FYI: Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
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From: Y-Bridge City, Zanesville, Ohio
FYI: Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
I came across this (25 page) thread on another forum and found it interesting reading. My closest store is an hour away, so it's not like I can return things conveniently. I hope somebody finds it useful, that place is as dangerous to my wallet as a bookstore.
Maybe it'll even useful for my visit tomorrow, on behalf of my son-in-law, to buy him a jack with the $40 off coupon in the back of the current R&T (and I think the other buff books.)
Thank you, Mr. Bolster. Have you met Mr. Champagne?
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http://garagejournal.com/forum/showt...ghlight=harbor
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
The problem with HF is that some of their stuff is OK, and some of it is horrible. But you never know which is which, till you buy it and try it.
So what if we made a thread where we posted our HF purchases with a PASS or FAIL grade? After awhile we could check this thread and see what's what.
Thread started: 12/27/2008
Delmar O'Donnell Bolster, GoPhD.
A bona fide Soggy Bottom Boy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
IMO, their big roll-around tool cabinets are a screamin' deal. At least as good as Sears.
Maybe it'll even useful for my visit tomorrow, on behalf of my son-in-law, to buy him a jack with the $40 off coupon in the back of the current R&T (and I think the other buff books.)
Thank you, Mr. Bolster. Have you met Mr. Champagne?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showt...ghlight=harbor
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
The problem with HF is that some of their stuff is OK, and some of it is horrible. But you never know which is which, till you buy it and try it.
So what if we made a thread where we posted our HF purchases with a PASS or FAIL grade? After awhile we could check this thread and see what's what.
Thread started: 12/27/2008
Delmar O'Donnell Bolster, GoPhD.
A bona fide Soggy Bottom Boy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
IMO, their big roll-around tool cabinets are a screamin' deal. At least as good as Sears.
Last edited by Fogey1; Sep 2, 2009 at 10:52 PM. Reason: to add something else. duuhhh. ;-)
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From: Irvine, CA
5494-0VGA 3/4" Pittsburg metric socket set: PASS - perfect for crank bolts.
39178-0VGA 450 lb tranny jack: PASS/FAIL- Worked ok but listed to the side with only ~100 lb 5 spd gearbox on it, near the top of its travel.
91781-0VGA 3000 lb winch: PASS - mounted in back of garage to move engineless sharks in/out
37909--0VGA 3 piece set of long reach hose pliers: PASS - Love them...
43753-0VGA - clamshell spring compressor: FAIL - claws too thick to grab a 928 front spring
37892-1VGA - radiator fin comb- PASS - perfect for striaghtening A/C condenser fins post- TB/WP jobs
35556-1VGA seal puller - FAIL- broke 1st time I used it.
39178-0VGA 450 lb tranny jack: PASS/FAIL- Worked ok but listed to the side with only ~100 lb 5 spd gearbox on it, near the top of its travel.
91781-0VGA 3000 lb winch: PASS - mounted in back of garage to move engineless sharks in/out
37909--0VGA 3 piece set of long reach hose pliers: PASS - Love them...
43753-0VGA - clamshell spring compressor: FAIL - claws too thick to grab a 928 front spring
37892-1VGA - radiator fin comb- PASS - perfect for striaghtening A/C condenser fins post- TB/WP jobs
35556-1VGA seal puller - FAIL- broke 1st time I used it.
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Posts: 511
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
I came across this (25 page) thread on another forum and found it interesting reading. My closest store is an hour away, so it's not like I can return things conveniently. I hope somebody finds it useful, that place is as dangerous to my wallet as a bookstore.http://garagejournal.com/forum/showt...ghlight=harbor
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
The problem with HF is that some of their stuff is OK, and some of it is horrible. But you never know which is which, till you buy it and try it.
So what if we made a thread where we posted our HF purchases with a PASS or FAIL grade? After awhile we could check this thread and see what's what.
Thread started: 12/27/2008
Delmar O'Donnell Bolster, GoPhD.
A bona fide Soggy Bottom Boy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
IMO, their big roll-around tool cabinets are a screamin' deal. At least as good as Sears.
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
The problem with HF is that some of their stuff is OK, and some of it is horrible. But you never know which is which, till you buy it and try it.
So what if we made a thread where we posted our HF purchases with a PASS or FAIL grade? After awhile we could check this thread and see what's what.
Thread started: 12/27/2008
Delmar O'Donnell Bolster, GoPhD.
A bona fide Soggy Bottom Boy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
IMO, their big roll-around tool cabinets are a screamin' deal. At least as good as Sears.
Rob, is this the one Dr. Bob & I were going to pitch in on?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Palo Alto, CA
I heard that spring compressor is lethal to the operator and should be avoided at all costs. I've not personally seen or used it, but I only need to hear something like that once to decide it isnt ever worth the risk...
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Stephen-
Nope, the good one is different- works like a charm, I already tried it. Not from Harbor Freight, though it's 100% all Chinese- surprised they don't stock something like it.
It's here ready to be used, all we need is to have the GTG!
The HF clamshell compressor got tossed in the trash with extreme prejudice.
Nope, the good one is different- works like a charm, I already tried it. Not from Harbor Freight, though it's 100% all Chinese- surprised they don't stock something like it.
It's here ready to be used, all we need is to have the GTG!
The HF clamshell compressor got tossed in the trash with extreme prejudice.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,575
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From: Orange, Cal
Why not just use the thread at GJ, its not like buying tools is addictive or anything. 
Including the item number like Rob did is a good idea, and pict or link if you can since HF often has 5 versions of the same type things.
Including the item number like Rob did is a good idea, and pict or link if you can since HF often has 5 versions of the same type things.
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And a 928 is a long way from a '67 bug!
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Nordschleife Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: So Cal
Metric Impact Sockets Fail. Cracked three of them; two with a 1/4 in. Craftsman LI impact and one on my wifey's Mazda lug nuts by hand (21mm) on first try (all three).
Tie Rod Separators Fail. Shattered one on my W202 Mercedes upper control arm.
Leak Down Tester: Pass. However, complete judgment will be passed when I get the motor in and started.
Tie Rod Separators Fail. Shattered one on my W202 Mercedes upper control arm.
Leak Down Tester: Pass. However, complete judgment will be passed when I get the motor in and started.
Under the Lift
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From: Buckeye, AZ
Rob:
I had the same experience with the HF clamshell unit. I put it on eBay and sold it for $10 more than I paid for it. Go figure. Buy things at HF and sell them on eBay for a profit.
43753-0VGA - clamshell spring compressor: FAIL - claws too thick to grab a 928 front spring
The HF clamshell compressor got tossed in the trash with extreme prejudice.
Nordschleife Master
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From: Orange, Cal
2 cents on HF ...
Harbor Freight is a mixed bag, lots of junk, some ok, some same as everybody else. Batch to batch, even same sku on the shelf quality may vary from junk to fine. Things that look the same may be very different, a 13 pc socket set might be great and the 14 pc junk. Usually cheaper is not as good, and Pittsburgh is usually the good brand.
Customer Service is usually excellent, anything under warranty is quick and easy and "hand tools" are lifetime warranty, so take those sockets etc. back. Many items have short, 30 to 90 day warranties, check them out right away and keep the receipts. Out of warranty, or no receipt and I don't think even a manager could override the cash register.
OTOH managers may pull up old sale prices etc. if you ask on bigger ticket items.
Heavy stuff, cranes, jacks, engine stands, jack stands, usually gets good reviews.
Electric tools need to be checked immediately, but I skip the extended warranty for most since failures are doa or a few hours of use.
Harbor Freight is a mixed bag, lots of junk, some ok, some same as everybody else. Batch to batch, even same sku on the shelf quality may vary from junk to fine. Things that look the same may be very different, a 13 pc socket set might be great and the 14 pc junk. Usually cheaper is not as good, and Pittsburgh is usually the good brand.
Customer Service is usually excellent, anything under warranty is quick and easy and "hand tools" are lifetime warranty, so take those sockets etc. back. Many items have short, 30 to 90 day warranties, check them out right away and keep the receipts. Out of warranty, or no receipt and I don't think even a manager could override the cash register.
OTOH managers may pull up old sale prices etc. if you ask on bigger ticket items.
Heavy stuff, cranes, jacks, engine stands, jack stands, usually gets good reviews.
Electric tools need to be checked immediately, but I skip the extended warranty for most since failures are doa or a few hours of use.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,162
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From: Johnson City, TN
Pass:
Heavy Tranny Jack (850lb?)
1/2" drive Chicago tools electric impact wrench
Knock-off dremel + bits
Bearing / Bushing pusher kit
Engine lift, up to 4000 lb
Fail
Small punches and chisles (not hard enough/deformation)
Mediocre
12 Ton Shop Press (Excellent for car stuff, but unit is not quite square)
Heavy Tranny Jack (850lb?)
1/2" drive Chicago tools electric impact wrench
Knock-off dremel + bits
Bearing / Bushing pusher kit
Engine lift, up to 4000 lb
Fail
Small punches and chisles (not hard enough/deformation)
Mediocre
12 Ton Shop Press (Excellent for car stuff, but unit is not quite square)
Addict
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From: Sydney AUS
Internal Bearing Puller FAIL (for clutch pilot bearing) the one that is sold as being suitable for (I can't remember the numbers so I'll guess) 1/2" id bearings won't fit through a 1/2" id bearing.
This is the only thing I've ever bought from HF - (It's a $2000 plane ride away)
This is the only thing I've ever bought from HF - (It's a $2000 plane ride away)