Harbor Freight - what sucks and what doesn't list

arceeguy

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Since we all like to tinker with mechanical things like our motorized bikes, and do it on a "low budget" - I thought it would be helpful to post which tools sold at HFT are good, and which ones are not.

I have found that most of the tools are OK if you are not a professional contractor/mechanic that depends on them every day - but there are some items that aren't worth the shipping from China. There's a reason why some have nicknamed them "horror freight". When I placed my first catalog order from them several years ago, they were "Harbor Freight Salvage". Where did the "salvage" go? I can risk $25 on a 4.5" grinder, but I wouldn't trust a HFT pacemaker!

Post your experiences both good and bad!

Also - let's not get into China bashing. It's all about getting cool tools cheap. For example, a HFT auto feed wire welder for 90 bucks can get a fellow MB enthusiast making custom frames where they wouldn't be able to afford the $500 Miller or Lincoln.


The Good-

Central Pneumatics 2HP pancake compressor. - I've had mine for several years now. It is oil lubricated with cast iron cylinder. Great for dusting things off with compressed air, and to run small air tools. I even run my IR 230C impact gun with it. (in short bursts, enough to knock off lug nuts with ease!) Can be had for $89 on sale.

4.5" Grinder - Had mine for about 5 years. It hasn't failed me yet! Gearbox is noisy, but my buddies Home Depot Ryobi is worse.

Bench Grinder w/flex shaft - I use this one a lot. I had to replace the brushes already! (it is about 3 years old)

3/8" butterfly impact wrench - Great for automotive work. Knocking off oil drain plugs, caliper bolts, etc. Small enough to fit in most spots, powerful enough to break small fasteners (less than 15mm bolt head) loose.

Electronic Fly Swatter - yep, this one is silly, but they had a pile of them on sale for $2.99. Kills flies and yellow jackets with a hearty "SNAP" and a bright blue spark.

Engine cleaning gun - add compressed air with some detergent mix and end up with a sparkling clean engine. (cars, lawn mowers, etc.) Works great on alloy rims blasting away brake dust with ease. I do have to crank up my 220V compressor to run it continuously, as the little HFT compressor cannot keep up.

6.5 HP Horizontal Shaft Engine - we beat the living carp out of these Honda GX clones and they keep coming back for more. Disable the governor, and keep it under 5000RPM! The ones I've purchased had the "Central Machinery" brand and were made by Lifan in China - a large motorcycle/scooter manufacturer. "Greyhound" is a new trade name for HFT. I have one of their new 2.5HP engines, but haven't powered anything with it yet. (it is going on a rack mount motorized bike project)

The Bad -

1/2" drive impact extension set - The metal is too soft and considerable energy is lost in the extension and not applied to the nut or bolt you are trying to hammer off. My Craftsman impact extensions are hard enough to transfer the power, yet not shatter like a standard extension would. The HFT set is the one I will loan out. :devil2: (Golden Rule #1 - Never loan out tools you actually want back!)

Anything cordless. (and less than say $35) The chargers are most likely overnight trickle chargers, the batteries self discharge in a week, the motors are not too powerful.

1/2" Drive Electric Impact Wrench - Rated at 240 lb/ft, I doubt it exceeds 120 lb/ft. Very disappointed. Another one to loan out. :)

1/2" Drive Impact Wrench - This one is kind of a toss up. For 20 bucks did I really expect it to deliver 250 lb/ft of torque? It doesn't, but I do use it quite a bit. I'll pull out the Ingersoll Rand impact if this one doesn't have the balls to do the job.
 
I tried their $45 variable speed buffer, the gear drive sounded awfully loud, so returned it.............plus,....I have never learned how to buff.....I am really bad at it.

I previously had the Black and Decker Pro variable speed buffer.....but it and thousands of dollars of other tools were stolen from me at public storage. DO NOT ever store anything in public storage.............the managers are often in cahoots with crooks..............I bought the insurance and the company told me............no coverage for theft without signs of forced entry.................got totally screwed.


Anyone own the 6" buffer? ITEM 94393

It's on sale for $39, or is better to wait for the 8" buffer to go on sale?
 
I'd bust a lock in my basement and say there!

Buffing is easy, stay away from edges because they burn quick! I can't do it anymore with my back. If your a beginer use the 6" but a bigger wheel is a must for professional use! Makita makes a nice variable speed for under $100
 
I used my 3.5 " HF Belt sander and palm (random orbital ) sanders today,...both good quality for the price. Just built a Harbor freight folding trailer for motorcycle hauling.....like it.....and so convenient...folds against the wall.

Also have Had HF

Compressor,
bench grinder with stand
ball peen hammers
hammer drill
Bench belt and disc sander
multimeters
fish tape
tape measure
lawn sprinkler timers
tire patch/plug kits
hex head sockets
T wrenches Ball and normal...metric
shrink wrap
gas welding gauges, tips and hose kit
battery operated reversible drill/driver
rechargeable 1million candle power spot lamp
nitrile gloves,
flexible recoil air hose
air die grinder
air cut off disc
air random orbital sander
4" angle grinder
pry bar kit
open end wrench set
numerous special sockets
auto and motorcycle tire changing machine
air brush compressor
Automotive A/C test gauges
High volume low pressure electric paint spray unit
Im sure there are many others that I have forgotten.


Most of the above were stolen from my storage unit....but prior to the theft and since....with those items that I have replaced...............I have had great service from most everything I bought from HF....with the possible exception of a couple of compressors that werent long lived which HF was quick to replace or refund....whichever I wished.

No complaints about HF from me.

BC
 
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Actually need to clarify that a bit. Although Im pretty good buffing with wool pads....I totally suck buffing with the newer foam pads............they get too much traction and hop around.

I'd bust a lock in my basement and say there!

Buffing is easy, stay away from edges because they burn quick! I can't do it anymore with my back. If your a beginer use the 6" but a bigger wheel is a must for professional use! Makita makes a nice variable speed for under $100
 
Actually need to clarify that a bit. Although Im pretty good buffing with wool pads....I totally suck buffing with the newer foam pads............they get too much traction and hop around.

Actually that's not the type of buffer I was writing about.
 
Im talking about High speed rotary (not random orbital)with variable speed adjustment as used in body shops. HF sells a knock off of the Black and decker generally used....its the one with the noisy gear drive I mentioned.....their's comes with the newer style foam pad..............Im old school wool pad.

BC
 

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What sucks what doesn't list

This is the type of post that makes me love this web page. Briliant!
 
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