The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[Frosthy]

Universal joint out of #67869.

Worked GREAT on a ratchet. A bit of play, not as stiff as others, not adjustable, but it got several jobs done and paid for itself. Put it on a electric impact (M18 Fuel) and the pin bent, the yoke-thing opened up, and it came apart (but did go back together courtesty of Mr. Hammer). Also everything is drilled off-center.

For the price, it's a big PASS in my book.

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1000886_10151618193435939_1051416536_n.jpg

 

[Talisheek]

Harbor Freight Palm Nailer. Pass!!!!!
Central Pneumatic - item#68027

http://www.harborfreight.com/palm-nailer-68027.html

I got this tool to do some repairs in the crawl space unde rmy house. I had no room to swing a hammer. I was totally surprised at how easy it is to drive a nail.

The only problem I had was the snap on the leather cover broke. It is still very usable. It is very fun to nail things now.

My wife complains that it sounds like there is a machine gun fire when I use it, but the noise doesn't bother me.

 

[oilslick]

Anyone know where the 1/4" earthquake air ratchets went.

 

[fsdogwood]

Universal joint out of #67869.

Worked GREAT on a ratchet. A bit of play, not as stiff as others, not adjustable, but it got several jobs done and paid for itself. Put it on a electric impact (M18 Fuel) and the pin bent, the yoke-thing opened up, and it came apart (but did go back together courtesty of Mr. Hammer). Also everything is drilled off-center.

For the price, it's a big PASS in my book.

They should have a 2 Piece Universal Impact Joint Set which is more suitable if you
want to use with an impact.

I bought and used couple of times (taking off the ATF drain plug, brake nuts, to name
a few) and was fine. PASS

 

[IONH]

Harbor Freight Palm Nailer. Pass!!!!!
Central Pneumatic - item#68027

http://www.harborfreight.com/palm-nailer-68027.html

I got this tool to do some repairs in the crawl space unde rmy house. I had no room to swing a hammer. I was totally surprised at how easy it is to drive a nail.

The only problem I had was the snap on the leather cover broke. It is still very usable. It is very fun to nail things now.

My wife complains that it sounds like there is a machine gun fire when I use it, but the noise doesn't bother me.

I believe I have the same one or a larger one that is no longer listed on their website, also a pass.

 

[fsdogwood]

Anyone know where the 1/4" earthquake air ratchets went.

Saw it got a clearance sign in 1 store, and all disappeared

 

[LG63]

Any experiences with the 10 x 10 popup canopy? I searched the thread but didn't find anything.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-x-10-ft-popup-canopy-69456.html

 

[Andy Griffith]

Any experiences with the 10 x 10 popup canopy? I searched the thread but didn't find anything.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-x-10-ft-popup-canopy-69456.html

No experience with that specific canopy but just an fyi if you were not aware. The 10x10 slant leg canopies are actually 10x10 at the base but only 8x8 at the top, The 10x10 straight leg canopies are 10x10 at the base and at the top.

 

[Danglerb]

Any experiences with the 10 x 10 popup canopy? I searched the thread but didn't find anything.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-x-10-ft-popup-canopy-69456.html

Sounds a little shady to me.

 

[diggerrick]

I think I have given a mild pass to these ratcheting clamps/spreaders

in the past for some light duty wood glue clamping. I tried to use them on something a little heavier, but should have been within their capability - TOTAL FAIL

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-ratchet-bar-clamp-spreader-46807.html

If they weren't freebies I'd never own them!

 

[mrpizza]

Those clamps are atrocious.

 

[big_bear]

I've heard that HF engine leveler did not work well, but I bought one anyway.

IDK, maybe there was a re-design or something, mine works great.

I bought the yellow one, screw works very well.

 

[subarub4]

Has anyone tried item 67894 the bolt extractor set? How does it compare to the irwin set?

 

[big_bear]

I bought a !/2 drive socket set, Pittsburgh.

Used a 18 inch piece of pipe on the breaker arm with a 19mm socket, leaned on it real hard, was waiting for the socket to blow out or the joint in the breaker arm to fail, nope, broke the nut loose, it was a cam sprocket nut on a 3vze. Had to have been at least 150 ft#.

 

[big_bear]

I've heard that HF engine leveler did not work well, but I bought one anyway.

IDK, maybe there was a re-design or something, mine works great.

I bought the yellow one, screw works very well.

1500# model

 

[big_bear]

Anyone try one of these ?? The 2 reviews are both good.

 

[IONH]

I've heard that HF engine leveler did not work well, but I bought one anyway.

IDK, maybe there was a re-design or something, mine works great.

I bought the yellow one, screw works very well.

1500# model

Item 67441.

I have one and have used it a couple times.

Once on a RWD 1.8L engine with transmission coming out together. Worked okay but was not surprised that it could not conquer the leverage applied by that tiny, but long, RWD ******.

A couple times on a FWD 2.5L with transmission (and diff within) and it actually was able to level that combination.

I greased up the screw during the first use because I saw metal shavings coming off. No shavings after that.

 

[redintex]

Sounds a little shady to me.

That is just AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cheechi]

I tried to use them on something a little heavier, but should have been within their capability - TOTAL FAIL

Those clamps are atrocious.

The ones with the pointy handle like your picture are bad. The ones with the curved handle are better. Not necessarily great, but they are better.

The reviews on the HF site say if you put a bolt or rivet through the outside and replace the hinge pin, it gives it something solid to push against and hold better.

 

[68rustang]

Anyone try one of these ?? The 2 reviews are both good.

I used two of them for an adjustable height rotisserie I built for working on the bottom of my Mustang. They worked great.

 

[subarub4]

No one I guess used those bolt extractor set so I just went ahead and got the irwin set.

 

[IONH]

Has anyone tried item 67894 the bolt extractor set? How does it compare to the irwin set?

No one I guess used those bolt extractor set so I just went ahead and got the irwin set.

From HF, I would not expect those to be good for much. From Irwin, I doubt they're worth much either.

Heck, generally, I've never had much luck with them from any brand. I had some that were black from Craftsman and the teeth come right off those too.

 

[subarub4]

From HF, I would not expect those to be good for much. From Irwin, I doubt they're worth much either.

Heck, generally, I've never had much luck with them from any brand. I had some that were black from Craftsman and the teeth come right off those too.

I don't understand how the teeth can come off when it's one with the socket?

 

[IONH]

I don't understand how the teeth can come off when it's one with the socket?

I guess "come off" might have been the wrong way to say it. I have had them basically round off so there is no grip. I've used a hammer to lightly (seriously) nudge it in place and then applied pressure against the socket when trying to loosen and they just seem to round off anyway.

However, looking at the picture on HF's website, those might actually work better than the ones I have used in the past. The ones I used had curved edges which were thin at the point and easy to strip. The HF ones look a bit beefier in that regard.

 

[fsdogwood]

Those clamps are atrocious.

If you are talking about the clamp/spreader #46087, yes. Glad I only bought
couple, it's a FAIL, period. It can barely hold 2 things together, and that's
it, any further pressure, it'll loose itself automatically

 

[Loscaldazar]

I guess "come off" might have been the wrong way to say it. I have had them basically round off so there is no grip. I've used a hammer to lightly (seriously) nudge it in place and then applied pressure against the socket when trying to loosen and they just seem to round off anyway.

However, looking at the picture on HF's website, those might actually work better than the ones I have used in the past. The ones I used had curved edges which were thin at the point and easy to strip. The HF ones look a bit beefier in that regard.

I had great luck with the CMAN ones. Used them to extract two more bolts yesterday (and several before that) that another mechanic had rounded off, and gave up on the job. Have to make sure to hit them hard on there (used a 5lb mini sledge) so they have as much in contact as possible. HF ones would probably go dull to easily, good USA made ones are already very prone to going dull.

 

[subarub4]

I had great luck with the CMAN ones. Used them to extract two more bolts yesterday (and several before that) that another mechanic had rounded off, and gave up on the job. Have to make sure to hit them hard on there (used a 5lb mini sledge) so they have as much in contact as possible. HF ones would probably go dull to easily, good USA made ones are already very prone to going dull.

Yep all it did was round off the teeth in the extractor.. Not sure what else to try now :-/

 

[IONH]

Yep all it did was round off the teeth in the extractor.. Not sure what else to try now :-/

Though it is OT because of this being a HF thread, can you post a picture of the rounded off Irwin one?

 

[subarub4]

Though it is OT because of this being a HF thread, can you post a picture of the rounded off Irwin one?

Here you go

 

[IONH]

Here you go

Thanks.

You see how the edges are points? That's the style I've used and and had bad luck with. The HF ones on their website aren't points and I'm actually more optimistic that they might work with the proper mini-sledge persuasion.

 

[Danglerb]

I think I have given a mild pass to these ratcheting clamps/spreaders

in the past for some light duty wood glue clamping. I tried to use them on something a little heavier, but should have been within their capability - TOTAL FAIL

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-ratchet-bar-clamp-spreader-46807.html

If they weren't freebies I'd never own them!

They are freebies once you have a dozen or so, just take the broken ones back for free replacement.

Very clearly they are light duty, but there are times when light duty works and you need a bunch of clamps to even out the pressure.

 

[subarub4]

Thanks.

You see how the edges are points? That's the style I've used and and had bad luck with. The HF ones on their website aren't points and I'm actually more optimistic that they might work with the proper mini-sledge persuasion.

Hmm I see what you mean

 

[IONH]

Hmm I see what you mean

Give the HF ones a shot and let us know if it works or not.

However, if your bolt in question is completely rounded, the HF ones don't look like they can bite because they don't have that point at all.

Would still like to know if they work for you. Maybe a picture of the problem bolt too.

 

[subarub4]

Give the HF ones a shot and let us know if it works or not.

However, if your bolt in question is completely rounded, the HF ones don't look like they can bite because they don't have that point at all.

Would still like to know if they work for you. Maybe a picture of the problem bolt too.

Well I got the bolt removed but by other means.. but now I feel like I wasted money on that overpriced set.. I wish you can just buy one size and not a almost $30 set.

 

[IONH]

Well I got the bolt removed but by other means.. but now I feel like I wasted money on that overpriced set.. I wish you can just buy one size and not a almost $30 set.

Bring the stripped one back. I think even I did that with one of the sets (might have been Craftsman) and they refunded me with receipt, no questions asked.

 

[subarub4]

Bring the stripped one back. I think even I did that with one of the sets (might have been Craftsman) and they refunded me with receipt, no questions asked.

That works at autozone? hmm

 

[IONH]

That works at autozone? hmm

Within the return period, I'd make them take it back. There is no reason to get an exchange considering they did not work for the application purchased.

I bought a breaker bar from one once. I told them I was probably going to break it on an axle nut (back before I knew better or had better tools) and would bring it back within the hour broken. They said go ahead and that they would refund me 100% of my money as the tool could not do the job.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Item #38491 - Steel Wire Brush. Barely a pass. It is what it is, but weak bristles and there are better ones for just a little bit more.

 

[IONH]

Item #38491 - Steel Wire Brush. Barely a pass. It is what it is, but weak bristles and there are better ones for just a little bit more.

Cool, I've never seen that brush and might have to pick one up.

As far as being weak, it looks like the bristles are brass colored which would not be as "strong" as a steel bristled one.

 

[Adamski]

30 Watt 5-in-1 Hobby Woodburner

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-hobby-woodburner-38593.html

PASS

I've used this to wire-up 2 trailers. Cuts through plastic like butter. Also, recently started using it as a woodburner. Works great for its intended purpose even thought the reviews are bad.

Here's some pics of the woodburnings.

My first attempt. My brother-in-law loves the family camp. He always says "camp is great". So, we decided to make this for him.

This is one I'm working o now. This is the front of a birdhouse that the wife wanted. Thought I'd fancy it up for her.