Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[MossRoad]

I also have this set of locking pliers....

The bigger two are sort of OK, but the little one actually bends if I squeeze it with my hands. Again, kinda junky.

 

[dragoneggs]

I also have this set of locking pliers....

The bigger two are sort of OK, but the little one actually bends if I squeeze it with my hands. Again, kinda junky.

View attachment 504893

Hey Moss... wrong thread... meant for 'do suck' thread? :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

4 out of 5 of the pliers work great. And two out of three of the locking pliers work just OK. So on average, they are still above the "sucks" level for the price.

 

[MossRoad]

But just barely.

 

[California]

Everything works great, EXCEPT the slop joint pliers on the right. If you put any pressure on the handles, the sloppy joints slip. Complete junk.

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My experience exactly. I returned one similar - I think I bought it alone however - because a two-handed squeeze on the handles rounded off the slip-joint teeth and it jumped to the next looser tooth. Useless. I went out to the flea market and for about the same price bought used real Channellocks. The real ones have undercut teeth/groves that can't slip. Also better, stiffer steel in a lighter tool.

 

[California]

I saw the Metal Cutting Circular Saw recommended in an old post in this thread but it seems HF no longer sells them. ???

 

[weldingisfun]

I saw the Metal Cutting Circular Saw recommended in an old post in this thread but it seems HF no longer sells them. ???

I never found the saw on the HF Web site, however I have seen it in the store, but haven't seen it recently. Have been using one for several years now. Works great! Usually cut 16 gauge sheet metal but have cut 3/8 in plate as well.

 

[IslandTractor]

I saw the Metal Cutting Circular Saw recommended in an old post in this thread but it seems HF no longer sells them. ???

They have a twin blade saw that is advertized as useful in cutting sheet metal and bar stock. This one: 5 in. 7.5 Amp Heavy Duty Double Cut Saw

 

[PJSprog]

I have this plier set... and use it almost daily at my job. Everything works great, EXCEPT the slop joint pliers on the right. If you put any pressure on the handles, the sloppy joints slip. Completel junk. Too bad, because the other 4 pliers/cutter in that set are great for the money.

View attachment 504892

I have this set, too. I keep it in my small tool bag. The cutter has been my guitar/bass string cutters for years. I've never had any trouble with the slipjoint pliers, though. Mine is fairly tight.

 

[sixdogs]

I have a set of their larger size pliers and they are great. They're about 40% bigger than regular and not always in the store. The little nut that holds the pliers together used to loosen up and slip but I put a little light duty Loctite on the threads and no problem since. You can also use women's clear nail polish. Anyway, I have three pair and they are my go-to pliers. The lighter duty plier are OK but too small for my big hands.

The only locking pliers worth anything are red--or mine are red--and they look far more rugged than the lighter duty set. It's obvious. They cost more but really work. The light duty ones bend and twist.