Harbor Freight tools that DO suck

Gary Fowler · Jul 25, 2020

California said:
"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 put some of the 1/2" ones on my equipment hauling trailer. I welded them on to the frame rails and they hold very well. The only problem I have with them is after welding, they are really hard to move up and down because the ring is too tight in the hold down. I ratchet down my hold down chains on them and have hauled my 10K pound tractor using them with no problems.

5030 · Jul 25, 2020

Weld on works. Bolt on. not so much. The bolt holes are too small to accept a bolt with the required strength to hold much of anything but maybe a fat gal...:laughing: One that don't squirm much....

John_Mc · Jul 25, 2020

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

I have four of them I put in a small trailer as tie-down points. They have worked out fine for years now. However, I have not come close to testing their claimed 3333 lb max working load, let alone their claim that they are "designed to withstand 10,000 lbs."

California · Jul 25, 2020

GeneV said:
On both, the d-ring itself had a little ridge left over from casting ... the ring wouldn't flip easily back and forth...
Only recourse was to either grind the ridge down or put little shims under bracket

That's Old School Harbor Freight. Everything there used to say 'Some Assembly Required'!

GeneV · Jul 26, 2020

Gary Fowler said:
I put some of the 1/2" ones on my equipment hauling trailer. I welded them on to the frame rails and they hold very well. The only problem I have with them is after welding, they are really hard to move up and down because the ring is too tight in the hold down. I ratchet down my hold down chains on them and have hauled my 10K pound tractor using them with no problems.

Yup, and that's due to that ridge on the ring I was talking about, left over from casting. If you guys read reviews on harborfreight.com, mostly it's good reviews, but all the negative ones list that ridge.

Alan W. · Jul 27, 2020

HF has raised the prices of its nitryl gloves. They are 13.99 now for the cheapest ones.
Gloves are still probably ok but the new pricing sucks.

5030 · Jul 27, 2020

Alan W. said:
HF has raised the prices of its nitryl gloves. They are 13.99 now for the cheapest ones.
Gloves are still probably ok but the new pricing sucks.

Hf needs to be cognizant of the fact that once the emporium of cheap becomes not so cheap anymore, sales will go south quickly. B&H photo is a lot cheaper but you have to pay shipping.

dragoneggs · Jul 27, 2020

Alan W. said:
HF has raised the prices of its nitryl gloves. They are 13.99 now for the cheapest ones.
Gloves are still probably ok but the new pricing sucks.

Supply and demand.

Ford850 · Jul 28, 2020

Alan W. said:
HF has raised the prices of its nitryl gloves. They are 13.99 now for the cheapest ones.
Gloves are still probably ok but the new pricing sucks.

They are recouping the money the lost when they donated their supply to the hospitals months ago. They got national publicity for their generosity at that time, and now we are paying for it. A win-win for them.

Alan W. · Jul 28, 2020

Their whole business model is changing.
Gone are the large selection of freebies.
20% coupon restrictions keep going up.
Prices no cheaper than other retailers.