Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[rbstern]

Any idea of what gauge metal it will punch?

Edit: 16gauge according to HF.

The cheapie flatware we've punched is between 14 and 15ga. The tool needs every bit of 90psi to punch it.

Their description says 3/16 hole with a throat depth of 3/16. Am I reading that right, the edge of the hole is at the edge of the material?

Edge of the hole is 3/16" from the edge of the material.

 

[IslandTractor]

Their description says 3/16 hole with a throat depth of 3/16. Am I reading that right, the edge of the hole is at the edge of the material?

The way I read it there would be 3/16 of edge metal before the 3/16 hole. So, edge to beginning of hole is 3/16 and to end of hole is 3/8 from edge.

 

[California]

That makes sense. They might write the description more clearly.

"Throat depth (in.) --- 7/8 in. for flange, 3/16 in. for punch" seems to say the flange side would make a flange 7/8 tall but only allows a 3/16 tall flange on the punch side. Looking at the expanded picture explains the tool better than their text.

 

[sixdogs]

This is something new that I saw today in an email so I can't verify the quality. They are a set of auto lift ramps. I have two sets of far more expensive ramps like this that I use to change the oil or work on a hot rod. Comparable prices are $100 to $200 a set and are the darlings of the Corvette and street rod crowd. For $29.99 they seem worth a look.

Coupon Display

For some reason I can't access their site today or I'd print a link to the product rather than the sale coupon.

My computer is back up and I read some of the reviews. Granted, it only gets two stars but that seems to be tied to people trying to drive up the ramps. I know you're supposed to be able to do that but I never do with the different brand and higher quality set that I have. I actually have four ramps and lift the car with a jack. Then I slide the ramps under the car.

Remember I have a better brand but they work great for my hot rod and did with a Corvette I used to have. I can't vouch for the Harbor Freight ramps but they might be worth a look for those with lighter duty use. Like most of the stuff from HF.

 

[dragoneggs]

Don't know why HF is so late to the Lithium battery game.

Maybe because the Li-Ion batteries are so expensive and as such doesn't fit their business model compared to selling the cheaper MH batteries?

 

[rbstern]

I also recently acquired the welding cart ($35 w/coupon), and it's excellent for the money.

100 lb. Capacity Welding Cart

 

[IslandTractor]

Maybe because the Li-Ion batteries are so expensive and as such doesn't fit their business model compared to selling the cheaper MH batteries?

Yes, but virtually all their competitors are fully Li-ion now. I don't even know if you can buy a set of NiMH tools anymore from Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee, Dewalt etc. I'd also think that HF would at least offer a Li-ion battery as a replacement or upgrade but...nothing.

 

[DFB]

There's still plenty new of Ni Cad tools around.

HD has a lot of Dewalt and some Skil.

Lowes has plenty of kits. Amazon has some stuff too

CPO had a 12v Hitachi kit


Milwaukee Bosch and Makita haven't seen tho

 

[IslandTractor]

There's still plenty new of Ni Cad tools around. HD has a lot of Dewalt and some Skil. Lowes has plenty of kits. Amazon has some stuff too CPO had a 12v Hitachi kit Milwaukee Bosch and Makita haven't seen tho

I guess the next question is why anyone would buy NiMh. Maybe a bit cheaper to start but batteries don't last as long and are pretty expensive to replace. I have an old Ryobi kit that I finally upgraded to Li-Ion. Made a huge difference.

 

[DFB]

I guess the next question is why anyone would buy NiMh. Maybe a bit cheaper to start but batteries don't last as long and are pretty expensive to replace. I have an old Ryobi kit that I finally upgraded to Li-Ion. Made a huge difference.

Maybe they are not selling either

Otherwise I would say either the uniformed buyer or the price point. But they still seem expensive.

I did buy a 12v Ni Cad Htachi drill and flashlight kit to replace the Li-on we had at the business and somebody stole.

When I went online buy a replacement kit as my my boss asked me too I couldn't come close to price on the Li-on kit we had because the local lumber store owner had me given a wicked deal on promo he had at the time. Pretty much his cost so I just got the Ni Cad deal for cheap and figuring that would probably disappear too. Nobody else even knew the difference in the batteries all they whined about was that it didn't have the led light. I said you got a flashlight what more do you want...go figure :laughing: