junk items from harbor freight - Page 11

electroman · 08-23-2010, 10:30 AM

I bought HF's pneumatic framing nailer for a 750-sq. ft. job installing 3/4" oak flooring. It worked fine, cost less than renting a "good" one from Home Despot, and I was able to resell it to a friend, who then did a similar-sized job at his house.

I don't buy anything motorized there, though.

hugemoth · 08-23-2010, 11:44 AM

A couple years ago I bought a HF 1000 watt 4 stroke generator for $160 with 20% off coupon. A couple weeks later I went down and bought a 2 year exchange warranty for $35. After a few months it started smoking pretty bad on start up but ran good otherwise so I figured it was just a bad valve seal. Eventually carbon built up in the valve guide sticking the valve so there was no compression. By the time I took it in for an exchange they had discontinued that model and since they had nothing similar they gave me a refund for the full non sale price of $200.00. I made $5 on the deal and had 2 years of use. Had I not purchased the warranty I could have easily fixed it for a few dollars worth of parts.

HapHazard · 08-24-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaka

The frame is hard to screw up.

Au contraire! A friend of mine ordered a press some years ago from HF, and the holes drilled in the legs didn't line up. He called HF, and they sent another set - and no, they didn't match each other either.

In the end, it really didn't matter, and it gave him some left over stock to use, but yes, they can (and have) screwed up the frame!

SteelRain · 08-24-2010, 11:07 AM

Only thing I ever had a problem with was the dirtbike lift.

My saftey wire pliers have worked on my SBK racebike for 8 years and show no signs of letting up.

NJ-GS · 02-13-2011, 10:41 AM

Harbor Freight is a pretty cool store. Unfortunately, a lot of the things they sell are sub standard. They are pretty good about taking stuff back, as long as you have the receipt -- so save your receipts!

Thought I'd start a list of items that in my experience are junk. (I'll also start a thread with items that are worthy of purchasing, again, in my experience.) Please add to the lists. Here's the kick-off for junk:

1. hobby knife set - The handles appear to be solid metal, but are hollow and filled with cheap, breakable plastic. Broke on first use. Stick with Exacto.

2. "multipurpose" scissors - The blades stuck together and when pulling them apart, one of the handles snapped off. Lasted about 30 days. But hey, for $2, I pitched them and didn't bother returning.

3. motocross dirtbike stand - Absolute junk. Don't put anything other than a bicycle on this. The stand will topple and/or break.

NJ-GS · 02-13-2011, 12:40 PM

This one's going back. Was able to cut it with grade-school scissors.

The only thing "steel" about it is the color.

tgeliot · 02-14-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loudo

I thought, "Hey, two pairs of m/c tie-downs for about a buck two ninety eight. Good deal!" So I gave a pair to a buddy who just bought a bike and doesn't have shit yet. We go to use them....OMG what utter shite they are. If you try to use the ratchet to tighten even a little bit the thing twists and goes into Safe Mode. Plus they're way too long. I ended up giving him my good pair of tie-downs, the simple kind with the one-way clasp you just pull tight.

Huh. I've used mine many times with no problems, to tie down everything from my Transalp to a pallet of squash.

mfp4073 · 02-14-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ-GS

This one's going back. Was able to cut it with grade-school scissors.

The only thing "steel" about it is the color.

I have worked at several restaurant running kitchens. Several years ago now I ended up starting at the bottom (IE, newbie) of a new chain. The "chef" was younger than me by a few years and wasnt too bad, but really was an idiot about some stuff. He "swore by" those mesh cut proof gloves. i knew better. Chain or nothing for me. They also didnt bother sharpening any of their knives. I brought my own that were proper. One day in an arguing match with him about these "cut proof mesh gloves" I finally set on on a cutting board and cut 2 fingers off with one of my knives in one smooth slice. Bunch of the other cooks sat looking wide eyed cause they trusted him that these things actually worked.

TheSweep · 02-14-2011, 11:43 AM

Any powered tool I've used from HF is junk.

mfp4073 · 02-14-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSweep

Any powered tool I've used from HF is junk.

I have used the crap out of my HF angle grinder!

Numb · 02-14-2011, 12:32 PM

chinese knockoff garbage....

of course I tried in vain to find a corded drill at HD this weekend that was not made in china ... B&D, ridgid, dewalt, milwaukee, all china...

Riteris · 02-14-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numb

chinese knockoff garbage....

of course I tried in vain to find a corded drill at HD this weekend that was not made in china ... B&D, ridgid, dewalt, milwaukee, all china...

Yup. I went through this recently.

It really makes you wonder about how much you are paying for a brand name and/ or a particular color.

PoundSand · 02-14-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ-GS

3. motocross dirtbike stand - Absolute junk. Don't put anything other than a bicycle on this. The stand will topple and/or break.

i like this guy. works fine. :P

Trl Rdr · 02-14-2011, 05:17 PM

Got the entry level angle grinder, about $10. Had to cut the bottom out of a dumpster, made it 3/4 the way around before meltdown. Got out the milwaukee and finished it. Returned the grinder to HF got my money back & upgraded to the $16 dollar model. I really wanted to see how long before the smoke leaked out

cyclingtom · 02-14-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duck

The thread title is redundant.

Yep. You don't usually head to HF for the outstanding quality and craftsmanship. BTW, their two buck shop brushes are pretty nice.

02-13-2011, 10:41 AM	#155
NJ-GS Studly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Fareast PA (formerly NJ) Oddometer: 768	Stuff from the Garage Harbor Freight is a pretty cool store. Unfortunately, a lot of the things they sell are sub standard. They are pretty good about taking stuff back, as long as you have the receipt -- so save your receipts! Thought I'd start a list of items that in my experience are junk. (I'll also start a thread with items that are worthy of purchasing, again, in my experience.) Please add to the lists. Here's the kick-off for junk: 1. hobby knife set - The handles appear to be solid metal, but are hollow and filled with cheap, breakable plastic. Broke on first use. Stick with Exacto. 2. "multipurpose" scissors - The blades stuck together and when pulling them apart, one of the handles snapped off. Lasted about 30 days. But hey, for $2, I pitched them and didn't bother returning. 3. motocross dirtbike stand - Absolute junk. Don't put anything other than a bicycle on this. The stand will topple and/or break. __________________ A serious side effect of life is death. Ride while you can.

02-13-2011, 12:40 PM	#156
NJ-GS Studly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Fareast PA (formerly NJ) Oddometer: 768	"Stainless Steel" Glove This one's going back. Was able to cut it with grade-school scissors. The only thing "steel" about it is the color. __________________ A serious side effect of life is death. Ride while you can.

02-14-2011, 05:17 PM	#164
Trl Rdr Big Red Bird Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE - The Tax me state Oddometer: 1,652	Got the entry level angle grinder, about $10. Had to cut the bottom out of a dumpster, made it 3/4 the way around before meltdown. Got out the milwaukee and finished it. Returned the grinder to HF got my money back & upgraded to the $16 dollar model. I really wanted to see how long before the smoke leaked out __________________ 2 XR650r(s) 2001 & 2002 Plated GL18HPM9 Titanium (Gold Wing) CRF230F for the tight shit! Baja Mexico Trail Ride Report Big Bend Ranch Drive and Ride Report

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08-23-2010, 10:30 AM	#151
electroman 6.02*10^23 Gigawatts Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Where Angels Fear to Tread Oddometer: 95	I bought HF's pneumatic framing nailer for a 750-sq. ft. job installing 3/4" oak flooring. It worked fine, cost less than renting a "good" one from Home Despot, and I was able to resell it to a friend, who then did a similar-sized job at his house. I don't buy anything motorized there, though.

08-23-2010, 11:44 AM	#152
hugemoth Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Bend, Oregon summer, Snowbird in winter Oddometer: 2,074	A couple years ago I bought a HF 1000 watt 4 stroke generator for $160 with 20% off coupon. A couple weeks later I went down and bought a 2 year exchange warranty for $35. After a few months it started smoking pretty bad on start up but ran good otherwise so I figured it was just a bad valve seal. Eventually carbon built up in the valve guide sticking the valve so there was no compression. By the time I took it in for an exchange they had discontinued that model and since they had nothing similar they gave me a refund for the full non sale price of $200.00. I made $5 on the deal and had 2 years of use. Had I not purchased the warranty I could have easily fixed it for a few dollars worth of parts.

08-24-2010, 11:07 AM	#154
SteelRain Beer Cooled Joined: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego Oddometer: 301	Only thing I ever had a problem with was the dirtbike lift. My saftey wire pliers have worked on my SBK racebike for 8 years and show no signs of letting up.

02-14-2011, 11:43 AM	#159
TheSweep Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: WV Oddometer: 98	Any powered tool I've used from HF is junk.

02-14-2011, 12:32 PM	#161
Numb Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Virginia Oddometer: 190	chinese knockoff garbage.... of course I tried in vain to find a corded drill at HD this weekend that was not made in china ... B&D, ridgid, dewalt, milwaukee, all china...