Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[sixdogs]

Routine coupon price for that caliper is $9.99! HF's pricing is bizarre. The jumbo shop dustpan costs nearly as much, $8.99.

Those calipers are previously mentioned--at $9.99--as a best buy. And they are.
They are accurate and if you remember to turn it off the battery will last a long time.

 

[lostcreekranch]

HF replaced the previous blue "Western Safety" work gloves with these Mechanic's Gloves X-Large a few months ago. I really liked the blue ones and the manager of my local HF Store saved me a half dozen of the Blue ones as they were being replaced. Got them for $2.99 a pair.

Bought a couple pair of the new black ones to see how they wear. One thing I liked about the old blue ones is that they could be washed in washing machine and dried on top of the dryer. Haven't tried that with the new black one yet.

 

[Threepoint]

Those calipers are previously mentioned--at $9.99--as a best buy. And they are.
They are accurate and if you remember to turn it off the battery will last a long time.

Love their digital calipers. I usually don't reach for them often, so I just pop the battery out and keep it in the same case. Seems to last much longer, that way, even though I always turned them off before I started doing that. Not sure why.

 

[Threepoint]

That's my experience, they request a phone number at each purchase and that keeps the mailers and email coupons arriving.

Also after I leave the store they email me a copy of the transaction receipt. Are they doing this nationwide?

The store nearest me here in No. VA started doing that a few months ago, without notice. It's actually a pretty nice thing. Easier to file a receipt electronically with a couple of clicks for an item you think may need it for later.

 

[bcp]

I was told that the "OFF" button only turns off the display, not the measurement sensor.

Bruce

 

[sixdogs]

Love their digital calipers. I usually don't reach for them often, so I just pop the battery out and keep it in the same case. Seems to last much longer, that way, even though I always turned them off before I started doing that. Not sure why.

I was told that the "OFF" button only turns off the display, not the measurement sensor.

Bruce

Mine is FIVE years old and original battery. Beats me. it doesn't get a lot of use but I turn off when done. Is the battery a hard one to find?

 

[JRobyn]

I never turn my HF calipers off; they do that themselves automatically. I have 3, all different vintages, they all do this. The oldest is well over 5 yrs old now, and still on the original battery. Have never touched any of the extra replacement batteries that are included with them.

 

[California]

The caliper batteries are on Ebay. A card of 10 batteries doesn't cost much. They are a common type.

This caliper sees very little use. I've had to replace batteries at about 3 year intervals.

 

[ArTrvlr]

A couple years ago they started asking me to bring in my mailed flyer so they could scan the label to insure I continued to receive them. Now they ask for my phone number when I check out, and they verify my name and address on most purchases. I think this is to keep mailing ads to customers who are using them. I get plenty of mail from them.
On their website, at the bottom under Customer Service, there's a link to Request Catalog. You can sign up for mailed catalogs and for emailed coupons.

That's my experience, they request a phone number at each purchase and that keeps the mailers and email coupons arriving.

Also after I leave the store they email me a copy of the transaction receipt. Are they doing this nationwide?

When they started putting the bar code and the note to bring in the flyer to scan for continued mailings, I complied, like a good little shopper. Then one day, when I gave the clerk the flyer and asked her to scan it, she told me my phone number accomplished the same thing. I haven't had one scanned since, and they come every month, like clockwork.

I also get the regular emails, and an emailed receipt.
jp

 

[Threepoint]

The caliper batteries are on Ebay. A card of 10 batteries doesn't cost much. They are a common type.

This caliper sees very little use. I've had to replace batteries at about 3 year intervals.

That's a good run, especially if turning them off only shuts off the display, not the sensor circuit, as Bruce reports.

My HF calipers (a few years old) use 303/357 batteries, silver oxide, available locally in 3-pks for about $5, but in online in 10-pks as you say for under $5, some places even less. I guess there may be an issue with freshness from some vendors.

 

[chopped]

If the management of Sears wants to know why they're in trouble, they should look at their prices.

In some reference to the previous post ahead of this one, It reminds me of the go around with sears after I found the small 3 inch air cut off wheel from harbor freight being sold from SEARS third party sales. I wrote several letters to them explain that 199 dollars was way out there considering it was a HF tool and cost around 21 dollars at HF the third party sale also were using the HF pictures. But Sears told me they weren't responsible for third party prices etc. I tried to explain that by sears allowing to advertise for the third party 'business' then their reputation was at stake but they decided to blow me off.
( I stopped going there years ago after the replacement ratchets were garbage....)

As an example I submit these links.
Sears.com

3 in. Heavy Duty Electric Cut-Off Tool


In this case the difference isn't all to much but .

Or these. throw a differnt label in the circle and wammo..lol

3 in. High-Speed Air Cut-Off Tool

Sears.com

 

[Garycw]

I almost forgot one I can't do without and recommend everyone has. The Security Bit set. Invaluable when you need one. There's a 10-12 piece and a 100 piece set. They're actually cheap enough to have both. Work really well, although you have to provide your own 1/4" driver or wrench. I think the small set is $3 and large $6

 

[Travelover]

I almost forgot one I can't do without and recommend everyone has. The Security Bit set. Invaluable when you need one. There's a 10-12 piece and a 100 piece set. They're actually cheap enough to have both. Work really well, although you have to provide your own 1/4" driver or wrench. I think the small set is $3 and large $6

I agree, these are great. My DW teaches 4th grade and for fun, she lets kids disassemble old electronics to see what is inside. They love having the "magic keys".

 

[sixdogs]

I almost forgot one I can't do without and recommend everyone has. The Security Bit set. Invaluable when you need one. There's a 10-12 piece and a 100 piece set. They're actually cheap enough to have both. Work really well, although you have to provide your own 1/4" driver or wrench. I think the small set is $3 and large $6

Great idea. That is something I forgot but is a must have addition. You may only use it a couple times a year but when you need it, you better have it. Here's the one I have and it's often on "sale" for $6 or so.
100 Pc Security Bit Set with Case

I used mine a couple of weeks ago to take the license plate off a trailer I had sold. It had some weird screw head on it and this thing had a weird bit to fit it. Either that or let the plate go with the trailer. Before that I needed to get the hinge off a box I had. Either have that bit or break the lock off. Glad I had the bit.

 

[Garycw]

I've used mine maybe 10 times in 8 months. I just needed it again today and jogged my memory of this thread. It's a diffinetly must have, and so far seem pretty tough. Those little torex bits w/hole in center are a lifesaver.
Another similar set I use a lot ( not from HF) is the Winchester gunsmith bit set. Also highly recommend!

 

[lostcreekranch]

I need to also post this one over in the "do suck" thread or the "sucks worse than anything I ever bought from anyplace thread" if that exist?

Electric Die Grinder with Long Shaft

Had some rust removal work to do that was beyond where I could use pneumatic tools so bought one of these electric die grinders and an HF wire brush set using a 20% coupon.

Wire Wheel/Cup Brush Set 6 Pc

Got home and plugged it in without wire brush. Very smooth, no vibration, lots of power. I installed the large wire brush and got some vibration but assumed that Chinese wire brushed would not be perfectly balanced. Started removing rust and in less than 15 minutes I felt heat on right hand and realized that motor was on fire which had set my work glove on fire. Thru the POS on the ground, put out glove and yanked the cord from power.

Took it back to HF the next week, when I was in Houston, and traded it our for a replacement. Got home and powered it up, again with nothing attached. Once again, very smooth and no vibration. Reinstalled a different wire brush and powered it up again. The high speed vibration was so bad I couldn't continue to use it as was rattling my teeth. Installed a small grinder bit and same result, a really aggravating vibration.

Took it back to HF and got my refund. This was the suckiest tool I ever bought from anywhere!

I plan to submit this review on the HF web site when I have time.

 

[IslandTractor]

I need to also post this one over in the "do suck" thread or the "sucks worse than anything I ever bought from anyplace thread" if that exist? Electric Die Grinder with Long Shaft Had some rust removal work to do that was beyond where I could use pneumatic tools so bought one of these electric die grinders and an HF wire brush set. Wire Wheel/Cup Brush Set 6 Pc Got home and plugged it in without wire brush. Very smooth, no vibration, lots of power. I installed the large wire brush and got some vibration but assumed that Chinese wire brushed would not be perfectly balanced. Started removing rust and in less than 15 minutes I felt heat on right hand and realized that motor was on fire which had set my work glove on fire. Thru the POS on the ground, put out glove and yanked the cord from power.

I've not heard of using a die grinder with a wire wheel. Is that common? I only use carbide burrs or small sanding disks which require far less power to run. I use angle grinders when using wire wheels. Was the tool a POS or was it asked to do something it wasn't designed to do?

 

[lostcreekranch]

I've not heard of using a die grinder with a wire wheel. Is that common? I only use carbide burrs or small sanding disks which require far less power to run. I use angle grinders when using wire wheels. Was the tool a POS or was it asked to do something it wasn't designed to do?

It was a 2" wire wheel? Is that some kind of "extreme duty"???

 

[IslandTractor]

It was a 2" wire wheel? Is that some kind of "extreme duty"???

Would have thought that would work about the same as the 2" sanding disks. Guess not. I have the same grinder but use it primarily with the carbide burrs and haven't had any trouble.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Would have thought that would work about the same as the 2" sanding disks. Guess not. I have the same grinder but use it primarily with the carbide burrs and haven't had any trouble.

I probably managed to get two bad ones out of same manufacturing run. I was really hoping it would work as I thought it would be handy for numerous tasks. They both did have a lot of power but, the vibration and setting my glove on fire kinda soured me on the tool.