The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[RbrtAWhyt]

I mounted it on the side of a work bench, so the spark plug faces up...

 

[Dust]

I make a high quality photocopy of all tool and work supply receipts, then staple the receipt to the back and put it in a plastic sleeve, which is then filed into a three ring binder. I also file manuals away in sleeves in their own binder with another receipt copy.

Printer ink does not fade as quickly as the thermographic ink used on journal roll tape, and since I've started filing receipts away from light and heat, I haven't had one receipt fade in over two years.

 

[Indy_500]

The allen wrench sockets are pretty strong. just got them yesterday and tried them out and didn't snap. I guess that's all i'm lookin for in them so i'd say pass. i also picked up some more allen wrenches with the ball end. those are pretty strong too so pass! pretty good shopping for $10.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

I got these a couple weeks ago

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...bCategoryName=Hex Wrench and Key and Bit Sets

I have torqued the hell out of the smaller ones, thought I would bend them, no problems. They flex but they don't bend or break. Not bad when comparable craftsman are 60 bucks

 

[JMartel]

Didn't read through all of it but here's my experiences:

Motorcycle Rear Swingarm Stand - PASS. Worked well enough, but it flexes a little

Motorcycle swingarm stand front fork adapters - PASS. The rollers are a little far apart, but I wrapped a shop towel around them so it closes the gap.

Low Profile Rear Motorcycle spooled stand - Major Pass. I love this stand. Works extremely well. I use it a lot.

Microfiber towels - PASS. Cheap as hell and work
Shop Towels - PASS. Same as above
Metal Socket Rails - PASS
Motorcycle Wheel balancer stand - PASS
Trunk Organizer - PASS. Holds a lot of stuff and picked it up for $5. Better than a cardboard box

I've had good experiences with Harbor freight. Plus they give out a ton of 20% off coupons in the motorcycle magazines. There's other things I would buy but don't have the room for while away at school.

 

[lipadj46]

The allen wrench sockets are pretty strong. just got them yesterday and tried them out and didn't snap. I guess that's all i'm lookin for in them so i'd say pass. i also picked up some more allen wrenches with the ball end. those are pretty strong too so pass! pretty good shopping for $10.

The allen sockets and screwdriver sockets are good. Pretty much any of the made in Taiwan tools are decent quality.

 

[djjsr]

Bar clamps - FAIL!

I had 8 of these things of various lengths. The first time you try to clamp something tight, they will break. I have 2 left and use them for only light clamping. Always on sale, but they're not a good deal at any price.

I recently got a couple of the aluminum clamps and they seem to be really good for the money .......

 

[IONH]

Bar clamps - FAIL!

I had 8 of these things of various lengths. The first time you try to clamp something tight, they will break. I have 2 left and use them for only light clamping. Always on sale, but they're not a good deal at any price.

You need to look and see that the clamp handle is plastic. So is the piece which the squeeze handle pivots with. They are not meant to apply even 50 pounds of force.

I have learned their limitations and no longer try and straighten out warped wood with them as an example. They do a good job at holding things to my bench, hold jigs steady, etc.

 

[Crash913]

You need to look and see that the clamp handle is plastic. So is the piece which the squeeze handle pivots with. They are not meant to apply even 50 pounds of force.

I have learned their limitations and no longer try and straighten out warped wood with them as an example. They do a good job at holding things to my bench, hold jigs steady, etc.

x1. I installed all of my kitchen cabinets using those clamps. They didn't break but you had to have someone squeeze and hold while screwing the cabinet faces together. Probably wouldn't have had that problem with Irwin but money was tight.

 

[leftyz]

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

yeah, you need to make a photocopy of them!

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

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

On stuff I buy off of the internet I make a screenshot of the reciept:

Press CTRL + Printscreen to make a screenshot of your desktop

Open MS Paint, paste the screenshot, save to the computer as a .jpeg

That way I'll always have it if I need to refer back to it.

 

[orf]

You guys notice they got reviews on Harbor Freight's site now. About time! Hope it lasts. I always try and check here for the straight dope, but good to see now I can at least see what others are saying directly on the site.

 

[Indy_500]

You guys notice they got reviews on Harbor Freight's site now. About time! Hope it lasts. I always try and check here for the straight dope, but good to see now I can at least see what others are saying directly on the site.

are the ones from hfreviews.com put on there?

 

[sanddrag]

Bar clamps - FAIL!

I had 8 of these things of various lengths. The first time you try to clamp something tight, they will break. I have 2 left and use them for only light clamping. Always on sale, but they're not a good deal at any price.

Same thing happened to me at a terrible time. Drilled out the remainder of the plastic nub that broke, put a #10-32 screw all the way through the thing, so it pivots on that. Not a problem since. I still think the clamps are total junk though, but for $2, it works.

 

[paramedic]

you always have to remember one hting with reviews, what type of people are buying them. if you actually look at the people that shop harbor freight they think they are getting an awesome tool for the money. we see cheap **** that we hope works. alot of the people that will comment on there will be people that will never torque hard enough to twist a bit or snap a socket. craftsmen is the same way. you will notice pros seem to give lower ratings than home owners on their reviews.

 

[IONH]

are the ones from hfreviews.com put on there?

I don't think HF owns hfreviews.com, so there would probably be legal reasons they can not take the reviews even if they wanted to.

 

[CollegeMechanic]

Has anybody tried the 18 volt cordless impact? It's made by Drill Master and is on sale for $20.

 

[Indy_500]

Has anybody tried the 18 volt cordless impact? It's made by Drill Master and is on sale for $20.

i got it for my grandpa for . it's ok but i recommend something else honestly

 

[hedjhawg]

I am so envious of you right now. Nice score with that discount. I could never afford even a used truck-brand box of this size. I'[m not sure I can even afford this box, but I sure am going to dream about it.

You should start a thread about it and review it. Lots of pics of all the different parts, meausurements etc. Would you be willing to do that?

Awesome box. I removed the cheesy aluminum from the front and it looks even better!

 

[rrudd2]

1.25 gallon Pump Sprayer -- PASS

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=95692

On sale for $9.99. Used a 20% coupon and got it for $7.99. I used it to spray deck stain/sealer. It did a great job. Nice, even spray. Pump built pressure easily. Tank has a built-in relief valve, so I didn't have to unscrew the pump to relieve pressure.

The best part is that at $7.99, I consider it disposable. I didn't have to clean it after we finished the deck. Just put it back in the box and put next to the trash can for this week's pickup.

 

[JohnFreeman]

This is the hand sledge I posted about earlier

Note in the first photo, the handle is drilled about 1/4" higher than the central axis of the head. The head is also not perpendicular to the handle, indicating the hole is not drilled square. That's ok, because the faces are not ground perpendicular either (particularly the upper one in the first photo) but hey, it's made in China.


In the second photo, and perhaps to compensate, the hole from the handle is not centered in this axis either, being 3/16" higher than it should be.

Verdict? Fail. Hole off center in two axis and faces ground way off center.

Can you bash stuff with it? Yes...similar to using a rock.

 

[Coach James]

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/6-piece-pliers-set-38082.html

Partial Fail. The tongue and groove pliers get a massive fail. I had a pair of state contract scissors fall apart this past week. The handles have two plastic pins press fit into the blades. Pure junk, but that's what we are given at school. I was using the t&g pliers to press the handle back on and the two handle pieces slipped past each other and left a long blood red line across my hand where the skin was pinched between them.

I looked at the pieces and the edges are rounded a lot and there is a lot of slop in them. The bolt holding them together cannot be tightened anymore. Under low pressure, pass. Under much pressure, be careful.

Coach

 

[jtbinvalrico]

These items were all purchased on sale or with the 20% off coupon.........never pay list. Also, these items are used in a homeowner's shop, obviously much less demanding than daily pro use; some of my reviews would probably end up differently if I were flogging these tools daily:


6 Piece Precision Pliers Set
Item # 31675
FAIL
The orange handle covers slide on and off during use. Mechanisms stick.


3 Ton Super Heavy Duty Floor Jack
Item # 34271
PASS
Got this on sale for $69. Works great for lifting my F150


16" Long Reach Pliers Set
Item # 38598
PASS


9 Piece Metric Highly Polished Combo Wrench Set
Item # 42305
PASS



3" High Speed Air Cutter
Item # 47077
PASS



6" Digital Caliper
Item # 47257
PASS

 

[jtbinvalrico]

.....continued:


Industrial Duty Reciprocating Saw
Item # 65298
PASS


4 Piece Nylon Pry Bar Installer Kit
Item # 95214
PASS

 

[Tom2]

Dont expect the long reach pliers to last long. The tips on mine broke after only a couple uses. I still use 'em though with the broken tips.

 

[jethro29]

3/8" buttery ratchet=pass,love it.1/4" air ratchet=pass,love it.had both for 1 1/2 years now,w/no problems or complaints.also window suction cups=pass.

 

[TireTracks]

I have a Uni bit set- Pass

I used it to install the speakers in my trucks doors, about 30 holes total in 1 day, the one I used still works great. Mabey not as sharp as it was new but it still drills holes.

 

[yamaharacing21]

16'' tie rod separator
FAIL
everytime we used it, it started to bend and we had to keep bending it back

 

[TAMPAGT07]

3/8" buttery ratchet=pass,love it.1/4" air ratchet=pass,love it.had both for 1 1/2 years now,w/no problems or complaints.also window suction cups=pass.

Buttery? Did it come with the butter, if so, sounds like a good deal.

 

[SCscoutguy]

16'' tie rod separator
FAIL
everytime we used it, it started to bend and we had to keep bending it back

I have had a set of those for probably 5 years and have beat the living hell out of them and they are still going strong. The end where you hit it with the hammer is now mushroomed but it still works great. I actually had a New Britain pickle fork fail before my HF ones.

 

[subarub4]

16'' tie rod separator
FAIL
everytime we used it, it started to bend and we had to keep bending it back

yikes.. I was going to buy one in a few weeks.

 

[yamaharacing21]

I have had a set of those for probably 5 years and have beat the living hell out of them and they are still going strong. The end where you hit it with the hammer is now mushroomed but it still works great. I actually had a New Britain pickle fork fail before my HF ones.

ours is mushroomed also, but bends all the time..but it's only 7.99 so I guess you get what you pay for.

yikes.. I was going to buy one in a few weeks.

well it could be good as a backup or just for a one time use..it's only 7.99

 

[mikebramel]

PASS - 1/2" 25" breaker bar - jumped on it many times, hasnt broken, bent, etc
PASS - Pittsburgh Pro (red handle) 1/2" and 1/4" ratchets - very nice, smooth mech, very comfortable, much more durable than craftsman sharp edge ratchets
FAIL - ratcheting box ends, the $12 ones - slip with no pressure
PASS - 3 ton low profile jack - lifts my dually no trouble real high, gonna buy another
PASS - 13 drawer big red tool roller box - very nice for the price, got better after break in, will buy another, great deal
PASS - 1/2" earthquake red impact wrench - good unit, no problems, use it almost everyday, lots of torque, not too loud
PASS - 1/2" deep metric and sae shallow impacts - very durable, would put up against any other set, amazing value
PASS - torx, hex bits various 1/2" and 3/8" (any made in TAIWAN) - never had a problem, have seen more than their fair share
PASS - 8 gal 2hp compress - LOUD, WORKS, NO PROBLEMS, runs the impact, wouldnt use it for anything bigger, with a 2yr warranty was 100

Theres a lot of junk at Harbor Freight. Generally speaking, most items there made in Taiwan are of good quality.

 

[lipadj46]

Generally speaking, most items there made in Taiwan are of good quality.

This is generally what I've noticed also. All the Taiwan tools (including the earthquake impacts) have been great deals.

 

[Indy_500]

PASS - 1/2" 25" breaker bar - jumped on it many times, hasnt broken, bent, etc
PASS - Pittsburgh Pro (red handle) 1/2" and 1/4" ratchets - very nice, smooth mech, very comfortable, much more durable than craftsman sharp edge ratchets
FAIL - ratcheting box ends, the $12 ones - slip with no pressure
PASS - 3 ton low profile jack - lifts my dually no trouble real high, gonna buy another
PASS - 13 drawer big red tool roller box - very nice for the price, got better after break in, will buy another, great deal
PASS - 1/2" earthquake red impact wrench - good unit, no problems, use it almost everyday, lots of torque, not too loud
PASS - 1/2" deep metric and sae shallow impacts - very durable, would put up against any other set, amazing value
PASS - torx, hex bits various 1/2" and 3/8" (any made in TAIWAN) - never had a problem, have seen more than their fair share
PASS - 8 gal 2hp compress - LOUD, WORKS, NO PROBLEMS, runs the impact, wouldnt use it for anything bigger, with a 2yr warranty was 100

Theres a lot of junk at Harbor Freight. Generally speaking, most items there made in Taiwan are of good quality.

thanks for the reply, i went and picked up the 25 incher for under $10 today.

 

[mikebramel]

yeah the 3/4 impact will be my next or the 3/8 air ratchet

for 10 you might as well by two LOL

 

[Indy_500]

here's the beauty along with a pic with it's wifey

 

[Lhorn]

Harbor Freight wet dry sandpaper - Needed some 1000 grit to do some light sanding before polishing an item. Got it wet, sanded for about 30 seconds and looked at the paper to find that a good portion of the abrasive had simply washed/worn off. It was down to the brown backing paper in many areas. They've got some decent items but this one is a miserable failure.

 

[subarub4]

ours is mushroomed also, but bends all the time..but it's only 7.99 so I guess you get what you pay for.



well it could be good as a backup or just for a one time use..it's only 7.99

Yeah that's true

 

[mikebramel]

PASS - blue nitrile gloves - very doubtfully they work well
PASS - western safety mechanics gloves - they are OK, use them to change tires, they are thick and the seem is on the finger tip, too clumsy for intricate work
PASS - high flow quick connects - they work good, dont leak, unlike the cheap ones they have