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#26 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Paradise, ca
Posts: 295
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
my apologies for the political, and I did post the tools that have served me well from harbor freight
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#27 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: nw arkansas
Posts: 41
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
The good ,3/4 in drive socket sets I have standard and metric.I have used them on a impact without problem.
The bad the ratchets that come in the set . About all they are good for is to take up space.
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69 gmc 4x4 lwb 327 4sd not running |
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#28 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I was just saying we have to be careful about the politics because in the end thats what it all comes down to but for obvious reasons its as bad a topic on an internet forum as it is a bar full of strangers.
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Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
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#29 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chula Vista, Ca
Posts: 518
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Ive bought hand tools, wire terminals, tape, tarps, caster wheels, angle finders and everything has been good. besides lifetime warranty on hand tools id preffer them instead of crapsman anyday.
The only bad thing ive bought was a damn mallet it came loose at the first strike. |
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#30 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: phoenix az
Posts: 141
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I love em,
90 amp flux core wire feed 4 tears and still running strong not bad for 80 bucks! vertical belt sander 5 years still running strong 70 bucks, 7 dollar air chisel, 3 years its good to go. 1/2 earthquake impact and 3/8 air ratchet. the BOMB! HVLP purple paint gun, Works great. 3/8 torque wrench. good I havent really had anything bad from there and being a weekend warrior doing few paint jobs in my life or doing that many ball joints it very impracticle to buy a really expensive name brand tool. Just an FYI not everything from HF is made in asia, there is alot of stuff made in the USA there. |
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#31 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: creedmoor n.c.
Posts: 188
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
good: grinder. impact sockets. da sander (has had the crap beat out of it),sawzall (havent used it much)air cut off tool. so-so : flux core welder. bad : grinding wheels, test lite, knockoff vice grips. i think for the weekend mechanic its hard to beat harbor frieght.
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#32 |
Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Graham, Wa.
Posts: 192
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Good: Well for me all Pittsburgh brand handtools (pliers, sockets, channel locks, wire snippers, etc.) are doing great, the ratchets are arguable but with a little shake they still do the job. Over the past 10 years i've had them ive put quite a bit of abuse into them and surprisingly they still work.
The bad: cut-off wheels....
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- Cole 1979 Chevy C30 w/ carb 454. 1992 Chevy K1500 w/ tbi 350. *Sold* 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 w/ Magnum 360 *Sold* "Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgment." - George Washington |
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#33 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Marana, Arizona
Posts: 3,416
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Every electrical powered tool I've used from them is weak at best. That being said they are still usable. Had a belt/disc combo sander that is very poor quality and told myself when it dies I upgrade. problem is it won't die.
Bought wobbly extensions and took them back after seeing them out of the box. The new wrenches, work great (so far) I do question the strength. Snap ring pliers (bought years ago) were total crap. Rolled them up in a ball with only my hands they were that soft.
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"I feel the need for speed!"... as soon as I am done with my nap. |
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#34 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 1,374
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
They are great for buying one-time or rarely used items. I'm happy with the bearing race/seal driver set I got there.
I don't buy anything with an electric motor from them, and I've had bad results from consumables like cutting blades/etc. so I don't buy those anymore. Some things are unbeatable though. When they have their full-face protectors on sale for $2.99 I usually get an armload. When they get scratched up, I use another. They have multimeters for $3.99 -- cheaper than you can replace the batteries. I have several of these stored all over. Their prices on casters and wheels are unbeatable, and I haven't had trouble with any I've bought so far. I also have a sandblast cabinet, and a pressurized sandblaster and am happy with both.
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1972 C10 LWB, 350/350 Deconstruction began 5/2009, mostly completed restoration, 5/2017 |
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#35 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lacombe, LA
Posts: 2,772
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Good:
Stud Welder/Dent puller system Bad Wheel Dolly's bb baring casters fell apart, will replace wheels
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http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/jb...23904108567829 |
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#36 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Mo
Posts: 963
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I have bought several items from HF and been pleased with the performance. I do collision repair and use several of their hand tools and sockets on a daily basis. I turned to them when I kept breaking my snap on ratchets regularly and sockets splitting. I have had no prob with their sockets at all, since I have went with Kobalt and Stanley ratchets they are cheap and decent for daily use. Besides our local snap on dealer is always on hold with snap on corporate because no one around here can afford to pay him lately and if i need something I have to wait 3-6 months for him to be able to order it. Just bought new snap on creeper 4 months ago and its split in half. I cant afford to keep buying snap on tools or having them rebuilt for that matter. Cost me $135 to get my $380 Snap on 3/8 air ratchet redone and it still isnt right. Thats rediculous. So I will use tools I can afford to put food on the table for my kids and keep a light on and a roof over our heads.
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New daily driver 96 Chevy K3500 crew cab dually 53,000 miles 350 Vortec 4L80 Nice ride 67 Chevy C-10 LWB Built 350 TH-400 Wifes ride and family rig: 2001 Furd Expedition 5.4 Liter ![]() Kickin back in Rolla,Mo. USA "Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain" Mark Twain |
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#37 |
Son of a gun
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Posts: 1,636
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I bought a 4inch angle grinder and got exactly 5 minutes of use out of it.
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Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER |
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#38 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I've got 4 of the 4 inch grinders that have been going strong for over 5 years.
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#39 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012
Posts: 1,079
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
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#40 |
VA72C10
![]() Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Midlothian, VA
Posts: 25,269
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Weird. Seems hit or miss....I have two grinders I got for 9.99 on sales and they're both over 2yrs old with no issues.
If you have an issue with one take it back and get a new one...
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Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA. ![]() |
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#41 | |
Truck and auto performance nut
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: McKinney,Texas
Posts: 3,848
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Quote:
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Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken |
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#42 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Posts: 194
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
does anyone have experiance with the welders, im mostly interested in the tig welder(i dont remember much about it but right now its 429 bucks). i have been looking for one kinda cheap but still useful, any input would be helpful thanks
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#43 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Posts: 194
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/tig-mma...:referralID=NA thats the link for the tig welder i am asking about...
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#44 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: DAYTON
Posts: 505
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I abuse the orange 4 1/2" grinders. I have 6 of them. I use them everyday. one for each different wheel so I dont have to change them...
I buy one when they go on sale. Shortly after I buy a new one I take back an old one with that new recipt & they give me a new one free no questions asked...
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#45 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
so, you admit to stealing?
Last edited by Shane; 02-06-2011 at 09:46 AM. |
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#46 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Marysville, OH
Posts: 667
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I have so much HF stuff I don't know where to start:
Good: Engine Crane Large Winches Jack Stands (be careful though, weight rating is for a PAIR, not each. Not immediately obvious.) Blast Cabinet (don't try to move it full of media though, legs will fold) Ratchet tie downs Motorcycle Stand Air/Hyd Bottle Jacks Motorcycle Lift Chain Fall Utility Trailer Oil Drain tank/Dolly Heat Gun Framing Nailer 1/2" Earthquake Impact Wrench (works great and sounds like a Ferrari) 1" Shallow Well Pump (has worked well for several years now, and I bought an open box one for a backup for $40 with a coupon) Brushes Gloves LED Flashlights (free) Pittsburgh wrenches and pliers (haven't broken or rounded off any yet, but cheap enough that I wouldn't care if I did) Digital Calipers C-Clamps Air Cutoff Tool (haven't broken one, but at $9.99 who cares? Cutoff wheels seem to work ok for me) Die Grinder Chain Fall Magnetic Driveway Cleaner 6 foot Level Squares Powder Coater Retractable Hose reel 12 Volt Jump Start Power Supply (got me going a couple of times, works best if you charge it before going on a trip, not just leaving it in your vehicle) Trailer Light Kit Adjustable Table Saw Dolly Kit Bench Buffer Motor Wood Lathe with Adjustable Rotating Head (get it while it is on sale with a 20% coupon on top for less than $200, makes a great wheel polisher with a little creativity) Be Careful: Anything Hydraulic - all the hydraulic stuff I have seems to develop problems/leaks - Wheel Dollys (AWESOME otherwise, but have to add fluid that leaks out from time to time), Air/Hydraulic Ram (added this to my engine hoist, and it worked great to begin with, but is problematic now), Hydraulic Jacks (seem to leak more often) Shop Press (bent over time, but still works) Chains and Tow Straps (don't seem to be up to intended tasks, but trucker chains are nice for engine hoists, just don't try to yank a truck out of a ditch with one) Adjustable Tow Bar (worked ok for a while, but stopped using because it was bending) Parts Washer (good deal, but was missing pump parts. Did not realize until I unboxed well after I bought it) Roller Stands (not good for much more than a single piece of lumber, don't turn well) Electric Terminals (work, but very flimsy) Manual Tire Changer (better than nothing, but it's getting bent up) Cheap Air Hose (works, but hard to manage/too stiff) Casters (some are good, especially for the price, but others don't want to roll straight) Steel Wheel Dollies (don't always roll straight) 7" Variable Polisher (speed control is not very precise, changes while using) Avoid at all costs: High Speed Metal Saw - Air Powered (so frustrating I threw it into my pond) Drill Bits Plastic Spring Clamps/Ratchet Clamps (I have yet to find a use for these, spring is WAY too tight and clamp too flimsy (any size), ratchet clamps will not hold anything) Taps/Dies Ratchets Portable Abrasive Blasters 12 Volt Electric Portable winch ( the one shrouded in plastic with the handle) - junk Auto Darkening Welding Shield The best part is getting 20% off ANYTHING (even clearance, sale, and high-dollar items)
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1957 GMC Ambulance 1962 Belair Wagon 1963 C80 Truck Cab *FOR SALE* 1969 Chevy C10 Short Bed 1972 Chevy C10 Long Bed *SOLD* 1996 C3500 Dually *SOLD* Last edited by 7T2; 02-06-2011 at 11:00 AM. |
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#47 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lacombe, LA
Posts: 2,772
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
It not really stealing from HF, it more like a lending library, becasue of the quality, many think that fair.
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#48 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
You can call it what you want, but if you get caught the judge will call it theft by deception. Just a FYI ...
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#49 | |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: DAYTON
Posts: 505
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Quote:
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#50 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Glad to help ...
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