Harbor Freight Tools that DO SUCK II

[5030]

That's what I've heard. Never have owned any.:confused3:

In reality, probably 90% of what we buy came on a container ship from abroad. The 'made in America has become so diluted that it's hard to tell today. Could be 'Made in America' from parts sourced Worldwide for instance. Kind of like automobiles. Assembled here (mainland USA) but comprised of parts from everywhere and usually from the lowest bidder (which is why the automakers are in trouble with IC chips). They sourced them from the least expensive supplier which, in this case, is across the pond.

 

[stuckmotor]

Just buy multiple ones like I have, just not cheap ones. I'm a Kimber and S&W person myself.

My wife has a S&W.

 

[Cougsfan]

Anybody out there can still read a slide rule etc?

When I was in school to become an mechanical engineer (1970 to 75) my first two years we were required to use slide rules because hand held calculators were too expensive for the average student, and the affordable ones had just 4 functions, which couldn't do the same math as a slide rule. By the time I was a Junior, the HP35 had came out which had enough functionality to actually replace a slide rule. Some of our professors allowed them to be used in tests, others didn't.

Slide rules are easy to use once you learn how, and quicker than entering numbers on a calculator. And you aren't as apt to dial in a false accuracy with a slide rule (significant digits were a big deal to most of my professors). It is also much easier to deal with and visualize logarithmic relationships. I actually used one for some of the questions on my PE Exam a few years later.

I still have one but am not as nearly as proficient with it as I was back then. In fact, I have to scratch my head quite a few times to use it.

 

[stuckmotor]

When I was in school to become an mechanical engineer (1970 to 75) my first two years we were required to use slide rules because hand held calculators were too expensive for the average student, and the affordable ones had just 4 functions, which couldn't do the same math as a slide rule. By the time I was a Junior, the HP35 had came out which had enough functionality to actually replace a slide rule. Some of our professors allowed them to be used in tests, others didn't.

Slide rules are easy to use once you learn how, and quicker than entering numbers on a calculator. And you aren't as apt to dial in a false accuracy with a slide rule (significant digits were a big deal to most of my professors). It is also much easier to deal with and visualize logarithmic relationships. I actually used one for some of the questions on my PE Exam a few years later.

I still have one but am not as nearly as proficient with it as I was back then. In fact, I have to scratch my head quite a few times to use it.

The only person I remember using a slide rule in business was my Allis-Chalmers dealer.

 

[stuckmotor]

It's like old times. I made a purchase today and got a free blue flashlight. The current ad even told me they're called "Puck Lights". They've probably been called that for years and I wasn't paying attention.

 

[5030]

It's like old times. I made a purchase today and got a free blue flashlight. The current ad even told me they're called "Puck Lights". They've probably been called that for years and I wasn't paying attention.

We have a pile of them here. been giving them away as Christmas gifts 'cause I'm cheap.

 

[the old grind]

You're not the only one. I get one of each year's free-coupon items for Christmas from my pal next door. Guess I'm that easy to shop for.

 

[California]

I just bought this on Amazon for a faucet stem repair I'm working on that I can't find parts for. This one is idiot-proof, and more portable than the digital caliper. I can carry it to the hardware store.
General #729

Bah. It just arrived. Useless. The slider is so sloppy that the blades can be 1/16" out of parallel - either too wide at the tips, or too narrow!

This is the first time General has disappointed me. It's going back. Avoid!

 

[daugen]

this youtube tool testing series is really good. If only he could modulate his voice a little more...
I guess you sure get what you pay for
as the HF screwdrivers come in basically last.

a lot of HF stuff gets tested here including their power tools.
I'm finding there are a bunch of tool review places online but not many do
measured destructive testing like this guy does

 

[the old grind]

I'm glad Project Farm is testing tools so far beyond my own use. Proof in the pudding & all that. IMO it'd be great if they did a video testing a brace of popular CUTs the way they usually do.

 

[California]

I like Project Farm's reviews, I've learned a lot.

is there a YT review out there somewhere comparing HF's original Earthquake impact wrench to others, or at least verifying the claimed torque? It is claimed 700 ft lbs tighten, 800 remove. But "Torque range (ft.-lbs.)50-500 ft. lbs." All I can find is reviews of HF's later models.

Oh no! I see it's on Closeout, when I went to get a picture.
Related - Closeout price on the long nose version is only $52. Same specs. I wish I had bought that version.

 

[5030]

If you want the 'real skinny' on any impact wrench, go to the Torque Test Channel on YT. The test them all with zero bias.

Always get a charge out of their 'Lets see the beans' comment.

If you want a real torque monster get yourself a 1/2" drive Thor and start splitting sockets.

Like the guy on Torque Test Channel aptly states.. 'What it says on the box (torque) and what it actually is are usually 2 different things.

 

[John_Mc]

I second the recommendation for the Torque Test Channel on YouTube. They do great testing

 

[5030]

Completely unbiased too. Why I bought the Thor. it ranks number 1 for left and and right hand power with them. Firmly in their number 1 spot for air impacts in the 1/2" drive segment.

It's one wicked impact wrench. Problem is, they are so popular you have to order one as no one has them in stock.

if I need mega beans I get my IR 1" drive beast out. 2500 foot pounds of left torque, 2100 in right. Too bad it's a boat anchor weight wise.

 

[5030]

I like Project Farm's reviews, I've learned a lot.

is there a YT review out there somewhere comparing HF's original Earthquake impact wrench to others, or at least verifying the claimed torque? It is claimed 700 ft lbs tighten, 800 remove. But "Torque range (ft.-lbs.)50-500 ft. lbs." All I can find is reviews of HF's later models.

Oh no! I see it's on Closeout, when I went to get a picture.
Related - Closeout price on the long nose version is only $52. Same specs. I wish I had bought that version.

I don't believe ANY HF air impact makes anywhere near that much power, except maybe their 1" drive wrench. If you want real nut busting power, 52 bucks won't cut the cheese.

 

[California]

HF's Earthquake version 1 works fine for my use. The highest removal torque I've encountered is a rusty nut on the back side of a Cat1 pin, on an implement.

I'm not running heavy equipment here. Just the elderly rigs shown in my footer photo linked below. Yanmar YM240 and YM186D

 

[diesel85]

I love my Nitrocat 1200-K. It will loosen heavy truck and bus lug nuts with ease at 90PSI.

It's priced right too.

I know of a couple shops in my area that have had theirs and use it every single day with no problems.

 

[California]

Real sucky at Harbor Freight:

HF website shows the $52 Closeout long-nose Earthquake impact wrench in stock at two stores within a reasonable driving distance, plus 'limited stock' at a third. So I stopped by where it was supposed to be in stock.

The store said corporate won't let them sell their last one because its needed as a demo. But a thorough search didn't find even one. Stock clerk said their internal database shows none anywhere in the region. He said don't trust what HF's public website shows for stock available.

Then I happened to look over to see who was talking about being too weak to work an 8 hour shift as he recovered from Covid. it was the only guy in the store without a mask. The cashier at the other register.

HF has hit a new low in customer service!

 

[IndyJay]

Real sucky at Harbor Freight:

...Then I happened to look over to see who was talking about being too weak to work an 8 hour shift as he recovered from Covid. it was the only guy in the store without a mask. The cashier at the other register.

HF has hit a new low in customer service!

It's alright... he was probably fully vaccinated.

 

[IndyJay]

Saw this ad on CL under tools... thought it "just belongs here".

"New all Steel Portable Work Bench.....Adjustable Height......
Take Next to Car or Truck While Working on Them......

Use as Work Bench for Sawing Wood......
1,000 uses......"