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
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.
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.
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
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.
Me, I have lots of Harbor Freight stuff. I love the place. [:)]
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.
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.
Got stung by HF many years ago! Once burned, shame on you, twice burned, shame on me!
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.
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
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.
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.