johnny1290
Well-known member
I'll second this, total garbage for anything automotive, or anything at all really.
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
- Thread starter Bolster
- Start date
I'll second this, total garbage for anything automotive, or anything at all really.
whitedawg
Active member
Like everyone else I have bought a lot of stuff from HF some good some not
Have used my heat gun, sander, grinder quite a bit with no problems. I still have the cheap welder in the box and haven't broken it out yet.
Has any had any experience with the trailer dolly, Ive got a horse trailer and car trailer that always seems to need to be moved ...to old to muscle it any more
Have used my heat gun, sander, grinder quite a bit with no problems. I still have the cheap welder in the box and haven't broken it out yet.
Has any had any experience with the trailer dolly, Ive got a horse trailer and car trailer that always seems to need to be moved ...to old to muscle it any more
nexum1919
Well-known member
* 8-in-1 stubby and regular screwdriver PASS
This one is a notch or two above all the junk 'one use only' screwdrivers sold by HF. Put a Snap-On label on these and people will buy them $50 a piece! The tips shows no sign of wear after extended use, they really seem to work all kinds of phillips and pozi-drive heads.The first screwdriver to be taken out of my box and last one to be put in. Get them before they realize it's too good to be sold in HF stores!
* Fingerdrivers PASS
They are almost same length as the bits themselves, i seem to use them more often then i figured. Definitely a must for the screw in that un-imaginable spot under the dash. Already saved time letting me avoid battery removal for a turn-signal change and bumper removal(!) for r&r of the foglight assembly. I dipped them in Plasti-Dip for extra grip, also available at HF.
This one is a notch or two above all the junk 'one use only' screwdrivers sold by HF. Put a Snap-On label on these and people will buy them $50 a piece! The tips shows no sign of wear after extended use, they really seem to work all kinds of phillips and pozi-drive heads.The first screwdriver to be taken out of my box and last one to be put in. Get them before they realize it's too good to be sold in HF stores!
* Fingerdrivers PASS
They are almost same length as the bits themselves, i seem to use them more often then i figured. Definitely a must for the screw in that un-imaginable spot under the dash. Already saved time letting me avoid battery removal for a turn-signal change and bumper removal(!) for r&r of the foglight assembly. I dipped them in Plasti-Dip for extra grip, also available at HF.
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Those little tiny screwdrivers look like junk, but sooner or later you will be digging them out of your box to use. Last year before Xmas I bought a few sets (they are like 50 cents I think) and handed them around at the shop as thank you to some of the guys who let me borrow tools etc.
fordracing200
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2009
- Messages
- 629
which torque wrench? the cart is smokin deal and is about the same as the blue point snappy thats 3x the price
Scotto
Well-known member
I know it's been said before, but the 1/2" breaker bars work fantastic.
Yesterday I used one on a Honda crank pulley bolt. The bolt laughed at my IR 231C impact gun, so I picked up two 1/2" 25" breaker bars - one to hold the pulley and one to put on the bolt:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=30395
I ended up having to put a 6' pipe on the breaker bar and pulling it from over my head (I'm 6'4") all the way to the floor. About 4" from the floor something cracked and I fell on my ***, lol. I was really expected to find a broken breaker bar because that's asking an awful lot out of a 1/2" bar, especially a $10 one, but the bolt cracked lose
.
BEST bang for the buck IMO.
Yesterday I used one on a Honda crank pulley bolt. The bolt laughed at my IR 231C impact gun, so I picked up two 1/2" 25" breaker bars - one to hold the pulley and one to put on the bolt:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=30395
I ended up having to put a 6' pipe on the breaker bar and pulling it from over my head (I'm 6'4") all the way to the floor. About 4" from the floor something cracked and I fell on my ***, lol. I was really expected to find a broken breaker bar because that's asking an awful lot out of a 1/2" bar, especially a $10 one, but the bolt cracked lose
.BEST bang for the buck IMO.
toolnut
Well-known member
The step drill bits function great for throw aways . The 3/4" is great for putting a hole in the fire wall because of the 1/4" drive on the end. Pass....
I have the 3/8" ratchet, and it's worked just great for me. Not 80-tooth by any means, but it gets the job done.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2745
I have this (bought from AutoZone) and it's the best creeper I've ever laid on. Very comfortable, light, low profile and so far, durable.
Pass.
I have to retract my "fail" on this one. I replaced the pad with a genuine 3M Roloc pad and it's perfect now. the piece of junk that came with it from HF was horrible. FWIW.
Rick
I got one too, and it works. It does, however, unscrew itself (big chrome nut). That is, the body comes apart. Some thread lock will fix that, though.
I give it a "pass" grade. For the price, adding some thread lock is no biggie.
Retaining Ring Pliers -- Fail. After about 15-20 uses, the jaws started flexing to the point where they were completely useless. I tried each of the interchangeable jaws and it happened to all of them.
Spark Plug Boot Pliers -- Pass. Cheap metal (pot metal, I think) and not smooth, but they get the job done every time.
Mini Pliers -- Fail. Rusty out of the package, jaws have trouble gripping anything firmly; most models do not even have teeth. I have a set of cheap Companion's from Sears that blows them away for about the same price.
I guess any fail with HF does not really disappoint me. What do you expect for a buck or two? If it works okay for awhile, I consider myself fortunate.
I did not buy any of this stuff myself. My Grandma knows I like tools so she occasionally stops by HF and picks something out for me. Nice gesture, but it would sure be a lot cooler if she flagged down the SO truck instead. LOL Anyways, I try to get some use out of the stuff she buys.
Spark Plug Boot Pliers -- Pass. Cheap metal (pot metal, I think) and not smooth, but they get the job done every time.
Mini Pliers -- Fail. Rusty out of the package, jaws have trouble gripping anything firmly; most models do not even have teeth. I have a set of cheap Companion's from Sears that blows them away for about the same price.
I guess any fail with HF does not really disappoint me. What do you expect for a buck or two? If it works okay for awhile, I consider myself fortunate.
I did not buy any of this stuff myself. My Grandma knows I like tools so she occasionally stops by HF and picks something out for me. Nice gesture, but it would sure be a lot cooler if she flagged down the SO truck instead. LOL Anyways, I try to get some use out of the stuff she buys.
Coach James
Well-known member
All Pass.
6" diagonal cutters. Blue handles with red stripe around the top. #39634
Not in the same league as Klein but for $3.99 have been a winner for the tools I keep in my desk at work.
Scissors
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47877
I got a pair recently on sale for 99 cents. They work fine for cutting sand paper/emory cloth. They also keep my wife from getting mad like she did when I used her Pampered Chef kitchen scissors to cut sand paper.
Floorjack Pad
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96306
Put one on my C-man jack and it works fine.
Sheet metal pliers.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93062
I had to use a file to smooth the edges of the cast jaws but 5 minutes later they closed tight with no gaps and make good bends.
Funnel set
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=744
I know, how could anyone mess up a funnel, but for 99cents, it was still a good deal. I bought a second set for my wife to do crafts with so she wouldn't use mine.
Extended length 5/8 spark plug socket
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91705
I used this yesterday to change the plugs in one of my vehicles. Worked fine and much easier than trying to fish out a regular length socket after the extension leaves it attached to a spark plug. I would prefer a USA made but since I'm a DIYer, this will see limited use plus I don't know any that are USA made. And if it's off a truck, I can't A) afford it or B) can't find a truck.
Coach
6" diagonal cutters. Blue handles with red stripe around the top. #39634
Not in the same league as Klein but for $3.99 have been a winner for the tools I keep in my desk at work.
Scissors
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47877
I got a pair recently on sale for 99 cents. They work fine for cutting sand paper/emory cloth. They also keep my wife from getting mad like she did when I used her Pampered Chef kitchen scissors to cut sand paper.
Floorjack Pad
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96306
Put one on my C-man jack and it works fine.
Sheet metal pliers.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93062
I had to use a file to smooth the edges of the cast jaws but 5 minutes later they closed tight with no gaps and make good bends.
Funnel set
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=744
I know, how could anyone mess up a funnel, but for 99cents, it was still a good deal. I bought a second set for my wife to do crafts with so she wouldn't use mine.
Extended length 5/8 spark plug socket
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91705
I used this yesterday to change the plugs in one of my vehicles. Worked fine and much easier than trying to fish out a regular length socket after the extension leaves it attached to a spark plug. I would prefer a USA made but since I'm a DIYer, this will see limited use plus I don't know any that are USA made. And if it's off a truck, I can't A) afford it or B) can't find a truck.
Coach
beartoothweb
Well-known member
PASS - Texture Gun
Comes with 3 different tips. I used the middle size for a, well, medium sized splatter texture. Worked very well, no problems whatsoever. Full of mud, it's fairly heavy, so it takes 2 hands.
My small portable CH compressor handled it just fine (although it ran constantly to keep up.)
One nice feature, which I wasn't expecting was that the air runs through the gun constantly to keep the nozzle clear so you don't get a big splat if you stop for a few seconds.
Recommend.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66103
Comes with 3 different tips. I used the middle size for a, well, medium sized splatter texture. Worked very well, no problems whatsoever. Full of mud, it's fairly heavy, so it takes 2 hands.
My small portable CH compressor handled it just fine (although it ran constantly to keep up.)
One nice feature, which I wasn't expecting was that the air runs through the gun constantly to keep the nozzle clear so you don't get a big splat if you stop for a few seconds.
Recommend.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66103
Mister B
Member
4 piece Pittsburgh Tools Heavy Duty pry bar set - Pass
6 Ton jack stands - Pass
3 lb Orange Dead Blow Hammer - Pass
3 piece detail brush set for $0.60 - Pass
(1 nylon, 1 brass & 1 steel bristle brush)
I figure if I was to only get one use from each brush it would still be worth the price.
6 Ton jack stands - Pass
3 lb Orange Dead Blow Hammer - Pass
3 piece detail brush set for $0.60 - Pass
(1 nylon, 1 brass & 1 steel bristle brush)
I figure if I was to only get one use from each brush it would still be worth the price.
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It is an effort to go to a H/F outlet, so the visits are usually well planned.
Have the 12" bead roller..........pass. Previously acquired an 18" model used, locally and basically bought the 12 incher for the assortment of dies that came with it. No way I could even think about buying the material to make them!!
Ring roller........pass. Stopped in while on a U.S. trip and they were on sale for $20, can't go wrong.
Have the E - wheels............pass I think. Haven't put them to the test yet, but this one you cannot even buy the material for that price. On sale for $80 or so.
It is like many other places, good enough for what it costs, especially when you may only use it a few times.
Just a note to other Canucks, the border guys seem much easier to deal with these days. Couple of recent trips (Peace Br.) four of us on a day trip and had $6-700 between us. Guy says how long, how much........have a nice day, bye! I think secret is no stumbling, I have a list prepared (with receipts)
and pretend to read from it. Seems to work for us.
Have the 12" bead roller..........pass. Previously acquired an 18" model used, locally and basically bought the 12 incher for the assortment of dies that came with it. No way I could even think about buying the material to make them!!
Ring roller........pass. Stopped in while on a U.S. trip and they were on sale for $20, can't go wrong.
Have the E - wheels............pass I think. Haven't put them to the test yet, but this one you cannot even buy the material for that price. On sale for $80 or so.
It is like many other places, good enough for what it costs, especially when you may only use it a few times.
Just a note to other Canucks, the border guys seem much easier to deal with these days. Couple of recent trips (Peace Br.) four of us on a day trip and had $6-700 between us. Guy says how long, how much........have a nice day, bye! I think secret is no stumbling, I have a list prepared (with receipts)
and pretend to read from it. Seems to work for us.
5wndwcpe
Well-known member
1000lb. vehicle dollies EPIC FAIL
I read the previous posts on these and it seemed the concensus was you needed a good floor to make them work as the casters are cheap. Well my floor is like glass and with a 2000lb streetrod on these pieces of $hit, I can barley push the car without risking caving in the body. Caster surgery will be required.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32052
I read the previous posts on these and it seemed the concensus was you needed a good floor to make them work as the casters are cheap. Well my floor is like glass and with a 2000lb streetrod on these pieces of $hit, I can barley push the car without risking caving in the body. Caster surgery will be required.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32052
Heavy Duty 4-1/2" Angle Grinder - EPIC PASS, have beat the hell out of it and it hasn't ever failed me yet. Very impressice for $12.00 (sale price)
3" x 21" Belt Sander - Partial Pass, at first it was a fail as the sanding belts kept sliding off. The problem is the adjustment knob, it's not very accurate. Once I figured it out, it takes quite a bit of tweaking to get it to the perfect spot to keep the belts on, it has worked pretty good.
1-1/2 HP Bridge Tile Saw with Stand Solid Pass, Very good for the price. Accurate and reliable from our experiences. It's not Felker, but for the price it's well worth it.
Pittsburgh Various Sizes Industrial C-Clamps - Pass, not much to say they just work.
Aluminum Rafter Angle Square - PASS! Love this thing!
15 Gauge Magnesium Air Finishing Nailer - Pass have shot like 1000 nails through it. Not problems at all. 1 or 2 jams at most. I keep it well oiled.
2-1/2 HP Plunge Router - Partial Pass, Plenty of power, but difficult to adjust and to route accurately.
10" Diamond Wet-Cut Blade - Pass, Not too bad really. Of course it does cut as smoothly as a top dollar blade, but will get the job done on most tile cuts. If you do want a perfectly smooth edge, then look else where.
Multifunction Power Tool - EPIC PASS, I love this thing, I use it quite a lot. Has never failed me yet.
Orbital Jigsaw with Laser Cutting Guide - Pass. It has certainly got the job done for me. It is really excellent with high quality (Bosch) blades.
Various Tarps - Pass. They work pretty good. Not a heavy duty as a top dollar tarp, but they are a good value.
13 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bits - Fail, yes they work but they break way to easy.
3" x 21" Belt Sander - Partial Pass, at first it was a fail as the sanding belts kept sliding off. The problem is the adjustment knob, it's not very accurate. Once I figured it out, it takes quite a bit of tweaking to get it to the perfect spot to keep the belts on, it has worked pretty good.
1-1/2 HP Bridge Tile Saw with Stand Solid Pass, Very good for the price. Accurate and reliable from our experiences. It's not Felker, but for the price it's well worth it.
Pittsburgh Various Sizes Industrial C-Clamps - Pass, not much to say they just work.
Aluminum Rafter Angle Square - PASS! Love this thing!
15 Gauge Magnesium Air Finishing Nailer - Pass have shot like 1000 nails through it. Not problems at all. 1 or 2 jams at most. I keep it well oiled.
2-1/2 HP Plunge Router - Partial Pass, Plenty of power, but difficult to adjust and to route accurately.
10" Diamond Wet-Cut Blade - Pass, Not too bad really. Of course it does cut as smoothly as a top dollar blade, but will get the job done on most tile cuts. If you do want a perfectly smooth edge, then look else where.
Multifunction Power Tool - EPIC PASS, I love this thing, I use it quite a lot. Has never failed me yet.
Orbital Jigsaw with Laser Cutting Guide - Pass. It has certainly got the job done for me. It is really excellent with high quality (Bosch) blades.
Various Tarps - Pass. They work pretty good. Not a heavy duty as a top dollar tarp, but they are a good value.
13 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bits - Fail, yes they work but they break way to easy.
84TurboBuick
Well-known member
1000lb. vehicle dollies EPIC FAIL
I read the previous posts on these and it seemed the concensus was you needed a good floor to make them work as the casters are cheap. Well my floor is like glass and with a 2000lb streetrod on these pieces of $hit, I can barley push the car without risking caving in the body. Caster surgery will be required.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32052
I'm surprised by this review! I gotta give the dollies a PASS!!!
My Grand National is sitting on them now and it moves if I barely push it! It could be the floor or I just got lucky.
1000lb. vehicle dollies EPIC FAIL
I read the previous posts on these and it seemed the concensus was you needed a good floor to make them work as the casters are cheap. Well my floor is like glass and with a 2000lb streetrod on these pieces of $hit, I can barley push the car without risking caving in the body. Caster surgery will be required.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32052
Maybe you got a bad batch? Can you tell "how" they are failing?
Before surgery I would take them back for exchange.
Jim Stabe
Well-known member
Has anybody usedd the adjustable length link drive belt #43771?
Drop Light - Pass
Strut Spring Compressor - Partial Fail, they never actually failed on me, but man where we scared as we compressed the coils on my brothers Toyota Tundra. I kept think as I tightened them that I was looking down the barrel of a load gun. Quite a bit of bending in the all-thread. Seemed destine for failure, I won't be using it again.
Three-Way Grounded Power Outlet - Partial fail, worked great for about a year, bu now the middle slot doesn't work very well, you have to really wiggle the male connection to get power to flow through. The two outside slots still work flawlessly. For the price I guess I can't complain too much though.
Strut Spring Compressor - Partial Fail, they never actually failed on me, but man where we scared as we compressed the coils on my brothers Toyota Tundra. I kept think as I tightened them that I was looking down the barrel of a load gun. Quite a bit of bending in the all-thread. Seemed destine for failure, I won't be using it again.
Three-Way Grounded Power Outlet - Partial fail, worked great for about a year, bu now the middle slot doesn't work very well, you have to really wiggle the male connection to get power to flow through. The two outside slots still work flawlessly. For the price I guess I can't complain too much though.
5wndwcpe
Well-known member
Stupidly, I trashed the boxes as I put them together, so I don't know if they'll take them back. The store is 37 miles -one way, which wouldn't be a big deal except the first time I went there, they couldn't find them. So I go back a week later when they did find them. I can't bring myself to make yet a third 70 mile round trip.
The car is extremely hard to push, so I can only conclude it's the casters. My floor is power trowled, sealed and smooth as glass. The car is an unfinished street rod that weighs no more than 2000 lb. WTF.
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bb1970
Well-known member
I've got 4 of those dollies. I put different casters on them I got free at work. They work great. The metal casters **** ***. Try to upgrade the casters if you can find a deal on some.
tcianci
Well-known member
H/F Multi function power tool PASS
I started a separate thread about this to gain more information on the compatibility of blades from other manufacturers. But I thought I would just give a shout here too. The thing works great although the blades from H/F are junk.
I started a separate thread about this to gain more information on the compatibility of blades from other manufacturers. But I thought I would just give a shout here too. The thing works great although the blades from H/F are junk.
Infrared Thermometer
- Pass, so far I've been pleased. The small size makes it easy to carry or slip in a pocket. Accuracy is pretty good.
- Pass, so far I've been pleased. The small size makes it easy to carry or slip in a pocket. Accuracy is pretty good.
The Muffin Man
Well-known member
harbor freight long wrench set... Fail
Despite good reviews from this forum, the offset on the box ends are inconsistent between wrenches within the set. The tolerances in the open ends have a mean of .62mm which converts to .024in.
Despite good reviews from this forum, the offset on the box ends are inconsistent between wrenches within the set. The tolerances in the open ends have a mean of .62mm which converts to .024in.
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bmxr4life87
Well-known member
harbor freight long wrench set... Fail
Despite good reviews from this forum, the offset on the box ends are inconsistent between wrenches within the set. The tolerances in the open ends have a mean of .62mm which converts to .024in.
so it gets a fail even though you have no proof of failure? Its by no means a precision tool but for $40 i dont see the wrong with them. I have a set i use everyday and so far havent rounded one bolt with them or had any inconveniences since using them. I would dare to say that they dont get a fail but more like they dont meet your expectations. Even the guys at work who strongly dislike cheap tools even craftsman is too cheap have commented on these wrenches. Just my personal experience
bhays
Well-known member
6 Piece SAE Color Combo Wrench Set
Epic PASS!! I have these 66053-0VGA and the metric set 66054-0VGA and honestly probably use them more than any other wrenches in my box. They work great and have held up very well to pretty rough use. Highly recommended.
Epic PASS!! I have these 66053-0VGA and the metric set 66054-0VGA and honestly probably use them more than any other wrenches in my box. They work great and have held up very well to pretty rough use. Highly recommended.
Electric Drain Cleaner with GFCI - Pass, Very good quality for the price! My brother is a plumber and he gives his recommendation. The cable is solid and heavy duty.
The Muffin Man
Well-known member
From what I have observed, absolutely.
Your right that this is not a precision tool, but the average deviation from the indicated size was over a half of a millimeter, that is horrible.
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Interesting. I just saw these in their latest ad and assumed they'd be bad. Good to know I was wrong.
I wonder how they stack up to my dad's vintage units? Those things were so heavy to move, it sucked for me as a kid working for him.
I wonder how they stack up to my dad's vintage units? Those things were so heavy to move, it sucked for me as a kid working for him.
Electric Drain Cleaner with GFCI - Pass, Very good quality for the price! My brother is a plumber and he gives his recommendation. The cable is solid and heavy duty.
Nortonscustom
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2008
- Messages
- 375
Heavy Duty 3" chipping hammer: PASS
Mine has a few hundred hours on it now and it's never missed a beat.
Mine has a few hundred hours on it now and it's never missed a beat.
What is that used for?
Heavy Duty 3" chipping hammer: PASS
Mine has a few hundred hours on it now and it's never missed a beat.
Nortonscustom
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2008
- Messages
- 375
I think they're made for chipping concrete. I use mine as a planishing hammer for metal work.
back2class
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,723
I would have to agree that it is a MAJOR FAIL!!! If his measurments are correct that would make them complete junk I would not want in any application given a choice.