The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight - Page 8 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

donthekawguy · 02-10-2013, 03:56 AM

My GF got me a 20 gallon compressor 3 years ago and it has worked great. No problems at all. In 1996 I picked up a pretty big tool set from Fingerhut of all places. I have yet to break a ratchet, socket or wrench. They are mastercraft brand made in China. I guess China used better steel back then.

**truckster** · 02-14-2013, 11:25 AM

I'll jump in.

Good:
20 ton press
Transmission Jack
Soldering gun
Ratchet extensions
Heat shrink tube
Bearing separator plate
Bug zapper
Bungee cords

Useable, but not great:
Sand blaster (I think it's a 50 lb)
Die grinder (uses a lot of air and doesn't grind much. Maybe it's not so useable after all.)

Bad:
Pitman arm separator (cracked on first use)
Exhaust tubing spreader (stripped threads on first use)
4" grinder (first one lasted 2 hours; replacement lasted 10 minutes)
Impact wrenches (what good is an impact if you have to use a breaker bar first?)
Band clamps (worm drive type)

That's all I can think of right now.

Lattimer · 02-14-2013, 11:48 AM

I've had good and bad with them.

Good:
I actually have a 4" angle grinder I've beat the crap out of for over 10 years that still works great.
Earthquake impact gun has worked well for many years
Offset box end wrenches----don't use them a lot, but have been handy and no issues
Heat gun---got it on sale for like $9 and it works great
Heat shrink tubing---cheap and works great

meh
Manual tire changer----had to re-weld it in a bunch of places, works good now. Mostly use for motorcycle tires
Hardware----some of the sheetmetal screws and stuff are ok, some are not
Pipe threader---just barely ok
Sockets---just ok
Electric cut off tool---works ok but trips out easy. Have to keep resetting it.

Bad
Screwdrivers
Flashlights

Haven't tried much else.

71K20chevy · 12-04-2013, 11:34 AM

I've found that the quick setting epoxy seems to hold better than JB weld...

ole dollor · 12-05-2013, 01:13 AM

a few weeks back I bought the $40.00 HVLP paint gun... it works great.

NONHOG · 12-05-2013, 01:52 PM

Happy (so far) with this.... http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gaug...ear-92148.html

Cuts pretty clean, fairly easy cuts.

Mr-Jack · 12-08-2013, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NONHOG

Happy (so far) with this.... http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gaug...ear-92148.html

Cuts pretty clean, fairly easy cuts.

that work on stainless?

dirtyjim · 12-08-2013, 03:31 PM

their ratcheting crimpers Central-Forge - item#97420 also work well once you get the tension adjusted right. just make sure you put the terminal in the correct direction, the wire needs to feed in from the side of the crimper with the three colored dots. accel spark plug crimping heads also fit.

Kim57 · 02-18-2014, 11:36 PM

I've had the retractable air hose for years.
Can't complain one bit about it.
Kim

midniteblues · 02-19-2014, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim57

I've had the retractable air hose for years.
Can't complain one bit about it.
Kim

great thanks kim57

**Palf70Step** · 02-19-2014, 06:34 AM

As you mentioned in your initial post, the hose in mine started cracking/drying/leaking out after about 2 years (I think may have been closer to 3). I replaced it with another hose and it is good to go again. I can't complain though, and the reel works great.

midniteblues · 02-19-2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

As you mentioned in your initial post, the hose in mine started cracking/drying/leaking out after about 2 years (I think may have been closer to 3). I replaced it with another hose and it is good to go again. I can't complain though, and the reel works great.

2-3 years isnt bad though for a hf tool.
i had gotten a manual hose reel from there years ago its been holding up just fine after rewelding the handle back on

. i use that one too reach outside.

picking up an coiling air hose just becomes a pita all the time.

theastronaut · 10-01-2012, 04:28 PM

A little HF humor.

FrankieD · 10-02-2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theastronaut

A little HF humor.

WOW somebody put a lot of time in this pretty funny

ETsC10 · 10-02-2012, 11:42 AM

WOW!! Christmas shopping in one stop!
I know at least 5 people getting the headlamp and
I MUST have that nail-unbender!

.

zaccaglin · 10-03-2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ETsC10

WOW!! Christmas shopping in one stop!
I know at least 5 people getting the headlamp and
I MUST have that nail-unbender!

.

Don't forget the garden hose/extension cord combo. Great for your mother in law!
Posted via Mobile Device

midniteblues · 10-03-2012, 11:53 PM

boy only if they made the muppet grade gloves in the two finger configuration i would buy a dozen

02-10-2013, 03:56 AM	#1
donthekawguy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rathdrum ID Posts: 1,128	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight My GF got me a 20 gallon compressor 3 years ago and it has worked great. No problems at all. In 1996 I picked up a pretty big tool set from Fingerhut of all places. I have yet to break a ratchet, socket or wrench. They are mastercraft brand made in China. I guess China used better steel back then. __________________ 66 shorty

02-14-2013, 11:25 AM	#2
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,846	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight I'll jump in. Good: 20 ton press Transmission Jack Soldering gun Ratchet extensions Heat shrink tube Bearing separator plate Bug zapper Bungee cords Useable, but not great: Sand blaster (I think it's a 50 lb) Die grinder (uses a lot of air and doesn't grind much. Maybe it's not so useable after all.) Bad: Pitman arm separator (cracked on first use) Exhaust tubing spreader (stripped threads on first use) 4" grinder (first one lasted 2 hours; replacement lasted 10 minutes) Impact wrenches (what good is an impact if you have to use a breaker bar first?) Band clamps (worm drive type) That's all I can think of right now.

02-14-2013, 11:48 AM	#3
Lattimer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Mickleton, NJ Posts: 1,776	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight I've had good and bad with them. Good: I actually have a 4" angle grinder I've beat the crap out of for over 10 years that still works great. Earthquake impact gun has worked well for many years Offset box end wrenches----don't use them a lot, but have been handy and no issues Heat gun---got it on sale for like $9 and it works great Heat shrink tubing---cheap and works great meh Manual tire changer----had to re-weld it in a bunch of places, works good now. Mostly use for motorcycle tires Hardware----some of the sheetmetal screws and stuff are ok, some are not Pipe threader---just barely ok Sockets---just ok Electric cut off tool---works ok but trips out easy. Have to keep resetting it. Bad Screwdrivers Flashlights Haven't tried much else. __________________ Shawn 1970 Chevy C-10 SWB, 350, TKO 600 5 speed My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559881

12-04-2013, 11:34 AM	#4
71K20chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ft Wayne Indiana Posts: 1,204	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight I've found that the quick setting epoxy seems to hold better than JB weld... __________________ 71 K20 64 GMC mud truck

12-05-2013, 01:13 AM	#5
ole dollor Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Anton, Texas Posts: 2,364	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight a few weeks back I bought the $40.00 HVLP paint gun... it works great.

12-05-2013, 01:52 PM	#6
NONHOG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Marana, Arizona Posts: 3,416	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight Happy (so far) with this.... http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gaug...ear-92148.html Cuts pretty clean, fairly easy cuts. __________________ "I feel the need for speed!"... as soon as I am done with my nap.

12-08-2013, 03:31 PM	#8
dirtyjim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: alvin, texas Posts: 622	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight their ratcheting crimpers Central-Forge - item#97420 also work well once you get the tension adjusted right. just make sure you put the terminal in the correct direction, the wire needs to feed in from the side of the crimper with the three colored dots. accel spark plug crimping heads also fit. __________________ 1967 C10 lwb two tone, 305 & rat fink style floor shifted 700r4, 20" steelies 2004 2500HD utility bed aka Brutus

02-18-2014, 11:36 PM	#9
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight I've had the retractable air hose for years. Can't complain one bit about it. Kim __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

02-19-2014, 06:34 AM	#11
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,754	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight As you mentioned in your initial post, the hose in mine started cracking/drying/leaking out after about 2 years (I think may have been closer to 3). I replaced it with another hose and it is good to go again. I can't complain though, and the reel works great. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

10-01-2012, 04:28 PM	#13
theastronaut Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Anderson SC Posts: 3,876	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight A little HF humor. __________________ Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc

10-02-2012, 11:42 AM	#15
ETsC10 Hand Crafted C-10 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Burien, WA Posts: 5,180	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight WOW!! Christmas shopping in one stop! I know at least 5 people getting the headlamp and I MUST have that nail-unbender! .

10-03-2012, 11:53 PM	#17
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight boy only if they made the muppet grade gloves in the two finger configuration i would buy a dozen __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.



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