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Harbor Freight Win-or-Fail Thread

Old 03-09-2016, 06:38 PM
  #721  
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Dissapointing. May still give it a try though since it seems to be about 10x less than most decent ones. I wish they had an electric version, it seems like their electric tools may be a step up from the pneumatic ones.
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Old 03-09-2016, 08:15 PM
  #722  
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Originally Posted by zellers88
I wish they had an electric version
Boda 220-240V 50Hz 500W 2000rpm 1.6mm Electric Nibbler Power Nibblers Manufacturers - Eastmachinery.com

Eastwood 13475, Eastwood Electric Metal Shears | Eastwood

https://encrypted.google.com/shoppin...BYQQ8wIIiwMwBA

14 gauge 4 Amp Heavy Duty Metal Shears

18 gauge 3.5 Amp Heavy Duty Metal Shears



We had an electric nibbler at the PR&E lab when I worked there. Fairly expensive, fairly high-quality. It was fast, but difficult to control with any sort of precision.
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Old 03-09-2016, 08:42 PM
  #723  
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Originally Posted by Joe Perez
Thanks for those links, that Ironton one looks pretty decent. Any suggestions besides a nibbler for a tool to cut somewhat precise curves in sheet metal?
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Old 03-10-2016, 08:36 AM
  #724  
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My HF nibbler is still working fine. I've probably used ~2x/year- had it about 10 yrs. For sure best results I've had with my nibbler is using a template/guide to run against when making the cut.
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Old 03-10-2016, 10:44 AM
  #725  
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I just happened to order the 14 gauge 4 amp nibbler today with the intention of making an airbox and manifold heat shield out of some 0.060" aluminum I have on hand. Will report back.
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Old 03-10-2016, 10:49 AM
  #726  
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I have the HF electric shears, and I think they're pretty good.
The replacement blades are fairly expensive, so don't cut any thicker material than they're rated for because they will break.
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Old 03-10-2016, 10:56 AM
  #727  
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I have killed 2 of the mini sawzall's that HF sells. This one specifically. They work amazingly, I am pretty sure I just over do it and kill the motors. Will be picking up another one in a few days, might buy the warranty this time on it.
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Old 03-11-2016, 12:15 AM
  #728  
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I wanna know the kind of sawzall Fae uses. That ************ must have some power if it butchers everything from radiator mounts to frame rails and coils.
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Old 03-11-2016, 12:18 AM
  #729  
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The full size sawsall I got from them has lasted years so far, including cutting all the sch40 304 stainless for my turbo manifold. More and more bits rattle around loose inside but it keeps on trucking.
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Old 03-14-2016, 08:59 AM
  #730  
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I used the HF full size sawzall for some serious home renovation work. Then my bro in law used it for his renovation. It had a load of abusive hours on it. It did eventually fail- metals gears gave in. But at $20 with a coupon it delivered.
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Old 03-14-2016, 09:53 AM
  #731  
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Originally Posted by m2cupcar
I used the HF full size sawzall for some serious home renovation work. Then my bro in law used it for his renovation. It had a load of abusive hours on it. It did eventually fail- metals gears gave in. But at $20 with a coupon it delivered.
Man, we live in such a throw away society don't we?
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Old 03-14-2016, 06:11 PM
  #732  
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The sandpaper sponges pack (8 of them) has proven to be very good quality. If only my hands had held up as well.
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Old 03-14-2016, 06:15 PM
  #733  
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But how did your ***** hold up to them?
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Old 03-14-2016, 06:18 PM
  #734  
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Got a box of the black nitrile 9 mil gloves after tearing through a bunch of the 5 mils. Haven't had one tear yet, seem like pretty good quality so far.
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Old 03-14-2016, 07:12 PM
  #735  
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Originally Posted by Erat
Man, we live in such a throw away society don't we?
Yes. Even expensive name brand tools dont last forever like your dad's tools so you might as well buy the cheap on that lasts for a few years than the expensive one that lasts for a decade. So what if the HF lasts half as long as the dewalt when its 1/5th the price.
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Old 03-14-2016, 07:28 PM
  #736  
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Originally Posted by Leafy
Yes. Even expensive name brand tools dont last forever like your dad's tools so you might as well buy the cheap on that lasts for a few years than the expensive one that lasts for a decade. So what if the HF lasts half as long as the dewalt when its 1/5th the price.
I beg to differ. Regarding the power tools anyway. Hell even some "name brand" power tools these days are absolute trash. "cough"dewilt"cough" I own HF power tools for home, i like them and they work fine, i'd never take them to work. Gutless, noisy, not ergonomically friendly, made cheaply, and just don't last.

These HF power tools have their place and it's certainly not in an industrial shop.
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Old 03-15-2016, 03:03 AM
  #737  
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3/4" ball joint separator
Pittsburgh Automotive - Item#99849

Win

Attached Thumbnails Harbor Freight Win-or-Fail Thread-80-image_12294_9e81a63a8fa8ae3bdc9f6f09ffa6fbe290a6b0a1.jpg  

Last edited by Nabisco; 03-15-2016 at 03:26 AM.
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Old 03-15-2016, 10:08 AM
  #738  
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Originally Posted by Leafy
Yes. Even expensive name brand tools dont last forever like your dad's tools so you might as well buy the cheap on that lasts for a few years than the expensive one that lasts for a decade. So what if the HF lasts half as long as the dewalt when its 1/5th the price.
That HF sawzall lasted a long time- there were two house renovations in it's life span among many other projects. It was replaced by dewalt only because home depot was open and close by when the HF failed. Over all I've had great service from HF tools. Even the cheap $20 impact guns last me. I think I've had two in 20 yrs. I probably still have 90% of the HF tools I've purchased still in service.

Last edited by m2cupcar; 03-24-2016 at 10:20 AM.
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Old 03-24-2016, 10:20 AM
  #739  
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fwiw- HF easter weekend sale with 25% off and free stuff coupons: http://images.harborfreight.com/hftw...pons042516.pdf
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Old 03-24-2016, 11:13 AM
  #740  
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I have the aluminum jack from the ad and like it. I also have a larger steel one for trucks.
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