The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[NC-Shaun]

Anyone know the difference between the red and black composite ratchets and the grey and black ones? Is it only the length of the handle?

Same ratchet head guts, different shape and length handles. They are all nice.

 

[FigureItOut]

Same ratchet head guts, different shape and length handles. They are all nice.[emoji106][emoji106]

Cool, I thought so but I wanted to be reasonably sure. Good to know.

 

[ineedtools]

Can anyone explain why HF has so many different sku# for identical products?

New supplier same tool=new sku

 

[winlinmac]

The contractor I hired to do the plumbing uses the following tools from HF. Never let him down, gets the job done; he owns professional tools as well such as Dewalt & Ridgid,

HF Electric Cut Off Tool (Drill Master)--PASS
HF Angle Grinder (Chicago Electric)--PASS
HF Multi-Tool Oscillating Tool (Chicago Electric Pro)-PASS

 

[wildbill23c]

The contractor I hired to do the plumbing uses the following tools from HF. Never let him down, gets the job done; he owns professional tools as well such as Dewalt & Ridgid,

HF Electric Cut Off Tool (Drill Master)--PASS
HF Angle Grinder (Chicago Electric)--PASS
HF Multi-Tool Oscillating Tool (Chicago Electric Pro)-PASS

Which angle grinder are you using? 4-1/2"? I have an old 4" from HF that I've used a lot over the years, it still works great.

 

[winlinmac]

Which angle grinder are you using? 4-1/2"? I have an old 4" from HF that I've used a lot over the years, it still works great.

I used to have the Chicago Electric Angle Grinder but had to return it due switch malfunction. The plumber seems to never had a problem with the Drill Master though.

 

[Clik]

I don't get but a couple hours of total run time out of a drillmaster angle grinder. If you are just grinding sheet metal you might get by but grinding welded joints, etc they don't have any power and don't last. Their drills smoke easily too. I do rob the bearings out of them to use on my Jet bandsaw guides. I can buy the whole angle grinder cheaper than just the bearings from Jet.

 

[wildbill23c]

I used to have the Chicago Electric Angle Grinder but had to return it due switch malfunction. The plumber seems to never had a problem with the Drill Master though.

That's weird. I've beat the **** out of mine over the years. I think mine is about 6 years old, and I've used it for cutting, grinding, etc. It works great, and if it died the next time I used it, I wouldn't be upset. It has served its purpose for many projects, and it paid for itself the first use. I think I got it for $10...they never have them that cheap anymore LOL.

 

[Sambar Stag]

Hamburger Press-#44934 PASS
Yeah, I know most folks here don't think of Culinary tools when you shop at HF. But this press allows you to get a consistently sized, juicy burger off the grill. You can mix things into your patties (seasonings, bacon, cheese in the center, etc.). Makes up 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2 pound burgers one at a time. Easy to use and clean, unlike the Williams of Sonoma one that I also have but don't use any more.
Watch case opener #91550-pass
Watch link remover #66267 - pass, but barely. Takes a lot of care to position the pins properly and keep from bending the pin pushers.

 

[fourtythree]

Anyone have any experience with the high capacity rechargeable NIMH batteries?

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-2-high-capacity-nimh-rechargeable-c-batteries-97864.html

 

[SteevoLS]

I use the AAAs all the time in small flashlights and they work fine.

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[Zapp Branigan]

9 mil nitrile gloves - definite pass. It's like wrapping your hands in an inner-tube. Well, not quite, but they hold up well.


http://www.harborfreight.com/9-mil-nitrile-powder-free-gloves-50-pc-x-large-68512.html

 

[d.mcfarland]

^^ I'll second this. They don't exactly tear easily and provide great grip.

 

[fourtythree]

9 mil nitrile gloves - definite pass. It's like wrapping your hands in an inner-tube. Well, not quite, but they hold up well.


http://www.harborfreight.com/9-mil-nitrile-powder-free-gloves-50-pc-x-large-68512.html

I agree. They're definitely better than any other gloves I've been able to find locally.

 

[ineedtools]

Been using the 5mil blues, might have to try these 9's out.

 

[PassnThru]

4 inch diamond cup turbo wheel. Just did some grinding on 12 year old concrete and this delivered. In fact, this was my first try at grinding concrete and I was surprised at how quickly you could get in trouble with this wheel. Long term - I don't know but for a quick job it will do it.

 

[esacfrank]

3/4" breaker bar snapped - fail they replaced it for free - pass
3/4" torque wrench no torque break away - fail they replaced - pass
3/4" ratchet broke - fail they replaced it free - pass
The Pittsburgh tool line has lifetime guarantee, they replaced the above with NO RECEIPT. no hassle. I like it

 

[SteevoLS]

Apparently the moral of the story is don't buy any of the 3/4 tools!

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[kn51]

Been using the 5mil blues, might have to try these 9's out.

The difference is night and day. The blues will tear looking at them. The black ones are very stout.

Picked up the weed burner last week item #61595
http://www.harborfreight.com/propane-torch-with-push-button-igniter-61595.html

At first I thought it was junk until I figured out the trick on how to ignite it. It delivers quite a flame. So pass.

 

[Sweet Old Bill]

Used the 18 piece Brake Pad Caliper tool set, Item # 69053 ; a definite pass. It was on sale for $44.99. I found a returned set for roughly $25. It worked quite well and made replacing the rear disc brake pads an easy job.

 

[lightning02]

3/4" breaker bar snapped - fail they replaced it for free - pass
3/4" torque wrench no torque break away - fail they replaced - pass
3/4" ratchet broke - fail they replaced it free - pass
The Pittsburgh tool line has lifetime guarantee, they replaced the above with NO RECEIPT. no hassle. I like it

Which 3/4 breaker bar? Do you have a link?

 

[babewatcher]

3/4" breaker bar snapped - fail they replaced it for free - pass
3/4" torque wrench no torque break away - fail they replaced - pass
3/4" ratchet broke - fail they replaced it free - pass
The Pittsburgh tool line has lifetime guarantee, they replaced the above with NO RECEIPT. no hassle. I like it

What the heck are you working on? I work on School Buses and very rarely have to break out the 3/4 stuff.

 

[Scimmia]

What the heck are you working on? I work on School Buses and very rarely have to break out the 3/4 stuff.

There's a whole lot out there bigger than school buses. I use 3/4" stuff all of the time on farm and construction equipment.

 

[owenst7]

What the heck are you working on? I work on School Buses and very rarely have to break out the 3/4 stuff.

I use mine all the time on transmission and axle yokes on light duty rigs under 10000 lbs. A Dana 60 kingpin takes 600 ft lbs.

 

[dodge610]

Definate pass and most bang for the buck is the HF 26 in. combo stack. plenty of room for some of my tools keeps everything organized. Drawers operate smoothly.

 

[fourtythree]

What the heck are you working on? I work on School Buses and very rarely have to break out the 3/4 stuff.

 

[babewatcher]

You're gonna need a bigger compressor.

 

[jerseykat1]

Used the 18 piece Brake Pad Caliper tool set, Item # 69053 ; a definite pass. It was on sale for $44.99. I found a returned set for roughly $25. It worked quite well and made replacing the rear disc brake pads an easy job.

I'll second that. I have the set and is built very well, the adapters are magnetic as well.

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[jerseykat1]

Fail! This clamp bent on me after doing just 1 side it will then try to drive the ball joints in crocked. Don't bother.


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[jerseykat1]

Definitely pass..
Only thing is that the on off lever is reverse of what you would think.


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[FigureItOut]

Massive fail, exchanged it and gave it another chance, same garbage, but it sure does have a nice feel.
Definite pass, has no problem popping 1/8" steel/steel rivets dependable, feels like it would go bigger easily.
Also a pass, but gives much better results with higher quality rivets sourced elsewhere.
Tentative pass, just got it and have installed several 1/4" 20's with good results. Curious to try it with smaller steel rivet nuts.

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[vetron]

fail-garden hose: didn't last the first 30 seconds before it exploded!
fail-snap ring plyers: broken ends grrrr
fail-camo tarp: in the sun it drys out fast and shreds in less than a few months outside

 

[jakemac]

fail-camo tarp: in the sun it drys out fast and shreds in less than a few months outside

I always spend the extra money and get the silver tarps. They last a lot longer.

 

[dledmo]

There's a whole lot out there bigger than school buses. I use 3/4" stuff all of the time on farm and construction equipment.

And it's weird that 1/4" drive is used so often on commercial aircraft. Lots of little fasteners

 

[the1nonlyjl]

4 ton hydraulic jack all good


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[619DioFan]

EPDM tarp straps ( haul master ) complete garbage. rainy day and needed to tarp a load on a flat bed at work and the truck tarp straps had " walked away ". stopped at HF and bought a twenty piece set ( 13.00 ) they started to break as soon as I got up to freeway speed with the wind hitting the tarp. probably would have had better results with shoe laces. on a side note the EPDM tarp straps I keep at home are REESE brand from walmart. they have held up great.

 

[skulldrinker]

Fail! This clamp bent on me after doing just 1 side it will then try to drive the ball joints in crocked. Don't bother.


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Were you using an impact or by hand when it bent? I have the same one but haven't used it yet. I hear people buy the OTC clamp to replace it.

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[redsand187]

fail-garden hose: didn't last the first 30 seconds before it exploded!

If it was one of the "professional" duty hoses or whatever, they were recalled because the ends pop off. Take it back.

 

[redsand187]

are the Harbor Freight "Jumpstart Battery packs" any good?


Ones like this. You routinely see them in the coupon ad's for $39

$10 gets you 2 additional years of replacement coverage. Take it back in 2 years, because the battery is probably junk, or is weak, and get a replacement, purchase another 2 years of coverage on the replacement, rinse repeat

 

[lightning02]

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-with-40-industrial-strength-poly-rivets-97757.html

anyone use this? pros and cons?