The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
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subarub4
Well-known member
The 2-ply one?
Low Profile Rear Motorcycle spooled stand - Major Pass. I love this stand. Works extremely well. I use it a lot.
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.
This is a very good stand. There are two problems, however, both have to do with the wheels. First, on a racebike with 190/55's the tire barely clears the ground. Second, the cheapo urethane wheels flattened out on mine after my track bike sat on the stand for a month. I replaced the wheels with some 3" wheels from a set of casters from HF (#97308). Excellent results.
Vern X-100
Active member
FAIL in my book
Created a kink in 3/8" hard line even for 45° bends. Forget doing 90° bends. Might be better for bending solid rods rather than tube.
filtered
Well-known member
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-17-inch-breaker-bar-37391.html
17" long 3/8" drive breaker bar gets a pass in my book. I have used this thing hard, even to snap rusted bolts. I have not had one issue with it. I have slowly started to do away with all the China, Japan, and Taiwan made junk in my tool box, however this one gets to stay.
17" long 3/8" drive breaker bar gets a pass in my book. I have used this thing hard, even to snap rusted bolts. I have not had one issue with it. I have slowly started to do away with all the China, Japan, and Taiwan made junk in my tool box, however this one gets to stay.
Indy_500
Well-known member
x2 love mine
skeletonizer
Well-known member
Air Cut Off Tool = Fail
It was on sale for $9.99 and even though it is from the esteemed firm of "Central Pneumatic" it pretty much *****. It spins fast with no load but is powerless. It also has a voracious appetite for air, far more apparently than the advertised 5.5 cfm @ 90psi.
I used it to cut off the ends of a muffler clamp U bolt... I LOLed.
It was on sale for $9.99 and even though it is from the esteemed firm of "Central Pneumatic" it pretty much *****. It spins fast with no load but is powerless. It also has a voracious appetite for air, far more apparently than the advertised 5.5 cfm @ 90psi.
I used it to cut off the ends of a muffler clamp U bolt... I LOLed.
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bosskong
Well-known member
Hmm, I've never had a problem with mine. I bought mine a few years ago, so maybe something changed, but I've never had any problems with mine and I use it often to cut sheet metal, bolts, etc. I've never done any measurements, so it's entirely possible that it uses more than the advertised cfms. My 15-20 or so cfm compressor powers it just fine.
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
Yea I have never had a single problem with mine either. I cut shock and leaf spring brackets off of a Dana 44 the other day with mine and it worked like a charm.
skeletonizer
Well-known member
I wonder if they would let me exchange it for a different one to see if maybe I got a stinker?
Sure if you have the receipt and it has been less than a year.
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
You don't even need any of that. I bought a bunch of HF broken tools at the flea market and walked in and flat out told the guy "I bought these broken HF tools at the flea market and would like to exchange them for new ones." He just looked at me and was like alright that is fine. I didn't have a single problem with them and he said the tool is warranted no matter who originally bought it.
subarub4
Well-known member
Anyone have the 1/2" earthquake air ratchet? Thinking about picking it up soon
I have the 3/8" and it's great.
BlackLead
Well-known member
PASS - Harbor Freight U.S. General 1250 lb capacity Mechanical Wheel Dolly model no. 67287. Here's what I think of them:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66413
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66413
shocksystems
Well-known member
3-1/2 HP 14" Industrial Cutoff Saw FAIL!
Item # 1624
I opened the box up and found that one of the legs were bent and therefore the saw would not sit flat. I determined that the sheet metal piece that the leg was secured to was bent. I did the best I could to straighten it out and decided it was acceptable. Next I moved the saw up and down a few times and then the nut fell off one of the bolts holding the guard on and the other one was terribly loose. I got my locktite, locktited both of them and reassembled. Again I figured it would do. I then loosened the guide to make sure that the metal would be at 90 degrees from the saw blade. It was almost impossible to tell when the guide was 90 degrees to the blade using the marks provided. It was not clear what the line was supposed to match up to. I ended up doing the best job I could to visually ensure that the metal I was cutting was 90 degrees to the saw blade. Imprecise but perhaps good enough. I finally cut the piece of metal. It did a good job cutting the metal and the engine seemed strong. The cut was clean. I thought I would keep the saw at this point despite the problems outlined above. However then I noticed that the base was now warped. My gentle pressure down on the saw when cutting the metal had bowed the base! So now the base that the metal rests on was no longer flat.
It is now clear to me why the brand name units I have seen use cast iron or aluminum for their bases. The sheet metal just does not have the strength it needs.
That was it. I boxed it back up and I am going to return it. Disappointed. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because it did actually cut the metal well when I tried. I would avoid this product unless you have very low quality standards or are prepared to re-engineer the base of the unit.
Cheers!
Jim
Item # 1624
I opened the box up and found that one of the legs were bent and therefore the saw would not sit flat. I determined that the sheet metal piece that the leg was secured to was bent. I did the best I could to straighten it out and decided it was acceptable. Next I moved the saw up and down a few times and then the nut fell off one of the bolts holding the guard on and the other one was terribly loose. I got my locktite, locktited both of them and reassembled. Again I figured it would do. I then loosened the guide to make sure that the metal would be at 90 degrees from the saw blade. It was almost impossible to tell when the guide was 90 degrees to the blade using the marks provided. It was not clear what the line was supposed to match up to. I ended up doing the best job I could to visually ensure that the metal I was cutting was 90 degrees to the saw blade. Imprecise but perhaps good enough. I finally cut the piece of metal. It did a good job cutting the metal and the engine seemed strong. The cut was clean. I thought I would keep the saw at this point despite the problems outlined above. However then I noticed that the base was now warped. My gentle pressure down on the saw when cutting the metal had bowed the base! So now the base that the metal rests on was no longer flat.
It is now clear to me why the brand name units I have seen use cast iron or aluminum for their bases. The sheet metal just does not have the strength it needs.
That was it. I boxed it back up and I am going to return it. Disappointed. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because it did actually cut the metal well when I tried. I would avoid this product unless you have very low quality standards or are prepared to re-engineer the base of the unit.
Cheers!
Jim
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IONH
Well-known member
I have the orange version and it has performed very well for many years now. The design looks the same.3-1/2 HP 14" Industrial Cutoff Saw FAIL!
Item # 1624
Stick Figure
Well-known member
The older orange saw wasn't too bad, i had one, and it worked well for quite a while. When it finally died i tried one of these, now i have a Makita. i think that says it all
Bought some 3/8 color coded metric sockets for about $8. A Fathers day gift for a guy with no metric tools. Hopefully they won't fall apart immediately 
Also, the cheap latex gloves seem to be MUCH more durable than the expensive heavy duty nitrile gloves that can be like $12/pack if not on sale. The latex ones are $4.99/pack. I picked up two boxes at the parking lot sale yesterday for $3.99 each.
They're much more flexible, so less likely to rip and tear quickly. I rarely tear them at all.
Usually latex gloves are a joke for working on cars..but these are really great. The powder also makes them easy to put on if your hands are sweaty.
Also, the cheap latex gloves seem to be MUCH more durable than the expensive heavy duty nitrile gloves that can be like $12/pack if not on sale. The latex ones are $4.99/pack. I picked up two boxes at the parking lot sale yesterday for $3.99 each.
They're much more flexible, so less likely to rip and tear quickly. I rarely tear them at all.
Usually latex gloves are a joke for working on cars..but these are really great. The powder also makes them easy to put on if your hands are sweaty.
3 Piece 3/8" Drive Impact Wobble Socket Extension Set - PASS
3 Piece 1/2" Drive Impact Wobble Socket Extension Set - PASS
These next 2 sets are exceptional:
4 Piece 3/8" Quick-Release Extension Bar Set: PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...ch-quick-release-extension-bar-set-99882.html
4 Piece 1/2" Quick-Release Extension Bar Set: PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...ch-quick-release-extension-bar-set-99883.html
These chrome extension set are so much better than craftsman it is amazing. They are on par with snapon as far as fit and finish goes IMO.
3 Piece 1/2" Drive Impact Wobble Socket Extension Set - PASS
These next 2 sets are exceptional:
4 Piece 3/8" Quick-Release Extension Bar Set: PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...ch-quick-release-extension-bar-set-99882.html
4 Piece 1/2" Quick-Release Extension Bar Set: PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...ch-quick-release-extension-bar-set-99883.html
These chrome extension set are so much better than craftsman it is amazing. They are on par with snapon as far as fit and finish goes IMO.
Went to the Southern Plaza HF store yesterday. Among several items I decided to spend $19 on the 18 v 3/8 drill. Since I have gone through several higher and much higher priced battery powered drills, I fiqured a it was worth the price since they never last more than a year for me.
I just don't use them enough and the battery is always dead when I need it.
First HF was a major FAIL. When I opened the box at home the dril was USED. The labels where scrapped off and the body looked like it had been dragged through a gravel parking lot. It did work though.
Took it back today, and now have a nice, new one, that works.
The 40 led light also seems to be nice and bright.
I just don't use them enough and the battery is always dead when I need it.
First HF was a major FAIL. When I opened the box at home the dril was USED. The labels where scrapped off and the body looked like it had been dragged through a gravel parking lot. It did work though.
Took it back today, and now have a nice, new one, that works.
The 40 led light also seems to be nice and bright.
SUPER PASS:
Five Drawer Service Cart, item 95272:
http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html
Got it at the Parking Lot Sale for $149 and it's definitely sturdy and well built. I first looked into similar Craftsman carts and they seemed to be made out of the same material they make soda cans, very light and flimsy and they were going for $300+. Also the Craftsman didn't have the ball bearings like the HF which allow for smooth operation of the drawers - drawers on the Craftsman would get stuck half way, really annoying. The HF came with security locks for drawers and all drawers have a nice pad. A GREAT PASS for HF on this cart. This applies for all the US General carts and toolchests I have seen in the store.
They have it sometimes on sale for $180.
Five Drawer Service Cart, item 95272:
http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html
Got it at the Parking Lot Sale for $149 and it's definitely sturdy and well built. I first looked into similar Craftsman carts and they seemed to be made out of the same material they make soda cans, very light and flimsy and they were going for $300+. Also the Craftsman didn't have the ball bearings like the HF which allow for smooth operation of the drawers - drawers on the Craftsman would get stuck half way, really annoying. The HF came with security locks for drawers and all drawers have a nice pad. A GREAT PASS for HF on this cart. This applies for all the US General carts and toolchests I have seen in the store.
They have it sometimes on sale for $180.
Indy_500
Well-known member
You should've brought a 20% coupon in, you could've gotten it for $120!
lwram
Well-known member
i have that cart myself and it is great. even better since i got it for 89.99 with the coupon for the 4 drawer black one back in april. i went to one store and they were out of the 4d, went to the next store 50 miles away and they were also out of the 4d but had the 5d. I told the manager my sob story about how far i drove and i guess he felt bad and gave me th 5drawer for the 89.99 price
But anyway, major pass on the 5 drawer service cart
But anyway, major pass on the 5 drawer service cart
subarub4
Well-known member
does HF sell crow foot wrenches that can be used on a torque wrench?
lwram
Well-known member
yes they do
i have that cart myself and it is great. even better since i got it for 89.99 with the coupon for the 4 drawer black one back in april. i went to one store and they were out of the 4d, went to the next store 50 miles away and they were also out of the 4d but had the 5d. I told the manager my sob story about how far i drove and i guess he felt bad and gave me th 5drawer for the 89.99 price
But anyway, major pass on the 5 drawer service cart
This cart for 89.99 is a STEAL in capital letters
I'll try to use that story next time
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I won't argue the rest of your statement, but the markings are really irrelevant. I don't care what saw it is, you should never align the blade by the marks, you need to use a square of some sort.
No more than craftsman, performance wise. Looks wise, they're worse, though. They're also 10x cheaper.
Wrenches are one thing I stay away from at HF (besides the ratcheting wrenches). I bought a crowfoot set and the sizes were all over the place (too sloppy) and the jaws spread. I got a set of gearwrench crowfoot for $22 off ebay that are taiwan and much nicer.
Bigpigdave
Well-known member
Are you looking for "crow's foot" or torque extensions. These are two different things. HF does sell "crow's foot" wrenches but not torque extensions.
Thanks
lwram
Well-known member
Yes they are
geaugafletcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- Messages
- 215
On the whole, I've seen a lot more "PASS" in this thread of late. Those extensions, vociferous discussion nothwithstanding, look pretty darn good. Gotta stop by the store to check them out in person.
The US General 41" toolchest gets a pass from me, although I just got it. So far the only problem lies with the terrible stink rolling off the rubber drawer liners. I have stinky drawers.
The US General 41" toolchest gets a pass from me, although I just got it. So far the only problem lies with the terrible stink rolling off the rubber drawer liners. I have stinky drawers.
larry4406
Well-known member
subarub4
Well-known member
Just the wrench I need something that can't be over 5.5 ft. lbs two A/C lines that connect with an O-ring.
Indy_500
Well-known member
I've never heard of anybody say they got stinky drawers. Believe me, half this site has this box and i haven't heard one complaint about the smell. Are you sure it's not some Craftsman screwdrivers or some other tools in it.
mikebramel
Well-known member
I dont know. theyre the western safety nitrile gloves for 6 bucks or something