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.
 
This adapter might be what you're looking for. Goes from standard to metric. I use one with my Paasche VL airbrush. I also have a cheapo 5 dollar HFT airbrush too, but it doesn't compare to the "real deal"!
 
That adaptor was exactly what I needed but none of the local HF's had it arround here! I tried to take a pic of the one I made for entertainment purposes but the camera is on the fritz now. I'll be taking that appart next! Luck I tell ya.
 
There's a HFT about a mile away from my work. And next to several lunch eateries. I'm generally there every other week, (to which drives my Wife crazy....) :rolleyes:
 
Rotary tool, Dremel knock off- horrible- tossed it. No power, accessories sucked.

Hi Hough,

I am guessing that you got this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94076

That is just a toy.

I bought this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40457

This one has worked beautifully for me.

It is better than the old craftsman knockoff I used to have. Which was better than the dremel of the time. More solid. More power... Etc.

This one gets two thumbs up from me.
 
I bought their second biggest bench vice last winter---made in India. This is the model with the swivel base.

Second use I torqued off the screw that tightens up the swivel---had to swing it all the way to one side and run a big lag screw into the bench top--now it don't swivel any more. Otherwise, it holds things pretty well.
 
The Garden Hose

Quick disconnect kits are nice and work quite well and way cheaper then the Depot...Also I got the Chicago chainsaw chain sharpener its nice works well.
 
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