Harbor Freight Appreciation Thread
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 713
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From: NYC
Harbor Freight Appreciation Thread
In the almost 2.5 years of 964 ownership I have slowly acquired a modest set of garage tools. I discovered a Harbor Freight close to my office and now I'm hooked! Even though everything is cheap as chips I never leave the store spending less than $100. I am a weekend warrior who doesn't need FaCom or Snap-on quality/precision/performance/cost and to date nothing I have bought from HF has failed me.
In a few weekends I plan on doing the Cam housing gaskets, oil return line (Which means dropping the heat exchangers) and the power steering pump gaskets. I'm fairly certain I have all the tools I need but my question is:
What things have you bought from Harbor Freight that have worked well in maintaining your car?
In a few weekends I plan on doing the Cam housing gaskets, oil return line (Which means dropping the heat exchangers) and the power steering pump gaskets. I'm fairly certain I have all the tools I need but my question is:
What things have you bought from Harbor Freight that have worked well in maintaining your car?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 19
From: Philly 'burbs
Not a fan to be honest. 98% is Chinese junk IMO. Buy nice or buy twice. My buddy says, if it works out of the box, you are ahead of the game.
Our friends at GarageJournal have kept a running log:
Our friends at GarageJournal have kept a running log:
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
From: amarillo
I've had mixed thoughts about HF tools. My 1/2" deep impact sockets are awesome, not impressed with any of the 3/8" or 1/4" stuff. I like their aluminum jacks, and their die/tap sets. I bought an airbrush with compressor and it works really well. If it is a tool you use all the time , get a good tool, but if you just need it once or twice, HF is the way to go
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,710
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From: Detroit (Rock City); 1990 C4
Torque wrenches are ok, believe it or not. Mebbe not for engine assembly, but ok for wheel install.
Dead-blow hammers not so hot.
AVOID the spring compressors; had a set get stripped threads in the *compressed* position (that was fun).
Blast cabinet only ok. Leaks, crap light.
Press ok for as often as I use it.
Dead-blow hammers not so hot.
AVOID the spring compressors; had a set get stripped threads in the *compressed* position (that was fun).
Blast cabinet only ok. Leaks, crap light.
Press ok for as often as I use it.
IHI KING!
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 13,400
Likes: 229
From: Nashua, New Hampshire, USA
I too have had mixed successes. I will buy something there if its a special thing that I only need once and if it fails, it won't be a big deal. Anything critical, I spend the money and buy quality tools.
Addict
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Philly Area ----- George Washington took a dump in my backyard!
Good and expensive for my high use tools
HF for the rarely used ones
I also have tools that I got from HF that I have yet to use...however, if I need one in the middle of a job, I don't need a 2 hour delay while I run out for a one time use.
The Porsche gets wrenched with their 32 and 36 mm open ends when I have to break the big oil line. It works perfectly, and didn't cost a million bucks!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Torque wrench story:
I work in the heavy duty truck industry. We have 30 professional techs that do engine and transmission work.
Twice a year we have all of the techs torque wrenches tested. I took my Harbor Freight torque wrench to work the day we had them tested.
Of the thirty some wrenches tested, my wrench was the only torque wrench out of spec. My wrench is used for lugs only and I back it off after every use.
At 100 ft lbs. it was actually 72 ft lbs. The testing firm said this is a common result when testing china made torque wrenches. He said it was not worth re-calibrating the wrench.
I purchased a new wrench which was made in the U.S.A. It was five times the price of a Harbor wrench but always tests within spec.
Lesson learned
I work in the heavy duty truck industry. We have 30 professional techs that do engine and transmission work.
Twice a year we have all of the techs torque wrenches tested. I took my Harbor Freight torque wrench to work the day we had them tested.
Of the thirty some wrenches tested, my wrench was the only torque wrench out of spec. My wrench is used for lugs only and I back it off after every use.
At 100 ft lbs. it was actually 72 ft lbs. The testing firm said this is a common result when testing china made torque wrenches. He said it was not worth re-calibrating the wrench.
I purchased a new wrench which was made in the U.S.A. It was five times the price of a Harbor wrench but always tests within spec.
Lesson learned
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 14
From: Dallas, TX
Two thumbs up to HF for cheap and useful tools. Their tools worked well and last a long time in my experience. I still have the electric impact wrench that I took apart my 964 and 993 with. And it still works.
However, I have to admit that HF tools work 90% of the time. Of the 5% where things are stuck, rusted, impossible to get off you need good quality tools.
This past weekend, two pieces saved my ***. First was a Knipex Cobra plier that bit into an allen head bolt on the 993 valve cover that was rounded. I thought nothing would get it out. The Knipex was small enough to get into the space and bit (actually tear) into the bolt and broke it loose.
Second was Snap-on flank drive plus combo wrench in removing my exhaust. The 13mm nut was rusty and overtightened by me. I can feel my GearWrench combo wrench begin to slip. Out comes the snap-on. It again bit into the nut and broke it loose.
They say you get what you pay for. HF is for 90% of the time and only used once/disposable items. But when I can, I shell out lots more $$$$ for the good stuff that won't leave me unable to complete a project.
Here is the Cobra. These are the best. Even better than vice grips.
And the snap-ons.
However, I have to admit that HF tools work 90% of the time. Of the 5% where things are stuck, rusted, impossible to get off you need good quality tools.
This past weekend, two pieces saved my ***. First was a Knipex Cobra plier that bit into an allen head bolt on the 993 valve cover that was rounded. I thought nothing would get it out. The Knipex was small enough to get into the space and bit (actually tear) into the bolt and broke it loose.
Second was Snap-on flank drive plus combo wrench in removing my exhaust. The 13mm nut was rusty and overtightened by me. I can feel my GearWrench combo wrench begin to slip. Out comes the snap-on. It again bit into the nut and broke it loose.
They say you get what you pay for. HF is for 90% of the time and only used once/disposable items. But when I can, I shell out lots more $$$$ for the good stuff that won't leave me unable to complete a project.
Here is the Cobra. These are the best. Even better than vice grips.
And the snap-ons.