Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[TomSeller]

You guys talking about these:
2 Ton Push Beam Trolley

I plan to have a system in my basement and pole barn with one of these. Like to make one of those beams that rolls the length of the barn and one of these trolley's so I can basically use chain hoist anywhere.

You have to get the I-Beam from a metal/steal distributor.

The same thing is on my dream list. If you do it, please post pictures.

 

[hutchman]

The same thing is on my dream list. If you do it, please post pictures.

That's the plan with the new pole barn and house that hopefully I'll start next year. I'm not getting any younger and I plan to have a machine shop in the basement so I gotta find ways to work smarter instead of harder.

My high school shop was setup with one of those and I never forgot it and always wanted a setup just like it.

 

[ozob2k]

Following

 

[dragoneggs]

The same thing is on my dream list. If you do it, please post pictures.

Agreed. Looking forward to a build thread!

 

[lostcreekranch]

You guys talking about these: 2 Ton Push Beam Trolley I plan to have a system in my basement and pole barn with one of these. Like to make one of those beams that rolls the length of the barn and one of these trolley's so I can basically use chain hoist anywhere. You have to get the I-Beam from a metal/steal distributor.

HF sells a 1 ton rolling gantry crane that the trolley you noted works on. To me, the portability of moving the gantry crane might give more functionality.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[hutchman]

HF sells a 1 ton rolling gantry crane that the trolley you noted works on. To me, the portability of moving the gantry crane might give more functionality.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

I've seen it ... a co-worker has one. It's nice. It takes up some space.though.

 

[Travelover]

You guys talking about these:
2 Ton Push Beam Trolley

I plan to have a system in my basement and pole barn with one of these. Like to make one of those beams that rolls the length of the barn and one of these trolley's so I can basically use chain hoist anywhere.

You have to get the I-Beam from a metal/steal distributor.

Yep, that is the one. I was thinking HF sold a track, too, but I guess you'd need to scrounge an I beam somewhere.

 

[JRobyn]

1720 lb. Capacity 48 in. x 96 in. Super Duty Trailer

Anyone build this trailer? How does it come packaged? I want to pick it up with a Subaru station wagon.

I did. When I bought mine, I think it was rated for 1800lb. Added a 3/4 ply floor, heavy tie-down hooks, and the lightweight steel sides/tailgate. It came in one big box. Should fit in a Roo (Forester) with the seats down. Of the right/left main side rails, it came with two right sides; no left. HF wanted me to send back the extra right side (shipping on me) before they'd send a replacement left side. Store I bought at didn't have another one. Managed to convince the manager at another local store to let me have the left side out of one of his in exchange for my extra right. I added a good swivel tongue jack. Took FOREVER to put all the little pieces together square and get all the fasteners tight.

It has been awesome. Tows like it's not even there. Literally. Behind a Sierra, you can't see it at all, and I have actually forgotten it was on until I turned or bounced it over a bump. I've hauled a severe overload (2200lbs) of gravel in it with no visible flex. Have just finished hauling 6-7 HUGE loads of household crap from our Atlanta to TN places. It is now about 6-7 years old and the cheap Chinese "red" paint is mostly either pink or rust now. Has maybe 5,000 miles on it. Haven't even opened/greased the hubs once.

- Jay

 

[California]

Anybody have experience with the little disc/belt combo sander? Worth $60 when similar units at Home Depot, such as Ryobi etc, costs twice that?

Following up on my own inquiry.

The website claims 41.5 lbs shipping weight for this current model 97181, a good solid tool that shouldn't jump around. However while that was printed on the box, when I carried it to the car it felt like far less. I found an actual shipping label pasted on the box that said 29 lbs. They've cheapened it since the version you guys bought.

The manual doesn't mention or show in the photos, that you have to install the disc's enclosure/dust collector before mounting the disc to its hub. I saw this as a frequent complaint in the HF comments so I avoided that error.

But I discovered a short screw had been substituted for a long screw needed to attach the lower cover for that guard/dust collector. Searched a long time in my PC parts bin for a similar screw, but the size needed is one size fatter than PC stuff so no luck.

Then - it was impossible to align that dust collector/safety cover so that the sanding disk protrudes out in front of its cover. One edge of the disc was recessed, the opposite edge dragged against the front half of the lower enclosure. I loosened screws elsewhere trying to get the bodywork into the same plane as the disc but it was too far off. The sander was simply unusable as shipped. Reluctantly, I returned this for credit and bought a similar Ryobi for $119 at HD because I need to get started on a time-critical project.

The HF sander could have been made to work by elongating several adjustment slots in its metal belt guard, and maybe hammering that metal guard into the same plane as the disc. (So that the plastic dust collector attached to the belt guard is in the same plane as the disc). But its not obvious that the disc would ever be at a perfect right angle to the work table and its guide slot. I don't have time to 'blueprint' the whole machine.

This is the second time I've encountered a Hf tool that needed redesign to work as claimed. The portable band saw's shoe had a slot that wasn't parallel with the blade. A half hour trying various shims at the shoe's mounting bolts finally got the slot parallel so you could see which direction the cut would go.

Aside from these I've had satisfactory results with HF tools.

'Some Assembly Required' as they say. :fiery:

 

[hutchman]

Following up on my own inquiry.

The website claims 41.5 lbs shipping weight for this current model 97181, a good solid tool that shouldn't jump around. However while that was printed on the box, when I carried it to the car it felt like far less. I found an actual shipping label pasted on the box that said 29 lbs. They've cheapened it since the version you guys bought.

The manual doesn't mention or show in the photos, that you have to install the disc's enclosure/dust collector before mounting the disc to its hub. I saw this as a frequent complaint in the HF comments so I avoided that error.

But I discovered a short screw had been substituted for a long screw needed to attach the lower cover for that guard/dust collector. Searched a long time in my PC parts bin for a similar screw, but the size needed is one size fatter than PC stuff so no luck.

Then - it was impossible to align that dust collector/safety cover so that the sanding disk protrudes out in front of its cover. One edge of the disc was recessed, the opposite edge dragged against the front half of the lower enclosure. I loosened screws elsewhere trying to get the bodywork into the same plane as the disc but it was too far off. The sander was simply unusable as shipped. Reluctantly, I returned this for credit and bought a similar Ryobi for $119 at HD because I need to get started on a time-critical project.

The HF sander could have been made to work by elongating several adjustment slots in its metal belt guard, and maybe hammering that metal guard into the same plane as the disc. (So that the plastic dust collector attached to the belt guard is in the same plane as the disc). But its not obvious that the disc would ever be at a perfect right angle to the work table and its guide slot. I don't have time to 'blueprint' the whole machine.

This is the second time I've encountered a Hf tool that needed redesign to work as claimed. The portable band saw's shoe had a slot that wasn't parallel with the blade. A half hour of trying various shims at the shoe's mounting bolts finally got the shoe slot parallel and useful as a guide indicating which direction the cut would go.

'Some Assembly Required' as they say. :fiery:

Wow. I've had mine several years (3-4 I'd say) and I don't remember any of that drama.

Edit: Just looked ... I bought mine in May 2012. One of the rubber corner feet pads was deformed and wouldn't stay on but that's the only problem I had with it.

 

[Rustyferrious]

HF tools I have:

2 ton shop crane. Pros: heavily built, strong ram, moved a 1800 lb Sheldon lathe from one side of my garage to the other easily. Cons: Takes a lot of pumping to get the arm up from storage position.

Wire wheels: lousy. so out of balance it nearly shook the buffer apart the first (and only) time I put it on.

Towing/lifting straps: Very happy with these. I move all kinds of heavy machinery with them.

Rolling Tool Box: So so. I broke two drawer latches - near impossible to get replacements.

Large hydraulic table/cart: The first one I bought there was so much grit/sand in one of the casters bearings it would not turn. The replacement has been good. Great for lifting heavy items up to a comfortable height. THe rubber mat it comes with still stinks to high heaven after a full year of airing out.

Table top 6 ton arbor press: works, but I've already bent the frame - lousy steel.

Wood Furniture dolly: Greatest thing since sliced bread. Cheap cost and decently made. I have a dozen of them.

Magnetic parts trays: never have enough of these handy items

8" bench top polisher/buffer. In daily use for more than a year and still going strong. Worn out 4 wire and 2 buffer wheels in that span.

Vibratory parts cleaner: The media HF sells does not work at all - I think with the right media it might.

Yellow degreaser: best stuff EVER. I use it for everything that needs cleaning. Buy 6 jugs at a time.

Resin rolling cart: Good cart. Great for the garage & shop.

What I would like to try:

air hose reel - Is the spring strong and does it hold up?

stick welder : I want to learn to stick weld. Are they junk?

 

[Rustyferrious]

Sorry, darn post duplicated.

 

[sixdogs]

I've got two items to give good ratings to, assuming you buy at the right price.

The first is a simple tool bag, now on sale for $5. At that price, it doesn't suck. if you have tools or parts or whatever that you need to carry in the truck or whatever and don't need to forget anything, this works. I put hitch pins, click pins, washers, simple HF tools related and leave packed and ready to go. I will never forget some small hitch item because it's all in the bag. if I have the bag, I have it all. $5 right now and often at that price.

The second item is a set of magnetic tow lights. The are great if you are dragging something home that maybe you didn't plan on and it's too wide or awkward. These plug into your trailer connection and the magnets hold the lights where you want them. Magnets are strong and the lights work.
There is a note here in that the lights were recently changed to LED and there have been some reported problems. I have other 12V HF LED things so they should figure it out. It's always on "sale" for $10, and at that price is worth it.

 

[Scrambler82]

Found their larger tool chests to be pretty HD.

 

[drizler]

You have to get the I-Beam from a metal/steal distributor.[/QUOTE]

No you don't necessarily. The best place to find stuff like this is the scrap yard. Particularly the small ones will call you and let you know when something you want comes in. As often as not they have plenty of structural stuff sitting right there. The trouble is getting to it if it's buried back in the pile because that's one place you aren't going to go climbing around believe me. You may have to be a bit patient to get one this way but you can buy it at the scrap price for steel (which is low lately) rather than paying retail.
t

 

[Wa11banger]

What I would like to try:

air hose reel - Is the spring strong and does it hold up?

so far so good.. Have had it for a little over a year and plenty of in and out use with lots of abuse from my 18yr old son just letting it slap in. Also no leaks on the banjo fitting whatsoever so far. However, the HF whips that get you from the hose real to your supply are absolute junk. Especially if exposed to any sunlight at all. I had two of them, one on the self retracting reel which was exposed to sunlight directly just about any time the garage door was open, and one on a manual reel that was pretty much not exposed to any direct sunlight.. The one exposed to sunlight broke down and burst in a month.. The other didn't last much longer, developing hose leaks around the 4 month mark. Both have been replaced with name brand whips and I have had zero problems since.

 

[Rustyferrious]

Thanx Rick. I picked up a fully enclosed 50' coxreel at an estate sale for a good price. I tested the reel several cycles before making the purchase. Got it home, replaced the old hoses with new US made hoses. Nearly killed myself hanging overhead in my garage, then after a few days of use I pulled out the hose the spring breaks. I used a few choice cuss words that day. So now I'm deciding between a replacement spring (not cheap) or buying another reel for less than what the cox spring would run. I deal with spiral springs all the time but this is a big one and would really rather not deal with it.

 

[California]

Here's a HF tool that is excellent and surprisingly low priced. #92867 4-sided diamond hone.

I have one in the kitchen and another in the shop. It's the modern replacement for the traditional Carborundum 2-sided sharpening stone.

 

[MossRoad]

I've got two items to give good ratings to, assuming you buy at the right price.

The first is a simple tool bag, now on sale for $5. At that price, it doesn't suck. if you have tools or parts or whatever that you need to carry in the truck or whatever and don't need to forget anything, this works. I put hitch pins, click pins, washers, simple HF tools related and leave packed and ready to go. I will never forget some small hitch item because it's all in the bag. if I have the bag, I have it all. $5 right now and often at that price.

The second item is a set of magnetic tow lights. The are great if you are dragging something home that maybe you didn't plan on and it's too wide or awkward. These plug into your trailer connection and the magnets hold the lights where you want them. Magnets are strong and the lights work.
There is a note here in that the lights were recently changed to LED and there have been some reported problems. I have other 12V HF LED things so they should figure it out. It's always on "sale" for $10, and at that price is worth it.

I've got the magnetic tow lights. They worked great when I had to dolly my daughter's car home 100 miles. A friend of ours has borrowed them and they worked fine for him, too. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[California]

I bought the $9.99 magnetic towing lights to use as the cheapest available trailer rewiring kit. I have an 'open' somewhere and it will be simpler to just string this all-new wire to the back. It even has the right connector on it already. Might even use the lights in the kit.