Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[aeblank]

Zip ties are likely nylon.
Put them in a ziploc bag with a wet sponge and see if that helps...

 

[lostcreekranch]

Buy the better, non-HF, ty-wraps that are UV resistant. It’s not the color, it’s the material.

 

[aczlan]

The black ones were the ones that wouldn't draw tight without snapping. I kept them for a while, tried them again and threw the pack into the trash. Much against my personality!!

We have a 1000 pack of tie wraps like that at work. I went to secure a cable and snapped three in a row just tightening it by hand and not very tight.

Buy the better, non-HF, ty-wraps that are UV resistant. It’s not the color, it’s the material.

It can happen to any brand, the ones I was talking about above came to the local electrical supply house. They are probably a few years old, but they were supposed to be good tie wraps,not cheap junk.

Aaron Z

 

[ThirdMan]

This fell apart after my wife swung it 5 times. I think she is putting the kibosh on any more HF purchases.

 

[sixdogs]

This fell apart after my wife swung it 5 times. I think she is putting the kibosh on any more HF purchases.

View attachment 563961

Common occurrence. Test out in the store.

For her, get her the the big one, the 3 or 5 pounder, and she won't have to swing it so hard.

 

[PhysAssist]

This fell apart after my wife swung it 5 times. I think she is putting the kibosh on any more HF purchases.

View attachment 563961

There is another thread that is specifically for HF tools that AREN'T worth buying.

This the one we [mostly] use for ones that are [mostly] fit for use, or to explain what applications they are/could be useful for, in addition to what they aren't.

So if you had said, 'this rubber-headed mallet might be useful as a stick, and maybe a light paperweight, but don't have your SWMBO try to pound on anything with it....', that would've fit the thread parameters a mite better.

Just sayin'

another thought- or for saying- this tool sucks as sold, but if you ......... **insert modifications to make cruddy import tool useful** that would've been more in keeping with the general idear...

 

[/pine]

There is a thread for HF tools that AREN't worth buying- This ISN'T it.

Regardless of personal experiences with merchandise from HF...is there anything they sell that would be considered as above average quality?

 

[PhysAssist]

Regardless of personal experiences with merchandise from HF...is there anything they sell that would be considered as above average quality?

Who said average anyway?

Title is "....Don't Suck"

Which has a pretty nonspecific definition but prolly means something that is or can be useful.

Oh, and BTW, sorry to act like thread police- when I'm really just me- that's why I revised my post several times before moving on- I didn't want to seem or come across as harsh or thinking I'm better than the OP...

 

[California]

Regardless of personal experiences with merchandise from... HF...is there anything they sell that would be considered as above average quality?

Here's one, the Pocket Hole Jig. I compared this and its reviews, to the equivalent Kreg jig at Home Depot. I agree with the reviews I saw in woodworking magazines, it is first rate.

I put together several frames for artist's canvas using this. A true precision tool. (Far right in the photo).

Incidentally the 'Skilsaw' is Home Depot's identical twin to HF's table saw. Just different labels. This saw complete with base was cheaper at HD compared to buying those parts separately at HF. Quality adequate, no complaints here.

And the tabletop belt sander is a Ryobi, that I bought after the HF version was impossible to set up properly. The disc on the HF's side was recessed into its guard so it was impossible to slide material across the face of the disc, with no easy way to modify it to make it usable.

 

[dragoneggs]

This fell apart after my wife swung it 5 times. I think she is putting the kibosh on any more HF purchases.

View attachment 563961

I have one of these and I use for very light duty (tapping). I like the solid orange heavier mallets and they are much better for more aggressive work, however you may not want to put one of those in her hands by the look of what she did to this one!

 

[sixdogs]

There is another thread that is specifically for HF tools that AREN'T worth buying.

This the one we [mostly] use for ones that are [mostly] fit for use, or to explain what applications they are/could be useful for, in addition to what they aren't.

So if you had said, 'this rubber-headed mallet might be useful as a stick, and maybe a light paperweight, but don't have your SWMBO try to pound on anything with it....', that would've fit the thread parameters a mite better.

Just sayin'

another thought- or for saying- this tool sucks as sold, but if you ......... **insert modifications to make cruddy import tool useful** that would've been more in keeping with the general idear...

This thread long ago became the default thread for suck and don't suck. I've read every post for over 10 years and the two different threads were cumbersome and confusing. A good tool to one may not be to others plus there are varying degrees of happiness or unhappiness with a tool. It's all very subjective and when you factor in hut or miss issues, one thread rose to the top.

 

[sixdogs]

These small handle side cutters, or whatever they're called, are the best I've ever owned. They're from HF and are 25-ish years old. Look at the edges and uniformity in the photos below. Real quality.


View attachment 563976 View attachment 563977


I bought them after I bought a high priced pair of USA made clippers and the jaws were not even. Junk. Since then, I've bought other high dollar USA made clippers and been disappointed in one way or another The HF ones cut small wire clean and even. No, no one can borrow them.

 

[Travelover]

This fell apart after my wife swung it 5 times. I think she is putting the kibosh on any more HF purchases.

View attachment 563961

I think what you purchased is a "hammer kit". Comes with handle and rubber head. Assemble with proper glue and fasteners before using. :laughing:

 

[/pine]

This thread long ago became the default thread for suck and don't suck. I've read every post for over 10 years and the two different threads were cumbersome and confusing. A good tool to one may not be to others plus there are varying degrees of happiness or unhappiness with a tool. It's all very subjective and when you factor in hut or miss issues, one thread rose to the top.

Just for the record...The first time I read the thread title I thought it was a gag post...!

BTW...I was a lurker for almost three years before I registered...

 

[Midniteoyl]

These small handle side cutters, or whatever they're called, are the best I've ever owned. They're from HF and are 25-ish years old. Look at the edges and uniformity in the photos below. Real quality.


View attachment 563976 View attachment 563977


I bought them after I bought a high priced pair of USA made clippers and the jaws were not even. Junk. Since then, I've bought other high dollar USA made clippers and been disappointed in one way or another The HF ones cut small wire clean and even. No, no one can borrow them.

Linky's no worky.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Do any of you have any experience that says to not buy their Zurich OBD2 scanners? The second one down in the line does engine, SRS and ABS. And it's on coupon for about $120.

 

[Rock Crawler]

The Zurich scanner I'm referring to is the ZR11 that has a $119.99 coupon.

For $120 I'm thinking that it may be a great buy. I have been Torque Pro on Android for a long time, but it doesn't get in to the ABS system.

What I want to do is be able to drill down to what specific of the four wheel bearings or speed sensors is causing my fault rather than changing out $160 bearings and $40 sensors until I get lucky.


Description
The ZR11 OBD2 Code Reader by Zurich is ideal for master technicians who work on domestic, European and Asian cars. The ZR11 diagnoses and erases ABS codes and lights, can graph and record live data, and has a battery reset feature. It includes an OBD connector with an LED light for easier access to the under-dash port and battery so you can move around the vehicle and shop. Features bilingual display in English or Spanish and has a patented 2.8 in. color screen that displays 20 data points at once.

Works with virtually all cars, light trucks, minivans, SUVs or hybrids manufactured since 1996 (OBD2) – foreign and domestic

Patented 2.8 in. all-in-one color display shows 20 data points at a time, including Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) and their definitions

Freeze frame shows engine condition at time the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) was triggered

Test battery/charger/alternator for cars that have difficulty starting

Diagnose and reset anti-lock brake (ABS) codes

Record, graph and play back live data onscreen

Reads Engine Control Unit (ECU) information

Multilingual display - English, Spanish

Color-coded LEDs give at-a-glance indication of test readiness and vehicle condition

The software update with instructions is available for download under the Software Update tab above. Coverage for new model vehicles may be limited and will be available once released by the automaker. Availability is typically 12 to 24 months after the release of the model year. Software update now available for 2017 coverage.

 

[D2Cat]

Who said average anyway?

Title is "....Don't Suck"

Which has a pretty nonspecific definition but prolly means something that is or can be useful.

Oh, and BTW, sorry to act like thread police- when I'm really just me- that's why I revised my post several times before moving on- I didn't want to seem or come across as harsh or thinking I'm better than the OP...

If you're going to get real **** about it, probably everything but their vacuums!

 

[KubotainNH]

Buy the better, non-HF, ty-wraps that are UV resistant. It痴 not the color, it痴 the material.

I bought a package of white and black tie wraps at HF when on sale a year or two ago. The black ones would break just lightly tightening but the white ones work as they should. The bad ones would break at random locations like a piece of flat candy.

 

[Threepoint]

This fell apart after my wife swung it 5 times. I think she is putting the kibosh on any more HF purchases.

View attachment 563961

I've had two for several years, with no problems I use one to reseat hubcaps without marring the metal, and they're great for that. I use another to seat snug-fitting horse hoof boots. So YMMV.