The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[MNRZR]

from what i've read the HF are a dice roll... you may get decent usable bits, you might get bits that will twist and bend*... i have yet to use the set i bought


*not my picture

Any back story on those mangled bits? I've seen them break off before, but not twist up like that.

 

[garandman]

For $10 versus $80 for the DeWalt I'll take a chance.

 

[2talltim]

I've had a set of these for years from when they came in the metal case. I think they are great over maybe 6 years I managed to break 3 if them but they were all the tiny ones. Never had one fail to cut, only break.

 

[garandman]

For $10 versus $80 for the DeWalt I'll take a chance.

Used the 3/16 bit to drill some sheet metal and it broke on the 12th hole.

For $10, worth it, $25, not so much.

 

[Reit38]

Looking for review on
8 IN. 12 SPEED BENCH DRILL PRESS
Item #60238
&
Drill Master Cut off Saw
Item #91938


Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

 

[NC-Shaun]

After much thought and back and forth I decided to roll the dice on this

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-300-lb-capacity-low-profile-creeper-61916.html

I got it for $20 after coupon, brought it home and checked the hardware included. As I usually find the hardware wasnt up to my standards ( I am a bike builder and am super picky about this aspect) So I waited until the next day and went down to the industrial supply house and picked up 12 M6x1.0 Stainless Nylok Nuts and 12 #12 Stainless washers to use on the supplied caster bolts and spacers.

Now for a test roll......Laid on the creeper ( I weigh 245lbs) on my smooth garage floor and one of the center casters was stuck and not allowing the creeper to properly roll. I sprayed some WD40 White Lithium Grease on both the ball bearings and the wheel axles.

Creeper seems to roll nicely now, and no more hangups on a test roll. Due to having 6 casters as opposed to 4 on a metal style creeper I think they are a tad harder to change direction by design. Mental note......This is the same creeper Advance Auto Parts sells for $50 bux!

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...-97002pv-97002pv/9030016-P?searchTerm=creeper

Also, I think many failures at the caster mounting points are due to the poorly fitting washers that are included, and the lack of a Nylok nut. Use the Nyloks with #12 washers and snug down the caster bolts. Time will tell if this lasts, but for $25 bux total, i am gonna keep it around and see.

 

[Virgil Cain]

Any back story on those mangled bits? I've seen them break off before, but not twist up like that.

Looks like they skipped the heat treating process.

 

[laser3kw]

Looks like they skipped the heat treating process.

but they made the shipment on time

 

[ndr1968]

Looking for review on
8 IN. 12 SPEED BENCH DRILL PRESS
Item #60238

Unless you are doing really light weight/small (jewelry? models?) projects, I think you may be disappointed with any 8" drill press. IMHO a drill press is one of those things you need to buy as much machine as you can afford and have space for. I got by for years with a 12" bench model but wasn't really happy until I finally sprung for a large mill/drill.

 

[disston]

I have the drill bits. Have had them for a couple of years. Mostly do light weight materials and so far no complaints.

 

[stickshift]

Folding clamping workbench, item #47844.

The legs are a little wobbly, it doesn't open or fold easily, the jaws don't open enough to fit a 2x4 on its side (just shy of that).

But for DIY use (not professional use) . . . PASS. On sale plus a 20% off coupon and this is a very inexpensive, very compact (when folded), very lightweight for portability workbench. You'll beat the snot out of it, spill stain on it, get lots of overspray on it, and you won't care because it's so cheap. I've been trying to kill mine so I can justify getting the Black & Decker Workmate 225, but the damned thing just won't go gently into that good night.

Much better value than the $30 B&D wants for their equivalent Workmate 125 (which weighs in the neighborhood of only 2 lbs more and is of similar "tv tray" design).

 

[MoparTrucks]

Adjustable "Height Heavy" Duty Workstation - item#46725

I originally bought this for my wife and MIL for their sales booth they have at an antique store but they didn't end up using it so I modified it for my chop saw. If you read the reviews it sounds like a sturdy little stand but holy **** this thing is flimsy unless you modify it heavily. The screws don't hold, the shelves are made of super thin particle board that is akin to cardboard and you better not spill a drink on the top ...its cheap press board and it starts swelling if you sneeze on it.

I ended up cold forging some braces, replacing the crappy screws with machine screws, locking washers and nuts and using some scrap 3/4" CDX for the shelves and top. It ended up working out pretty good for me and I am happy with it (I paid $22 for it) but damn I would like to track down some of the reviewers who talked about how heavy duty it is and they were using it for a drill press or arbor press stand and ask them what they were taking!

This is just cheap stamped metal and in no way is on par with even the grinder stand.

I made some braces out of flat stock and then reinforced the upper and lower shelves. I also used screws with lock washers and nuts in place of the cheap screws that came with it that are just supposed to screw into the frame pieces (they strip out before you can tighten them).

I drilled into the cross braces I made so I could screw into the plywood shelves from underneath to hold them and give the stand a bit more rigidity.

I will probably paint it eventually but this is the finished stand and it worked out good for me.

And this is the **** they include for shelf material.

I am happy with how this came out but I cannot recommend this unless you just want to have a cheap project (I actually had fun making this work). The construction is poor, the materials are poor, and the instructions are typical Chinglish (not that they are needed). I also have the grinder stand that was about the same price and its a heavy duty useful product and one of those HF finds...this is not.

 

[stickshift]

4-in-1 Aluminum Rafter Angle Square, item #61877, #7718

FAIL, even at the usual sale price of $2

The one I bought had slight nubs protruding along the ruled edge, so forget about drawing a continuous straight line. Also, the base was not flat and when placed on a known flat surface, there was some wobble.

I went to exchange it and upon closer inspection of a few others, it seems there are various issues with these. Found one without the nubs, but the ruled edge was not straight - this was visible to the naked eye. Ended up returning mine. You could fix certain issues with some sandpaper placed on a known flat surface, but why bother. For $3 more, you can get a plastic Swanson square.

If you must buy one, bring a known flat object at least 6" long, and have fun trying to find an acceptable one.

 

[MPOWERD]

I posted a review of the HF Central Machinery 12" Disk Sander (Bench mounted) on the review section before I saw this thread. I have found it to be a surprisingly good sander that is built better than any other tool I have seen from HF. You can read the review at the link below...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301845

 

[MPOWERD]

Which reminds me.....The HF dirt bike stand. The stand you posted a pic of is a pile of dung, there are much better options for the lifting stands.None of which are cheap. For a 240lb MX bike there really is no reason to need a lifting style stand. I use this type of stand to store and service my 290LB dual sport bike. My stand was about $120 bux for this application.

http://www.harborfreight.com/dirt-bike-stand-67151.html


1000 Lb Capacity Dirt Bike Stand
Pittsburgh Motorcycle - item#67151

This stand is great! I bought this and used it for my YZ450F. So nice to have the oil change hole in it, and the rounded edges made sliding it over to my bike or sliding it a few inches with the bike on it easy and much more quiet than my over priced brand name aluminum version ($100 vs $25) So I sold the high dollar Pro Circuit aluminum stand and kept the HF stand.

These stands are a great gift for that one buddy who is so cheap he still uses 5 gallon buckets turned upside down to support all 3 of his $8k dirt bikes

This is what a real lift stand looks like and costs.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/28665/i/msr-pro-lift-stand?SITEID=MSN+SEARCH+NON-BRAND+none&WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=10007&creative=4760510586&device=c&matchtype={MatchType}

Would that work as a tool stand? It looks to be built a lot heavier than any of their existing tools stands, though it is a bit short, it could work for some tools like a band saw...

 

[MilwaukeeFish]

Would that work as a tool stand? It looks to be built a lot heavier than any of their existing tools stands, though it is a bit short, it could work for some tools like a band saw...

Not only is it short, it's entirely too small dimensionally....and the corners are rounded. Whaddya think the likelihood of it tipping/rolling while pushing stock through a bandsaw would be??

I'm all for saving a buck and finding a good deal but when it comes to stationary shop tools: cheap is not the way to go. Oh sure you can save a buck on the tool or accessory, but you'll spend the savings and more in the Emergency Room as well as pay with your flesh too.

 

[Virgil Cain]

4.5 amp Heavy Duty Angle Grinder - Pass

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-91223.html

I've been running this thing for about 10 hrs a day damn near non stop for several days now. Was about $16 after a 20% coupon. If it quit tomorrow it doesn't owe me a thing.

 

[Prcd6x]

Looking for review on
8 IN. 12 SPEED BENCH DRILL PRESS
Item #60238
&
Drill Master Cut off Saw
Item #91938


Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

For the cutoff saw, I've had it for almost a year and use it weekly. I say it's a pass! I haven't used any other brands to compare it against though. I always check to ensure that everything is square before I cut and I've had no issues doing straight and miter cuts on 2x2x1/8 angle, 2x2x1/8 square, and a bunch of different flat stock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ovrrdrive]

For the cutoff saw, I've had it for almost a year and use it weekly. I say it's a pass! I haven't used any other brands to compare it against though. I always check to ensure that everything is square before I cut and I've had no issues doing straight and miter cuts on 2x2x1/8 angle, 2x2x1/8 square, and a bunch of different flat stock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see people talking about the #91938 a lot but I don't see it's bigger brother mentioned at all. I just bought the #61481 a few weeks ago and so far I'm happy with it but I was wondering if it has a bad rep or something I wasn't aware of. Heard anything about it?

Did I buy the wrong one?

 

[thool]

My dad bought me their heat gun and it was DOA. He goes to hf often (retired, bored) and got me another. Used it this weekend with some of their heat shrink tubing and it worked great. Highly recommended, but disappointed the first one was dead.

 

[kn51]

OBDII/ABS scanner

http://www.harborfreight.com/can-obd-ii-scan-tool-with-abs-60796.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link

Was in a pinch and needed something quick since I need to get my truck back on the road before Monday. Anyone with a Ford Triton knows that blowing through coil packs generating misfires is a given.

Truck felt like it was misfiring again but wasn't generating a permanent code. I was able to finally get a blinking MIL but my elcheapo reader (think LED) readout couldn't pull the code.

This thing was able to read the read the temporary codes pointing out the cylinder. Saved me a ton of time. So with that, a PASS.

Granted, haven't test ABS, and who knows how it would work on a Land Rover. But it does have real-time data.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I need to cut some E track for a cargo trailer project and picked up some 4 inch Warrior cutoff wheels, although they worked the edges needed too much cleanup with a grinder and file after the cuts. Now I am considering a chop saw to finish the job tomorrow.

Opinions on these 2 saws please.

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-3-12-hp-heavy-duty-cut-off-saw-61481.html

or this

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-2-hp-cut-off-saw-61389.html

I read the reviews, they favor the 3.5hp version, just wanted real feedback from anybody here.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I see people talking about the #91938 a lot but I don't see it's bigger brother mentioned at all. I just bought the #61481 a few weeks ago and so far I'm happy with it but I was wondering if it has a bad rep or something I wasn't aware of. Heard anything about it?

Did I buy the wrong one?

I am looking at buying this same one, what have you used this for and which blades did you choose?

 

[terry1769]

I used an older HF 14" chop saw to cut a bunch of E-track several years ago. It was still really ragged on the back side of the cut. Lot's of deburring needed. You might want to look at investing in a carbide metal cutting blade for a chp saw as they cut much more cleanly. They'll be a good bit more expensive than the saw though.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I used an older HF 14" chop saw to cut a bunch of E-track several years ago. It was still really ragged on the back side of the cut. Lot's of deburring needed. You might want to look at investing in a carbide metal cutting blade for a chp saw as they cut much more cleanly. They'll be a good bit more expensive than the saw though.

Thanks for the info, I did end up buying the 3.5 hp

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-3-12-hp-heavy-duty-cut-off-saw-61481.html

and the Warrior cutoff wheels

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-5-14-inch-cut-off-wheels-for-metal-44814.html

They did the job and yes I still had a bit of deburring to do, but i had some ratchets to return I was unhappy with and a coupon so I only spent $61 bux total. all in all I feel like its a keeper. It had plenty of power, and I let the blade do the cutting. I am sure the 2 hp version would have been over taxed by a 14 inch blade.

 

[FigureItOut]

I need a creeper and am debating on the Plastic Creeper or the Metal Creeper. I am 6ft 245lbs, occasional usage.

I noticed a few bad reviews on the plastic version from HF and some mentioned the newer design was stronger. What part number is the newer one?

I would prefer the plastic style as it looks more comfy and I always ding my funny bone on the rails of the metal ones.

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-300-lb-capacity-low-profile-creeper-61916.html

or

http://www.harborfreight.com/oversized-low-profile-creeper-2745.html

I have the plastic one. It gets pretty bad reviews overall but I use it everyday and love it. I'm only 165 but my truck weighs a lot more, ran over the creeper the other day, it cracked, a little. I used it for a few more days, bought a new clean one and have the old one to a young friend of mine.

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[SteevoLS]

You can add a lot of rigidity to the plastic creeper by drilling holes all around the outside and filling it with Great Stuff foam.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

 

[MNRZR]

You can add a lot of rigidity to the plastic creeper by drilling holes all around the outside and filling it with Great Stuff foam.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

That's a great idea. How many cans does it take?

 

[ovrrdrive]

Thanks for the info, I did end up buying the 3.5 hp

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-3-12-hp-heavy-duty-cut-off-saw-61481.html

and the Warrior cutoff wheels

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-5-14-inch-cut-off-wheels-for-metal-44814.html

They did the job and yes I still had a bit of deburring to do, but i had some ratchets to return I was unhappy with and a coupon so I only spent $61 bux total. all in all I feel like its a keeper. It had plenty of power, and I let the blade do the cutting. I am sure the 2 hp version would have been over taxed by a 14 inch blade.

After using mine for a few weeks I would definitely say I wouldn't want the one with any less power for sure. Overall I'm pretty happy with it. I've cut up a lot of galvanized trampoline pipe with it and a few pieces of angle iron. I think there is actually more cleanup after using this than the 4.5" cutoff wheels but the cuts are so much easier and more precise that you still end up ahead in the end. I'm not convinced it's cutting perfectly perpendicular but it's pretty close. I'm making it a point on long cuts to press on the handle and aldo on the blade shield to keep pressure even because I read somewhere that saws with the handle off to one side get tweaked after a while. I'm trying to keep that from happening.

I don't remember the exact wheels I'm using but they are really similar to what you posted. If it lasts a few years it will be a win. Only time will tell.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I have the plastic one. It gets pretty bad reviews overall but I use it everyday and love it. I'm only 165 but my truck weighs a lot more, ran over the creeper the other day, it cracked, a little. I used it for a few more days, bought a new clean one and have the old one to a young friend of mine.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

I bought the plastic creeper, and proper stainless washers and nylok nuts for the casters before installing them and have been using it for a few weeks. All in all I feel good about having $25 bux in it, and it works good. I used WD40 white lithium on the caster bearings and axles, makes a big difference.

 

[SteevoLS]

That's a great idea. How many cans does it take?

I never actually did it myself but I seen to recall the guy who did it saying he used two or three cans.

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[backskipper]

1/2" Pittsburgh pro impact sockets - pass.
Product packaging for them - fail. It looks like a cool dual purpose product package / organizer in the store, but by the time I got them all off all that was left was a dozen plastic shards and a screwdriver shaped wound on my hand.

Whoever designed this should be imprisoned for life in a labor camp spending 16 hours a day prying these sockets off the holder.

 

[dkop1]

1/2" Pittsburgh pro impact sockets - pass.
Product packaging for them - fail. It looks like a cool dual purpose product package / organizer in the store, but by the time I got them all off all that was left was a dozen plastic shards and a screwdriver shaped wound on my hand.

Whoever designed this should be imprisoned for life in a labor camp spending 16 hours a day prying these sockets off the holder.

Just about every HF socket I've gotten is like that, haha. Once saw a lady come out of there with one of the trailer hitch baskets, a ratchet and a socket set to assemble it right there in the parking lot with her young children running around the van. Loaned her a pair of channel locks out of the bag I keep in the car so she could get the sizes off she needed. seemed to be in a bit of a rush but didn't want help putting it together :shrugs: I offered. The HF socket packaging ***** but thankfully the metal socket rauls they sell are decent. Not a fan of their plastic ones though, way too flimsy. I'll stick to kobalt for them

Sent from my MotoE2 using Tapatalk

 

[TS3g]

I bought the plastic creeper, and proper stainless washers and nylok nuts for the casters before installing them and have been using it for a few weeks. All in all I feel good about having $25 bux in it, and it works good. I used WD40 white lithium on the caster bearings and axles, makes a big difference.

This exactly. My dad bought one of the plastic creepers a while back and used all default hardware. Worked fine till the casters fell off, lol. I told him next time replace the washers and nuts. But honestly, for the price, it's hard to beat.

That's the one thing you have the be aware of with anything at HF that contains screws/washers/nuts though. Often times it better to replace the hardware with higher quality pieces, or at the very least, use Loctite.

 

[ninjamunky85]

Anyone know anything about a new breaker bar? I noticed in the latest flyer I got in the mail that it had one more breaker bar listed than usual. It's another 1/2" drive that's 25" long but it's shown as the "professional" version, and with a comparable price of $127.30???

It doesn't show up with a search on the website unless you search the item# http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-25-in-professional-breaker-bar-62729.html

 

[winlinmac]

I noticed this too, perhaps another revision, or all new product unveiling. Their breaker bars served me well all these years.

Anyone know anything about a new breaker bar? I noticed in the latest flyer I got in the mail that it had one more breaker bar listed than usual. It's another 1/2" drive that's 25" long but it's shown as the "professional" version, and with a comparable price of $127.30???

It doesn't show up with a search on the website unless you search the item# http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-25-in-professional-breaker-bar-62729.html

 

[Bagherra]

Any word on their non contact IR thermometer?

Thinking about picking one this week...

 

[dodge610]

Any word on their non contact IR thermometer?

Thinking about picking one this week...

If that is the one with the battery in the handle. I have had one for a couple years works well. No issue at all with it.

 

[dkop1]

Any opinion on the flex head ratchets? I have the 1/4" and it hardly gets used but is nice when it does. I know a 3/8 or 1/2 would get used a lot more than the 1/4 I have. Are they worth it or should I just wait and save for something that locks or has detents?

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[Bagherra]

If that is the one with the battery in the handle. I have had one for a couple years works well. No issue at all with it.

thanx!!

Pretty accurate? Read review and some guy said his was over 400' off..