Defunct harbor freight compressor

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

If anyone has a defunct Harbor Freight compressor that has suffered a blown out pressure control switch, I found a source for the pressure switch box. www.1800tools.com You gotta poke around the site, or type in LF10-L4H in the search box. My box, with shipping was $25.48 Look at the pics & match it up with your box. Bill W. (Brand on the box is Superior Electric)

[ctlikon0712]

Thanks Bill, my son's Harbor Freight compresser's switch has been bad for a while. That's just what I needed to know! Found it on Amazon.

[Ross/Kzoo]

My 3 1/2 HP compressor had the pressure switch go bad also. I poked around on Amazon and found one.
Many times if you you can get the part # from a label or tag and then enter that in the Google search area you can find a replacement.

[Terry, NJ]

Harbor freight stuff is crap! Everything I ever bought there broke in a short time> It's garbage!
Terry

[jkeesey]

The new wrenches they've come out with aren't too bad. The open ends work better than most. Instead of having a C shape they are V shaped on the inside to get a better bite on the bolt/nut.

[Mitch//pa]

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Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

Harbor freight stuff is crap! Everything I ever bought there broke in a short time> It's garbage!
Terry

ditto:::::

[Purdy Swoft]

I've had good luck with products from Harbor Freight. The prices are good for me and I don't expect them to last forever. Its sort of like Walmart, I never had it so good. Harbor Freight makes it possible for me to have special tools that I probably couldn't have afforded otherwise. If a tool fails (hasn't happened yet) At their prices I can just buy a couple more for insurance. The people that work there are frendly and very helpful. Harbor Freight is one of my favorite places to shop.

[ba49]

I have the 5hp. upright compressor from Harbor Freight and it's real nice. They are actually the only one they sell that is made in the US. All the others are from China and mostly garbage. They go on sale often at $100. off the usual price of $899.

[Jazzjr]

You get what you Pay For. I have bought from Harbor Freight and have good luck with most of their Products. I have broke some of their tools, they replace them at No Charge just like the Big Boys. The Pittsburgh Line of Hand Tools and Chicago Electric Power Tools have given me good service!

Down here in Florida I go to the Store 12 Miles away. At home I order from them, No matter what the $ amount of the order is, they ship by FedEx who even Delivers on Saturday for $6.99.
I bought this Drill from them Yesterday for $24.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rill-3273.html

[MikeK]

As they say in China:
guà yáng tóu mài gôu ròu
(Hang out lamb head, sell dog meat.)

[[email protected]]

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-...der-39797.html

I would warn everyone on this HF bench grinder from my own experience. I bought it to use for some blade sharpening and some wire wheel work. It has no power !!!!. It slows down with slightest pressure applied.... I exchanged it (no questions asked and no hassle from HF) and the replacement was the exact same. I should have sprung for a few dollars more and bought a name brand one instead. So maybe you do get what you pay for.....

[JBill]

I had a pressure switch go bad on a compressor (not Harbor Freight). I removed the cover and sprayed it pretty generously with electronic parts cleaner. Works perfectly again. I would recommend this only under carefully controlled conditions (like you're there to shut the damn thing off if it doesn't do it on its own!).

[George D]

I dont use HF grinding wheels any more have had some come apart at speed. The ones they sell for the 4" hand grinders are total crapp had one come apart last summer and cut my legg after ripping through my coveralls and pants. Spend a little more and buy quality wheels. Never had any trouble with dewalt brand wheels, a little more expensive but better life span.

[Jim Mason]

I've made air compressors from old auto air conditioning compressors and good tank, and a water well pressure switch. Not much volume but for little things they work great.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

[/QUOTE]
Yo, Mike,
Most of he CHINA CRAP was contracted by an AMERICAN company & to their specs, likee grade 1, 2, or 3 ?? More fillers or inferior materials=MORE PROFIT!! It's all for that everlovin' BUCK$$$$$$
"BUY AMERICAN" doesn't necessarily mean QUALITY. Just RHETORIC, or being "POLITICALLY CORRECT," Whatever that REALLY means??? Yes, I'm havin' a GREAT DAY!! Bill W.

[ba49]

I did buy a Harbor Frieght 14in. chopsaw and it is total junk. I have returned it for a new one twice and then gave up. Also I had 2 of the blades fly apart, very dangerous. I also had the sawsall and I burned it up twice. They even give extra points with them for good reason. You get what you pay for.

[MikeK]

Ya missed the point, Bill. You "Spec" something, the samples come through that way and you OK them, then when it's time to fill the cargo containers and direct ship to your distributors, they live up to their motto: guà yáng tóu mài gôu ròu. Materials and quality control turns to crap.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by MikeK

Ya missed the point, Bill. You "Spec" something, the samples come through that way and you OK them, then when it's time to fill the cargo containers and direct ship to your distributors, they live up to their motto: guà yáng tóu mài gôu ròu. Materials and quality control turns to crap.

YEP, I finally figured out your "HANG OUT LAMB'S HEAD, SELL DOG MEAT"! Very GOOD, when I finally "got it"! Bill W.

[walt jones]

Bill, "sell dog meat" What does Buster T think of this ???

[Ross/Kzoo]

Originally Posted by walt jones

Bill, "sell dog meat" What does Buster T think of this ???

Probably says "eat mo possum".

[lance leblanc]

At least when you buy at H.F. you know what you are getting and your recourse when it breaks. I receive pallets of broken central pneumatic, air compressors and other power tools that are purchased in bulk from H.F. And sent to me for public auction. That said... I also receive pallets of broken and unused tools with names like Honda, Stanley, Black and Decker to name a few that are suspect of being counterfeit.

Also for a brief period of time I was a MAC Tool Distributor and when H.F. opened its doors in town, it was hard to sell a $120 Ingersol Rand air ratchet when they offered otherwise disposable CP ratchets for $15.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I bought my CP air ratchet back in the early 70's when they were good, but after hearing an Ingersol Rand work one day I later bought one. It's kind of like listening to a Sears electric drill run, then listen to a Milwaukee drill run. Just by the sound you can tell which is the better quality.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by walt jones

Bill, "sell dog meat" What does Buster T think of this ???

I didn't read that one to him, Walt, don't want to "MESS" up his head! Yesterday, first time ever, he was sorta' sick & wouldn't eat, maybe he CAN READ! Bill W.

[jkeesey]

Bill I sure hope he can read, how else has he been typing all those posts?

[takomaned]

I agree H.F. stuff can blow, but I've had good luck with their air tools. I bought a floor nailer for less than $100. Did my floors, loaned it to friends and both said it works great. I couldn't have rented one for that. Also, my Ingersol 1/2 impact was getting tired and didn't want to spend $500. from the tool truck. I bought the Thunder Gun. $110. Five years ago. Still works great. When my co-workers can't get their expensive guns to break loose frozen bolts they ask "Can I borrow that POS impact gun?". It always does the job.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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Originally Posted by jkeesey

Bill I sure hope he can read, how else has he been typing all those posts?

BUSTER T. BROWN, "THE WONDER DOG"! Maybe I can get him into John Strong's DOG CIRCUS. Bill W.

[5window]

Originally Posted by MikeK

Ya missed the point, Bill. You "Spec" something, the samples come through that way and you OK them, then when it's time to fill the cargo containers and direct ship to your distributors, they live up to their motto: guà yáng tóu mài gôu ròu. Materials and quality control turns to crap.

I think Bill had it right the first time. Your way would not get many repeat orders. modern factories and American technology mean the "Chinese" can build it any way you want. But the average American wants Walmart pricing, so you get Walmart quality. Sadly, American workers often appear to have a bad attitude.

You need to find someone who "prices to the quality" not someone who "builds quality to match a price". Hard to do somedays.

FWIW, Harbor freight tools generally meet or exceed my expectations-but I don't expect much. If i need a high quality tool, I go find something made 50 years ago.

[lance leblanc]

Don't get me started on the American workers employed at H. F.

[PeteVS]

I have one of their straight electric die grinders. I love it. Figure it won't last forever, so I bought a second one when they were on sale "just in case."

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

[QUOTE=PeteVS;577964]
Pete,
Don't gt rid of nuthin'----Until you TRIP on it!!!
Pete, did you know that iffin' you put stuff out of place for 3 days, then it seems to BELONG there!! You should see my forehead SCAR Bill W.

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by PeteVS

I have one of their straight electric die grinders. I love it. Figure it won't last forever, so I bought a second one when they were on sale "just in case."

I got one too and like it. One advantage is I don't have to run the compressor to do small jobs.

[CRguy]

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

Harbor freight stuff is crap! Everything I ever bought there broke in a short time> It's garbage!
Terry

I agree fully. Some people cant get that "I don't want to spend much money" idea out of their heads. They deserve what they get.

Mel

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

Harbor freight stuff is crap! Everything I ever bought there broke in a short time> It's garbage!
Terry

Then why did you keep going back if EVERYTHING was crap/garbage/or always broke? We all know that most of their stuff is not Industrial or Professional Quality. Bill W.

[Terry, NJ]

Simple! Hope springs eternal! Each time I bought something and it failed, I thought it was a one time thing, A freak. After it happened a few times, I learned my lesson. It isn't even "Hobbyist" quality IMO To be fair, I have one of their osscillating saws and I do like it.
Terry

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Then why did you keep going back if EVERYTHING was crap/garbage/or always broke? We all know that most of their stuff is not Industrial or Professional Quality. Bill W.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Installed the new control box on my Harbor Freight compressor. It came adjusted low (30 LBS) probably for safety. Gradually adjusted it up to compressor's normal 120 LBS & all is well. 10 MM. adjusting screw under the cover is clearly marked + or - (No instructions with it) Bill W.

[Fred K-OR]

HF has +'s and -'s. And like was said, you get what you pay for. This last comment applies to anything you buy now days regardless where made.

HF has opened a new store in our area. It is very well stocked, organized, staffed with "real" people who can communicate and is a great place to shop. Yes some of the stuff is cheaply made and may not last. But I may not last either. So why spend a fortune on something I may use only once or twice.

[Purdy Swoft]

I agree with Fred K. For a few dollars more you can get extended warranty. The way it was explained to me was if the item fails while in warranty it will be replaced and the warranty starts over. If the item is brought back before the time is up this can sort of be like a lifetime warranty.

[Terry, NJ]

The real question is "Why does Ingersoll rand charge so much for their air ratchets? Putting the two side by side, there is enough differernce between them to justify the price difference. It's company policy. The Chinese are following Henry Ford's pricing policy of lowering the price as costs go down and making very little per unit. American companies got greedy when they had the markets all to them selves and now they find it very hard to backtrack.
Terry

Originally Posted by lance leblanc

At least when you buy at H.F. you know what you are getting and your recourse when it breaks. I receive pallets of broken central pneumatic, air compressors and other power tools that are purchased in bulk from H.F. And sent to me for public auction. That said... I also receive pallets of broken and unused tools with names like Honda, Stanley, Black and Decker to name a few that are suspect of being counterfeit.

Also for a brief period of time I was a MAC Tool Distributor and when H.F. opened its doors in town, it was hard to sell a $120 Ingersol Rand air ratchet when they offered otherwise disposable CP ratchets for $15.

[1oldtimer]

I mostly buy old tools, even air tools and rebuild them. I use them for a living and A LOT of the "new" stuff is made overseas, the tool truck air tools are re branded IR stuff and IR is made overseas. Funny how I remember seeing tools in the 80's that where made in Japan and thinking "Wow these are junk", now those same tools are high quality.

[jeep44]

Originally Posted by 1oldtimer

I mostly buy old tools, even air tools and rebuild them. I use them for a living and A LOT of the "new" stuff is made overseas, the tool truck air tools are re branded IR stuff and IR is made overseas. Funny how I remember seeing tools in the 80's that where made in Japan and thinking "Wow these are junk", now those same tools are high quality.

Back in the early '80s, when I did my Diemakers Apprenticeship, if you showed up with foreign tools, your commitment to the Trade was questioned-the Journeymen wondered if you were really serious about being a Diemaker. By the time I retired two years ago (as a Pipefitter!), guys had Harbor Freight tools in their boxes, and used them with no shame at all-myself included.

[lance leblanc]

1Oldtimer;
I do the same. I love attending tool auctions. Lots of great buys, only you will usually have to buy three or more of one tool in a lot. Many times that's good, as it some times takes three to make one good one.
Also many foreign made tools are excellent quality. But IMO, CP is not one of them.
However as posted earlier by Fred..... Why pay a fortune for a tool that I intend to use only once or twice. On the MAC Truck. I'd tell the guys who said they where buying from HF about how really cool it will be when there son inherits broken tools. "It seldom worked"

[montanafordman]

I recently bought a Harbor Frieght Air compressor and got the 2HP 29gal model. Its belt driven / oiled so its much quieter and has decent output for my needs so far. I really wanted at least a 5hp+ 60 gallon+ capacity compressor but it just wasn't in my budget and this one should work for just about anything short of sandblasting. The nice thing is it was affordable enough that if I upgrade in 5-10 years I should be able to sell this one and not be out very much money. It fills and recovers quickly and I've been quite impressed so far. Another bonus is that the pump is a bostich pump and parts for the pump are readily available, so in this respect you don't have to rely on proprietary parts. You can use other brand regulators, motors etc and several parts places sell compressor parts and rebuilt kits for the bostich ABB3800 pump which is installed on this compressor.


I had been looking at a Sears Craftsman Professional model for years that was 27 gallons with virtually the same output but cost $150 dollars more. I do belive that one was built in the USA but Lowes, Home Depot, and other major stores carry store branded compressors with similar size and output that actually use the EXACT SAME compressor pump as my Harbor freight model (which is made by Bostich) and cost a fair amount more. The motor and tank might be lessor quality since that is more or less store and model specific but I have no complaints so this was a good deal for me.

I purchased an Air Hose at Lowe's and bought the best one they sold and it blew up the first night I used it and only had the regulator set to about 90psi. It was made overseas and coincidentally I bought a made in USA goodyear hose at Harbor frieght that is far better than what I bought elsewhere. So not EVERYTHING at HF is foreign and terrible. That can be a fair generalization, yet there are deals to be had and for some seldom used specialty tools and air tools I think harbor frieght is a decent bargain and a viable option for the average DIY home user. Their air tools are actually quite a bargain and peform well compared to the price difference of other brands. I won't be buying any of their sockets or common hand tools anytime soon though.

My next big tool purchase will be a bench grinder. I have no interest in a cheap imported $50 grinder that will slow down or overheat with the slightest bit of stress and use so I"m looking at a JET 8" grinder and pedistal for my garage. This is another foreign made compromise but from what I hear should hold up much better than your average store brand special from Sears or HF. I'd love to spring for an american made BALDOR grinder but theres no way I can pony up $8-900 for a ginder I'll primarily use for lawn mower blades, drill bits, chisels, punches and small welding projects / sheet metal. At least not at this point in my life but I'm still trying to get stuff that LASTS.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with everything montanafordman just said. I would NEVER buy an oilless compressor, and I like the Goodyear air hoses. Also as mentioned the China grinders are underpowered and NOT the H.P. claimed. Unless they've improved lately a lot of the China electric motors burn up quickly. I have purchased the hand tools though and have actually had good luck at a very low price. (combination wrench sets)

[jkeesey]

I bought the knock off sawzall and hand grinder from harbor freight and both literally blew up in my hands. Luckily with money being tight I found brand new craftsman ones at a local pawn shop.