Tools!! Discuss your recent purchase or learn about tools here.

harbor freight, post your experience

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-11-2014, 09:27 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
jwfirebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: western,ny state
Posts: 9,616
Received 579 Likes on 497 Posts
jwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond repute
Default harbor freight, post your experience

just got back from harbor freight and had a thought about putting up a thread about stuff you have gotten there and if it was any good. because somethings i got there actually surprise me in a good way, some not so much.


-got a HD hydraulic jack the real big orange one with two sets of stands, and that has never failed me.

-got the tool for door and atv plactic fastener removal, use it all the time and its still going strong.

-got two sets of deep 1/2in impact sockets that seem excellent never even look round, ended up getting a set for work and use them all the time with my battery 1/2in makita driver.

-atv lift use it all the time and never had an issue.

-20 ton shop press, not used very much but works well so far.

-various atv straps and such only worked as well as some cheap ones.
- screw drivers didnt last very long.


-got a set of dollies for moving the firebird today half price, havent even gotten them out of the box yet.
Old 01-11-2014, 10:55 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
chevy82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Missouri
Posts: 396
Received 101 Likes on 86 Posts
chevy82 is a glorious beacon of lightchevy82 is a glorious beacon of lightchevy82 is a glorious beacon of lightchevy82 is a glorious beacon of lightchevy82 is a glorious beacon of lightchevy82 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

ATv ramps still goin strong.
Toolbox the red one seems to be built well. 10 yrs now.
Air drill, half in. Torque wrench, and trim tools seem to be a good buy.
Temperature gun is accurate.


Screwdrivers, test light, and mini mag lights are junk.
Chainsaw sharpener not great, if you cut a lot of wood.

I'm wanting to try the bore scope, kind of Leary though.
Old 01-11-2014, 11:34 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
rjolly87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 7,270
Received 457 Likes on 359 Posts
rjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant future
Default

Harbor freight is great for tools you don't need very often. I try and stop there first if possible. Quality isnt always there, but my problems usually come from shear abuse
Old 01-12-2014, 08:10 AM
  #4  
Retired



Certified Car Nut
 
Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Dark Side, AZ
Posts: 17,920
Received 1,780 Likes on 1,304 Posts
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

We don't have a store here, so, no tools for me.
__________________
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel

Old 01-12-2014, 08:39 AM
  #5  
Retired Administrator

True Car Nut
 
GunsOfNavarone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Williamsport, PA
Posts: 2,906
Received 193 Likes on 149 Posts
GunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud of
Default

Harbor Freight has great prices on one time/ rarely used tools. A friend called to borrow my pipe wrench, was going to drive 50 miles to get it. All the stores in his area wanted over $40 for the size he needed. Harbor was at $8. Not a high end wrench, but he just needed something extra large to break open a large plumbing pipe. He was super happy with the HF deal.
Old 01-12-2014, 08:47 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
jwfirebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: western,ny state
Posts: 9,616
Received 579 Likes on 497 Posts
jwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Originally Posted by Mike1995
We don't have a store here, so, no tools for me.
the shipping on the site seems reasonable. havent tried that though we have like three up here.


thought of a few other things. needed a npt pipe threader for the bonnie, that worked fine, plumbing wrenches for the atv front diff(avoids 100+ dollar dealer only tool) bent a little but still usable and certainly worth the 15 i paid.

i dont even bother buying stuff i use everyday there like hand tools or battery tools, but like you guys said stuff you dont use so much seems ok.
Old 01-12-2014, 04:37 PM
  #7  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
WilliamE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 3,462
Received 573 Likes on 504 Posts
WilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I have purchased all 3 sizes of torque wrenches they sell, some red jack stands, heavy rubber wheel chocks, a breaker bar, and a tie rod removal kit, all tools worked fine, of course they are not used daily.

The only tool I had problems with was the tie rod removal kit, I had to do some grinding on the tool and adapter/socket that fit my car, as there were some flaws in how they machined the tool, other than that all of my online purchases has been great.
Old 01-12-2014, 04:43 PM
  #8  
Retired



Certified Car Nut
 
Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Dark Side, AZ
Posts: 17,920
Received 1,780 Likes on 1,304 Posts
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I had the same issue with the Autozone brand of tie rod tool.
__________________
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel

Old 01-12-2014, 08:58 PM
  #9  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
WilliamE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 3,462
Received 573 Likes on 504 Posts
WilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Here is pics of the defective tool, the shaft needed grinding, and the socket thingy.
Attached Thumbnails harbor freight, post your experience-7989213e3d28984d39fca9320703b6b5.jpg   harbor freight, post your experience-f0cbac6148bc010b7aea695de3ba2c58.jpg   harbor freight, post your experience-8418f715697ae868f49958dc47da3872.jpg  
Old 01-12-2014, 09:31 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Certified GM nut
 
eltatertoto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: hobart indiana (1 hr from chicago)
Posts: 1,871
Received 66 Likes on 54 Posts
eltatertoto is a jewel in the rougheltatertoto is a jewel in the rougheltatertoto is a jewel in the rougheltatertoto is a jewel in the rough
Default

ive got a torque wrench, impact sockets, stands, gloves, 1/2" electric impact, grinders, drills, bore scope (not awesome clarity but it works), solar lights (they work surprisingly well), and last but not least, my $100.00 obd2 tool that also reads abs codes! ive never encountered a problem with it and it even has software with it so you can transfer your last scan to the computer. i used it a month or so ago to check the I/M readiness of my dads car. was able to go to the emissions site knowing in advance it would pass.

only thing from HF that has failed was a socket set. broke a socket and the ratchet removing a head bolt. they replaced it free of charge on site. i keep it as an emergency set in the GF'* car.


Quick Reply: harbor freight, post your experience



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:32 AM.