The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[robertgreen79]

Originally Posted by PaulR

Haven't seen this since page 4, unless I missed it:

Movers Dolly: PASS. I used it to move a year ago, dressers, big chairs, etc. Now it's in the garage zooming around cast iron transfer cases and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Awesome. Thank you for posting that. I was looking at those just the other day.

[787B]

Originally Posted by robertgreen79

Awesome. Thank you for posting that. I was looking at those just the other day.

Caution: Paul bought his at least a year ago. There has been a cheapening since so now they aren't nearly as good as they used to be. They use cheaper casters now that don't work very well. Follow Shadowdog's advice and check they work with weight on them, and/or use the "hold them vertical and rotate and make sure wheels caster by themselves and don't get hung-up" check somebody else suggested

[PaulR]

this is true, at least a year or two ago. Casters are great, hardwood, rolls like a champ. I've moved sofa's, steelcase cabinets, tons of other stuff. But as you know it's still HF, word to the wise.

[787B]

Paul, I bet they have the plastic bearing retainers/dust shields between the caster frame and mounting plate. The new ones do not.

[Tom2]

Yea, I was shopping the casters there last week(I imagine they're the same as used on the mover dolleys).. They all seemed pretty crappy and were about the same price as HD/Lowes. I ended up still buying 4 of the clear ones with swivels/brakes

[mrholeshot]

Originally Posted by PaulR

Haven't seen this since page 4, unless I missed it:

Movers Dolly: PASS. I used it to move a year ago, dressers, big chairs, etc. Now it's in the garage zooming around cast iron transfer cases and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Those are a huge pass. I have 6 of them with Big Block Chevy Blocks on them. I have one that is home to a Valkyrie engine and a few spares for moving heavy stuff around my shop. A lot of bang for the buck. all mine are about 7-8 years old and cost a whopping 7.99 each

[IONH]

Originally Posted by mrholeshot

Those are a huge pass. I have 6 of them with Big Block Chevy Blocks on them. I have one that is home to a Valkyrie engine and a few spares for moving heavy stuff around my shop. A lot of bang for the buck. all mine are about 7-8 years old and cost a whopping 7.99 each

Glad I'm not the only one using these for automotive use. I have 2 of these larger ones holding up 3 transmissions (one MTX, one AWD MTX, and one ATX).

I also have 2 of the smaller ones which I put a 3/4" sheet of wood on and use to either put car wheels directly on or jack stands on so I can wheel around cars which no longer have front suspension.

[Indy_500]

Originally Posted by PaulR

Haven't seen this since page 4, unless I missed it:

Movers Dolly: PASS. I used it to move a year ago, dressers, big chairs, etc. Now it's in the garage zooming around cast iron transfer cases and a whole bunch of other stuff.

my school's got about 50 of them, they're awesome. my uncle builds custom kitchen cabinets and has about a dozen of em too, they work very well.

[LawnDart79]

4 Piece Heavy Duty Pry Bar Set - 1654 - PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/clearan...-set-1654.html

I've have a set of these that I've used for over 10 years (8+ everyday heavy use as an automotive tech.) They've held up to stress I've placed on them and handles hold up to automotive chemicals well.


2 Lb. Brass Hammer - 42000 - PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-lb-br...dle-42000.html

I thought for sure that every time I would strike something, brass would fly all over hell, and ultimately the handle would snap off, but I've been using mine for a couple years and no problems yet.


3 HP, 21 Gallon, 120 Volt Vertical Air compressor - 94667 - PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-21...sor-94667.html

It's a pretty good compressor for what it is. It isn't a big dog and I didn't buy it expecting it to do the things a bigger compressor would be needed to do. My only complaint is the wheels, but for what I paid for it (< $120), it was a good buy and I can live with that issue.


3 ton floor jack - 34271 - PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-s...34271.html?p=3

I've been using this jack for many years (3+ years everyday heavy use up until 3 years ago). It's been used, abused, and overloaded and it's still around to tell the story. I originally bought this jack because I didn't want to take my good Sears jack I had at home, to work. It's far exceeded my expectations for a harbor freight jack. Now it's my go-to jack here at home. (No longer fixing cars for a living...

[Ed ke6bnl]

Originally Posted by LawnDart79

4 Piece Heavy Duty Pry Bar Set - 1654 - PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/clearan...-set-1654.html

I've have a set of these that I've used for over 10 years (8+ everyday heavy use as an automotive tech.) They've held up to stress I've placed on them and handles hold up to automotive chemicals well.


2 Lb. Brass Hammer - 42000 - PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-lb-br...dle-42000.html

I thought for sure that every time I would strike something, brass would fly all over hell, and ultimately the handle would snap off, but I've been using mine for a couple years and no problems yet.


3 HP, 21 Gallon, 120 Volt Vertical Air compressor - 94667 - PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-21...sor-94667.html

It's a pretty good compressor for what it is. It isn't a big dog and I didn't buy it expecting it to do the things a bigger compressor would be needed to do. My only complaint is the wheels, but for what I paid for it (< $120), it was a good buy and I can live with that issue.


3 ton floor jack - 34271 - PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-s...34271.html?p=3

I've been using this jack for many years (3+ years everyday heavy use up until 3 years ago). It's been used, abused, and overloaded and it's still around to tell the story. I originally bought this jack because I didn't want to take my good Sears jack I had at home, to work. It's far exceeded my expectations for a harbor freight jack. Now it's my go-to jack here at home. (No longer fixing cars for a living...

Prior bar has been sorta ok till my dropped it and the handle shreaded to pieces don't hit with hammer Ed

[abrahamfh]

Originally Posted by abrahamfh

3/8" Double Sided Rotary Spot Weld Cutter-------PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eig...ter-95343.html

3.5 HP, 60 Gallon, 130 PSI Compressor-------PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-5-hp-...ompressor.html

6 Ton Jack Stand Set-------PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-j...set-38847.html

2 Piece Rubber Pads for Jack Stand-------PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...and-95952.html

25 ft. x 3/8" Heavy Duty Black Rubber Air Hose(Goodyear)-------PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-too...hose-2363.html

Industrial Air Filter Regulator Unit-------PASS
http://www.harborfreight.com/industr...nit-98904.html

Electric Paint Spray Gun-------Will test tomorrow
http://www.harborfreight.com/electri...gun-47274.html

40 Lb. Capacity Floor Blast Cabinet-------Will test this week
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-...net-93608.html

3" Composite Air Cut-Off Tool-------Will test this week
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-too...ool-95028.html

20 Oz. High Volume Low Pressure Gravity Feed Spray Gun-------Have yet to test
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-h...gun-47016.html

Adjustable Detail Spray Gun-------Have yet to test
http://www.harborfreight.com/adjusta...gun-92126.html

UPDATE!

Electric Paint Spray Gun-------FAIL
http://www.harborfreight.com/electri...gun-47274.html

[usmc_noma]

Anyone have any experience with the 12v high volume air compressor? I'm looking to keep one in my truck for on the go inflation or just a quick inflate at the house. Item number is 96068.

3ton jack 34271 - pass. Only thing I wish is the lift was faster with less pumps.
3ton jack stands 38846 - pass.
6ton jack stands 38847 - pass.
zip ties - pass. I've used them for light duty applications. I'm not sure what the item number was for the ones I bought.
clear safety glasses 9916 - pass.
11" canvas tool bag 35539 - pass. I'm sure the same bag in 15" is a pass also.
low pro creeper 2745 - pass.
red shop towels 46163 - pass.

This is all I can think of off the top of my head.

[Mike B26]

10" socket rail (set of 3) #96343 http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch...ree-96343.html 2/3 Pass

The 1/2" holders take way too much force to get the socket on or off. The 1/4" and 3/8" holders work well.

[uhcrandy]

Originally Posted by cglasgow

800W 2-stroke generator 66819 - PASS (so far). I've read good reviews of this little genset online, so I picked one up today. Ran it at full output for an hour and it just hummed along quietly (surprisingly quietly!)

Coupon code 21238746 knocks it down from $120 (current sale price) or $150 (retail price) to $90.

I have used 2 of these (The first was stolen) for camping. I did replace the spark plug. I chose to, not had to. I think with 2 strokes, get the best spark plug you can. Anyway I love these units. They are a little loud, but i run a 100 ft cord to my camper. I has run very well for over a couple of years. they are small and very portable. I use this so my wife can use her C-Pap. Also perfect for watching TV, lights etc. We use these when the nearest camper is miles away.

[243]

Cast iron, rubber tire casters - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-...ter-38709.html

1/2" Drive 25" Breaker Bar - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...bar-30395.html

Large Bearing Splitter - PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/large-b...ator-3979.html

Three Jaw Pullers - FAIL

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece...set-40965.html

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by usmc_noma

Anyone have any experience with the 12v high volume air compressor? I'm looking to keep one in my truck for on the go inflation or just a quick inflate at the house. Item number is 96068.

They sell two similar ones, a $30 and about a $70, both used to get really high reviews, but lately I've read some poor reviews on the more expensive model. Smaller one is on sale with a coupon right now for $20, and I am thinking about buying it myself.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt...sor-96068.html

[787B]

96157 - 5-in-1 Portable Power Pack - Preliminary PASS

Bought this for $80 on-sale for Inside Track Club. Fairly solid construction, gauges are not heinously inaccurate. Successfully started two cars with dead batteries. The battery clamps are a tad small but open plenty wide and grip well. Pumped up four tires with the pump. Inverter ran a light for an hour. Not bad. Smells like cheap Chinese crap, but that will dissipate as the probably toxic chemicals leach out of the rubber and plastic. My only wish is that there was a compartment to store at least the DC charging cord.

[dlc]

Originally Posted by PaulR

Haven't seen this since page 4, unless I missed it:

Movers Dolly: PASS. I used it to move a year ago, dressers, big chairs, etc. Now it's in the garage zooming around cast iron transfer cases and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Got three of these with engines/transmissions weighing over 500 lbs. on them. Best/cheapest engine dolly you can buy

[stricht8]

Their autodimming eelding helmets are great and a good deal for $35 on sale.

[jeep_n_co]

Originally Posted by Scotto

I just bought and used this spring compressor on my MR2. Has worked great, especially for $10. I also greased the threads a bit so they don't wear out. Also, I used a hand ratchet instead of my impact gun just to prevent them from wearing out.

I would give the spring compressors (3980) a huge FAIL, and I see others have as well.

In fact, I would label them "Likely to FAIL and damn near kill you". The threaded rod is NOT a hardened bolt, but instead simply a soft steel piece of threaded rod with a nut screwed on and then pinned to the rod with a rolled piece of sheet metal. For me, the pin sheared, the thread stripped and the nut came off. Thankfully, the strut was relatively un-compressed at the time. It ended up being more trouble than it was worth, because my job was incomplete and I had to make an extra trip the next morning to Sears to get some adequate Spring Compressors.

OTOH, I liked their electric impact wrench (45252) I got on sale for like $30 and give it a PASS.

Still use it often and for the price it can't be beat. It regularly goes on sale for less than it's currently listed $50.

My general rule of thumb I have for that place is "Tools that should have hardened components won't, so choose accordingly". Impact sockets seem to be the exception to this rule, but otherwise it seems to hold true.

And I still LOVE the place...