Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

Here's one that works well. I've used this 12 v utility pump #94639 occasionally since 2009 for watering new orchard trees. Note this #94639 is the larger-capacity of two very similar pumps.

(But generally I use the larger #66095 12V bilge pump on a 300 gallon trailer tank).

Here's the rig I cobbled together this week from materials on hand, when my wife asked me to water something she planted next to the road. I'm using ordinary extension cords for cabling here, with clips on the tractor's battery and an inline fuse. Incidentally I smoked a 10A fuse, twice, when this old hose kinked and the pump deadheaded. I replaced that with a 15A fuse and no further problems. Next pass I'll attach a better hose!

 

[IslandTractor]

Here's one that works well. I've used this 12 v utility pump #94639 occasionally since 2009 for watering new orchard trees. Note this #94639 is the larger-capacity of two very similar pumps. (But generally I use the larger #66095 12V bilge pump on a 300 gallon trailer tank). Here's the rig I cobbled together this week from materials on hand, when my wife asked me to water something she planted next to the road. I'm using ordinary extension cords for cabling here, with clips on the tractor's battery and an inline fuse. Incidentally I smoked a 10A fuse, twice, when this old hose kinked and the pump deadheaded. I replaced that with a 15A fuse and no further problems. Next pass I'll attach a better hose! <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/parts-repairs/430355-harbor-freight-tools-dont-suck-kimg0683rhfpump1-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/parts-repairs/430356-harbor-freight-tools-dont-suck-kimg0685rhfpump2-jpg"/>

I had one of those but it crapped out while pumping windshield washer fluid into my tires. Didn't last more than ten minutes. Took it apart but there was melted plastic all over the armatures and no parts availability. H

 

[sixdogs]

I had one of those but it crapped out while pumping windshield washer fluid into my tires. Didn't last more than ten minutes. Took it apart but there was melted plastic all over the armatures and no parts availability. H

That seems to be a common issue with Harbor Freight. Same tool, same situation, same people but different results. One works and one doesn't. Wish it wasn't such a crap shoot.

 

[sixdogs]

I had one of those but it crapped out while pumping windshield washer fluid into my tires. Didn't last more than ten minutes. Took it apart but there was melted plastic all over the armatures and no parts availability. H

That seems to be a common complaint with Harbor Freight. Same tool, same situation, same people but different results. One works and one doesn't. Wish it wasn't such a crap shoot.

 

[Baby Grand]

That seems to be a common complaint with Harbor Freight. Same tool, same situation, same people but different results. One works and one doesn't. Wish it wasn't such a crap shoot.

Uneven quality. Consistent, good quality and rock bottom price are rarely found in the same place.

If you keep that in mind, going into the store, and the store will honor it's warranties, then you can roll the dice, knowing that you can have "bonus" rolls, if you so choose.

This can mean real savings, provided you factored in stopping work, removing the item from service, finding the box & receipt, driving to HF & exchanging it, them driving back & reassembling everything, and hoping the new one was made right, this time.

I have had some very good luck at HF and some not so good luck at HF.
But I keep going back ...

 

[California]

Here's one that works well. I've used this 12 v utility pump #94639 occasionally since 2009 for watering new orchard trees.

I had one of those but it crapped out while pumping windshield washer fluid into my tires. Didn't last more than ten minutes. Took it apart but there was melted plastic all over the armatures and no parts availability.

I read somewhere, I think earlier in this thread, that someone bought a pallet of HF returns. He found a lot of these pumps with the same manufacturing flaw - I think it was the electrical connection to the brush holder was flaky and obviously had overheated and failed so the pump was returned within the warranty period.

I guess I'm lucky this time and got one that was built correctly.

That seems to be a common issue with Harbor Freight. Same tool, same situation, same people but different results. One works and one doesn't.

Uneven quality. If you keep that in mind, going into the store, and the store will honor it's warranties, then you can roll the dice, knowing that you can have "bonus" rolls, if you so choose.

I have had some very good luck at HF and some not so good luck at HF.
But I keep going back ...

Yep.

 

[Travelover]

Here's one that works well. I've used this 12 v utility pump #94639 occasionally since 2009 for watering new orchard trees. Note this #94639 is the larger-capacity of two very similar pumps.

........................

I used mine for a couple of years to water trees using two 55 gallon barrels and a HF trailer. Lately it has a dead spot on the armature, so if it stops in an unlucky position, I have to reach in through the intake port and rotate the pump a few degrees to get it back running.

 

[California]

If I were building another watering rig I would start with the #66095 12V bilge pump. At $22 its about half the cost of the little utility pump and moves four times the volume. It takes only one minute to fill a 15 gallon reservoir around a tree. It's submersible so you don't need to arrange to protect it. This is what I have inside my IBC tote watering trailer. It fits through the cap on top of that tank (and the little tank shown in post #4611 above) with a right angle fitting attached to its outlet.

 

[PhysAssist]

PhysAssist, Mine is all disassembled now waiting for its new switch, but here's how it was together. Yes, it is the oil-filled model. IIRC, where my original broke was also at the fitting between the pressure switch and the tool pressure regulator. This OEM fitting appears to be steel and not brass. I bet that a brass one would last much better. It appears to be a regular 1/4" NPT nipple about 1" long. At least that is what the relief valve is stamped and the threads seem identical; starting threads mic at 0.502". You could probably remove a broken stub with a standard pipe "extractor" type of easy-out. If all else fails, you can replace the entire pressure switch like I'm doing for <$10!

- Jay
View attachment 429789View attachment 429788

Hi Jay,

Sorry it took me so long to get back here, I've had a long stretch at work.

Thanks for the help,
Thomas

 

[PhysAssist]

The manuals for discontinued products are still available - if your model # tag is still readable.

From memory - this might need to be fine tuned:
Click on the manual for a current product. Note the URL. The manuals are in folders numbered 29000~29999 for example, then the specific product number. (29255 for this example).
Make up a similar inquiry using the series/number for your product.

Hi Cali,

Thanks for the hint.

As I told Jay, I apologize for the delay in my returm here, but work comes first.

Thanks, I will use the info well.

Thomas