Thread: Harbor Freight Tool Pass or Fail a tool thread

this shit broke on me today... the plate that bolts to the vise cracked while i was hammering some metal.. suxxxxxxxxxx

If you mean the mounting plate I have a spare that might work for you. I had a one like that too but the jaws broke. If you want PM me

Punch Kit, PASS works great on gusset holes, eventually bought another one during xmas super sale and ended up modifying the second set of punch dies for the cone shaping Have done 2 cages with gussets with them, and other misc brackets and love it so far.
Hydraulic Punch Driver w/ 5 Hydraulic Punches & Dies

Have used their tubing benders, both hydraulic 12ton and compact manual one for 1 1/2" DOM and 1 5/8" mild steel for making tubular rad support/ crash bumper bars. Seems to do the job, even with sand and water shoved inside to prevent creasing and getting that full mandrel effect. Gets a PASS in my books, does the job just as well our Rogue Fab bender, and J D Square bender.
Hydraulic Pipe & Tube Bender - 12 Ton
Compact Bender

Predator 7000 and HF DC Digital TIG Machine
Purchased in Florida to make impromtu repairs at PBIR against all wishes of staff on duty there, when a turbo exhaust manifold cracked along with his downpipe flange, during a drag event. Went to town charging off $1200 @ HF to make a repair. We eventually used the machine in our hotel parking lot to help other cars who went to the event and needed a quick weld job on exhausts and motor mount brackets. Kept the units around, and generator came in handy during Hurricane Sandy. I've used the TIG machine to build a few tubular rad support/ crash bars, when in my friends shop. Eventually he purchased it all from me to practice on his own.
7000 Watt Portable Generator - 420cc, 8750 Watts Max
Arc / TIG Welder with Digital Readout - 240 Volt

I have used some of their hand tools, and year after year they seem to be getting better, but as for their machines its more technique in using them than quality as failures are caused more by human error than machine build quality. Even their newest US General tool boxes have the feel of a quality like both my Matco and SnapOn boxes.

So it works if you stuff it with sand and water? Pretty cool, I have heard this bender kinks tube without modifications, or now sand too. Gonna have to pick one up now instead of making one

Pneumatic die grinder has been working great for several months now full time at my work. However

The regular air gun with the pull handle and thin nozzle completely broke. The trigger handle blew out completely and snapped.

The multi LED large flashlight didnt make it through the 1st day of use. The circuit board that the LED's are on lost connectivity/fried.

The air chuck w/ built in gauge works well soo far.

just be smart about it, have even used some map gas to preheat pipe a bit, beyond that I have access to a two other benders JD is loaded w/ 1 1/2 die, Hf is loaded w. 1"-1 1/4" die and RF has 1 5/8"

Their red roll around carts are garbage, thin metal that won't hold much. However, the cart that jacks up is awesome. I've used it to drop many many motors out of the bottom and it's been around the shop for over a year. Their hose reels get an A+ and the cord reels as well.

Anyone have the bolt bins? Are they worth a damn?

Their engine support bar is actually pretty awesome. I was worry about the chain that came with it but it worked perfect. Nothing bad to say about it at all.
1000 Lb. Capacity Engine Support Bar

wall mount ones I got last year held up ok, until I missed the lock on one and tried to bend it back and started breaking tabs. Wanted to get the rolling one, but found a Lista cabinet for cheap on cl.