The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[jam022316]

When you guys return tools does it require a receipt?

 

[mfgorilla]

Does anybody have any experience with any of the Hole Saw kits from Harbor Freight?

 

[Papa Cosmos]

My friend just notched his drag car roll cage with the HF hole saw kit, they held up fine. Surprised me. I will.get some pics next time I stop by.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Does anybody have any experience with any of the Hole Saw kits from Harbor Freight?

I have the bimetal set, works surprisingly well.

 

[IONH]

When you guys return tools does it require a receipt?

As long as it is a hand tool which has a lifetime warranty and has a marking of some HF brand on it, they should swap it without a receipt.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

portable blower. any of you guys have this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-blower-with-variable-speed-dial-93231.html

 

[cburnscrx]

Does anybody have any experience with any of the Hole Saw kits from Harbor Freight?

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-carbon-steel-hole-saw-set-68115.html

It's nothing to write home about, but it will cut holes. I bought it for installing recessed lighting in drywall, but I've used it for wood and other things and it will work. Take your time, and clean the teeth often. If this is something you'll use often, I'd recommend upgrading to something else. 3.5/5 for me.

 

[skulldrinker]

portable blower. any of you guys have this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-blower-with-variable-speed-dial-93231.html

I have this and used it all last summer. Throws a lot of wind for the price. By design it is directional so you'll want it kinda pointed at you or it.

Also used it on a photoshoot pointed at the model. Nice and quite for that kind of use.

Think i got for $35.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

I have this and used it all last summer. Throws a lot of wind for the price. By design it is directional so you'll want it kinda pointed at you or it.

Also used it on a photoshoot pointed at the model. Nice and quite for that kind of use.

Think i got for $35.

thanks. guess i'll go pick one up.

 

[mfgorilla]

I have the bimetal set, works surprisingly well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-carbon-steel-hole-saw-set-68115.html

It's nothing to write home about, but it will cut holes. I bought it for installing recessed lighting in drywall, but I've used it for wood and other things and it will work. Take your time, and clean the teeth often. If this is something you'll use often, I'd recommend upgrading to something else. 3.5/5 for me.

Thanks for the info guys

 

[tpolley]

When you guys return tools does it require a receipt?

Return or warranty?

Return you probably need a receipt.

Their warranty process is a pain in the ***. They want a phone number, address, you gotta sign your name. It's stupid. I've never had them refuse a warranty, but I've only had to warranty one or two things.

 

[TerryH]

Anyone have the 14" chop saw? Item# 68104. Seems to have pretty good reviews. Definetely cheap enough. Works out to be $80 with the 20% off coupon.

 

[monster1]

Drillmaster heat gun: EPIC PASS, if you consider catching on fire as the "heat" feature of the product.

 

[AirJunky]

Anyone have the 14" chop saw? Item# 68104. Seems to have pretty good reviews. Definetely cheap enough. Works out to be $80 with the 20% off coupon.

Drillmaster heat gun: EPIC PASS, if you consider catching on fire as the "heat" feature of the product.

I've got both these items. Had the saw for probably 8 or 9 yrs. Completely trimmed out 2 houses with it. Plus dozens of other smaller projects. I have the slider, cuts thru a 4x4 with a descent blade on it.

The heat gun hasn't ever given me any trouble either. Recently restored the plastics on my 05 KLR 650... the red plastic had turned pink in the sun. But the heat gun performed without a hitch.

 

[SKAutomotive]

Drillmaster heat gun: EPIC PASS, if you consider catching on fire as the "heat" feature of the product.

I have been using this for 3 years for all my heat shrink wrap on wiring jobs, never once had an issue or caught something on fire...

 

[TerryH]

I've got both these items. Had the saw for probably 8 or 9 yrs. Completely trimmed out 2 houses with it. Plus dozens of other smaller projects. I have the slider, cuts thru a 4x4 with a descent blade on it.

Thanks but it was actually the metal cutting abrasive saw that I was asking about.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Recently restored the plastics on my 05 KLR 650... the red plastic had turned pink in the sun. But the heat gun performed without a hitch.

how does that work?

 

[monster1]

I have been using this for 3 years for all my heat shrink wrap on wiring jobs, never once had an issue or caught something on fire...

That is exactly what I bought it for. I shrank two connectors and then saw smoke coming out of the housing. I unplugged it and flames came out of the vent slots. I'd be willing to try another one. Do you think they'll exchange it after it was blasted with a fire extinguisher?

 

[SKAutomotive]

That is exactly what I bought it for. I shrank two connectors and then saw smoke coming out of the housing. I unplugged it and flames came out of the vent slots. I'd be willing to try another one. Do you think they'll exchange it after it was blasted with a fire extinguisher?

I think so, lol. That's pretty hard evidence to deny it caught on fire.

 

[Coach James]

Does anybody have any experience with any of the Hole Saw kits from Harbor Freight?

I got this one as a gift from someone ~5 years ago. It is ok considering the price. I badly dulled one of the blades when I cut a hole in some sheet metal while installing a water fountain. I upgraded to a better bimetal set from IR and the HF set is now used mostly to cut holes in pumpkins at Halloween.

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-piece-carbon-steel-hole-saw-set-69070.html


Coach

 

[nuclearlemon]

Does anybody have any experience with any of the Hole Saw kits from Harbor Freight?

the ones i had were horrible. all wobbled, drilled wrong. threw them out, but that was about eight years ago

 

[IONH]

Anyone have the 14" chop saw? Item# 68104. Seems to have pretty good reviews. Definetely cheap enough. Works out to be $80 with the 20% off coupon.

Thanks but it was actually the metal cutting abrasive saw that I was asking about.

I have the saw. Worked fine for my cutting basically anything metal that I ever tried. I used it on much exhaust piping before I got my band saw, but if you push the saw through it will not be a perfectly perpendicular cut. Let the saw do the work and it will be fairly straight.

Drillmaster heat gun: EPIC PASS, if you consider catching on fire as the "heat" feature of the product.

Funny you should mention that. I used a heat gun 8 or 9 years ago to try and remove a windshield from a car. I got frustrated and turned the gun up to the "OMG" setting and the gasket caught fire. Thankfully it was a parts car and I didn't really care (once the fire was out).

I do have a HF heat gun though, a blue one. I use it quite often and it works great. If I let it sit out in the open and dust collects near the heat exchanger, it will light the dust on fire (looks like little sparks) as it is blown out. That's okay with me. The adjust ability by knob seems to work well seeing as I use it to warm up my propane 2 stage regulator once in a while and I haven't blown up yet.

the ones i had were horrible. all wobbled, drilled wrong. threw them out, but that was about eight years ago

Feedback doesn't get much more useful than this.

 

[skulldrinker]

The place I filled out an application at said that they use torque sticks
religiously. So I went today and picked up a set since they were on sale this
month with Inside Track Club coupon. Has anyone got anything to say for or
against them before I tear the plastic wrapper off?

10 Piece 1/2" Torque Limiting Extension Bar Set
Pittsburgh Automotive - item#69870


http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-12-torue-limiting-extension-bar-set-69870.html

 

[Jim Oso]

1/2 Impact Sockets- Pass
3 pc 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 socket organizers-Pass
Yellow Plastic Trim removing tools- Pass so far, really handy

Impact Driver- Fail, shattered on the first hit trying to loosen a rotor screw
1/2 and 3/8 Swivel Sockets- Fail, snapped the pin when removing wheel bearing hub bolts

Love this thread.

 

[losabio]

Light blue nitrile gloves used to be a major PASS, now they're a borderline FAIL. For the past six months to a year, they've been much thinner and easier to tear. For minor clean ups, etc. the light blues are still okay, but I used to use them for car repairs, moving around old and/or greasy equipment, etc. but they self-destruct too easily nowadays.

 

[Brownsfan]

1/2 Impact Sockets- Pass
3 pc 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 socket organizers-Pass
Yellow Plastic Trim removing tools- Pass so far, really handy

Impact Driver- Fail, shattered on the first hit trying to loosen a rotor screw
1/2 and 3/8 Swivel Sockets- Fail, snapped the pin when removing wheel bearing hub bolts

Love this thread.

The yellow plastic trim tools **** if you use them more than twice. All of them in the set have cracked and broken. Now I used them like once a day so I don't know if that's past their use rate. Maybe they have made them better in the past couple years.

 

[greasemonkey44]

The yellow plastic trim tools **** if you use them more than twice. All of them in the set have cracked and broken. Now I used them like once a day so I don't know if that's past their use rate. Maybe they have made them better in the past couple years.

i use the yellow ones alot; ive bought 3 extra sets, they last fine for pieces of plastic

the 40 compartment organizer is pretty good
and the earthquake 1/2" impact is pretty decent
the red sqaurish roller seat is ok; the cushion for your but is **** tho
i stuck a car seat bottom on mine

 

[fishinmajishin]

Painting consumables..chip brushes (AND ONLY THE CHIP BRUSHES) How can you sell 36 for $3.99?..plastic tarps, drop cloths..All PASS!
Also passing grades go to -shrink tubing (cannot beat their price on the marine grade set). Cut off wheels (7/8 arbor but the brand varies)...the heavy movers blankets (work great as scratch guards)...and those white household 6ft extension cords (brand varies).

FAILS go to their tile saw Chicago Electric -#68298 (took 3 to cut 31 linear feet of tile could have used a xacto blade quicker)..although they took it back no problem this experience taught me to avoid power or pneumatic items from them even if you are only going to use it once in a lifetime.

 

[cheechi]

Light blue nitrile gloves used to be a major PASS, now they're a borderline FAIL. For the past six months to a year, they've been much thinner and easier to tear. For minor clean ups, etc. the light blues are still okay, but I used to use them for car repairs, moving around old and/or greasy equipment, etc. but they self-destruct too easily nowadays.

I get the blue ones from Costco and they tear somewhat easily also. but the black HF ones are a little more heavy duty. Not so much that I'd go after them only, usually i wear either underneath real gloves when i can. 90913 gloves work pretty well for 'longer term' disposables.

 

[dclassical]

The few sticks from the sets that I have used at home were right on (I always use a torque wrench to check afterwards).

 

[Bryanthegreat]

4 Piece quick release extensions #67976 Fail.
These extensions did not lock on to many of my sockets. I have a variety of sockets including Snap on, Mac, Matco, and Craftsman. Most of the sockets that I tried them on I could pull the socket off of the end. It was slightly more difficult that a regular extension but they would pull off.

 

[manoverboard]

Went and picked up a wrench rack for my Cman RP wrenches and I give them a Fail. Unfortunately the wrenches will not stay put, and "snap" out of place. You can get them to stay, but all they do is slide from left to right. Perhaps it could just be a bad set I purchased.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I get the blue ones from Costco and they tear somewhat easily also. but the black HF ones are a little more heavy duty. Not so much that I'd go after them only, usually i wear either underneath real gloves when i can. 90913 gloves work pretty well for 'longer term' disposables.

In the past few years, I gave up on HF gloves.

Kimberly-Clark Professional Kleenguard have been good to me, in grey. I wore a pair and had them off and on a half dozen times yesterday & a couple more today; still kicking.

They are worth the difference in cost easily.

 

[mfgorilla]

I've been using these gloves from Harbor Freight this winter snow blowing and shoveling and they've been great. Solid Pass from me. Cold Weather Work Gloves #96606

 

[IONH]

Went and picked up a wrench rack for my Cman RP wrenches and I give them a Fail. Unfortunately the wrenches will not stay put, and "snap" out of place. You can get them to stay, but all they do is slide from left to right. Perhaps it could just be a bad set I purchased.

Can you give us a part number?

The metal one that I have is similar but that's what I expected when I put a non-HF wrench set in it. No way for HF to give a locking mechanism generic enough to work with any and all wrenches.

 

[RAYJAY]

In the past few years, I gave up on HF gloves.

Kimberly-Clark Professional Kleenguard have been good to me, in grey. I wore a pair and had them off and on a half dozen times yesterday & a couple more today; still kicking.

They are worth the difference in cost easily.

wow you can use a pair of nitrile gloves more than once ...... if i have them on more than 10 min. there dripping wet one time wear for me ....

 

[Jsf721]

I got sick of changing out the drill bit for a philips bit. I stopped into HF to pick up a cordless screwdriver. It is a gun style 4.7 volt unit. I was looking for a stronger unit but they don't have one.

I purchased it and unless you are using it to hang and remove short screws off switch plates please save your money.

I had been using my williams ratcheting screw driver but the screws I was removing were 4 inches long and on toggle bolts in the wall. Drill was much more efficient.

Looking for a better cordless screw driver-Any suggestions.

 

[Danglerb]

I got sick of changing out the drill bit for a philips bit. I stopped into HF to pick up a cordless screwdriver. It is a gun style 4.7 volt unit. I was looking for a stronger unit but they don't have one.

I purchased it and unless you are using it to hang and remove short screws off switch plates please save your money.

I had been using my williams ratcheting screw driver but the screws I was removing were 4 inches long and on toggle bolts in the wall. Drill was much more efficient.

Looking for a better cordless screw driver-Any suggestions.

I use a little Bosch PS40, or a version of the Milwaukee bend in the middle stick, but neither of them have HF prices. This is a favorite among a LOT of techs.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012BA1M8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[unslow1]

wow you can use a pair of nitrile gloves more than once ...... if i have them on more than 10 min. there dripping wet one time wear for me ....

I pull them inside out and leave them that way when I take them off. Then blow into them when I turn them reverse them before I put them back on. I've been wearing the same set for three days cleaning up. The black ones hold up great.

 

[ChevyEFI]

wow you can use a pair of nitrile gloves more than once ...... if i have them on more than 10 min. there dripping wet one time wear for me ....

It's a double edged sword here in the Phoenix valley for me.

Yes, they'll dry off quickly for me with the low humidity. But the temps assure I do the same thing you do for a good bit of the year.

The last time I bought a box, they were from supplybuy.com (best deal I could find without spending too much time surfing for better) and I paid $21.** shipped for 90 pair. But, when they don't tear easily and readily, the box lasts easily three times as long as the HF gloves.