The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[RAYJAY]

I searched again for it and found some more reviews and went ahead and ordered it. Going to be first DA buffer but I've read to throw backing plates and pads away so jow I'm the look for decent replacements

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 4 Beta

buy lakes pads and backing plates never had a problem with lakes products

 

[Fastbird]

Valve Spring Compressor 6335 -- Fail. Broke a claw off on the first spring I tried to remove.

 

[IONH]

13 Piece Bi-Metal Hole Saw Set #68113

I used this cutting some tubing today which was probably only 1/16" thick. Worked great.

Word of advice, use a pair of pliers to tighten the lock. Interesting design which I'd never seen before.

 

[pauls_workshop]

I'm not sure I agree. I think a hardness test would be worthwhile. It could be a surprise either way. I could be wrong and the hardness of the HF wrenches is not similar to cold butter, or they could be even softer than we imagine.

To my way of thinking, the competitor for HF is not China Sears, but garage sale Craftsman or ebay professional tools. When you consider the cost of time and gas to take a busted tool back to HF for replacement, it's not so cheap after all.

Thought I'd add a comment on this topic from a couple months back. On hardness of tools, have to keep in mind that higher hardness tools are better only to a point. Higher hardness provides higher strength in the tool and resistance to wear, however, beyond a point, it also adds brittleness to the tool, and more likely to fail suddenly from impact loads. So it is useful to know what a hardness level of a tool or socket is, but that alone doesn't mean the tool will be a pass or a fail. It just tells you where that particular sample of that particular batch was running. And one batch could be a pass, while another of the same design and manufacturer with a slightly different heat treat and hardness level might either have wear issues or brittleness issues and lead to a failure. I'm a mech engineer and often run across a bad batch of heat treated parts where I work, with US suppliers who know how to do heat treating (usually)! Variation happens! Quality means you check and test samples of each production run to know what you got. Bad parts get scrapped for us. What happens to these at HF? Are they even tested each batch? I suspect not so much.

This is why this forum is just great, people! It helps everyone know how the tools are doing in real life for users. But we all have to keep in mind, even with a general "Pass" level tool, some batches of it might not be great, and anything can change over time. Still, there is that low cost thing going on with HF, where you generally pay much less than other options, to counterbalance the quality and variability and sometimes design concerns. I'm really loving all the great reviews here however - I've spent my first $200 at HF so far since one just opened in my town, getting only things recommended on this forum and absolutely nothing else! - Paul

 

[skulldrinker]

TOTAL Failure

1/2" Reversible Air Drill
Central Pneumatic - item#98896

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-reversible-air-drill-98896.html

This is the second TOTAL Failure.

First drill I made it through ONE job of drilling out a broken bolt. Second job it froze up solid. Returned it and got a replacement. Today was the first time I used drill # 2. I was asked to drill out a busted bolt again. This time I was in a new shop and nobody was aware of the first one. Well I loaded up a drill bit, place the point on the bolt and pulled the trigger. Waaaaaaa.. nothing but noise. Dam chuck would not turn. Guess the shaft inside is busted or something. Use my hand and I can spin the chuck freely so there is no contact to the chuck what so ever inside.

I was the laughing stock of the shop today. Screw HF Drills I just placed a bid on ebay for a Mac AD590. I don't really like the 800 RPMs on the Mac. I liked the low 600 RPMs of the HF but in this case it turned out to be 0 RPMs

 

[rlitman]

Really. I have that drill and have been pretty happy with it for the price. The side handle is ****, and the chuck is cheap, but the torque isn't half bad. Yeah, I'd trade it for a SnapOn PDR5a in a heartbeat, but mine hasn't locked up yet.

If you can turn the chuck easily by hand in a planetary gear drive drill, yeah, it sounds like something horrible happened inside yours.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I think I'm done with HF air tools.....I've just had way too many problems with them...

 

[Baja Guy]

First post. I want to warn folks about the Cen Tech 95670. It works for everything EXCEPT the inductive RPM pickup, which is what I bought it for. I can't pull a correct RPM from my boat with a Chevy Small Block and Mercruiser Thunderbolt IV HEI or my wife's 97 RAV4 which has a coil & cap too. I haven't put it on anything else. Guess I can try the lawnmower.
I like it otherwise, it has a nice tall readout that I can see in direct sunlight. I gave up on the tach and ordered a tiny tach clone from E-bay. We'll see how that works.
I am using it to confirm my RPMs and set up the boat motor which is carbureted and has plain HEI without a knock sensor. I replaced my tach a couple of years ago and need to know my RPMs for prop setup and timing setup to avoid detonation.
I have read some positive reviews of it on here too. So maybe I will buy another one and return this at some point.

 

[IONH]

First post. I want to warn folks about the Cen Tech 95670. It works for everything EXCEPT the inductive RPM pickup, which is what I bought it for. I can't pull a correct RPM from my boat with a Chevy Small Block and Mercruiser Thunderbolt IV HEI or my wife's 97 RAV4 which has a coil & cap too. I haven't put it on anything else. Guess I can try the lawnmower.
I like it otherwise, it has a nice tall readout that I can see in direct sunlight. I gave up on the tach and ordered a tiny tach clone from E-bay. We'll see how that works.
I am using it to confirm my RPMs and set up the boat motor which is carbureted and has plain HEI without a knock sensor. I replaced my tach a couple of years ago and need to know my RPMs for prop setup and timing setup to avoid detonation.
I have read some positive reviews of it on here too. So maybe I will buy another one and return this at some point.

I actually used that on my wife's little Ninja 250 2 cylinder motorcycle and it read consistently between the two cylinders. I don't think it had a 2 cylinder setting, but read consistently which is all that mattered for my diagnosis.

 

[skulldrinker]

I think I'm done with HF air tools.....I've just had way too many problems with them...

I bought the EarthQuake 1/2 gun and I'm putting it through it's paces at work putting wheels on and off. So far 2nd week and it is going good and one powerful gun at that. It will be my home gun since it's so heavy but I'm using it at work to get though the first 30 day case I have to return it. Everyone laughed at the drill but no one is laughing at the Earthquake gun....yet. LOL

 

[RedFordTruck]

Variable Speed Oscillating Multitool :Semi-Pass

Im giving this one a semi-pass (3 of 5 stars). I opted for this one over the $14.99 one because it is variable speed, comes with a case, and comes with several attachments. However, only a few of the attachments are worth a sh*t.

The Scraper blade is excellent. Using it to scrape up old caulk it worked great. It made quick work of a lot of scraping.

The Plunge/cutting blade is ok. I used it to make several cut outs in some trim boards, and although it made the cuts, it would bog down in places, and as I was cutting the blade popped off twice in 5 minutes of use. Tightened it down as hard as I could with the allen wrench and it still loosened.

The Sander attachment is just awful. Tried it with the HF sandpaper that came with it and some Gator brand paper from Lowes. Both were completely useless.

I could tape sandpaper to the end of an electric toothbrush and it would work better than this piece of junk.

Overall I would give it 3 of 5 stars. I used a 25% off coupon and only paid $32.** after tax and got a free pack of screwdrivers to boot. If you need something to scrape and to make a few simple cuts with, then this will work fine, but if you are going to be sanding or making a lot of cuts then I would find a better tool.

 

[ripp6957]

4" grinders (orange ones) - PASS I use the HECK out of them and they last a long time.
20' sectional flag pole- HUGE PASS great deal and looks great outside your garage.

 

[mez1956]

Here is a fail for the record book. First noticed the rubber coming off the casters. Tried to move the toolbox. Big mistake.

 

[Coach James]

mez, I'll bet that was a real diaper changer. Mighty sorry to see that happen.

Did you contact HF about the busted caster?

Coach

 

[tomd]

mez,
sorry that happened to ya.
bummer.

 

[k-os]

Here is a fail for the record book. First noticed the rubber coming off the casters. Tried to move the toolbox. Big mistake.

Speaking of casters for the 44" box. Does anyone know where a better replacement can be found? I haven't been able to find any with the same hole spacing on the plate.

 

[Alchymist]

1 ton arbor press: Pass

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html

Seems to be machined fairly well, not much to go wrong with one. Totally disassembled, filed the stamping burrs off the gib, removed the little black grease that was there,greased everything well, and reassembled. Drilled a 3/8" hole 1" deep in the bottom end of the ram, and cross drilled and tapped for a 1/4-20 set screw to hold various punches and plates. Made one out of delrin to provide a 3/16" pad on the bottom of the ram for pressing pen kits together, which was the main use contemplated, along with pressing small bearings, etc.. $47.15 shipped with a 4th July coupon. Ram appears to be cast iron, with the pinion steel.

 

[crucible]

Here is a fail for the record book. First noticed the rubber coming off the casters. Tried to move the toolbox. Big mistake.

Holy ****! Now I'm frightened and need to check mine.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I bought the EarthQuake 1/2 gun and I'm putting it through it's paces at work putting wheels on and off. So far 2nd week and it is going good and one powerful gun at that. It will be my home gun since it's so heavy but I'm using it at work to get though the first 30 day case I have to return it. Everyone laughed at the drill but no one is laughing at the Earthquake gun....yet. LOL

Actually, I picked up an brand new earthquake for $25 at a pawnshop a few months ago..I havent had a chance to use it yet, but everyone does raves about them....

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Here is a fail for the record book. First noticed the rubber coming off the casters. Tried to move the toolbox. Big mistake.

Geez...Retread pete.....Wow...Members take warning....I know there's a bunch of guys who own this box....

 

[IONH]

Here is a fail for the record book. First noticed the rubber coming off the casters. Tried to move the toolbox. Big mistake.

I believe my wrinkle finish box had metal casters without plastic around them.

 

[cburnscrx]

Wow, that's scary. I don't move mine very much, but I'll be much more careful when I do

 

[pauls_workshop]

Variable Speed Oscillating Multitool :Semi-Pass

Im giving this one a semi-pass (3 of 5 stars). I opted for this one over the $14.99 one because it is variable speed, comes with a case, and comes with several attachments. However, only a few of the attachments are worth a sh*t.

The Scraper blade is excellent. Using it to scrape up old caulk it worked great. It made quick work of a lot of scraping.

The Plunge/cutting blade is ok. I used it to make several cut outs in some trim boards, and although it made the cuts, it would bog down in places, and as I was cutting the blade popped off twice in 5 minutes of use. Tightened it down as hard as I could with the allen wrench and it still loosened.

The Sander attachment is just awful. Tried it with the HF sandpaper that came with it and some Gator brand paper from Lowes. Both were completely useless.

I could tape sandpaper to the end of an electric toothbrush and it would work better than this piece of junk.

Overall I would give it 3 of 5 stars. I used a 25% off coupon and only paid $32.** after tax and got a free pack of screwdrivers to boot. If you need something to scrape and to make a few simple cuts with, then this will work fine, but if you are going to be sanding or making a lot of cuts then I would find a better tool.

I ended up buying a huge super set of mutil tool bits from Menards and also the Menards version of the cheap multi tool. These I think are the same base manufacturer as the HF parts but not 100% certain. Anyone know for sure? Anyway, the huge bit set on sale at Menards was a great deal and much better than the bit deals at HF. I use mine all the time. Best tool ever for drywall work or scraping work and for hard otherwise cutting of wood work. You can also bend one of the wood cutting blades or cut off part of it to cut backwards or odd tight spaces. Can't do that well with any other tool I know of. - Paul

 

[six206]

Pneumatic Adjustable Roller Seat

http://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic-adjustable-roller-seat-46319.html

FAIL

I bought it because I was tired of sitting on a milk crate while working on motorcycles on the lift so I got this. It was awesome for about 2 days, could roll the shop, scoot my lazy *** to the box for tools and throw what ever tools I needed at hand on the bottom. Then all the ball bearings fell out of the casters in the next 2 days. now it's pretty worthless because it won't roll. Need to put new casters on it.

 

[Goobzilla]

5000 # Badlands Winch Item 68144 is a PASS for me. Mounted it on my tilt deck car trailer and have retrieved several non operational vehicles with it. Good buy for $160 with coupon

 

[emeraldcoupe]

pittsburgh pro 1/4" dr telescoping socket driver item# 67978 - pass. used it a few times so far and it's holding up great. not like your putting a ton of torque on a 1/4" fastener anyway. it's a nicely built,heavy tool.

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-telescoping-socket-driver-67978.html

just an update. i've used this a bunch of times and it's holding up great. i just used it an hour ago to change the headlight housings on my truck, worked perfect on the fasteners that were buried inside the truck

 

[oldtools]

Pneumatic Adjustable Roller Seat

http://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic-adjustable-roller-seat-46319.html

FAIL

I bought it because I was tired of sitting on a milk crate while working on motorcycles on the lift so I got this. It was awesome for about 2 days, could roll the shop, scoot my lazy *** to the box for tools and throw what ever tools I needed at hand on the bottom. Then all the ball bearings fell out of the casters in the next 2 days. now it's pretty worthless because it won't roll. Need to put new casters on it.

I have the same one. After a while the nuts holding the caster to the base would come loose and it won't roll. I put some red loctite on the thread and thighten the nuts. No more loose caster.

 

[babewatcher]

I think I'm done with HF air tools.....I've just had way too many problems with them...

Ditto. I tried the 1/4" and 3/8" earthquake air ratchets. The 1/4 was nice until it fizzled out in 5 months. The 3/8 was **** from the get go. BTW, after hunting around for a 1/4 inch that I could depend on to last awhile AND that had power I came across Florida Pneumatic. These ratchets are awesome. In fact I bought three of them I love them so much. Made in Japan and I got three for what I would have paid for one Snap-On. The review from toolguy at the link is mine.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203741616?productId=203741616&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053#.Ufhkr6zN7IY

 

[ZRX61]

Here is a fail for the record book. First noticed the rubber coming off the casters. Tried to move the toolbox. Big mistake.

I think the mistake was not locking the drawers before you tried to move it

 

[Loscaldazar]

I think the mistake was not locking the drawers before you tried to move it

Standard operating procedure for most people....but I get that not everyone wants to lock the drawers for a 6 foot move, and am guilty of it myself.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Pneumatic Adjustable Roller Seat

http://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic-adjustable-roller-seat-46319.html

FAIL

I bought it because I was tired of sitting on a milk crate while working on motorcycles on the lift so I got this. It was awesome for about 2 days, could roll the shop, scoot my lazy *** to the box for tools and throw what ever tools I needed at hand on the bottom. Then all the ball bearings fell out of the casters in the next 2 days. now it's pretty worthless because it won't roll. Need to put new casters on it.

My co-worker uses the same one. blew out the casters in a week or so of use, took it in and they replaced it.

I saw that Home Depot is now selling an almost identical seat for the same price as the HF one ($25), but with a 1 year warranty. Picking mine up this week, and I'll be able to compare the two.

 

[subarub4]

I have a question.. the AC manifold gauges has anyone ever had the High side not want to fit over the port anymore? I have the gauges in the old red case and that's been the issue for me.

The car I'm doing is a 2008 Town car...it's like something needs to be shaved out before it just wont fit over the ridge part.

 

[yjWrangler]

I have that red roller seat and it's been working great for me everyday for almost a year.

 

[Wangstang]

Does any one here have a personal comparision of the Chicago Electric 18v Impact Driver vs. the DrillMaster 18v Impact driver:
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-cordless-14-hex-impact-driver-68853.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-18-volt-cordless-impact-driver-67028.html

If any one can provide some measurements and experinces with these two impact drivers, I'd appreciate it.

And...of course...better coupons on those items are always welcome!

Thanks
Wes

 

[babewatcher]

I have a question.. the AC manifold gauges has anyone ever had the High side not want to fit over the port anymore? I have the gauges in the old red case and that's been the issue for me.

The car I'm doing is a 2008 Town car...it's like something needs to be shaved out before it just wont fit over the ridge part.

Dumb question but are you sure you have R134 gauges?

 

[diggerrick]

Does any one here have a personal comparision of the Chicago Electric 18v Impact Driver vs. the DrillMaster 18v Impact driver:
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-cordless-14-hex-impact-driver-68853.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-18-volt-cordless-impact-driver-67028.html

If any one can provide some measurements and experinces with these two impact drivers, I'd appreciate it.

And...of course...better coupons on those items are always welcome!

Thanks
Wes

You realize you have to buy a battery and charger separately for the Drillmaster driver.

 

[Wangstang]

Yes.

 

[subarub4]

Dumb question but are you sure you have R134 gauges?

I do, i ended up getting it to seal but the inside is rough cast.. I'm just going to get some new quick connects.. I'm not sure how the gauges are in the new black case but my high side knob on the manifold is broke.

 

[skulldrinker]

Does any one here have a personal comparision of the Chicago Electric 18v Impact Driver vs. the DrillMaster 18v Impact driver:
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-cordless-14-hex-impact-driver-68853.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-18-volt-cordless-impact-driver-67028.html

If any one can provide some measurements and experinces with these two impact drivers, I'd appreciate it.

And...of course...better coupons on those items are always welcome!

Thanks
Wes

I have the (Drill Master - item#67028) one at work. It's a laughing stock if you compare it to the other techs snap-on cordless impacts but i only use it for light duty stuff. Undercarriage covers and fasteners under the hood. Also for the plastic lugnut caps. Things that I want to speed up by not wasting time with a ratchet or nut driver. The tech next to me even borrows it for the lug nut caps. I keep a spare battery and a charger in my drawer. For $15 batteries are affordable.

I use the 3 piece hex to socket drive attachments.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-hex-drill-socket-drivers-68513.html

 

[Stooge]

Stopped into grab a pack of bondo knives and had an impulse buy with the 7pc body and fender set, think it was mid 20s with the coupon. Been using it for about a week along with my Martin dollies and hammers and assorted other brands, so far it gets a PASS. definitely a different feel than my few high end pieces, and I'm not sure how I feel about the non wooden handles, but the smaller size dollies ( as compared to similar style other brand dollies I have) seem to come in handy. I also don't feel as bad when I accidentally knock them off the table or my lap. I was mostly expecting the faces and surfaces to start getting marred, scratched and gouged up but other than the paint, everything is still looking good. There is a pretty strong smell in the case though, not sure if it's the cheap paint or something but it's pretty obnoxious.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-body-and-fender-set-31277.html

I bought a set of these pick and hook sets at the same time after seeing some on here and I've been using them constantly. bought 3 more sets the next time I was in there, and they're so cheap! They feel pretty cheap because they are pretty cheap, bit they come in handy and can be bought with pocket change. Definite pass
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-pick-and-hook-set-66836.html