The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[cagullett1]

I am looking for a coupon code for this floor jack, I need to purchase this after work this evening. Thank You for any help that can be provided.


2 ton Low Profile Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack With Rapid Pump®
"High-end features helped this floor jack exceed our expectations”
Truckin’ Magazine
Pittsburgh Automotive - item#68050

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-68050.html

If you find something, PLEASE POST IT. I've been looking for months, and the only thing I saw was $10 less than the current price. Unforunately I was out of town for most of the time during this coupon, and couldn't even jump on that price. I've contemplated just getting the 3 ton as it has been SO hard time find a current coupon for this one and I'm not sure the features of this one make it worth double the price of the 3 ton low profile.

 

[motorcyclist]

Hi all, love this thread!!!

is HF's 3/4 hp belt sander any good?

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html

It's on sale for $59.99.
Thank you.

 

[wildbill23c]

Hi all, love this thread!!!

is HF's 3/4 hp belt sander any good?

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html

It's on sale for $59.99.
Thank you.

No sure how old the one is that I have, but I know mine is at least 10 years old and still works great. The only issue I have with them is the table for the disc sander leaves a lot to be desired, its not exactly going to stay square to the sanding disc, otherwise its a pretty descent sander actually. I bought mine at a garage sale a few years ago for $20, but it looked brand new.

For $60 you can't really go wrong.

 

[Kin Creed]

Watch the youtube vid by ghostses on the belt disc. He goes thru it pretty good.

 

[bubinga]

Watch the youtube vid by ghostses on the belt disc. He goes thru it pretty good.

 

[1Garageman]

Hi all, love this thread!!!

is HF's 3/4 hp belt sander any good?

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html

It's on sale for $59.99.
Thank you.

I bought the sander for my dad last year at Christmas. He loves it!
So that is definitely a good deal!

 

[f575gtc]

Are any of their bench grinders good?

I can't decide between the HD Ryobi or the Orange 9amp grinder they have for $45.

 

[CJCar]

Are any of their bench grinders good?

I can't decide between the HD Ryobi or the Orange 9amp grinder they have for $45.

I've had this one (or it's equal) for 12 years. It's a bit under powered with a wire wheel on it but it works.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-bench-grinder-with-gooseneck-lamp-37822.html

 

[f575gtc]

Yea that is the one I was going to get. It is a 9 amp motor compared to the 2.1 on the Ryobi.

I don't have much room on my bench for this, are their stands any good?

 

[cheechi]

I have HF 8", ryobi 6" maybe also a HF 6" somewhere, and a HF buffer.

They're all about the same. I think the shields are better quality on the Ryobi, but I have definitely used the above pretty heavily and I have to say above the buffer is the best of them. You are not going to get top tier performance from a chinese made bench grinder, period. I have not taken mine apart but I have read and heard from some that upgrading the bearings inside can make a big difference. Never tried it but I have thought about it. Personally I have been watching for a blockhead and working with what I got. It will get the job done if you don't bog it down, in both cases. Typically I use 2 wire wheels (steel & brass coated) on the 8" and a flap disc and fine wheel on the 6".

I'm not an expert on bench buffers, I used a Dewalt branded one at the pawn shop back in the 90s, this is about the same from what I remember.

I know it's not a direct answer to your question but i hope it helps. Additionally, the 3" with the flex shaft is a great unit for just the flex shaft. I don't think I have used either stone on it but for 1/3 the price of a Proxxon unit, for the amount of time I need it this thing is the best considering the limitations. 10k rpm and tethered to a bench but imo its easier than holding a dremel, and if I'm going to use the flex shaft and I'm near the bench I will only grab the dremel if this one gets bogged down (due to the rpms mostly) works great with dremel accessories, and I have basically stopped using the dremel for any kind of grinding at this point.

 

[bubinga]

I bought the sander for my dad last year at Christmas. He loves it!
So that is definitely a good deal!

So it was pretty smooth out of the box?
I know the fellow on You tube did a good bit of tweaking to his.
As a side note, they say the 12" disk sander is pretty good.
Catch it on sale too, then use -20 0r 25% coupon.

 

[motorcyclist]

No sure how old the one is that I have, but I know mine is at least 10 years old and still works great. The only issue I have with them is the table for the disc sander leaves a lot to be desired, its not exactly going to stay square to the sanding disc, otherwise its a pretty descent sander actually. I bought mine at a garage sale a few years ago for $20, but it looked brand new.

For $60 you can't really go wrong.

Thank you so much. I saw the coupon online for $59 and now I couldn't find it!

Also, I wonder if I can use those 20% off single item together with an on sale coupon item?

 

[motorcyclist]

I bought the sander for my dad last year at Christmas. He loves it!
So that is definitely a good deal!

Thank you! I will get it! Appreciate your reply.

 

[ineedtools]

Thank you so much. I saw the coupon online for $59 and now I couldn't find it!

Also, I wonder if I can use those 20% off single item together with an on sale coupon item?

You can use a 20% on a sale item but if an item already has a coupon then you can't use an additional on top.

Most of the time you'll find the better deal using a 20% off on a sale item.

During the parking lot sale the cheap grinders were on sale for 9.99 and I used a 20% to knock it down another 2 bucks.

 

[1Garageman]

Thank you! I will get it! Appreciate your reply.

You are very welcome and good luck!
You can get a good deal on the sanding belt disks also there! I use them on my sander all the time.

 

[bubinga]

You are very welcome and good luck!
You can get a good deal on the sanding belt disks also there! I use them on my sander all the time.

are there 12" PSA sanding disks decent?
will be using for wood only.
I just got 5 of them from Zoro for about $13.00.
Don't know how they are yet .
They were the cheaper ones.
I think the 3 M ones were about $5.00 each.

 

[dougand3]

4-in-1 Jump Starter with Air Compressor 60666

FAIL - air compressor quit working after 3 months.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-1-jump-starter-with-air-compressor-60666.html

 

[Colin Len]

Anyone try the DrillMaster Flexible Drill Bit? #94317
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-x-48-inch-flex-drill-bit-94317.html

I have some pretty basic a/v wiring I want to do this weekend which may require that I drill thru a couple fire blocks. I've never done this type of work myself and want to give it a try with this project in hopes I can learn and do bigger wiring jobs down the line.

Ratings on the website aren't that great, but the $50+ option from Home Depot isn't rated much better and costs nearly 10x as much.

 

[1Garageman]

are there 12" PSA sanding disks decent?
will be using for wood only.
I just got 5 of them from Zoro for about $13.00.
Don't know how they are yet .
They were the cheaper ones.
I think the 3 M ones were about $5.00 each.

I am not sure about the 12" sanding disks, I don't use them.
I know their other sanding belts and disks are good, and you
get your money out of them.

 

[Piece-it Pete]

Just a quick mention, if you take their free blue flashlights and buy a 6 v lantern battery there ($2.19/ea iirc?), open the flashlight, you can cut the leads to the battery tabs, clip wires to them, attach to the lantern battery, wala!

The flashlights are 4.5 v iirc so the 6 v makes them bright. I've had one fry on hookup, one start blinking out, but a few just work.

Excellent for no plug applications.

Pete

 

[Mk3Mike]

Damn, and I needed them in metric..

 

[Mk3Mike]

I need a bit of help regarding something else. I need to buy my mother her own set of tools and have a list of things I know she uses. Do any of you have a 20 or 25% off an ENTIRE PURCHASE coupon??



I went to her place last week and had to get the machinery up and running (lawn tractor/generator/car) and the tools she had available made me cringe. Her birthday is coming up, so she is gettin new tools.

If you sign up for their coupons through email they will occasionally send out a few coupons like that. IIRC it's 20% off a purchase of $100 or more.

 

[RivennHewn]

What's the verdict on the HF shrinker stretcher set?

 

[dalehsc]

I bought the 5 drawer tool cart,(US General).PASS
The drawer "chrome" was falling off the drawer pulls. I could glue them back on if I wanted to.Well built...worth every penny

 

[lightning02]

How are there corded drills? I don't see much talk about them.

 

[pauls_workshop]

How are there corded drills? I don't see much talk about them.

I got their cheap $25 on sale corded hammer drill and like it a bunch. It works and is a bargain. Now quality is always possible with HF. But mine works good with a major pass for the money. - Paul

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-variable-speed-reversible-hammer-drill-68170.html

It is 68169 number.

 

[lightning02]

I got their cheap $25 on sale corded hammer drill and like it a bunch. It works and is a bargain. Now quality is always possible with HF. But mine works good with a major pass for the money. - Paul

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-variable-speed-reversible-hammer-drill-68170.html

It is 68169 number.

Think I have that same coupon. Have to check again but if so I might pick one up.

 

[cherokee]

1 Horsepower Submersible Dirty Water Pump with Float

Pass:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-Horsepower-Submersible-Dirty-Water-Pump-with-Float-69300.html

Draining a half build drainage ditch after some rain, huge puddles of water here and there....when I say puddle think about holes about 5' deep and 10' across....really a small stream with little ponds in them.

I ran this off my generator and tossed it into the muddy water. I did have to tie the float up so it would stay running but this thing pumped mud.

Worked fantastic and could not be more happy.

My little tractor got stuck in the mud...this should give you a small idea.

 

[kctyphoon]

Well I couldnt find any coupons and went over to my local HF and they had 2 of the 2 ton High Lift jacks on hand. the demo that has been fondled and beaten in the store for as long as I have been shopping there, and one that was in a box that looked like it had been bought, left in the back of a pickup in the rain, then returned. It was basically a ball of tape...

They let me take the 2 ton Aluminum Racing Jack out to the parking lot and it was able to lift my FJ Cruiser off the ground 3 inches. After I install bigger tires that will be reduced to about 1.5 inches off the ground, maybe 1 depending on how much more droop I get out of the new struts.

I may just get the 3 Ton version of the Aluminum Racing Jack or drive to the next town and get one of the 2 ton High lift jacks that I originally wanted.

The 2 ton High Lift has that foot pedal option and T bar pump handle with knob release that sure makes it nice, but its heavy weighing in at 102lbs. My back is still talkin to me about that..........which is why I havent decided yet.

I have the 2 ton, it's great. Never goes on sale though. I use it for my diesel f350. Although the 3 ton would be better, it does work, and gives me the few extra inches of lift.. The t handle is real nice, and so is the release valve. I honestly don't use the foot pedal much since I have to bend down to line up the jack anyway. Anyway.. I've have it for a few months, it lives outside pushed up the truck in my driveway since it doesn't get driven right not. One of my favorite purchases..

 

[1Garageman]

Re: 1 Horsepower Submersible Dirty Water Pump with Float

Pass:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-Horsepower-Submersible-Dirty-Water-Pump-with-Float-69300.html

Draining a half build drainage ditch after some rain, huge puddles of water here and there....when I say puddle think about holes about 5' deep and 10' across....really a small stream with little ponds in them.

I ran this off my generator and tossed it into the muddy water. I did have to tie the float up so it would stay running but this thing pumped mud.

Worked fantastic and could not be more happy.

My little tractor got stuck in the mud...this should give you a small idea.

That's pretty impressive! Especially see how it was pretty muddy water!

 

[ryolse]

I bought one of the Harbor Freight 8" 5 Speed Bench Drill Press in hopes of using it to drill some 1.5" notches through 1.5" galvanized piping for a welding project and it kept stalling/getting stuck regardless of the speed and how slowly I tried drilling through it with 1.5" hole saw bits made for metal. It turned out to be my worse buy from there thus far and I haven't used it in the 9 months since then. It was a 1 time project which was why I went the HF route.

Before I bought that one I gave their Drill Guide a shot and had much better luck, but it tends to twist and didn't provide a smooth straight cut. I was also going through a lot more battery life with my Milwaukee M18 1/2 in. Drill.

 

[owenst7]

I bought one of the Harbor Freight 8" 5 Speed Bench Drill Press in hopes of using it to drill some 1.5" notches through 1.5" galvanized piping for a welding project and it kept stalling/getting stuck regardless of the speed and how slowly I tried drilling through it with 1.5" hole saw bits made for metal. It turned out to be my worse buy from there thus far and I haven't used it in the 9 months since then. It was a 1 time project which was why I went the HF route.

Before I bought that one I gave their Drill Guide a shot and had much better luck, but it tends to twist and didn't provide a smooth straight cut. I was also going through a lot more battery life with my Milwaukee M18 1/2 in. Drill.

While I don't disagree that the 5 speed drill press is questionable in usefulness, it isn't even remotely close to the right tool for notching tube anyway.

The portaband or 4x6 band saw would be much better. I believe they also sell a tube notching jig for a hand drill, but I don't recall it getting very good reviews over on pirate.

 

[crucible]

How are there corded drills? I don't see much talk about them.

I reviewed this one earlier: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-heavy-duty-spade-handle-drill-93632.html

Low speed (only), lots of torque and built surprisingly well; I used it for mixing mastic/tile mud and was very pleased. With a coupon, it was a bargain. YMMV of course.

 

[fsdogwood]

Damn, and I needed them in metric..

Mind tell us why?

 

[cheechi]

See the red SAE? He is suggesting he would like impact extensions for use with metric sockets. But these are only labeled for SAE sockets.

Sometimes they have everything except the thing you want.

 

[f575gtc]

Mind tell us why?

I think the joke is that they are extensions, it doesn't matter if they are SAE or Metric

 

[kctyphoon]

The motor on my truck alone weights about 1000lbs, but I don't have 4wd so I don't have the heavy axle up front (not offered in 95 dually's). Anyway, I haven't tried to lift both sides of the front at the same time (jack under center front) but it does each side one at a time np. Works well on my Honda crv too.. I love the t handle and release valve, I can really let things down slow. When I got it, my thought was 2ton = 4,000lbs. 95 f350 diesel dually ext cab @5000lbs or less, so doing one side a time, or the entire rear should not be an issue.
Honestly I love the jack. I have an old 3 ton I never use anymore, along with 2 2ton trolleys that will never get used now..

I would try the 2 ton, bring it home and see if you really need the 3. I got the 2 cause I was fed up with putting wood under my 3 ton. It's stupid inconviences like that, that keep me from working up the motivation to do stuff. Bought alot "toys" this year just trying to make things easier at home.

 

[kctyphoon]

Or you can go with something like this: Steel Floor Jack Cross Beam
Pittsburgh Automotive - Item#60762

 

[ndr1968]

I reviewed this one earlier: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-heavy-duty-spade-handle-drill-93632.html

Low speed (only), lots of torque and built surprisingly well; I used it for mixing mastic/tile mud and was very pleased. With a coupon, it was a bargain. YMMV of course.

That drill seems to have problems with breakage of the chuck bolt in reverse mode. Be sure to read the on site reviews.

 

[Kin Creed]

See the red SAE? He is suggesting he would like impact extensions for use with metric sockets. But these are only labeled for SAE sockets.

Sometimes they have everything except the thing you want.

It's kind of funny that the international standard for ratchet drives is sized in inches, even in fully metric places. Maybe it will be harder to kill off the inch than previously thought?

I used to prefer metric over SAE for ease of use, but there are enough applications where standard sizes are still used I have kind gotten used to using inches and feet and it seems a more natural system, especially when it comes to construction measurements. The standard system was developed using a human scale (feet) whereas metric was a scientific scale that can be awkward for building things (a meter is too long, a centimeter is too short).

Anyway, kind of off topic, but someone should tell Harbor Freight there is no need to label drive extensions as SAE as long as there is still no metric alternative.