The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
- Thread starter Bolster
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jerseykat1
Well-known member
I used my impact gun on it. But it should be able to take it. I use my Co workers OTC clamp all the time with an impact gun and so does he. It's still straight! I also had to heat the BJ up to get it out.
I'm just going to break down and buy the snap-on BJ press kit. It's about 450 used on ebay but all parts are guaranteed for life and the adapters are interlocking so you don't need 4 hands and they don't fall all over the place when your releasing. It's 700 new on the truck.
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ovrrdrive
Well-known member
Massive fail, exchanged it and gave it another chance, same garbage, but it sure does have a nice feel.
First one didn't work so I swapped it at the store. The second I packed up by hand and manually bled it and it works great. My only issue is it pumps so fast it blew the grease seal on one of my trailer hubs. Now I turn the pressure down to around 40 to prevent that. Works great.
skulldrinker
Well-known member
Thanks for the reply. I can only afford the OTC if i replace it. I think it runs about 100 bucks.
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jerseykat1
Well-known member
Absolutely. If you don't do ball joints regularly the OTC clamp is the way to go. I do them often enough at my job that it's worth the money for me to get the Snap-on kit.. But that will be in the future. for now I'm back to borrowing my Co workers OTC clamp.
BTW the Astra BJ press clamp is **** too. OTC or snap-on that's it!
adapters don't matter what brand.
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I actually did two joins with this press and as usual the needed adaptor was not there. But I improvised a little and it worked well with an impact. I was extremely careful because the screw part is sloppy in the bore, so I greased the S*** out of it and used a little white lithium grease on the ball joint and made certain that the joint was started as straight as can be. Then used short and slow bursts with the impact and it seemed to work well. Bottom line.... Lotsa lube!
Agreed on the lube. Any time you are using a screw like this it needs plenty of lube.
Alchymist
Well-known member
diggerrick
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I have that torch and love it, but I gotta admit I was a little nervous the first couple times I used it. Sounds like a jet on full afterburner right there in your hands when you hit the turbo button!
diggerrick
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Anybody have experience with the 4pc scraper set http://m.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-scraper-set-4-pc-69601.html? I picked them up last weekend as the required purchase for one the freebies. I like their mass and handles, but the scraper heads look like **** - covered with pock marks. Hopefully that won't affect the scraping action though.
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dodge610
Well-known member
Just used my set today they seem to hold up for the price. So ya they hold up pretty well.
diggerrick
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dodge610
Well-known member
Good to hear, because they look like ****.
Mine didnt look that bad but they worked well. If you are close I would swap them off those do look bad.
thool
Well-known member
Got this last weekend and am in the process of filling it. The wheels are a little sketchy. Thinking of passing a few bolts through the top and bottom sections to unify the thing. I think it was $315 with coupon.
jakemac
Well-known member
The wheels are fine if you plan on keeping it in one spot. But if you are going to be rolling it around, I'd buy heavier castors. The weak spot is the yoke on the wheels. It's thiner steel than the castors on the 44" box.
If you plan on adding side cabinets or overloading the box, I'd recommend putting a 1/4" steel plate under the whole thing to keep the bottom from buckling. See the link in my signature to see what I did to my 26" stack.
If you plan on adding side cabinets or overloading the box, I'd recommend putting a 1/4" steel plate under the whole thing to keep the bottom from buckling. See the link in my signature to see what I did to my 26" stack.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I use a 5lb harbor freight vibratory tumbler along with their walnut media for cleaning brass to reload. It's worked great for me so far.
I am not sure if mine is the same model number, but this is their current 5lb tumbler: http://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-********-tumbler-67617.html
I tried the 2.5l ultrasonic cleaner and was underwhelmed, so I brought i back, but I've read a lot of great reviews on it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/rechargeled-worklight-wbase-62529.html
this work light is a fail for me. The battery doesn't last too long, the magnet is pretty weak, and already the glue has broken holding the light part into the base. Finally, if you lay it down flat on an engine bay, the light switch is there, turning it off.
this work light is a fail for me. The battery doesn't last too long, the magnet is pretty weak, and already the glue has broken holding the light part into the base. Finally, if you lay it down flat on an engine bay, the light switch is there, turning it off.
Just bought the bigger ultra sonic cleaner they sell, it is a definite pass.
Cleans VERY well
Krash Kadillak
Well-known member
I'm going to trust you on that one tomorrow......
iagsxr
Well-known member
Anyone have experience with the 1.5 ton aluminum floor jack? I skimmed the thread and didn't see it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-60569.html
I'd use it at the track for a car that weighs 700-750lbs without me in it. I have good floor jacks at the shop, other than maybe changing a trailer tire on the road the race car is all it'll ever lift.
Is there an extended warranty you can get on them?
http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-60569.html
I'd use it at the track for a car that weighs 700-750lbs without me in it. I have good floor jacks at the shop, other than maybe changing a trailer tire on the road the race car is all it'll ever lift.
Is there an extended warranty you can get on them?
FigureItOut
Well-known member
It's the one I carry in the car for flats and such. I've had it a year with no issues, lifted SUVs with it to change flats, no problems. That being said, if I was buying it again I'd consider the bigger one.
And yes, you can get a replacement plan- one or two years.
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Any feedback on this? I need to use my single axle box trailer for storage and need a way to stabilize it.
Haul-Master - item#96406
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-half-ton-trailer-stabilizer-jack-96406.html
Haul-Master - item#96406
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-half-ton-trailer-stabilizer-jack-96406.html
ineedtools
Well-known member
I'd use a jack stand before I used that but their trailer jacks aint bad.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-swing-back-trailer-jack-41005.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-2000-lb-capacity-top-wind-trailer-jack-42950.html
ovrrdrive
Well-known member
I noticed on the episode of "Car Fix" I watched last week they used two of them under a car to put a transmission in. Can't be that bad...
I have one I've been abusing for 4-5 years, not one issue or even a groan out of it, still going strong.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
Same here. Been using one for at least 5 years and would not hesitate to buy another.
I have the larger 2.5? Ton as well, but only grab it for the ton trucks. The 1.5T gets used on the Focus, Escape, Explorer, Volvo, ATCs, Trailers, etc. Moving tool boxes and rigging as well.
Super handy tool.
the1nonlyjl
Banned
Mobile Folding Power Tool Stand
http://www.harborfreight.com/mobile-folding-power-tool-stand-40612.html
I've had this for a few years and just replaced it so I'd rate as a fail. I purchased it as I'm trying to get most of my shop mobile, everything lives in the basement but I have some projects I do in the garage and help maintaining two other houses. It was a pain to put together, it's use as a true mobile platform (aka quickly fold it up and move to a new location) apparently takes a greater mind then mine, even as just a non-mobile stable platform it's a pain in the *** to get all the legs stable and although there's lots of extensions etc. there full of fiddly bits that are just annoying to try and use.
Anyway just replaced with the rigid mobile miter saw stand (http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Mobile-Miter-Saw-Stand-AC9945/202673168) which for $100 was 90% assembled, has a nice system for taking the saw on and off, is mobile enough that I did a test run up and down the stairs within 30 minutes of bringing it home and collapsing it is convenient enough (press down the lever with your foot) that I can store the base with saw collapsed if I want and easily snap it into position.
I'm not a harbor freight hater (I own a bundle of their stuff and am generally satisfied with a majority of their products) this one annoyed the heck out of me though.
http://www.harborfreight.com/mobile-folding-power-tool-stand-40612.html
I've had this for a few years and just replaced it so I'd rate as a fail. I purchased it as I'm trying to get most of my shop mobile, everything lives in the basement but I have some projects I do in the garage and help maintaining two other houses. It was a pain to put together, it's use as a true mobile platform (aka quickly fold it up and move to a new location) apparently takes a greater mind then mine, even as just a non-mobile stable platform it's a pain in the *** to get all the legs stable and although there's lots of extensions etc. there full of fiddly bits that are just annoying to try and use.
Anyway just replaced with the rigid mobile miter saw stand (http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Mobile-Miter-Saw-Stand-AC9945/202673168) which for $100 was 90% assembled, has a nice system for taking the saw on and off, is mobile enough that I did a test run up and down the stairs within 30 minutes of bringing it home and collapsing it is convenient enough (press down the lever with your foot) that I can store the base with saw collapsed if I want and easily snap it into position.
I'm not a harbor freight hater (I own a bundle of their stuff and am generally satisfied with a majority of their products) this one annoyed the heck out of me though.
FigureItOut
Well-known member
It's actually quite nice to see some fails in this thread. The majority are pass which I don't think is a true representation of HF products. This is coming from a guy who has spent thousands there, so don't get me wrong. I've also noticed that the request by the OP to use something for a good while before posting about it is largely ignored. Thank you for your assessment.
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diggerrick
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owenst7
Well-known member
The 6-1 screwdriver I bought for $1.99 is worthless. The shank doesn't fit and rotates in the handle, the insert in the handle pulls out, and the bits aren't hard enough to even remove a cheap soft screw that comes with a security light. I wasn't expecting much, but I was in a hurry and couldn't find any of my good ones.
On the up side, the handle is really comfortable, and will be worth the $1.99 to add to a steel handled ratchet for use in the winter so my hands don't freeze.
The wooden push broom with braces is decent, although I don't care for the stiff bristles. Reminds me of a gravel broom.
Both styles of black rubber tire chocks are great. I have several that live outside in the sun holding the trailer. Several years later they are still pliable.
On the up side, the handle is really comfortable, and will be worth the $1.99 to add to a steel handled ratchet for use in the winter so my hands don't freeze.
The wooden push broom with braces is decent, although I don't care for the stiff bristles. Reminds me of a gravel broom.
Both styles of black rubber tire chocks are great. I have several that live outside in the sun holding the trailer. Several years later they are still pliable.
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soj
Well-known member
I agree, that HF stand is almost junk. I had one and sold it. It was dangerous to try and fold up with a 12" miter saw on it. I say ALMOST junk because it was fairly stable once set up, and the extensions with the legs were good to hold long, heavy boards. Just be careful folding it.
jp
Provincial
Well-known member
The 3/4 inch Ball Joint Separator item. 99849 by Pittsburgh Automotive is a Pass in my book. Used it tonight to separate a 10 year old rusty lower ball joint on my Sienna and it worked like a charm - once I drilled the rusted solid cotter pin out. Mine seems well made.
owenst7
Well-known member
I usually just clip the ends of the pin and hammer an impact socket on. The impact will snap the pin. Works about three out of four times. Don't know if everyone else does that or just me.
soj
Well-known member
What happens on the fourth time???
soj
Well-known member
You didn't buy it from me! I was in GA when I sold mine. And I did warn the guy to be careful when folding it.
jp