Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[leeinMT]

Just got the new flyer in the mail and it looks like the 6 inch bench vise is back. I think I will hold off after reading here about the body filler chipping off.
One thing to avoid is HF's box of hose clamps under the 'Storehouse' label - the kind that tighten with a screw. They are made of soft metal and strip out when tightened down.

 

[Travelover]

............ One thing to avoid is HF's box of hose clamps under the 'Storehouse' label - the kind that tighten with a screw. They are made of soft metal and strip out when tightened down.

+1......... these clamps are worthless

 

[ronjhall]

Bought something from HF that may suck. Bought one of their 20 gauge wide crown staplers and a box of 1/2X1/2" staples. Staples will not fit stapler. Not sure if stapler is any good or not. Because I have no staples to try in it.

 

[sixdogs]

From the favorable reviews in here, I stopped and looked at this tool chest yesterday. The store had it for $299, and I guess you could use a 20% off coupon, while the catalog and sale flyer show it at $349.

26" 8 Drawer Roller Cabinet w/ 8 Drawer Top Chest

To me, the quality seemed exceptional and the drawers rolled far better than my Craftsman. It had nice drawer liners and the overall appearance was outstanding. I have been looking to trade up from my Craftsman and this looks like the one.
My only concern was how the paint will hold up in a garage/barn environment that gets pretty humid in the spring. My experience with the paint on Chinese stuff is that it is not real durable. Any reports on the paint from users?
Slowly, the China stuff is getting better. This isn't a Snap On chest but it's way better quality than my Craftsman.

 

[Johnbro]

From the favorable reviews in here, I stopped and looked at this tool chest yesterday. The store had it for $299, and I guess you could use a 20% off coupon, while the catalog and sale flyer show it at $349.

26" 8 Drawer Roller Cabinet w/ 8 Drawer Top Chest

To me, the quality seemed exceptional and the drawers rolled far better than my Craftsman. It had nice drawer liners and the overall appearance was outstanding. I have been looking to trade up from my Craftsman and this looks like the one.
My only concern was how the paint will hold up in a garage/barn environment that gets pretty humid in the spring. My experience with the paint on Chinese stuff is that it is not real durable. Any reports on the paint from users?
Slowly, the China stuff is getting better. This isn't a Snap On chest but it's way better quality than my Craftsman.

We bought the 5-drawer service cart for our landscaping business and I'm pretty impressed with the quality, although the assembly was a PITA. The paint seems quite good--at least as good as my two Cman tool cabinets.

 

[JeffandTamara]

Second the Worthless comment on the clamps...

 

[deereman75]

I got a battery charger from princess auto, the same as at harbor freight, I used it to charge up a car battery, and it worked great. It was on sale for like $20, and worth every cent.

 

[Skyco]

Just got the new flyer in the mail and it looks like the 6 inch bench vise is back. I think I will hold off after reading here about the body filler chipping off.
One thing to avoid is HF's box of hose clamps under the 'Storehouse' label - the kind that tighten with a screw. They are made of soft metal and strip out when tightened down.

I have several of their vises, been happy with them, haven't seen any body filler on them but so what? They are a vise, I'm gonna be pounding on stuff, yanking on them, sawing on them etc. so I don't care. Not exactly meant to be a precision instrument. If they tighten down and hold, which they do, thats all I need, not gonna spend time gazing at them.:laughing:

The hose clamps indeed are worse than worthless, wouldn't count on them for anything. I learned years ago to only buy SS good quality hose clamps. Seems often when I need one it is in a difficult spot and I don't want to be redoing it later.:thumbsup:

 

[ronjhall]

Bought something from HF that may suck. Bought one of their 20 gauge wide crown staplers and a box of 1/2X1/2" staples. Staples will not fit stapler. Not sure if stapler is any good or not. Because I have no staples to try in it.

After reading some comments on this stapler. I found on the HF site Arrow T-50 staples will work. Maybe I need to read their site more often than the paper circular. I have lots of those staples for my hand staplers.
No more sore hands from pulling the the stapler handle. :thumbsup:

 

[SPYDERLK]

From the favorable reviews in here, I stopped and looked at this tool chest yesterday. The store had it for $299, and I guess you could use a 20% off coupon, while the catalog and sale flyer show it at $349.

26" 8 Drawer Roller Cabinet w/ 8 Drawer Top Chest
Slowly, the China stuff is getting better. This isn't a Snap On chest but it's way better quality than my Craftsman.

There is a display that is about to tip over forward. -- Concerning quality ... I have a mid grade Craftsman tool cabinet/bench and a very similar US General one. There are a number of fine points of superiority in the Craftsman:

* The wheels are set further out on the base adding stability.
* Loaded, the drawers operate with less drag
* The same sized cabinet has more storage space because it doesnt need the 2" section for reinforcement under the top drawer.

Depending on needs and preferences these can justify the added cost of the Craftsman.
larry

 

[sixdogs]

SPYDERLK
Thank you. I will look into this further.
Good info.

 

[CBW1999]

Any comments on the ratchet wrenches currently on sale?
I haven't been able to find any previous comments (without going through the whole thread).

I want to add this type of tool to my collection and the price doesn't seem all that bad.

 

[ninefinger]

Just got the new flyer in the mail and it looks like the 6 inch bench vise is back. I think I will hold off after reading here about the body filler chipping off.
I agree with Skyco. I have an older one that does and did have a bit of filler. This is the vice that if I have a small piece that I need to rattle can paint I open the jaws set it across them and paint. This is also the vise I will hold a piece to stick weld, grind, fap disk, wire brush, just anything. This is not a high dollar Wilton, if were I would treat it better. I do have a nice English made Record vice that I use but never abuse. Same with my c clamps, my quality ones never get near the welder but my HF clamps are smoked and spattered. My HF vise has served me well and if it ever fails I will get another one.

 

[leeinMT]

I think I'll take a 2nd look at the 6 inch vise. I remember it having a nice smooth action and double tight downs. I was looking at the one in Sears and it wasn't as good.

I had good experience with the HF bar clamp that can be used as a spreader. It enabled me to fit in a new headlight grill in my old Kubota hood. Some dummy had run into a low fence post with the FEL raised.

Used the new steel dustpan in the shop today. Works best if the plastic lip is taken off the front, leaving a good keen edge. I like it better than the aluminum.

 

[crazyal]

I ordered the little 4 stroke water pump today. We'll see how well it works but I was in need of a small pump a couple of times and for just over $100 with the discounts I thought I would try it.

 

[ninefinger]

I ordered the little 4 stroke water pump today. We'll see how well it works but I was in need of a small pump a couple of times and for just over $100 with the discounts I thought I would try it.

Would really like feedback on this unit. What kind of lift do you need from it ?

 

[ninefinger]

I think I'll take a 2nd look at the 6 inch vise. I remember it having a nice smooth action and double tight downs. I was looking at the one in Sears and it wasn't as good.

If not mistaken I believe most of Sears vices are made across the pond. I think the casting process in Asia has gotten much better in the past few years. If I look at a name brand tool and it is made in Asia I will buy from HF for cheaper and figure the quality is close enough

 

[crazyal]

Would really like feedback on this unit. What kind of lift do you need from it ?

I want to be able to put the pickup in a stream and fill a 250 gallon water tank. So maybe 15 to 20 feet of lift at most. The specs say total lift of 105 ft but they also say it weighs 1.00 lbs. The manual is on-line and in it there's a graph showing lift vs expected gpm.

 

[JC-jetro]

These engines are Honda GX knock offs. Honda GC's have overhead cam design, with timing belt and the crankshaft is supported by bushings. Gx's are the top $$ honda engine with crank shaft bearing, overhead cam design, no timing belt but timing gear and cast iron cylinder sleeve. Really good design and construction. Most of the the carbs are actually Japanese and jets are interchangeable with my Honda engine mower. I just don't know how they can offer it so cheap, I'm sure on the back of workers that get next to nothing. I do have one of those engines on a small HF generator and so far has done well. I have front tine tiller that has a Briggs engine .. probably on it's last leg. when It dies I'll try one of their horizontal engine to see how it works.

JC,

 

[crazyal]

I have a Honda string trimmer with a 35cc 4 stroke on it and it runs great. I'm not sure if the pump has a Honda knock off or not but I'm hoping that it runs as smoothly and quietly as the Honda.