't carry it anymore. To bad $50 would be a good price.

 

[CoerceCare]

800 watt 2cycle generator bought it for tailgating football games & I haven't had any issues!!! PASS

 

[subarub4]

I hate how it's red now

 

[mge_1]

I hate how it's red now

I'm liking the red. Matches with all my other gas powered toys lol.

 

[subarub4]

hah I've almost hit 50 hours on my little blue 2 stroke generator, did a nice job holding up a 1000W load for a few hours.

fuel stabilizer is a must started up great after sitting for a month

 

[the1nonlyjl]

i hate how it's red now

simple-repaint it to a diff color. Not too hard to do.

 

[subarub4]

simple-repaint it to a diff color. Not too hard to do.

I know

 

[alpinewhite]

110 Volt, 3 Watt, 28 LED Work Light - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/110-volt-3-watt-28-led-work-light-66274.html

 

[the1nonlyjl]

It's decent for what it is. Ditch with wire that comes with it and get some quality Lincoln .030 or .035 wire, it will make a world of difference. Just to learn on/fix things that won't be bearing the weight of a car or protecting your life, it's fine. I've used mine to repair small parts on farm equipment, etc and it has worked fine.

Oh yeah? I think I will get it in March with coupon for $80.00...

 

[TerryH]

Oh yeah? I think I will get it in March with coupon for $80.00...

I'm going to do that also. Don't see much way to go wrong on the welder for $80. Add the cart for $30 and the auto-darkening helmet for $40. $150 total plus the tax is pretty darn cheap for a welding setup if you ask me.

 

[subarub4]

Curious since it's been a few months since I been in the store but don't see it on the site, did they stop selling goodyear air hoses?

 

[ryan t]

I'm going to do that also. Don't see much way to go wrong on the welder for $80. Add the cart for $30 and the auto-darkening helmet for $40. $150 total plus the tax is pretty darn cheap for a welding setup if you ask me.

If you buy the cart just prepare to go to lowes/home depot and buy new casters for the front because once you get the welder, grinder and some gear on the cart those casters it comes with are not up to snuff.