Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

Another good tool from HF is their 1/2" belt sander.

1/2" Bandfile Belt Sander

Bought it specifically for sanding down pocket hole screw plugs in a cabinet project. If you are careful you can easily sand the plugs flush to surface. It worked very well and used my 25% coupon, last month. Walked out for $25.

A couple of years ago I bought their previous version to smooth welds in a tight space where the angle grinder couldn't reach. My advice is: good for sanding wood, not so good for sanding irregular hard metal. It worked well but soon destroyed the rubber cushion, backing, that the belt slides over on its way back toward the motor.

I think they need to emphasize more that this is for woodworking. I don't remember reading that limitation when I bought mine.

 

[bcp]

Price of a Predator engine horse. Current sale price from website, rounded up $0.01.

3hp = $100 = $33.33 per horse

5.5hp = $120 = $21.82 per horse

6.5hp = $120 = $18.46 per horse

8hp = $240 = $30.00 per horse

13hp = $310 = $23.84 per horse

22hp = $700 = $31.82 per horse


That $120 for 1.5 horse from 6.5 to 8 is sure expensive.

Bruce

 

[94BULLITT]

Some places the 212cc predator is listed as 7hp.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Over 4500 posts on HF tools that don't suck. That's a lot of tools that don't suck!

 

[dragoneggs]

I love this thread!!! Could anyone comment on this? 1/2 in. Drive 25 in. Breaker Bar
This seems like a no brainer for 10 bucks!

 

[California]

I love this thread!!! Could anyone comment on this? 1/2 in. Drive 25 in. Breaker Bar
This seems like a no brainer for 10 bucks!

It's a no brainer. Just do it. I bought their similar one a few years ago.

It's ideal to break loose lugnuts etc before removing them with my Ryobi cordless impact driver. Note its a little heavy and clumsy to use in place of a ratchet, its more for when nothing else will do the job.

I used my breaker bar Saturday to remove a 10" lag bolt that the impact driver couldn't drive in past a knot - it got to a point where it couldn't turn the bolt in either direction. (Drilling a little deeper solved the problem). This is the tool that will get you out of trouble like this.

I read through the first two pages of favorable comments on HF's product description. I agree with what I saw there.

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks Cali... just bought online with a set of metric impact sockets with 20% coupon. :cool2: needed a 30mm socket for my Kubota mower. I had to put a pipe on a crescent wrench to remove the blades. This should do the trick nicely. Oh and bought the 1/2in torque wrench to go along with these. :thumbsup:

 

[MinnesotaEric]

The RED 5 drawer U.S. General tool cart is very heavy and has top quality drawers, rollers and wheels. It is comparable to any heavy duty tool box that you can buy. And for $199 you cant beat the price. Be ready to spend some time tightening bolts. I used my air ratchet to spin up those 50 or so bolts that hold all the frame and drawers together.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_20250.jpg

I just purchased this tool cart this week. It won't get assembled until I get it up north and I won't put it into service until my new parcel gets the container delivered.

Anyway, my plan it to fill it with my overflowing hand tools that won't fit into my aging Mac Tools rollaway.

30 in. 5 Drawer 704 lb. Capacity Glossy Red Tool Cart

 

[California]

30 in. 5 Drawer 704 lb. Capacity Glossy Red Tool Cart

I've been thinking of buying one of those for a while.

Question: I have my better tools locked in surplus gym lockers (laid horizontal) because the barn overall isn't too secure. Would this be equally resistant to prying open? Is there a way to attach a chain to prevent taking the whole chest?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I've been thinking of buying one of those for a while.

Question: I have my better tools locked in surplus gym lockers (laid horizontal) because the barn overall isn't too secure. Would this be equally resistant to prying open? Is there a way to attach a chain to prevent taking the whole chest?

I think old lockers are more theft resistant than tool chests. In person, and for the money, this tool cart didn't look to be too bad but I didn't buy it for the lock since this will get locked in a shipping container and I want something that will hold my overflowing hand tools at the new parcel.