The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[joseph.a.owens.9]

http://m.harborfreight.com/21-gal-25-hp-125-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-61454.html

Got this one here I adjusted it to run at 140 psi. It powers my IR impact, my blue point surface buffer and my el cheapo no name air ratchet. It is loud and obnoxious. I roll it outside so I can think.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

#37025 portable abrasive blaster kit: Pass

I wanted an el cheapo blaster setup to just try out and see how it'd work out.

I have a 72 Barracuda and these inner fenders were pretty gnarly. 43 years of junk, factory undercoating, rust, etc...I think they cleaned up pretty decently. I used the blaster just as it came, no modifications. The coal abrasive material [$12/50#] from HF and went after it. The shot is a very fine pattern, but I didn't expect much else from such a cheap tool...

So far, as long as you can keep the air dry, it works pretty darn well.

 

[MoparTrucks]

Anyone have one of the pressure washers with the Predator engine? I am looking for a pressure washer and looked at them today at HF and they seemed fairly well made.

Also, if anyone is looking for the folding side trays they seem to be selling out in my closest store within a couple days of them getting a shipment in so it may just be easier to purchase them on line. I did get to check out the display model and its a winner to me.

 

[FarFire70]

Anyone have one of the pressure washers with the Predator engine? I am looking for a pressure washer and looked at them today at HF and they seemed fairly well made.

Also, if anyone is looking for the folding side trays they seem to be selling out in my closest store within a couple days of them getting a shipment in so it may just be easier to purchase them on line. I did get to check out the display model and its a winner to me.

I've been backordered for two weeks for the side tray I ordered online. They're a hot commodity.

 

[SASORacing]

This is great. I cant imagine going back to a non digital one. Its so nice and fast to read.

Picked up the 6" digital vernier caliper today. Planning to use it while we finish up our FSAE car at school. We're always losing/breaking expensive calipers and I'm not too concerned about destroying this one at its $15 price point (with 25% coupon).

The adjustment roller seems smooth and the quality is quite surprising for the price. Seems to be accurate within half a thou so far. Planning to test it against a Mitutoyo on Monday.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Anyone used any of the toe straps from HF?

 

[sometoyotaguy]

This is great. I cant imagine going back to a non digital one. Its so nice and fast to read.

I've been using those for years. My first one finally died after about 5 years of living in a damp basement.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Anyone have one of the pressure washers with the Predator engine? I am looking for a pressure washer and looked at them today at HF and they seemed fairly well made.

Also, if anyone is looking for the folding side trays they seem to be selling out in my closest store within a couple days of them getting a shipment in so it may just be easier to purchase them on line. I did get to check out the display model and its a winner to me.

The predator engine itself....good unit IMHO..do the typical HF "pre-use" tune-up to it and it should go forever. We've been using knock off Hondas for years with no issues.

Interested to hear what if any feedback we get on the HF Pressure Washer...was looking at one myself and debating it.

 

[morgantm]

Anyone used any of the toe straps from HF?

I've had the 3" x 30' for a couple of years now, never let me down.

 

[MattVette89]

Picked up an electric pole saw for around $60 plus tax. Like many, it took some running without the bar to get the oiler to prime, but then it was fine. Used it to cut some decent sized limbs off a cherry tree and it did great. Definitely a PASS.

I bought this same one two weekends ago. About $68 out the door after sale price/coupon/tax.

I cut some pretty large limbs with it and it held up like a champ. It does get a little heavy/awkward on the end if you have the extension fully out, but that's just the nature of the tool.

100% pass for me.

 

[LUKE221]

I didnt buy one but the little red metal toolboxes look like a fail. Poor quality construction and very thin.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I didnt buy one but the little red metal toolboxes look like a fail. Poor quality construction and very thin.

Include actual item numbers, and a link to the particular item being reviewed.

 

[SteevoLS]

17 In Steel Toolbox - Item#97532

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-boxes/steel-toolbox-97532.html

I've had one of these banging around on the floor of my jeep for years now and it's none the worse for wear. It gets rained on quite a bit and either drains quickly or is watertight. Whichever one is the case doesn't matter as my tools are always dry when I remember that I left it out again.

 

[BellyUpFish]

I've had the 3" x 30' for a couple of years now, never let me down.

Thanks.

 

[rabies]

FAIL. woodturning chisels/knives.

knife/handle came apart..on all of them.
thin steel. terrible edge. doesnt hold edge after sharpening

 

[shifterkart]

Harbor freights safety wire and safety wire pliers failed. The safety wire pliers lock failed to lock together rendering tool useless after maybe a day of use. The cutting end didn't cut very well and overall construction was extremely poor.

Harbor freights safety wire failed several times when i used it on the bolts that held my motor support mounts on. Really useless wire and rather dangerous and irresponsible for them to sell a critical safety item that does not work.

Bought a box set of hose clamps from harbor freight, all failed, the metal was too thin which causes it to tear itself apart when tighten and it would eventually work loose or wouldn't tighten at all. After using a few clamps from the box i ended up throwing the whole box away. Went to junkyard and got hose clamps from german and swedish cars since those are the best and aren't sold in stores.

 

[AmishFury]

#61196 3-Ton Jack Stands PASS

one thing i will note... they do not match the picture on the box... the top of the stand looks more like the picture on the 3-Ton aluminum stands... which for me is a plus sine i like that style better... but they look solid, held my jeep up, and i didn't die

 

[owenst7]

Harbor freights safety wire and safety wire pliers failed. The safety wire pliers lock failed to lock together rendering tool useless after maybe a day of use. The cutting end didn't cut very well and overall construction was extremely poor.

Harbor freights safety wire failed several times when i used it on the bolts that held my motor support mounts on. Really useless wire and rather dangerous and irresponsible for them to sell a critical safety item that does not work.

Bought a box set of hose clamps from harbor freight, all failed, the metal was too thin which causes it to tear itself apart when tighten and it would eventually work loose or wouldn't tighten at all. After using a few clamps from the box i ended up throwing the whole box away. Went to junkyard and got hose clamps from german and swedish cars since those are the best and aren't sold in stores.

The wire that comes in the blue tub is a lot better apparently. I've used it to hold suspension parts together to get off the trail and its held up awesome. My buddy has the same tub with a few different brand names on it, so I'm guessing they're all the same just relabeled.

 

[soj]

Bought a box set of hose clamps from harbor freight, all failed, the metal was too thin which causes it to tear itself apart when tighten and it would eventually work loose or wouldn't tighten at all. After using a few clamps from the box i ended up throwing the whole box away. Went to junkyard and got hose clamps from german and swedish cars since those are the best and aren't sold in stores.

Agreed on the hose clamps (67578). Avoid them like the plague. The band metal is soft as butter, they strip out way before you would call them tight. They are not stainless steel and the plating even looks crappy. Even if you got one to seal a connection it would probably rust away. The box I bought is resting comfortably in the landfill. The 1.3 out of 5 star rating on the HF site is accurate.
-jp

 

[owenst7]

Agreed on the hose clamps (67578). Avoid them like the plague. The band metal is soft as butter, they strip out way before you would call them tight. They are not stainless steel and the plating even looks crappy. Even if you got one to seal a connection it would probably rust away. The box I bought is resting comfortably in the landfill. The 1.3 out of 5 star rating on the HF site is accurate.
-jp

After trying these myself years ago, I'd go as far to say that 1.3 stars is generous Lol.

 

[red97k1500]

Harbor freight headlight polishing kit....is a pass,it works pretty good and its made in the usa.it only cost me 8 dollars after a 20% off coupon.

 

[aka Larry]

After trying these myself years ago, I'd go as far to say that 1.3 stars is generous Lol.

X4. They never get tight, thus are useless.

 

[LUKE221]

Sooo after skimmng thru over 1000 posts.. Is it safe to say harbor freight is ****

 

[jacked_72]

Sooo after skimmng thru over 1000 posts.. Is it safe to say harbor freight is ****

Well, you haven't skimmed very well then. No, some of it is ****; some of it is not. That's point of the thread, to separate the wheat from the chaff.

 

[shifterkart]

I would say more **** than there is gold at harbor freight.

 

[fourtythree]

Don't shop there. Problem solved.

 

[owenst7]

Sooo after skimmng thru over 1000 posts.. Is it safe to say harbor freight is ****

I wish I had as much free time as you.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Anyone used any of the toe straps from HF?

Will they actually hold the ladies down? And do they have thumb straps too?

 

[MoparTrucks]

Yep we all agree its ****, nothing worth buying there, we would all be better off taking out 26% loans to buy tools.

Next!

 

[ddurrett896]

I have the High Lift Riding Lawn Mower / ATV Lift item#60395 and paid around $60 for it and works perfect. Comparable lifts were around $150-$200 and it makes changing blades a breeze.

 

[Zapp Branigan]

http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-69148.html

1000# lift table, pass. Some reviewers say they had trouble bleeding theirs, or it had no oil, but mine was ready to roll right out of the box. I've been using it for a year now and it's probably one of the most used items in my shop. Good for servicing snow blowers, lawn equipment, moving machinery, heavy engine components, transmissions, whatever. Makes loading and unloading heavy stuff a breeze. Doubles as an extra work surface when tearing stuff down. My only complaints are the brakes are hard to engage and disengage and it goes down slow. It can be adjusted to go faster, but it would bleed down over a period of a few hours when I did. Also, the rubber mat is ****. Toss it and get some stall mat from tractor supply.

 

[NC-Shaun]

We used those at the auto shop I used to work at /\ They work as advertised.

 

[jd_1138]

The set of red screw drivers are kinda nice. They have comfy grips and are magnetic.

http://www.harborfreight.com/33-pc-comfort-grip-screwdriver-set-61255.html

In person they are fire engine red but look pink/orange in the pics.

 

[ChrisLS8]

92649- AC manifold gauge. Good pass. Used this to do 2 friends cars and a R12-R134 retrofit over the last week. They have updated the knobs and the fittings for the hoses are better than the older sets. They have the same stamping as my R12 Robinaire setup

 

[kazlx]

I bought a 12" disc sander today. I got my $120 out of it just from using it today. Eventually I'll buy a nice 16-20" pedestal Apex or something. The Rockwell disc/belt I had sucked for metal fab.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Looking for any feedback on this


1/2 in. Drive SAE & Metric Lug Nut Impact Sockets 7 Pc
Pittsburgh Automotive - item#69781

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-sae-metric-lug-nut-impact-sockets-7-pc-69781-9166.html

or this

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-...ue-lug-nut-impact-socket-set-11-pc-69829.html


1/2 in. Drive Super High Torque Lug Nut Impact Socket Set 11 Pc
Pittsburgh Automotive - item#69829

 

[mwwusa]

Looking for any feedback on this


1/2 in. Drive SAE & Metric Lug Nut Impact Sockets 7 Pc
Pittsburgh Automotive - item#69781

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-sae-metric-lug-nut-impact-sockets-7-pc-69781-9166.html

or this

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-...ue-lug-nut-impact-socket-set-11-pc-69829.html


1/2 in. Drive Super High Torque Lug Nut Impact Socket Set 11 Pc
Pittsburgh Automotive - item#69829

I have both. I'm not a pro. Just use on my truck and boat trailer. Both work well for me. The more expensive set is better quality, but cheaper one works.

 

[Bumdog2112]

I bought a 12" disc sander today. I got my $120 out of it just from using it today. Eventually I'll buy a nice 16-20" pedestal Apex or something. The Rockwell disc/belt I had sucked for metal fab.

I never knew how badly I needed one until I bought it. One of the most used tools in my shop. 12" disk sander is one of their best values. Especially after 25% off coupon.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I have both. I'm not a pro. Just use on my truck and boat trailer. Both work well for me. The more expensive set is better quality, but cheaper one works.

I have a set of impacts already, I am mainly looking for a socket that will not mar the lug holes on the powder coated alloy wheels on my truck. Thanks You for the feedback.

 

[ineedtools]

Yep we all agree its ****, nothing worth buying there, we would all be better off taking out 26% loans to buy tools.

Next!

This is the source of their bitterness!