Harbor Freight Win-or-Fail Thread
EPIC Failure. Ratchet bar clamp/seperator 6", 12", 18", 24" Item # 46806, Item # 46807, Item # 46808, Item # 46809.
I was pretty excited that these were so much cheaper then the Irwin's from Home Depot, so when they went on sale I bought a **** load of them. Half of them broke on the very first use (Either the removable end would snap off, or the ratcheting mechanism would break). About half of the rest broke on the 2nd-3rd use, and the rest wouldn't clamp tight (hey at least they didn't break right?).
I have found that the Irwin clamps from Home Depot come in packs, they aren't so expensive. Model # 4935502 Model # 5464 are the best deals.
I was pretty excited that these were so much cheaper then the Irwin's from Home Depot, so when they went on sale I bought a **** load of them. Half of them broke on the very first use (Either the removable end would snap off, or the ratcheting mechanism would break). About half of the rest broke on the 2nd-3rd use, and the rest wouldn't clamp tight (hey at least they didn't break right?).
I have found that the Irwin clamps from Home Depot come in packs, they aren't so expensive. Model # 4935502 Model # 5464 are the best deals.
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Bought this, came with 30 pieces of bits and junk. 30 bit one was like $4, the 80 piece one (pictured) is $10. I dont see the 30 piece one on the site anymore. The rotary its self is pretty good for that price, but it could use some more torque. But it was $4. For that price I bought 2, figured if I break one they are cheap Ill get 2. So I say its a like 70/30 win/fail.
On a side note, I think this thread is brilliant.
http://www.harborfreight.com/80-piec...kit-97626.html
On a side note, I think this thread is brilliant.
http://www.harborfreight.com/80-piec...kit-97626.html
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harbor freight wobble extension set. 70% WIN, 30% FAIL
The 1/4" extensions all broke pretty much on first use.
The 3/8" extensions when all stacked shortest to longest and on the end of my other standard long extension make removing the tranny bolts on a miata SUPER EASY.
Not bad for 11.99 but it appears they now make a 3/8 impact wobble extension set for 7.99.
oh and regarding the angle grinder, I just bought a miluakee the first time and it's awesome. probably way quieter than the harbor freight ones too.
The 1/4" extensions all broke pretty much on first use.
The 3/8" extensions when all stacked shortest to longest and on the end of my other standard long extension make removing the tranny bolts on a miata SUPER EASY.
Not bad for 11.99 but it appears they now make a 3/8 impact wobble extension set for 7.99.
oh and regarding the angle grinder, I just bought a miluakee the first time and it's awesome. probably way quieter than the harbor freight ones too.
I too used all the extensions stacked to get to my tranny bolts. It was indeed super easy no problemo this way.
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Fail
4.5" Angle Grinder (120V).
ITEM # 95578
MANUFACTURER: DRILL MASTER
Current price $10 (overpriced)
I bought this and got about 2 hours of use out of it. The first set of brushes melted down while using a flapper wheel on some steel. I replaced the brushes, even bought spares, then one of the winding wires inside of the grinder overheated and failed like a fuse. I disassembled it to find the failure mode and promptly threw it in the trash. I have read elsewhere to stay away from the 'blue' grinders so that is consistent with my experience.
I since bought a different 4.5" angle grinder that was on sale.
ITEM # 91223 MANUFACTURER: CHICAGO ELECTRIC POWER TOOLS
It has an orange case. So far so good, though I am not ready to give it a win yet.
4.5" Angle Grinder (120V).
ITEM # 95578
MANUFACTURER: DRILL MASTER
Current price $10 (overpriced)
I bought this and got about 2 hours of use out of it. The first set of brushes melted down while using a flapper wheel on some steel. I replaced the brushes, even bought spares, then one of the winding wires inside of the grinder overheated and failed like a fuse. I disassembled it to find the failure mode and promptly threw it in the trash. I have read elsewhere to stay away from the 'blue' grinders so that is consistent with my experience.
I since bought a different 4.5" angle grinder that was on sale.
ITEM # 91223 MANUFACTURER: CHICAGO ELECTRIC POWER TOOLS
It has an orange case. So far so good, though I am not ready to give it a win yet.
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Win (mostly)
3 HP, 21 Gallon, 120 Volt 115 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor
ITEM # 94667
MANUFACTURER: CENTRAL PNEUMATIC
Current Price $130
I bought this when I was about to do a large job, like an engine pull or something, and was tired of not having air tools. I did not expect it to last very long but figured if I got a decent amount of use out of it for awhile, why not at the price? Well I have had it for over a year now and have run it for many, many, many hours. I definitely got my money out of this unit and it is still going strong.
Some things I do not like about it:
1. It is noisy, but all cheap portable compressors like this one are noisy.
2. The wheels were ****. I had to replace them.
3. The pressure regulator is not very good. It does not flow well. I replaced it with an ingersoll-rand dryer/regulator i picked up at Northern Tool. Much better.
4. The condensation drain is hard to use. I replaced it with a 90 deg fitting, some piping, and a 1/4 turn ball valve, about $10 worth of stuff if that. Now it is easy to drain.
3 HP, 21 Gallon, 120 Volt 115 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor
ITEM # 94667
MANUFACTURER: CENTRAL PNEUMATIC
Current Price $130
I bought this when I was about to do a large job, like an engine pull or something, and was tired of not having air tools. I did not expect it to last very long but figured if I got a decent amount of use out of it for awhile, why not at the price? Well I have had it for over a year now and have run it for many, many, many hours. I definitely got my money out of this unit and it is still going strong.
Some things I do not like about it:
1. It is noisy, but all cheap portable compressors like this one are noisy.
2. The wheels were ****. I had to replace them.
3. The pressure regulator is not very good. It does not flow well. I replaced it with an ingersoll-rand dryer/regulator i picked up at Northern Tool. Much better.
4. The condensation drain is hard to use. I replaced it with a 90 deg fitting, some piping, and a 1/4 turn ball valve, about $10 worth of stuff if that. Now it is easy to drain.
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Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,847
Total Cats: 27
From: San Antonio, Texas
The 120V unit I have takes a while to build pressure as well. I did not mention it because I believe that is typical except for nicer, more expensive compressors. The duty cycle with a die grinder is about 20-30% because the compressor cannot keep up and I have to wait for it to recharge. That and the noise have me consider a nicer compressor from time to time, but not enough to shell out $700+. Patience and earplugs are cheaper.
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Win:
Steel Jackstands- Almost everyone I know has them and I have yet to see a problem.
1 ton arbor press- I only used it to press in wheel studs (with a jack handle on the handle of the press) but it has saved me the purchase price already.
I haven't broken any of these yet, but 2 of mine in the set are noticeably crooked. Not sure how they managed that, but it always makes me laugh when I pull them out.
Steel Jackstands- Almost everyone I know has them and I have yet to see a problem.
1 ton arbor press- I only used it to press in wheel studs (with a jack handle on the handle of the press) but it has saved me the purchase price already.
harbor freight wobble extension set. 70% WIN, 30% FAIL
The 1/4" extensions all broke pretty much on first use.
The 3/8" extensions when all stacked shortest to longest and on the end of my other standard long extension make removing the tranny bolts on a miata SUPER EASY.
Not bad for 11.99 but it appears they now make a 3/8 impact wobble extension set for 7.99.
The 1/4" extensions all broke pretty much on first use.
The 3/8" extensions when all stacked shortest to longest and on the end of my other standard long extension make removing the tranny bolts on a miata SUPER EASY.
Not bad for 11.99 but it appears they now make a 3/8 impact wobble extension set for 7.99.
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Pretty much any of their crane hoists will do the job for a miata. Mine was the $130 1-ton one, and I had to take the bumper off for it to reach, so I recommend getting the slightly longer one for $20 more. Easy to assemble/disassemble and put in an attic, and should last forever. Also purchased with this was one of those angle load leveler doodads to angle the engine. The handle kept unscrewing when I was turning counterclockwise (bad design), otherwise it was pretty solid. Both helped tremendously through my build. What didn't help was the engine stand I got from HF. I didn't really need it since I had the engine on the ground most of the time. Otherwise it was all win.
Last edited by Cococarbine3; Sep 6, 2010 at 07:57 PM.
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WIN: Central Machinery 38847
WIN: Pittsburgh 40695
FAIL: Pittsburgh 37325: these bend every time I try to use them. won't cut anything
FAIL: Central Pneumatic Professional 93296: broke the first time I used it
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Win- It beats my snap-on, craftsmen, and S&K ratchets HANDS DOWN. Smoothest ratchet in the box
50/50 win/fail. Half the set has busted, but we aren't exactly nice to them.
Full of win. Typically, cheap wheels will come apart when you put any heat into them at all. These can be coated in aluminum and burning hot to the touch, but will not come apart (unless you get a cutoff wheel wedged in).
50/50 win/fail. Half the set has busted, but we aren't exactly nice to them.
Full of win. Typically, cheap wheels will come apart when you put any heat into them at all. These can be coated in aluminum and burning hot to the touch, but will not come apart (unless you get a cutoff wheel wedged in).
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I'd have to say the my 1/2" impact sockets have been win.
Cutoff wheels, I go through them by the 25 pack. Win.
small 5x10" lathe was fail. Zero power. Took it back after disassembling and stoning all of the ways for three hours.
Jackstands, win
Cherry picker was Cummins instead of HF. Win.
Bandsaw that ZX referred to above - mine is Grizzly but just has different paint - win. I've cut 4" diameter solid round with mine. With Bi-metal blades they are great.
Rotary variable speed buffer for $30 was win.
$9.99 wooden furniture/appliance dollies are win for Miatas. Beats spending $120+ for wheel dollies if you have to move a Miata sideways in the garage.
Cutoff wheels, I go through them by the 25 pack. Win.
small 5x10" lathe was fail. Zero power. Took it back after disassembling and stoning all of the ways for three hours.
Jackstands, win
Cherry picker was Cummins instead of HF. Win.
Bandsaw that ZX referred to above - mine is Grizzly but just has different paint - win. I've cut 4" diameter solid round with mine. With Bi-metal blades they are great.
Rotary variable speed buffer for $30 was win.
$9.99 wooden furniture/appliance dollies are win for Miatas. Beats spending $120+ for wheel dollies if you have to move a Miata sideways in the garage.
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I'll also add in my $40 20.4V drill I bought from O'riley's, probably at Harbor Freight as well.
I can't find a picture, but it's an orange no-name china brand. It works great, although on really tight screws I've found that the ******* chuck isn't reverse threads, so it'll unscrew the chuck before breaking the screw loose.
I can't find a picture, but it's an orange no-name china brand. It works great, although on really tight screws I've found that the ******* chuck isn't reverse threads, so it'll unscrew the chuck before breaking the screw loose.
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On a positive note: I use/like the jack stand pads, floor jack saddle pad, 3 ton jack stands, 6 ton jack stands, 2 ton low profile floor jack.
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The only decent lathe worth buying is the 9x20. Pretty much everyone - HF, Grizzly, Enco all sell it. It's a decent lathe that has it's own forum for mods, tweaks, tricks. IIRC, they are just under $1K. In hindsight, I had the 7x10 I think.
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Newb
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 12
Total Cats: 0
From: Little Rock, Arkansas
Survival Knife
Win
8.99$
8" Hunting/Survival Knife
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...image_2283.jpg
This thing has been through a lot with me, and is still kicking tough.
8.99$
8" Hunting/Survival Knife
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...image_2283.jpg
This thing has been through a lot with me, and is still kicking tough.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 836
Total Cats: 76
From: Phoenix
Win
8.99$
8" Hunting/Survival Knife
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...image_2283.jpg
This thing has been through a lot with me, and is still kicking tough.
8.99$
8" Hunting/Survival Knife
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...image_2283.jpg
This thing has been through a lot with me, and is still kicking tough.
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