The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[MatBirch]

First post! Hi All-
I, like everyone else have had my goods and bads from HF

Pass- IN A BIG WAY- the red professional mechanic's gloves. These fit well and are really tough. I use them for everything plus mountain biking and motocross. We get free gloves at work, but I buy these.
Western Safety Gloves - Item#68308

Pass- color coded sockets. I love these things! I KNOW which socket. I'm grabbing, and as important- when I see a guy with a pink 10mm hanging off his impactor, I know he's been in my box

Pass- blue flame auto dark welding hood- like it as well as my Miller elite, but I don't think the headgear will go as far

Pass- scissor type ****** jack. I use as my mx bike stand, pulling engines out of street bikes.

Pass- clear "rollerblade" wheel type swivel castors. Built a creeper seat and these work great

Pass- 46 piece bolt type wheel puller set. Item # 37824. I didn't trust the bolts that came with it, and just used some gr.5 that I had on hand. Pops the flywheel off my 80s 85hp outboard with a 1/2" impactor on it.

Pass- Item # 95659 and Item # 95272 the tool carts. Many guys at my work have gone this route over a much more expensive rollaway. Both the nicer red on and the little black ones have been awesome for the money. Some guys have added big custom built side boxes and additional drawers. ALL have held up great!


Fail- 6 ton hydro press cannot assemble this thing straight and square. The holes wont allow it. I will be rebuilding/ modifying to make it more useable.

Fail- tire spoons. Bent backwards on very first attempt.

Fail- 7 pc 3/8 spline drive socket set. Seem to be just enough too large to keep from slipping. Odd thing is, neither bolt head, nor socket looks stripped when it lets loose. ..??

 

[owenst7]

First post! Hi All-
I, like everyone else have had my goods and bads from HF

Pass- IN A BIG WAY- the red professional mechanic's gloves. These fit well and are really tough. I use them for everything plus mountain biking and motocross. We get free gloves at work, but I buy these.
Western Safety Gloves - Item#68308

Pass- color coded sockets. I love these things! I KNOW which socket. I'm grabbing, and as important- when I see a guy with a pink 10mm hanging off his impactor, I know he's been in my box

Pass- blue flame auto dark welding hood- like it as well as my Miller elite, but I don't think the headgear will go as far

Pass- scissor type ****** jack. I use as my mx bike stand, pulling engines out of street bikes.

Pass- clear "rollerblade" wheel type swivel castors. Built a creeper seat and these work great

Pass- 46 piece bolt type wheel puller set. Item # 37824. I didn't trust the bolts that came with it, and just used some gr.5 that I had on hand. Pops the flywheel off my 80s 85hp outboard with a 1/2" impactor on it.

Pass- Item # 95659 and Item # 95272 the tool carts. Many guys at my work have gone this route over a much more expensive rollaway. Both the nicer red on and the little black ones have been awesome for the money. Some guys have added big custom built side boxes and additional drawers. ALL have held up great!


Fail- 6 ton hydro press cannot assemble this thing straight and square. The holes wont allow it. I will be rebuilding/ modifying to make it more useable.

Fail- tire spoons. Bent backwards on very first attempt.

Fail- 7 pc 3/8 spline drive socket set. Seem to be just enough too large to keep from slipping. Odd thing is, neither bolt head, nor socket looks stripped when it lets loose. ..??

The wheel puller also works great as a pinion yoke puller.

I've got 5 of the tire spoons. Have probably mounted/dismounted about 100 tires with them (took me a long time to build a set of beadlocks for my trail rig). I can bend them if I really lean on them, but even with load range E and big bias ply tires, I've always needed to use more lube or work smarter if I'm using that much force. Every time I've started to bend one of those spoons, it's been accompanied by a tearing sound at the bead.

The tire mounter/dismounter is totally worth the $40-$50 it costs. The bead breaker is a little awkward with my 39.5"x16.5"x15" Pitbulls, but it's still a lot faster than using a hi-lift. If you're using it for big heavy tires like I am, you'll probably want to do a few improvements to it, but it will get the job done out of the box if you are smart with it. I currently have it bolted to a heavy pallet since I don't think my landlord would have appreciated me putting concrete anchors in the floor.

 

[john8791]

Noise Canceling Electronic Ear Muffs

http://www.harborfreight.com/noise-canceling-electronic-ear-muffs-92851.html

PASS. Work great. Been using these for over a year now mainly at the pistol range. Only complaint is hard to take apart to change battery.

 

[MatBirch]

I bought the tire spoons on the recommendation from a buddy who wheels and uses the hell out of 'em. I was only working on my wife's little Kia. I've changed many tires using just pry bars and lug wrenches, as well as motorcycle and bike tires by the hundreds. I sure at least think I know what I'm doing... I couldn't believe how soft this thing was, it was a noodle and just folded over on itself

 

[subarub4]

Has anyone tried the 750Lb engine stand?

 

[owenst7]

Has anyone tried the 750Lb engine stand?

I have three of the 1000 lbs ones. http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-engine-stand-69520.html

I wouldn't bother with a 3-caster stand when the 4-caster is so close in price. I have not personally messed with the HF one, but every 3-caster stand I have worked with was pretty unstable. The ones I have can handle a fully dressed SBC (one of mine is currently on one), but I personally think it's pretty much the limit for it.

Pretty sure I've seen the 4-caster one in magazines and/or emails recently for closer to $50, so if you go that route, you might want to take a glance in some magazines before you buy.

 

[subarub4]

I have three of the 1000 lbs ones. http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-engine-stand-69520.html

I wouldn't bother with a 3-caster stand when the 4-caster is so close in price. I have not personally messed with the HF one, but every 3-caster stand I have worked with was pretty unstable. The ones I have can handle a fully dressed SBC (one of mine is currently on one), but I personally think it's pretty much the limit for it.

In the past I've taken the heads off while my motor was sitting on the inside of a milk crate, I'm not sure how the 3 wheel or 4 wheel version would be, still on the fence about it

 

[owenst7]

In the past I've taken the heads off while my motor was sitting on the inside of a milk crate, I'm not sure how the 3 wheel or 4 wheel version would be, still on the fence about it

EJ22/EJ25?

I ask because I bought my first HF stand after moving out of Alaska and having to do a head gasket on my sister's EJ25 (all my tools were in AK)...I started the job with the oil pan sitting in a milk crate on my table, and then caved in because I knew the stand would be so much easier .

I think the three wheel might be OK for an aluminum 4 cylinder. The stands look the same minus the wheel area...I'm guessing they're saying it's lower capacity due to the casters. The 4 wheel ones are still kind of sketchy to flip the engine over with though. You need to be paying attention (and doing an SBC is downright scary if you don't have two people, I'm really just using mine for storage while I build a new chassis). I'd say the 3 wheel might be OK with a Subaru because of the low COG and balance due to the opposing heads.

 

[subarub4]

Taking the heads off the Ej25 and putting them on a Ej22 block, but still I have like 4 milk crates laying around vs spending some $60 for a stand.

 

[ndr1968]

Thx for this NDR, great info. Yes, I will always use cutting oil with them and go slow, back out, again, etc. Having incorrect tap major or minor pitch diameters is much more concerning though! Did not expect that one! But then again should probably not really be surprised here ! - Paul

No no! That's not what I meant when I said the shanks were smaller. I was referring to the shank area above the cutting portion of the through taps (the sizes under 1/4" are plug type so it's not an issue for those sizes). I just took a quick measure of two taps, 1/2-13. The shank of the ACE tap measured .364" and the HF was .350". I know this doesn't seem to be much but it's noticable and some of the smaller ones may even be worse with respect to this dimension. As I said, so far they have done the job as expected. They seem to be well within spec as far as thread pitch and maj and min diameters are concerned (The bolt installations felt neither "tight" nor "sloppy").

 

[newchris]

could not find them on the website but the black plastic 3 piece set of hose pinch clamps in amazing. far outperforms the non pinching hose pinch pliers i spent like a hundred bucks off the matco guy

 

[merikgvr4]

could not find them on the website but the black plastic 3 piece set of hose pinch clamps in amazing. far outperforms the non pinching hose pinch pliers i spent like a hundred bucks off the matco guy

I think they are green now. Will pick up a set soon.
Here ya go more like yellow green. Pittsburgh - Item#97578

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

[ex-x-fire]

I got this pulley holder, it kinda slips on some pulleys. So I took a cut-off wheel & cut teeth at each side. We'll se how it works then.

 

[djwyman]

I know it has probably been added to this thread long ago and many times but I just got a 1/2" drive composite ratchet and I really really like this thing. A friend of mine wanted my RP craftsman 1/2" ratchet and wanted to know what I would take on trade for it and I told him it would have to be another 1/2" ratchet...he showed me one that he was offering and it looked like junk so I said I tell you what I have read on the internet that those HF composite ratchets are good so get one of those for $10 and I will trade so he did and even though this ratchet is half the price of the craftsman I think I came out with the better ratchet. This is my home ratchet not my School/work ratchet. The only complaint I can make about it is that the clicks sound kinda hollow compared to other ratchets but that is nit picky. But for a $10 ratchet made in Twain and lifetime warranty HUGE PASS.

 

[Rawlins87]

Anyone have Cen-Tech - Item#69594
Pass or fail? It has few reviews but all positive.

 

[Harrison2]

I know it has probably been added to this thread long ago and many times but I just got a 1/2" drive composite ratchet and I really really like this thing. A friend of mine wanted my RP craftsman 1/2" ratchet and wanted to know what I would take on trade for it and I told him it would have to be another 1/2" ratchet...he showed me one that he was offering and it looked like junk so I said I tell you what I have read on the internet that those HF composite ratchets are good so get one of those for $10 and I will trade so he did and even though this ratchet is half the price of the craftsman I think I came out with the better ratchet. This is my home ratchet not my School/work ratchet. The only complaint I can make about it is that the clicks sound kinda hollow compared to other ratchets but that is nit picky. But for a $10 ratchet made in Twain and lifetime warranty HUGE PASS.

put some lube in it, that will quieten it down abit and be slightly smoother.

 

[djwyman]

put some lube in it, that will quieten it down abit and be slightly smoother.

Thanks for the tip what kind of lube should I put in it just curious?

 

[Loscaldazar]

For clunkier mechanism superlube works well. HF even sells it!

 

[Dragrcr]

Female air fittings - fail , several others agree

 

[pauls_workshop]

PASS = Normal wrenches in offset boxend style, 32041 and 32042

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-sae-offset-box-wrench-set-32041.html

Very nice fit and strong. Work great and can recommend. - Paul

 

[Provincial]

20" Floor Mount Drill Press #39955 - Pass

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-speed-floor-production-drill-press-39955.html

I bought one of these used from an elderly fellow who hadn't used it very much. It had not been cleaned up and tuned beyond the HF backroom assembly. I did not have a way to load it in my pickup, so I disassembled it, including taking the guards and pulleys off the head to make it lighter. This proved to be a good thing, as I got to check it out completely and correct a few things, like the light bulb socket hanging loose in the head.

I will qualify the "Pass" evaluation with the usual HF warning to disassemble, inspect, and properly lubricate any HF power tool you buy. Other than the light socket (which still had the mounting screw retained in it, so I only had to screw it back in the hole) I had only to clean and lubricate the machine. There was a lot of cosmoline (heavy preservative grease) on things, and it isn't any good as a lubricant. Once lubricated properly, everything worked properly.

One thing I know about these DP's is that the spindle pulley is held on a taper by a nut, but no key. If the pulley isn't tight on the taper, it will slip, and eat up the bore of the aluminum pulley. I had to pull it apart to get the guard off, so I took the time to check the fit and clean off any oil with brake cleaner. Then I tightened the nut (a 1-5/8" open end wrench fit well enough) while locking the spindle to the quill by inserting the drill drift through the slots in the two parts. I can slip the belts on the pulleys now without the pulley slipping on the taper. If yours slips after this cleaning and tightening, use Locktite on the taper, but remember you will have to heat the pulley to get it off again!

HF belts are pretty bad, so if you work this DP hard, expect to replace them.

The chuck is of course a cheap China plain-bearing job, and I replaced it with a Jacobs 16N Ball Bearing chuck with gives almost no runout.

I was pleasantly surprised when I drilled some 2"/2"x 11 gauge tubing with a 11/32" bit and had absolutely no grabbing when the drill broke through. This means that the spindle bearings are tight and the rack gears on the quill are tight as well.

The T-slot table accepts hold down hardware common on the Bridgeport Mill. This is another plus. You will need good hold-downs if you use larger bits and aggressive feeds. The motor has plenty of power for drilling mild steel up to 3/4", although the lowest speed is a little fast above 5/8".

This is an older unit, made about 2002, so newer ones may be different.

It is a decent Asian DP if you clean, adjust, and lubricate it properly. A good drill chuck is a must.

I bought this one as a place-holder until I find an older, quality American machine.

 

[owenst7]

Female air fittings - fail , several others agree

X a million. They aren't even a good deal. You can get Milton or Amflo for less than a dollar a piece more. The brass universal ones at Home Depot are pretty decent and I think they're the same price as the HF junk.

Sorry if this is a repost, but anyone needing lower RPMs on an import drill press might be interested in this:

https://www.roguefab.com/product.php?id=24
They are a very popular vendor on Pirate4x4.

 

[wjamyers]

I think they are green now. Will pick up a set soon.
Here ya go more like yellow green. Pittsburgh - Item#97578

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

That's the one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-line-clamp-set-97578.html

went to buy these the other day and couldn't find them, then the sales guy went and grabbed them for me and they were black not yellow.

 

[skulldrinker]

That's the one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-line-clamp-set-97578.html

went to buy these the other day and couldn't find them, then the sales guy went and grabbed them for me and they were black not yellow.

Mine are black. Still black in my store.

 

[NC-Shaun]

OK guys I searched the entire thread for this info prior to asking this so....

How do these hold up

13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive Metric Impact Socket Set Item#67902

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902-7909.html

and

13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive SAE Impact Socket Set Item#67918

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-sae-impact-socket-set-67918-7916.html

I just bought the earthquake lineup of Air Tools and need the Impact Sockets now. Personal garage use.

I hope someone answers promptly because I am itching to buy something!

 

[wjamyers]

HF impact sockets are solid AFAIK, I've read the same thing many times from many users on here. I've only used them to take off the wheels and one axle on my 4Runner, so far, no issues.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Thats what the website reviews seem to say. Im gonna go for a quick motorcycle ride and snag a set. A great excuse to ride on my day off.

 

[Thephranc]

OK guys I searched the entire thread for this info prior to asking this so....

How do these hold up

13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive Metric Impact Socket Set Item#67902

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902-7909.html

and

13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive SAE Impact Socket Set Item#67918

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-sae-impact-socket-set-67918-7916.html

I just bought the earthquake lineup of Air Tools and need the Impact Sockets now. Personal garage use.

I hope someone answers promptly because I am itching to buy something!

I have both sets and deeps and they are great.

Its one of those HF steals.

 

[kazlx]

Bought an inline dessicant filter for my plasma to use right before the unit. I have been using the ones from HTP which are roughly the same price, but I have to wait for them to get here. I figured if I could get them from HF, easy enough. Hooked it up to my plasma and repeatedly gave me a low air warning light. Soooo, a filter that doesn't flow air. Back to HF it went. I don't have time to deal with that ****.

http://www.harborfreight.com/inline-desiccant-dryerfilter-68215.html

 

[pauls_workshop]

Here's another strong PASS:

68997 L shape hang alls

http://www.harborfreight.com/Set-of-2-L-Shape-Hang-Alls-68997.html

I built three of these sets up with some 3/4" plywood behind them and screwed them into that. Then screwed the plywood in the middle with 3x 2" long screws into the wall studs in my garage. Each set of these can support about 4 dirt shovels or snow shovels, rakes, forks, etc or about 100-150 ft of hose. Very robust and cheap way to get organized and can easily recommend. These are made of steel tubing and are stiff and strong. - Paul

 

[losabio]

OK guys I searched the entire thread for this info prior to asking this so....

How do these hold up

13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive Metric Impact Socket Set Item#67902

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902-7909.html

and

13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive SAE Impact Socket Set Item#67918

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-sae-impact-socket-set-67918-7916.html

I just bought the earthquake lineup of Air Tools and need the Impact Sockets now. Personal garage use.

I hope someone answers promptly because I am itching to buy something!

The made in Taiwan HF Cr-Mo impact sockets seem to be universally beloved about the GJ.

 

[AbitNutz]

Mine are fine too, had them about 6 months, never noticed a significant smell.

Hmm...I always figured that smell was my brother-in-law....go figure.

 

[NC-Shaun]

OK guys I searched the entire thread for this info prior to asking this so....

How do these hold up

13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive Metric Impact Socket Set Item#67902

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902-7909.html

and

13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive SAE Impact Socket Set Item#67918

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-sae-impact-socket-set-67918-7916.html

I just bought the earthquake lineup of Air Tools and need the Impact Sockets now. Personal garage use.

I hope someone answers promptly because I am itching to buy something!

HF impact sockets are solid AFAIK, I've read the same thing many times from many users on here. I've only used them to take off the wheels and one axle on my 4Runner, so far, no issues.

I have both sets and deeps and they are great.

Its one of those HF steals.

The made in Taiwan HF Cr-Mo impact sockets seem to be universally beloved about the GJ.

Thanks Guys, I went and bought a set, ended up costing $41.00 bux after my coupons.

I chose these Pittsburgh Pro sets over this 37 Piece 3/8" and 1/2" Drive Combination Impact Socket set because the Pro set included a 27mm, 1 1/16 and a 1 1/4 socket.

But after arranging them in the top of my toolbox I am quickly realizing I am running out of room for sockets on the strips. I may take them back and get the case set. I rarely use impact sockets and adding those 2 strips of sockets in the top of my 26 inch toolbox is making it a tad busy up there. i will definitely not have space for any 3/8 drive impacts I need now. Bummer


http://www.harborfreight.com/37-piece-38-and-12-drive-combination-impact-sockets-68011.html

What are your guys thoughts on this set /\ ???

 

[lightning02]

Im little lost. Is the link you posted the set you bought or the one your wanted to get instead?

Can you post a link of the pro line you bought if it aint. Thanks

 

[NC-Shaun]

Im little lost. Is the link you posted the set you bought or the one your wanted to get instead?

Can you post a link of the pro line you bought if it aint. Thanks

I bought these

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902-7909.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-sae-impact-socket-set-67918-7916.html

and I am thinking I maybe should have went with this

http://www.harborfreight.com/37-piece-38-and-12-drive-combination-impact-sockets-68011.html

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

I think the ones you bought will be better. The set you want skips sizes one think I did like with hf. But I would stick with the ones you have

Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk

 

[NC-Shaun]

I think the ones you bought will be better. The set you want skips sizes one think I did like with hf. But I would stick with the ones you have

Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk

I spent some time shortening up all of the extra lengths of socket organizers and am thinking of removing a duplicate set of 3/8 drive SAE sockets I have also. This resulted in enough room for me to work with. I still have to buy my large 1/2 drive 28,30,32,and 36mm sockets I use frequently and some 3/8 impact sockets. Its gonna be tight for sure. Here is a pic of how crowded the socket section of my box is at this point. The crusty deep well impacts are gonna be replaced as well. They have served me almost 15 years.

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

I spent some time shortening up all of the extra lengths of socket organizers and am thinking of removing a duplicate set of 3/8 drive SAE sockets I have also. This resulted in enough room for me to work with. I still have to buy my large 1/2 drive 28,30,32,and 36mm sockets I use frequently and some 3/8 impact sockets. Its gonna be tight for sure. Here is a pic of how crowded the socket section of my box is at this point. The crusty deep well impacts are gonna be replaced as well. They have served me almost 15 years.

Nice!


What socket organizers are those? I think I'm going to get the Ernst clip on ones where you can attach a stick with the matching socket. Seems to save a lot more space than the Ernst plastic organizers


Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk

 

[NC-Shaun]

They are Harbor Freight Pittsburgh brand organizers, that sell for $3-4 bux for 3.

Item# 68101

PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-14-38-and-12-socket-rail-set-68101.html

I will go down to the garage and get the part number. They are not as nice as my Matco or Craftsman organizers but those were $10 bux EACH! I only have 2 of them the rest are Pittsburgh brand.

I will update this post with the part number.

I will say that these organizers are fairly sturdy, the clips dont fit quite as tight as either the Craftsman or Matco organizers I have had. That being said, they are still a deal in my mind. I did also grease the retention check ball to smooth operation on ONLY my Pittsburgh Pro Impact Sockets. They were hard to release the socket until I did that. Check back shortly and I will get that part number updated.

 

[NC-Shaun]

OK, So I am gonna contribute to this thread some.

26 in., 8 Drawer Roller Cabinet with 8 Drawer Top Chest
U.S. General Pro - Item#67831

PASS

I bought this tool box 6 weeks ago and have been working out of it since then. The drawers slide easily, the locks are really smooth, and the lift struts are nice. I spent many days at Sears and Harbor freight comparing the 26 inch wide tool boxes. To get a Craftsman box that was on par with the Harbor Freight US General box you would be in the high $600 range to mid $700, and you dont get the drawer liners with the Craftsman.

I had a 3 piece 26 inch non ball bearing 26 inch Craftsman box I worked out of for about 15 years. It was not anywhere near as heavy gauge as the US General Pro I have now. The US General box also included the drawer liners installed.

I spend most of my time working on my motorcycles. I chose this box over the 44 inch US General Pro because unlike automotive tools, motorcycle tools are not very large. If I were still working on cars full time I would no doubt choose the 44 incher. However I still prefer the smaller foot print of a 26 incher for working on my own bikes, because it doesnt take up too much space in my garage.

I would like to Thank You all for taking the time to post up your results of the various Harbor Freight Tools.