Stuff (not) worth buying at Harbor Freight?

toximus

toximus

I live in my Jeep
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2018
Messages
7,693
Location
Northern WI
I need to swap out my recalled jack stands before my engine swap so I'm making my yearly trek into the "big city" to Harbor Freight.

What should I pick up while I'm there that will probably leave me disappointed? 🤣

So far on my list:

1) Jack Stands (replacement + extra set)
2) Shop Crane or Gantry Crane for removing the engine
3) Needle Scaler
4) Tarps (sometimes they're easier to start over with a new one than deal with one with holes)
 
Ive been using lots of their organizers, getting all my fasteners and bits and stuff hung on wall and out of way and organized.
 
So far I haven't had a bad experience with anything HF related, though I'm also not using the stuff regularly. I've heard bad things about their winches (but you know better anyways), and jack stands are an obvious no-no.
 
I've got a bunch of their c-clamps like 62137, they work well. I always have a few of their lashing straps around 67386, they fit in the factory tub loops and work fine for light loads. You can almost always find a coupon for their little LED flashlights for free, 63599, got a ton of those. Their dead blow hammers aren't bad, 69003, neither is the brass hammer, 61873.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squatch
I was there a few weeks ago and forgot to bring my 6 ton jack stands. When I asked they said they did not have them available anyway and would have given me a gift card for stands when available. Anyone get replacement jack stands from them under recall?
 
B00mb00m said:
Ive been using lots of their organizers, getting all my fasteners and bits and stuff hung on wall and out of way and organized.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reminder! I probably should build a shelf for organizers and clean up before starting the swap!
 
Viking Jeeper said:
I was there a few weeks ago and forgot to bring my 6 ton jack stands. When I asked they said they did not have them available anyway and would have given me a gift card for stands when available. Anyone get replacement jack stands from them under recall?
Click to expand...

That's a bummer because I do need a set... I also need a crane to unload the crate engine soon... I suppose I can mail order the jack stands.

Edit: It looks like they raised the price of the jack stands from when I bought them years ago. I wonder if the gift card is for the purchase price or the price of a new set?
 
Last edited:
Scoutmapper said:
I stay clear of the power tools... Especially battery powered ones.
Click to expand...
I stay clear of battery powered tools from anybody, but you're right: HF's power tools usually aren't the greatest. I have one of their small drill presses that has a runout measurement expressed in feet! Father in law had one of their cheapie right angle drill motors - that completely crapped out. I have one of their angle grinders which - so far - has been OK, but I don't use it every day either. Pretty much the same with a tile saw I bought there.
 
I have done all my tool shopping and really have no complaints with any of their tools including battery-operated tools.. I am most impressed with their 29 gallon 110v air compressor. I have ran it all year long through the texas heat for sand blasting, powder coating and painting with no problems. Very impressed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TJ Starting
I have been really dissapointed with their cheap socket drivers. The more expensive ones may be OK, but the cheaper versions are junk. The direction switch is way too lose and gets flipped while using the driver , and the push button to hold the socket detent sucks as well.
 
Where you're getting a needle scaler, I assume you deal with some rust? it may be good to stock up on sanding discs, fiber discs, cut off wheel discs, etc. HF is good for stuff like that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squatch
HF isn't necessarily the cheapest place to buy things either - be informed. Sometimes you can find equivalent or better items for less elsewhere.
 
What not to buy from Harbor Freight

anything with a battery
Anything with a power cord
Anything you that supports weight and might kill you if falls / fails
Anything you might use more then a few times
Anything that turns over 200 rpm like grinding wheels (worker in our shop had one come apart 20 stitches in arm)
Anything that should be made from hardened steel (it won’t be)
Anything you want to pass down to your kids
 
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Wow
Reactions: Ed1967, TJ Starting, L J and 1 other person
Chris said:
So far I haven't had a bad experience with anything HF related, though I'm also not using the stuff regularly. I've heard bad things about their winches (but you know better anyways), and jack stands are an obvious no-no.
Click to expand...

I agree on the power tools, but right now the jack stands are the safest in the industry. You have to bet that the manufacturing plant just went through a world class inspection before starting production again. I just picked up some 6 ton stands and they are very good. The rachet teeth look like they came out of a brand new die.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris
Davidtj said:
What not to buy from Harbor Freight

anything with a battery
Anything with a power cord
Anything you that supports weight and might kill you if falls / fails
Anything you might use more then a few times
Anything that turns over 200 rpm like grinding wheels (worker in our shop had one come apart 20 stitches in arm)
Anything that should be made from hardened steel (it won’t be)
Anything you want to pass down to your kids
Click to expand...

3 and 7 could either work in favor of each other or against.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Scoutmapper and DEValken
Viking Jeeper said:
I was there a few weeks ago and forgot to bring my 6 ton jack stands. When I asked they said they did not have them available anyway and would have given me a gift card for stands when available. Anyone get replacement jack stands from them under recall?
Click to expand...

I picked up a pair 2 weeks ago. They had one pair under the table and. They look good to go. ratchet teeh are deep and sharp like they came from a brand new die.
 
I agree with most of what has been posted, but my $20 HF pneumatic stapler works great. It uses the Arrow T series type staples. My Craftsman electric stapler, that I bought in the 90's when Craftsman had a good reputation, crapped out after only a few uses.
 
Top Bottom
Back