Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

Pixguy · Jun 16, 2016

I wonder if RS is still calling the fake phone number I gave them back in the early 80's?

stingray1 · Jun 17, 2016

joefromga said:
Radio shack hired the same idiots that McDonald's does. Then they coupled that with older women who know nothing about electronics and expected their PC policies to make money. They failed.

Bingo

jack707 · Jun 17, 2016

Recovery straps I would not buy again at HF

rbstern · Jun 18, 2016

Bought the 50ft compact electric drain cleaner to unclog a sluggish basement bathroom. Tool is well built and worked really well. Had a plumber do this last year on the same problem. With the 20% coupon, price of the tool was about the same as a visit from the plumber, so the payback was immediate, and I'm set up for the next time it happens.

50 Ft. Compact Electric Drain Cleaner

California · Jun 18, 2016

rbstern said:
Bought the 50ft compact electric drain cleaner to unclog a sluggish basement bathroom. Tool is well built and worked really well. Had a plumber do this last year on the same problem. With the 20% coupon, price of the tool was about the same as a visit from the plumber, so the payback was immediate, and I'm set up for the next time it happens.

50 Ft. Compact Electric Drain Cleaner

Ditto. I posted a nearly identical review early in this thread.

It was a rental and the main line stopped up. My tenant deserved this fixed ASAP. And it was a weekend so I would have paid 50% overtime to a professional. The tool paid for itself in the first use.

This is a HF power tool that works as well as you would hope for.

newbury · Jun 18, 2016

Crimper and 10 in. Cable Cutters

Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool

Definitely works.

I'm trying to fabricate cables for running small winches and other things. I've several hundred feet of cable and 20 Anderson style quick connectors pairs for 6 gauge, with a total of 80 crimps needed. Plus needed some crimps for 2 gauge. I tried using a vice and an inexpensive "hammer style " crimper. It worked but was not ideal.

After studying Amazon and ebay it seemed there were two types of crimpers, cheap and branded. The cheap were $35 to $50, the branded $250 and UP. There were a lot of complaints about the cheap ones failing early and limited warranty. For my needs I could not justify the branded.

Went with HF because w/ 20% discount it ended up being $44 with an easy return police for early failure.

And a note to all the comments on the HF reviews by idiots - the anvils it comes with are clearly labeled as to size OF THE WIRE.

NOT THE CONNECTOR to be crimped!!.

I can buy the same size OD connector for Anderson quick connects for wire gauges from 6 to 2 gauge, and the OD requires a 0 gauge anvil. To crimp my connectors for my 50 amp connectors holding 6 gauge wire I used the anvils labeled 4 gauge. Do you use s 1/2 wrench on a 1/2 diameter bolt? No, the bolt head is normally 3/4".

and

10" Cable Cutter is a decent pair of cable cutters for $7. HD wanted $17 for about the same. Cut my 2 gauge copper wire like butter. Would not expect it to work on steel cable like cable for bike locks.

buckeyefarmer · Jun 18, 2016

Stopped next door to HF an hr ago, and did not go it. Talk about will power.

IslandTractor · Jun 18, 2016

buckeyefarmer said:
Stopped next door to HF an hr ago, and did not go it. Talk about will power.

Nah, will power is my 130lb wife holding on to my belt as 230lbs of tool collector strains to enter HF with a fist full of coupons. That's will power!

PhysAssist · Jun 18, 2016

IslandTractor said:
Nah, will power is my 130lb wife holding on to my belt as 230lbs of tool collector strains to enter HF with a fist full of coupons. That's will power!

Too right and too funny!

My outlaws just told us that hey're putting in a new HF [the 3rd in the Monroe County] about 10 miles from my house, vs about 30 miles and an hour drive for the closest now....

My SWMABO is getting concerned....