HF tools that suck

Dargo · Mar 4, 2009

Buy you one of them thar hunnert pound "heavy duty" bench vices. Then use it to hold something that you need to whack with a hammer a few times to bend back into place. As a word of caution, wear a flak jacket and a face shield. That "heavy duty" pot metal vice will explode into pieces. I thought for sure it was tough enough to bend a piece of 1/4" thick flat stock that was only about 1" wide. Nope. That was too much for their "heavy duty" vice to handle.

They told me that their "heavy duty" vices are not made to handle hitting something in their jaws.

If that's the case, why don't they just advertise it as "really heavy very light duty vice"?!

In case you're wondering which vice, it's this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=5800

I really need to tell my dad that I really appreciate it, but please stop buying me things at Horrible Freight.

3RRL · Mar 4, 2009

I bought their 60 grit 12" disc sander press on pads and they are crap.
The grit comes off and leaves only paper which is then, harder than heck to get off to change. Press on discs from my industrial supplier would last me months instead of 1 day or less.

gemini5362 · Mar 4, 2009

Dargo said:
Buy you one of them thar hunnert pound "heavy duty" bench vices. Then use it to hold something that you need to whack with a hammer a few times to bend back into place. As a word of caution, wear a flak jacket and a face shield. That "heavy duty" pot metal vice will explode into pieces. I thought for sure it was tough enough to bend a piece of 1/4" thick flat stock that was only about 1" wide. Nope. That was too much for their "heavy duty" vice to handle. They told me that their "heavy duty" vices are not made to handle hitting something in their jaws. If that's the case, why don't they just advertise it as "really heavy very light duty vice"?!

In case you're wondering which vice, it's this one Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I really need to tell my dad that I really appreciate it, but please stop buying me things at Horrible Freight.

Or better yet buy your own stuff.

RWolf · Mar 7, 2009

Buying the small cheap stuff has always failed me. I've bought some air tools without any major problems. The only thing is sometimes they are weak compared to something like a "Snap-on". I've got some power tools (4in angle grinder, 14" Chop saw, benchtop drill press and a plasma cutter) and probably a few more. The grinder I'm wearing out after about 5 - 6 years. The best so far is the plasma cutter. I've used it for about a year now and haven't had to replace a tip yet. Had another plasma cutter from Homier and worked ok. Would go through tips quite frequently and after sitting in the garage for a winter wouldn't work at all.

patrick_g · Mar 7, 2009

I have started a Harbor Tools returns box in my shop. I put everything in it that goes back under warranty. Today I exchanged an 18 ga nailer/stapler and a male air hose quick connect that was not a finished product and will fit no style of female.

I still buy HF stuff and take my chances. I am way ahead on dollars spent and value received vs defective products or time wasters that may not be defective in manufacture but don't work well.

I recently bought and haven't used yet a chainsaw chain breaker and rivet spinner, the tools required to take chainsaw chains apart and put them together again, either to replace links or to make chains form a bulk roll (at about 1/2 price) I bought from Baileysonline.com and today at HF I saw they have tools to do the same thing. Oh well, I missed a chance to save $ but I have no doubts about the Bailey's goods.

I wanted to get a HF 10 inch bench grinder but the two HF stores I visited (Norman and Oklahoma City) do not stock above 8 inch.

Pat

California · Mar 8, 2009

patrick_g said:
I wanted to get a HF 10 inch bench grinder

Check it carefully. I found their 8 inch version at their sidewalk sale. The shaft was so bent that the stone will disintegrate from wobble when somebody starts it.

patrick_g · Mar 8, 2009

California said:
Check it carefully. I found their 8 inch version at their sidewalk sale. The shaft was so bent that the stone will disintegrate from wobble when somebody starts it.

I'll try to get one that hasn't been dropped.

Pat

Dargo · Mar 8, 2009

patrick_g said:
I'll try to get one that hasn't been dropped.

Pat

But that is how HF specifies they are tested at the factory...

OKnewguy · Mar 9, 2009

Hey Patrick, have you found that the Norman store is better stocked/organized then the okc store? The okc store is always a mess. Anyway, they need a store up north.
dave

Orange 08 · Mar 9, 2009

I bought the letters and numbers punch set on sale for a couple of bucks a little while ago and it looks like it is a one time use thing. I was kind of worried that it would be but it wasn't much money and I though I might get lucky; oh well.