I occasionally shop at Harbor Freight for basic items, i.e. zip cable ties, gloves, towels. I've bought a few other items, like a cordless drill and a crescent wrench set that have lasted a few years so far. I have seen a few threads started on other forums that are already a few years old, and probably outdated. So, I thought we could start a review thread here.

What items do you love, and what would you have never purchased?

 

16t pipe/tubing bender
36" brake , but only with mods to beef it up
Atv ramps
Hitch carriers
Ball joint removal set
Front end tool set
Motorcycle stand
12000 winch
Tarps
Temp shelters
Tool bags
Any and all welding metal working consumables
Little 120 psi compressor
I like all of those and they have performed well
I also buy and break most of their hand tools, but that is the same for all hand tools

Never had luck from:
Welding rigs
Inverters
Generator
Sump/transfer pumps
Problems with durability made them disposable

 

Impact sockets: pass

Electric angle grinder: pass

Battery charger: pass

R134a gauges: fail. A buddy of mine has bought two sets and the ends that connect to the service ports always have issues eventfully. Either they won't press the valve or the orings start leaking. They might be ok with some nicer hoses/fittings assuming that they are standards sizes of course.

Screw drivers: fail. They dot seem to fit well and bear very easily.

Torque wrenches: I'd use them for attaching wheels and other stuff, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about using them for head gaskets on most engines. I guess with TTY bolts it wouldn't matter too much, as long as it's consistent.

Fuel pressure test kit: pass. Maybe a slight fit problem with the ford spring lock connect, I'm not sure.

Oil pressure kit: pass

Hydraulic crimpers: pass

Air compressor: pass

1/2" drive "earthquake" impact: pass

 

Agreed. Absolute junk. Mine only lasted 1 year. I do quite a bit of A/C work but they should last longer.

 

The electronic torque attachment is sweet. It does seem to go through batteries pretty quickly though.

 

I keep looking at that variable speed multi tool every time I walk into the store. Has anyone here purchased it? Looks like they're having some pretty good sales this week also.

 

2500lb winch on atv, works great
oscillator cutting tool, great
Compound miter saw, great
Assorted handtools, no problems so far
5 drawer rolling tool cart, awesome.
Everything so far has been good.

 

if your within driving distance to a HF they are great, if it breaks return it just like Sears.
if you're dealing on line or have to have things shipped i would use some place local.
if its a 1/2 or 9/16 socket that you use everyday you want quality, if its something you use a half dozen time a year no real need.
I've been buying stuff from them for well over thirty years, i can say i have been very disappointed with anything i bought considering the price I paid.

 

Item #4876 Three-Jaw Pilot Bearing Puller is a fail. The spreader bar bent making the legs spread apart when I tried pulling a bearing off the tub of mr LG front load washer. I also broke the tip on one of the jaws.

One of the best HF pass/fail threads is on Garage Journal. It is over 320 pages and it active.

 

Last time I was at a Sears returning a torque wrench for a defective ratchet head, I was told it was not a hand tool; so the replacement warranty did not apply. It also does not apply for a majority of their tools that were not 'Craftsman' , they were a lesser quality tool. I broke my Sears card i half and melted it right in front of the manager. I buy my tools elsewhere. Funny, now it looks like Sears is shutting down most of their stores.

Harbor Freight is a good source for some of the specialized tools, and the low cost tools. I did get a large tarp from them which didn't last too long in windy conditions. Not sure it was the fault of the tarp or just too windy.