Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

Paul Thornton · Dec 2, 2015

Does anyone have any input on the HF impact sockets now on sale?

paulharvey · Dec 2, 2015

The deep well ones are terrific. I use them with a breaker bar and 4' drill rod extension, and I have Zero problems.

Ford850 · Dec 2, 2015

I picked up a set of the deep well impact sockets a few years ago when they were on sale. I figured they would be my sacrificial set when I really need to beat on something. They get used all the time, and they're still like new.

IslandTractor · Dec 2, 2015

I have a set of metrics and SAE. No issues. Work fine. Wait until they go on sale or use a coupon.

Travelover · Dec 2, 2015

My store still honors the 20% off coupon on sale items, except the usual excluded list. Can't stack coupons, though.

DFB · Dec 2, 2015

I have an old set from HF different from what is offered now.

P-77383 is the part

12pc metric Pittsburgh deep well 6pt impact sockets. It has 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 16, 17 19, 21, 22, and 24

Can't say today what I paid back when
I also have larger sizes 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 not HF, chrome molybdenum and not CrV

So looking at what is online right now the larger metric sets don't have an 11 or 12mm (very common size) but start with 10mm.

And the smaller 10pc doesn't include a 10mm. Weird :confused3:

And all have a 15mm now and no 16mm.

Guess it all depends on what you need

I would compare similar sets (pieces and prices) to the Tekton brand name sold on Amazon too.

Most reviews are pretty postive when it comes to HF impact stuff.

Paul Thornton · Dec 2, 2015

Thank you all for your replies.

sixdogs · Dec 2, 2015

There used to be two different versions of these and one was priced a little more than the other. I bought the higher (couple dollars) priced one and abused it terribly because I figured it would never last. Well, that was a few years ago and they still fit and function perfectly. Two thumbs up.

sixdogs · Dec 2, 2015

A few years ago I measured the variety of tarps I had and none of them were up to specs. Even the same size tarp often had a different finished size. My guess is different makers cut different sizes so if size matters, measure first. Their tarps on sale are a great deal, especially the heavy duty silver ones.

CNC Dan · Dec 5, 2015

They are also good to have on hand for when someone wants to borrow your tools.

dieselcrawler · Dec 5, 2015

My wife is good about showing up when someone wants to borrow anything... is quick to say no before I can even think of saying yes!

California · Dec 5, 2015

Has anyone tried the cheap household tool kit that is in four stacked plastic drawers?

Travelover · Dec 5, 2015

I bought it for my step daughter so I can fix things when I visit. Fine for the price especially at 20% off.

California · Dec 5, 2015

Thanks! I think this is the appropriate application for that kit.

I bought a small Sears household kit in a 12" canvas tool bag then added a few more things such as a box cutter and scissors, and a small nails/screws/picture hangers kit, for my daughter who is in a 1-room NYC 'apartment'. She said its just what she needed to hang drapes, mount pictures, tighten saucepan handles, etc.

As I noted above I bought the cheap HF 'briefcase' household kit so I don't have to keep running from the house to the shop for tools, but its crescent wrench is so sloppy that I'll substitute in an old one from the shop that works properly. Everything else in the kit seems adequate for light indoor repairs.

newbury · Dec 5, 2015

They are my "go to sockets". I've built an enclosure for my Hudson equipment trailer.

It's got about 50 ubolts on it. When I take the plywood off I have a trailer with 2x6 sides. My "standard" Lowes/Kobalt and Craftsman 9/16 deep sockets are just a little short to reach the depth of the bolt when I take the plywood off using my DeWalt drill. The HF deep impact is about 1/4" deeper. Saves about 20 seconds fiddling with a manual wrench on each of a 100 bolts.

The only thing I hate about them is the markings, black etching just doesn't cut it. So I swab white paint on clean sockets and gently rub it off when wet. Thus the white paint remains in the etchings and it's very legible.

stuckmotor · Dec 5, 2015

I've got a set of the deep impact sockets at the farm and another at home and I agree with newbury. The sockets are fine for my use. The markings ARE difficult to see but since I can't look at a nut and tell what size it is anyhow, this isn't a major problem.

DFB · Dec 7, 2015

I like that paint idea. Makes it easy on old eyes

As Newbury pointed out (post #5174) deep sockets of the same sizing can have different depths depending on brand.

I have deep well impact sockets consisting of several different names and a quick measure shows that the both the 1/2 and 3/8 inch sockets with an older Klutch 59 pc set (no printed markings) from Northern all have a 2 inch broach depth. And so does my 1/2 Pittsburgh metric set from HF. But the metric 3/8 drive deep set I have a Cal-Hawk, are only 1 1/4 inch deep.

All the larger 1/2 drive I have 30 to 38mm and 1 5/16 or more are 3 inch depth. All are the MIT brand sockets.

Real Tool also points out socket differences in this video.

I notice the currently listed Northern set is advertised as being Chrome Molybdenum steel but the one I have is only Chrome Moly on the larger sizes of 1 1/16- 1 1/4 and the 30 and 32 MM. All the rest are stamped CrV.

DFB · Dec 11, 2015

I've been cleaning and organizing a lot of my tools and other stuff in the garage after a very long season and dang...I just discovered another HF find.

At first I didn't know if it was HF has been so long...of course it has the stamp

That's pretty much a dead giveaway :laughing:

And quick look at their site it is still there online today.

Steel Service Cart - 16" x 30"

Can't recall just what I paid.

Some assembly required as they say but no major modifications that I can remember.

Overall its light weight, and not very big. (the handle design is a pretty cheap setup though) but it doesn't suck IMO

I've been happy with it.

I also had some tool organizer rack thing hanging around I may have just found a use for too. :cool2:

DFB · Dec 12, 2015

Well some more garage work today turned up two packages of these aluminum soft faced magnetic vice clamps in a tool box drawer of machining tools and associated supplies

I swear they came from Freight does the packaging look like their stuff to anyone else? They have SKU part #'s of P36757 and P36753 respectively. Nothing like them on web site today I can see, The offered much more stuff years ago. I must have gotten the 5" for that junk vice I returned. My Yost from the old CT Farm and Family store takes the 6 inch and I have a set out on the bench already.

I don't know if I posted about this in this thread before but this is a Pittsburgh item again not currently on the web site but a different, smaller sized one is available.

T-Handle Tap Ratchet Wrench

The one I have accept 3/16 thru 1/2 inch taps and uses a notched slide on the body to change direction. Works the same as a lot of ratcheting screwdrivers do.

It's been great and is better than using a standard tap holder any day of the week for me

The critical review I read of the current listing is that it doesn't accept a half inch tap body. Spec. list 14mm max. Don't really know what he big deal is with the two sliding handles. More leverage? Doesn't pay to force a tap cut.

Who knows what else I might find I forget I have!

bcp · Dec 12, 2015

That reminded me that I had a pair of HF magnetic vise jaws. The first use crumbled the ceramic magnets and they fell out. The holes in the AL jaws were shallower than the magnet thickness, so the magnets took the full clamping force.

Bruce