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WestyMan1971 Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2008 Posts: 682 Location: The Granite State
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:35 am Post subject: Official Harbor Freight win or lose thread |
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As those of us who shop at Harbor Freight know, their items can be hit or miss. Some of their tools perform fantastically while others are absolute garbage. The tools that perform well can sometimes be an incredible deal.
I created this thread for people to give an account of their experiences with Harbor Freight and "review" particular items, if you will. I would like to help weed out the garbage and help inform other VW folks which items to avoid.
The rules:
-No opinions on Harbor Freight as whole. (example: "HF Tools sucks, everything they sell is garbage.")
-If possible, include the item number and please try to use the item's name according to HF. Sometimes there are multiple items which are similar, some better than others.
-If you would recommend the item to others, mark it WIN, if not, mark it LOSE.
-Please write a short description of how you are using the items and your reason for liking or disliking it. _________________ Visit the Vintage Volkswagen Parts & Tech Wiki today!
'71 Westy "Maggie" - M-Plate
Parts for sale!
Last edited by WestyMan1971 on Wed May 16, 2012 7:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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WestyMan1971 Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2008 Posts: 682 Location: The Granite State
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:41 am Post subject: |
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-#68287 18 Volt Cordless 3/8" Drill/Driver and Flashlight Kit - WIN - I can't say I held out high hopes for this. I bought it for temporary use because my nice cordless drill set was in storage 2000 miles away. I've had it about 2 years and surprisingly it's held up through many, many projects.
-#37107 6 Piece Alligator Clips - LOSE - Bought these to make some test leads. Cheaply built. They are useless as a crimp on connector. I ended up having to solder them to make them work. Alligator clips should be quick and painless.
-#9639 5 Piece Heat Shrink Wire Wrap Assortment - WIN - Decent quality heat shrink tubing. Not much that can go wrong here. EDIT: Would have been nice if they included 1/8" with it though. _________________ Visit the Vintage Volkswagen Parts & Tech Wiki today!
'71 Westy "Maggie" - M-Plate
Parts for sale!
Last edited by WestyMan1971 on Thu May 17, 2012 9:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69809 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Bill271 Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2008 Posts: 761 Location: escondido
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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Their notcher is suprisingly good
The black shrink wrap is very good
there big chop saw blades are good
also their little small nut and bolt sets arent bad |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76907 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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I bought a leak down tester... its crap. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69809 Location: Phoenix Metro
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MrBusCo Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 1561 Location: stoughton, WI
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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#93608 40 Lb. Capacity Floor Blast Cabinet - WIN
I think this sandblasting cabinet is great, but does need a couple modifications. This is what I did to mine:
Seal every single seam with some sort of sealant when you assemble it. even around the light.
Add a Dust Deputy in line in the exhaust port to collect and recycle the media and keep it out of the air and shop vac.
Of course use a shop vac on the vacuum port. Use a bag in the vac to keep the dust out of the air.
Make sure you use a 20% off coupon! _________________ Josh The Bus Guy formerly known as JOGR
BlazeCutUSA.com MrBusCo.com |
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D/A/N Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2010 Posts: 2227 Location: 11222
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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EverettB wrote: |
I don't see exactly what I have on their web site right now but similar to this:
#93888 - Mover's Dolly - WIN
Not a tool exactly but I have a couple of their furniture dollys and they work great for sliding engines around in my garage. |
WIN: I used that very Mover's Dolly to roll my engine around a garage for 3 weeks and it performed perfectly. My only complaint is that it wasn't one of those 3 sided engine dollys.
WIN: #99699 5 Piece Metric S-Type Obstruction Wrench Set
Pittsburgh
I've only used the 13mm one to get at carburetor to manifold nuts, rear fuel pump nut, and a few other difficult to reach nuts but it's been a life saver a few times.
LOSE: #239 1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench
Set it to 15 ft/lbs and it never clicked leading me to overtorque the nut on my rocker stud. Ruined my weekend a few months ago. |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17285 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 12:52 am Post subject: |
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D/A/N wrote: |
LOSE: #239 1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench
Set it to 15 ft/lbs and it never clicked leading me to overtorque the nut on my rocker stud. Ruined my weekend a few months ago. |
The fail is your fault. You shouldn't be using a ½" drive torque wrench for such a low torque. Get a 3/8" drive torque wrench. _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69809 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 10:04 am Post subject: |
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Bruce wrote: |
D/A/N wrote: |
LOSE: #239 1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench
Set it to 15 ft/lbs and it never clicked leading me to overtorque the nut on my rocker stud. Ruined my weekend a few months ago. |
The fail is your fault. You shouldn't be using a ½" drive torque wrench for such a low torque. Get a 3/8" drive torque wrench. |
I can't speak to the sizing (although that makes sense to me) but I have seen multiple reports of their torque wrenches not clicking properly. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Low67vdubinnocal Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2006 Posts: 840 Location: norcal
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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#65053 radiator pressure tester. Win. $50 to $80 range
Used this tester on many import cars from BMW to VW. never a problem yet. |
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vwfanatic67 Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Warner Robins, GA
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 4:55 am Post subject: |
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EverettB wrote: |
Bruce wrote: |
D/A/N wrote: |
LOSE: #239 1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench
Set it to 15 ft/lbs and it never clicked leading me to overtorque the nut on my rocker stud. Ruined my weekend a few months ago. |
The fail is your fault. You shouldn't be using a ½" drive torque wrench for such a low torque. Get a 3/8" drive torque wrench. |
I can't speak to the sizing (although that makes sense to me) but I have seen multiple reports of their torque wrenches not clicking properly. |
I bought several sets of usually expensive speciality tools. Been great because they are low use. Cant say I would trust anything like a torque wrench or any other calibrated tool. Just seems like a tool to not bargain shop on. _________________ "white trash but worth every cent"
SBS #74
52 Split Beetle
60 Panel
65 Notchback
More if my wife would let me! |
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D/A/N Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2010 Posts: 2227 Location: 11222
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 8:13 am Post subject: |
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EverettB wrote: |
Bruce wrote: |
D/A/N wrote: |
LOSE: #239 1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench
Set it to 15 ft/lbs and it never clicked leading me to overtorque the nut on my rocker stud. Ruined my weekend a few months ago. |
The fail is your fault. You shouldn't be using a ½" drive torque wrench for such a low torque. Get a 3/8" drive torque wrench. |
I can't speak to the sizing (although that makes sense to me) but I have seen multiple reports of their torque wrenches not clicking properly. |
Fair enough.....user error could have factored into it but in my "defense" I was within the advertised range of the wrench. I have another 1/2" drive torque wrench that handles 15 ft/lbs. Anyway....
Here's a WIN: #37049 Pack Of 100 X-Large Latex Gloves
I actually only got the large but they're cheaper than at the 99cent store in my neighborhood and are perfect for avoiding annoying small cuts to the hands and not spreading grease, dirt, grime around your engine, garage, house, etc. |
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Attorney Isaiah Loophole Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2005 Posts: 602 Location: Zebulon, GA
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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item# 99849 3/4" Forged Ball Point Joint Separator $20
WIN!
I use this tool often to pop tie rods loose without damage to the tie rod or boot _________________ Bryce
Georgia Dubs
61 Beetle "Old Blue"
62 Beetle
64 Beetle "Pat" |
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Bill271 Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2008 Posts: 761 Location: escondido
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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Another good one: the nutsert tool very handy when you need threads on a blind hole, like when you mount the coil to the fan shroud |
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OvalTeenAZ Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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6000Lb Winch.. FAIL!
Killed the winch loading a bay window bus on my trailer... Sparks and smoke everywhere.... Not rated for SHIT...
the 12k on the other hand is a killer winch... I like it better than the 15k ramsey winch I had...
http://www.harborfreight.com/6000-lb-off-road-vehi...68141.html |
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WestyMan1971 Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2008 Posts: 682 Location: The Granite State
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 10:35 am Post subject: |
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#37822 - 6" Bench Grinder w/Gooseneck Lamp - WIN!
I've needed a bench grinder for a while now but I'm operating on a limited budget. I saw the other HF 6" grinder #39797 for sale at an consignment tool shop for $30, but due to many of the reviews I read saying it's underpowered, I decided to pop for the one with the lamp. Haven't done anything VW-related with it yet, but I've used it to sharpen a few tools and it's performing flawlessly. _________________ Visit the Vintage Volkswagen Parts & Tech Wiki today!
'71 Westy "Maggie" - M-Plate
Parts for sale! |
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Endicott jb Bondo King
Joined: February 17, 2008 Posts: 1902 Location: Havre, MT
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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item # 42202 Abrasive blast cabinet, works very well for any small metal bits and will even fit an entire exle housing. Definately a win. _________________ Josh
OORAH!!
1965 vw beetle(Mayble)
1968 vw beetle(Caroline)
1974 VW Panel Bus
2003 Dodge 2500 5.9 Cummins(Katey)
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(0\_!_/0)
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Don't drink and post
http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg353/endicott_jb/IMG_20110113_085237.jpg
When life throws you curveballs switch to boomerangs. |
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theastronaut Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2007 Posts: 1631 Location: Anderson, SC
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Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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Here's a similar thread on another forum I frequent. It's up to 6 pages, so there's more info there than here.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=415511 _________________ Strive for perfection in everything. Take the best that exist and make it better. If it doesn't exist, create it. Accept nothing nearly right or good enough."
-Sir Henry Royce, co-founder of Rolls-Royce
'64 Beetle Sunroof OG Bahama Blue
'63 Beetle Vert
'66 Beetle
'88 Festiva L
'89 Festiva L
'64 Chevy C10
'66 Chevy C10 |
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WestyMan1971 Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2008 Posts: 682 Location: The Granite State
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Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:57 am Post subject: |
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vwfanatic67 wrote: |
I bought several sets of usually expensive speciality tools. Been great because they are low use. Cant say I would trust anything like a torque wrench or any other calibrated tool. Just seems like a tool to not bargain shop on. |
I was on the fence about buying the HF torque wrench and have been reading mixed reviews, mostly good, but a few bad too. Seems like they're a decent tool with a few bad apples slipping through quality control.
I know it's an important tool, but it's not something I use often enough to invest $100+. I thought about the cheaper Craftsman until I read this, it convinced me to go ahead and try the HF wrench (from slick deals forum):
Quote: |
Update on my purchase.
I ended up returning the 1/2" drive $39 one this weekend at Sears. That afternoon I called up my friend who works at a shop with a torque wrench analyzer. I decided to take my 5 year old Craftsman 1/2" drive, the new Craftsman I purchased this weekend, and a 4 year old HF 1/2" drive to test.
The new Craftsman featured in this deal consistently tested about 10% lower than its setting after the first few clicks. For example, at 40, 60, 80, and 100 ft-lbs the analyzer showed 36, 55, 73, and 91, respectively. The drop in accuracy with each click was astounding. In case you're wondering, he did properly "warm up" the wrench following the analyzer's instructions before testing. My friend said if they see a reading this bad, they send the new torque wrench back for a replacement. All their wrenches are usually 1 - 3% within spec.
My 5 year old Craftsman (that I mentioned a few times in this thread) looks identical to the new wrench, just doesn't have the high contrast paint in the Craftsman logo on the handle. It tested about 3 - 5 ft-lbs lower than what the setting showed across the range. Not bad for a wrench that has seen moderate use in the last 5 years.
Even more interesting was the HF wrench I had sitting in my garage for years that I avoided to use because I was worried about HF precision tool reliability (bought it for $20 years ago - identical to item 239 on their website). It tested dead-on across the range. At the 80 mark it was about 3 ft-lbs lower than the setting (I think this is because I found the wrench set at 80 when I opened the case - who knows how long it was sitting there not zeroed out. I was certain it was toast after finding it like this!). But at 100 it tested in at 100.35. The only weird thing was it wouldn't turn past 135. Might need some lube. But the 135 test came in at a little over 135. 135.75 if I remember correctly. I was shocked.
So, as you can probably imagine I went back to Sears this weekend and just returned the wrench. Even at $40 bucks I didn't want to deal with it anymore. Sure, I could have just exchanged it but I figured I can now reliably use my HF as a back-up (my main reason for getting the second Craftsman). Hell, maybe I should use the HF one as my primary wrench now!
Anyways, sorry for the long post. Thought I would post an update after spending some time last week defending Craftsman wrenches. Either I had a bad one of Craftsman is really cutting corners. Either way, it's a shame. When I went back to return it, I saw a pile of about 4 that looked like they had also been returned. He put mine in the same pile. |
I have a coupon for the 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 that expires today... 12.99/ea. I'm going to pick up one of each and test them with weights (I do this for ski binding calibration tools every year, basically a glorified beam-style wrench). If they pass, I'll keep and use them... if not, back to HF. Will post results. _________________ Visit the Vintage Volkswagen Parts & Tech Wiki today!
'71 Westy "Maggie" - M-Plate
Parts for sale! |
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