The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[6PTsocket]

It's easy to love/hate on harbor freight. I love some of the bargains there but their quality control is far worse than any other hardware store I've ever been to.

That's one of the problems with a thread like this. It has good intentions and useful info, but there's still the quality control issue, that you can buy the same product two different times and one of them is fine but the other isn't.

That makes it easy for me to understand those who bash things with internal parts that you can't inspect before purchase. I hold it against HF a little too, I mean last time I went there looking for a sledge hammer and about 50% of them had loose handles? Should never have been put out on the shelves with loose handles, they need to get far better at policing defective goods, shouldn't be the customer's responsibility to pick a safe product.

It is the lack of QC and loose head sledge hammers on the floor that keep the prices low. It works very well for the guy that owns HF. You go in there knowing the situation. It is sort of like going to Las Vegas. You are looking to score a bargain but you may loose your shirt. In most cases a bad choice can be refunded or exchanged but that is a PIA. Some people are willing to play the game and others are not. I have a few HF purchases that have served me well. Others had to go back. I neither defend or excuse them. They are what they are. The only mistake is going in there and expecting the more consistent reliability found with quality brands. QC longer warranties and better iconstructuon that does not always show, costs money.

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[Bacon!]

^ If only there weren't the safety concern. No matter how much we want to say value or trade off, some products are just plain unsafe and shouldn't be on the market.

It's a lesser diligence and concern for safety. I don't mind when a buyer has that info to weigh for themselves, but now we are talking about tool nuts, aka people here, not the general public they sell to.

 

[Parrothead]

Anyway, if I haven't already posted about these, I should have: Micro Flush Cutter - $3.99
https://www.harborfreight.com/micro-flush-cutter-90708.html

Mine are several years old (still looks the same as the current product pic), but at least at that time, a definite PASS. I use them frequently for cutting zip ties. Great at squeezing in without damaging tightly-ziptied cables.

Micro flush cutter - pass

I’ve had mine awhile too and use them in the same capacity. I needed them for a project and thought they’d be a throw away, but have done well. I even have the Crescent USA versions to compare against, and while they have nicer handles, performance wise they’re not any better than the HF version.

 

[jonesg]

When the separate "Harbor Freight is Garbage" thread is started can we merge it with a Sear/Craftsman ***** thread to save everyone time?

What about
"Sears is circling the drain and its HFs fault" .

 

[PurpleZj]

Not sure if this one is in here as I haven’t had time to read the whole thread. But I picked this Magnetic Glove Dispenser up yesterday and I’m gonna call it a draw. It holds the box of gloves that HF sells however the frame seems be larger than it needs to be for the gloves they sell so there’s more wiggle room than desired. I’ll be going after it with a cut off wheel and rivet gun later to tighten it up a bit.


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[FarFire70]

Not sure if this one is in here as I haven’t had time to read the whole thread. But I picked this Magnetic Glove Dispenser up yesterday and I’m gonna call it a draw. It holds the box of gloves that HF sells however the frame seems be larger than it needs to be for the gloves they sell so there’s more wiggle room than desired. I’ll be going after it with a cut off wheel and rivet gun later to tighten it up a bit.


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I had the same issue when I bought mine. Bent the arms that hold the gloves in a little more and now it's nice and tight.

Definite Pass item.

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[aka Larry]

I had the same outside when I bought mine. Bent the arms that hold the gloves in a little more and now it's nice and tight.

Ditto. Just bends the tabs inward and will hold the box tight.

 

[PurpleZj]

Ditto. Just bends the tabs inward and will hold the box tight.

Tried it. Still didn’t like the fit. It “works” just not as well as I’d prefer, but for $10 I’d buy it again


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[beelsr]

imo, this version is better than the old version, definite pass. the new fingers are easier to manipulate into the proper tension.

the old version was still a pass but it has a half-circle spring clip that would push on the bottom of the box to provide tension. The problem is that when the box would get down to 1/4 full or so, it would push through the bottom and would happen with pretty much all brands of gloves. simple fix was a piece of cardboard in between the box and the spring.

 

[JRC3]

I just imagine them making the glove box dispenser to tightly fit the exact gloves they sell in the store...Then someone buying and failing it because another brand of gloves won't fit.

 

[PurpleZj]

I just imagine them making the glove box dispenser to tightly fit the exact gloves they sell in the store...Then someone buying and failing it because another brand of gloves won't fit.

I think it would be more bearable if the front flanges that hold it in were wider. As it is the box is barely wider than the opening in the front. One could always make spacers to center the box without having to modify the holder I guess


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[ndnchf]

I've had mine for several years and never noticed how poorly the box fits. Thanks a lot, now there is yet something else to keep me awake at night!

 

[PurpleZj]

I've had mine for several years and never noticed how poorly the box fits. Thanks a lot, now there is yet something else to keep me awake at night!

Hahaha sorry. I tend to have ocd tendencies on this kind of stuff


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[rmalkow2]

I think it would be more bearable if the front flanges that hold it in were wider. As it is the box is barely wider than the opening in the front. One could always make spacers to center the box without having to modify the holder I guess


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I've had mine for several years and never noticed how poorly the box fits. Thanks a lot, now there is yet something else to keep me awake at night!

All understandable comments for sure but at the end of the day, life is too short to fret over something like this.
I would approach from the other side and say they are a solid PASS as a general design for mass production to be able to accept multiple brands of gloves and box sizes. It was not designed to tightly fit one size box and precisely center the box. To get that type of custom fit you have to custom make the holder to your specifications.
I give it a PASS simply because it is solid, the magnets have never failed to hold, the paint finish still looks good and it does have a generous box size with some range of adjustment built in. I've had one for a couple years now and it's handy.

I also give a PASS to the magnetic spray can holders. They also stick well and keep all my frequently used spray cans within easy reach of my tool cart and secure so they don't fall over.

 

[ndnchf]

I agree, I give it a pass too. The box hasn't fallen out and it does its job. I might just stick a couple thick magnets on the inside to take up some excess space. That way I'll sleep better

 

[Hexen]

I agree, I give it a pass too. The box hasn't fallen out and it does its job. I might just stick a couple thick magnets on the inside to take up some excess space. That way I'll sleep better

Yeah, that's what I was going to suggest. If you don't already have some magnets laying around, you might be able to get some by dismantling one of the free magnetic tool holder strips.

 

[ndnchf]

One of these magnetic tool holders, cut down to fit might be just the ticket. The are a freebie with coupon.

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-magnetic-tool-holder-61199.html


In fact, I think I have one laying around not being used.

 

[stonesg]

It’s funny how in harbor freight threads, much like political debate... both sides are using the same old as dirt arguments... you pro-HF guys owe royalties to whomever originally posted that “life hack”.

So what's the problem? Seems like a fantastic idea and I one, wish I'd been clever enough to come up with it myself and two, am glad I ran across it.

That's how people learn by sharing information about experiences. We in this thread are adding value to what might be a not so valuable experience... we are maximizing the utility of the HF resource.

Now just exactly how does a HF hater add any value to my life by wasting his time AND my time by coming in here to make a comment about something that he apparently actually has no interest in.

But then again... I'm wasting bandwidth here myself.

 

[potato]

One of these magnetic tool holders, cut down to fit might be just the ticket. The are a freebie with coupon.

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-magnetic-tool-holder-61199.html


In fact, I think I have one laying around not being used.

these are made of several small magnets that come out fairly easily.

 

[ineedtools]

So what's the problem? Seems like a fantastic idea and I one, wish I'd been clever enough to come up with it myself and two, am glad I ran across it.

That's how people learn by sharing information about experiences. We in this thread are adding value to what might be a not so valuable experience... we are maximizing the utility of the HF resource.

Now just exactly how does a HF hater add any value to my life by wasting his time AND my time by coming in here to make a comment about something that he apparently actually has no interest in.

But then again... I'm wasting bandwidth here myself.

Agreed 110%

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[Nineeightyone]

I also give a PASS to the magnetic spray can holders. They also stick well and keep all my frequently used spray cans within easy reach of my tool cart and secure so they don't fall over.

I'm using these for beer holders in the garage... Probably my personal favorite HF item, though it's a little jarring when you've been using it for beer forever and one time ACTUALLY put spray paint in it...

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Re: 300 Amp Welding Ground Clamp

Try this one if you want a good, heavy duty clamp. I've had this model for several years and it works fine. When I bought mine it was another brand by HF, but this one (Berger) should be just as good.

This made a huge difference in the quality of my MIG welds as the original clamp just wasn't making a good contact. Replaced with this clamp and the difference made me wonder why I had waited all those years.

 

[zbyler]

Saw these red power strips at my local HF yesterday. No reviews on their website yet. Has anyone tried them? 8ft cord would be perfect for the limited number of outlets in my garage at the moment......


https://www.harborfreight.com/5-outlet-heavy-duty-magnetic-power-strip-with-metal-housing-63737.html

 

[rmalkow2]

I'm using these for beer holders in the garage... Probably my personal favorite HF item, though it's a little jarring when you've been using it for beer forever and one time ACTUALLY put spray paint in it...

Ok, beer holders, that's a definite PASS!

 

[ndr1968]

Saw these red power strips at my local HF yesterday. No reviews on their website yet. Has anyone tried them? 8ft cord would be perfect for the limited number of outlets in my garage at the moment......


https://www.harborfreight.com/5-outlet-heavy-duty-magnetic-power-strip-with-metal-housing-63737.html

I don't know. For thirty bucks the magnetic thing and the usb charge port doesn't seem like that much of a bargain to me. Just saying that a couple of screws could attach a cheaper appliance in the same spots. As far as a usb charging port goes, well, we've all got those portable wall warts for that. I'm just sayin'.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I looked at one and it has a couple magnets on the back with sticky tape. The Kobalt unit I feel is nicer and the same price as theirs with a coupon.

 

[JRC3]

I don't know. For thirty bucks the magnetic thing and the usb charge port doesn't seem like that much of a bargain to me. Just saying that a couple of screws could attach a cheaper appliance in the same spots. As far as a usb charging port goes, well, we've all got those portable wall warts for that. I'm just sayin'.

You mean 24 bucks, right?

If the magnets are strong you can move it around, screws won't do that. I'd jump on it if it ever goes one sale for $20. It does at least have an 8' cord. Shame it's not just a few more feet. Seems like power strip cords keep getting shorter and shorter. While they keep getting stiffer and stiffer so they won't lay or droop at all.

 

[itylerstewart]

I have that power strip. It's legit. My box has a power drawer but my work bench needed some outlets on it

 

[volvosrock]

Saw these red power strips at my local HF yesterday. No reviews on their website yet. Has anyone tried them? 8ft cord would be perfect for the limited number of outlets in my garage at the moment......





https://www.harborfreight.com/5-outlet-heavy-duty-magnetic-power-strip-with-metal-housing-63737.html

I bought the yellow one, needed the extra outlet (6), no magnet but nice long cord and appears to be well made.


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[zbyler]

I have that power strip. It's legit. My box has a power drawer but my work bench needed some outlets on it

I picked one up on sale for $25 over the weekend. My garage is lacking outlets on the side where my workbench is, but the 8' cord reached perfectly to the middle of my workbench. I have my miter saw and some battery chargers plugged into it at the moment and I'm happy so far.

 

[zbyler]

Picked up a few of the Apache pelican-style cases for work recently and they've held up very well with shipping tools and traveling to job sites across the country. The 3800 series (largest one) also happens to fit PERFECTLY under the back seat of my truck and I have been in desperate need of affordable under-seat storage. Thumbs up from me!

 

[Autonomous]

Picked up a few of the Apache pelican-style cases for work recently and they've held up very well with shipping tools and traveling to job sites across the country. The 3800 series (largest one) also happens to fit PERFECTLY under the back seat of my truck and I have been in desperate need of affordable under-seat storage. Thumbs up from me!

Not to detail the thread, but thanks for that idea. I need some under-seat store for my truck and that might be just the ticket.

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[Married2Vette2000]

Support local business. Unless it's HF. HA!
In that case, just go from amazon and read customer reviews. And LEAVE customer reviews each and every time. My two cent.
https://www.amazon.com/Harbor-Freight-Tools/pages/8469238011

 

[VH5150]

Maddox Coil Spring Compression Kit: PASS

Pittsburgh Pro 3/8" & 1/2" Flex-head Ratchets: PASS

Pittsburgh Pro 1/2" Deep Impact Sockets: PASS

Pittsburgh $4.99 Orange-Black Tape Measures: PASS

Pittsburgh 2-ton Jack Stands: PASS

Pittsburgh 2-ton Floor Jack: PASS

Haul Master Utility Trailer Light Kit: PASS

Chicago Electric corded electric Mini Grinder: PASS

Chicago Electric corded electric handheld Belt Sander: PASS

Chicago Electric corded electric Rotary Sander: PASS

Maddox Ball Joint Kit: PASS


Most of the stuff I look for at HF I usually know will be a PASS, but that's because I watch lots of YouTube reviews first. It really helps.

 

[PurpleZj]

Thoughts on these?


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[aka Larry]

Mobile Miter Saw Stand - Item #62750 PASS!

I got mine on sale for $89 and I'm very happy with it.

 

[.metal.]

Support local business. Unless it's HF. HA!
In that case, just go from amazon and read customer reviews. And LEAVE customer reviews each and every time. My two cent.
https://www.amazon.com/Harbor-Freight-Tools/pages/8469238011

Wait wait wait... you mean I dont have to even go in and smell the China anymore!? I can just get my cheap AF tools delivered to my door in two days or less!? Yeah, count me in.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

Wait wait wait... you mean I dont have to even go in and smell the China anymore!? I can just get my cheap AF tools delivered to my door in two days or less!? Yeah, count me in.

I would put up with the China smell to avoid those prices

 

[Hexen]

The smell is mostly from the large-chunks-of-rubber products... if you avoid the aisle with all the mallets especially, and the rubber wheel chocks on another aisle, the rest doesn't smell any different than other tool stores to me.

 

[ineedtools]

But you can't use 20 off and freebie coupons on Amazon.