The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[Demon4x4]

Originally Posted by 1991Syclone

I'll have to check my newest magazines, but the coupon I have here in front of me that expires on 6/14/12 states "Tool Cabinets". Maybe the newest ones have changed. These are coming out of magazines, not the ones being sent via email or through their flyers.

Does the coupon code that you have work on the tool cart in a test environment, like say, the website?

[1991Syclone]

Originally Posted by Demon4x4

Does the coupon code that you have work on the tool cart in a test environment, like say, the website?

The coupon does NOT apply to 800 orders or online orders. Must be presented in-store.

[1991Syclone]

Just checked the coupon in the latest Hot Rod and it states tool cabinets, not carts. Not sure if they have something in the system that would not allow the coupon if you tried or not.

[bimmerZ5]

Originally Posted by bimmerZ5

i guess i consider HFT is either hit or miss. there are certainly a lot of crap they sell, but there are also some things that would really surprise people for the money. so, without actual data (from my own trials+error, or someone else's) I'm not going to make judgement just yet.

these are the batteries I'm talking about:

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece...ies-67861.html

they come out to $2.50 each, which is about the same price as the eneloops from amazon. the costco deal on eneloops comes out to $2 each for AA. so, they aren't exactly selling "cheap" batteries there... but their 20% coupon applies to almost anything (we know the excluded items, and batteries aren't on the list). i was thinking when they go on sale, and top that with the 20% coupon would yield a better deal than costco. so long as the quality of those are somewhat close to the eneloops, that might work out to be a good deal.

well, i went ahead and bought some of these high capacity rechargeables that have a long shelf life. first of all, they did hold a decent charge right out of the box. after running my LED light for several days straight until the light started to dim, I popped them into my La Crosse charger. all of them except for one was still reading 1.2V or higher, the one was 1.0xV. I charged them at 500mA until they were done and the charger showed them taking 23xx-24xx mAh of charge and the voltage was about 1.4V. They are rated for 2300mAh so at least it seems they exceed what they promise.

so far, so good... but I'll withhold judgement until i've recharged them a couple more times. these aren't any cheaper than eneloops at normal prices. but when they are on sale and with the 20% coupon, they can come out to a better deal.

[emeraldcoupe]

Slide Hammer and Bearing Puller Set

http://www.harborfreight.com/blind-h...ler-95987.html

don't remember if i posted this before. this works great, just used it again yesterday. surprisingly well built.

[onelochevy]

McPherson Strut Spring Compressor

http://www.harborfreight.com/macpher...-set-3980.html

PASS - Can't beat it for $20 bucks. Changed the rear struts on my wifes jeep this morning and it was a piece of cake using these.

1.5 ton Racing Jack

http://www.harborfreight.com/rapid-p...html-7814.html

PASS - Got this for Christmas but finally used it for the first time today doing the struts. Worked like a champ.

Orange Goop Hand Cleaner

http://www.harborfreight.com/16-oz-o...ner-47943.html

PASS - Hands were black from grease and are now clean again, lol. It worked well.

[Rocket1]

The offset oxygen sensor socket is a major fail. It's junk, the oxygen sensor gets stuck in the socket and it's a pain to remove. I guess it gets wedged, last time I tried to use it I had to use a malot to loosen it off the sensor

[bimmerZ5]

Originally Posted by Rocket1

The offset oxygen sensor socket is a major fail. It's junk, the oxygen sensor gets stuck in the socket and it's a pain to remove. I guess it gets wedged, last time I tried to use it I had to use a malot to loosen it off the sensor

they sell several, and some in sets. can you be more specific about which one? like item number?

[Altec]

Yeah, I have the set, and it works great. I've used a 24" breaker bar on the offset. It has a nifty 8pt drive.

[IONH]

Originally Posted by Rocket1

The offset oxygen sensor socket is a major fail. It's junk, the oxygen sensor gets stuck in the socket and it's a pain to remove. I guess it gets wedged, last time I tried to use it I had to use a malot to loosen it off the sensor

Once you get the O2 loosened, tighten it again to get the O2 back into the correct location of the hex. Then continue to loosen to remove from exhaust.

[Rocket1]

Originally Posted by bimmerZ5

they sell several, and some in sets. can you be more specific about which one? like item number?

I said socket but I meant wrench. This is the one I have

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eig...nch-97177.html

[Rocket1]

Originally Posted by IONH

Once you get the O2 loosened, tighten it again to get the O2 back into the correct location of the hex. Then continue to loosen to remove from exhaust.

I tried that but it would tighten the sensor too much before it would reseat. It was more trouble than it was worth

[IONH]

Originally Posted by Rocket1

I tried that but it would tighten the sensor too much before it would reseat. It was more trouble than it was worth

It would definitely work if you tried it. Sometimes it takes a two or three loosen/tighten attempts.

Similar to when taking off a water pump pulley with its 4 bolts... using one wrench against another continually loosening and tightening until they all come free and don't lock onto the wrench.

Personally, I prefer the socket style O2 sockets because they seem more rigid. Not sure if HF has those though.

[jam92102]

Originally Posted by onelochevy

McPherson Strut Spring Compressor

http://www.harborfreight.com/macpher...-set-3980.html

PASS - Can't beat it for $20 bucks. Changed the rear struts on my wifes jeep this morning and it was a piece of cake using these.

Did it feel safe? I was eyeing them but was scared it would be dangerous using such a cheap set.

[Altec]

Those screw style ones were always dangerous. No matter the brand. If I don't have access to a press, I use ratchet straps to compress springs for doing struts, and such. One on each side. Wrapped around a couple times on each end, the hooked to itself. Then you can ratchet it enough to take tension off the bucket/strut.

[diggerrick]

Originally Posted by jam92102

Did it feel safe? I was eyeing them but was scared it would be dangerous using such a cheap set.

The first time I used mine (several years ago) I thought "typical cheap chinese crap." So I decided to grease the threads - it was night & day. Still doesn't feel "robust & trustworthy", but honestly has never given any indication it was being overworked since.

[wornoutoldman]

Originally Posted by jam92102

Did it feel safe? I was eyeing them but was scared it would be dangerous using such a cheap set.

They don't call em "suicide sticks' for nuthing...

[pearltsi]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

worm gear clamp assortment box. Utter fail. Can't tighten the clamps, the slots just deform from the worm gear. Useless.

truth

[Tarheelgarage]

Originally Posted by Altec

Those screw style ones were always dangerous. No matter the brand. If I don't have access to a press, I use ratchet straps to compress springs for doing struts, and such. One on each side. Wrapped around a couple times on each end, the hooked to itself. Then you can ratchet it enough to take tension off the bucket/strut.

those types aren't called "widow makers" for no reason..

[onelochevy]

Originally Posted by jam92102

Did it feel safe? I was eyeing them but was scared it would be dangerous using such a cheap set.

Felt perfectly safe using them. Now I will say this...the strut springs I worked were pretty short so they really didnt try to bend side to side if you tightened one side down further than the other. I dont know how they would do working on a strut with a taller / narrower spring that would easily bend while compressing it.