Harbor Freight tools that DO suck

[4570Man]

And just why do socket holders cost so much in the first place. Go to HD and look at what they want. I just can't understand the pricing.

I paid $13 a piece for the aluminum ones in the picture which also have a spring detent ball on the socket holders. Most of the cheap rails drop sockets. I’ve seen rails that cost way more than what I paid. I saw some Craftsman ones at Lowe’s for $30 each. No thanks.

 

[Oaktree]

The cashier pushing extended warranties sucks. I rejected the offer on a welding cart the other day and the prick says "good luck on day 91". Like what's going to happen to a cart?

I haven't noticed HF being as bad in that regard as some other stores like Staples or Best Buy. Still annoying nonetheless.

I didn稚 use to dislike the self checkout machines until one gave me $13 back in quarters.

You'd love the subway ticket machines in Boston. We were down there a few days ago and when I bought a ticket with a $20 (all I had) it gave change in a mix of quarters and $1 coins (which I didn't even know still existed). Since time was tight to catch our bus back to N.H. I didn't count my change until I got home...$12 change from a $20 for a $2.75 ticket. :fiery: Probably wouldn't have done any good to count it there since I didn't notice any attendants anyway.
Lesson learned, don't use all your small bills when you tip at the restaurant. Not that I'm planning on going back anytime soon...waay too crowded/noisy for this country boy.

 

[Oaktree]

Not so much a single tool or item, but their policy that was changed a few years ago. No more individual sockets or wrenches, only sets. Makes it a bugger if you lose one, or need a special size.

Not so much a "sucks", but sometimes their socket assortments lack some sizes...for example their metric set of impact sockets doesn't have a 16mm. Didn't notice it until I needed to disassemble something that had a bolt that size. Luckily, I was able to sleaze by with a standard socket. Neither HD nor Lowes had that size as an individual one either, think I had to go to an auto parts store to get one.

 

[k0ua]

Lesson learned, don't use all your small bills when you tip at the restaurant (titty bar)

There, fixed it for you. Just kidding.

 

[whitepine2]

Has anyone had any experience with H F drain snakes,any good or junk?

 

[California]

Has anyone had any experience with H F drain snakes,any good or junk?

I have the powered 50 ft one. It's similar but I think prior compared to the present less expensive one. Well worth what it cost, I bought it in the middle of a holiday where a real plumber would have charged triple overtime or something. The machine cost less than the plumber callout would have. That was for a rental I owned, so not possible to tell the tenant 'just wait until Tuesday then stay home to wait for the plumber'. It saved me pro cleanout costs several more times. Well worth it. The one I had was Early HF - crude, no elegance, but it worked fine. As I recall the rubber cover over the foot pedal tore about the second time I used it. I always took along a plugin GFI to power it, I didn't trust the HF one on its cord.

Recommended.

 

[whitepine2]

Thank you CA. I had a real S**t show this AM.I dug out the tank and took a hand cleaner to it. It was plugged about 4 feet away took about 15 min.to finley let go but still has some gunk in there. Good thing as I was about to give in. I also have a P&M outside wood boiler and was thinking it might be a good thing to clean the 16 tubes,what do you think about that,good,bad or no good. If that were the case I would get he better one as it would be used more often.
Thank you for your input.

 

[TheMadOne]

And just why do socket holders cost so much in the first place. Go to HD and look at what they want. I just can't understand the pricing.

Go online and look for Ernst MFG. I use them for my sockets, and have never had one drop. Sure, they're plastic, but I've had way better luck with them than any chrome rail I've tried, and for 7$ I can have a spare around if I need one. I also have a few I keep my "loaner" sockets on, so people think they're getting the good stuff.

 

[whitepine2]

Hay you ain't as mad as you want folks to think,your as dumb as a fox. L O L Good idea with the second set of sockets I like that.

 

[TheMadOne]

Hay you ain't as mad as you want folks to think,your as dumb as a fox. L O L Good idea with the second set of sockets I like that.

I don't get nearly as much heartburn loaning out Chinesium specials as I would loaning out my SKs. Also people stop asking you for tools after awhile if all you hand them is junk.

 

[whitepine2]

I don't get nearly as much heartburn loaning out Chinesium specials as I would loaning out my SKs. Also people stop asking you for tools after awhile if all you hand them is junk.

Like I said dumb as fox. I kinda stopped lending,I will go help them out with my tools,the only one that gets to use mine is my son and or someone that knows how to use the tools correctly and I get to use thiers.

 

[California]

Thank you CA. ... I also have a P&M outside wood boiler and was thinking it might be a good thing to clean the 16 tubes,what do you think about that,good,bad or no good. If that were the case I would get he better one as it would be used more often.

I have no idea if these are suitable for cleaning boiler tubes.
$259 vs $389? The $120 buys motorized feed out/in, and you might get done in half the time.

I'm cheap, for my very occasional use the lesser one is sufficient. YMMV. I see a $199 coupon for it on 'HF Coupon Database'.

 

[Diggin It]

Again, more of a policy than an item.

My store had two of the $189 drawer tool carts on Open Box/Damaged, blue ones that I wanted. On one the back was bent so that the drawer pins wouldn't release for the drawers to open. Not sure about the other, but they also said the drawers wouldn't open. They had them priced at $167, but would agree to go down to $145. Not knowing the extent of damage or how much work it would take, I wasn't willing to go more than half price. They stayed in the store. Maybe someone else will want a project at neat full price.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Again, more of a policy than an item.

My store had two of the $189 drawer tool carts on Open Box/Damaged, blue ones that I wanted. On one the back was bent so that the drawer pins wouldn't release for the drawers to open. Not sure about the other, but they also said the drawers wouldn't open. They had them priced at $167, but would agree to go down to $145. Not knowing the extent of damage or how much work it would take, I wasn't willing to go more than half price. They stayed in the store. Maybe someone else will want a project at neat full price.

The longer they sit there on "open box" sale, the lower the price is supposed to go. (they are supposed to continually drop the price on whatever item until it gets sold, but it's up to the individual store manager to stay on top of such things). Maybe check back in a couple of weeks?

 

[Ford850]

Again, more of a policy than an item.

My store had two of the $189 drawer tool carts on Open Box/Damaged, blue ones that I wanted. On one the back was bent so that the drawer pins wouldn't release for the drawers to open. Not sure about the other, but they also said the drawers wouldn't open. They had them priced at $167, but would agree to go down to $145. Not knowing the extent of damage or how much work it would take, I wasn't willing to go more than half price. They stayed in the store. Maybe someone else will want a project at neat full price.

You can buy them new for $169 without the damage. Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - 30", 5 DRAWER MECHANIC'S CARTS (RED, BLUE & BLACK)

 

[Diggin It]

You can buy them new for $169 without the damage.

See, that's the point, they're not worth that to me. I was hoping to get a damaged one for under $100 that could be fixed with some repair. It would have been for an outbuilding, so I don't need fancy.

I just can't see anybody paying more than half without knowing how much work might be necessary.

 

[mike69440]

Picture = 1000 Words

 

[California]

Chinesium!

I had a screwdriver break like that when I used it for the top of a T-handle, with not much force applied. All crystals, exposed in the break.

 

[California]

This thread seems like a good place to warn others - Not HF but Ebay:

I've ordered a lot of small purchases from China, mostly with good results, inexpensive stuff that was fairly priced.

Not this time.

80mm Mini Plastic Student Sliding Vernier Caliper Gauge

FREE Economy Int'l Shipping
Item location: Shanghai, China
Seller ships within 1 day after receiving cleared payment


Then an email

Apr 21, 2019
Your order is being shipped!

Estimated delivery: May 07 - Jun 18
Last scanned date N/A
Package location
Shipping status Shipping info received
Shipping carrier FLYT
Tracking number UB011471218PH

Ok, fine. Shanghai is civilized country, this shouldn't take any longer than other stuff I've receive from China.

Wrong. 2 months after the order, it finally arrives. Address label is on Philippines Post label, to me. Over that is pasted a near identical address label to me that indicates a China Customs declaration. Maybe a drop-ship, or the Shanghai guy orders from Phillippines after he has accumulated enough orders for a bulk purchase? WTF? 2 months from Shanghai means he didn't have in stock the items he listed.

That tracking number is meaningless. USPS shows such a # but only that 'label prepared'. # unknown at any other tracking site I can find. It is too long for China Post. I think this Ebay seller uses that USPS gimic to give the appearance an order is moving when it isn't.

The last straw was the items arrived after the 2-month (?) window to give feedback. So none of his visible feedback reflects his slow shipping.

One general lesson learned, aside from 'avoid this seller': Economy Shipping isn't the same thing as China Post, which is a government owned service intended to promote China's export capability, and relatively efficient. Shipping Carrier: FLYT. I can't find them but saw a couple of bad reviews that they are the slowest shipper that exits. Lesson: Avoid any Economy Shipping. In contrast, Express Shipping from China is fine.

Oh the 'vernier calipers'? I didn't expect much but these are just kids toys. The long marks every quarter inch are identical size so at a glance you can't recognize the unlabelled first inch mark. I thought these would be a short version of the usual 6 inch vernier caliper but instead they are miniatures of it. The metric markings are decent so these may be useful as intended, to leave with my socket and wrench sets to quickly judge a bolt head. For inch-designated wrenches, probably no better than just 'grab a few wrenches and try them all'.

Bah.

 

[Threepoint]

This thread seems like a good place to warn others - Not HF but Ebay:

I've ordered a lot of small purchases from China, mostly with good results, inexpensive stuff that was fairly priced.

Not this time.

80mm Mini Plastic Student Sliding Vernier Caliper Gauge

FREE Economy Int'l Shipping
Item location: Shanghai, China
Seller ships within 1 day after receiving cleared payment


Then an email

Ok, fine. Shanghai is civilized country, this shouldn't take any longer than other stuff I've receive from China.

Wrong. 2 months after the order, it finally arrives. Address label is on Philippines Post label, to me. Over that is pasted a near identical address label to me that indicates a China Customs declaration. Maybe a drop-ship, or the Shanghai guy orders from Phillippines after he has accumulated enough orders for a bulk purchase? WTF? 2 months from Shanghai means he didn't have in stock the items he listed.

That tracking number is meaningless. USPS shows such a # but only that 'label prepared'. # unknown at any other tracking site I can find. It is too long for China Post. I think this Ebay seller uses that USPS gimic to give the appearance an order is moving when it isn't.

The last straw was the items arrived after the 2-month (?) window to give feedback. So none of his visible feedback reflects his slow shipping.

One general lesson learned, aside from 'avoid this seller': Economy Shipping isn't the same thing as China Post, which is a government owned service intended to promote China's export capability, and relatively efficient. Shipping Carrier: FLYT. I can't find them but saw a couple of bad reviews that they are the slowest shipper that exits. Lesson: Avoid any Economy Shipping. In contrast, Express Shipping from China is fine.

Oh the 'vernier calipers'? I didn't expect much but these are just kids toys. The long marks every quarter inch are identical size so at a glance you can't recognize the unlabelled first inch mark. I thought these would be a short version of the usual 6 inch vernier caliper but instead they are miniatures of it. The metric markings are decent so these may be useful as intended, to leave with my socket and wrench sets to quickly judge a bolt head. For inch-designated wrenches, probably no better than just 'grab a few wrenches and try them all'.

Bah.

California, if it's worth it to you, I'd bump this up to Ebay customer service. As I recall, you can do it with a couple of clicks. I bet you'll get a reply within an hour that they've issued you a refund. More importantly, they can take further action if it's a known issue with this seller. If folks don't escalate to them, they won't know.

My guess is that this is a real outlier. I've ordered small items from various sellers that only shipped "Economy Shipping", and the estimated time has always been met or beaten.

Also, why not start a separate thread, e.g. "Ebay "Economy Shipping" experience"?

Or "Why it makes sense to buy cheap stuff from Harbor Freight instead of Ebay". :laughing: