The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[AnEv942]

PASS/FAIL
Most of the stuff I get from HF are consumables, grinding disks, sanding disks/belts, mig wire, zip ties, heat shrink- etc- . Ive yet to have issue. Pass

Tools I figure for cost if it functions for intended project/one time use -pass.
Some stuff though I buy as material -no way do I expected it to perform as I want but a good starting place. Or I know before I use I'll modify. Just looking at it you know its ****. But cheaper than renting or having work done.

Tire Changer:FAIL

IE I bought tire changer -69686.html to swap out some outdated 35x12.50x15" tires-to coin a phrase 'epic' failure. However it got the 3 tires and wheels swapped out that no one would touch-and cheaper than if they would have- Pass?. But the time I was done thing was so bent up was unusable until 'fixed'. Spent a day modifying - It will probably last forever now. Primarily the 'steel' tubing is very soft and yields.

Welding auto-helmet: PASS


blue flame design auto darkening welding helmet 91214I bought this after using Friends miller auto-helmet. Its a joy to use especially when fitting up/tacking stuff. PASS. However 1st thing I did when I got it home I removed the stickers-I couldn't wear it. does that count as FAIL? but works well-though unsure about non replaceable battery. Not comfortable, feels like an MC helmet, lil bulky. So if standing there all day Ill use old Huntsman. Top short, stuff easily rolls onto top of head in close quarters (wear a hood or hat). Does work well.

1995 T-583 16 speed floor Drill press: PASS

used almost daily-Replaced chuck (from Sears-they sold identical press), .
16-speed-floor-drill-press-43389
This is used daily- Todays equivalent would be the #43389. I like the new led light on arm, mines a bulb up in housing. Anyone ever successfully order parts?
Has the oil drain table, 1hp motor. maybe doesn't qualify because experience with older model (which cost$188).

4"x36" belt/6" disk sander: PASS

Just picked up for less than $50 combination sander 97181
Mostly so I'll stop sticking hand belt sander or drill with a disk in vice. Out of the box some assembly required. So I qualify as pass even though I fixed before use. The motor flange was bent, obviously was dropped BEFORE it was assembled? So removed the motor to straighten flange, realigning the pulleys next to impossible. So I mounted a piece of flat bar to base so motor stays parallel when loosened but can be slid to adjust belt did. Once assembled used to make the table this will set on. Not a precision tool but works pretty good. This may though finally drive me to install a vacuum system...note the dust collection tins do make belt change a bit of a pain, as you have to remove to slide belt off. If you dont have vacuum- remove for quik belt change (like previous version of this modle)

Heavy Duty Bench grinder Pedestal: FAIL

Picked up grinder-pedestal-68321 in moment of weakness for above sander as I wasn't looking for another project. Didn't want to build a stand. But single pedestal would take less floor space. One I picked the tube would not stand square in base, period. The bottom recess of base hole had radius that allowed the undersized column to tilt plus it would not resist weight and just slide thru/in. Top though would set square with weight but any side pressure table would pivot. I'm unclear why this hasn't been fixed, been like this forever I gather, either using heavier gage tube or resizing the casting. IF tube was correct size or heavier or cast base fit tube....anyway annoying. FAIL FAIL FAIL.
Found all kinds of fixes. First I used a ball peen and lightly tapping edge round and round till tube bugled enough to set on base hole internal lip. Then I simply match drilled the column and tapped (supplied bolts 3/8-16?). Threaded the bolts thru column and base, flipped over and ran nuts to pull tubing out against base. After orientating top drilling thru I drilled 2 more holes, tapped and threaded all 3. Couldn't nut but table cant tilt out. Its rock solid now. I'm going to install casters. I just checked my drill yup column would fit pedestal base...after modding this is a PASS-small foot print perfect height for the sander(lil short Id think for grinder), good weight with cast base & top. Id buy another knowing just drill it instead of squishing the heck out of column. But out of the box..

Thaz enough from me

 

[IONH]

PASS/FAIL
Most of the stuff I get from HF are consumables, grinding disks, sanding disks/belts, mig wire, zip ties, heat shrink- etc- . Ive yet to have issue. Pass

Tools I figure for cost if it functions for intended project/one time use -pass.
Some stuff though I buy as material -no way do I expected it to perform as I want but a good starting place. Or I know before I use I'll modify. Just looking at it you know its ****. But cheaper than renting or having work done.

Tire Changer:FAIL

IE I bought tire changer -69686.html to swap out some outdated 33x15" tires-to coin a phrase 'epic' failure. However it got the 3 tires and wheels swapped out that no one would touch-and cheaper than if they would have- Pass?. But the time I was done thing was so bent up was unusable until 'fixed'. Spent a day modifying - It will probably last forever now. Primarily the 'steel' tubing is very soft and yields.

Got any pictures of how exactly the tire changer failed? So many people have used it without issue.

I personally mounted it to a double thick plywood stand as to not attach it directly to my floor and it performed flawlessly.

 

[AnEv942]

Got any pictures of how exactly the tire changer failed? So many people have used it without issue.

I personally mounted it to a double thick plywood stand as to not attach it directly to my floor and it performed flawlessly.

Yes, Ill append to this reply. But there on machine in house..
Primarily it was breaking the bead. Tires and wheels I was swapping 35x12.50x15 had been seated for years. Took a LOT of force to break bead, lot of soap, reposition, more soap, reposition. First the handle/tire iron started bending. I would stop rotate to use and back bend. I finally stopped and used a piece of pipe for handle-need the iron to remove/install tire. Then the handle or bead beaker lever/tube that handle is inserted in started yielding. The channel base was the worst. Front leg that resists the force of breaking bead actually was pulling the bolt thru top-metal stretched, sides of channel collapsed inward.

Again these tires didn't want to come apart. I was using a lot of force. When I stopped using tire iron for handle I just stuck pipe in so all leverage was where bead breaker arm pin is. Ive since drilled the arm so leverage is against pin. Surprising to me is the 2 tabs welded to the main upright column didn't collapse column. That where force is being transfered, Huh caused me to go look,I just checked main column is still round. Also noted its a full 3" Dia -which is what should have been used on grinder pedestal which is full 50 thou smaller?

Removing tire and remounting tire using the machine WAS awesome. Probably do smaller tires all day long. Having changed tires on the ground manually to me this machine is as slick as sliced bread. But out of the box breaking the bead on these particular wheels and force required was beyond its capacity. If I would have seen what was happening-stopped and fixed 'prior' to using wouldn't have been issue. Or installed back up bar when assembling the base- even some large washers, drilling full length of pipe for handle instead of using tire iron. But its sole purpose was to change 3 tires. Pics at 11:00...
promised pics
View media item 34187

Showing bent base-pulled nut, bent handle receiver, not shown opposite side of base was pushed inward. How much allowed column to lean. Last tire I was holding trying to keep from bending more. Replacement pipe handle shown in 2nd pic. Pic 3 is how I fixed.



I did modify machine before I used-tapped top plate to bolt down the wheel instead of using the supplied 'spider' clamp.
I up loaded a couple more pics in album linked.

In all fairness though I was pushing the machine from the get go-but as I mentioned did get the tires change, at sacrifice of machine. Which was the only expectation-so maybe I should change that to pass. Fixing lets me continue using. I used last week to change scooter tire. Think I may dump the base, be nice to have a solid concrete stand to mount. Cant think of how to keep studs from rusting-and don't want them sticking up when not using machine, which is pretty rare. --umm-wow I have another vise that needs mounting..maybe a sundial-drifting beyond intent of thread.

 

[krswen]

43753 heavy duty spring compressor. Worked great to compress the front springs on my 2004 Jaguar XK8. They are a conical spring with variable pitch so the lower claws couldn't fit in the coils. That's what the "span link" is for. Placed it under the lower spring perch and engaged the claws in it. Worked perfectly. I did buy two hardened washers to put under the actuating bolt head, but I'm not sure they were really necessary. Just keep the threads well greased and you can operate it with a 1/2 drive ratchet.

 

[IONH]

43753 heavy duty spring compressor. Worked great to compress the front springs on my 2004 Jaguar XK8. They are a conical spring with variable pitch so the lower claws couldn't fit in the coils. That's what the "span link" is for. Placed it under the lower spring perch and engaged the claws in it. Worked perfectly. I did buy two hardened washers to put under the actuating bolt head, but I'm not sure they were really necessary. Just keep the threads well greased and you can operate it with a 1/2 drive ratchet.

Thanks for the feedback. I keep meaning to buy that compressor as my Explorer could use a new rear strut mount.

 

[paigej]

Central-Forge - item#67040

Failed while tightening with one hand! This has probably been said before

 

[kythri]

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_21403.jpg
FAIL
These casters are horrible. They take brute, fender-bending force to change direction. If you put them under front wheels, which you can't lock from rolling off. Twice, I've pushed the car off of these dollies. The dolly becomes a 20 pound projectile!

I agree with Fail however, as I've learned over the years, ever time I buy a HF item with wheels/casters, I take them apart and grease them left and right. It works wonders and it does increase the roll. Good luck

Weird.

Just bought two pairs of them, and they're fantastic.

You do have to properly tighten the wheels onto them, and it took a thin service wrench for me to do so - a regular wrench would get locked in or force you to back off to get the wrench out.

Nothing special done to them, and they've worked great, multiple times.

 

[MechMyk]

HF Angle wrenches- Pass. 8 years and tons of abuse they have been great. I still don't understand why angle wrenches are so much more expensive than combo wrenches but anyway who cares when HF work great.

###But I have been doing a lot of research and have found some off brands like Tekton, Klutch and Sunex. They seem to be a notch above HF in quality and not to much more $.###

 

[monomach]

Central-Forge - item#67040

Failed while tightening with one hand! This has probably been said before

Haha, wow. That's just ridiculous.

12" Basin Wrench:
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-basin-wrench-91958.html
PASS. Does what it's supposed to.

Split Leather Work Gloves:
http://www.harborfreight.com/split-leather-work-gloves-67440.html
PASS. These are the ones they keep printing free coupons for. They turn your hands black if you sweat, but they're pretty good for yard work. They fit my giant hands well and stand up to a fair amount of abuse. Damned good value, even at full price. I've picked up maybe a dozen pairs over the years, but I finally wore out my first pair...on the canvas over the top of a finger. No holes in any of the leather.

Reciprocating Saw Blade Assortment:
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piec...reciprocating-saw-blade-assortment-68044.html
HARD FAIL. Like the guy who reviewed them, mine lost the teeth almost instantly. Just garbage.

6 Amp Reciprocating Saw With Rotating Handle:
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-amp-reciprocating-saw-with-rotating-handle-65570.html
PASS. Shockingly good once you get a name-brand blade for it. I doubt it would stand up to any kind of professional use, but it's handled everything I've thrown at it around the house. Cut an old shed into shreds like it was paper, cut 3/4" plywood nice and easy, did the bolts keeping my leaf spring shackle attached, and hundreds of other little things. Two years later, I'm really surprised by this thing.

4 1/2" Angle Grinder:
http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-91223.html
PASS. This thing's a beast. I've just plain abused it and it still does the job well. Might be the best thing I've ever gotten from HF.

6" Magnetic Parts Holder:
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-magnetic-parts-holder-97825.html
PASS. It's a magnetic tray. It works. *shrug*

5 Piece SAE Double-End Flare Nut Wrench Set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-sae-double-end-flare-nut-wrench-set-68865.html
Big time FAIL. Have broken the jaw every time I've tried to use one, no cheater bar, no beating on it. Just trash. No quality whatsoever. They warranty them with no problem, but it's not worth driving to the store two or three times per brake job. I borrow my dad's Craftsman set now until I get around to laying down the big money for my own.

C-Clamps:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-industrial-c-clamp-37846.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-industrial-c-clamp-37848.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-industrial-c-clamp-37850.html
PASS on the ones I own (3", 4", 6"). Pretty darned decent.

Solar Mole Chaser:
http://www.harborfreight.com/solar-mole-chaser-94661.html
PASS. Put three of them around the back yard. They chased the moles into my neighbor's yard. Still no moles two years later.

Headlamp With Swivel Lens:
http://www.harborfreight.com/headlamp-with-swivel-lens-45807.html
PASS. Got a bunch of them for free when they had a coupon. All are still functional. They make me look stupid, but they do the job.

2 Piece Foldable Metal Wheel Chocks:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-metal-wheel-chocks-97130.html
FAIL. Put my truck in reverse forgetting that these were in place...Rolled right over them while idling and turned them into pancakes. Offered so little resistance that I didn't even feel a bump.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Central-Forge - item#67040

Failed while tightening with one hand! This has probably been said before

Ah, you got the special one with the removable jaws! See, it's a FEATURE.

 

[IlliniBone]

Haha, wow. That's just ridiculous.

4" Angle Grinder:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-angle-grinder-91222.html
PASS. This thing's a beast. I've just plain abused it and it still does the job well. Might be the best thing I've ever gotten from HF.

Agreed on the grinder...its one of the best $15 purchases I've made in awhile. Worked great cutting new hardwood tile for my bathroom.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Anyone ever tried these out? They look VERY similar to the Klein Kurve and Craftsman strippers but for $5.99

ITEM 98410-1VGA

This is pretty old but I'm going back through every post in this thread from day one! I got a set of these wire strippers, and they are a major PASS for me. Best strippers I've ever used. Now I'm not an electrician but am doing some wiring work in my shop. These are a great deal. As always, check the quality of the exact one you are planning to buy in the store. - Paul

 

[Beowulf]

These were on sale for $3.00 during their tent sale. I picked up a pair and they are great. My plan is to pick up a pair of the Kleins for the size above and below this pair.

 

[cburnscrx]

This is pretty old but I'm going back through every post in this thread from day one! I got a set of these wire strippers, and they are a major PASS for me. Best strippers I've ever used. Now I'm not an electrician but am doing some wiring work in my shop. These are a great deal. As always, check the quality of the exact one your are planning to buy in the store. - Paul

I have them too, and have for a few years. They're a definite pass.

 

[monomach]

8 Piece Professional Screwdriver Set
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

Pass. These are really nice. Not rounding off screws like the ones they gave away for free. Really comfortable grips. Better screwdrivers than the basic Craftsmans I borrowed and waaaaaaaay cheaper.

 

[fourtythree]

8 Piece Professional Screwdriver Set
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

Pass. These are really nice. Not rounding off screws like the ones they gave away for free. Really comfortable grips. Better screwdrivers than the basic Craftsmans I borrowed and waaaaaaaay cheaper.

IMO, those are a good as the craftsman/Husky professional screwdrivers.

 

[rmalkow2]

Pittsburgh Pro 7pc SAE ratcheting combination wrench set - PASS. Use them constantly
Haul Master Car Wheel dollies - PASS. Makes moving my project car around easy.
Pittsburgh 1 ton shop crane with folding legs - PASS

 

[monomach]

1/4" Heavy Duty Composite Ratchet
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66312.html
PASS

Now when I need a 1/4" ratchet, I reach past my Craftsman USA-made Danaher to this thing, which just seems silly to me.

 

[unslow1]

1/4" Heavy Duty Composite Ratchet
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66312.html
PASS

Now when I need a 1/4" ratchet, I reach past my Craftsman USA-made Danaher to this thing, which just seems silly to me.

I do the same thing. I have several more expensive ones. It feels good and seems like it would be less likely to chip paint. I also bought the 3/8.

 

[timtim2008]

The $69.99 5 speed drill press?


Pass or Fail?

 

[nicksnothereman]

1/4" Heavy Duty Composite Ratchet
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66312.html
PASS

Now when I need a 1/4" ratchet, I reach past my Craftsman USA-made Danaher to this thing, which just seems silly to me.

I've got one in 3/8" of the wilmar variety (I think all of these are rebrands from the same taiwanese factory(ies) with different colors). Ridiculously good ratchets. I'm too lazy to go pick up a 1/2" at harbor freight though I want to eventually. So comfortable.

 

[Hootbro]

The $69.99 5 speed drill press?


Pass or Fail?

The one I bought 10 years ago has been fine for occasional home use.

 

[CRXPilot]

38846 3 Ton Heavy Duty Jack Stands, Sale: $21.99


-Pass

Propped up Corolla and did not perish (not even close).

 

[Breen11]

Well so far the 4-1/2" Angle Grinder (Drill Master) is a FAIL. After using it 3 times (total) it just stopped working. Im gonna replace it & see how the replacement holds up.

 

[genevabuck]

This is pretty old but I'm going back through every post in this thread from day one! I got a set of these wire strippers, and they are a major PASS for me. Best strippers I've ever used. Now I'm not an electrician but am doing some wiring work in my shop. These are a great deal. As always, check the quality of the exact one you are planning to buy in the store. - Paul

Yes, they work as good as my truck brand strippers. Just saying. The best wire stripper/electrician that I ever saw used a razor blade to strip wires. The tool that you bought works as good as the expensive ones.

 

[cburnscrx]

Central-Forge - item#67040

Failed while tightening with one hand! This has probably been said before

Wow, methinks it's broken

 

[monomach]

Well so far the 4-1/2" Angle Grinder (Drill Master) is a FAIL. After using it 3 times (total) it just stopped working. Im gonna replace it & see how the replacement holds up.

As I recall, the 4 1/2" in the past has usually been ****. The 4", on the other hand, gets good reviews most everywhere (including from me).

 

[Andy Griffith]

This is pretty old but I'm going back through every post in this thread from day one! I got a set of these wire strippers, and they are a major PASS for me. Best strippers I've ever used. Now I'm not an electrician but am doing some wiring work in my shop. These are a great deal. As always, check the quality of the exact one you are planning to buy in the store. - Paul

Yep, they work well for my home shop use. $3.99 right now.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-wire-stripper-with-cutter-98410.html

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Well so far the 4-1/2" Angle Grinder (Drill Master) is a FAIL. After using it 3 times (total) it just stopped working. Im gonna replace it & see how the replacement holds up.

I've been working on a large masonry project for the last 8 months...I've probably gone through seven grinders in that time frame...The newer models have that crappy switch on it, not like the older models...I just keep exchanging them out, but its getting old...

 

[TAMPAGT07]

As I recall, the 4 1/2" in the past has usually been ****. The 4", on the other hand, gets good reviews most everywhere (including from me).

If the switch is on the side, it is garbage...If it's on top (when using it), it's a keeper..

 

[Breen11]

As I recall, the 4 1/2" in the past has usually been ****. The 4", on the other hand, gets good reviews most everywhere (including from me).

So iv read. Good to know. I'll replace it with the 4" Angle Ginder instead.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

So iv read. Good to know. I'll replace it with the 4" Angle Ginder instead.

Make sure you set item #91222 and not #60373....

 

[dlc]

500 lb. capacity deluxe steel cargo carrier

Been looking for one of these at a good deal for a year or more. Finally got this one (item # 66983) on sale for $39.99. Easy to put together, seems very well built and designed. I've put a lot of weigh on it so far and it didn't even flex. I give it a pass.

 

[IONH]

#66771 - 600 lb. Capacity 78 in. Tag-Along Trailer with Wheels and Tires

Does anyone have feedback on this? I searched the net and seems to have some good reviews.

 

[monomach]

Make sure you set item #91222 and not #60373....

Whoops! Just dug mine out. Apparently, I do have a 4 1/2. Number 91223, switch on the top. Very worthwhile machine. Been using DeWalt wheels with it. I wonder if he bought 69645...?

 

[erty67]

Whoops! Just dug mine out. Apparently, I do have a 4 1/2. Number 91223, switch on the top. Very worthwhile machine. Been using DeWalt wheels with it. I wonder if he bought 69645...?

...and if you go looking for one, DIG! I just grabbed one. all the stock was side button. I dug them all out and found a top button in the back of the pile.

 

[CaptainMarvel]

Any thoughts/experience with the 16-Speed Heavy Duty Bench Drill Press?

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-16-speed-bench-drill-press-38142.html


With a 25% Discount coupon, it would/should come to about $187.50

 

[Sp2Pilot]

Hose clamp assortment, FAIL. They don't screw tight, instead they just collapse upon themselves, bend, and could possibly puncture whatever you're tightening them around.

 

[cheechi]

I don't know the right term for this. There is rubber C-channel shaped stuff you can buy and cut to fit. putting that between the hose clamp and what you're clamping improves their grip and reduces their ability to dig into the hose. I have had some success with that and HF clamps.

On their own, they're hit or miss. Mostly miss. but with this stuff they work pretty well for several non-automotive things I've tried and a few water lines in my sentra.

 

[X53Gunner]

I bought the dry wall lift to hang OSB on my shop ceiling by myself and I am going to have to say its a huge pass. Great tool and works like a champ. Bought it for just under 150 after coupons and see them sell on craigs list for 150.00. So I'm going to list if for 150 when done and take anything over 100.00 cheaper than renting one for a week and I could take my sweet time with it.
Scott