The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
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OldSchoolSS
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2008
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PASS!!! I have both the 3/8" and 1/4" version of these and I like them a lot. The ratcheting action is very very precise. The only improvement they could make would be to have a little more grip on the outside. I'd recommend these for any tool box. I think I bought them on sale for $6 for the pair.
shocksystems
Well-known member
JebNY
Well-known member
A friend has these and before he used them the first time rebuild the wheels to add good sealed bearings and now they are great according to him.
Jeb
tpolley
Well-known member
has anyone used their tap and die sets?
I think they were already mentioned only to be good for thread repair, chasers, etc. not actually for cutting threads. and the handles ****.
milkovich
Well-known member
Fail... but all I can afford because people keep outbidding me at auctions. Good bandsaws go for big money and when you need one, I guess you use what you can get. Hard to keep tensioned and on track, motor wont even turn over on a new blade. No way it makes 1/4 hp, let alone 1 HP.
Fail... Valve is hit or miss, sometimes it starts, sometimes it hisses, however, it's a good cheapie for a single project vs. the $100 for a real one. I'll be getting an IR or CP to replace this one.
Fail... The good news is they dont' last long enough to explode but I'd still wear ballistic safety glasses.
They also used to make a Grinder/Buffer in green hammer finish for about $100. This is a beast but it pulls every ounce of 25 amps when you start it up... and don't wear baggy clothes. I've polished A LOT of aluminum with this sucker and it' going strong... too bad they discontinued it.
Awesome pass: natural bristle brushes can handle the worst strippers or paints and you just pitch them. If there's one thing the chinese know... it's paint brushes.
Fail... Valve is hit or miss, sometimes it starts, sometimes it hisses, however, it's a good cheapie for a single project vs. the $100 for a real one. I'll be getting an IR or CP to replace this one.
Fail... The good news is they dont' last long enough to explode but I'd still wear ballistic safety glasses.
They also used to make a Grinder/Buffer in green hammer finish for about $100. This is a beast but it pulls every ounce of 25 amps when you start it up... and don't wear baggy clothes. I've polished A LOT of aluminum with this sucker and it' going strong... too bad they discontinued it.
Awesome pass: natural bristle brushes can handle the worst strippers or paints and you just pitch them. If there's one thing the chinese know... it's paint brushes.
Frank Elson
Well-known member
stock up on those brushes.
I've been buying, using then throwing, them for years but just last week I went to the cheap shop and the chinese brushes had horrible man-made bristles.
I've been buying, using then throwing, them for years but just last week I went to the cheap shop and the chinese brushes had horrible man-made bristles.
J.A.F.E.
Well-known member
46 pc. Radio Removal kit BIG PASS.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96675
I think this is the Astro Pneumatic kit everyone else sells for much more $$.
~Steve
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96675
I think this is the Astro Pneumatic kit everyone else sells for much more $$.
~Steve
Evapo-rust, major PASS. I think this is the best thing I've purchased at HF.
There was a thread on this product a while back, and I figured all rust treatment products were alike so I got HD's Must for Rust instead. It's OK, but not nearly as good as Evapo-Rust. I am truly impressed.
None of my tools are rusty anymore, and on most of them, you wouldn't be able to tell they ever were. Dad's old rusty tools look new.
There was a thread on this product a while back, and I figured all rust treatment products were alike so I got HD's Must for Rust instead. It's OK, but not nearly as good as Evapo-Rust. I am truly impressed.
None of my tools are rusty anymore, and on most of them, you wouldn't be able to tell they ever were. Dad's old rusty tools look new.
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Paladin
Well-known member
HF wrench racks (made in India)- FAIL I had to cut the heck out of them with tin snips to be able to fit my wrenches. Only a few of the slots would fit a wrench. The rest I had to modify.
10" Compound sliding saw PASS
I bought one for the cottage build. These are not for doing a hardwood floor project, but for general zapping of construction lumber, I have thousands of cuts on the original orange version. The safety switch was bypassed immediately, its awkward. It is so nice to be able to cut 2 x 8 and 2 x 10 lumber with it. Did I mention it did the 3 stall garage last summer too? I also bought the new style silver one and tossed it in the basement for the remodel I'm doing, no more carrying them around!
6 Ton Jack Stands PASS (Sturdier than the old set I've had for 30 years)
Car Dollies PASS (I have a smooth floor, push the car myself)
Air Regulators/Moisture traps FAIL (They all leak or restrict air flow too much)
Purple Brad Nailer PASS (Lower your air pressure to 80, or it will blow up, ask me how I know)
Recip Saws PASS (light duty, but I have one with a metal blade and one with a wood blade loaded for $60 less than a single Dewalt was gonna cost)
4.5 Grinders PASS ( I must be lucky, although I rarely run one for more than 5-10 minutes at a time. I now have 4, 2 up north, 2 at home. Cutting disk in one , grinding disk in another, all for less than 50 bucks!)
Automatic Float Battery Chargers PASS (5 bucks on sale, my battery failures have dropped 80% since I started sticking these on everything)
I bought one for the cottage build. These are not for doing a hardwood floor project, but for general zapping of construction lumber, I have thousands of cuts on the original orange version. The safety switch was bypassed immediately, its awkward. It is so nice to be able to cut 2 x 8 and 2 x 10 lumber with it. Did I mention it did the 3 stall garage last summer too? I also bought the new style silver one and tossed it in the basement for the remodel I'm doing, no more carrying them around!
6 Ton Jack Stands PASS (Sturdier than the old set I've had for 30 years)
Car Dollies PASS (I have a smooth floor, push the car myself)
Air Regulators/Moisture traps FAIL (They all leak or restrict air flow too much)
Purple Brad Nailer PASS (Lower your air pressure to 80, or it will blow up, ask me how I know)
Recip Saws PASS (light duty, but I have one with a metal blade and one with a wood blade loaded for $60 less than a single Dewalt was gonna cost)
4.5 Grinders PASS ( I must be lucky, although I rarely run one for more than 5-10 minutes at a time. I now have 4, 2 up north, 2 at home. Cutting disk in one , grinding disk in another, all for less than 50 bucks!)
Automatic Float Battery Chargers PASS (5 bucks on sale, my battery failures have dropped 80% since I started sticking these on everything)
T56 Impala
Well-known member
Okay, I'll chime in:
SAE/Metric Pittsburgh PRO stubby combination wrenches. Old ones made in Taiwan. ------ PASS Too bad they don't sell these anymore. These are very good quality with a great finish.
Light blue gloves----- FAIL.
24" 3/8 breaker bar----- PASS under light use.
RED finger ratchet mentioned earlier------PASS
Made in India wrenches....ALL of them----- FAIL I could cast things that look better and function better in my kids sand box!
Large MM 1/2 impact sockets-----PASS
Screw Drivers (SO look a likes)-----PASS under light use. (Household)
Black tape------ PASS but needs to be kept cool.
4" Bench vise (Blue One)------ PASS Home use only and the screw is very tight.
Ball Pein Hammers (Fiberglass handles)----- PASS
Dry tile cutter (not the wet saw)----- PASS worked good for me.
Heat gun------ FAIL
22ga nailer (Blue one)-----PASS Used a lot and works great.
SAE/Metric Pittsburgh PRO stubby combination wrenches. Old ones made in Taiwan. ------ PASS Too bad they don't sell these anymore. These are very good quality with a great finish.
Light blue gloves----- FAIL.
24" 3/8 breaker bar----- PASS under light use.
RED finger ratchet mentioned earlier------PASS
Made in India wrenches....ALL of them----- FAIL I could cast things that look better and function better in my kids sand box!
Large MM 1/2 impact sockets-----PASS
Screw Drivers (SO look a likes)-----PASS under light use. (Household)
Black tape------ PASS but needs to be kept cool.
4" Bench vise (Blue One)------ PASS Home use only and the screw is very tight.
Ball Pein Hammers (Fiberglass handles)----- PASS
Dry tile cutter (not the wet saw)----- PASS worked good for me.
Heat gun------ FAIL
22ga nailer (Blue one)-----PASS Used a lot and works great.
Hose grip pliers - FAIL. I feel like I've used these enough to make a fair assessment, and I really don't like them. They flex too much so they don't provide much grip, and the teeth don't seem to bite into the hose either. On 2 of them the jaws bent.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37909
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37909
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nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I'm the opposite, I would give them a pass, BUT, I haven't used them for their intended purposes. They are excellent for putting bolts/pins/etc. in some place you can't reach.
I used one to install my lift. I burned up the first one after drilling about 16 5/8 in holes, 4" long. I brought it back and they gave me a new one, NC.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
He said drilling hammer, not hammer drill.
Mini Grease gun ----PASS
(refillable Dualco clone) works as good as the Dualco I have had both
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93486
Cable Cutters (red handle older style) ----PASS
I haven't seen these in a few years, they were FELCO copies. for small gauge cable they have worked great for years. heres what they would look like, but this is a link to the real deal FELCO
http://www.felcousa.com/felco/pages/product.page?name=FELCO C3
Grinding Wheel Dresser ----PASS
for the $3.00 works well
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1682
Pro Seal Threadlocker Blue& Red ----PASS
seems to be as good as loctite and way cheaper
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96059
Emory cloth in box on roll ----FAIL
one use and pitch it, it's cheap but the PITA factor is high
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93069
(refillable Dualco clone) works as good as the Dualco I have had both
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93486
Cable Cutters (red handle older style) ----PASS
I haven't seen these in a few years, they were FELCO copies. for small gauge cable they have worked great for years. heres what they would look like, but this is a link to the real deal FELCO
http://www.felcousa.com/felco/pages/product.page?name=FELCO C3
Grinding Wheel Dresser ----PASS
for the $3.00 works well
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1682
Pro Seal Threadlocker Blue& Red ----PASS
seems to be as good as loctite and way cheaper
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96059
Emory cloth in box on roll ----FAIL
one use and pitch it, it's cheap but the PITA factor is high
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93069
I have these in my junkyard set, they have been fine, not anywhere near my KAL's but, they are ok.
JebNY
Well-known member
I bought one of these a couple of years ago and the plunger mechanism to load grease was missing. I returned it and the clerk and I looked at all of them on the shelf and none had the part was missing on all of them.
I assume the current ones are complete if it passed.
Jeb
gotmud13613
Well-known member
JebNy, what part of Upstate NY are you from if you don't mind me asking
Gregster
Well-known member
I know where Brasher Falls is.. Thats not too far away from Massena NY.. I visit the Sears there often, they have a pretty good tool selection. I also spend time in Malone
gotmud13613
Well-known member
Yeah, pretty close about 7 miles away from Massena, Sears here is ok, the mall *****
but the Sears in Watertown has a larger selection. I go to Malone for the Napa auto store (great guys to deal with).Gregster
Well-known member
Yeah, pretty close about 7 miles away from Massena, Sears here is ok, the mall *****
Haven't been to the one in Watertown... but the Sears at the mall in Massena is much better then anything we have up here in Canadaland. Yes the mall does ****
except maybe for the Taco Hell they have in the parking lot I like having the Home Creepo and Wal Mart next door to each other now.
I haven't been to the Napa in Malone. I have a friend that lives there. We usually go to Advance or the Auto zone. However I keep hearing that the car quest is ok.
JebNY
Well-known member
I'm East of Rochester. Never know how to describe where I'm at, If I say Western NY they think West of Buffalo. We are North of Finger Lakes Region. So I just say Upstate, so people know I'm not in NYC or Long Island.
Jeb
WSMC633
Well-known member
13 Drawer Industrial Quality Roller Tool Chest Pass
Get's used everyday rolled all over my shop. Sure there are nicer chests... But not for anywhere near the $$. I see no reason to upgrade. Also have the Matching Top Chest. Love them Both.
3/8" Impact... Bought it on Sale for $14.00 mostly to see how much I would use it, and figured if it lasted a little while and I like it, I'll by in IR or something. I love it. I use it for everything. Especially disassembly. Really helps to tear down an engine Quick. It won't die, so I haven't had to replace it yet. Have been using it for Over a year nonstop. It is beginning to wear on the drive portion so sockets are a bit loose.
Wall Mount Holders for Packs of Nitrile gloves Pass
Eh.... what could go wrong!
3/8" Drive long Ball end Hex Drive Sockets mm Pass
Saved my ****. Nobody else had anything in stock. These were a Necessity Buy. and they've been working fine. 4mm twists though. I just saw Cman has a set in the store now where the shaft is 3 times the thickness of the actual Ball end. So I'm going to pick those up for more everyday use for durability.
Engine Stand: Pass All I really use it for right now is to store my S50 motor and it's worked fine, rolls around the shop fine. It was cheap too on sale.
4.5" Grinder passsomething else I bought in a pinch and planned on replacing when it died. It just keeps going and going and going......
3/8" Air Drill pass Works Fine. Our Mac and CMAN's seem to each work better.
Rolling Height adjustable Stool Pass Works great was like $20 on sale. Will buy a few more when they are on sale again.
20 something foot Goodyear Hoses Pass
They do their job as advertised.
Parts Washer Pass It's a steel Tub with a pump. Been working fine for over a year.
Magnetic Parts Trays Pass small ones.. They go on sale all the time for like a dollar. Always buy a bunch. Real handy for keeping nut's and bolts with their project
Cheap Blue Rubber Air Hoses. Marked with something Like 8'-12' FAIL These are probably scraps that they put ends on. They were on sale so we bought a bunch as short utility hoses to have in our bays. They all blistered and burst within 2 months. Or cracked apart. Cheap and not worth it.
Set of Picks Fail
Cheap and Break
5pc Ball-peen Hammer Set Fail Heads were all loose within a month. I like my striking objects not to fall apart
Honestly I love my Chests and think they were one of the Best Buys at HF. I wouldn't by any hand tools from there really. I think it's pretty easy to spot the stuff there that will hold up OK and what stuff is just ****.
Sometimes I will pick up something there (like the 3/8" impact) that I think I might like but not sure how much it will get used, so maybe not worth the $$ to buy a good brand name just to have it sit in the drawer. If it get's used a lot then I'll get a good one. Know what I mean?
Get's used everyday rolled all over my shop. Sure there are nicer chests... But not for anywhere near the $$. I see no reason to upgrade. Also have the Matching Top Chest. Love them Both.
3/8" Impact... Bought it on Sale for $14.00 mostly to see how much I would use it, and figured if it lasted a little while and I like it, I'll by in IR or something. I love it. I use it for everything. Especially disassembly. Really helps to tear down an engine Quick. It won't die, so I haven't had to replace it yet. Have been using it for Over a year nonstop. It is beginning to wear on the drive portion so sockets are a bit loose.
Wall Mount Holders for Packs of Nitrile gloves Pass
Eh.... what could go wrong!
3/8" Drive long Ball end Hex Drive Sockets mm Pass
Saved my ****. Nobody else had anything in stock. These were a Necessity Buy. and they've been working fine. 4mm twists though. I just saw Cman has a set in the store now where the shaft is 3 times the thickness of the actual Ball end. So I'm going to pick those up for more everyday use for durability.
Engine Stand: Pass All I really use it for right now is to store my S50 motor and it's worked fine, rolls around the shop fine. It was cheap too on sale.
4.5" Grinder passsomething else I bought in a pinch and planned on replacing when it died. It just keeps going and going and going......
3/8" Air Drill pass Works Fine. Our Mac and CMAN's seem to each work better.
Rolling Height adjustable Stool Pass Works great was like $20 on sale. Will buy a few more when they are on sale again.
20 something foot Goodyear Hoses Pass
They do their job as advertised.
Parts Washer Pass It's a steel Tub with a pump. Been working fine for over a year.
Magnetic Parts Trays Pass small ones.. They go on sale all the time for like a dollar. Always buy a bunch. Real handy for keeping nut's and bolts with their project
Cheap Blue Rubber Air Hoses. Marked with something Like 8'-12' FAIL These are probably scraps that they put ends on. They were on sale so we bought a bunch as short utility hoses to have in our bays. They all blistered and burst within 2 months. Or cracked apart. Cheap and not worth it.
Set of Picks Fail
Cheap and Break
5pc Ball-peen Hammer Set Fail Heads were all loose within a month. I like my striking objects not to fall apart
Honestly I love my Chests and think they were one of the Best Buys at HF. I wouldn't by any hand tools from there really. I think it's pretty easy to spot the stuff there that will hold up OK and what stuff is just ****.
Sometimes I will pick up something there (like the 3/8" impact) that I think I might like but not sure how much it will get used, so maybe not worth the $$ to buy a good brand name just to have it sit in the drawer. If it get's used a lot then I'll get a good one. Know what I mean?
n2hcky
Well-known member
I almost responded the same way
But since I am here.
SDS Rotary Hammer=Big PASS
Drills holes in concrete like butter, decent bits, can drill, hammer, or drill and hammer.
Mine is orange but you get the idea
Creeper=Pass
Comfortable, rolls well, light weight
Coach James
Well-known member
Pittsburgh stubby combo wrenches made in India....FAIL!!!!!
They are so thick they must be made of the weakest steel the Indians could find.
A buddy of mine also has that SDS rotary hammer and it has drilled 100+ holes with it and no problems.
Coach
They are so thick they must be made of the weakest steel the Indians could find.
A buddy of mine also has that SDS rotary hammer and it has drilled 100+ holes with it and no problems.
Coach
modeltford
Well-known member
Bought a lot of tools from HF over the last 20+ years - way more than I can remember! Only real failure was a bat charger - switch is bad - no repair parts, but was cheap. Have a couple broken sockets, but sets are so cheap it doesn't matter. Have the 18 gauge Air Finish nailer - bought in 2000 while building our house, have run over 10,000 nails thru with no problems - well worth the 20 bucks! have their jack stands in constant use - have never worried about a failure even on a sloped driveway.
biggest thing to remember is you get what yo upay for - if I was earning a living with my tools, I'd not buy at HF - but have had better luck with their electric hand tools than with Craftsman or B/D.
I'd say PASS for almost everythng!
Rich
biggest thing to remember is you get what yo upay for - if I was earning a living with my tools, I'd not buy at HF - but have had better luck with their electric hand tools than with Craftsman or B/D.
I'd say PASS for almost everythng!
Rich
Where possible to make this thread useful add the model numbers and when produced. We get spoiled by the tools we can recognize by manufacturer and are produced by that company for years. HF like Sears is a marketing company not a manufacturer getting its products from ever changing sources even though the looks are similar. They also for example have about 15 different spray gun models many having similar names on the box.
Because of this we have a rule, HF for the items we get there with few exceptions, Evapo rust for instance is a hands on place. You place your hands on what you are getting and view it before taking it home. Any doubts, leave it.
We have had good go to bad. We used a spray gun, painted a few things and chucked it to not have to deal with cleaning issues. The model is still there but changes have been made that have turned it into a fail for us. It is now usually on sale for 20 bucks less than before. Give me the better one back with the same model.
Others have gone from bad to usable. Some hand tools that were terrible that in the Taiwan models are OK. Then other cheaper **** came up with the same name.
We do live by the tools so we are fussy or dead in the water. Still there is things that are OK to get at HF. Many of the secondary shops use 60-80 gal US General air compressors that we purchased in the last couple of years at around 899 each.
Because of this we have a rule, HF for the items we get there with few exceptions, Evapo rust for instance is a hands on place. You place your hands on what you are getting and view it before taking it home. Any doubts, leave it.
We have had good go to bad. We used a spray gun, painted a few things and chucked it to not have to deal with cleaning issues. The model is still there but changes have been made that have turned it into a fail for us. It is now usually on sale for 20 bucks less than before. Give me the better one back with the same model.
Others have gone from bad to usable. Some hand tools that were terrible that in the Taiwan models are OK. Then other cheaper **** came up with the same name.
We do live by the tools so we are fussy or dead in the water. Still there is things that are OK to get at HF. Many of the secondary shops use 60-80 gal US General air compressors that we purchased in the last couple of years at around 899 each.
I bought some cheap clamps. FAIL. They explode. Yep..They literally will fall apart under pressure. Ive hard 3 of them just suddenly burst when they were holding something.
Also the manual pipe threader. Didn't work at all. Same with the large pipe cutter. Did not work at all. I have no idea how they can sell stuff like that.
Of course, I returned those items.
Harbor Freight is about 50/50..You know its a gamble when you go in.
Also the manual pipe threader. Didn't work at all. Same with the large pipe cutter. Did not work at all. I have no idea how they can sell stuff like that.
Of course, I returned those items.
Harbor Freight is about 50/50..You know its a gamble when you go in.
Yep
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92874
At $7, what can you expect? But, they can do damage when they fly apart. Ive been lucky I wasnt staring at one when it happened.
I should really throw them away lol Not sure why I keep them around.
My wife bought a few of these to hold up her photography backgrounds. They were easier to clip on than the Ponys I had given her and she had used for about 8 years. Day 2 of use, loud crash. Sticking into the wall right where her customers or observers sit during a photo shoot was the spring of the clamp. If that thing had given out about 30 minutes later or a few minutes earlier, I would not have been here to make this comment. I would be working multiple jobs to pay off the for sure law suit that would have happened. That thing had the power behind it to go through the wall and about 3/4" into the stud behind where it hit. It would have done damage to a much softer human body. Imagine hitting the throat, eye, etc.
It was a good lesson for her also about looking at design and what can happen due to failure.
It was back to the pony's. 10 years and never an issue.
I give those clamps not just a FAIL but a DANGEROUS ranking. These should not be on the market. Period.
It was a good lesson for her also about looking at design and what can happen due to failure.
It was back to the pony's. 10 years and never an issue.
I give those clamps not just a FAIL but a DANGEROUS ranking. These should not be on the market. Period.
T56 Impala
Well-known member
PASS.... Right angle pneumatic grinder......PASS
I picked one up today for my box restoration. Went to Sears and picked up some locking disc things. Mine works great! Runs true but is a bit of an air hog.
Anyone one about the smaller bench top blast cabinet? Is it good enough for light use such as old wrenches and parts of this box I'm working on?
I picked one up today for my box restoration. Went to Sears and picked up some locking disc things. Mine works great! Runs true but is a bit of an air hog.
Anyone one about the smaller bench top blast cabinet? Is it good enough for light use such as old wrenches and parts of this box I'm working on?
Glad to hear I wasn't the only one with a problem...(so I know Im not crazy). I'm definitely throwing the others away before something bad happens.
T56 Impala
Well-known member
Humm, I have a set of these. Not sure if they are HF ones or not, but they very well could be. They sure look the same! Mine have been holding up for about 8 years now. No issues.
I bought a bunch of the rubber over metal clamps, and they have been working fine. I used them when gluing fabric usually with flat bits of wood to spread out the pressure. PASS
11" long handle plier set, PASS, works fine, even has a decent fit to the jaws.
11" long handle plier set, PASS, works fine, even has a decent fit to the jaws.