The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[JohnFreeman]

2 lb short handle "sledge" - FAIL

Head is drilled off center so that the handle is not in the middle of the hammer head. They made up for this by boring the handle hole about 10 degrees from being at a right angle to the axis ot the head.

I laugh every time I see it...

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

2 lb short handle "sledge" - FAIL

Head is drilled off center so that the handle is not in the middle of the hammer head. They made up for this by boring the handle hole about 10 degrees from being at a right angle to the axis ot the head.

I laugh every time I see it...

Pics are required to document such an anomaly...

 

[tpolley]

tom2, how are your long handle wrenches? i have a set and, while they seem decent for 19.99 i think maybe 2 or 3 of them are accually straight. most are bent.

 

[Tom2]

tom2, how are your long handle wrenches? i have a set and, while they seem decent for 19.99 i think maybe 2 or 3 of them are accually straight. most are bent.

You know, I haven't looked them over that closely yet. I was hoping they would be pretty decent since polished wrench sets tend to be much more durable. With these being longer, they'd get a lot more leverage without trying to fit a huge breaker bar over them. Also, considering $18 is expensive for HF tools I figured the quality would be atleast Craftsman level.

Hopefully they dont bend easily. Thats the worst problem I have with wrenches. You get on something tight, have to tap it with a hammer, and the cheap ones bend (i.e. Sears companion brand).

The sidewinder on the other hand, I tried last night. You can't use the T-bar mechanisim unless the bolt is REALLY loose. So, not sure how much time it'll save. May be better for putting things back together if the bolts/nuts go one real smooth.

 

[Tom2]

Anyone have the SAE or metric Titanium Nitride Tap and Die sets?

$50 now, before 20%.

I have a few commonly used SAE taps, but would love a full set of each.

 

[Indy_500]

Anyone have the SAE or metric Titanium Nitride Tap and Die sets?

i was curious about those too. But they really aren't a whole heck of a lot cheaper than Craftsman ones or some other brands.

 

[Tom2]

This set if $80.. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ie&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2#reviewsWrap

It's not "titanium nitride coated" - if that even makes a difference? I know the last drill bit I bought was coated, and it ate through cast iron and a steel bolt like nothing. But I'm not really an expert on the subject.

 

[Indy_500]

This set if $80.. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ie&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2#reviewsWrap

It's not "titanium nitride coated" - if that even makes a difference? I know the last drill bit I bought was coated, and it ate through cast iron and a steel bolt like nothing. But I'm not really an expert on the subject.

i think the titanium nitrade coated stuff is worse. i got some titanium nitrade coated drill bits, and those things break faster than you could say "I"

 

[subarub4]

I picked item 94668 the 30 LED worklight it's on the desk beside me now on.. seems pretty good so far. I don't think that 45 LED version would of been all that brighter.

 

[arkangel06]

Anyone have the SAE or metric Titanium Nitride Tap and Die sets?

$50 now, before 20%.

I have a few commonly used SAE taps, but would love a full set of each.

The chinese cant produce HSS tools worth **** so dont even bother....

 

[moparmuscle88]

the only thing harbor freight is good for is their 18v batteries, because you can take them out of thier case, resolder them to fit a dewalt case and you have fixed a dead $100 battery for $15

other than that i will not buy the **** they call tools

 

[Bull]

the only thing harbor freight is good for is their 18v batteries, because you can take them out of thier case, resolder them to fit a dewalt case and you have fixed a dead $100 battery for $15

other than that i will not buy the **** they call tools

Have you read ANY of this thread?

 

[Scout Driver]

PASS on the free-with-a-coupon 25 foot tape measure. With the rubberized case, it even smells like Harbor Freight when you use it.

Scott

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Anyone have the SAE or metric Titanium Nitride Tap and Die sets?

$50 now, before 20%.

I have a few commonly used SAE taps, but would love a full set of each.

Those are complete garbage. Dont waste your time or money. I had it and hated it. After breaking three of the taps I ended up giving it away. ALso, t-handle wouldn't hold the tap straight. Complete POS...

 

[paramedic]

long handle wrenches i have experience at a friends house, they wont break dont worry. the jaws just spread. it results in painful knuckles all the same. i dont know about the box end though sorry

 

[Tom2]

That stinks about the thread taps.. Oh well.

The long handle wrenches open end may be more likely to spread because of the amount of torque that can be applied with them, versus a smaller one. Just a thought.

I did buy an SAE set of the long, cheaper box end offset wrenches. $10. 1/4" - 1". Gotta say, they are really crappy. Only $8 with a coupon. Wouldn't pay any more for them. I can definitely see them bending. The molds look like ****, and one of the 1/4 box ends still has the metal plug stuck in it. Should just pop out - but that gives you an idea of the quality..

 

[Stephenw]

I give the high flow air couplers a fail. My review...
http://www.shopngarage.com/forum/index.php?topic=140.0

 

[lipadj46]

OK I have been playing with these for a while. I wanted an inexpensive 140V compressor and impact setup. I had my eye on craigslist for a few months and came up with nothing so I went with HF and a handful of 20% off coupons.

First up is the 21 gallon 3HP 140V compressor: PASS

I went in and my local store had this at the closeout table as an open box return for $120. It was not even assembled and the stickers were not even removed. I added $40 for the 2 year extended service plan. This is a good sized compressor for my needs and now I can wait to install a new 240V line as my electrical box is full so it would take a bit more work and money.

Second is the 1/2" Earthquake Impact wrench: PASS Think I ended up paying $70 for this one. I was able to take of lug nuts from my father's truck that were put on by a particular enthusiastic tech at a local tire shop. I was standing on the end of a 36" breaker bar to get a couple of these lose. My torque wrench maxes out at 300lbs and it clicked on these nuts and they did not budge. It's a heavy gun but seems to be built well. I hope it will last with the proper maintenance. On a side note this one was built in Taiwan and for whatever reason I like that better than china.

Next up is the HD Earthquake 3/8" air ratchet: PASS I saw this at my local store marked at $70 so with the 20% off it was $56. This again is a pretty strong air ratchet and was able to break off the lug nuts on my corolla that were torqued on at 100lbs by me. This also seems well built with 2 grease points. This one was also made in Taiwan.

Overall I was impressed with the earthquake line of impacts. I don't know maybe the chinese have learned a thing or two from IR when they outsourced production and that knowledge has spread?

Last up is the USA made Goodyear 50ft 3/8th inch heavy duty hose. How could you go wrong at $25? PASS

Oh yeah I know people complain about HF air fittings and I am not an expert here but I bought the cheap 5 piece brass set and the blue aluminum set and besides some incompatibility between the 2 sets they seem to work fine. They don't leak and clip together easily. So even these pass.

Just my experiences YMMV...

 

[Tom2]

The couplers leak for me Still work, but leak when you are moving the tool/line around.

 

[subarub4]

I picked up the 30 LED worklight yesterday and it works great! I did not time it but about and hour and a half the lights started to dim somewhat but still usable.

I just wish it was a tad smaller.

So Pass for this..

I also picked up those $.99 scissors.. So far pass but they feel a little cheap but what can you expect..

Not as good as my Cutco scissors but I need this for projects.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Harbor Freight Pneumatic Spark Plug Cleaner: Big Pass. These things work great. Very handy to have around if you have anything two stroke or anything prone to foul out plugs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/pneumatic-spark-plug-cleaner-32860.html

 

[Tom2]

An update on the long high polish wrenches:

They ****.


Put the box end on a 17mm. Felt very loose - not a good fit at all. Slipped easily.
Ticked off because I trashed the receipt the other day. Guess I'm stuck with 'em. At least I didnt buy both sets.
On the other hand I look at my Napa Pro series wrench. That thing is awesome and has taken a ton of abuse. I guess wrenches aren't a good thing to cheap out on..

 

[Indy_500]

An update on the long high polish wrenches:

They ****.


Put the box end on a 17mm. Felt very loose - not a good fit at all. Slipped easily.
Ticked off because I trashed the receipt the other day. Guess I'm stuck with 'em. At least I didnt buy both sets.
On the other hand I look at my Napa Pro series wrench. That thing is awesome and has taken a ton of abuse. I guess wrenches aren't a good thing to cheap out on..

are you sure it wasn't a standard bolt??? sometimes when something is supposed to be standard, a Harbor Freight metric wrench fits better. but yes, if it's your basic wrench set, it's not something good to go cheap on

 

[IONH]

Harbor Freight Pneumatic Spark Plug Cleaner: Big Pass. These things work great. Very handy to have around if you have anything two stroke or anything prone to foul out plugs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/pneumatic-spark-plug-cleaner-32860.html

Do you use air or abrasive? If abrasive, have you ever tried air.. if so, how well does it work?

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

This thing comes with the abrasive. You can use just air or abrasive. There is a little lever on the side. One position allows the abrasive into the air channel and the other position closes it off. Its like a mini sand blaster. I ususally hit it with the abrasive and then the air to clean out any abrasive from the bottom of the spark plug. I also usually clean the bottom of the spark plug with carb cleaner to remove any reside and blow clean with a hand held blow gun befor reusing.

 

[Tom2]

are you sure it wasn't a standard bolt??? sometimes when something is supposed to be standard, a Harbor Freight metric wrench fits better. but yes, if it's your basic wrench set, it's not something good to go cheap on

Nah..I'm sure of the size. Its a known 17mm bolt on a motorcycle.

 

[cortez]

...Ticked off because I trashed the receipt the other day. Guess I'm stuck with 'em. At least I didnt buy both sets.
...

Clear out a dresser drawer and throw all receipts, warranties, credit card bills and instruction booklets in and you will forever be prepared for the inevitable return, or model number to get parts ect.

 

[thelews]

Clear out a dresser drawer and throw all receipts, warranties, credit card bills and instruction booklets in and you will forever be prepared for the inevitable return, or model number to get parts ect.

I use the trash can under my desk at home. Chronological order from the bottom up. Full trash can goes into a paper bag and stuck in closet. Old bag in closet is then thrown out when replaced with new one. Keeps about two years of receipts. Nothing goes in the desk trash can but receipts and other small paper.

 

[IONH]

Clear out a dresser drawer and throw all receipts, warranties, credit card bills and instruction booklets in and you will forever be prepared for the inevitable return, or model number to get parts ect.

This is a good idea. I bought a MIG welder about 5 years ago and they discontinued the model so now I can't look up the instructions or replacement parts.

 

[Tom2]

I used to throw every receipt into a box. But then the box overflowed, and the entire closet became "the receipt box". So now I try to throw everything away. I'll keep a receipt in my wallet, or leave it on a table for a few days, or a week or so if it was something expensive. The trash it once I know it works.
I threw the HF receipt away on trash day too! Doh! If it was something expensive, I'm sure I could get store credit for it, but I'm not that worried about $17.

 

[Cameronl]

I staple the receipt to the manual (or box front or package insert) and throw it into a file. I have files for tools, small appliances, large appliances, electronics, and misc. Go through it periodically and toss what's gone or beyond warranty.

 

[iandh]

An update on the long high polish wrenches:

They ****.


Put the box end on a 17mm. Felt very loose - not a good fit at all. Slipped easily.
Ticked off because I trashed the receipt the other day. Guess I'm stuck with 'em. At least I didnt buy both sets.
On the other hand I look at my Napa Pro series wrench. That thing is awesome and has taken a ton of abuse. I guess wrenches aren't a good thing to cheap out on..

+1, the combo wrenches at HF are horrid, which is surprising/dissapointing, because the ratchets are actually quite good nowadays.

 

[lipadj46]

Their red handle swivel ratchets are actually excellent. They appear to be exactly like the Gear Wrench red handle swivel ratchets. And yes their combo wrenches are pathetic but the ratcheting wrenches are actually quite decent.

 

[TheGrooveking]

I staple the receipt to the manual (or box front or package insert) and throw it into a file. I have files for tools, small appliances, large appliances, electronics, and misc. Go through it periodically and toss what's gone or beyond warranty.

Great idea, why didn't I think of that...

TheGrooveking

 

[iandh]

Their red handle swivel ratchets are actually excellent. They appear to be exactly like the Gear Wrench red handle swivel ratchets. And yes their combo wrenches are pathetic but the ratcheting wrenches are actually quite decent.

Yeah, those are the ones I was mostly talking about, they are very, very good for HF. In fact, they're good for any brand... dare I say, they're tighter than some of the truck brand ratchets I've used.

 

[subarub4]

Anyone try the 18V cordless drills? How are they? I picked up a 9.6V ryobi at Home depot when they were on sale but I need something with a little bit more power.

 

[starting]

I just bought the 18v drill and light combo pack with coupon for 18 bucks. For what I paid I guess I would say pass. Light is ok but bought it mainly for one extra drill. The biggest complaint I have with it would be the chuck doesnt grab very well. It does serve the purpose as the backup for my dewalt.

 

[Hiball]

I staple the receipt to the manual (or box front or package insert) and throw it into a file. I have files for tools, small appliances, large appliances, electronics, and misc. Go through it periodically and toss what's gone or beyond warranty.

I also do this but ive noticed that the ink has dissapeared on alot of my receipts. Anyone else have this problems?

 

[mikeceli]

I also do this but ive noticed that the ink has dissapeared on alot of my receipts. Anyone else have this problems?

Yes, many times.

 

[mikeceli]

Harbor Freight Pneumatic Spark Plug Cleaner: Big Pass. These things work great. Very handy to have around if you have anything two stroke or anything prone to foul out plugs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/pneumatic-spark-plug-cleaner-32860.html

I have one. What position did you mount it in? Air inlet horizontal, with bag down?