Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[sixdogs]

Speaking of jack stands, the aluminum ones that you can get for $30 with a "sale" and a coupon are terrific. They hold the vehicle up as well as the steel ones but are light as a feather.

Aluminum Jack Stands - 3 Ton

I really like mine when used on a concrete surface in the shop.

 

[hutchman]

Well, I do buy my share of HF tools. I know that a lot of people think that their little 90 amp 110v wire welder is crap, but as I don't weld often, I couldn't justify a $500 welder. I mean, how good can a $100 welder be? Well for an amateur welder, pretty darn good. I've gone through two rolls of Lincoln wire and half of the roll that came with it welding up stuff. Today I welded up a stand for one of my saws. Decent welds, the cheap hf wire actually welds better but spits way worse than the Lincoln. Oh, and the roughly $40 auto helmet works great for me too. Never fails.

The helmet will crap out eventually. I've been through several. I think the manual actually says when they go bad. They have some kind of really weird solar charging system charging normal CR3032 (something like that ... can't remember off top of my head) so what happens is if you weld in the dark when the battery is crap it won't darken right and your eyes will feel gritty ... then you realize what's going on but who knows how much exposure you got. If you weld in good light, the solar cell works it good even when batteries are shot.

So chuck it when that happens or if you search the Web there are guys with videos that show how to take the old batteries out and hot glue a user accessible battery holder inside the hood so you can change the batteries ... apparently the $180 and even some more expensive helmets have the same weird crappy charging system that attempts to charge normal batteries so I'm glad I nevery splurged for one of those.

 

[hutchman]

Interesting. I verify mine a couple of times per project by comparison with two beam torque wrenches, a 1960's Craftsman I bought new and and a Thorsen or something - a US name brand - nearly as old. All three match identical over the 15 years I've had the HF.

Never had a problem with mine either. I've checked them several different ways too but I don't have access to Cal equipment. Well, at least that kind of Cal equipment.

 

[Midniteoyl]

The helmet will crap out eventually. I've been through several. I think the manual actually says when they go bad. They have some kind of really weird solar charging system charging normal CR3032 (something like that ... can't remember off top of my head) so what happens is if you weld in the dark when the battery is crap it won't darken right and your eyes will feel gritty ... then you realize what's going on but who knows how much exposure you got. If you weld in good light, the solar cell works it good even when batteries are shot.

So chuck it when that happens or if you search the Web there are guys with videos that show how to take the old batteries out and hot glue a user accessible battery holder inside the hood so you can change the batteries ... apparently the $180 and even some more expensive helmets have the same weird crappy charging system that attempts to charge normal batteries so I'm glad I nevery splurged for one of those.

We used one for years where I use to work with no problems. Wasnt a HF one, but one from Grainger. Mid 90's.

The solar cell runs the helmet while you are welding as welding puts out light and UV..

 

[hutchman]

We used one for years where I use to work with no problems. Wasnt a HF one, but one from Grainger. Mid 90's.

The solar cell runs the helmet while you are welding as welding puts out light and UV..

You're right but when welding out of position in weird spots you can get shadows that won't power it. Of course you can block the dimming sensors too ...

 

[CCWKen]

I have no problem with my 6 year old HF helmet. In fact, my 16 year old HF helmet still worked that last time I checked it. I bought a new one after listening to all the BS about how HF $49 helmets aren't as good as the $300 helmets using the exact same technology. I keep the old one around for "visitors". I check my helmet every use by just grounding the MIG wire after gassing the line. Mine will darken with that tiny spark from the residual charge of the capacitor. The spark is barely more than you'd get shorting a 9v battery. It's that sensitive! So I don't know how any "shadow" is going to keep it from darkening. That's another myth and more BS. No helmet will work if you're blocking the sensor.

 

[hutchman]

I have no problem with my 6 year old HF helmet. In fact, my 16 year old HF helmet still worked that last time I checked it. I bought a new one after listening to all the BS about how HF $49 helmets aren't as good as the $300 helmets using the exact same technology. I keep the old one around for "visitors". I check my helmet every use by just grounding the MIG wire after gassing the line. Mine will darken with that tiny spark from the residual charge of the capacitor. The spark is barely more than you'd get shorting a 9v battery. It's that sensitive! So I don't know how any "shadow" is going to keep it from darkening. That's another myth and more BS. No helmet will work if you're blocking the sensor.

You should go over here and tell all these guys they are full of "BS"

HF Helmet battery replacement webpage?

Harbor Freight Auto-Darkening Solar Welding Helmet Repair - pskl.us

 

[PJSprog]

Speaking of jack stands, the aluminum ones that you can get for $30 with a "sale" and a coupon are terrific. They hold the vehicle up as well as the steel ones but are light as a feather.

Aluminum Jack Stands - 3 Ton

I really like mine when used on a concrete surface in the shop.

Thanks, goods to know. I need a new set, as a family member seems to have absconded with the old set we had in the barn. Should be more than enough for working on lawn mowers.

 

[Djames55]

You may want to read the manual for them...
First thing under Operation "Warning"! Never crawl under the vehicle when supporting it with Jack Stands.

I bought my Aluminum Jack Stands back in 2012 I don't know if it still says this or not... I know on all the steel jack stands I have bought from HF it don't give this warning...

Trust them at your own risk. Maybe they have this warning to cover their ***.

 

[IslandTractor]

You may want to read the manual for them... First thing under Operation "Warning"! Never crawl under the vehicle when supporting it with Jack Stands. I bought my Aluminum Jack Stands back in 2012 I don't know if it still says this or not... I know on all the steel jack stands I have bought from HF it don't give this warning... Trust them at your own risk. Maybe they have this warning to cover their ***.

If they are engineered to take the same load I can't see why there would be any safety difference between steel and aluminum. In fact as they age rust might weaken the steel version. I strongly suspect no engineer was involved in writing the different warnings, just lawyers.