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The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

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AmishFury

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Jan 22, 2015
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872
68176 1/4in male steel coupler - FAIL

not a massive complete fail but if i wiggle the hose it will go pfft holds air otherwise...



5 pc brass industrial quick coupler set (no idea which item number i got) - PASS

these haven't given me any problems so far
 

funks

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Aug 2, 2009
Messages
102
How are the harbor freight wooden work benches? Decent enough for a Vice?

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jakemac

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May 21, 2013
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9,035
Location
New England
6 Pc Pipe Tap & Die Set
Item# 91395
$14.99

This is one of those items that get both a Pass and a Fail.

The Pass - The Taps and Dies work well and are surprisingly sturdy, and the set is a fraction of the cost of just one piece from a name brand.

The Fail - They're oddly sized and won't fit standard tap handles or die holders. You will need to be creative to use them. I ended up using a 3/8dr t-bar and 8pt sockets to drive the tap that I needed to use. It was a little loose, but got the job done.
 

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jobyb2006

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May 28, 2015
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Location
McHenry IL, North Sub of Chicago
portable band saw PASS AND FAIL

first one crapped out second time I used it.
next one has been fine for going on 5 yrs now...

the thing about HF is that even if a tool is good, it still is a crapshoot as to whether the ONE you get will be good...

SO far my compressor is fine...21 gal oiled 2.5 HP 125 PSI ...working great for NOW...
item 61693 for 159.00
 
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---

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Atlantic Southeast
How are the harbor freight wooden work benches? Decent enough for a Vice?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

They are wobbly unless you anchor them to the wall. You should be able to mount a vise but only for very light work. It makes a great gun bench!
 
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funks

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Thanks a lot for the reply, will snag one..

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mv213

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Sep 29, 2014
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Dallas, OR (the OTHER "Big D")
Storehouse 220 piece wall anchor assortment: FAIL. Even at 3.79 this kit is worthless. There is no rim around the end of the anchor so as soon as you go to start your screw, the anchor slips into the hole you just drilled. They are also made of super thin weak plastic and don't expand much if you do get them to stay in the hole.

Better to spend a couple of bucks on pack of good anchors at your local hardware or HD store.
 

owenst7

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Oct 19, 2011
Messages
632
Location
Anchorage/Reno
6 Pc Pipe Tap & Die Set
Item# 91395
$14.99

This is one of those items that get both a Pass and a Fail.

The Pass - The Taps and Dies work well and are surprisingly sturdy, and the set is a fraction of the cost of just one piece from a name brand.

The Fail - They're oddly sized and won't fit standard tap handles or die holders. You will need to be creative to use them. I ended up using a 3/8dr t-bar and 8pt sockets to drive the tap that I needed to use. It was a little loose, but got the job done.

My american made pipe tap and die set is exactly the same dimensions as the HF set. You need a bigger handle for pipe taps. Thats just the way life is.
 

owenst7

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Oct 19, 2011
Messages
632
Location
Anchorage/Reno
pittsburgh air compressor = FAIL
http://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284.html

bought it to use when my power tank runs out (which always happens halfway through airing up) and didnt' expect quick, but after 15+ minutes if it went up at all, it was maybe 1psi
http://m.harborfreight.com/12Volt-150-PSI-Compact-Air-Compressor-69285.html

This is the one the rock crawlers like that is competitive with the mv50. I have two that I used for a few years back when I had 35s. I used it for a short while with my 40s, but now I just use a belt driven compressor.
 

Sweet Old Bill

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Mar 20, 2009
Messages
362
Location
N. California
I bought a #69284 12 volt compressor, two months ago. I use it for very light use, topping up a few tires with quite slow leaks, and would give it a definite pass for light use.
 

winlinmac

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Aug 17, 2015
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Location
USA
I've been extremely pleased by just about anything sold at Harbor Freight Made in Taiwan (Includes majority of Pittsburgh Pro line) and some Pittsburgh products. Looks like Harbor Freight has been stepping up their quality quite a lot, and I'm confident they are getting better everyday. I used to underestimate their power tools, but they are improving on quality control, that's a fact.
 
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ineedtools

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Sep 6, 2011
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SouthWest Florida

winlinmac

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USA
I once purchased a 1/2 Chicago Electric Hammer Drill and though the drill body felt durable, the switches were not. The Hammer/Drill (<- / ->) switch was too loose; I immediately returned it. :3gears:

I have the drill master one I needed for a quick project, with 20% coupon and sale price I think I paid about $15 out the door
http://www.harborfreight.com/32-amp-variable-speed-jig-saw-62405.html

I've abused it since and like most cheap HF power tools if it does the job I bought it for I consider every other successful use icing on the cake!
 

MoparTrucks

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Aug 21, 2009
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3,218
Location
Ozarks of Missouri
I bought the 2 ton cherry picker which seems like a bargain at $179 to me and I am giving it a pass.

I also got the body and fender kit for $25 and its a definite pass - this is one of those must haves from HF and if you can beat the price for the quality of the kit I sure dont know about it.
 

Fordguy1964

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Mar 3, 2015
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Location
Houston County, Alabama
Axle bearing puller set #66380 Fail X2

I bought this set and went to pull the axle bearings out of a Ford 8.8 axle. The first set had the threads come out of the puller before the bearing started to move.

Exchanged that set for another and the threads held but the puller piece snapped in half. I ended up running a steel bar through the entire housing and tapped the bearing out.
 

Fordguy1964

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Houston County, Alabama
I purchased the high lift hydraulic roll around floor jack with jack stands about 10 years ago. Still works great! PASS

Also the 2 ton cherry picker is good but should have gotten the folding one. PASS

Load leveler for the cherry picker is a partial pass. It works but the handle comes unscrewed often and when the load tilts the handle gets in the way. It works but it is a PITA.
 
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Fordguy1964

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Houston County, Alabama
Electric Jack Hammer. Worked good but only for light jobs. One of the bits broke on the second job.

Pin welder gun failed badly. Kit comes with weld pins, gun and a slide hammer. The gum kept tripping the breaker on the gun not in the garage. Dedicated 30 amp circuit and still not able to weld. Took my mig and tacked the pins to the panel and the slide hammer wouldn't grip to pull them out. Tried cleaning the grip roller and saw that the teeth on it were stripped. Replaced this unit with a second with the same results from the gun and the puller wheel fell out and rolled away somewhere in the garage.
 

Reit38

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Nov 12, 2011
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626
Location
Iowa
Anyone using the Drill Master #91938 cut off saw?

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John in OH

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SE Ohio & Eastern Virginia
HF 3 gal., 1/3hp, 100 psig pancake compressor = PASS

I wanted a small portable air compressor to use with my trim & finish nail guns (NOT HF!) to install door casing, window trim, baseboards and shoe moulding in a new room addition on my house. Saw this HF pancake compressor, with coupon, for $49 and thought it was worth a try.

HF 1-3hp Air Compressor.jpg

It's pretty noisy, but it worked great for my one-off job. Probably not enough pressure for a framing nailer, but OK for trim work.
 

Finky198

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Feb 25, 2014
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North East
Axle bearing puller set #66380 Fail X2

I bought this set and went to pull the axle bearings out of a Ford 8.8 axle. The first set had the threads come out of the puller before the bearing started to move.

Exchanged that set for another and the threads held but the puller piece snapped in half. I ended up running a steel bar through the entire housing and tapped the bearing out.

I've used these countless times with a slide hammer and have had zero issues. What method did you use to pull the bearings

mket81.jpg
 
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bwringer

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Jan 1, 2013
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10,242
Location
Indianapolis
I bought the 2 ton cherry picker which seems like a bargain at $179 to me and I am giving it a pass.

Agreed. I bought one of these and used it when I yoinked and replaced the the engine in my car.

When I was done, I put it on CrackList for $150, and a guy showed up with cash in about two hours. :thumbup:

I call that a win-win situation. Rentals were $50 a day for beat-up shite.



I detest painting, but the "Krause & Becker" (whoever they are) airless paint sprayer did a fanTASTIC job on my house. Item #60600. http://www.harborfreight.com/airless-paint-sprayer-kit-60600.html With a coupon and taxation, I got mine for about $172 out the door. Worth every damn penny -- I did part of one wall with a roller before saying "eff this" and buying the sprayer.

Read the reviews -- there are pros using these things every day with no issues. The spray tips, hoses, etc. interchange with Graco stuff -- I used the included tip and hose with no issues at all.

Get you one! :thumbup:
 

2talltim

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Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
25
HF 3 gal., 1/3hp, 100 psig pancake compressor = PASS

I wanted a small portable air compressor to use with my trim & finish nail guns (NOT HF!) to install door casing, window trim, baseboards and shoe moulding in a new room addition on my house. Saw this HF pancake compressor, with coupon, for $49 and thought it was worth a try.

HF 1-3hp Air Compressor.jpg

It's pretty noisy, but it worked great for my one-off job. Probably not enough pressure for a framing nailer, but OK for trim work.
I've had one of these fir years and it's a trooper. Even backed over it with the car and it still works great.
 

Fordguy1964

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Mar 3, 2015
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3,915
Location
Houston County, Alabama
I've used these countless times with a slide hammer and have had zero issues. What method did you use to pull the bearings

mket81.jpg

The set to the right in the red box is the one I used. It didn't hold up. I ended up using a 1" diameter rod inserted from the other side and tapped it out. It worked easily then.
 

Fordguy1964

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Mar 3, 2015
Messages
3,915
Location
Houston County, Alabama
The HF sand blast cabinet has worked for what I needed it for as long as you use the vacuum. One time without the vacuum turned on and I had dust trapped between the inner and outer windows. The pressure hose was cheaply made and blew apart. Worked great after replacing them. My fault I guess on the vacuum so I give it a pass.
 

Virgil Cain

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Feb 26, 2011
Messages
406
HF 3 gal., 1/3hp, 100 psig pancake compressor = PASS

I wanted a small portable air compressor to use with my trim & finish nail guns (NOT HF!) to install door casing, window trim, baseboards and shoe moulding in a new room addition on my house. Saw this HF pancake compressor, with coupon, for $49 and thought it was worth a try.

HF 1-3hp Air Compressor.jpg

It's pretty noisy, but it worked great for my one-off job. Probably not enough pressure for a framing nailer, but OK for trim work.

I have one of those and it's awesome for light chores when you don't feel like pumping up the big compressor.
 

willy3486

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Jan 14, 2010
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motoguy

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Dec 8, 2010
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Location
MO
I'm curious about this pressure washer as well. I'm assuming the motor is good, but the pump is the typical consumer grade junk...(like my 2100 psi unit with a great 4.5 Honda engine...and shot pump...).

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emeraldcoupe

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spring hill, florida
Does anyone have a opinion on the 3100 PSI, 2.8 GPM, 6.5 HP Pressure Washer they have on sale now? My wife is wanting one and I was curious if anyone had one. I did a search here and the motor seems to get high marks here at GJ but what about the entire pressure washer. Before I sink that cash I was curious on how good it is.? Here is a link.


http://www.harborfreight.com/3100-psi-28-gpm-65-hp-212cc-pressure-washer-epa-iii-62200.html

I'm curious about this pressure washer as well. I'm assuming the motor is good, but the pump is the typical consumer grade junk...(like my 2100 psi unit with a great 4.5 Honda engine...and shot pump...).

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I had the version before this model.

I didn't buy it, it was given to me.

the engine ran great and the pressure washer worked fine for about 6 months, then it just quit, no more pressure.

I didn't know the history on it or how old it was. it seems to be like every other home owner quality machine, the engine will outlast the pump. I had a Honda powered one also and the pump went out on that one also.
 

d.mcfarland

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Jun 18, 2012
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6,562
Location
Western PA
Just an update on the small observations I have of some of my Harbor Freight offerings.

The pictures are all of items that sit in the same area and were not used much recently so they should have the accumulated wear and tear that can be compared. The bit is the control item here. It has never been used and is the standard bit that most people get just about anywhere. I believe COO is Taiwan.

So, the pictures will do that talking. The wrench set is #42304 and the pliers are the cheapest pliers that HF offers, which are the ones with the dark blue handles.

I'm giving a PASS to the #42304 plier set. I used them occasionally, but nothing hard or troublesome. They are a little on the short side and I'm not 100% positive that all sizes are really on par with what they should be, but they still fit good, even the box end. The chrome has held up and I have zero on mine.
 

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wildbill23c

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Location
Idaho
I had the version before this model.

I didn't buy it, it was given to me.

the engine ran great and the pressure washer worked fine for about 6 months, then it just quit, no more pressure.

I didn't know the history on it or how old it was. it seems to be like every other home owner quality machine, the engine will outlast the pump. I had a Honda powered one also and the pump went out on that one also.

The consumer models if you don't shut the engine down when you aren't spraying you'll quickly destroy the pump. I had one from Home Depot and used it 3 times and the pump failed. Never again will I waste money on a damn pressure washer, they're way over-priced and for no longer than the pumps last on them I wouldn't waste my money.

Until you get into the commercial grade ones with the oil-lubed pumps you'll never find one that will last. The commercial grade pumps are what to look for and you'll pay the commercial price too.

Don't waste your money on cheap $300-400 pressure washers, the pumps are garbage...and non-repairable and new pumps cost about as much as the pressure washer.
 
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