Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Travelover]

OP here. Just a reminder that this thread is to share experiences with HF products, especially ones that you consider to be a good value. If you don't like HF and wouldn't consider buying anything there, that's cool, just move on to the next thread.

 

[Garycw]

I like the little $2.99 digital multi- meters. They've came in handy to keep in multiple locations and I've yet to have one break, fail, be inaccurate or electrocute me.
I've also have gotten good value and use of there moving blankets.
The wall safe is pretty good too

 

[lostcreekranch]

I like the HF 40" X 72" moving blankets and bought about a dozen of them. One is used as cover for my table saw. Use them for fender covers on F-350 and Corvette.

40" x 72" Mover's Blanket

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[newbury]

I usually don't rain on other people's parade. But by simply NOT printing an angry response wouldn't be fair to the readers. I at one time, was loading up with those 'correctly priced' HF tools. <snip>.

There used to be a thread "harbor freight tools that suck", can't find it.

OP here. Just a reminder that this thread is to share experiences with HF products, especially ones that you consider to be a good value. If you don't like HF and wouldn't consider buying anything there, that's cool, just move on to the next thread.

Yes, that's just trolling. However if you find a tool that someone praises and your experience is far different because they changed the tool that seems to be fair game.

I like the little $2.99 digital multi- meters. They've came in handy to keep in multiple locations and I've yet to have one break, fail, be inaccurate or electrocute me.
<snip>

They sell those? I always get them for free , probably have a dozen.

 

[Garycw]

I think I did get a free meter once, but they're well worth $3

 

[California]

OP here. Just a reminder that this thread is to share experiences with HF products, especially ones that you consider to be a good value. If you don't like HF and wouldn't consider buying anything there, that's cool, just move on to the next thread.

Yes, that's just trolling. However if you find a tool that someone praises and your experience is far different because they changed the tool that seems to be fair game.

OP, what do you think? I agree that anti-HF rants belong in the other thread, nobody here wants to read that. But I hope you encourage posters to share the occasional disappointment here among the 'works for me' general tone of this thread. What do you think?

 

[TomSeller]

Sometimes to know what is good, you need to know what is bad. Two sides to a coin. I don't think they had any intent to derail the thread.

 

[Travelover]

OP, what do you think? I agree that anti-HF rants belong in the other thread, nobody here wants to read that. But I hope you encourage posters to share the occasional disappointment here among the 'works for me' general tone of this thread. What do you think?

I think sharing any experience with a particular HF tool, good or bad, is fair game. I'd just like to skip the sermonizing about whether anyone should even consider a HF tool. We are big boys and can make that decision ourselves.

 

[MossRoad]

You'll NEVER regret buying good high quality and usually , high cost tools...

Until you drop them off your boat...

 

[downsizingnow48]

Great HF deal - the drywall lift. I bought it for $199, used it to put 900 sq ft of sheet rock on my 10 ft workshop ceiling. Sold it today for $100 to another fellow who has the same requirement. Much cheaper than hiring the job out or even hiring a helper. More than paid for itself in one job.

 

[California]

You'll NEVER regret buying good high quality and usually , high cost tools...

Until you drop them off your boat...

Ow! ullinghair: ullinghair: ullinghair:

Maybe a boat is where the $29 homeowner set makes sense. Well maybe a boat that never goes out of sight of land?

I actually bought the $29 (coupon) set for our home in town, just to have something compact to carry into the bathroom etc instead of making many trips to the shop for individual tools. But some of the tools are so primitive that I'll substitute better used tools into that kit as I find extras among my real tools. For example the crescent wrench loses adjustment when you take it off the nut to move to the next flats because its adjustment roller is sloppy loose. The kit is sufficient for lightweight homeowner stuff, hanging a picture for example, but you need real tools for backup. I also looked at the 4-drawer cheap tool set and that doesn't seem very practical. The drawers were sticky and it claims fewer tools at a higher price.

 

[dragoneggs]

Until you drop them off your boat...

Amen!

 

[California]

I think sharing any experience with a particular HF tool, good or bad, is fair game. I'd just like to skip the sermonizing about whether anyone should even consider a HF tool.

Thanks!

 

[zombie]

I have had the big 330 piece tool kit and have used it the last 5 years at home. I don't usually use the screw drivers in it since I have a snap on set next to the kit, but everything else has been awesome. It has a really good variety in it. They're hand tools so they are lifetime warranty. Only thing that's been irritating is lack of 1/4 drive extensions.

 

[zombie]

Just saw on their website that they now offer an 18000lb winch. I have the 12k on my trailer and have had no issues with it in the last 3 or 4 years with it. I did add a master switch to it, but that's it. The remote control does have a delay you gotta keep in mind.

 

[crazyal]

I like the HF 40" X 72" moving blankets and bought about a dozen of them. One is used as cover for my table saw. Use them for fender covers on F-350 and Corvette.

40" x 72" Mover's Blanket

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

If you keep your eyes open they usually have a coupon for the larger 80x72 blankets for $4.99 to $5.99. I use them to cover the couch so the dogs don't destroy them as well as when moving furniture.

 

[Travelover]

If you keep your eyes open they usually have a coupon for the larger 80x72 blankets for $4.99 to $5.99. I use them to cover the couch so the dogs don't destroy them as well as when moving furniture.

I have a bunch of these blankets. Cover the couch, cover the car seat and even use in the camper to protect from the pooch. And, yea, they can even be used for moving - cheaper to buy than to rent.

 

[IslandTractor]

Not sure if the "42 inch off road farm jack" has been reviewed here before but I have one and like it. It is currently on sale for $40 which is certainly an excellent value. The jack is a traditional farm jack. It needs to be mounted on a base unless you use it only on a concrete pad. I just bolted it to a 10x10x2 and it works fine lifting my tractor. Solid simple traditional build. Potentially useful for other things as well like pulling fence posts thought I haven't done that. Obviously you need to block the tractor once lifted, this isn't something I would trust my life to but it works. . Farm Jacks - 42" 3-1/2 Ton Farm Jack

 

[IslandTractor]

Not sure if the "42 inch off road farm jack" has been reviewed here before but I have one and like it. It is currently on sale for $40 which is certainly an excellent value. The jack is a traditional farm jack. It needs to be mounted on a base unless you use it only on a concrete pad. I just bolted it to a 10x10x2 and it works fine lifting my tractor. Solid simple traditional build. Potentially useful for other things as well like pulling fence posts thought I haven't done that. Obviously you need to block the tractor once lifted, this isn't something I would trust my life to but it works. . Farm Jacks - 42" 3-1/2 Ton Farm Jack

 

[PhysAssist]

Not sure if the "42 inch off road farm jack" has been reviewed here before but I have one and like it. It is currently on sale for $40 which is certainly an excellent value. The jack is a traditional farm jack. It needs to be mounted on a base unless you use it only on a concrete pad. I just bolted it to a 10x10x2 and it works fine lifting my tractor. Solid simple traditional build. Potentially useful for other things as well like pulling fence posts thought I haven't done that. Obviously you need to block the tractor once lifted, this isn't something I would trust my life to but it works. . Farm Jacks - 42" 3-1/2 Ton Farm Jack

It also works great as a very strong come-along, albeit over only very short distances before needing to be reset.