Acceptable and Unacceptable Harbor Freight Tools

[marshallnoise]

My general rule on Horrible Freight is that if it has moving parts, avoid it. That said, I have the aluminum racing jack (1.5 ton, $60 bucks!), a 1 ton chain hoist, and ratchet set from them that have been fantastic. ^ But yeah, light duty stuff for sure.

I have their 20 ton shop press and other that it being slow to get into position, it works awesome. Stuff that is dead simple in operation works just fine.

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[ajhostetter]

My general rule on Horrible Freight is that if it has moving parts, avoid it. That said, I have the aluminum racing jack (1.5 ton, $60 bucks!), a 1 ton chain hoist, and ratchet set from them that have been fantastic. ^ But yeah, light duty stuff for sure.

[M-technik-3]

If it's a one time use or a light duty they are fine.

[flyboyx]

this is a really old thread and i probably already said this before, but since i memory is short, i will say it again.

harbor freight is great for what it is. cheap tools that are more or less of an acceptable level of quality for a HOME OWNER. if you can afford better quality tools or if you use them for a living, spend the extra money and buy better quality.

otherwise, understand the limitations compared to the price. i own and buy items from there now and then. i would probably never buy an electric or battery operated power tool there.

with all that said, we have pawn shops on every corner here in texas. i stop in there on occasion to buy most of my tools. i will never pay more than half of the new price though. usually, i pay 1/4 to 1/3 or i walk out the door. as a result, i have a LOT of tools.

[Kershaw]

I have a Hanson bolt extractor set for large bolts (19-30?) and the steel is much finer machined and the edges are much sharper. I was afraid that the HF set, being rounded, wouldn't bite into the metal as much, so I made sure to really wail on it.

I hope Husqvarna buys Craftsman. Techtronic is the HF of Amazon.

[M-technik-3]

They have improved on their hand tool line that is for sure where Craftsman is now the old Harbor Freight line of crappy tools.


Edit: They are now, lol

http://www.businessinsider.com/sears-is-soaring-after-reports-it-may-sell-craftsman-2016-10

[marshallnoise]

Removing the diff in my e36 and hit a snag. The hex bolt stripped. HF bolt extractor did it's job, even though I was dubious when I bought them.

I can attest to the amazingness of these.

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[Kershaw]

Removing the diff in my e36 and hit a snag. The hex bolt stripped. HF bolt extractor did it's job, even though I was dubious when I bought them.

[kway]

Bumping this pls.

Anyone have experience with the small metal brakes or English wheel or any other metal forming tools from HF?

Recently bought the shrinker/stretcher combo in preparation for rust repair on one of the Miatas. I've only played around with them on scraps so far but seems like they'll be more than fine for my needs.

Also picked up the electric metal shears (the heavier duty one of theirs) and it did just fine slicing through some 18ga steel. I think it's rated to 16ga but that might be pushing it.

I was interested in the 30" bench top brake they have, but I don't like how the piece you're working is just clamped down with a separate piece of steel and c clamps. I'm thinking I might bite the bullet and go for the freestanding 36" job, but not sure if I want to give up the floor space for it. Could just keep slumming it with the vise but I figure it's time to step up!

[dereliiict]

Bumping this pls.

Anyone have experience with the small metal brakes or English wheel or any other metal forming tools from HF?

My father has the English wheel and "planishing hammer."

I've used them to form sheet metal parts for e30's and motorcycles. The hammer is worthless, but with enough practice I have had decent luck with the wheel.

Especially for the price.


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[Kershaw]

Yeah, their snap ring pliers are not worth it at all. After buying like 3 or 4 and being frustrated every time I used them, I dropped $30 on a real set made with thick steel. Using them is a snap.

[marshallnoise]

Fyi, their snap ring pliers set is horrible. Unstable and flimsy. But, it's $3.99.

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[rcsoundn1]

I have one of their 1/4" torque wrences, I have used it 1/2 dozzen times and checked it against a digital one. It was in spec. I am sure to release all torque on it when not using it though.

I also just bought their LED light bar for under the car hood. Works great, cordless, and has two brightness settings. Only thing i didnt like is when the battery ran out, it just shut off. Not sure there is anything that anyone could do about that

[slammin.e28]

Bumping this pls.

Anyone have experience with the small metal brakes or English wheel or any other metal forming tools from HF?

[Jorgen]

I just picked up their 3.5 cubic foot cement mixer for my bathroom remodel projects and a little work I plan for the back yard this summer. I have to say aside from the horrible assembly instructions and the bolts being in the incorrectly labeled bags the machine is pretty good. I mixed the concrete to repair around my replaced drain and was very happy with its ability to mix 3 60 lb bags at a time. I will be mixing some self leveler in it this weekend and expect the same or better results.

Their list is $300 always seems to be on sale from $200-250 range, I found a 30% off coupon code online and got free shipping so I paid around $160 delivered, I am very satisfied for the cost. Shoot when I'm done with the walkway and the bathrooms I could probably still sell it for $100-150 minimum on craigslist.