The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[autoace]

I had a very smart friend build a system that indexes their content and automatically updates the reviews site (screen scraping, yeah, we're both students and have nothing better to be doing), it's pretty cool and requires no manual labor (click a button and wait about 30 minutes).

Definitely not making any money on it (I tossed adwords on it but it most likely won't cover the hosting), I wanted to learn PHP and mySQL and needed an excuse, I had a friend help me get started. You have my assurances it won't become a pay site in the future, the Harbor Freight crowd is trying to save money on everything, you'll never get them to pay anything for reviews of cheap tools

I'm definitely not affiliated with Harbor Freight in any way, I'm actually very surprised I haven't gotten a very angry e-mail/call from them yet for using their images with the reviews (and/or the site in general). I'm not trying to sell the site to them and judging by their mess of a website they don't put much value into web stuff anyways (and I'm not planning on selling it to them in the future).

If you have other thoughts about the site feel free to share, I recently finished it but I'm still adding features - I'm open to opinions. It's pretty plain looking intentionally, it's a nice contrast to the Harbor Freight page

I went to your site, and put in a few reviews. I don't use my premium tools when I am out on road calls or in the salvage yard. I have some HF and other off brands for that. I will post a few reviews as I recall the goods and bads, good luck.

 

[Jim Stabe]

If you have other thoughts about the site feel free to share, I recently finished it but I'm still adding features - I'm open to opinions. It's pretty plain looking intentionally, it's a nice contrast to the Harbor Freight page

One thing you might want to add is to show in the menu which items have postings and how many. It would help when looking for feedback on something with lots of variants like C clamps or sanding discs

 

[lametec]

One thing you might want to add is to show in the menu which items have postings and how many. It would help when looking for feedback on something with lots of variants like C clamps or sanding discs

Or better yet, have an option for only returning search results that have comments.

 

[eborcim]

Or better yet, have an option for only returning search results that have comments.

That's what I was thinking...you'll lose interest after looking at 3 or 4 blank reviews.

 

[gkring]

List all items, with the number of reviews next to it.
Also if you rate it when you review it, why don't the items have a rating?
It's a great idea. Wish HF had the guts to let people review their stuff like any other site out there.

 

[Bolster]

Air Hose Reel...FAIL, there were shards of machined metal in the air passages (where the threads were cut) that were not cleaned up and, if they came loose and entered the airline, would ruin your tool or block your line. Fortunately I spotted them and cleaned them up with a pick.

Once hooked up to the compressor, I blew the unit out at full pressure before attaching an air hose. It does what it's supposed to do, it reels in the hose. Not exactly rocket science. But there's no excuse for tool-damaging shards causing potential havoc.

EDIT: The handle also regularly unscrews. Needs a set screw to hold it in place.

 

[Chris Adams]

Air Hose Reel...FAIL, there were shards of machined metal in the air passages (where the threads were cut) that were not cleaned up and, if they came loose and entered the airline, would ruin your tool or block your line. Fortunately I spotted them and cleaned them up with a pick.

Sorry you had a problem with yours. Mine works fine, no metal shavings.
Be a good idea if anyone who gets one inspects it closely.

 

[CamarosRus]

Need current unexpired coupon or link for 10" Pneumatic Tire Caster Wheels..........

Thanks,

 

[CollegeMechanic]

40 piece 3/8" and 1/4" drive socket set: PASS. Make sure you get a good ratchet when buying and not a broken one. I couldn't go wrong for $4. Bought 1 and it's held up as a set to take to the junkyard and to keep in my daily driver.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47902

 

[The Muffin Man]

Welcome to the forum CollegeMechanic!

 

[Big_John]

These cheap tool bags are a definate PASS. Get them on sale for a few bucks and they are great for carrying odds and ends.

 

[Dust]

I second those canvas bags. They're pretty tough, and can hold a lot of stuff for their size. I use one for a mobile oil change bag, and have three others for misc duties.

 

[Bolster]

IIRC, you can find the REAL DEAL those bags were copied after, at many Army Surplus stores, for about the same price.

 

[djd99]

HF 50" air & Water retractable PASS PASS PASS Using is as a water hose..

HF 100 amp Battery Load Tester PASS

 

[waterppk]

List all items, with the number of reviews next to it.
Also if you rate it when you review it, why don't the items have a rating?
It's a great idea. Wish HF had the guts to let people review their stuff like any other site out there.

Thanks for the feedback (and those above you). I'm planning on implementing the graphics for the review shortly, yes they are stored, they're just not currently displayed.

Since I've put up the categories page I've actually been really surprised at the number of people using it as an index to look at random items, I built it really only so that Google/crawlers would be able to index all of the items so people searching the internet would find direct links. But now seeing how people are using it it's obvious that I need to put something next to the results if there is a review, which is fixed now!

 

[dustin19]

I have never bought anything from HF yet.I hope to get a gift card for Christmas and then I will.I want to get a air angle die grinder but not sure which one.The ones I found are 1/4Central Pneumatic # 93727-3bta,1/4 front exhaust air angle die grinder C.P. #52848-2BTA(looks like the 1 shown here),1/4 air angle die grinder kit #93157-2bta C.P. this is a online and catalog item.Cant find any others, which ones is that you guys have?I have heard the hvlp paint guns are very good.How is the air filters and dyers for air compressures,what about the autobody hammers are they any good? thanks

i bought the central pneumatic air die grinder with 90 degree offset and i thought it was a piece of junk wait for mac to have another deal like i did i got a straight die grinder and 90 degree one for 70 bucks together and there both minis and they work AWESOME

 

[Hip2u77]

Bearing Separator and Puller Set - 93980 - Pass

8" Three Jaw Puller - 40970 - Pass

Take both of these positives with a grain of salt as they were only used to rebuild my 60's Rockwell drill press and all the shafts / pulleys / bearings were all pretty easy to pull, so they didn't get a hard work out.

 

[BackTracker]

just a thought but if someone were to edit ONE post with all this info it would make this quite a bit more useful...perhaps organized by pass and fail?

 

[waterppk]

just a thought but if someone were to edit ONE post with all this info it would make this quite a bit more useful...perhaps organized by pass and fail?

I'm trying Yes, I'm sure I'll get labeled a troll again, but you can use my site (which is listed farther up in the thread - http://hfreviews.com) It needs more reviews, but it is much better organized.

 

[SocketDeviler]

Recall Notices

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/showpage.taf?pageid=184

Worth checking out as some items pose fire hazards.

 

[norry]

Holy Smokes! An entire page dedicated to product recalls? Only at HF...

The hose of the propane torch kit can crack or burst

 

[SocketDeviler]

Holy Smokes! An entire page dedicated to product recalls? Only at HF...

Well, there were DeWalt and Milwaukee tools on that list as well.

http://www.dewalt.com/us/articles/article.asp?ID=1593

Makita recalls

http://www.all-cordless.com/makitarecalls.html

Ridgid recall

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2009/ridgid.html

And even more recalls...lots of brands.

http://www.woodworking-news.com/woodworking_tool_recalls.shtml

 

[Dust]

Holy Smokes! An entire page dedicated to product recalls? Only at HF...

Virtually every hardware store I've been in has had a Recall Posting Wall. Hell, the Home Depot I worked at had one right next to the returns counter.

It is not just a Harbor Freight deal; it's a consumer safety deal.

 

[crashbumper]

4.8 Volt Cordless Screwdriver Kit

ITEM 95065-4VGA

$12.99

PASS

I got this because it was only $8.99, and I thought it would be nice for confined areas, or jobs with long fine thread fasteners. I let it charge overnight to make sure the battery was good, and it worked really well. It's not an impact driver, and doesn't have a ton of torque; but for interior items, headlights, tailights, etc. it's great.

 

[gatewaysysop]

These cheap tool bags are a definate PASS. Get them on sale for a few bucks and they are great for carrying odds and ends.

I will definitely give a big for these as well. I have three of these, use them for a tow strap, flares and jumper cables. They are excellent and have held up great for years. Definitely worth the price.

 

[egertk]

Can anybody here host a document for me? I could email it to you. I've compiled the first 20 pages of reviews here into an easier to sort through excel file, with as much info about the item as I could gather (color/brand/item number if possible) and then whether it was a pass/fail or if there were mixed reviews about the item.

 

[beartoothweb]

Can anybody here host a document for me? I could email it to you. I've compiled the first 20 pages of reviews here into an easier to sort through excel file, with as much info about the item as I could gather (color/brand/item number if possible) and then whether it was a pass/fail or if there were mixed reviews about the item.

I [email protected]

 

[egertk]

Thanks Kevin! Here's the link for everybody. I'll try to update it every once and a while, or if you feel up to the task let me know and I'll send you the excel.
http://www.bozemanwebdesign.com/harbor_freight_pass_fail.htm

 

[kmorgancraw]

Picked up this pulley remover/installer from HF for $10 and it works perfectly. Or you could always buy it from Matco for $100....

Matco's version is made with the same fine Chinese craftsmanship.

 

[Bolster]

Thank u egertk!

 

[volks_voodoo]

Cheap 50' Air Hose 42185-0VGA...FAIL - quite explosively at 120 PSI or so. First thing I've ever gotten from HF that has just straight out failed (I'm pretty careful about inspecting stuff before I bring it home though, and if it feels like junk in the store I leave it there).

 

[Scotto]

Cheap 50' Air Hose 42185-0VGA...FAIL - quite explosively at 120 PSI or so. First thing I've ever gotten from HF that has just straight out failed (I'm pretty careful about inspecting stuff before I bring it home though, and if it feels like junk in the store I leave it there).

Def go for the Goodyear stuff from now on. It's a couple bucks more, but worth it.

 

[volks_voodoo]

Def go for the Goodyear stuff from now on. It's a couple bucks more, but worth it.

Yep, that's the way I went. Replaced with 100' Goodyear within an hour of the blowout so I could finish the job I was working on. Not bad at all at $40 on sale.

 

[thedrivel]

just a thought but if someone were to edit ONE post with all this info it would make this quite a bit more useful...perhaps organized by pass and fail?

you could create a google document spreadsheet that is open to public editing. that would be easy.

 

[chainz]

Coil spring compressor: Almost pass
And too many others to list

I gotta give a HUGE FAIL to this one. I used one doing a 68 GTO front coil. I had just set the compressed spring in place, didn't even have my fingers pulled away completely, and the whole thing shattered.

I heard the whizzing as a piece flew by my left ear, clipping it slightly, and sticking into the wall behind me. Probably woulda shattered my face, (as ugly as it may be), if I had been 3-4 inches to the left.

If it's safety related, or depended on, Harbor Freight is NOT the place to go.

Just my .02

~Chainz~

 

[Lhorn]

Wow, that's scary as hell. With litigation these days, it's amazing that they can stay in business, considering they deal in items that can injure or even kill if they fail. If even a handful fail, it could cost them millions when someone takes a piece of cast iron between the eyes. I guess you really gotta be careful where you take your chances to save a few bucks.

 

[egertk]

you could create a google document spreadsheet that is open to public editing. that would be easy.

I've never really used google documents before... so here's my first try let me know if this works. Great suggestion though!
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=t9s95IXLsG-PA6qqPsgcmWA&single=true&gid=0&output=html

 

[mjozefow]

I've never really used google documents before... so here's my first try let me know if this works. Great suggestion though!
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=t9s95IXLsG-PA6qqPsgcmWA&single=true&gid=0&output=html

Nice! That must have taken some time!

 

[egertk]

Haha yeah... took days to put together, there's a lot of info in here! There's also unfortunately a lot of duplication and a lot of bickering, but that's pretty much to be expected on any forum with a discussion this long. There may be some duplication on my spreadsheet, I tried to keep it to a minimum though. If people have item numbers they can put on some of these that would be awesome! I think it's unlocked for all to edit. I left off at page 20 if somebody wants to take the task of picking up from there. Bolster, can you edit the first post with a link to the spreadsheet?

 

[hpw]

To add another dimension to this thread, to those that can, take a video of your tool in action (there is a joke in that somewhere I know) and post a youtube video with a link to the video

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=harbor+freight&search_type=&aq=1&oq=Harbor+