HF Tools That Suck

[steve45]

Lots of comments on the HF Tools That Don't Suck thread. In fact, I've posted quite a few comments.

However, I see the need for a thead with tools to avoid.

I'll start with this: # 35121 36 piece 1/4" Steel Stamping Set. This is a lettering set used to 'write' on metal. The problem is that the tools are soft. I was trying to stamp some info on some non-hardened steel and the nice, sharp letters flattened after one or two uses.

It comes with a lifetime warranty, for whatever that's worth...

[steve45]

Oh, yea, forgot to include the #94029 1 HP Mini Dust Colllector. This thing is very noisy. The impeller is plastic and doesn't seem to be balanced very well. The vibration makes it walk all over the place.

I ended up giving this one away and replacing it with a #31810 Dust Collector. This unit runs quietly, and it has a metal impeller. It doesn't shake like the # 94029 does.

[Tailshaft56]

10$ tap and die set. How many ways can we spell JUNK!!!!!

[runchman]

1/2" 'central pneumatic' impact wrench. Wouldn't loosen my lugnuts which had been torqued on by hand. A total piece of crap if you ask me.

- John

[Qucifer]

The 14" chopsaw blades suck. I picked one up on sale, and i see why. They are not truly round, causing the chopsaw to vibrate uncontrollably.

[Rick Moran]

Don't get me started....

For the most part, you get what you pay for.

[mr2turbo7]

If you do happen to buy HF tools atleast stick with name brand consumables. especially with something like a grinding disk or chop saw blade or any iof the sort as these products usually wear very fast and are not as accurate as most name brand stuff.

[Reptile]

If possible would you please include a part number in your future posts since for some items they have 2 or 3 different items that could fit the description plus old and new models of the same tool. Thank you!

[ltklein]

I bought the High Speed Pneumatic body saw. It functions great but the blades are like a butter knife.

Anyone know where I could get a good quality blade to fit this saw?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=113

[Mandau]

wow... we dont have HF junk but have ACEHARDWARE chinese stuff and its almost make me brain dead...

[charC]

You get what you pay for I guess.. I bought a Air Disc Cutter.. It wouldnt cut a plastic tote $10.00 and a waste of 3 weeks of shipment Oh well

[carlstadt]

I bought the High Speed Pneumatic body saw. It functions great but the blades are like a butter knife.

Anyone know where I could get a good quality blade to fit this saw?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=113

HF blades suck I use sawsall blades, just grind them till they fit hack saw blades would work also. Bill

[JeffB]

I'm not sure of the part number, but there's a large set of screwdrivers with semi clear orange plastic handles and a black grip that either break the tip or strip inside the handle with only moderate torque being applied.

[CDG]

32351 - diamond coated bits. Got them do drill a few small projects and won't even make it halfway through one hole. I got them to do what I wanted them to do, but it was frustrating. Tried drilling wet, dry, different RPMs on my drill press, still got nothing.


It's the only real loser item I've had from HF tools, although most of their stuff is definitely iffy for extended use, like their timing light (they only sell one that I'm aware of), and their hand stitching awl (it's a bit crude, but effective). The single speed jigsaw is also of dubious quality and their metal cutting jigsaw blades (I think I've tried all of them) don't work all that well with the single speed saw. Bosch blades work only marginally better though so I'm reserving judgment on the HF blades for when I get a metal job to do with one of my higher end jigsaws. Their wood blades seem to be acceptable for reasonably light hobby use.

[ramblerx15]

Tried one of the blue Drill Master sanders. I try to stay away from el cheapo drill master but I think I paid $4.99 on sale. It was good for about 3 sheets of paper, then it suddenly quit. Waste of money ? Not this time, it worked long enough to finish the job. Made my money back on it, and it will make good landfill. I would not recommend spending much for it, its like a disposable razor.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40070

[clearchris]

Nail puller. The metal is soft, and the puller is so thick, it's hard to get under any nails.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=5247

I also concur that their tap and die sets suck.

[Brianstick]

Well, I tried HF's 40 piece hose clamp assortment today, and what a joke! Half of them strip out before they even tighten down. O well, I guess you can't expect too much for $2.99, ha ha!

[ahoron]

Bolt cutters 41149 are junk cutting bolts flattened out the jaws

[d94jonca]

Bolt cutters 41149 are junk cutting bolts flattened out the jaws

thanks for that one! i had been waiting for them to come on sale but was weary of just that. now i know to stay away!

[ahoron]

I got them with a coupon for $7.99 so I'm not to upset

[roadkillbobb]

is there any way to make a list or log that users can put the tools that suck or are good rather than read all the posts? just a sugestion..

[steve45]

The Butane Pencil Torch (item # 41169) sucks. At least it sucks for soldering. I've got a couple of Weller Pyropens that don't work very well anymore. I thought I'd try the Pencil Torch (with soldering tips) for a replacement. It lights & gets hot OK, the problem is that when you touch the tip to the work, it changes the valve setting and changes the heat output.

There is another version of this tool, item # 66050. I don't know if it suffers from the same problem or not.

[Brianstick]

I have a butane pencil torch that I inherited from my dad. I don't know where he got it from but it is pure junk. The flame only lasts for about 30 seconds until the gas runs out. I fill it up and try again, and the same thing all over, 30 seconds of flame and it goes out.

[Losttool]

The $2 plastic and steel clamps, the first one broke and the second only gets a little tight then stops working. I warned a guy with a basket full of these clamps that they were useless and he said it's only $2. They really know how to push your buttons when you read the adds. You get what you pay for.

[Brianstick]

Yeah, I bought their slide hammer and the first time I used it, it broke. The axle pulling attachment broke in two. The good news is that i've made several other attachments to fit on the end of the bar so it still is useable for me.