Thread: Harbor Freight Tool Pass or Fail a tool thread

I know the HF website has a rating system already, but they tend to censor most or all of my bad reviews so I wanted to start one here. Especially as cheap as us SR guys tend to be

Rules for this thread are:

1 Do not review a tool if you just got it! Reviewing a tool before it gets a few months of use doesn't tell us if it is going to fail.

2 If you have to fix something or modify a tool that means the tool gets a fail! I am going to start another thread for "how to fix a HF tool" so post a fail here and then go over there.

3 This is not a thread to argue that name brand is better! Go start your own thread about your Snap on tools, this isn't the place.

4 Try to post a link to the HF website if you can or at least a model number, as they may have 2 or 3 of the same tool just made by different suppliers or is different sizes.

Sockets color coded and metric 3/8"- Pass
10 Piece 3/8" Drive Metric Color Coded Socket Set

Pros
I have been using these for a few years and they have held up great even with an impact from time to time


Cons

Anodizing is pretty cheap and wears off pretty easily, but there is still enough color left to tell which are which




1/2'' Composite heavy duty ratchet - Pass 1/2" Heavy Duty Composite Ratchet

Pros
This thing is tough, lightweight, and fits well in the hand. I have sleeved a pipe over it to use as a breaker bar and torqued of some big suspension bolts with not harm to the ratchet. It has more teeth than my 3/8'' craftsman metal ratchets so there isn't as much turning bolts by hand first

Cons

The rubber outer coating is rubber and not metal so the finish tends to get nicked from time to time, no big deal really

Small bench grinder with flexshaft...Fail
Cons
The flex shaft is fell apart as soon as I went to use it and needed fixing.

Pros
The grinder and polisher work good for what they are. I bought this to take the place my dremel that gave up the ghost after 8 years of use. The motor seems to have more torque and doesn't bog down as much as the dremel, and it is much quieter running.

Bench Grinder with Flex Shaft


Here is one that goes for pretty much all of the HF vises FAIL! Mine broke within the first three months of using it.


5" Swivel Vise with Anvil
Cons
They are cast not forged and crumble and crack under moderate use.

Pros
They work for holding stuff that doesn't see impact or that doesn't need much tightening to hold it in place but not much else. You are better off finding a used forged one on Craigslist if you need a good vise.

No pictures but their larger 1/2" drill, first one I bought lasted about a year before it started falling apart. First thing that went was the direction lever broke and had to use a screwdriver to switch directions on the drill. Next thing that went was the trigger fell apart and had to use my finger to press the button down. The last and final thing was the plug itself one of the prongs broke off inside the extension cord. No longer was it usable but over a year of constant use on it, not bad for $35 bucks I guess. I went and bought another one.

As for hand tools, Ive been using sockets, wratchets, and many other basic tools from there without much issues.

They sell these swivel head 3/8 drive wratchets and the first one broke after about a year and went and bought another. I believe its a 10-12 dollar wratchet.

Everything else, i havent had issues with.

I have a 5" grinder from them, no problems and its about 2 years old or more.

Most of my sockets are 3-4 years old or more. Same goes with extensions and so on.

I have an impact socket set from them, not a single problem also over a year old.

Breaker bars, 2-3 years old, no problems.

Engine hoist 4 years old, no problems

Engine stand 3 years old, no problems

Wratcheting wrenches, No issues other than sometimes the gears get stuck and just need to tap the wrench on something to loosen it back up but yet to have one fail.

Flex head wratcheting wrench set, no problems

3/8" drill, No problems

Screwdriver set w/ large cusioned handles, No issues

Im sure there are alot more tools but cant think of them.

the hand tools are pretty decent, and even when they break they are cheap enough to replace, or if you want to go thru the hassel of taking them up on their lifetime warranty.

I''ve got a couple impakt guns, and angle grinders from them... but I'll let someone else review them... Do NOT buy their cordless impakt... it is garbage... Their pluggable one is pretty good. They have warranties on most of their stuff so you can just take them back if they aren't functioning well... I want to review the things I use the most though.


Engine Hoist & Leveler (Don't forget the leveler)!!!!!!!
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-93840.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-capacity-heavy-duty-load-leveler-5402.html



Pro: It is pretty convenient and durable. The cylinder doesn't leak. We have done something like 10+ swaps with it over the 5 years I've had it. As a matter of fact, I think mines in Indiana getting borrowed! It gets passed around like whoa. Definitely make sure you purchase the leveler if you can, it makes things way way way easier.

Con: It's casters are HORRIBLE... I think if you took them off and pushed the bish along some 100 grit it might move better. Also, make sure you check the arm and make sure its a solid piece and not welded from two pieces of box steel. One of my buddies told me that someone had one like that and it snapped but that is hearsay. I love this hoist. Never had any problems.


750lb Engine Stand:
http://www.harborfreight.com/750-lb-capacity-engine-stand-32915.html

Pro: Does what its supposed to do... I wouldn't put 750 lbs on it though...

Con: Have to be careful with the wheels as they are cast iron and only held on by C-Clips... VERY stupid in my opinion... The could have incorporated something better. I've had one almost come off... Also, it should have four arms, instead of 3. It's not the most stable thing to be moving around all the time... but if you keep it in its place its fine.


Aluminum Low Car Race Jack:
http://www.harborfreight.com/rapid-pump-15-ton-compact-aluminum-racing-jack-68053-html-7814.html

Pro: Awesome because it low enough for our cars... Been using mine for 5 years... still kicking. Super light so its not a big deal to bring it along trips.

Con: Not really a con, but make sure you use it on level ground that's as smooth as possible. The wheels aren't the best. Don't store it on its side.

dont buy their breaker bars i have snapped the ends off where the socket connects to and so have my friends

Had a 32mm axle nut socket from HF explode on me yesterday while replacing the rear hub on a LS400. I've only had the set for a couple of months, and this is probably the 10th time I've used that socket. I'm going to have them replace it, but I'd be wary of their axle nut sockets if you're going to constantly use them with an impact.

I have their 12 tin press, and corded impact. No issues to report

I've cracked an impact socket before. The ends of the breaker bars snap when you are doing like over 250 lbs of torque. Don't get the ratcheting breaker bars as the ratcheting systems break immediately. The low profile racing jobs are great. The pry bars are good too.