The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[subarub4]

The 2-ply gloves?

 

[Bluetools]

Harbor Freight make a great living knocking off USA designed and manufactured tools and are too lazy to ever actually improve or innovate anything. At least some of the budget tool distributors sell funky new designs and commission new products. Don't be complaining about losing jobs overseas if all you worry about is saving a few dollars on tools which may or may not hold up for more than occasional use.

 

[fxt]

Harbor Freight make a great living knocking off USA designed and manufactured tools and are too lazy to ever actually improve or innovate anything. At least some of the budget tool distributors sell funky new designs and commission new products. Don't be complaining about losing jobs overseas if all you worry about is saving a few dollars on tools which may or may not hold up for more than occasional use.

please....

didn't we have enough of this in this thread.

 

[sasquach]

Leave it to the new guy to stir the pot .

 

[Orangemopar]

Harbor Freight make a great living knocking off USA designed and manufactured tools and are too lazy to ever actually improve or innovate anything. At least some of the budget tool distributors sell funky new designs and commission new products. Don't be complaining about losing jobs overseas if all you worry about is saving a few dollars on tools which may or may not hold up for more than occasional use.

I wouldn't have a problem paying more for a certain tool if the quality were actually better and still made in the USA. Take Vise-Grips for example. I was at Sears the other day going to buy a new set but guess what, "Made In China". Why would I pay $40 for something I could get at Harbor Freight for about a quarter of the price.

Back to pass/fail. Has anybody bought the pintle hitch reciever mount and pintle hitch hook from here? I'm in the process of buying an old military trailer that has a pintle hitch on it. Still undecided to go with the traditional hook or the ball mount combo. Here are the links:

Pintle Mount:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95407

5 Ton Pintle Hook:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95408

Pintle Hook with 2" Ball:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96198

 

[wineslob]

This past weekend I bought the 1/4" drive ratcheting torque wrench so I could do the transmission bands on my wifes Exploder. Worked like a champ, with a really good "break" point when you reach torque.
Build quality was a little rough, finish wise, but for 20 bucks, not bad.

 

[kooldino]

Harbor Freight 20 ton press. Epic fail. Broke the first time I used it where the bottle jack meets the frame. Also tons of play in the horizontal moving part.

 

[IONH]

Harbor Freight 20 ton press. Epic fail. Broke the first time I used it where the bottle jack meets the frame. Also tons of play in the horizontal moving part.

Is that the A frame (if one exists?) or the H frame?

I have the 20 ton H frame item 32879 and it has performed like a champ. What was odd, IMO, is that it did not come with a handle for the jack (nor is there one pictured).

I upgraded from the 12 ton A frame item 1667 which I overloaded on pressing a wheel bearing out and the ring up top which holds in the jack broke causing the bottle jack to launch outward (thankfully away from me).

 

[sprint7]

3/8" Heavy Duty Composite Ratchet ITEM 66313-2VGA
I have had this ratchet for about 6 months and I really like it! Only issue is the selector is backwards from every other ratchet I have. Overall MAJOR PASS

Digital Scale ITEM 95364-6VGA I bought this to weight racecar parts. Goes up to 11 lbs. MAJOR PASS

6-1/2" Wire Strippers with Pressure Adjustment ITEM 66690 They look just like the Matco stripper but these are a POS. Returned them. MAJOR FAIL

1/8" Air Micro Die Grinder ITEM 47869 Works pretty good. PASS

I'll add others as I think of them.

 

[RAYJAY]

Harbor Freight make a great living knocking off USA designed and manufactured tools and are too lazy to ever actually improve or innovate anything. At least some of the budget tool distributors sell funky new designs and commission new products. Don't be complaining about losing jobs overseas if all you worry about is saving a few dollars on tools which may or may not hold up for more than occasional use.

ok where's the review ..............

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Harbor Freight make a great living knocking off USA designed and manufactured tools and are too lazy to ever actually improve or innovate anything. At least some of the budget tool distributors sell funky new designs and commission new products. Don't be complaining about losing jobs overseas if all you worry about is saving a few dollars on tools which may or may not hold up for more than occasional use.

Damn, theres an very well thought out original statement...

 

[rrudd2]

Harbor Freight make a great living knocking off USA designed and manufactured tools and are too lazy to ever actually improve or innovate anything. At least some of the budget tool distributors sell funky new designs and commission new products. Don't be complaining about losing jobs overseas if all you worry about is saving a few dollars on tools which may or may not hold up for more than occasional use.

Do I detect an ulterior motive????? Perhaps sprinkled with a touch of bitterness?

About Bluetools

Biography
Main interests and many years experience fixing cars and various enterprises related to electronics, but much of my time is spent designing new gadgets and promoting BOJO tools in Europe and non-USA countries
Location
England
Interests
Ebay, electronics, messing with old cars
Occupation
VP Marketing and Product Design, Bojo Inc.

 

[lawfarm]

Is that the A frame (if one exists?) or the H frame?

I have the 20 ton H frame item 32879 and it has performed like a champ. What was odd, IMO, is that it did not come with a handle for the jack (nor is there one pictured).

I upgraded from the 12 ton A frame item 1667 which I overloaded on pressing a wheel bearing out and the ring up top which holds in the jack broke causing the bottle jack to launch outward (thankfully away from me).

Every review of one of their presses that I've read includes an update that the user ended up breaking the cast bottom plates that the press pushes against, often resulting in serious ill effects. If you still have that in place, give some thought to replacing it.

 

[IONH]

Every review of one of their presses that I've read includes an update that the user ended up breaking the cast bottom plates that the press pushes against, often resulting in serious ill effects. If you still have that in place, give some thought to replacing it.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is considered the "cast bottom plate"?

 

[A29]

I wouldn't have a problem paying more for a certain tool if the quality were actually better and still made in the USA. Take Vise-Grips for example. I was at Sears the other day going to buy a new set but guess what, "Made In China". Why would I pay $40 for something I could get at Harbor Freight for about a quarter of the price.

Back to pass/fail. Has anybody bought the pintle hitch reciever mount and pintle hitch hook from here? I'm in the process of buying an old military trailer that has a pintle hitch on it. Still undecided to go with the traditional hook or the ball mount combo. Here are the links:

Pintle Mount:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95407

5 Ton Pintle Hook:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95408

Pintle Hook with 2" Ball:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96198

Those look like knock-offs of Buyers Products witch is a knock-off of Holland Hitch. Both of those make fine products.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Harbor Freight make a great living knocking off USA designed and manufactured tools and are too lazy to ever actually improve or innovate anything. At least some of the budget tool distributors sell funky new designs and commission new products. Don't be complaining about losing jobs overseas if all you worry about is saving a few dollars on tools which may or may not hold up for more than occasional use.

I assume you are upset because HF sels a cheap copy of your "Made in USA" non marring Pry bar set!


Bojo non marring pry-bar set(one of manny): $15.95 Made in USA

HF copy: $6.99 Made in China

Anyone have a pass fail review of these???

Chris

 

[Scotto]

I assume you are upset because HF sels a cheap copy of your "Made in USA" non marring Pry bar set!


Bojo non marring pry-bar set(one of manny): $15.95 Made in USA

HF copy: $6.99 Made in China

Anyone have a pass fail review of these???

Chris

The yellow ones work fantastic on weatherstripping, interior pieces, etc. Can't believe it took me so many years to get some.

HF also had those Bojo bars, or ones that look exactly like them too. They were a little more expensive than the yellow ones.

 

[alamerang]

3/8" Heavy Duty Composite Ratchet ITEM 66313-2VGA
I have had this ratchet for about 6 months and I really like it! Only issue is the selector is backwards from every other ratchet I have. Overall MAJOR PASS

+1 on those composite ratchets. I have the 1/2" an 1/4" versions and I love them. Light and the fine tooth feature is awesome. A buddy of mine that works on heavy equipment has collected Mac, Matco and Cornwell ratchets over the years and hes told me that now the HF composites are his standard go to ratchets. Very good tool for the money.

 

[Orangemopar]

Thanks A29, I ended up getting the 2" ball version and it looks pretty stout. They didn't have the mounting plate in stock so I had to get it at Tractor Supply. Same piece but about $45 more, both made in China. Oh well.

 

[Crizzle]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95621

ITEM 95621-6VGA - 132lb. capacity roller stand

I picked three of them up on sale last friday at the sidewalk sale for 11.99 ea. I needed something for infeed/outfeed support on my table saw for work I was doing with some longer pieces. I was able to assemble all three in about 10 minutes, and they did the job well. I went with these instead of the 19.99 tripod stand due to the fact that I needed to be abl.e to easily store them. They are all hanging on my wall storage system on one hook right now out of the way. Definite PASS.

 

[Dust]

Has anyone tried the jumpstarter listed in this month's ad? Just the basic yellow one without a compressor or light, I think it's fifty bucks. Don't have the ad in front of me.

Also, does HF have a good battery charger? I don't need the heavy duty wheeled one, a simple self-contained electronic unit will do. It'd just be used for maintaining battery voltage when flashing modules and keeping some batteries topped off.

 

[Shocker]

I assume you are upset because HF sels a cheap copy of your "Made in USA" non marring Pry bar set!


Bojo non marring pry-bar set(one of manny): $15.95 Made in USA

HF copy: $6.99 Made in China

Anyone have a pass fail review of these???

Chris

I have the HF yellow ones. Got them on sale for about $4.00. Worked great for removing interior door panels to replace a window motor.

 

[larry4406]

I have the HF yellow ones. Got them on sale for about $4.00. Worked great for removing interior door panels to replace a window motor.

I used my wife's teflon coated burger flipper for that!

 

[yiranhu]

Has anyone tried the jumpstarter listed in this month's ad? Just the basic yellow one without a compressor or light, I think it's fifty bucks. Don't have the ad in front of me.

Also, does HF have a good battery charger? I don't need the heavy duty wheeled one, a simple self-contained electronic unit will do. It'd just be used for maintaining battery voltage when flashing modules and keeping some batteries topped off.

I have the yellow jumpstarter. I used it to go to auction yards to start cars I want to test. Works okay. Had difficulty starting only 1 car... but i think may also has something to do with that car's starter...

50 is not a good price for it. I bought it during a sidewalk sale for 25 after 20% off...

 

[stricht8]

I used my wife's teflon coated burger flipper for that!

Now that is both funny and a great idea!

 

[hpw]

Searched and didn't see this....has anyone used it and if so, how did it perform? I'm wanting to spray some single stage automotive paint through this.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95810

http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/95800-95899/95810.gif

 

[r6100mph]

I'm thinking about this motorcycle lift:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66247

It's a US General Made, which I believe is fairly decent, I have their large tool box and love it.

Wondering if anyone has had experience w/ this electric lift.

$380, but with 20% coupon, and tax - out the door for around $320

Thanks!

 

[Skin]

Wondering if anyone has had experience w/ this electric lift.

$380, but with 20% coupon, and tax - out the door for around $320

Thanks!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59065

 

[r6100mph]

Sweet! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[jj63]

Harbor Freight's Lug nut Torque Multiplier (33 times gear reduction!!!) gets my PASS vote as it saved my wife's **** ( well to tell the truth it was a kind Samaritan that changed her tire during the dangerous rush hour here in Chicago). The lug nuts would not get off using the breaker bar I leave in her car.

Luckily she remembered the new torque lug multiplier I had got for such a situation ( after getting new tires, which were probably machined torqued to 125 foot pounds, which become 200 or so foot pounds due to friction and rusting!!! [ my brother who is an engineer said that a 125 pound machine torqued lug nut would need considerably more to take off as friction and corrosion would factor in the loosening power needed to remove the lug nut and breaking the stud may result]).

He recommended the HF torque multiplier as it had the capability to remove the nut with out breaking the stud as it turned the nut ever so slowly and thus safely. He said that torque multipliers were usually in the cost range of 3 to 7 hundred dollars but if the HF model worked only a few times it was monetarily justified.

It cost only 23 dollars and on sale it is only 19 dollars and change. A tow truck would have charged around 80 dollars in rush hour traffic and of course it would have been much delayed due to traffic.

So the cost to risk benefit was excellent for a "Prima Dona" in distress.

Just broke one of these. First the bar bent and then the casing cracked. I eventually used an 18" breaker bar to remove lug nut.

 

[raflomo]

6 Ton Jack stands...3 out of 4 PASS...1...ah well lets say FAIL...

My brother had his little honda up on 4 of them removing the ****** and went loose loosen a bolt and one of the stands just bent ond dropped the car.Luckily he got out as it started to drop.So to say the least he got them all out from under the car and is not using them again.

 

[Indy_500]

My whole toolbox is pretty much harbor freight (including the tool box) here's my list:

-US General 13 drawer tool box = pass
-magnetic tray = pass
-about a dozen of the free flashlights = pass (I USE THEM ALL THE TIME THEY'RE AWESOME!!!)
-65 piece socket set = pass
-22 piece wrench set = pass
-4 piece adjustable wrench set = pass
-6 piece pliers set = pass
-4 piece pry bar set = pass
-10 piece chisel/punch set = pass
-bolt cutters = pass
-rubber mallet = pass
-heat gun = pass
-holesaw kit = pass/fail
-drill-bit set = fail
-6 piece screwdriver set = pass
-tape measure = pass
-2 piece telescoping magnet set = pass
-tons of electrical tape = pass
-3 piece allen wrench in SAE and Metric and the Star heads (fold-out) = pass

and that's my list!

soon i'll get some nicer ratchets but the sockets will do just fine. and my next addition will be the box you stack on top of it with, then hopefully an air compressor with TONS of air tools and a welder. and some more deep-welled sockets and the sockets with the head heads and star heads.

 

[Danglerb]

6 Ton Jack stands...3 out of 4 PASS...1...ah well lets say FAIL...

My brother had his little honda up on 4 of them removing the ****** and went loose loosen a bolt and one of the stands just bent ond dropped the car.Luckily he got out as it started to drop.So to say the least he got them all out from under the car and is not using them again.

Details, picts etc. I'm having a hard time imagining how a jackstand fails under a 10% load. Did he take them back, and is HF doing anything about it?

 

[Danglerb]

Has anyone tried the jumpstarter listed in this month's ad? Just the basic yellow one without a compressor or light, I think it's fifty bucks. Don't have the ad in front of me.

Also, does HF have a good battery charger? I don't need the heavy duty wheeled one, a simple self-contained electronic unit will do. It'd just be used for maintaining battery voltage when flashing modules and keeping some batteries topped off.

Electrical stuff I avoid at HF, risk/bargain isn't so good. OTOH those starter things are just a trickle charger and a motorcycle battery, so maybe hard to mess up. Typical complaint with that "type" of device is that the battery needs replacing too soon.

 

[Indy_500]

i also try to avoid electrical and air items from harbor freight. i can do with a few electrical items though. air tools, the only thing i'd buy for them is attachments, i will go elsewhere for air tools.

 

[Scout Driver]

PASS on the "free with a coupon" LED flashlite.

Scott

 

[jj63]

I'm a different poster. The quote should have had the other posters name.

Sorry about that chief.

 

[jj63]

3/8" drive 17" breaker bar....PASS....broke loose the crank bolt with ease
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37391

Fail. I broke it the 1st time out. The 3/8" head sheared right off.

 

[SCscoutguy]

Fail. I broke it the 1st time out. The 3/8" head sheared right off.

I have had one for maybe three years and used the piss out of it and it has not failed yet. I even had a proto breaker bar break on me and I had to go and find my HF bar to finish the job.

 

[fxt]

6 Ton Jack stands...3 out of 4 PASS...1...ah well lets say FAIL...

My brother had his little honda up on 4 of them removing the ****** and went loose loosen a bolt and one of the stands just bent ond dropped the car.Luckily he got out as it started to drop.So to say the least he got them all out from under the car and is not using them again.

usually if a stand bends it because it isn't properly set. say it might of tipped one way when the weight of the car was on it. then that force caused it to bend.

the reason i say this is bc all your weight on a stand is vertical, so it should collapse downward before it bends