The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[pedrodagr8]

You used a ratchet for breaking lose rusted bolts? HF makes a nice and cheap breaker bar (25 inch) for like $12. I have the older version; they now have a nicer "pro" version.

Haha yup. I've never used a breaker bar before, so it didn't occur to me to use one here . Truthfully the ratchet worked perfectly. The damn thing is stout. Though I'm not surprised, I destroyed a cheap Husky socket one time using a harbor freight ratchet on a stuck bolt. The socket just cracked apart into several pieces. In the future I may pick that breaker bar up for truly tough nuts and bolts.

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[TigerDude]

Haha yup. I've never used a breaker bar before, so it didn't occur to me to use one here . Truthfully the ratchet worked perfectly. The damn thing is stout. Though I'm not surprised, I destroyed a cheap Husky socket one time using a harbor freight ratchet on a stuck bolt. The socket just cracked apart into several pieces. In the future I may pick that breaker bar up for truly tough nuts and bolts.

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ya know, one use of a tool doesn't mean it's strong

 

[pedrodagr8]

ya know, one use of a tool doesn't mean it's strong

I know but I got it for this use and it felt nice and strong in the hand and seems like very good quality. It made the changes VERY easy and I'm happy at it for that.

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[DanielC99]

Electric Pole Saw - Item 68862 - PASS
I bought this sometime last year. Just now really used it. When I first brought it home I filled it with oil and got it oiling. I thought I would cut one limb to see what it could do. I can tell you the China Man that wrote the manual knows what he is talking about. The manual says to not to use the saw over a 60 degree angle, and to not operate the pole saw with your arms fully extended or attempt to saw limbs that are difficult to reach. I did both and thought "I can move out of the way when that limb comes down".
Well, the limb damn near knocked me out. Just thought I would relate a cautionary tale with my review. The saw chewed through the limb much quicker that I thought it would. Didn't help that by that time I had had a couple of what my dad used to call, some cool uns.

I used the saw quite a bit this afternoon and it really did a very good job. I am pleased.

 

[Kev442]

ya know, one use of a tool doesn't mean it's strong

It was strong, it may not be durable though. I decided to try a 20" ratcheting breaker bar. I don't expect it to be very durable, but it's been strong enough so far.

Sunday I backed a bolt using a 1/2" Craftsman ratchet as I could not get a combo wrench in there. Worked my 24" breaker bar against it to get the rusty nut off using both arms. Felt like I was rowing a boat through molasses. The ratchet lived.

 

[kball]

I'm going to say the 6 ton jack stands definitely pass. This is a 320KW generator. The guy working on this likes to use the little HF stands with these big ones. I've seen him use two to hold up the entire back half. This time he's just holding up the one corner with one. Which is still probably at least 5000lbs worth since this genny weighs around 20Klbs total.

 

[TalonFE]

They go on sale for $299, I have never seen it on sale for $199

Like I mentioned, it was 10 yrs ago......but just had a special for 209 here in ABQ about 2 months ago. Maybe its a regional thing.

 

[mmavet]

Yes they do come in handy. I was skeptical but I've drilled a number of 1/2" and 3/8" and 3/16" holes in concrete and it handled the jobs with ease.

I think you owe us an answer on this enigmatic comment, ha ha.

This may have been mentioned already, but the 10 amp rotary hammer (61882) is a good buy. I bought it last year to chip the concrete off some fence posts I pulled, and used it again today to turn some scrap sections of a brick wall into mortar-free landscaping bricks. Between those two jobs I think I got my $70 worth and I'll probably have it another decade or two or three. http://m.harborfreight.com/1-18-in-10-amp-heavy-duty-sds-variable-speed-rotary-hammer-61882.html

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[Zapp Branigan]

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-25-hp-tilebrick-saw-69275.html

HF Tile/brick saw-PASS.
It works good, but it's messy, and you gotta keep an eye on the water level, but with a good blade in it, it's worth the $175 I paid for it. I used a Dewalt diamond blade, which was another 50 bucks. I just got done laying 400 sq. ft. of thick 18" ceramic tile, and it cut like butter, cooled the cut well (unless the water level dropped), and barely broke a sweat. The table moves smoothly and has enough travel to cut the 18" tiles corner to corner. I hung a plastic curtain behind the saw and directed the bottom of the plastic curtain into a bucket below the saw. I haven't tried it with bricks yet, but that's coming later in the project so I'll have to update that when I try it. The saw can pivot up and down too, so you it make cuts in the center of a tile.

 

[Finky198]

Pass

I've used these a few times with success they come in both metric and standard. Similar to a turbo socket. There Pittsburgh pro cr-mo 3/8 drive (they are quite shallow) and have worked great on my impacts.

It Took a rounded off bolt out of a 79 bronco front end with ease I had a hard time getting the bolt out of the socket.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I bought the Pittsburgh breaker bar. I feel it's a good tool, and it did the job I needed it to, which is take off lug nuts. No complaints.

 

[MINIz guy]

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-18-in-breaker-bar-67932.html

Definitely a pass on their 18" Pittsburgh breaker bar, not even the Pro model.

I've had mine for 6 years doing basic automotive work at home. I recently became a tech at a Porsche specialist and have been using it to break look bolts on cars: 200 lb.ft caliper bolts, check. 340 lb.ft axle nut, check. Of course, I've been using a cheater bar on it so it's around 3-4 ft long.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Anyone use their digital angle finder?

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-angle-gauge-95998.html

 

[royesses]

Anyone use their digital angle finder?

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-angle-gauge-95998.html

Yes. It is kind of slow responding. It is hard to read without a backlight. Accuracy is OK. I replaced it with the GemRed digital level box. It is very fast responding, accurate and back lighted and you can calibrate it. I purchased mine from Amazon. About the same price as HF.

Roy

 

[Wanna Ride]

Yes. It is kind of slow responding. It is hard to read without a backlight. Accuracy is OK. I replaced it with the GemRed digital level box. It is very fast responding, accurate and back lighted and you can calibrate it. I purchased mine from Amazon. About the same price as HF.

Roy

Perfect, thanks. Ordering it now.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Free multimeter. Tempting, I left my cheapo Radio Shack one out in the rain.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Harbor Freight tool starts a fire...

I'll give it a pass..

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[Mark in Indiana]

Free multimeter. Tempting, I left my cheapo Radio Shack one out in the rain.

Don't!
Although I had it connected properly, one that I was using blew up.

 

[DanielC99]

Don't!
Although I had it connected properly, one that I was using blew up.

I certainly believe it! More details please.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I certainly believe it! More details please.

A few years back, I was troubleshooting a 480 volt spot welder, using a HF freebie meter. The problem was that there was no voltage going to the transformer. So I was looking for an open connection in the circuit.
During the time that I was placing the test leads on different circuit points, the meter "poped" and quit working. The meter was set on the 750 volt range and the leads were properly connected.
I disassembled the meter and found burned areas on the circuit board.

IMO: A multimeter is a safety devise that one should never skimp on. Use only quality brand meters. HF meters are only good for checking flashlight batteries, resistance & continuity.

Lesson learned.

 

[dledmo]

Harbor Freight tool starts a fire...

I'll give it a pass..

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We started our fire with the same device last night.

 

[Loscaldazar]

harbor freight tool starts a fire...

I'll give it a pass..

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10/10

 

[KnurledNut]

Harbor Freight tool starts a fire...

I'll give it a pass..

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I thought you were talking about the multimeter.

 

[BellyUpFish]

I thought you were talking about the multimeter.

LOL! Not today. Maybe next time.

 

[subarub4]

I need to replace my back glass in my car which of the suction cups do you recommend I get from HF?

 

[pedrodagr8]

A few years back, I was troubleshooting a 480 volt spot welder, using a HF freebie meter. The problem was that there was no voltage going to the transformer. So I was looking for an open connection in the circuit.
During the time that I was placing the test leads on different circuit points, the meter "poped" and quit working. The meter was set on the 750 volt range and the leads were properly connected.
I disassembled the meter and found burned areas on the circuit board.

IMO: A multimeter is a safety devise that one should never skimp on. Use only quality brand meters. HF meters are only good for checking flashlight batteries, resistance & continuity.

Lesson learned.

I tried telling people this on the forum here. I showed a video of a HF freebie blowing its test leads right out of the socket. I was accused of being a multimeter snob, a Fluke fanboi (which is kinda ironic considering my main meter is an HP 34401A and my main handheld is a Brymen BM869S), a harbor freight hater., etc. These things are just made like complete ****. No fuse on the 10A range, so hook it up to a 120V wall socket and watch your case and test leads melt and catch fire (if you don't trip the breaker first with the near dead short).

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[FigureItOut]

I need to replace my back glass in my car which of the suction cups do you recommend I get from HF?

I've tried all of them, I use them to hang a light temporarily on glass. I don't recommend you use any of them for that, but if you do, use the red double one. Even for just hanging a light, I gave up and got a Woods Power Grip.

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[Wanna Ride]

Harbor Freight tool starts a fire...

I'll give it a pass..

Now you know that someone's going to claim that's junk and doesn't create a "real" fire that will thoroughly burn a log, right?

 

[Loscaldazar]

I tried telling people this on the forum here. I showed a video of a HF freebie blowing its test leads right out of the socket. I was accused of being a multimeter snob, a Fluke fanboi (which is kinda ironic considering my main meter is an HP 34401A and my main handheld is a Brymen BM869S), a harbor freight hater., etc. These things are just made like complete ****. No fuse on the 10A range, so hook it up to a 120V wall socket and watch your case and test leads melt and catch fire (if you don't trip the breaker first with the near dead short).

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Was that the thread where the OP posted a video of a HF meter failing at 4,000 volts (and didn't clearly state that at the beginning in favor of sensationalizing the thread by saying it failed at low voltage or implying it) and then claimed that it was a completely useless unit for anything (quite a few people pointed out that they're great for working on cars and even 120V)? Then I can't remember if it was the OP or someone else who then snapped at a teacher who gave them to his students to test the voltage on household batteries (AAA, AA, D, C, etc) in science class and claimed he was endangering his students. Little sad that thread got deleted- was very entertaining.

Or am I thinking of a different thread?

Also...

Pass on the 38470 compact metal bender (http://www.harborfreight.com/compact-bender-38470.html). Useful for bending metal pieces into hooks, angles, etc for various metal fab projects.

Also pass the the 9 Mil black nitrile gloves. I've been using medical gloves from costco for a while, but these 9 Mil ones hold up way better to automotive repair.

 

[subarub4]

I've tried all of them, I use them to hang a light temporarily on glass. I don't recommend you use any of them for that, but if you do, use the red double one. Even for just hanging a light, I gave up and got a Woods Power Grip.

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I picked up the red double one hopefully it can manage that but I would never try it on 200 lbs


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[saewoody]

Installed these wheel bearing protectors today. Easy to install. Directions were actually simple and easy to understand, probably better than a lot of the HF instructions. Seems to be a solid quality. I'm going on a trip with the trailer this week. We will see how they work out. If they fall off I will post an update.


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[Toybox1]

The HF lift table - Pass!

I have two; one ca 2000 and a second one I just bought. They are used often and work well, they work as an improvised table, a lift and an easy way to get heavy items into my pickup. My only complaint is the paint is not as durable as it should be. A friend has one and he's had some leakdown of the platform...I've not had that issue.

 

[Coach James]

Was that the thread where the OP posted a video of a HF meter failing at 4,000 volts (and didn't clearly state that at the beginning in favor of sensationalizing the thread by saying it failed at low voltage or implying it) and then claimed that it was a completely useless unit for anything (quite a few people pointed out that they're great for working on cars and even 120V)? Then I can't remember if it was the OP or someone else who then snapped at a teacher who gave them to his students to test the voltage on household batteries (AAA, AA, D, C, etc) in science class and claimed he was endangering his students. Little sad that thread got deleted- was very entertaining.

Or am I thinking of a different thread?

Also...

Pass on the 38470 compact metal bender (http://www.harborfreight.com/compact-bender-38470.html). Useful for bending metal pieces into hooks, angles, etc for various metal fab projects.

Also pass the the 9 Mil black nitrile gloves. I've been using medical gloves from costco for a while, but these 9 Mil ones hold up way better to automotive repair.

Until I retired from teaching a year ago, I used HF meters with my physics students so the teacher may be me. The HF 98025 meter is the exact same meter we buy on state contract through our school supply vendor except for the color. The only difference is the HF meter is red and costs ~$4 on sale while the state contract meters are black and cost $32. The internals are the same. I always bought the HF meters then got reimbursed by the school. I couldn't see spending the taxpayers' money for a $32 meter that I could get for $4.

My students used them for years testing DC circuits as well as AC up to 120V. If they are a bomb waiting to go off, I would not expect to see them on the state approved equipment list.

Coach

 

[Wanna Ride]

My students used them for years testing DC circuits as well as AC up to 120V. If they are a bomb waiting to go off, I would not expect to see them on the state approved equipment list.

Haters gonna hate...

That's what I was referring to in my joke about the fire-starters.

 

[saewoody]

Installed these wheel bearing protectors today. Easy to install. Directions were actually simple and easy to understand, probably better than a lot of the HF instructions. Seems to be a solid quality. I'm going on a trip with the trailer this week. We will see how they work out. If they fall off I will post an update.


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Well, one fell off. They all appeared to be tight. I can't say whether it was a fluke, an issue with the hub, or an issue with the protector itself. A quick fix got me home from my camping trip with my bearing and grease still protected.
That's a cut down iced tea bottle held on with a hose clamp[emoji106]


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[zendriver]

Free multimeter. Tempting, I left my cheapo Radio Shack one out in the rain.

I can't turn down free and used one, to double check my fluke, for the outboard motor project.

The readings were identical, between the two units.

It actually a nice little meter, IMO and you can't beat the price.

 

[Andy Griffith]

That's a cut down iced tea bottle held on with a hose clamp[emoji106]

Well done! You gotta love the Macgyver roadside-just-get-it-home repairs.

That one looks so good I'd probably leave it on there. Might be inclined to bet that the other three fall off before the bottle fix does.

 

[saewoody]

Well done! You gotta love the Macgyver roadside-just-get-it-home repairs.



That one looks so good I'd probably leave it on there. Might be inclined to bet that the other three fall off before the bottle fix does.

Yup. Thanks. You may have a valid point. That hose clamp isn't going anywhere.


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[dragonballz]

The free multimeters are junk. Ive gone through 3 of them within a year. The only thing I use them for is to check voltage of a 48v battery. Nothing crazy. They eventually stop reading correctly, reading erraticly.

 

[chris142]

The free multimeters are junk. Ive gone through 3 of them within a year. The only thing I use them for is to check voltage of a 48v battery. Nothing crazy. They eventually stop reading correctly, reading erraticly.

I have had mine for years! They read within .02v compared to my fluke. The hf leads don't last very long though