The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
- Thread starter Bolster
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Loose Ctrl
Well-known member
Glad it worked for you. I have seen many mixed reviews. I was hoping I would get a good one that I could use right out of the box. Can you add any tips on using it?
I still have more painting to do. I want to use it but currently, I am considering a roller and brush. Oh, that brings me to another point. Years ago, when I first started using such spray guns, my boss had me keep a paintbrush handy to knock down runs. It really paid off today.
Can confirm, mine are utter garbage. I have some Kobalt ones now that seem to be better, though still very low-mid range.
Fail - I got the throatless shears and tested with paper and it cut cleanly all along the blades. Then put in a piece of 18ga mild steel and slowly pulled the handle only to see the top blade start to chip off immediately. Back they went. Sample size of one and return was extremely easy.
Pass - I can give an A+ so far for the Vulcan large welding cart/cabinet. Its great, as is well document already in this thread which helped me feel confident to make the purchase.
Pass - I can give an A+ so far for the Vulcan large welding cart/cabinet. Its great, as is well document already in this thread which helped me feel confident to make the purchase.
Most people rate this a strong PASS. The blade chipping is a fairly common issue but does not really affect operation, and the replacement blades don't have the issue. Ask your store to replace the blades rather than the whole unit and you should be fine.
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
I gotta agree with Dh3256. I have one and it works fine after some adjustment tweaking.
gemniii
Well-known member
Did you mean model (item#) 60446?
One of those laser thermometers were made under the same roof as the Chinese Fluke factory at one point. Not sure if they moved on lower production cost
Loose Ctrl
Well-known member
Yes, my apologies.
Indy125
Well-known member
JRC3
Well-known member
The fail there is calling a ratchet an 18" breaker bar.
Whatdya think is gonna happen?
Whatdya think is gonna happen?
Rabid Badger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 1,338
The cheap mechanic's gloves:
https://m.harborfreight.com/mechanics-gloves-x-large-62429.html
PASS
Comfortable, reasonably durable, and available in XXL. $4 with coupon.
Quinn long reach pliers:
https://m.harborfreight.com/13-in-long-reach-compound-joint-pliers-64108.html
PASS
Well machined, smooth operation and very handy in tight spaces. $8 if you catch them on sale.
https://m.harborfreight.com/mechanics-gloves-x-large-62429.html
PASS
Comfortable, reasonably durable, and available in XXL. $4 with coupon.
Quinn long reach pliers:
https://m.harborfreight.com/13-in-long-reach-compound-joint-pliers-64108.html
PASS
Well machined, smooth operation and very handy in tight spaces. $8 if you catch them on sale.
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I need to pick these up. The big boys charge $50+ for the same style pliers
Can anybody comment on the difference between these blue handled Long Reach pliers and the orange handled Long Reach pliers?
The ones RB posted are double jointed. The jaws open wider with less input at the grip end.
aka Larry
Well-known member
I'd have to agree. The terms 'ratcheting' and 'breaker bar' should be mutually exclusive.
Can you not see the very visible visual difference in design?
jamesly
Well-known member
I agree. This works great on my 67 GTO and my 75 Formula. The one caveat is that the Master Cylinder tank is not designed for 60's / 70's size M/C's. I first tried making something out of scrap plastic, drilling a hole in the plastic and fitting the filler tank into it in order to mount it on my master.
In the end I tossed that and just make sure to keep fluid in the Master. The bleeder end was very effective. I used it with a pancake compressor and it sucked the fluid rapidly.
jamesly
Well-known member
Agree, Good Jacks and light with a cool roller that doesn't hang up on things. I have used this on my 67 GTO while R&R'ing both the Engine and the Th400 and a mostly full resto.. Also used to install a new Gas Tank. I bolted an old cutting board to it and that helped to hold the tank level. It's great as it gets under the Low Formula no problem.
I also have one of their "3 ton Low Profile Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump®". I got that on sale for around $70.00 a few years back. It too has served me well so far. I still have two old heavy USA made jacks, a Blackhawk and a Williams, but one is very hard to adjust down slowly even after a cleaning, so these are used more often. I do use jacks stands (and not the sliced pipe style) with any jack.
DFB
Well-known member
Any of you try the #64002 bulk service cart yet? It's was only $84.99 during this weekend's Veteran's Day sale
I think it's a pretty good deal, top compartment seems to be deeper than the 4 drawer cart and I like the large single deep drawer for my storage needs.
I have to say here IMO the Earthquake XT 20V 3/8" wrench @ $129 with a 4.0 battery right now with coupon is a great deal. I have had two, the first one was a demo model I donated from my tool tent for a demolition derby car circuit as a sponsor. Told my guy to beat on it good and see if they could kill it. Did a lot of wheels with it among other things. Performed great for what it is.
I think it's a pretty good deal, top compartment seems to be deeper than the 4 drawer cart and I like the large single deep drawer for my storage needs.
I have to say here IMO the Earthquake XT 20V 3/8" wrench @ $129 with a 4.0 battery right now with coupon is a great deal. I have had two, the first one was a demo model I donated from my tool tent for a demolition derby car circuit as a sponsor. Told my guy to beat on it good and see if they could kill it. Did a lot of wheels with it among other things. Performed great for what it is.
jeepfreak81
Member
I don't have the 5 gallon, I have the 20 gallon for my lift, and it is a PASS for me.
I liked the pressurized drain, I felt it would be easier.
https://www.harborfreight.com/20-gal-Portable-Oil-Lift-Drain-69814.html
lookin4fun79
Member
Bought this pulley install/removal set. harborfreight.com/pulley-remover-and-installer-set-12-pc-63068.h t m l abused isn't even close to what i have done with this thing. My kit came in the red box and I still use after 10 years. Removes those pesky power steering and vacuum pumps even when having to heating shaft to cherry red to remove pulleys!
bwringer
Well-known member
I'll agree those particular bits are weaksauce, but the 1/2" drive impact versions made in Taiwan are absolutely fantastic.
That said, there are times (I'm lookin' at YOU, button head ******** on Ford suspension...) when a fastener is just badly designed, and no matter what kind of torx tool you have, the tool or the fastener is doomed to fail.
For example, a T60 on a 10mm suspension bolt just ain't big enough for the torque needed after a few winters of driving through salty sludge.
bwringer
Well-known member
With these IR thermometers, you never could tell with any precision what you were checking. The laser dot is only there to mark the center of what is a very wide "field of vision" for the sensor.
But yeah, it would be annoying if the laser quits and the handle turns to goo. I've had mine for three or four years and it's been fine. Still a fantastic bang for the buck on a very handy widget.
M_George
Well-known member
I remember seeing a link to the Harbor coupon site.
Does anyone have this link?
Does anyone have this link?
M_George
Well-known member
I just used mine the other day preheating a casting to do a welding repair.
It worked great for that.
DJ_Schmo
Well-known member
DFB
Well-known member
Well for the value with the 15% off coupon and just slightly over $75 out the door I definitely give the #64002 30" bulk storage cart a passing grade. Works for me anyhow, gives me the added extra storage space in the garage I was looking for and generally it won't be moved around.
I didn't need or want the smaller drawers on the similar tech cart, and If I do want a unit like that I will go for the larger 5 drawer cart and of course everyone already knows that's a solid buy.
So one weird thing about it anyways, which slightly confused the sales help at first was that the label on the box, and afterwards the paperwork also inside, says it's a 26" cart and at the register it rings up as a 30" which is the same as what the online ad says and is what it actually measures out at. Go figure!
Only one small portion of the assembly is what I considered a slight PITA and maybe this has been covered before but is that all the nuts are nylocks style (and I assume the tech cart is same way) and the ones for the swivel casters, all 4 are swivel and 2 lock is that they are a bit longer than the rest of assembly fasteners. *note the two for handle are also longer. 18 pcs all together First you have find them in that big bag full of loosely packed fasteners
The other part of that PITA is that being longer made it somewhat difficult to tighten up the nuts WITHOUT holding the carriage bolt head in some way. Vice grips work well 
seems they didn't want to easily seat in the matching cutout for the sq. part of the shank. At least the supply some cheap liners to cover both shelves, the deep pullout drawer, and the very bottom of the top bulk bin.
Oh and the U.S. General logo decal under the lid is nice touch. I originally thought that was just ad copy overwrite on the web site pictures.
https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage/tool-carts/30-in-bulk-storage-black-tech-cart-64002.html
I didn't need or want the smaller drawers on the similar tech cart, and If I do want a unit like that I will go for the larger 5 drawer cart and of course everyone already knows that's a solid buy.
So one weird thing about it anyways, which slightly confused the sales help at first was that the label on the box, and afterwards the paperwork also inside, says it's a 26" cart and at the register it rings up as a 30" which is the same as what the online ad says and is what it actually measures out at. Go figure!
Only one small portion of the assembly is what I considered a slight PITA and maybe this has been covered before but is that all the nuts are nylocks style (and I assume the tech cart is same way) and the ones for the swivel casters, all 4 are swivel and 2 lock is that they are a bit longer than the rest of assembly fasteners. *note the two for handle are also longer. 18 pcs all together First you have find them in that big bag full of loosely packed fasteners
The other part of that PITA is that being longer made it somewhat difficult to tighten up the nuts WITHOUT holding the carriage bolt head in some way. Vice grips work well seems they didn't want to easily seat in the matching cutout for the sq. part of the shank. At least the supply some cheap liners to cover both shelves, the deep pullout drawer, and the very bottom of the top bulk bin. Oh and the U.S. General logo decal under the lid is nice touch. I originally thought that was just ad copy overwrite on the web site pictures.
https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage/tool-carts/30-in-bulk-storage-black-tech-cart-64002.html
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gemniii
Well-known member
WOW! I didn't realize the laser was strong enough to preheat a casting!!
/edit - note it's on sale online only for $16.88 https://www.harborfreight.com/121-infrared-laser-thermometer-63985.html
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DFB
Well-known member
I notice that the non contact laser thermometer is now branded AMES. Look very similar to the UNI TREND one I have. Same color scheme anyhow
https://www.harborfreight.com/121-I...ce=1004&cid=mEmail_s1004_c4718itycearly&sfid=
Cen Tech brand was the one they had before looks like they dumped it?:
https://www.harborfreight.com/121-I...ce=1004&cid=mEmail_s1004_c4718itycearly&sfid=
Cen Tech brand was the one they had before looks like they dumped it?
:Bagherra
Well-known member
https://www.harborfreight.com/420-lumen-led-work-light-63278.html
Anybody got one of these?
What do think of it?
Anybody got one of these?
What do think of it?
DFB
Well-known member
No...but I have an older Halogen that looks very similar
Its says it 420 lumens so really its not all THAT bright, possibly not what one might expect in job worklight. But it all depends what you what to do with it. Sometimes strong concentrated lighting like 1000 lumens under a vehicle can to much with glare and 400L or so is all you might really need.
But if you are like lighting up a room doing painting or drywall work, it's probably not going to be nowhere enough light.
In comparison something like the Milwaukee 12v rover has 3 light intensity levels settings 200/400/and 1000.
JRC3
Well-known member
No...but I have an older Halogen that looks very similar
Its says it 420 lumens so really its not all THAT bright, possibly not what one might expect in job worklight.
Yep, that's like a 40w incandescent or 9w LED.
Check out what Menards has this through tomorrow. https://www.menards.com/main/home-d...5-c-13917.htm?tid=3022891982084456288&ipos=28
DFB
Well-known member
7000L
You could have night time ball games under that!
Even the Milwaukee Rocket 2 tower light is just 3000l
I have to say THAT should be one powerfully bright light
DGersic
Well-known member
I’m going to give this a pass, but only just barely.
Its chief advantages are that it’s cheap, and readily available.
The handle thing is ok. A few reviews mention removing it and replacing it with a nut. I might yet do that.
Functionally, it seems like it should work. You hook the hook arm things in to the spring coils, and tighten the knob to compress the spring.
Practically, though, the hook arms don’t actually hook. The ends don’t hook, and are inexplicably cut on a 45 degree angle away from being hooks. So, in reality, you hook the arms, tighten the knob, and the hook slips off the spring coil. Curse and repeat.
I thought maybe I could get a bit more “hook” from these by bending the end of arm. Don’t try this. Whatever hardened Chinesium these are made from, they don’t bend, they snap.
So, out came the grinder and the MiG welder.
Wrapping the hook arms with a hose clamp works. It’s inconvenient, and annoying, but it keeps the hook on the coil.
I may try to modify this to make the ends have an actual hook to them. I may just toss it and see about getting a better tool.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
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SilverBulletZ06
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2017
- Messages
- 165
1/2 in. Drive SAE & Metric Lug Nut Impact Sockets 7 Pc 69781 FAIL. Couldn't hold the walls stiff on my Milwaukee 450ftlb ugguh ugguh machine and spun, subsequently got stuck.
Doyle products, specifically the needle nose and side cutter. PASS I put them two steps above my Husky stuff. Much more dainty, but very strong with very little flex. They are more coarse then their Snap On cousins, but for 1/10th the price I can live with it. It could also be coarse because They are still new.
Brain Inspection Light 63958 PASS I know some people ran into problems but I use mine all the time around the house. I even used it as an impromptu headlight for my lawn mower.
Pittsburg Professional Screw Driver Set 94607 PASS WITH FLYING COLORS. One of my first HF buys years ago and still no chips unlike my Husky and Cman.
Free magnetic trays AVOID THE ONE WITH PITTSBURGH IMPRINTED ON IT. Noticeably lower strength magnet.
Warrior Nut drivers, US General 56" box, 18" magnetic strips, breaker bars, pitts pro impacts, magnetic hooks, etc have all worked very well.
Doyle products, specifically the needle nose and side cutter. PASS I put them two steps above my Husky stuff. Much more dainty, but very strong with very little flex. They are more coarse then their Snap On cousins, but for 1/10th the price I can live with it. It could also be coarse because They are still new.
Brain Inspection Light 63958 PASS I know some people ran into problems but I use mine all the time around the house. I even used it as an impromptu headlight for my lawn mower.
Pittsburg Professional Screw Driver Set 94607 PASS WITH FLYING COLORS. One of my first HF buys years ago and still no chips unlike my Husky and Cman.
Free magnetic trays AVOID THE ONE WITH PITTSBURGH IMPRINTED ON IT. Noticeably lower strength magnet.
Warrior Nut drivers, US General 56" box, 18" magnetic strips, breaker bars, pitts pro impacts, magnetic hooks, etc have all worked very well.
7000L
You could have night time ball games under that!
Even the Milwaukee Rocket 2 tower light is just 3000l
I have to say THAT should be one powerfully bright light
I picked up two at Menards last night, $25 ea. One to set wherever needed and the other to replace a pedestal LED light, that tipped and broke.
Zowie! I had spots in my eyes, when I turned it on and was not even looking directly at it.
Not just bright, f-ing bright.
I'll check to see how they help an old guy see under a vehicle, today.
