The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[DFB]

^^^ Glad you got one that worked for you. I've flipped one a couple of summer ago at the tool tent for a customer that wanted one.


Wow the price has gone up on that 3/4 drive set was $59.99 for the longest time and only $48 using a 20% off coupon.



Ya HF sets are all the 12 point but the Tekton offering is 6 point. Price gap is closing down Tekton can be found for under $70 now too in Metric at least. Seems SAE is still more though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JN6EBM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have had a SAE Tekton set for years. Just be aware finish on most all of these type of sets is pretty rough. I used the 1-3/4" just day before yesterday on the axle nut for a Dodge dually front wheel bearing. Handles are just a bit longer with the Texton. I did have the ratchet gear fail but I rebuilt with a new part. They was replacements heads available at one time, don't know if they still are.

A couple pages back there was was good reviews on the 3/4 drive shallow impacts sets $42.99 (or about $35 with 20% coupon) but they only top at 1 1/2" or 38mm

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Which ball joint separator are you guys rating so highly? I need to do lower control arms and spindles on my '98 Cavalier. It hasn't been many years since I did the lower control arms. I used Moog replacements and they failed in a spectacular way.

 

[Alpine4x4]

^^^ Glad you got one that worked for you. I've flipped one a couple of summer ago at the tool tent for a customer that wanted one.


Wow the price has gone up on that 3/4 drive set was $59.99 for the longest time and only $48 using a 20% off coupon.



Ya HF sets are all the 12 point but the Tekton offering is 6 point. Price gap is closing down Tekton can be found for under $70 now too in Metric at least. Seems SAE is still more though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JN6EBM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have had a SAE Tekton set for years. Just be aware finish on most all of these type of sets is pretty rough. I used the 1-3/4" just day before yesterday on the axle nut for a Dodge dually front wheel bearing. Handles are just a bit longer with the Texton. I did have the ratchet gear fail but I rebuilt with a new part. They was replacements heads available at one time, don't know if they still are.

A couple pages back there was was good reviews on the 3/4 drive shallow impacts sets $42.99 (or about $35 with 20% coupon) but they only top at 1 1/2" or 38mm

I looked at Tekton, but like the ease of warranty exchange in town with HF. The SAE fits my needs better as it seems all the large hardware on my pickups is SAE. They did go up a bit, but beats paying $200+! I may yet consider Tekton for a metric set if the need arises, thanks. I've also heard great things about the impact ones, but sizes are limited.

 

[DGersic]

Which ball joint separator are you guys rating so highly? I need to do lower control arms and spindles on my '98 Cavalier. It hasn't been many years since I did the lower control arms. I used Moog replacements and they failed in a spectacular way.

I have this one, have used it several times replacing ball joints on my Dakota.



Works well. Recommended if it’ll fit your application.

Moog, not so much. Get the lifetime warranty house brand ball joints from NAPA.



Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Thanks, DGersic. That's the one I am looking at.

 

[ScottsGT]

1 to 3 electrical plug for end of extension cord. FAIL!

these are usually at the cash register hanging on the pegboards. Grabbed one to plug my grinders into. One grinder kept shutting off as I moved the cord around. Thought grinder was going bad. Went back to unplugging and plugging in the one I needed.

 

[Rewind97]

1 to 3 electrical plug for end of extension cord. FAIL!

these are usually at the cash register hanging on the pegboards. Grabbed one to plug my grinders into. One grinder kept shutting off as I moved the cord around. Thought grinder was going bad. Went back to unplugging and plugging in the one I needed.

Not sure what item you're talking about. Do you have a better description?

 

[ScottsGT]

Yea, one male 3 prong plug on one side to plug into an outlet or extension cord. Other side has 3 female jacks to plug power cords into.

Like this but without the 24" cord.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-way-grounded-power-outlet-with-24-in-cord-61998.html

 

[gemniii]

So this one? The orange T-shaped?
https://www.harborfreight.com/three-way-grounded-adapter-47962.html

I buy those when they go on sale ($2), probably have at least a dozen scattered around. Never have had one fail.

 

[ScottsGT]

Yep, that’s the one. I have about a half dozen i use at Christmas on my lights, but not HF brand. This one had very intermittent connection.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

so I picked up the earthquake xt stubby 1/2 impact last week. found a coupon for $79.99, couldn't pass it up for that price. for the few times I've used it, i'll give it a preliminary pass, it's a strong gun. seems to be built really well, should last quite a while.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-ultra-compact-xtreme-torque-stubby-air-impact-wrench-63534.html

 

[1Garageman]

so I picked up the earthquake xt stubby 1/2 impact last week. found a coupon for $79.99, couldn't pass it up for that price. for the few times I've used it, i'll give it a preliminary pass, it's a strong gun. seems to be built really well, should last quite a while.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-ultra-compact-xtreme-torque-stubby-air-impact-wrench-63534.html

That is one heck of a deal! Have you tried it on any really tight bolts or anything? I was looking at it's description and it says it has 500lb of torque and 700 of Bolt breakaway torque. Just curious if you . have tested it on that yet?????


Maximum Torque (ft. - lbs.) 550 ft. lbs.j
and
Bolt Breakaway Torque 700 ft. lbs.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

That is one heck of a deal! Have you tried it on any really tight bolts or anything? I was looking at it's description and it says it has 500lb of torque and 700 of Bolt breakaway torque. Just curious if you . have tested it on that yet?????


Maximum Torque (ft. - lbs.) 550 ft. lbs.j
and
Bolt Breakaway Torque 700 ft. lbs.

I took the rear bumper off my f100, all the bolts were rusted, along with all the exposed threads completely rusted up. I figured i'd see if it could loosen them without cleaning the threads, took them right off.

 

[kb1982]

Gotta give the Vulcan large heavy duty welding cabinet a pass. Item number is 63179. Its well built has several compartments for storage of your welding accessories. The way the drawers open could be better, but that is my only complaint

Sent from my LML713DL using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

so I picked up the earthquake xt stubby 1/2 impact last week. found a coupon for $79.99, couldn't pass it up for that price. for the few times I've used it, i'll give it a preliminary pass, it's a strong gun. seems to be built really well, should last quite a while.



https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-ultra-compact-xtreme-torque-stubby-air-impact-wrench-63534.html

Stubbies in general seem to use a LOT more air than similar full length guns. If you have a big compressor, no problem but it is something to consider if you are air challenged.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Revere Cycles]

Fail - Pittsburgh Professional Impact Torx sockets, item#67896. Pretty much every one has chipped or broken off within 2-3 uses.

Similarly, Item#68015, the 1/4" drive Torx sockets have also failed me when removing bolts by hand.

 

[1Garageman]

I took the rear bumper off my f100, all the bolts were rusted, along with all the exposed threads completely rusted up. I figured i'd see if it could loosen them without cleaning the threads, took them right off.

Wholey $hit, those are some really rusty bolts. That is an amazing true test that you got them off of there, without breaking or stripping them.
Thanks for the info! I might have to get me one of those.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Wholey $hit, those are some really rusty bolts. That is an amazing true test that you got them off of there, without breaking or stripping them.
Thanks for the info! I might have to get me one of those.

i was pretty shocked myself.

 

[M*A*S*H]

I'm going to quote myself to follow up on this if anyone ever searches for it. But I picked one up last night on the way home. It's a pretty nice piece. I'll give it a pass from initial inspection and running it up and down with my impact gun. Didn't try it under a load.
But it's just too big for my project. Its right at 24" long in the down position, and about 6" wide with the top and bottom flanges.

I've got a pair at the center of my 30 ft travel trailer to just give a bit more stabilization for longer stays. They've been under a year and have been fine. They don't lose tension and still run up and down fine by hand. I'd use them again.

 

[DGersic]

Wholey $hit, those are some really rusty bolts. That is an amazing true test that you got them off of there, without breaking or stripping them.

Thanks for the info! I might have to get me one of those.

Those are about average here in northern Illinois. Good to know that the stubby can do them, I’ve been thinking about adding one of those to my garage.




Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[gemniii]

I took the rear bumper off my f100, all the bolts were rusted, along with all the exposed threads completely rusted up. I figured i'd see if it could loosen them without cleaning the threads, took them right off.

What compressor cfm and pressure were you driving it with?

 

[emeraldcoupe]

What compressor cfm and pressure were you driving it with?

it's a 30 gal oiled kobalt. can't remember for sure, I think it's 5.8 @ 90

 

[Skylarkgp]

"Professional impact swivels" #67920 major fail.
https://m.harborfreight.com/2-pc-universal-impact-joint-socket-adapter-set-67920.html

215 lumen pocket work light. Fail. It is great until it falls a few times. Unfortunately it just doesn't hold up to mild abuse. I tried to use a stronger spring on the battery thinking that it was breaking contact and shutting off when slightly bumped but it kept shutting off without being touched. I bought a nearly identical one from "Nebo" and it has been awesome.
https://m.harborfreight.com/215-lumen-magnetic-pocket-work-light-63935.html

Nebo big Larry.
https://www.nebotools.com/p/BIG-Larry/363

 

[JRC3]

215 lumen pocket work light. Fail. It is great until it falls a few times. Unfortunately it just doesn't hold up to mild abuse. I tried to use a stronger spring on the battery thinking that it was breaking contact and shutting off when slightly bumped but it kept shutting off without being touched. I bought a nearly identical one from "Nebo" and it has been awesome.
https://m.harborfreight.com/215-lumen-magnetic-pocket-work-light-63935.html

Nebo big Larry.
https://www.nebotools.com/p/BIG-Larry/363

$6.99 compared to $19.99.

I'm picky about lights and probably wouldn't buy that Quantum POS...But I certainly would not compare it to one that cost 3x as much if I did.

 

[isuhunter]

Not sure if this is a good spot for this - but does anyone know if there is a source for series 1 side cabinets for the 44" toolboxes? I bought a series one box about 6 months prior to the switch to series 2.

 

[ScottsGT]

I think you are SOL on finding anything else out there. Mine are 5 or 6 years old and I’ve been offered good money for them.

 

[Here2Learn]

FAIL: security Torx T-10 in the cheapie bit set

The hole is off centered, and it stripped out after little use. I got what I paid for.

 

[joey1320]

so I picked up the earthquake xt stubby 1/2 impact last week. found a coupon for $79.99, couldn't pass it up for that price. for the few times I've used it, i'll give it a preliminary pass, it's a strong gun. seems to be built really well, should last quite a while.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-ultra-compact-xtreme-torque-stubby-air-impact-wrench-63534.html

A quick note on this stubby.

AvE has a review on YouTube in which he's surprised by the construction of this gun.

From then on he found out, not exactly sure how, that the manufacturer for the gun is Mighty7, which apparently makes the guns for Hazet and others.

He made a video bashing Hazet for the fact that they are charging $399 for the same gun that HF charges $79. Even the torque/CFM test paperwork/results were the exact same picture. He then went onto Mighty7's site and the catalog link for the stubby gun was deleted but by going into the "way back" machine he was able to find the link and show the side by side comparisons - it was exactly the same gun just different colors and brand-name.

Others in the comment section started to look through the online catalog and started matching the offerings to well known and expensive brands.

This was about 2-3 weeks ago. Now if you look on his channel, you won't be able to find the video anymore. I'm thinking he may have received a "cease and desist" letter.

 

[1Garageman]

^^Wow, great info Joey1320! That is such a huge difference in price difference!

 

[crucible]

1" x 30" belt grinder is a tentative pass; especially at it's price point w/coupon.
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-in-x-30-in-belt-sander-61728.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+All+Products+-+Higher+Sales+Items|New+Products+-+%283%29+Price+%2430-50|61728&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&mkwid=s|pcrid|296324984313|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|slid||product|61728|pgrid|60674595798|ptaid|pla-295667270627|&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhNyVp6a24AIVVMDICh2Stg3SEAQYASABEgLj_PD_BwE

I needed something to sharpen my mower blades, knives and tools, so for those needs, it should work. It also seems to come up a bunch for knife making beginners, so using that collective internet wisdom, I've done minor truing up of the belt wheels via feel and eyeball, purchased Japan-made bearings for the two support wheels (pretty good video's on YT for those), and have on order USA-made belts to 1000g and a leather strop.

It comes with one 40g (IIRC) "red" belt, which seems to work, but is a bit noisy. I also bought the HF zirconia "blue" belts in 40 and 80G, which have a smoother seem and better reputation accordingly.

It will get a bunch of work this spring/summer and will report back longer term use.

 

[rooster4321]

I just clicked on my Harbor Freight coupon page and it said they are changing the page to uninstall and install a new app. Anyone else find this

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

 

[isuhunter]

I think you are SOL on finding anything else out there. Mine are 5 or 6 years old and I’ve been offered good money for them.

Dang - maybe i'll craigslist mine and update or turn it into a workbench box like others have built.

 

[leftyz]

I just clicked on my Harbor Freight coupon page and it said they are changing the page to uninstall and install a new app. Anyone else find this

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

Are you talking about www.hfqpdb.com or a different one?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

 

[rooster4321]

No it's a app with three pages of coupons

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

 

[fartymarty]

I just clicked on my Harbor Freight coupon page and it said they are changing the page to uninstall and install a new app. Anyone else find this

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

Yes, just now when I checked. I haven't used it in quite a while as the other one
(www.hfqpdb.com) has been my goto coupon supplier. However I always fear that as the tariff war continues that HF will buy up www.hfqpdb.com and delete the best coupons.

 

[DFB]

215 lumen pocket work light. Fail. It is great until it falls a few times. Unfortunately it just doesn't hold up to mild abuse. I tried to use a stronger spring on the battery thinking that it was breaking contact and shutting off when slightly bumped but it kept shutting off without being touched. I bought a nearly identical one from "Nebo" and it has been awesome.
https://m.harborfreight.com/215-lumen-magnetic-pocket-work-light-63935.html

Nebo big Larry.
https://www.nebotools.com/p/BIG-Larry/363

$6.99 compared to $19.99.

I'm picky about lights and probably wouldn't buy that Quantum POS...But I certainly would not compare it to one that cost 3x as much if I did.

Wow I'm surprised at the problem reported with the #63935 light. I bought 5 of them back in August for my tool table. They were only $5.99 then and I had ITC for $2.00 off, so $3.99 each for a total of 19.95 for the 5 was a GREAT DEAL.

I kept one for myself I have absolutely no problems with mine at all and as "cheap lights" go I think they are pretty good with an all metal case, bright @ 215 lumens its just about as bright my $79.99 Milwaukee Stick light is, The magnet works great... way better than the one that didn't come with the Milwaukee.

Though anything may fall apart with enough abuse.

The HF shows almost a 100% 5 star with over 1200 reviews

I know a lot about lousy battery screw cap connections as I sell A LOT of different cheap LED lights thru my tool tent. I had a box full of metallic cased stubby CAMO flashlights with batteries, belt pouch all factory sealed total pcs of **** most didn't work right out the package.

Off topic I have display cartons with open of other LED lights (all plastic junk) as new stock they come with a paper strip installed so batteries don't make contact. You don't know how many people say these don't work

I don't take the strips out because certain people do **** like turn them on, leave them on, and walk away

 

[jdlong]

Braun 4ft LED hanging shop light. Swapped out a fluorescent with it and man is this sucker bright.

 

[bubinga]

A quick note on this stubby.

AvE has a review on YouTube in which he's surprised by the construction of this gun.

From then on he found out, not exactly sure how, that the manufacturer for the gun is Mighty7, which apparently makes the guns for Hazet and others.

He made a video bashing Hazet for the fact that they are charging $399 for the same gun that HF charges $79. Even the torque/CFM test paperwork/results were the exact same picture. He then went onto Mighty7's site and the catalog link for the stubby gun was deleted but by going into the "way back" machine he was able to find the link and show the side by side comparisons - it was exactly the same gun just different colors and brand-name.

Others in the comment section started to look through the online catalog and started matching the offerings to well known and expensive brands.

This was about 2-3 weeks ago. Now if you look on his channel, you won't be able to find the video anymore. I'm thinking he may have received a "cease and desist" letter.

Good to know for us, don't let HF find out we like it and covet it, they're raise prices or do away with it.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[joey1320]

Good to know for us, don't let HF find out we like it and covet it, they're raise prices or do away with it.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

Yeah AvE spoke good about the gun. I don't need one since I already have a stubby 1/2" but if I was in the market for one, that would be the one to go with.

^^Wow, great info Joey1320! That is such a huge difference in price difference!

Yes it is. Which is why he was calling out Hazet. Seems like they didn't appreciate it.

 

[bubinga]

Yeah AvE spoke good about the gun. I don't need one since I already have a stubby 1/2" but if I was in the market for one, that would be the one to go with.





Yes it is. Which is why he was calling out Hazet. Seems like they didn't appreciate it.

I don't have one, gotten away pretty well all along with out one,
But you know how it is. It Is Tempting!