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The Harbor Freight Pass/fail Thread...

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by IRQVET, May 31, 2020.

  1. May 31, 2020
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    Now over the years I've bought some stuff from "the freight" that exceeded my exceptions, as well as some tools that were an absolute :poo:.

    So lets see what you bought, and if you think its a pass or a fail.

    Years ago I bought the Chicago Electric Welding Cart, which I can report is a PASS.

    Very well built, and much better than anything close to it in the price range!

    Paid $169 on a coupon.
     

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  2. Jun 1, 2020
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    If a harbor freight jack stand doesn't fail while in use that's a pass right? Asking for a friend. :whistle:
     
  3. Jun 1, 2020
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    Any chrome socket, ball pein hammer, any dead blow hammer, come along, tarp, electric winch, Velcro style sandpaper or sanding disc, jack stand insulators, paint brushes, batteries, air fittings of any type, electrical fuses and connectors are all a huge fail in my experience.
     
  4. Jun 1, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    I was very skeptical when I bought a air-powered needle scaler, but it was cheap.

    Turns out it has performed like a champ, doing work at an industrial level. I'm fairly amazed.
     
  5. Jun 1, 2020
    radshooter

    radshooter Member

    Northwest Kansas
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    191
    I have a couple of their folding work/welding tables. Am very happy with them.
     
  6. Jun 1, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2011
    Messages:
    5,407
    my favorite junkyard tool
    power steering pulley remover tool - PASS
    steering wheel puller - PASS
    sawsall - FAIL
    grinder - FAIL
     
  7. Jun 1, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Noticed that Nick listed paint brushes as a fail.

    I buy their packets of flux brushes for one-time use. Chip brushes, maybe, but I think the Home Depot has the same thing for the same or cheaper price. These are one-time use brushes, only for painting wen you aren't particular about an occasional stray bristle in the finish.

    Their Chicago Electric hammer drill was a big big PASS. I have used it several times, and it's strong and hammers a treat. Makes 3/16" or 1/4" holes for tapcons easily, and even 1/2" holes for wedge anchors. Maybe not durable enough for contractors, but great for the homeowner.
     
  8. Jun 1, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2010
    Messages:
    501
    I am a fan of HF. While I would love to spend my money on high-dollar stuff from an American company, HF allowed me to dive into fabrication work back when I was a broke college student. I think lists like this are a great resource, maybe consolidate the info somehow?

    Cheap purple HVLP gun: HUGE PASS
    Fluid extractor: HUGE PASS
    Universal Winch Mounts: HUGE PASS
    Little red metal hand toolboxes: HUGE PASS (and they fit right behind the rear seat in an ECJ5)
    Rubber wheel chocks: HUGE PASS
    Ball joint press: HUGE PASS (I have abused this thing)
    Auto wire strippers: HUGE PASS
    Small cheap drill press: HUGE PASS (mine is about 20 years old and just keeps going)
    Cheap ratchet straps: HUGE PASS

    Cheap $5-$10 sale angle grinders: PASS (I have one that has been going for almost 20 years, another going on 5... meanwhile my dewalt and ryobi grinders are long gone)
    T handle allen wrench sets: PASS
    Oil drain pans: PASS (they still seal after time)
    Breaker bars: pass (haven't bent or broken one)
    E-track stuff: PASS
    5 packs of electrical tape: PASS
    Body trim prybar set: PASS
    3/8 drive allen: PASS
    3/8 torx: PASS
    Grinding/cutoff wheels: PASS
    welding gloves: PASS
    Motorcycle jack: PASS
    Cheap sawzall: PASS
    Body hammer set: PASS
    Bow saw: PASS
    Camp hatchet: PASS
    Any phillips screwdriver with a rounded taper: PASS



    Hardened Punches/drift pins: HUGE FAIL (the alloy/hardening splinters apart with real use)
    Heat gun: FAIL
    Velcro/adhesive sanding discs: FAIL
    Any phillips screwdriver that comes to a sharp point: FAIL
     
  9. Jun 1, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I’ve been holding off replying to this to see what others have had luck with, and it’s exactly what I expected. Some of what you guys have had great success with, I’ve had complete failures with, and vice versa. I look at a trip to HF like this:

    1. Anything electrical will either work for 5 seconds, 5 minutes, or a really long time for the money. There’s very little gray area.

    2. Anything else is a gamble, and you basically get what you pay for.

    It just comes down to expectations. If you buy something there and expect it to do great things, you might be disappointed. If you buy something for a single use and expect it to die shortly after and it lasts for years, win!
     
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  10. Jun 1, 2020
    shadetreetim

    shadetreetim Member 2022 Sponsor

    Riverside, Ca -...
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2019
    Messages:
    199
    The vinyl gloves I bought there are a PASS
     
    Danefraz likes this.
  11. Jun 1, 2020
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2018
    Messages:
    2,698
    I bought the ratcheting box end / open end combo wrench's by Pittsburg over a year ago. SAE & metric, long & stubby's , for a total of 70 bucks , on sale.
    Used the liv'n bejesus out of 'em . The 1/2" long wrench broke ( go figure ). I have a Lifetime warranty, so I took it back & the HF folk's replaced it...... No hesitation . :) On the other hand , I bought the 12 ton press , on sale, for about 110 bucks. Used it for the rear diff work I did last winter . I noticed this morning that it's pissed it's hydraulic oil out of its base . Most likely be able to repair it, but who needs another repair job ? :(
    So.....
    # 1 = Pass
    # 2 = Fail
    :shrug:
     
  12. Jun 1, 2020
    Shootinok

    Shootinok Member

    Oklahoma
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2018
    Messages:
    30
    I have 3 passes...
    The yellow Daytona jack
    1/2" drive, long Pit Pro breaker bar for $14 (coupon)
    Braun folding LED light. PASS with an emphasis... watch for coupons often for $24 sometimes like black Friday it'll go to $19
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2020
  13. Jun 1, 2020
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    I'm going to include pictures with my responses, as I'm a visual creature and I find it more valuable.

    Bauer Orbital Hand Sander = FAIL (x3) Burnt up three of them in a single afternoon
    Got pissed and replaced it with the Dewalt and I've had zero issues.

    upload_2020-6-1_10-41-32.png

    Warrior Palm Sander= PASS
    I've had alot of success with their cheapest palm sanders. My last one lasted 10-12 years before it finally bit the dust. Replaced it with this $14.99 one and its working great!
    upload_2020-6-1_10-41-53.png

    Purple HVLP Gun= PASS
    I've been using these guns for years without any issues.
    upload_2020-6-1_10-55-35.png
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2020
    Danefraz and Hellion like this.
  14. Jun 1, 2020
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    The small air powered tools, cut off saw, blade saw, discs and blades: All PASS.
     
  15. Jun 1, 2020
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2006
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    Their glass handling suction cups work well. PASS
     
  16. Jun 1, 2020
    Dphillip

    Dphillip Member

    Omaha NE
    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2008
    Messages:
    322
    I’ve used their transmission jack on two occasions to pull my automatic transmission and transfer case and it was a real life saver.

    5FC7E32E-2D51-426E-9B65-31F73C71C933.jpeg
     
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  17. Jun 2, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Feb 9, 2018
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    5,626
    I've painted the complete interiors of 2 rental houses and parts of 2 personal houses with their "Kraus & Becker" airless sprayer. Will be painting a bunch of doors and ceiling tomorrow.

    Definite PASS. It's served me very well for the money. If it had died after the first job, it would have been worth it, but it's still working great years later.
     
  18. Jun 2, 2020
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,929
    Engine hoist
    [​IMG] Got it years ago with coupon for just over $100 with an engine leveler. Has worked great. Just have to add a little oil on occasion. Lifted CJ tubs to motors to axles to random stuff out of the truck bed. But I'd never get under it, just in case.
     
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  19. Jun 2, 2020
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2012
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    2,354
    I agree I have one and use it for lots of stuff. Pass

    Drill bits Fail
    Transfer punches FAIL
     
  20. Jun 3, 2020
    teletech

    teletech Member

    Santa Cruz, CA
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2016
    Messages:
    236
    I just used a friend's 4-1/2" angle grinder, he said it worked for him and it did the little job at hand well enough. I wouldn't expect it to touch the Milwaukee I've had and used hard for decades but was really impressed by it's small size and light weight. I considered buying one just to have a mini-grinder for those light jobs or tight spaces. I'm pretty anti-HF, so I'd call that a pass.
     
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