Harbor Freight compression tester?

[CZSteve]

Is the Harbor Freight compression tester 'good enough' for limited use or a complete waste of money?
HF is $9.99 right now compared to $25 for an Equus 3612.

Using for testing a 97 Force 90 and don't see using any more than once a year.

Side Question: Thoughts regarding HF wrench / socket sets to keep on the boat?
I've always bought Craftsman for the house but watching cash flow as much as possible and wonder if the HF is sufficient for emergency use to keep on the boat.

 

[crb478]

Re: Harbor Freight compression tester?

It may or may not be accurate, but it will probably be consistent so for 10.00 you won't be out much even if its reading high or low it will give you a baseline to measure against. As for the wrench/socket sets they will work in a pinch, but I prefer to get the best wrenches I can reasonably afford to ensure that fasteners are not rounded off or damaged. Most motor do not have that many different sized bolt heads.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Harbor Freight compression tester?

The Harbor Freight tools, such as a compression tester, are okay for a non-professional mechanic. It all depends on how often you plan to use it.

My son in law had $250k in Snap On tools when he died, and he even had become a Harbor Freight tool fan. He said that 90% of the tools a professional mechanic are kept in a 10" x 18" tray. He really was sorry he spent years of his life paying for tools he seldom used.

If one uses socket sets all day, a Matco/SnapOn/Craftsman tool might pay for its self. For a part time mechanic, the H/F tools are perfectly okay--and dirt cheap. Sometimes it matters, most often it doesn't.

What I shy away from at H/F is the Chicago Pneumatic brand of power tools. They just don't hold up, and I prefer a quality brand of electric tools--Milwaukee, Porter Cable, Hitachi, Rigid, Dewalt. Some of H/F air tools are okay for the price, but I really prefer Ingersoll Rand and other brands.

Their sockets and other tools would do just fine for your boat.