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Harbor Freight Airbrush?

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 403 posts
Posted by bcammack on Saturday, November 27, 2004 5:05 PM
One thing they're good for is small machinist tools. Micro-Mark sells a set of three machined steel angle blocks of 1", 2", and 3" size for something like $35. You can buy two each of the 1" and 2" angle blocks from HF for < $15. These are great for building structures, combined with some neodynium magnets (as clamping agents) to insure perfectly square corners and plumb walls.

Stuff like that is a great value. I bought a orbital buffer for waxing the car for $12. Works great.
Regards, Brett C. Cammack Holly Hill, FL
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Ridgeville,South Carolina
  • 1,294 posts
Posted by willy6 on Saturday, November 27, 2004 9:15 AM
I have a HF store here in Charleston.I call them "throw away tools". Like their drill bits, use them a couple of times and toss.And their name brand stuff is usually remanufactured stuff.I bought a remanufactured name brand chain saw 8 years ago from them and never had a problem.
Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 27, 2004 9:04 AM
Don't waste your money on their air hoses, but what do you expect for that price. Cheap price - cheap hose, only lasted about 4 months.

I like their clamps and use them all over the house and train room.


Bob
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Friday, November 26, 2004 9:33 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by PennsyHoosier

I've never heard of this place! Just checked out the web site. Soooooo...

Is this stuff any good or not? Seems that a lot of the larger compressors, etc., are about the same price as stuff at Menard's.


Alot of Habor Freight's tools are exactly the same as Menard's Tool Shop brand. They are bigger where there are no Menard's.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 26, 2004 6:31 PM
Got stung by HF many years ago! Once burned, shame on you, twice burned, shame on me!
  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 102 posts
Posted by jhoff310 on Friday, November 26, 2004 6:23 PM
I have purchased several things from Harbor Freight with out any problems. My most recent purchase was a small tabletop scroll saw fro $40.00 I have used it ALOT without any problems. They offer a warranty for their merchandise, if you decide to buy it or not is up to you.
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Northern Indiana
  • 1,000 posts
Posted by PennsyHoosier on Friday, November 26, 2004 5:59 PM
I've never heard of this place! Just checked out the web site. Soooooo...

Is this stuff any good or not? Seems that a lot of the larger compressors, etc., are about the same price as stuff at Menard's.
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 403 posts
Posted by bcammack on Friday, November 26, 2004 5:22 PM
Me, I have lots of Harbor Freight stuff. I love the place. [:)]
Regards, Brett C. Cammack Holly Hill, FL
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 26, 2004 3:54 PM
I don't have an airbrush, but in my experience, Harbor Freight doesn't sell much that is good quality. It will probably work fine once or twice, then blow up in your face.
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 390 posts
Posted by SPFan on Friday, November 26, 2004 3:29 PM
I picked the H.F. airbrush up today. It looks the tip as equivelent to a Paasche #1 fine tip. They are not directly interchangable with Paasche but with a minor modification to the handle it might be. The two bottles supplied are glass, not plastic, but the tubes that join the bottle to the spray tips are slightly different sizes. I have yet to try it but at this point it looks like a bargain.

Pete
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Thursday, November 25, 2004 11:10 AM
Pete;

One of the more well known modelers on Jim Six's RPM list uses one, and has for many years.

I have good luck with Harbor Freight, and they have stood behind thier products. Last year I purchased a hammer drill from them - made in Russia. The electrical switch failed immediately, they sent me pre-paid box to return it, and sent me a new one, which works great. Mechanically, the drill is as good as one cost five times as much.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Thursday, November 25, 2004 10:18 AM
I don't have one of those air brushes, but I have bought Harbor Freight merchandise since they first appeared on the scene. Nowadays, it seems to mostly be Chinese products purchased by the container full. Some of their products are excellent quality, and some is really shoddy. Overall, Harbor's prices are hard to match, but as they say, you get what you pay for. For 5 bucks, it might be worth a try. If it doesn't work, you haven't lost much except shipping and handling charges.
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 390 posts
Harbor Freight Airbrush?
Posted by SPFan on Thursday, November 25, 2004 7:36 AM
I just got a flyer from Harbor Freight and they have an airbrush set selling for 5 bucks. It looks to be very similar to my trusty Paasche model H. Has anyone tried one of these. Does it work and how is it to clean? I am thinking for some jobs it may be nice to have a spare brush.

Pete

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