The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[tj90]

So far, so good for this little low-profile floor jack.

$59 w/coupon, only weighs about 25lbs. Very easy to maneuver/carry. Haven't used it a lot yet, since it's only a couple of weeks old, but from what I have done, it works fine. I wouldn't expect it to be an everyday floor jack in a commercial garage (I have an old Walker brand steel monster that would servce that purpose!.......but, for lifting a corner for tire changes, or getting under my 'vette, it looks great.

At $59, I'd say it's a PASS, thus far.

See ya.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91039

View media item 2053

Ive personally banned Chinese aluminum jacks from my garage. 2 have failed on me under moderate use. Id own one for the paddock only! Never in a garage. FAIL

 

[tenorplayer23]

Has this jack particular jack failed on you, personally? Just need a point of reference........my use is for this one is jacking a corner at a time for tires, etc.. I have the aforementioned Walker steel monster jack for all else.

BTW, is "paddock" a common term for race car parking lots, so to speak? The other definition is "an area used for exercising & pasturing animals". Never thought I'd be jacking up a "horse".

See ya.

Hellobye:

Ive personally banned Chinese aluminum jacks from my garage. 2 have failed on me under moderate use. Id own one for the paddock only! Never in a garage. FAIL

 

[mkdive]

I have a HF jack similar to the one about. Its the 4000# rapid pump jack.
[FONT=arial, sans-serif]ITEM 92782-0VGA[/FONT]

I picked it up for $89.99 out the door thanks to it being on sale & using a 20% off coupon. I use it all the time, with no problems yet. my .02

 

[Joelfke]

im not sure if this was covered before (i did a quick pass through of the entire thread, but has anyone bought/used this 1/2 corded impact? reg price 69.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45252

my recent hotrod mag has a coupon that makes this $30 until 1/10/10 so i was wondering if its a good buy

 

[Danglerb]

im not sure if this was covered before (i did a quick pass through of the entire thread, but has anyone bought/used this 1/2 corded impact? reg price 69.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45252

my recent hotrod mag has a coupon that makes this $30 until 1/10/10 so i was wondering if its a good buy

I bought one when it was about $32 a few months back. I think I gave it a pass, it does work, but its not very strong and mine would just stop from time to time and I had to wait a few seconds before it would go again.

BUT it does serve my intended purpose, when I need an impact and don't want to mess with running the compressor up to pressure etc. it has removed the bolt in question. Its bulky, heavy, and noisey, but it does plug into an extension cord and take off lug nuts etc.

Great tool to loan instead of something nice.

*** Warranty is often based off "sale" not regular price, so if you plan to use it a lot, but not right away, I would get the extended warranty.

 

[Scotto]

You can't beat this jack for the money. I use it every weekend at the racetrack. PASS!

Isn't the 14" of lift a problem a lot of the time? My HF jack only goes 16" and I'm constantly wanting a jack that goes up another inch or so. I hate putting blocks of wood between the jack and lifting point to get it high enough.

 

[tenorplayer23]

I think the 14"+ will be enough for the occasional tire/lift one corner application. Get's the big Impala off the ground when I need to. But, I think it might be a little short if trying to elevate the whole read end of the car. On the other hand, that's not what I bought it for, so probably doesn't matter. Is just a small, light and inexpensive jack for the occasional use.

BTW, has anybody bought & used the bigger more expensive HF jacks, either steel or aluminum??? Just curious...............they have probably 10 or more different ones to choose from.

Thx. for the input.

See ya.

Isn't the 14" of lift a problem a lot of the time? My HF jack only goes 16" and I'm constantly wanting a jack that goes up another inch or so. I hate putting blocks of wood between the jack and lifting point to get it high enough.

 

[jpoe]

Hi, new to the forum.

My mechanical skills are poor but I am determined to learn.

That being said.

Pass: Socket organizer. Picks (so far)

I will post a review of some of the hardware that was purchased to hoist my canopy off of my truck ( gear driven wench, pulleys, and cable)

Justin.

 

[2002maniac]

I just spent the last 2 hours reading through this thread. Great info!

Here's my contribution:

7 Piece 3/8" Metric Swivel Impact Socket Set

PASS!!

I picked this set up the day after I got my IR 2115ti. I was very close to buying a used MAC set, but I am very happy with these swivels. They are very smooth and offer a good amount of flexibility. Time will test how strong the CVs are, but they do have a lifetime warranty!

 

[car99r]

Bead Breaker - PASS
ITEM 92961-4VGA

I bought this things a couple of years ago before having machines in my garage. I part out old 50's-80's motorcycles that have been sitting in barns for years. This thing popped plenty of beads off for me with minimal effort. Never tried it on car tires but did do a couple ATV tires with it.

Bead Breaker

 

[car99r]

5 Lb. Metal ********/Tumbler - FAIL!!!
ITEM 93252-5VGA

I picked this up to use for cleaning small nuts and bolts for restore projects. The first time I used it I filled to correct level with media I also purchased form HF. I put in one handful of nuts and bolts. Plugged it in and came back 2 hours later to the top being off and pieces of it all ove rmy floor. Called up HF and they did give me my money back on it and the media with no issues so they do get a plus on customer service from me.

5 Lb. Metal ********/Tumbler

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

I dont mean to rude but your post made me laugh out loud. It sounds like something that would happen to me. lol

Dr. B

 

[Kev442]

Id have to disagree. The sockets AND ratchets failed under moderate use at work. Of course, my experience was with the 3/8 set. Be ready to bust your knuckles on this set!

I did break the 11/16's 1/2" jumping on it with a 20" breaker bar for a lug nut, but that is not really being fair, as the Master Mechanic broke too. I then put a Craftsman ('80's vintage) on it and broke got it loose. Maybe the first 2 and Kroil finally softened it up!
My main complaint is that the laser etching and chrome is coming off the well used ones pretty quickly now. So PASS/FAIL? Wishy/washy? Lol!

 

[michael murder]

I did break the 11/16's 1/2" jumping on it with a 20" breaker bar for a lug nut, but that is not really being fair, as the Master Mechanic broke too. I then put a Craftsman ('80's vintage) on it and broke got it loose. Maybe the first 2 and Kroil finally softened it up!
My main complaint is that the laser etching and chrome is coming off the well used ones pretty quickly now. So PASS/FAIL? Wishy/washy? Lol!

You'll find that most sockets will break doing this, ask me how I know. That's what lug wrenches are for.

 

[Bull]

You guys think there is any way in heck this thing works well enough to warrant spending $500?

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=66571&submit2=find+it

 

[Hiball]

You guys think there is any way in heck this thing works well enough to warrant spending $500?

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=66571&submit2=find+it

Well at least it has a Briggs and Stratton motor on it. That seems to be a plus considering the off breed they sell in there store.

 

[Danglerb]

You guys think there is any way in heck this thing works well enough to warrant spending $500?

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=66571&submit2=find+it

Compared to the smaller 4 hp $1400 unit at Walmart?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...0000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11170268

 

[Bull]

Compared to the smaller 4 hp $1400 unit at Walmart?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...0000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11170268

Geezus...big money.

I would really like a plate compactor of some kind. I have a few projects that I could use it on...hand tamping a 19x17 space with a 12"x12" hand tamp ***** balls.

 

[metal1313]

rent one? they dont cost too much to rent for the day

 

[Bull]

rent one? they dont cost too much to rent for the day

I know, and I might have to do that for cost considerations.

But, that puts pressure on me to work like an animal during that rental period to get to tool back on time. I'd have to compact the gravel base, then haul in the 3 or 4" of 3/4" crushed stone/dust for the top coat, by hand, then compact that at least once and load up the tool and get back to the store.

I'm strong and vigorous, but that might be too much for one man for one day. Not sure.

I also have other projects coming up in the next few years which will require compacting...from walkways to patios to parking pads on the ground. How much is each rental...$40? Starts to add up.

 

[beartoothweb]

10 Pack of 4" cut off wheels - FAIL. The first one in the pack worked great, but so far, the next 5 have had the retainer "washer" come off, so they just spin and spin, plus it's freakin dangerous.

 

[stovall]

I use my tools almost everyday, & when I break a cheap socket I just throw it in the scrap & go on. It gives me another excuse to go to my all-time favorite store!!! Honestly though, I can say I have never broken a socket thet was not modified in some way, but my son has. I don't mean to take away from good quality tools, but for the money you can't beat their prices. I like their air tools because I don't have to worry about my son stripping or breaking bolts on reassembly. I am having problems with my 5294P 3/8 ratchets falling apart. Whoever designed them, should have used larger, stronger bolts to hold the plate on.

Brian

 

[metal1313]

then i fall back on my favorite site on the internet....other than gj, craigslist. i actually bought a plate compactor last year for a few projects. i paid 300 for it, but it needed a little work. check cl, paving and landscape companies seem to get rid of them bi-annually

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/tls/1471193300.html that one is cool but a pain to use

But, that puts pressure on me to work like an animal during that rental period to get to tool back on time. I'd have to compact the gravel base, then haul in the 3 or 4" of 3/4" crushed stone/dust for the top coat, by hand, then compact that at least once and load up the tool and get back to the store.

I'm strong and vigorous, but that might be too much for one man for one day. Not sure.

I also have other projects coming up in the next few years which will require compacting...from walkways to patios to parking pads on the ground. How much is each rental...$40? Starts to add up.[/QUOTE]

 

[Danglerb]

First I would check around and see if you can borrow one, if not buy one, use it, lend it out, sell it when your done.

Tool rental seems like insanity to me, but ton of stuff gets rented so must work for some.

Nice thing about buying one, its a nice new tool and you can take your time learning how to use it.

 

[Art From De Leon]

10 Pack of 4" cut off wheels - FAIL. The first one in the pack worked great, but so far, the next 5 have had the retainer "washer" come off, so they just spin and spin, plus it's freakin dangerous.

Grinding wheels, cut off wheels, or anything that involves high RPMs, would be something that I would NEVER buy an off-brand of. Just too much can happen should it decide to come apart.

It may well be that some of the name brands are made in China, but a person would hope that by being a name brand, they MIGHT exert a bit more quality control over that of those produced and sold by HF, with some "industrial sounding name".

 

[Tyrol67]

3/4 Impact sockets - Pass to use on press for bearings and bushings.
$5 drywall panel lifter, - Pass, only needed for one job.
Parts Washer-pneumatic - FAIL ... spent more time fixing all the leaks. What was I thinking.. pneumatic-http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif
Actually bought from a different distributor who I was surprised at for carrying this POS next to good equipment. Anyone want it? it's yours!

Anything that spins and could cause damage or supports weight - Not interested. I just will not trust my life to it. When you can weld something and ship it overseas for less than the cost of steel, then you must be cutting corners somewhere.

 

[crashbumper]

Grinding wheels, cut off wheels, or anything that involves high RPMs, would be something that I would NEVER buy an off-brand of. Just too much can happen should it decide to come apart.

It may well be that some of the name brands are made in China, but a person would hope that by being a name brand, they MIGHT exert a bit more quality control over that of those produced and sold by HF, with some "industrial sounding name".

I agree the cutoff wheels are junk, but I used their flap wheels for over two years before I got some good 3M ones. They work fine; wear out quick compared to a name brand but definitely ok for casual home use.

 

[slacktide]

10 Pack of 4" cut off wheels - FAIL. The first one in the pack worked great, but so far, the next 5 have had the retainer "washer" come off, so they just spin and spin, plus it's freakin dangerous.

Agreed... Plus they wear out twice as fast, which doesn't make up for the cheap price because you're forever swapping discs and getting nasty grinding dust everywehre.

 

[Chris Adams]

On cut off wheels from HF, I notice a weird thing. The ones that came with my various cut off tools purchased there all work, and seem to last a long time.
The bulk pack wheels seem to be junk.

So the ones with the chop saw lasted for a year, but the replacement ones last for a job.
Same with a high speed cut off.

May not be useful information, but I think it's interesting.

 

[norry]

For some reason, heavy discounts on brand-name grinding media seem to come up pretty regularly. I have a big box of Sait cutoff wheels in the garage and paid something like $1/ea for them. They cut hard and fast until they're worn down to little nubs.

 

[larry4406]

Has anyone used the chain saw sharpener? If so is it any good?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93213

I have one. It works quite well.

 

[Danglerb]

Parts Washer-pneumatic - FAIL ... spent more time fixing all the leaks. What was I thinking.. pneumatic http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif

I'm not sure what you are talking about?

If its one of these I haven't seen them at HF.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Paid around $65 for this lift. My Sportster has been stored on it for about a month. No problems at all. The safety stops are holding well. I say a big PASS.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=2792

 

[sasquach]

I don't want to reread this whole thread so How are the chop saws ? I don't need one for everyday use buy it would be nice to have when I do need one .

 

[Scotto]

I don't want to reread this whole thread so How are the chop saws ? I don't need one for everyday use buy it would be nice to have when I do need one .

For something like that, I'd look for a name brand used one on Craigslist. I picked up a 10" barely-used Delta for $25. HF isn't known for their quality control and I like my appendages.

 

[Stick Figure]

If you do buy a HF chop saw, buy the better of the two they offer, and stay away from the wheels they sell for them. I originally had a HF chop saw that lasted quite a while, the replacement when it finally died wasn't near as good, so i switched to a Makita. The cut off wheels have a habit of loosing chunks of the wheels and then wanting to catch the material. That plus having to do some cuts that should have been done on a band saw and not a chop saw has caused me a couple broken fingers in the past. Now of course i finally have a band saw.

 

[Chris Adams]

I don't want to reread this whole thread so How are the chop saws ? I don't need one for everyday use buy it would be nice to have when I do need one .

I have one of the tiny ones. And it has done everything I wanted for two years, so big pass.
Frankly, I cut lots of things that are way bigger than recommended.

My sister has one of the larger ones, and is happy with it. She cuts 2 inch steel pipe with it often (pipe corrals) and various other thick hunks of steel.

But like anything else marketed this way, some lots will be better than other. They change manufacturers on a regular basis.

 

[sasquach]

Thanks guys if I go with one I would definatly buy a better wheel

 

[crashbumper]

I bought the cheaper chop saw, and have gone through the original wheel, plus two others.

They weren't necessarily worn, but for how cheap the wheels were I just replaced it when it got down to 10-11"

I have been very happy with the saw, only part that I don't like is the clamping mechanism is rather flimsy. For 90º cuts it's fine, but when you get near a 45º it has a tendency to skew to one side causing the thread clamp to loosen.

 

[TBD]

24" Adjustable Wrench - PASS
Surprisingly well built. The only other 24" I have to compare with is a Williams and this one so far has nothing to be ashamed of.