Harbor Freight Tools -- What works? and What doesn't?

[Bensiff]

Couple of other things I forgot to add to the list...

Their tool chests are as good quality as any Sears or big box store brands. If you want higher quality you would need to buy Snap-On or similar.

Their professional automotive spray gun is serviceable. The body actually looks identical to that of a professional gun that runs about $125. My only complaint is that the paint cup attaches poorly and requires some work to get it to seal solidly. I wouldn't shoot a show car with it, but for my brewer stand and control box or standard cars it works fine.

Impact sockets have worked well so far.

I don't trust their torque wrenches.

Long story short, most all the crap you buy anymore whether it is from HF, Sears, HD, or Lowes is made in the same factories in China, they may have a few slight differences in them or often times simply have a different color and sticker.

 

[alien]

Generally I avoid buying things from HF that have more than 2 moving parts, but the HF angle grinder I bought as a back up has been well worth the $15 I paid for it. I will happily buy cheap hand tools from HF if they won't see a lot of use. Motorized tools I would rather get second hand from estate sales or craigslist.

Cheap and good:
step drill bits
4-1/2" angle grinder
angle grinder cut off discs
clamps
zip ties
crescent wrench set
mechanic's gloves (if they fit your hands)
aviation snips

Cheap and so-so:
most hand tools including pliers, saws, hammers etc.

Cheap rubbish:
PTFE tape
Titanium Nitride coated drill bit set (easily bent)
socket set (ratchet broke on 2nd use)
emery paper
welding gloves

 

[srice]

I was in a hurry and needed a pile of 6" c-clamps a couple of years ago. I grabbed about a dozen without inspecting them - I thought it would be pretty tough to screw up a c-clamp. When I attempted to use one of them, the casting was so warped the pressure foot on the screw completely missed the pad on the casting when the clamp was closed. I've kept that clamp around just for the conversation piece it is.

 

[Xtant]

Pneumatic cut off tool is great. That's what we use at work. There's no need to pay $40+ for a simple air tool that dies nothing but spin really fast...

 

[GoodDogShelby]

I have a 4 1/2 angle grinder and an Oscillating Multifunction tool. For the once-in-a-while homeowner job, they are fine. The grinder has been put through its paces and is holding up well. If I had to rely on those tools day in and day out, I would go for a higher quality.

The best thing about HF is the smell!!!

 

[JrBeerGut]

"I don't trust their torque wrenches."

I bought a torque wrench from Harbor Freight for my trailer tires and had Discount Tire check it with their torque checker machine and it was dead on. I thought it would be pretty close but was surprised it was accurate.

 

[Onkel_Udo]

"I don't trust their torque wrenches."

I bought a torque wrench from Harbor Freight for my trailer tires and had Discount Tire check it with their torque checker machine and it was dead on. I thought it would be pretty close but was surprised it was accurate.

Mine is not dead on but it is close enough for what I wanted. Using the Socket-in a-vise-and-weight-on-a-string method I got the 1/2" wrench to break at 50#...set at 48#. Since my most important number is 65# (not for brewing), that is good enough for me.

Love their 2-ton engine crane and use it just as often for things not automotive.

After you replace the pivot grease, their 2-ton low profile jack is awesome.

The $.29 click knives are about perfect...I buy them by the one gallon tub.

Here is the odd part...Menards Tool Shop brand should be exactly the same crappy quality for electric tools as most of the Harbor Freight items I have bought. They are SOOOO much better tool for tool for about 5% more. My oscilating multitool is about the same power but can run all-out for 15 minutes before it heats up.

Their $19 two speed dremel'ish tool...same thing and I used it to cut three 28mm hardened nuts off in a confined space. It took an hour with it running on high speed. Never got to hot to touch...the harbor freight one lasted 10 minutes and melted everything.

 

[milldoggy]

Warning for people looking to get the low speed drill for their mill. It is being replaced by a version without the speed control dial on the trigger. Some stores still have the old one.

 

[Mordhaus]

I'll throw another vote at the 264 gph submersible pump. It's held up fine recirculating ice water through the IC.

I've also put this drill through a bathroom remodel as a mortar and grout mixer. Heck of a lot cheaper than a specific use mixer.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-variable-speed-reversible-heavy-duty-d-handle-drill-69453.html

 

[ArcLight]

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-heavy-duty-spade-handle-drill-93632.html

This is the one I was looking at. I heard that there is a knob on this version that controls the variable speed

Ive used it several times with my Monster Mill and its very good.
It can grinds very slowly so you are less likely to have grains being shredded

I rotated the knob to the slowest setting.

 

[fermentednonsense]

I just got the 1195lb 4x8 trailer. Normally $399, on sale for $289, with 25% off coupon I got it got $234 after tax. You can't beat that. I've been needing one to haul my brew stand and supplies.

 

[Bensiff]

"I don't trust their torque wrenches."

I bought a torque wrench from Harbor Freight for my trailer tires and had Discount Tire check it with their torque checker machine and it was dead on. I thought it would be pretty close but was surprised it was accurate.

I lost my faith when I used the inch/lb torque wrench when mounting a scope on my rem 700. It never clicked and buggered up threads. Fortunately Badger makes solid stuff and the scope rings were fine, just had to replace the bolt. The ft/lb wrench I trust well enough but when you get to ft/lbs most things can handle being over torqued.

 

[mavantix]

I have these adjustable wrenches and they're great, no issues with them:

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-steel-adjustable-wrench-set-903.html

 

[alien]

I have these adjustable wrenches and they're great, no issues with them:

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-steel-adjustable-wrench-set-903.html

I'm happy with mine too.

 

[atoughram]

Their box-end wrench sets which are made in India are pretty darn nice. I've put cheater bars on them without snapping them off. Well worth the $10 bucks.

 

[Spartan1979]

I have an impact drill that has worked well for the few times I've needed to drill into brick/concrete.

The plate joiner I bought has also worked for the times I needed it although the guides are cheaply made.

The small battery powered circular saw I bought was a piece of junk.

Harbor Freight is great for stuff you don't use on a regular basis.

Almost forgot the 1/6HP submersible pump that I use in brewing to circulate ice water - works great.

 

[fermentednonsense]

Stainless steel mud pan and ceramic project magnets make a great drip tray

 

[Vellum]

Just used the low speed drill and step bits to put two holes for electric elements in my brew kettle. Worked very well, wasn't smooth like butter but worked just fine. Like many have said I probably wouldn't use it for repeat professional work but as a hobbiest that will only use the bits a few times the price/performance was just right.

 

[Epimetheus]

All the Harbor Freight tools work for a while, and they often surprise me with their longevity. I have some and believe they are all fine for homeowner use. I have split a socket with a breaker bar and stalled out their drills.

When I want repeatable accuracy and no-excuses-it-just-won't-stop-working, I go to my Milwaukee or DeWalt corded drills. (DeWalt is OK quality)

I do not mind getting HF tools for a one-time or twice job and burning them up.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Don't put a lot of faith in their bench mount vises.........The moveable cast iron jaw usually snaps off if you crank down real hard on them!

 

[pickles]

I used the crap out of one of their cement mixers that i picked up at a garage sale. They're wood clamps are great. The channel lock pliers suck though. I have two multi tools, a Bosch and a HF. The Bosch took a sh$& on the second project, the HF has done multiple wood floor installs, a bathroom renovation, office renovation and is still kicking. That being said, there's no substitute for a high quality tool. Be careful though, Porter Cable at HD and Lowes is not the same quality as a bit pricier Porte Cable version of the same tool at Woodcraft or another tool dealer. I know from experience!

 

[negativereaction]

I have bought so much stuff at Harbor Freight. It's about 50/50 on good vs bad.
Close confines right angle drill works great to power the grain mill (I don't think they sell it any more though)

Other stuff, including 4x8 trailer, tile saw, chop saw, D-handle drill, sliding miter saw, tarps, screwdrivers, hammers, sanding blocks, moving dollies, etc etc etc... I have bought so much. All of it is 'good' for what you pay for it, and 'good' is a relative term depending on how important it is to you.

Short term or limited usage is perfect. There is no better value in that case.

None of it is DeWalt or Milwaukee quality, but there's not many of us that use our tools daily like that.

 

[MaxStout]

I also do a fair bit of woodworking, and have used some of their tools.

Decent ones:
Wood lathe
Lathe chisel set
Twist drill bit sets
Forstner bits
1-ton arbor press


Crappy ones:
Quick-release connectors for air hoses--they leak like a sieve.
Screwdrivers--the steel tips are not hardened well and will twist off.
Sandpaper and sanding discs--I didn't actually buy this, as it looked like someone glued beach sand to pieces of paper.

 

[brettwasbtd]

I'll throw another vote at the 264 gph submersible pump. It's held up fine recirculating ice water through the IC.

+ 1 I use this to recirculate ice water as well. It also came in handy when I was trying to diagnosis issues with my dishwasher not draining!

 

[Henry22]

For those of you with the trailers, I am looking at the small boat trailer. Was the trailer good quality. I just dont want a wheel flying off at 60mph.

 

[BurgBrewer]

I've used the HF step drill to drill the side of a keg to make a keggle. I would use it again but don't expect a dream. HF tools are the tools you throw in your trunk and never use (unless you have to). They're cheap enough that you can have a complete socket set and screw driver set and not ask if it's digging in to your beer funds.

 

[Onkel_Udo]

HF tools are the tools you throw in your trunk and never use (unless you have to). They're cheap enough that you can have a complete socket set and screw driver set and not ask if it's digging in to your beer funds.

I use a lot of HF hand tools...My emergency kit and "pick-n-pull" kit is all HF tools plus two Snap-on line wrenches.

My LeMons car toolkit for the track and even for rebuilding the motor this weekend...HF or Menards house brand stuff plus Channel Lock brand vice grips and...channel locks. I have broken two sockets in 7-8 years...both 13mm deep 6-point.


Nice thing about cheap tools is you do not mind loaning them out at the track or the PnP. Need a specialty tool.... grind away on the $.50 socket and heat the $1.50 wrench until you can bend it. Who cares!

Besides, I lost about $3K in mechanics tools (vintage craftsman, Mac, Snap-on, etc) in the last move...that was a very emotional experience I do not want to re-live.

 

[negativereaction]

For those of you with the trailers, I am looking at the small boat trailer. Was the trailer good quality. I just dont want a wheel flying off at 60mph.

The trailers are actually pretty decent. I built mine in WI, then for it's inaugural journey, loaded it up with a ton of stuff and drove it to FL a couple weeks ago. No issues with the trailer itself, although I did remove the fenders because they bounced too much and were touching the tires (easily remedied later). Just make sure to repack your wheel bearinga with good grease before first use; do not just roll with the vaseline stuff they ship with, it's just there to prevent rust during shipping.

Edit: Just to keep it on topic, the bulk of the stuff I was carrying in my trailer was grain and homebrew related stuff. So, it counts!

 

[Doed]

I bought this for a bathroom remodel. I figured for only $80 it would be worth it and surprisingly it held up well and did a fine job of cutting tile. The guide fence was a total PITA.

How is this related to homebrewing? I use the bathroom to get rid of my "used beer".

 

[iamperplexed]

Anyone else get a letter from Harbor Freight today? Bummer.

http://www.harborfreight.com/protectingcustomers