Fogey1

Chinese chemical warfare. Pray for the poor souls who have to work in those factories.

dr bob

Kevin--

The metal one or the plastic one? I've had good results so far (3+ years) with the metal Craftsman-branded pump that's a clone of the H-F metal pump.


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All:

Some thoughts: There's a lot to be said for using care with this or any tool. The seal and valve in the pump are some kind of rubber, and undoubtedly suffer when exposed to some of the fluids in the cars. Brake fluid, for instance, swells many rubber components. Gasoline dissolves the PVC housing on the plastic models, and even the vapors will etch the inside of PVC pump to the point where it eventually fails. We casually use them to test leaking fuel pressure regulators, and suck fuel vapors into the pumps. Probably not a bad idea to flush the pump, even the metal-body units, with a little soap and water after such use, and dry the housing completely before storing it away.

yardpro

i know everyone baggs on HF,
but I have had really good luck from thier products.

If i used them for a living, daily, i can see the issues, and would, no doubt, have better stuff,

but honestly, for something i only use a few times a year, their stuff is great, and reasonably priced.

prime example....

I bought their belt sander... less than $20.00....

I have used it all year for my renovation projects.. it has been flawless.

now that I am FINALLY finishing my uninsured rebuild after hurricane Irene, If if quit tomorrow, i would be VERY happy with the perormance/cost...

danglerb

HF does have junk, but if you know tools moderately well the junk can be avoided for the most part. On the Garage Journal forum there is a pro mechanic that has all or mostly all HF for his shop.

Fogey1

The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192

This is a four year old, searchable thread. 230 pages on HF stuff.

mickster

+928

yardpro

yep, i have read that thread as well as the garage journal posts.... I agree that if you are a reasonable somewhat mechanical person you can pick out the junk...

Especially if you can go to the store and examine the item.

WallyP

And don't forget that the hand tools have a lifetime warranty - just don't skin your knuckles when a wrench breaks...

kevinlieb

It was the metal vac pump that failed on me. Junction between the piston rod (if it was an engine) and the lever was very cheaply constructed. I could have fixed it, and still might, but it would be temporary.

Don't get me wrong: I have had many Harbor Freight parts. I just now make sure i spend a little more and get better quality stuff. Usually I'd rather get better quality used stuff on Craig's List than new stuff that is not going to last.