The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[SilverBulletZ06]

If you bend the metal fingers, they can be adjusted to firmly hold your glove box. Holders would have to be more expensive and elaborate to self adjust for all the different size glove boxes. I have had that item for several years. PASS.
I also have the magnetic paper towel roll holder. PASS.

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There is a company on Amazon selling all 3 magnetic US General tool box additions for $20. I agree, complete pass on all of them.

 

[kb1982]

They like pretty identical to the old style seal drivers that I have. I think they were 19.99, but I haven't had an issue with them.

Are the Maddox seal drivers worth the $30 or is something else better for the money?

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[Cobradriver]

What the hell....I'm sure it's already in here but I'll add my 2 cents worth....

3HP electric motor.

https://www.harborfreight.com/engin...-motors/3-hp-compressor-duty-motor-68302.html

Best 169.00-20% off coupon (139ish total?) money I have spent in a while.
I used it to hop up my Craftsman 10" cast iron top table saw.

I re-sawed some 4x8's into 2x8's and the damn saw barely broke a sweat
even with a 60 tooth blade in it.....it would cut almost as fast as you could
safely feed the wood.

Chris

 

[PurpleZj]

Looks like they are rebranding some of their inventory under the hercules name.


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[JRC3]

Here's the problem I have with HF. They are rebranding and whatnot and charging nearly the same price as the competition, yet all you get is a 90 day warranty. They have these Lynx 40v trimmers and blowers for pretty much the same price as a Ryobi or Kobalt with 3 to 5 year warranties.

 

[subarub4]

Here's the problem I have with HF. They are rebranding and whatnot and charging nearly the same price as the competition, yet all you get is a 90 day warranty. They have these Lynx 40v trimmers and blowers for pretty much the same price as a Ryobi or Kobalt with 3 to 5 year warranties.

They gotta make up someplace with them opening all these stores?

 

[tym]

Here's the problem I have with HF. They are rebranding and whatnot and charging nearly the same price as the competition, yet all you get is a 90 day warranty. They have these Lynx 40v trimmers and blowers for pretty much the same price as a Ryobi or Kobalt with 3 to 5 year warranties.

People must be buying, which is the real head-scratcher.

 

[jonesg]

People must be buying, which is the real head-scratcher.

Woolworths did it for yrs, lightbulbs that lasted 6 weeks at the same price of premium bulbs.
Its the greed of the ignorant consumer that creates the poor mans ripoff. It works.

The ratchets all work for me, unlike woolies they have some gems.

 

[zendriver]

People must be buying, which is the real head-scratcher.

I think most harbor freight shoppers (including myself) just buy their products, take them home and use them, versus obsessing over the warranty, which we know is mostly meaningless anyway.

For some of the higher priced products sometimes I'll pay more for the extended warranty, which is actually a better deal than the other manufactures limited 3-5 year warranty is anyway.

I sleep at night, just fine, with those decisions

It seems like the ones to worry about the warranty the most are the ones who don't shop there which is a real head-scratcher.

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[6PTsocket]

I think most harbor freight shoppers (including myself) just buy their products, take them home and use them, versus obsessing over the warranty, which we know is mostly meaningless anyway.

For some of the higher priced products sometimes I'll pay more for the extended warranty, which is actually a better deal than the other manufactures limited 3-5 year warranty is anyway.

I sleep at night, just fine, with those decisions

It seems like the ones to worry about the warranty the most are the ones who don't shop there which is a real head-scratcher.

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The problem is the stuff that is DOA (bad from the git go) and has to be returned for exchange or refund. The poor QC seems to result in that happening a lot more at HF than elsewhere. I put together the lawn tractor lift only to find out that the hydraulic jack was bad. I had to take it all apart and repack it for the return. When I walked in the door. The first words out of the HF employee's mouth were "bad pump"? I declined an exchange and got a refund. I bought a large inflatable tire caster. It would not hold air. Returned. Kitchen scale. Second one was a charm. Car battery shut off switch too big to clamp on post (bad design). Returned. Siphon did not work. Returned. I have a number of items like the 44" chest set and an impact wrench that have been quite good. I just got a bandfile that I like. Safety glasses and batteries have been good. They are not my first choice for a lot of stuff if I can get a name brand for a little more. The new tools are often priced too close to those brands to bother with. It is not just warranty but the higher odds of it being bad out of the box or shortly after and having to drive over there to deal with it.

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[jgromada]

Portland Pole Saw https://www.harborfreight.com/95-in-7-amp-electric-pole-saw-62896.html = PASS

Works pretty well. Even went through a 6" branch although it took a bit of time. The biggest issue and this is true with any pole saw is that it gets tiring holding this pole saw over your head after a while. And the further you have it extended this weight is even more tiring. Had used the Greenworks corded model and this is pretty comparable in terms of power and performance.

Have a good amount of bar oil available as it is self oiling and is constantly putting oil on the bar as long as the motor is running. After a few hours of cutting pull the cover off the chain to clean all the debris out of the area. I like to store with a slight bit of slack in the chain and then properly tension the chain before i use it again. I have also learned when you store the pole saw to keep the label side UP as this will keep the remaining chain oil from leaking out.

Definitely a good value for what I paid for it (- whatever normal coupon price ). You just have to be very careful with it as you would need to do with ANY chain saw.

 

[jonshonda]

I suppose if all harbor freight is ever known for is cheap garbage, that is all they will ever be able to sell regardless of progressive quality improvements. At some point and time if they didn't/don't improve people are going to get sick of buying throw away tools and step up to more quality tools. The problem is, if you are shopping locally...what do you step up to as a lot of smaller hardware stores are closing their doors and it doesn't seem like big box stores are stocking anything high end (hand tools).

 

[Beater5liter]

Are the Maddox seal drivers worth the $30 or is something else better for the money?

I have that set and have no complaints. Used them to install grease seals last week in a disc brake conversion. Didn't really check anywhere else for price comparison - I needed them, bought them....

 

[ndnchf]

For some of the higher priced products sometimes I'll pay more for the extended warranty, which is actually a better deal than the other manufactures limited 3-5 year warranty is anyway.
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I have the same thought. Yeah the 90 day warrantee is short, but on higher priced tools I'll buy the extra 2 years. That's still way cheaper than much of the competition. I don't have to deal with sending it to a repair center and all that headache. I just drive a mile to my local HF store and exchange it. Easy Peasy.

Last week I returned an angle grinder that I burned up doing some hard work. I had the 1 year added warrantee, good until September 2018. I took it up, and exchanged it no muss, no fuss. If it had been a name brand, I would have to wait a couple weeks to get it fixed and might have had to pay the shipping to boot.

I realize that not everyone has a store close by, but for me it works.

 

[6PTsocket]

I probably have a 45 min. to an hr drive to either of the ones near me, depending on traffic. I don't mind a planned trip but an unscheduled return is a PIA. I will dive into almost anything that is broken before sending it in but with HF there are usually no parts.

I have the same thought. Yeah the 90 day warrantee is short, but on higher priced tools I'll buy the extra 2 years. That's still way cheaper than much of the competition. I don't have to deal with sending it to a repair center and all that headache. I just drive a mile to my local HF store and exchange it. Easy Peasy.

Last week I returned an angle grinder that I burned up doing some hard work. I had the 1 year added warrantee, good until September 2018. I took it up, and exchanged it no muss, no fuss. If it had been a name brand, I would have to wait a couple weeks to get it fixed and might have had to pay the shipping to boot.

I realize that not everyone has a store close by, but for me it works.

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[bubinga]

I probably have a 45 min. to an hr drive to either of the ones near me, depending on traffic. I don't mind a planned trip but an unscheduled return is a PIA. I will dive into almost anything that is broken before sending it in but with HF there are usually no parts.

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Yes 6PTsocket (Love the handle, BTY)
I'm A good 45 Minuets from the closest HF myself.
That is Like the "Big foot" dolly that the wheels broke away from the hubs.
She tried to sell me the extended warranty, 1 year, IIRC, I declined.
I thought to myself, "That thing really ought to not need a 1 Year extended warranty"
Well, it didn't even make it the 90 days.
debating to try to fix it myself, or exchange it, or Just request a refund.
I have a small 110 volt MIG welder, But just a fixed shade welding hood, and not too experienced at MIG welding, So an Auto darkening hood would be my best bet.
need to factor in my Gas money, (for a gas thirsty car as of late too)
I was NOWHERE NEAR the "700 lb. rating" of the dolly.

Again,
700 lbs. Capacity Bigfoot Hand Truck

Big Fail In My case.

Haul-Master®- item#62900
https://www.harborfreight.com/700-lbs-capacity-bigfoot-hand-truck-62900.html

 

[zendriver]

Picked up this soldering iron today, to teach GF's 11yo grandson how to solder on some scrap boards/wires.

Felt solid and heated up quickly, but after about 1/2 hour, the tip burnt about half way through.

FAIL

Even though it was only $4 a better tip would have made it a very good buy.

https://www.harborfreight.com/30-watt-lightweight-soldering-iron-69060.html


Been looking for a lightweight jack, for raising scrap vehicles on the trailer and to take along in case the boat gets a flat, since a bottle jack usually does not have enough travel.

$58, light, raises quickly and is relatively compact, with the removable handle, that separates into two pieces. Seems to work fine like a floor jack. I rolled the dice and skipped the replacement plan.

PASS

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapidpump-62516.html

 

[Tallpilot]

Woolworths did it for yrs, lightbulbs that lasted 6 weeks at the same price of premium bulbs.
Its the greed of the ignorant consumer that creates the poor mans ripoff. It works.

The ratchets all work for me, unlike woolies they have some gems.

That was before the Internet. Now it doesn't make sense that the poor man's ripoff works.

 

[JRC3]

$58, light, raises quickly and is relatively compact, with the removable handle, that separates into two pieces. Seems to work fine like a floor jack. I rolled the dice and skipped the replacement plan.

PASS

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapidpump-62516.html

I have one and like it. I kinda think 1.5 tons is a bit overrated as I get the feeling it could just snap apart, but I have lifted the rear of a 1500 pickup with no problems. The thing is super light and easy to maneuver. It rolls right over air hoses too.

 

[VC455]

How did you get $58?
the link shows $79.99 with 20% that would still be ~ $63.99(?)

I have one and like it. I kinda think 1.5 tons is a bit overrated as I get the feeling it could just snap apart, but I have lifted the rear of a 1500 pickup with no problems. The thing is super light and easy to maneuver. It rolls right over air hoses too.

 

[VC455]

How did you get $58?
the link (15-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapidpump-62516) shows $79.99 with 20% that would still be ~ $63.99(?)

Picked up this soldering iron today, to teach GF's 11yo grandson how to solder on some scrap boards/wires.

Felt solid and heated up quickly, but after about 1/2 hour, the tip burnt about half way through.

FAIL

Even though it was only $4 a better tip would have made it a very good buy.

https://www.harborfreight.com/30-watt-lightweight-soldering-iron-69060.html


Been looking for a lightweight jack, for raising scrap vehicles on the trailer and to take along in case the boat gets a flat, since a bottle jack usually does not have enough travel.

$58, light, raises quickly and is relatively compact, with the removable handle, that separates into two pieces. Seems to work fine like a floor jack. I rolled the dice and skipped the replacement plan.

PASS

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapidpump-62516.html

 

[bubinga]

How did you get $58?
the link shows $79.99 with 20% that would still be ~ $63.99(?)

Coupon.
Can't use the % off anymore on Jack's.


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[protegeV]

Coupon.
Can't use the % off anymore on Jack's.


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I have 2 of those Jacks. Love em. If you have the patience, I have seen them go as low as $49.99

 

[zendriver]

I have 2 of those Jacks. Love em. If you have the patience, I have seen them go as low as $49.99

Actually, I could've got the Jack for about four bucks.

They brought one up from the back room and the clerk walked over and got the number, but keyed in a number for a D ring.

Noticing my bill was about half of what it should be, I thought about WTF and not that I'm a wonderful person, I just couldn't do it.

It's been a very handy Jack to have since it's easy to move around


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[DocRock01]

Last weekend I bought a Zurich ZR13 with a coupon for $169.99. I decided I didn't want it and went to return it yesterday in a sealed box. Clerk tells me there's a restocking fee, 30 or 35 bucks. I said, I don't think so. Looked at the reciept and sure enough it says, "subject to restocking fee." I explained how that's something that should be said verbally before it's purchased and besides that it makes no sense. So he tracks down the manager and finally the fee is waived. Later I looked at the receipt and noticed they gave me back $20 more than I paid for it. After the whole restocking fee nonsense there's no way I'm gonna do anything about it.

[emoji38]_hitti

Like I said before, a few weeks ago they gave me the 20% off on 3 or 4 items on the same transaction. Looks like they want to give me the class action money that I never filled for. Durp.

Wow! Way to show your character. Even though it's there on the receipt, they waive the policy as a goodwill gesture and you snake away with their mistake. Nice guy.

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[JRC3]

Wow! Way to show your character. Even though it's there on the receipt, they waive the policy as a goodwill gesture and you snake away with their mistake. Nice guy.

Thanks. Have a nice day.

 

[soloz2]

Any input on the electrician's insulated screwdrivers? Looking at picking up some insulated screwdrivers for use only when working on household electrical. I have regular screwdrivers. Just trying to gauge if I should spring for a couple wera or similar, or grab less expensive for these items as they will not be used all the time.
https://www.harborfreight.com/electricians-screwdriver-set-7-pc-69075.html

Also, is the outlet tester any good?
https://www.harborfreight.com/electrical-receptacle-tester-with-gfci-diagnosis-63929.html

I'm also considering grabbing some high voltage pliers, and a non-contact voltage tester. I already have a fluke multimeter and tools to work on electronics. I just need to start building my tools for working on standard household AC

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[Farmall450]

Folding welding table: pass (I'm sure others have pointed this out previously). The top is actually pretty heavy, and they're eligible for coupons.

https://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html

Also, the yellow handled wire brushes are pretty good. I was tired of always searching; $5 gets you 3.

Oddly enough I can't find them online; they're yellow with black gripping. Here's the closest I see online.
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-heavy-duty-wire-brushes-45661.html

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The large Vulcan welding cart is a PASS! $276 after tax using a coupon (Vulcan 20% coupon). The steel is a decent gauge and it rolls great.

 

[LA1]

out of the horde of tools purchased at HFT over the years....

their Torx set broke with normal force FAIL
Solar cell phone charger FAIL

For the Torx I went to Amazon and bought steel ones

 

[bert1913]

https://www.harborfreight.com/9-pc-38-in-drive-metric-bolt-extractor-socket-set-67894.html
bolt extractor, pass. vice grips wouldn’t grip...tapped this on with a hammer..no problem

 

[VinceG]

pneumatic brake bleeder.---PASS used several times and last night on a 2013 Dodge Caravan no issues worked great.

 

[VinceG]

Ball Joint separator pass for now. oiled it used a wrench on it it easily removed the ball joint on my 2003 Mini cooper.

 

[Provincial]

I recently did both front lower suspension arms on two Honda Pilots with this ball joint remover. I had to grind the fork wider to clear the lower joint shaft, and used never-seize on the screw. Because the ball joints were larger than this is designed for, it only popped two off on it's own. I had to use the two hammers trick on one of the others, and the last one popped loose when I rattled the spindle with an air hammer.

I didn't tighten the screw to the max, so I don't know if it would have worked without the hammering.

I give it a Pass.

 

[Buck_nekid]

I have a question about the 4.5 x1/16" cutoff disc's. They sell 3 versions a green label ($7.99 10 pack,) a red label ($9.99 10 pack,) and a blue label ($9.99 10 pack.) What are the differences and are any of them worth taking home?

 

[d.mcfarland]

I have a question about the 4.5 x1/16" cutoff disc's. They sell 3 versions a green label ($7.99 10 pack,) a red label ($9.99 10 pack,) and a blue label ($9.99 10 pack.) What are the differences and are any of them worth taking home?

Honestly, are you willing to risk your health in any way to buy potentially dangers highly energized spinning objects?

First world made cut off discs are available many places for very similar prices.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

I have a question about the 4.5 x1/16" cutoff disc's. They sell 3 versions a green label ($7.99 10 pack,) a red label ($9.99 10 pack,) and a blue label ($9.99 10 pack.) What are the differences and are any of them worth taking home?

I used the green lable. I'm not aggressive with those discs and once they get about a 1/4 inch smaller, I toss them. I mainly use them for cuting mild steel straping around or under 1/8th inch for making brackets for mounting stuff to motorcycles or tractors.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

I have a question about the 4.5 x1/16" cutoff disc's. They sell 3 versions a green label ($7.99 10 pack,) a red label ($9.99 10 pack,) and a blue label ($9.99 10 pack.) What are the differences and are any of them worth taking home?

no idea what the difference is but I have the green warrior branded ones and they work fine, just as good as the dewalt ones I have. I've yet to have one come apart.

 

[jgromada]

Ball Joint separator pass for now. oiled it used a wrench on it it easily removed the ball joint on my 2003 Mini cooper.

PASS, good value.

I've used mine multiple times on my BMW and a few VWs. It works well and doesn't tear up boots like a pickle fork. For ball joints that are really stuck still get surprised when they release and there is a huge noise.


Also 50" Cutting Guide -- PASS
Used this thing for a good number of cuts the past few days. Once its locked the clamp holds well. I have the additional 5" measurement on my Skilsaw magnesium shoe so it is easy to measure off a sheet and I won't have to remember the additional offset.

 

[louiec6]

Ball Joint separator pass for now. oiled it used a wrench on it it easily removed the ball joint on my 2003 Mini cooper.

I have one of these and its definitely a pass. Have used it on a 4Runner, Accord, and TSX with no issues and no torn ball joint boots. I used an impact the run the bolt down but also covered the stayed out of the "line of fire" incase the thing blew up. Have always made sure there is grease on the threads. On one or two of the ball joints I ended up hitting it the control arm with a hammer while in tension so I didn't risk ruining the tool or bending something.

The saw guide thing above is also great for how cheap it is. Much better than a straight piece of wood and clamps for ripping ply wood.