Harbor Freight Win-or-Fail Thread
#943
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,046
Total Cats: 6,607
Figured I'd finally post a review.
The jack works well. Handle is easy to get on and off, and it's possible (though difficult) to jack up the car with only half the handle attached if someone is parked next to me.
Couldn't get it in far enough from the front to reach the subframe, but it's got enough lift that doing one side at a time, the nose was plenty high up for me to get my whole body under there to get at the oil filter.
Haven't tried reaching the diff from the back, I expect it'll similarly be too short to reach. But given my space constraints, very happy with it.
The stands are adequate. I wouldn't feel safe being under an F-350 supported by them, but they're fine for a Miata.
The jack works well. Handle is easy to get on and off, and it's possible (though difficult) to jack up the car with only half the handle attached if someone is parked next to me.
Couldn't get it in far enough from the front to reach the subframe, but it's got enough lift that doing one side at a time, the nose was plenty high up for me to get my whole body under there to get at the oil filter.
Haven't tried reaching the diff from the back, I expect it'll similarly be too short to reach. But given my space constraints, very happy with it.
The stands are adequate. I wouldn't feel safe being under an F-350 supported by them, but they're fine for a Miata.
#944
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,597
Total Cats: 1,263
HF refurbs are hit or miss. They can be perfectly normal, or they can be steaming piles of ****. Depends on what broke and how easy it is to repair.
I used to buy HF rejects from a warehouse in Buffalo by the pallet load. Then, I'd try to fix some of the broken ones with parts from others. Did it several times, to pay for some of my machines. For instance, you get 3-4 busted up bandsaws for a hundred, and get one, maybe two fixed and working. Scrap the leftovers, sell the working ones cheap (like $120), and go buy more. Got to be that it wasn't worth the time.
I used to buy HF rejects from a warehouse in Buffalo by the pallet load. Then, I'd try to fix some of the broken ones with parts from others. Did it several times, to pay for some of my machines. For instance, you get 3-4 busted up bandsaws for a hundred, and get one, maybe two fixed and working. Scrap the leftovers, sell the working ones cheap (like $120), and go buy more. Got to be that it wasn't worth the time.
#945
IF I bought that compressor, I'd set it up with a slow leak so it would have to cycle on/off and put some hours on it well before the 90 day warranty expired. That IS the standard HF 90 day warranty and you can return it to the store with the typical options for compensation: Customer Service at Harbor Freight Tools - Returns and Exchanges
#946
Not HF but Amazon Prime
Good quality, square faces and quick clamping. Bought one for my shop and was impressed with the quality for the price ($38.15).
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nice quality cam lock vise.
Good quality, square faces and quick clamping. Bought one for my shop and was impressed with the quality for the price ($38.15).
HHIP 3900-0183 Pro-Series High Grade Iron Quick Slide Drill Press Vise, 3" Width x 1.25" Depth Jaw, 3.5" Jaw Opening
Nice quality cam lock vise.
#947
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,597
Total Cats: 1,263
Just a quick update on the dust collector.
I checked out the Harbor Freight model. They are only 30 micron filtration, and they offer no options as to a finer filter bag. Discussions on the web indicate that 5 is about the maximum for any real benefit, and you really want to have 2.5 micron filtration for the best dust control. Naturally, the higher the filtration, the more the unit. Some places even offer 1 micron, but at a hefty price - starting at $400 and up. Even finer filters are available if you want to pay.
So, I bought this one: Woodstock SHOPFOX Wall Dust Collector W1826 20% OFF New Product 2.5 micron, easy bag emptying (zipper), and wall mounted for space savings. Harbor Freight has the best price on hoses (10" for 20 bucks), and I got a hood on eBay.
I checked out the Harbor Freight model. They are only 30 micron filtration, and they offer no options as to a finer filter bag. Discussions on the web indicate that 5 is about the maximum for any real benefit, and you really want to have 2.5 micron filtration for the best dust control. Naturally, the higher the filtration, the more the unit. Some places even offer 1 micron, but at a hefty price - starting at $400 and up. Even finer filters are available if you want to pay.
So, I bought this one: Woodstock SHOPFOX Wall Dust Collector W1826 20% OFF New Product 2.5 micron, easy bag emptying (zipper), and wall mounted for space savings. Harbor Freight has the best price on hoses (10" for 20 bucks), and I got a hood on eBay.
#949
So, question for the hive:
20-25% off coupons have for some time contained language stating they couldn't be used on 'sale items', and just about everything at HF was always 'on sale'.
Now they state "cannot be used with any other discount, coupon..." etc., and recently the HF website changed from "on sale" to "compare at" for pricing.
Has anyone used one of the big coupons recently? Can you now actually use them on stuff that's worth buying?
I know there are a lot of items still excluded (most of the big ticket items), but if you can actually use a big coupon now, that's a significant change...
20-25% off coupons have for some time contained language stating they couldn't be used on 'sale items', and just about everything at HF was always 'on sale'.
Now they state "cannot be used with any other discount, coupon..." etc., and recently the HF website changed from "on sale" to "compare at" for pricing.
Has anyone used one of the big coupons recently? Can you now actually use them on stuff that's worth buying?
I know there are a lot of items still excluded (most of the big ticket items), but if you can actually use a big coupon now, that's a significant change...
#950
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Huntington, Indiana
Posts: 2,885
Total Cats: 616
You can use coupons on sale items, but only one coupon per purchase.
25% coupons generally can't be used for most things over $150 or so, but there are rare super coupons that are close to 25%.
If you are buying a compressor or jack, it is worth waiting for one to pop up.
The link in my signature usually has one a month.
25% coupons generally can't be used for most things over $150 or so, but there are rare super coupons that are close to 25%.
If you are buying a compressor or jack, it is worth waiting for one to pop up.
The link in my signature usually has one a month.
#955
Sorry, not HF... Anyone besides me follow Kickstarter projects? Seems kind of cool;
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...?ref=discovery
OpenScope: Instrumentation for Everyone
OpenScope is a multi-function programmable instrument used for capturing, visualizing, and controlling analog and digital signals.
OpenScope is a multi-function programmable instrument used for capturing, visualizing, and controlling analog and digital signals.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...?ref=discovery
#956
You can use coupons on sale items, but only one coupon per purchase.
25% coupons generally can't be used for most things over $150 or so, but there are rare super coupons that are close to 25%.
If you are buying a compressor or jack, it is worth waiting for one to pop up.
The link in my signature usually has one a month.
25% coupons generally can't be used for most things over $150 or so, but there are rare super coupons that are close to 25%.
If you are buying a compressor or jack, it is worth waiting for one to pop up.
The link in my signature usually has one a month.
#957
Elite Member
iTrader: (37)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Very NorCal
Posts: 10,441
Total Cats: 1,899
I bought a creeper that was $21 on clearance with a 25% Off coupon. ***** cash y0.
That reminds me...
40 in. 300 lb. Capacity Low-Profile Creeper
****** GABAGE!
It lasted all of 3 hours rolling around on my concrete driveway.
That reminds me...
40 in. 300 lb. Capacity Low-Profile Creeper
****** GABAGE!
It lasted all of 3 hours rolling around on my concrete driveway.