The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[toyotadriver]

I've had this for a while now, it's a powerful gun. and there was a coupon for $89 when I bought it, it was a no brainer.

I didn't think it would have as much torque as it does. I wanted a compact impact wrench for removing bolts in tight quarters. I won't use it often but when I need it, it'll be useful. It's not as comfortable to use as a larger impact in my opinion since it's so compact but it's ideal for tight work areas.

 

[bagged89s10]

9.5 in. 7 amp Corded Elec. Pole Saw. #62896, 68862, 63190..... PASS.

Got tired of waiting for the one I ordered On-line to come in the mail, so I went down to the local HF (they had 4 in-stock) and picked one up.

It's well made and easy to assemble. Requires bar & chain lube so make sure you pick up a quart if you don't have any. Uses very little to fill the reservoir. A quart will last a long time.

I used it today to trim the limbs on a tree in the back yard and it worked great. A little top heavy in the extended position, but no problem. Cut thru the 3" limbs like butter. Have a lot of others to trim yet.

Well worth the $59.99 with the coupon.

bought one a couple years ago. it’s worth twice that much. i’m glad I bought it.

 

[DGersic]

Yeah just like a few people said before me, it hits the door but you can fix it with a piece of plywood. I just haven’t done it yet.

Well, at least we’re all in the same boat. Weather is getting better, maybe I’ll get around to fixing it soon.



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[Bacon!]

9.5 in. 7 amp Corded Elec. Pole Saw. #62896, 68862, 63190...

...Requires bar & chain lube so make sure you pick up a quart if you don't have any.

The manual (pg 7) states SAE30 or SAE10 oil:

https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/62000-62999/62896.pdf

I've owned a Remington electric pole saw for years and never used anything but 30WT detergent in it. Only issue with it was if I hang it upside down, oil drips out of the reservoir till empty.

 

[Motorman55]

The manual (pg 7) states SAE30 or SAE10 oil:

https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/62000-62999/62896.pdf

I've owned a Remington electric pole saw for years and never used anything but 30WT detergent in it. Only issue with it was if I hang it upside down, oil drips out of the reservoir till empty.

I'm ok with the Bar and Chain oil since the pole saw is a chain saw.

 

[619DioFan]

Banks 21 degree framing nailer . PASS. been using this for a week or so on some DIY projects. put a few hundred nails through it with out issue. using a HF pancake compressor to run it. this is a full head nail style gun.

 

[sweetk30]

asked in the hot deal thread for coupon and you guys delivered good . 119.99 down to 89.99 with coupon .

20ton air over hydro bottle jack . part# 95553 pittsburgh .

purchased this for my old orange HF 20ton shop press to upgrade from hand pump to air power . the original 20ton orange jack still works fine so its now in the tool area .

did notice tho a 3/4" taller overall on this new jack so if you have a SWAG OFFROAD press break kit like i do then it wont fit in like it use to on the SWAG plates also . the whole beam needs to drop 1 pin hole or pull the press plate and cut down the center pin 1" i would say for best results .

i did do the ball valve handle trick tho right out of the box . so its got the dump lever on it now .

first impressions it was good . just had to swap over the fitting to my flexzilla style end . out of the box ready to use otherwise . good length of air hose on the swivel on the air over unit body to work with on the press .

setup a few test runs with the unit and started having fun . everything went as planned and no problems .

only thing is the air pump seems to DRINK air compared to my STARK brand air over 8ton long reach pump on my engine hoist . i can only crush about 2 old oil filters ( burned off in wood stove ) before the air compressor turns on . my system is 80gal @ 175psi and ballast tank 80gal @ 150psi and pulling air from ballast tank .

since the unit is in the shop press i removed the pair of springs and top plate . also didnt care for the trigger hold so it come off also . last pic is old original 20ton bottle jack before i pulled it .

 

[sweetk30]

last few pics in use .

 

[SeisMec]

i did do the ball valve handle trick tho right out of the box . so its got the dump lever on it now .

Would you please elaborate or give a link. Thanks.

 

[1Garageman]

sweetk30, Glad to see that it is working. Does it tell you on the box how powerful it is in PSI measurement? I am just curious how much power that jack is actually putting out?

 

[sweetk30]

Would you please elaborate or give a link. Thanks.

old ball valve handle from a plumbing line valve . then tack weld the handle to the screw on the jack . super fast / easy / simple . and if your scrapping for money you tear the valve apart anyway to get the best price for the cleaner metal not mixed . so i have a few handles on hand at any time .
my old jack has a red handle and new one has a green handle .

 

[sweetk30]

sweetk30, Glad to see that it is working. Does it tell you on the box how powerful it is in PSI measurement? I am just curious how much power that jack is actually putting out?

no real info on box or in paper work i saw . just 20 ton bottle jack spec is it . also 50/50 on the fact it comes with a seal kit in a bag brand new in the box . hope i dont need to ever use it . . . but glad its there if i do .

 

[Legion Prime]

I've commented before on the Viking 4A charger/maintainer (63350) but I have to now say hard pass. This thing is absolute garbage, from not charging a battery below a certain voltage to the random red/green backlighting indicator to the fact that over the past year I've had to take the thing off to put a real charger on it more often than I had to take it off to drive the truck because the battery was completely dead. Absolute unequivocal hard pass on this turd in a box.

 

[JerryC]

I've commented before on the Viking 4A charger/maintainer (63350) but I have to now say hard pass. This thing is absolute garbage, from not charging a battery below a certain voltage to the random red/green backlighting indicator to the fact that over the past year I've had to take the thing off to put a real charger on it more often than I had to take it off to drive the truck because the battery was completely dead. Absolute unequivocal hard pass on this turd in a box.

Thanks, I had thought about buying one. I did buy the old style charger from them, but have only topped a battery off with it.

 

[ndnchf]

I've had one of those chargers for over 2 years now. I use it to maintain the 6v battery in my old Willys jeep. It works perfectly. Like almost any product, there can be lemons. I e very pleased with it. I give it a pass.

 

[javyLSU]

I've commented before on the Viking 4A charger/maintainer (63350) but I have to now say hard pass. This thing is absolute garbage, from not charging a battery below a certain voltage to the random red/green backlighting indicator to the fact that over the past year I've had to take the thing off to put a real charger on it more often than I had to take it off to drive the truck because the battery was completely dead. Absolute unequivocal hard pass on this turd in a box.

Thanks for the feedback, although in the context of this thread it would be a hard FAIL not a pass...

 

[Tallpilot]

Good looking weld...............................not.

Yeah, don't they know a weld like that needs thicker paint?

 

[Legion Prime]

Thanks for the feedback, although in the context of this thread it would be a hard FAIL not a pass...

Ah yes, I believe you have me there! Thank you.

 

[mizzoutrover]

I bought one a couple of years ago, works great, I have replace the brushes 2 times other than that it cuts great. I swapped in new brushes and put on a new chain Sunday morning, took me 5 minutes then i cut down 3 small trees, it didn't hesitate in going though a 8" diameter mulberry. at $59 it is almost disposable, light and effective.

 

[tez929rr]

Atlas 40V pole saw. Pass. Very impressed.

https://www.harborfreight.com/home-...-cordless-10-in-pole-saw-tool-only-56934.html

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Any good reviews on the better quality cordless drill/drivers at HF? I have their 3/8 Drill Master brand and they ****. Dead after two or three 3 inch screws. I'd like to pick up a 1/2 Bauer 20V Hypermax. I'm working on a privacy fence and a building in an area with no power and I don't want to run a genny because of how close the neighbor's are. I sometimes need to work late into the night.

 

[may0naise]

The Braun 3 in 1 work light gets a pass from me.

http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/3988_ITEM_BRAUN_3-IN-1_QUICK_CONNECT_LIGHT_KIT_1588619039.1121.png

It has all the features of the old folding work light plus some upgrades. It can run of only a usb power cord both while charging and even if there is no battery inside. It also comes with a removable magnetic backed hook so it can be mounted horizontally instead of just vertically on the magnetic base. As a flashlight it has plenty of power and a decent run time, I ran it for over an hour straight on high and based on recharge time it was only about a third used up. The 18650 batteries are not permanently installed so you can quick swap them and use a desktop faster charger for them as well. Overall this may end up as a christmas gift for several family members.

 

[yetibiker]

The weight distribution hitch looks like the real deal. I can’t try it out for a few weeks, and I still need to order a ridiculously long shank for it because GMT900 Suburban 2500 4x4 integrated hitch height problems. The hitch is very stout and looks to be well-built.


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[njc41980]

Anybody tried the tractor 3-point quick hitch?

or the 80V Atlas string trimmer?

 

[JRC3]

or the 80V Atlas string trimmer?

So the tool is $120, battery $110 and $30 for the basic charger. That's $260 for a ****** 90 day warranty. Why not go right to Lowes and get a Kobalt 80v for $229 with great customer service and 5-year tool and 3-year battery warranties?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-80-...tring-Trimmer-1-Batteries-Included/1000698056

 

[BonzoHansen]

So the tool is $120, battery $110 and $30 for the basic charger. That's $260 for a ****** 90 day warranty. Why not go right to Lowes and get a Kobalt 80v for $229 with great customer service and 5-year tool and 3-year battery warranties?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-80-...tring-Trimmer-1-Batteries-Included/1000698056

i love my 80v kobalt trimmer & blower.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Anybody tried the tractor 3-point quick hitch?

or the 80V Atlas string trimmer?

I have the quick hitch. However, the main reason I bought it was to use it for and build it into a weight bar.

Everything seems to line up on it though.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

So the tool is $120, battery $110 and $30 for the basic charger. That's $260 for a ****** 90 day warranty. Why not go right to Lowes and get a Kobalt 80v for $229 with great customer service and 5-year tool and 3-year battery warranties?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-80-...tring-Trimmer-1-Batteries-Included/1000698056

Where do you buy the great customer service at Lowe’s? I find HF easier to get along with than Lowe’s.

 

[JRC3]

Where do you buy the great customer service at Lowe’s? I find HF easier to get along with than Lowe’s.

Tool goes bad, return it. Battery goes bad, return it. And Lowes and HD have 90 day no questions asked return policies if you don't like the tool...In reality those go for 6 months or longer, same apply to regular return policies. Not to mention the 3 and 5 year standard warranty instead of a ****** 90 day warranty for the exact same price. And in the example I provided the Kobalt/Lowes setup is even cheaper. If someone doesn't think a 12x or a 20x longer warranty isn't better customer service, then I don't know what else to say. Not to mention the available of replacement parts after the warranty is over.

I don't understand HF Bauer/Herc/Atlas/etc fanboys. I understand rooting for the underdog, but the warranties aren't remotely comparable in any way, and a 90 day warranty is just embarrassing.

I'm not trying to be harsh, but harsh is screwing the consumer with a 90 day warranty for the same price. It confuses me how anyone could accept it.

 

[davethorik]

So the tool is $120, battery $110 and $30 for the basic charger. That's $260 for a ****** 90 day warranty. Why not go right to Lowes and get a Kobalt 80v for $229 with great customer service and 5-year tool and 3-year battery warranties?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-80-...tring-Trimmer-1-Batteries-Included/1000698056

I just got the Milwaukee M18 Fuel string trimmer, 9.0 battery, and Rapid Charger for $269 at HD. No way in hell I would buy one almost the same price from HF. LOL

 

[gemniii]

Anybody tried the tractor 3-point quick hitch?

or the 80V Atlas string trimmer?

Look at the tractor forums like TBN. Many many users. Often requires minor mods, like most HF stuff, but is reportedly a good bang for the buck, WHEN GOTTEN ON SALE.

 

[BigSteve63]

Anybody tried the tractor 3-point quick hitch?

I have one of these - works really well, but all attachments need to be standard cat 1. Somewhere down the line, I acquired a box blade that is a tad off. Was also pretty tight on the bush hog. Going to take it off and go back to EZ hitch.

Would make someone a hell of a deal on the HF hitch if close by.


Steve

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Tool goes bad, return it. Battery goes bad, return it.

as long as you have your receipt. i know it's my fault for not making a copy, but i tried to return / exchange my 24v brushless kobalt sawsall and they wouldn't touch it. it's three years old and just stopped working.

 

[bubinga]

Tool goes bad, return it. Battery goes bad, return it. And Lowes and HD have 90 day no questions asked return policies if you don't like the tool...In reality those go for 6 months or longer, same apply to regular return policies. Not to mention the 3 and 5 year standard warranty instead of a ****** 90 day warranty for the exact same price. And in the example I provided the Kobalt/Lowes setup is even cheaper. If someone doesn't think a 12x or a 20x longer warranty isn't better customer service, then I don't know what else to say. Not to mention the available of replacement parts after the warranty is over.

I don't understand HF Bauer/Herc/Atlas/etc fanboys. I understand rooting for the underdog, but the warranties aren't remotely comparable in any way, and a 90 day warranty is just embarrassing.

I'm not trying to be harsh, but harsh is screwing the consumer with a 90 day warranty for the same price. It confuses me how anyone could accept it.

 

[soloz2]

I wouldn’t touch any of the HF battery tools. I just saw on Reddit someone posted asking about replacement batteries as they bought a landscaping business and the PO was heavy into the HF Lynxx (or whatever) outdoor battery equipment. It's only been out a few years and already discontinued. No more batteries or tools available. Now the guy has to swap to a different line all together.


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[Bacon!]

^ Anyone trying to run a landscaping business off cordless tools, even to replace the batteries, doesn't know what they're doing, no common sense.

Cordless outdoor are great when you need to do 15 minutes worth of work at a time, a few dozen hours a year at most, but a terrible idea for hours per day or hundreds of hours per year.

It's the best thing that could've happened if he wises up and gets contractor grade gas powered equipment.

Take my cordless blower for example. Guess what it would cost for batteries to run it a mere 2 hours, using 2 hours because it may take that long to get a crew's worth of batteries recharged to use again? Approx $1000 per tool. That may not even make it from starting time till lunch.

 

[M635_Guy]

I wouldn’t touch any of the HF battery tools. I just saw on Reddit someone posted asking about replacement batteries as they bought a landscaping business and the PO was heavy into the HF Lynxx (or whatever) outdoor battery equipment. It's only been out a few years and already discontinued. No more batteries or tools available. Now the guy has to swap to a different line all together.

This is exactly why I chose Milwaukee when I retired my old Craftsman C3 tools. There are no guarantees, but i didn't want to invest in a platform that was a retailer platform vs. a toolmaker's platform. Too much rides on the whims of non-related things, so it was going to be Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, etc - folks who are in the tool business, not a retail-created brand. Beyond the risk of a fickle business that sponsors the brand, the lack of focus and likely lack of commonality/approach would drive me nuts.

It's entirely possible Milwaukee will strand me at some point, but I think it will be a long, long time...

 

[JRC3]

It's entirely possible Milwaukee will strand me at some point, but I think it will be a long, long time...

But even if they do you're guaranteed at least 3-5 years, instead of a ****** 90 days.

Even once a real brand dumps a platform or goes to a new line, parts are still available for years and decades afterwards.

 

[rslaback]

I wouldn’t touch any of the HF battery tools. I just saw on Reddit someone posted asking about replacement batteries as they bought a landscaping business and the PO was heavy into the HF Lynxx (or whatever) outdoor battery equipment. It's only been out a few years and already discontinued. No more batteries or tools available. Now the guy has to swap to a different line all together.


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Or he could take them batteries to be rebuilt (or do it himself).

This is exactly why I chose Milwaukee when I retired my old Craftsman C3 tools. There are no guarantees, but i didn't want to invest in a platform that was a retailer platform vs. a toolmaker's platform. Too much rides on the whims of non-related things, so it was going to be Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, etc - folks who are in the tool business, not a retail-created brand. Beyond the risk of a fickle business that sponsors the brand, the lack of focus and likely lack of commonality/approach would drive me nuts.

It's entirely possible Milwaukee will strand me at some point, but I think it will be a long, long time...

Believe it or not Ryobi and Ridgid have the longest running battery platforms around. When everyone moved to Li-ion those brands put the circuit protection in the battery packs and not in the tools. For that reason I can use a brand new pack from the store in my 15 year old drill.

 

[tomwil]

I believe a thread was already made about these a few days ago.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=449501

V/R
Bogie

Any idea why the above thread was deleted?

Title - Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands