Bolster Senior Member



Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mexifornia Posts: 3,981

Re: The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...



Paint Gun Cleaning Set (contains mostly small bristle brushes): FAIL. The bristles fall off when you are cleaning the gun and lodge inside your paint gun, making an even bigger mess which requires tweezers and patience. On second thought, DOUBLE FAIL.







Buffing Wheels: somewhere between PASS & FAIL. They throw off a lot more threads than 'real' buffing wheels, take longer to break in, and seem to be more off-center, too. But they work once they are broken in.







Microfiber towels, major PASS...great for cleaning before painting.







Castors with Red Wheels: PASS, they work OK so far, no complaints.







Metal Socket Rails: FAIL, very hard to take sockets on and off.







Pipe Clamps (red): FAIL, they don't get very tight, and they twist more than 'real' (Jorgensen) pipe clamps. Purchased as disposable clamps for outdoor use, but not even good enough for that.







Dial Gauge on Magnetic Base: marginal PASS, are the same as sold by Lee Valley/Veritas. Obviously no competition for Starrett, but a temporary solution. The fine adjust is rougher than I'd hope.







Dial Calipers (stainless steel): Currently FAIL (2011) but older models PASS (2008). The 2008 calipers were a decent pair. Picked up a second pair in 2011, FAIL because they have dramatically cheapened the calipers. You can spot the new cheapened version by a black plastic thumb ramp, a two-step depth rod, no carriage cushion on the backside, and a horrible gritty feel, compared to the 2008 model.







Orange Dead Blow Hammers: PASS, held up for longer than I expected.







Plastic Storage Boxes/Containers: FAIL, the catches are way more difficult to work than other plastic storage boxes. I had to modify the catches with a Dremel to get them working appropriately.







Parallels: PASS. No complaints.



I'll start.Paint Gun Cleaning Set (contains mostly small bristle brushes): FAIL. The bristles fall off when you are cleaning the gun and lodge inside your paint gun, making an even bigger mess which requires tweezers and patience. On second thought, DOUBLE FAIL.Buffing Wheels: somewhere between PASS & FAIL. They throw off a lot more threads than 'real' buffing wheels, take longer to break in, and seem to be more off-center, too. But they work once they are broken in.Microfiber towels, major PASS...great for cleaning before painting.Castors with Red Wheels: PASS, they work OK so far, no complaints.Metal Socket Rails: FAIL, very hard to take sockets on and off.Pipe Clamps (red): FAIL, they don't get very tight, and they twist more than 'real' (Jorgensen) pipe clamps. Purchased as disposable clamps for outdoor use, but not even good enough for that.Dial Gauge on Magnetic Base: marginal PASS, are the same as sold by Lee Valley/Veritas. Obviously no competition for Starrett, but a temporary solution. The fine adjust is rougher than I'd hope.Dial Calipers (stainless steel): Currently FAIL (2011) but older models PASS (2008). The 2008 calipers were a decent pair. Picked up a second pair in 2011, FAIL because they have dramatically cheapened the calipers. You can spot the new cheapened version by a black plastic thumb ramp, a two-step depth rod, no carriage cushion on the backside, and a horrible gritty feel, compared to the 2008 model.Orange Dead Blow Hammers: PASS, held up for longer than I expected.Plastic Storage Boxes/Containers: FAIL, the catches are way more difficult to work than other plastic storage boxes. I had to modify the catches with a Dremel to get them working appropriately.Parallels: PASS. No complaints. __________________

Delmar "Bolster" O'Donnell. A bona fide Soggy Bottom Boy. Last edited by Bolster; 01-20-2011 at 01:58 PM .