HF tools that suck

[tractorman99]

I would never buy power tool from HF tool. But I did by a set of impact socket and they held up very well.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I would never buy power tool from HF tool. But I did by a set of impact socket and they held up very well.

Funny you say that. I'm just the opposite. I'll buy the cheapo drill or saw and then get the little better quality bits and blades locally from a hardware store. I guess we all have our reasons for the things we do.

 

[RWolf]

Sometime you get lucky some times not. I bought their plasma cutter and have been using it for about a year and a half and have been very pleased with it.

 

[Sackett2]

Wet dry sand paper. Don't get it wet, the grit comes off.

I have a set of metric impact sockets from there, use the 34-37 mm a lot and have no complaints

 

[tallyho8]

Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw I used it for 5 minutes when I bought it a year ago and it worked but sounded bad. I went to use it today and it ran 30 seconds then let all the smoke out.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw I used it for 5 minutes when I bought it a year ago and it worked but sounded bad. I went to use it today and it ran 30 seconds then let all the smoke out.

tallyho8,

Was you cutting that belt with the saw.


I have a lot of power tools just for metal work and they work ok.

But the tool that i would like to throw back through the door, would

be a pipe bender.

 

[bowhunter543]

I had a 18v cordless drill and tore the gears out of it in a week. I took it back and they gave me a new one. It has been going for 4 years now and still works fine. I guess it just comes down to the person who was making them that day.

 

[California]

Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw I used it for 5 minutes when I bought it a year ago and it worked but sounded bad. I went to use it today and it ran 30 seconds then let all the smoke out.

I think there's a $20 one and a $50 one. Quality proportionate.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I think there's a $20 one and a $50 one. Quality proportionate.

I got the $20 one as a gift a few years back. I've put hundreds of hours on it, and it's still going strong. I must have gotten one from a good day.

 

[shvl73]

Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw I used it for 5 minutes when I bought it a year ago and it worked but sounded bad. I went to use it today and it ran 30 seconds then let all the smoke out.

I have that same saw, mine has a safety feature to prevent the motor from burning out, the screw that holds the blade strips so blades no longer stay in! No chance of wrecking the saw that cannot use a blade!

 

[Dargo]

Buy you one of them thar hunnert pound "heavy duty" bench vices. Then use it to hold something that you need to whack with a hammer a few times to bend back into place. As a word of caution, wear a flak jacket and a face shield. That "heavy duty" pot metal vice will explode into pieces. I thought for sure it was tough enough to bend a piece of 1/4" thick flat stock that was only about 1" wide. Nope. That was too much for their "heavy duty" vice to handle. They told me that their "heavy duty" vices are not made to handle hitting something in their jaws. If that's the case, why don't they just advertise it as "really heavy very light duty vice"?!

In case you're wondering which vice, it's this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=5800

I really need to tell my dad that I really appreciate it, but please stop buying me things at Horrible Freight.

 

[3RRL]

I bought their 60 grit 12" disc sander press on pads and they are crap.
The grit comes off and leaves only paper which is then, harder than heck to get off to change. Press on discs from my industrial supplier would last me months instead of 1 day or less.

 

[gemini5362]

Buy you one of them thar hunnert pound "heavy duty" bench vices. Then use it to hold something that you need to whack with a hammer a few times to bend back into place. As a word of caution, wear a flak jacket and a face shield. That "heavy duty" pot metal vice will explode into pieces. I thought for sure it was tough enough to bend a piece of 1/4" thick flat stock that was only about 1" wide. Nope. That was too much for their "heavy duty" vice to handle. They told me that their "heavy duty" vices are not made to handle hitting something in their jaws. If that's the case, why don't they just advertise it as "really heavy very light duty vice"?!

In case you're wondering which vice, it's this one Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I really need to tell my dad that I really appreciate it, but please stop buying me things at Horrible Freight.

Or better yet buy your own stuff.

 

[RWolf]

Buying the small cheap stuff has always failed me. I've bought some air tools without any major problems. The only thing is sometimes they are weak compared to something like a "Snap-on". I've got some power tools (4in angle grinder, 14" Chop saw, benchtop drill press and a plasma cutter) and probably a few more. The grinder I'm wearing out after about 5 - 6 years. The best so far is the plasma cutter. I've used it for about a year now and haven't had to replace a tip yet. Had another plasma cutter from Homier and worked ok. Would go through tips quite frequently and after sitting in the garage for a winter wouldn't work at all.

 

[patrick_g]

I have started a Harbor Tools returns box in my shop. I put everything in it that goes back under warranty. Today I exchanged an 18 ga nailer/stapler and a male air hose quick connect that was not a finished product and will fit no style of female.

I still buy HF stuff and take my chances. I am way ahead on dollars spent and value received vs defective products or time wasters that may not be defective in manufacture but don't work well.

I recently bought and haven't used yet a chainsaw chain breaker and rivet spinner, the tools required to take chainsaw chains apart and put them together again, either to replace links or to make chains form a bulk roll (at about 1/2 price) I bought from Baileysonline.com and today at HF I saw they have tools to do the same thing. Oh well, I missed a chance to save $ but I have no doubts about the Bailey's goods.

I wanted to get a HF 10 inch bench grinder but the two HF stores I visited (Norman and Oklahoma City) do not stock above 8 inch.

Pat

 

[California]

I wanted to get a HF 10 inch bench grinder

Check it carefully. I found their 8 inch version at their sidewalk sale. The shaft was so bent that the stone will disintegrate from wobble when somebody starts it.

 

[patrick_g]

Check it carefully. I found their 8 inch version at their sidewalk sale. The shaft was so bent that the stone will disintegrate from wobble when somebody starts it.

I'll try to get one that hasn't been dropped.

Pat

 

[Dargo]

I'll try to get one that hasn't been dropped.

Pat

But that is how HF specifies they are tested at the factory...

 

[OKnewguy]

Hey Patrick, have you found that the Norman store is better stocked/organized then the okc store? The okc store is always a mess. Anyway, they need a store up north.
dave

 

[Orange 08]

I bought the letters and numbers punch set on sale for a couple of bucks a little while ago and it looks like it is a one time use thing. I was kind of worried that it would be but it wasn't much money and I though I might get lucky; oh well.