Harbor Freight tools that DO suck

[CADplans]

OK, this is different,, the thing that makes a Harbor Freight tool suck,,
is the reason this tool is perfect for the job,,

Rotary Tool Kit, 8 Pc.

When I cut my nails on my fingers, the clipper leaves them sharp,,
Well the HF Rotary Tool has almost zero power,, so, when I used it to smooth my nails,,
if I pressed the sanding drum too hard, the drum would instantly stall rather than doing damage to my hand! :thumbsup:

The tool even removed a callus from my big toe,, it was amazing!!

The nail salon is closed due to COVID, my wife is on the porch right now shortening her nails,, using the HF Rotary Tool
What a GREAT tool, and all because the tool sucks at what it was designed to do!! :cool2:

 

[California]

Rotary Tool Kit, 8 Pc.
Well the HF Rotary Tool has almost zero power,, so, when I used it to smooth my nails...

That's the $10 Drillmaster version, junk. Maybe it was made for manicures.

In contrast the $25 rotary tool is worthwhile, it will do what you expect. Rated 160 watts (1.3A).
I put a long shank third-party wire wheel in it, then pressed so hard (without bogging down) that the shank bent to 90 degrees. This caused vibration so severe that it was all I could do to hold onto the tool and reach the switch with my other hand. Plenty of power! It's not an air powered die grinder but its fine for what it is.

 

[5030]

I hate all the HF hoses, bought one of the "higher end" hoses a couple years ago and don't like it, kinks way too easy.

Northern Tool sells USA made goodyear hoses for about the same price as the HF hose, even cheaper if you get them on sale.

For me, the STINK is worse than the KINK. HF air hoses all stink, literally. Just like their tarp straps.:laughing:

 

[TMGT]

For me, the STINK is worse than the KINK. HF air hoses all stink, literally. Just like their tarp straps.:laughing:

The one I have doesn't have a smell.

 

[5030]

The one I have doesn't have a smell.

Sure you aren't Covid positive? I heard that if you are asymptomatic, one of the first things to go is your sense of smell?....

 

[5030]

Do not purchase the air powered (venturi) vacuum pump from HF, it's total trash. Won't pull even close to 30" of mercury vacuum, might pull 20 which isn't enough to evacuate any ac system, let alone extract any moisture (you need 30" at least) and it's cheap plastic junk that fails almost immediately. Get the single stage motor driven one or the 2 stage (which is faster pull down). The manifold set isn't too bad but the plastic knobs kinda suck.

 

[3Ts]

It's my understanding that if you're doing HVAC work you'll need to get down to something on the order of 300um of vacuum (for the mini splits) and to hold it there for awhile. That means you'll need a decent quality pump and a digital (not analog) vacuum gauge. And that a slow pump down is better than a quick pump down because it allows air/moisture to come out of the walls of the pipe that has been absorbed into the copper matrix over time.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

For me, the STINK is worse than the KINK. HF air hoses all stink, literally. Just like their tarp straps.:laughing:

I have some of their cheap air hoses, which didn't stink when I bought them. The smelliest HF thing I bought was a cheap set of screwdrivers, and they stunk up the workshop for a couple of years. I think it was some cheap plasticky grip material.

 

[5030]

It's my understanding that if you're doing HVAC work you'll need to get down to something on the order of 300um of vacuum (for the mini splits) and to hold it there for awhile. That means you'll need a decent quality pump and a digital (not analog) vacuum gauge. And that a slow pump down is better than a quick pump down because it allows air/moisture to come out of the walls of the pipe that has been absorbed into the copper matrix over time.

30 inches of mercury vacuum for at least 30 minutes is necessary for automotive and ag units. Never did a residential init so I don't have a clue about them. All I know is the cheap HF air powered pump is junk. The single stage powered one is ok for what I do as is the 2 stage. Analog is fine for my uses. Just so long as the gauge shows vacuum to 30" or better.

 

[Alan W.]

Had one of the orange air hoses and the end blew off from it. Bounced off the concrete wall hard, glad it wasn’t my noggin.

The last two freebie blue lights I have gotten have really weak magnets.