The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight

[scrapmetalart]

I abuse the orange 4 1/2" grinders. I have 6 of them. I use them everyday. one for each different wheel so I dont have to change them...

I buy one when they go on sale. Shortly after I buy a new one I take back an old one with that new recipt & they give me a new one free no questions asked...

[Shane]

so, you admit to stealing?

[jbgroby]

Originally Posted by Shane

so, you admit to stealing?

It not really stealing from HF, it more like a lending library, becasue of the quality, many think that fair.

[7T2]

I have so much HF stuff I don't know where to start:

Good:

Engine Crane
Large Winches
Jack Stands (be careful though, weight rating is for a PAIR, not each. Not immediately obvious.)
Blast Cabinet (don't try to move it full of media though, legs will fold)
Ratchet tie downs
Motorcycle Stand
Air/Hyd Bottle Jacks
Motorcycle Lift
Chain Fall
Utility Trailer
Oil Drain tank/Dolly
Heat Gun
Framing Nailer
1/2" Earthquake Impact Wrench (works great and sounds like a Ferrari)
1" Shallow Well Pump (has worked well for several years now, and I bought an open box one for a backup for $40 with a coupon)
Brushes
Gloves
LED Flashlights (free)
Pittsburgh wrenches and pliers (haven't broken or rounded off any yet, but cheap enough that I wouldn't care if I did)
Digital Calipers
C-Clamps
Air Cutoff Tool (haven't broken one, but at $9.99 who cares? Cutoff wheels seem to work ok for me)
Die Grinder
Chain Fall
Magnetic Driveway Cleaner
6 foot Level
Squares
Powder Coater
Retractable Hose reel
12 Volt Jump Start Power Supply (got me going a couple of times, works best if you charge it before going on a trip, not just leaving it in your vehicle)
Trailer Light Kit
Adjustable Table Saw Dolly Kit
Bench Buffer Motor
Wood Lathe with Adjustable Rotating Head (get it while it is on sale with a 20% coupon on top for less than $200, makes a great wheel polisher with a little creativity)


Be Careful:

Anything Hydraulic - all the hydraulic stuff I have seems to develop problems/leaks - Wheel Dollys (AWESOME otherwise, but have to add fluid that leaks out from time to time), Air/Hydraulic Ram (added this to my engine hoist, and it worked great to begin with, but is problematic now), Hydraulic Jacks (seem to leak more often)

Shop Press (bent over time, but still works)
Chains and Tow Straps (don't seem to be up to intended tasks, but trucker chains are nice for engine hoists, just don't try to yank a truck out of a ditch with one)
Adjustable Tow Bar (worked ok for a while, but stopped using because it was bending)
Parts Washer (good deal, but was missing pump parts. Did not realize until I unboxed well after I bought it)
Roller Stands (not good for much more than a single piece of lumber, don't turn well)
Electric Terminals (work, but very flimsy)
Manual Tire Changer (better than nothing, but it's getting bent up)
Cheap Air Hose (works, but hard to manage/too stiff)
Casters (some are good, especially for the price, but others don't want to roll straight)
Steel Wheel Dollies (don't always roll straight)
7" Variable Polisher (speed control is not very precise, changes while using)


Avoid at all costs:

High Speed Metal Saw - Air Powered (so frustrating I threw it into my pond)
Drill Bits
Plastic Spring Clamps/Ratchet Clamps (I have yet to find a use for these, spring is WAY too tight and clamp too flimsy (any size), ratchet clamps will not hold anything)
Taps/Dies
Ratchets
Portable Abrasive Blasters
12 Volt Electric Portable winch ( the one shrouded in plastic with the handle) - junk
Auto Darkening Welding Shield

The best part is getting 20% off ANYTHING (even clearance, sale, and high-dollar items)

[Shane]

You can call it what you want, but if you get caught the judge will call it theft by deception. Just a FYI ...

[scrapmetalart]

Originally Posted by Shane

You can call it what you want, but if you get caught the judge will call it theft by deception. Just a FYI ...

Thanks for the info...

[Shane]

Glad to help ...

[FrankieD]

I bought a 7" Variable buffer for $24 and $10 for a 2 yr warrenty after I burened 2 that I had (Craftsman and a Wen) rubbing out and polishing a 27' cruiser I had I went a fwew times around with the H F one and still working. I just bought the 3 ton floor jack for $49and $75 torch kit haven't used it yet but so far so good. Auto shade Helmet works and a bunch of other stuff, ya just gotta figure out how much you are going to use it and how close they are to you for returns..

[FrankieD]

If any one is intersted 20% off on $100 or more.



http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wsw...9&keycode=0000

[FrankieD]

They have a big bottom box on sale for $369 and they have a 20% off coupon that makes it under $300. Sale starts tomorrow I am going to go and pick up one. I have been looking at it for a while and it is built better than my Craftsman. Here are the links:

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wsw...9&keycode=0000

http://www.harborfreight.com/retail-...campaign=0711a

[Shane]

Originally Posted by FrankieD

They have a big bottom box on sale for $369 and they have a 20% off coupon that makes it under $300. Sale starts tomorrow I am going to go and pick up one. I have been looking at it for a while and it is built better than my Craftsman. Here are the links:

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wsw...9&keycode=0000

http://www.harborfreight.com/retail-...campaign=0711a

better read the fine print on those new 20% coupons ... tool boxes don't qualify, plus it's an item that's already on sale, which negates the 20% coupon too.

just a fyi ...

[FrankieD]

Originally Posted by Shane

better read the fine print on those new 20% coupons ... tool boxes don't qualify, plus it's an item that's already on sale, which negates the 20% coupon too.

just a fyi ...

Yea I did read them after I put that up. I have one close by so the deals are good but if you have to have it shipped might as well go some where and get the good stuff

[PennLTRex]

40 lb blast cabinet: Takes a lot of work to get it not to leak. The light also sucks.
Soda Blaster: Love it. Works great on aluminum parts and is the best thing I've found for cleaning carburators. Makes them look new.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by PennLTRex

40 lb blast cabinet: Takes a lot of work to get it not to leak. The light also sucks.
Soda Blaster: Love it. Works great on aluminum parts and is the best thing I've found for cleaning carburators. Makes them look new.

alot of work? one tube of clear silicone caulk will fix it right up ... you are correct on the light, sucks big time.

[mitch1965]

the good
I use the step drills from HF on a regular basis. Catch them on sale. I've found them to last as long or longer than step drills i've paid 3 times more for.
I found the motorcycle tire changer on craigslist, that originally came from HF to be good, too. Only paid $35 for the whole thing, changed several motorcycle and trailer tires with it.

[KrazyRay]

My HF 4 1/2" angle grinder lasted me about 8 years...the last 5 being held together with duct tape. I used to buy craftsman tools until Kmart bought out Sears. Now, their ratchets are so bad (they slip and slam your knuckles into sharp metal) that I would rather use a cheap made in China ratchet than a craftsman.
Stay away from HF air fittings...they leak bad.

[lilpoindexter]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

Stay away from HF air fittings...they leak bad.

Hell yeah...I thought I wasn't putting enough thread tape on them, or not tightening them enough or something...

[ChevyTruckGuy]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

My HF 4 1/2" angle grinder lasted me about 8 years...the last 5 being held together with duct tape. I used to buy craftsman tools until Kmart bought out Sears. Now, their ratchets are so bad (they slip and slam your knuckles into sharp metal) that I would rather use a cheap made in China ratchet than a craftsman.
Stay away from HF air fittings...they leak bad.

Good point, they do leak bad. I like hf. But will not join there little club for $25 or whatever.....
I just got the new ad in the mail. Its right here next to me. Going to go look at it...

[DLOE65]

Well said Cableguy!

[k1rodeoboater]

their bolt/nut splitters are crap...stripped mine trying to split a nut.

Once I have a place of my own I plan on getting one of their rolling service carts with drawers to hold my tools (I don't have much so it all should fit...maybe). I've looked at a few of the other brands out there and they seem like the best deal even if you have to upgrade the hardware and/or wheels.

Their grinders take a beat and keep on going. I literally ran mine for over an hour straight without turning it off stripping who knows how many layers of paint off of my rear bumper with a flap disc. It got hot but didn't give up, and I'm still using it. I'm sold on them.

I have a 90 degree drill that I got from my dad from them. It's a corded version, and honestly it's pretty dang handy to have sometimes. I've had no issues with it either. It drilled through my cross sills fine which impressed me, I figured I would have killed it. I'm probably going to pick up a regular corded drill from them sometime just to have both. The 90 is good for tight places but sucks to use a wire wheel with (won't ever use one on a grinder again...sorta got one stuck/siezed on there once)

hammers...well a hammer is a hammer is a hammer. I beat stuff with it and I don't care.

prybars with the black handles have been invaluable, got a 6 piece kit and find I really only use the middle length ones (12" gets the most use). The large ones are better replaced with a good ole crowbar IMHO.

Chisel with hand guard. I bought it as a disposable tool. It's edge is starting to fold, but I don't care. I only use it to finish off breaking nuts or screws off that I've partially cut with a cutoff wheel

breaker bar....LOVE IT

1/2 ratchet....LOVE IT

Impact sockets....LOVE IT and going to get the deep wells on my next trip for sure. Instead of buying normal sockets I'm just going to go with impacts for the time being since they can be used as normal ones

Impact extensions....LOVE IT

wire loom, body panel shims, automotive blade fuse sets, grommets, ect all are awesome. I will burn a 20% off coupon on them if I don't have anything else to use it on.

4 way tire iron...it's a tire iron with four heads...kinda hard to screw that one up.

sanding sponges...they're cheapest there

1000 and 1500 grit wet sanding paper...only place that has it in town

Brown unlined welding gloves...haven't used them yet but they have felt the best to me of all the ones I've tried. I actually have some tactile feel with them. Will they last...time will tell, but they're also the cheapest ones I've found locally that I like.

Screwdrivers....can't complain about them. I have yet to break one or round it out like some have said. The tips are magnetic I've found out. I've not been kind to mine either. I've used the flat blades as pry bars/wedges and the phillips as punches. If I do break one or lose one I don't really care because the whole set of 26 or something like that was $8 with a coupon.

thumb wheel ratchets....they're handy but rarely get used

wire wheels/cups....I buy them there because I doubt the better brands will last much longer anyways. Maybe I'm wrong, but it saves me an extra trip.

1/2 torque wrench...I use it all the time and it's accurate. I had it checked for calibration and it was dead on. funny though how the next one down is more expensive (the one that goes up to 40 or 20 ft/lbs).

vac gauge/fuel pressure tester....it works well enough

Free voltmeters...I've got like 6 of them...for FREE...can't complain.

Free flashlights...love the damn things, have them all over the place and they last a good long while too.

Free leather work gloves...again it's free...can't complain. Use them when handling rusty metal and stuff. I have another set that I take with me when we do jumps in case I land in a tree and have to climb down my reserve. That way if they fly out of my cargo pocket 1200 ft up I don't really care.

random orbital sander...I've used the crap out of it and it still keeps going. I recommend it. It only costs $20 IIRC and you can get the velcro backed paper for it anywhere since it's a standard size.

stud welder and slide hammer....stud welder works great...slide hammer sucks and I wonder how good the studs are since they all popped off pretty easily.

[FrankieD]

Hase anyone bought the wheel dolly's if so are they any good?

[a.c.ward]

I have a Auto Repair/Restoration shop that I manage and work. We have purchased a lot of HF tools for daily use.

The Cabinet Sand Blaster is invaluable. Had to seal it with industrial grade Silicone to keep down the dust. Replaced the flourscent light with a better one from the local box lumber yard. it was designed for under kitchen cabinets and much better now.

The Wheel dolly's are great. have used them on multiple projects from 51 Chevy truck to Cobra Kit car. They work great.

The 12 Ton bearing press works acceptable, for the limited amount of use we have tried.

1/4 Air Angle grinders work flawlessly. just oil them in the morning, work all day....

Air drill same.

impact the same.

On a side note, my co-owners father is a Big Truck Tool salesman. we use his stuff alot, but for consumables (nitrophyle gloves, dust masks, hand cleaner, safety glasses) HF cannot be beat.

just my opinion.

AC

[JWall]

Originally Posted by FrankieD

Hase anyone bought the wheel dolly's if so are they any good?

I have a set that I use for my 32 Roadster to put it up against the wall to get more room in the garage or sometime if its going to snow I will turn my 2 car garage into a 3 car garage by turning the 32 sideways upfront.

They work well for that car since its so light but I have never had a truck on them.

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by FrankieD

Hase anyone bought the wheel dolly's if so are they any good?

With my 65 Cutlass on them it was a no go. I tried turning all the wheels straight and I guess it was too much for them. I bought them for a much smaller Volvo. So think hard about what you'll use them for.

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by NONHOG

With my 65 Cutlass on them it was a no go. I tried turning all the wheels straight and I guess it was too much for them. I bought them for a much smaller Volvo. So think hard about what you'll use them for.

Haha. I'm with you on that. I've got one in the shop with all four wheels but one of the wheels is laying on wheel cradle.