Harbor Freight tools that DO suck

[Bullwinkle123]

Kind of hard to do "order on line" when the website doesn't know what items are in stock at the local store. I was looking for some cheap clamps last week. The ones I wanted, on sale, weren't in stock but they did have a couple of 'open box' specials that were longer than I needed that most likely wouldn't even have shown up on a website.

I ordered a bunch of things this spring online in one big order (for the flat shipping rate). It took many weeks to get it all, in multiple shipments. Perhaps that's understandable with Covid virus issues. However some of the things I ordered were 7 dollies in two basic sizes. Every time I spoke with them they said the dollies were in stock and they didn't know why they hadn't shipped. So they "send an email" to the warehouse or something like that, but that's all they can from the phone. I am unlikely ever to order from them again online. Just too much work.

 

[dragoneggs]

Plastic dollies... these suck. No way they can take 200lb unless it is concentrated load over the wheels. Mine snapped in half with far less than 200lb on it.

2 Lb. Capacity Mover'''s Dolly

 

[Oaktree]

Kind of hard to do "order on line" when the website doesn't know what items are in stock at the local store. I was looking for some cheap clamps last week. The ones I wanted, on sale, weren't in stock but they did have a couple of 'open box' specials that were longer than I needed that most likely wouldn't even have shown up on a website.

To be fair, that could be said about lots of stores that will let you order online and ship to store. Lowes, HD & Walmart's sites are wrong often as not about whether a local store has an item in stock.

 

[California]

Plastic dollies... these suck. No way they can take 200lb unless it is concentrated load over the wheels. Mine snapped in half with far less than 200lb on it.

2 Lb. Capacity Mover'''s Dolly

Yeah. I posted about that, maybe in the other thread. Summary: Those are for a big potted plant that you want to move to various locations on your patio.

I broke one immediately then tested the second one by stepping on it (180 lbs) and broke that one. Went back for an exchange and stepped on the store sample and broke that one. Junk.

Bought another wood one instead. The only weakness with those is the screws attaching the casters fall out so check them occasionally.

 

[GeneV]

Don't get these d-rings, they suck: 1/2 in. Forged Cargo D-Ring Anchor

 

[5030]

I bet they do. They look cheesey

 

[California]

Don't get these d-rings, they suck: 1/2 in. Forged Cargo D-Ring Anchor

"designed to withstand up to 10,000 lbs" ??? That has to be a joke. What was your experience with them?

I have their smaller size at the outer edges of a carryall platform (photo) just to tie down stuff so it won't fall off. They're ok in that application. I wouldn't use that smaller size for anything heavier.

 

[crazyal]

To be fair, that could be said about lots of stores that will let you order online and ship to store. Lowes, HD & Walmart's sites are wrong often as not about whether a local store has an item in stock.

True but at least their software talks to each store to get an idea of inventory. HF seams to be using software made in China that has more limitations. I know when I go to the locations I usually shop at they have my phone number in the system. I have to believe it's in their main computer system and any store I visit would be able to bring it up. One would think that keeping track of inventory should also be possible. My guess is that since almost everything sold at HF is their own merchandise they don't see as big of a value keeping as tight of an inventory as, say Lowes does with brand name stuff they sell. Like the cheap warranty they sell to replace an item if it goes bad, maybe they figure that the cost of paying employees to itemize inventory, upgrading the software, and other expenses is more than just not worrying about it. Until recently the stuff they sold was real cheap.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Don't get these d-rings, they suck: 1/2 in. Forged Cargo D-Ring Anchor

yikes! I just bought a half dozen of these. What's the problem with them?

 

[GeneV]

"designed to withstand up to 10,000 lbs" ??? That has to be a joke. What was your experience with them?

I have their smaller size at the outer edges of a carryall platform (photo) just to tie down stuff so it won't fall off. They're ok in that application. I wouldn't use that smaller size for anything heavier.

I bought 2 of them. On both, the d-ring itself had a little ridge left over from casting that they didn't grind down before zinc plating. With the ring under the bracket, the ring wouldn't flip easily back and forth, that ridge got in the way. Only recourse was to either grind the ridge down or put little shims under bracket to raise it a little to give the ring more space.