Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

hutchman · Apr 16, 2016

hutchman said:
Yes! That is one of the few gems they have. Immideately drain the worm drive oil and replace it with something quality. Rumor is (this was years ago) that it was a crap shoot what kind of oil they put in. Once properly adjusted they are great. Helped a friend make a stand that held cutting fluid and we made it just like the more expensive model that will cycle cutting fluid through a goose neck keeping the part you're cutting cool.

I think I got mine for like $175-180.

Another thing I forgot to mention about the 4x6 HF bandsaw ... an 8 oz. tube of Skil Worm saw oil is enough for an 'oil change' in the worm gear box. If you read that Bob's the Oil Guy link, it takes a straight 140 weight gear oil but worm drives want a AGMA Class 7 or 8 oil and if you look at the MSDS of the Skil oil it is basically Shell Valvata J 680.

Both Lowes & Home Depot show it on their web site but it's a mail order or ship to store kind of thing. I've never seen it on the shelf there. Harbor Freight does carry it ... they keep it right beside their worm drive circular saw but it's more expensive than mail order:

Worm Saw Lubricant

edit: The oil level should be to the edge of the worm box cover when the saw is down in the horizontal position. Also store saw in down/horizontal position to help prevent leaks.

California · Apr 16, 2016

Agree, Skil Worm saw oil seems closest to what all the HF tools need - angle grinders, drills, bandsaw, anything with worm gears or just noisy straight-cut gears.

Anybody know if outboard motor lower unit grease is similar, and suitable for this application? it's easier to obtain.

Inspector507 · Apr 16, 2016

Harbor Freight sells the Skill worm drive oil

here

Travelover · Apr 16, 2016

Inspector507 said:
Harbor Freight sells the Skill worm drive oil

here

That is too funny. HF sells good oil to replace the crap that comes originally in their products.

ddb123 · Apr 16, 2016

Anyone have experience with the $99 motorcycle lift/jack?

5030 · Apr 16, 2016

I have one. It's tippy with a bike elevated. Mine is a Sears and Grabbuck but the HF one is the same. Mine works better for the lawn tractor to clean the deck than the bike.

fixitman123 · Apr 16, 2016

Purchased the Harbor Freight Portable Miter Saw Stand Heavy Duty Mobile Miter Saw Stand today. I'm really impressed. Well designed and well built. Sturdy legs fold in easily and stand rolls around on wheels and will stand up like a hand cart taking very little room. The guy at HF said that they are new and he can't keep them in stock. He had one and I bought it. Compares to $200 stands at big box stores. On sale for $120, $95 with 20% coupon.

sixdogs · Apr 17, 2016

FYI

Here's the best price I've seen on the highly regarded red stackable tool cabinet. I bought one after the favorable reviews here and it is excellent quality. I got this coupon in an email flier from them but it's only good for a couple of days. It would be on their website too, I would guess. It's rare to see them under $340 and this is $299.

I had to print the bottom barcode because it wouldn't attach to the upper portion. Best to print an original from their site but it seems these two together should work if you buy one.

lostcreekranch · Apr 17, 2016

I'm considering a couple of their 44" tool drawers. Anyone with good or bad experience with them?

Roller Cabinet - 44" Red Rolling Tool Cabinet w/ 13 Drawers

I'm think of installing 2-3 of them side by side, one wall of shop, with a work surface on top to time together. Remove side handles so they can be pushed together.

Something like this.