Coach James
Well-known member
Word on the street? Like Big Frankie on the corner word on the street or someone working at HF?
Coach
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
- Thread starter Bolster
- Start date
Word on the street? Like Big Frankie on the corner word on the street or someone working at HF?
Coach
Yea, I spent an hour earlier this evening looking at the Craftsman tool set offerings, the lack of sizes, screw drivers, 6 points, and the fact that its more money and still made in china sways me to the Harbor Freight set still.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-wrench-rings-37074.html
2 Piece Wrench Rings, Part #37074
Pass. They're large enough and strong enough that I put a 13 pc wrench set from 1/4" to 1" on one of them.
2 Piece Wrench Rings, Part #37074
Pass. They're large enough and strong enough that I put a 13 pc wrench set from 1/4" to 1" on one of them.
CobraChevelle
Banned
I was thinking the same thing.
TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
Yupp, my last three rubber mallets took them months to replace them... (They disentegrated in the tool box.)
Heavy Duty Chain Breaker
Pittsburgh Motorcycle - item#66488
This tool gets a huge pass from me!! I used it yesterday to install a chain drive conversion on my Harley Dyna (530 Chain) Lightly dremeled the stakes off of the pin I wanted to push out, clamped the outer support down on the chain and started the pressure until that bottomed out, then drove the pin out the rest of the way with the center pin. So great!!
Side bonus, it actually helped me press the master link plate onto the pins to make the clip install easy as well!!
Side Note, Mom has a wall mount TV Bracket she needs installed when I get there. Just confirms this tool set is what I need to get her......
Pittsburgh Motorcycle - item#66488
This tool gets a huge pass from me!! I used it yesterday to install a chain drive conversion on my Harley Dyna (530 Chain) Lightly dremeled the stakes off of the pin I wanted to push out, clamped the outer support down on the chain and started the pressure until that bottomed out, then drove the pin out the rest of the way with the center pin. So great!!
Side bonus, it actually helped me press the master link plate onto the pins to make the clip install easy as well!!
Side Note, Mom has a wall mount TV Bracket she needs installed when I get there. Just confirms this tool set is what I need to get her......
bobbycos
Well-known member
motorcyclist
Active member
I tried to look for 6-point metric wrench and HF doesn't even carry them? Search for "6 point wrench" on HF web site and got nothing. Nothing in the store either. Has anyone seen any?
I then found a set of 9 Craftsman metric 6-pt made in USA from a Sears Outlet store for $11.99.
Toymeister
Well-known member
I have been arround longer than this fella. The best discussion on this set was within a discussion by poster 'amechanicnamedjohn". John did what is often advised but seldom done. He built a business starting from a single car garage to a multi bay proffesional shop. He did it with cash. He built his tool set with the HF 301pc set. He did two you tube postings of his original and multi bay shop. He praised the 301 set highly.
Thats not my opinion it is the opinion of someone who has done what many advise.
LA1
Well-known member
BATTERY TESTER PASS you have to get one of theses......seriously
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Automotive DVM , HFT does not carry this anymore. They do have an Automotive DVM does not have all the functions this one has. Seen with my HFT Battery tester on the right. PASS
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I bought their soda blaster Pass
1/2" A/C powered drill Pass
18v 3/8 drill pass
clamp on desk lamp with magnifier and circular fluorescent lamp Pass
solar cell phone charger FAIL
Heat Gun Pass
extra long wrenches Pass
breaker bar Pass
impact sockets Pass
10 x 10 "shade" canopy , left up and the weight of rain broke it PASS
Very long needle nose plyers PASS
Digital inspection Camera Pass only purchase when on sale
screw drivers Pass
recharchable batteries pass
li-ion battery charger really like #47618 pass
4.5" angle grinder pass...make sure you read the directions and get the right grind wheels pass
330 ft lb electric impact pass, sort of....needs to be 400ft lb or more
plus a lot more
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bubinga
Well-known member
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bubinga
Well-known member
ineedtools
Well-known member
I should have stock piled 4 coils while I had the chance!
I have never owned or used 6 point wrenches during my time wrenching (25 years) I was referring to 6 point sockets, which I do use frequently.
Just a side note, it is nice to chat back and forth regarding different tools, but to keep the thread clean it never hurts to go back later and delete your own posts that were not actual Harbor Freight Tool Reviews.
LA1
Well-known member
I think Cen Tech still makes them, just that HFT does not sell them. The ones I saw on the net were 2x to 3x more than what I paid at HFT. I am sure if you searched for cen tec automotive dvm you probably could find one.
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mge_1
Well-known member
I'll have to give this rear bike stand a PASS! For $34 out the door, works wonders. Light weight and easy installation.
Dirt Bike Stand
Haul-Master - item#67151
had this stand for a while and it was nicer than my Pro Circuit stand I paid $100 for. This stand has a oil change cutout and rounded edges on the bottom so it doesnt make that terrible sound my Pro Circuit stand did when u slide it on concrete.
Great Value
Haul-Master - item#67151
had this stand for a while and it was nicer than my Pro Circuit stand I paid $100 for. This stand has a oil change cutout and rounded edges on the bottom so it doesnt make that terrible sound my Pro Circuit stand did when u slide it on concrete.
Great Value
pedrodagr8
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2013
- Messages
- 613
pedrodagr8
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2013
- Messages
- 613
jeff lary
Well-known member
I am sure this has been asked to death before but here goes. If I print out a coupon I find on the computer some place will the store honor it? I have see on some maybe all coupons say must be " original" I assume that means nothing made on a printer will be accepted? I have found sites that show coupons that I could print out but I don't know if the store would accept them. Thanks to all for your time and opinions that put this particular thread together it is very interesting to read through. Right now I am on page 66,.. Jeff
It is up to the individual store. My local store always honors the coupon for me except if it has passed the expiration date.
dlc
Well-known member
I take pictures of coupons with my smartphone and they honor them as long as they aren't expired. I keep a 20% off coupon on my phone and I bet I've used it a dozen times, same with the free meters and flashlights.
has anyone tried the new Professional Flex Head Ratchets? look like they might be copy of gearwrench? im going to pick up a 1/4 and see it the guts from my matco 88 fit inside.
http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-Drive-Professional-Flex-Head-Long-Handle-Ratchet-62333.html
they are selling the maxi das ds708 now, at a good price too if you use the 20 or 25 off cupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/autel-maxidas-automotive-diagnostic-and-analysis-system-62385.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-Drive-Professional-Flex-Head-Long-Handle-Ratchet-62333.html
they are selling the maxi das ds708 now, at a good price too if you use the 20 or 25 off cupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/autel-maxidas-automotive-diagnostic-and-analysis-system-62385.html
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
cammok5 a bunch of poeple have tried the new HF pro ratchets and as a personal user i would say they are 5stars! using the long 3/8ths for my oil change beater every day hasn't missed a beat! and just picked up the 1/4" for some home usage it's a damn nice little ratchet, and for the price, its a F(#*ing amazing ratchet. IMHO!
for the price you cant beat them. some will say the head is too loose but its not snap on. mine dont flop. others have posted theirs did. you can tighten the screw a touch to your liking. with a long extension and a big deep well socket i can see it trying to move around a bit. i have not run into that situation.
ive used it on 9 or 10 mechanic type jobs so far and have been happy with all the sizes. picked up one of each, except the short 3/8.... i didnt see the point in having it. its only a couple inches off the long one. they should have made the short one shorter. LOL
ive used it on 9 or 10 mechanic type jobs so far and have been happy with all the sizes. picked up one of each, except the short 3/8.... i didnt see the point in having it. its only a couple inches off the long one. they should have made the short one shorter. LOL
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
Anybody use the 1/2in cordless impact that has the 330ft lbs of tourque? How are the batteries? I have the craftsman c3 and i like it but its lacking power and the batteries ****!! Theres a dewalt with 1 nicad battery at tsc for $150 for blackfriday but batteries are alot of $ and how long will those 18 volt nicads be around. Its also only 300ft lbs which is tons better than my craftsman whish is starting to make noises
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
Automotive DVM , HFT does not carry this anymore. They do have an Automotive DVM does not have all the functions this one has.
I bought the automotive DVM, couple years ago, looks like the current model, major gripe is that the inductive pickup doesn't work with a hoot. I suspect the pickup is junk, but could be the meter. Main reason I bought it is that my timing light doesn't show rpm.
Standard HF warning, do not buy items without fully checking they work prior to end of warranty.
warweapon762
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2013
- Messages
- 323
No, it was reported from rapid prototyping company in taiwan that my employer has a joint venture in. Engineers in the tool world do actually communicate. Harbor Freight is going to expand the Earthquake line because its successful, this is common knowledge.
Tronyadorable
Banned
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2014
- Messages
- 1,170
It's also common sense. I wish them success.
jeff lary
Well-known member
Thanks for the replies I will have to try it and see I guess . Jeff
bubinga
Well-known member
jeff lary
Well-known member
well said
First post on this forum!
1 Ton Capacity Foldable Shop Crane (engine hoist): FAIL
I went with the 1 ton hoist, and not the 2 ton hoist because I have a 1990 Nissan 240sx with a 4 cylinder turbo SR20DET. The engine with the ****** weighs in under 500lbs (according to forums).
The first problem with this hoist is that it's reach is just so bad. My 240 is a small car, but in order to get this thing to pull my engine, I had to remove the bumper support, set the hoist to it's lowest (and longest) setting at 1/4 ton, shorten the chain on the hoist to the first link (to get the hoist to start lifting the engine at it's longest reach at 90 degrees), and wrap the straps (I used straps instead of chains) really short.
Despite all of that, when the hoist was at it's maximum height, the oil pan was resting against the piston of the hoist because of the bad reach. I had to lower the front of the car to the point where the frame was almost resting on the cranes legs, AND on top of that, I had to get my 6'9" friend to dead lift the back of the transmission to clear the radiator support.
To top things off, when I went to pull my engine out again 6 months later, oil started pouring out of the pump cylinder every time I would pump the hydraulic ram.
That being said, it does fold quite nicely, and the casters held up to me moving the crane while holding the engine around some extremely rough concrete (think like 30 degree slabs).
1 Ton Capacity Foldable Shop Crane (engine hoist): FAIL
I went with the 1 ton hoist, and not the 2 ton hoist because I have a 1990 Nissan 240sx with a 4 cylinder turbo SR20DET. The engine with the ****** weighs in under 500lbs (according to forums).
The first problem with this hoist is that it's reach is just so bad. My 240 is a small car, but in order to get this thing to pull my engine, I had to remove the bumper support, set the hoist to it's lowest (and longest) setting at 1/4 ton, shorten the chain on the hoist to the first link (to get the hoist to start lifting the engine at it's longest reach at 90 degrees), and wrap the straps (I used straps instead of chains) really short.
Despite all of that, when the hoist was at it's maximum height, the oil pan was resting against the piston of the hoist because of the bad reach. I had to lower the front of the car to the point where the frame was almost resting on the cranes legs, AND on top of that, I had to get my 6'9" friend to dead lift the back of the transmission to clear the radiator support.
To top things off, when I went to pull my engine out again 6 months later, oil started pouring out of the pump cylinder every time I would pump the hydraulic ram.
That being said, it does fold quite nicely, and the casters held up to me moving the crane while holding the engine around some extremely rough concrete (think like 30 degree slabs).
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032484
Active member
2 Amp 5 in. Random Orbital Heavy Duty Palm Sander #69857 PASS with flying colors
I've been using this sander since I bought my home this march. I sanded the entire living room and dinning room floor to install laminate floors. I sanded 34 6ft wood planks for my outdoor entry gate and other things here and there. Sands flawlessly has great power and so far has been reliable.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-amp-5-in-random-orbital-heavy-duty-palm-sander-69857.html
I've been using this sander since I bought my home this march. I sanded the entire living room and dinning room floor to install laminate floors. I sanded 34 6ft wood planks for my outdoor entry gate and other things here and there. Sands flawlessly has great power and so far has been reliable.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-amp-5-in-random-orbital-heavy-duty-palm-sander-69857.html
maxwage
Well-known member
I first want to profess my love for HF. Some people hate the smell, I like the aroma of the store when I walk in.
I don't have one in my city, but several within 45-1hr away. I try to make it up to one monthly, although it's been 5-6 weeks since I've been. I love clowning with my girlfriend on their "brand names" they have there.
I have several contributions to this thread, so I'll spread it out over a few posts.
We'll start with some of my favorites.
Canvas Riggers Bag - Voyager - item#38124
http://www.harborfreight.com/canvas-riggers-bag-38124.html
Love this bag. Solid construction, cool look. Plenty of compartments. Has held up well to daily abuse. At least one is always carried in my truck toolbox. PASS
18 Gauge Brad Nailer - Central Pneumatic - item#68021
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/nailers-staplers/18-gauge-brad-nailer-68021.html
Solid 18 gauge nailer. NOTE: If you're interested in a HF brad nailer, do not buy the 2 in 1 version of this. It's pure dog ****. The single function nailer is as good as my Hitachi and Paslodes that I've used. Might not compare to a Grex, but an awesome value. As noted by HF reviews, pony up a few extra dollars for name brand brads. And use Paslode or equivalent oil before each use. My only gripe on this one is there is not a No-mar tip included. PASS
37 Pc 3/8 in., 1/2 in. Drive SAE & Metric Impact Deep Wall Socket Set
Pittsburgh - item#68011
http://www.harborfreight.com/37-pc-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-impact-deep-wall-socket-set-68011.html
Great set and has held up well, with air impacts and cordless. I use these often with standard ratchets as well. The case included is solid as well. PASS
1/2 in. Drive Extendable Ratchet - Pittsburgh Professional - item#98831
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-extendable-ratchet-98831.html
Love this bad boy. I have the 3/8" version as well. So far so good. Haven't used it for any projects that would really stress the piss out it, but thus far has been solid. Seems as it will hold up. PASS
1/2 in. Drive Indexable Head Ratchet - Pittsburgh Professional - item#96090
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-ratchet-with-indexable-head-96090.html
The thing kicks ***! I've used it to take down a basketball goal with corroded bolts and on numerous decks and docks to tighten carriage bolts an impact couldn't get to. Get tool. Again, also have 3/8" version. Solid performer as well. PASS
2 in. PH2 Phillips Insert Bits 10 Pc - Warrior - item#68462
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-ph2-phillips-insert-bits-10-pc-68462.html
Absolute ****. Broke all 10 installing drywall in a small 1000 sq. ft store. Some broke on the first use. Driver bits are consumables in nature, but to not last one screw, is unacceptable. This is the line where "quality tools at ridiculously low prices" goes from great value to junk.FAIL
6 in. Colored Power Bit Set 1 Pc - Warrior - item#68474
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-colored-power-bit-set-1-pc-68474.html
Junk. On the majority of "Warrior" products should be renamed to "Pansy" or "Princess". Tips round off with relative ease. And not due to operator error. FAIL
7 Piece Electrician's Screwdriver Set - Pittsburgh - item#69075
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-electricians-screwdriver-set-69075-8795.html
These have held up tremendously and have seen quite a bit of use. I have not tested their insulating capabilities, but only a ******* would deliberately work on a live circuit. The tips have held up well to repeated abuse. The orange sleeves do have some nicks in them, but is to be expected, especially when used on metal boxes and conduit. I have a set of Wiha's that were 4.5x this price and these are almost just as good. Most of my electrical tools are Klein's or Knipex, but these are worth their weight in gold. PASS
7 Pc SAE Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set - Pittsburgh - item#96654
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/7-piece-sae-ratcheting-combo-wrench-set-96654.html
Great set. I have a set of Gearwrench, Kobalt and Dewalt that compare equally to these.
I also have a Metric set (Pittsburgh - item#95552) that are just as good.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/7-piece-metric-ratcheting-combo-wrench-set-95552.html
Great buy. PASS
All in all, most of the tools I've bought have exceeded my expectations. It's good to have a few philosophies when shopping at Harbor Freight.
1. Some things it is either too dangerous or unproductive to cheap out on. Old adages apply.
2. On certain items, don't set expectations too high.
3. Always, always, ALWAYS examine the item you are buying. I take my Leatherman out and open a package if I have to. Don't just grab the first item on the rack. This has saved me numerous times. I have noticed quite a bit of quality control and tooling issues that I avoided by thoroughly looking at each tool prior to purchase.
4. Never pay full price or even sale price for a bigger ticket item. 20%, Super Coupons and not as common these days, 25% coupons are everywhere.
Remembering these has made my HF experience much more pleasurably.
Items on my radar:
4" Biscuit Plate Joiner - Chicago Electric Power Tools - item#68987
6 Amp Heavy Duty Variable Speed Portable Band Saw - Chicago Electric Power Tools - item#47840
And many more on my wishlist.
More reviews to come!!
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Pass on these two..
those were the wrong impcts to buy.....crv. the other ones are moly. Whaats the issue with the gun, its one of their better productsPass on these two..