Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Midniteoyl]

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

All of these auto helmets use a solar cell and rechargeable LiIon batts.. They do go bad. I dont see your point though as nothing you linked actually talked bad about the HF helmets..

 

[Midniteoyl]

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 ***.

So that was your review on HF saying that huh?

I have had several stands and some have said not to trust them with your life, some didnt. I suspect the aluminum ones are made by a different OEM than the steel ones and thus the difference in the manual and wording.

 

[Travelover]

........ I don't see your point though as nothing you linked actually talked bad about the HF helmets..

One thing I've noticed is that HF quality is all over the place for the exact same item. Even the reviews HF publishes on their website show a bunch of people that love it and as many that bought a dud. Fortunately, there is often someone who figures out how to "fix" the defect or recognize it before the warranty runs out.

 

[California]

FWIW my HF Blue Flame helmet works like new in occasional use over 5 years but is too dark for low power welding. I replaced it with one that has ranges lower than its 9 minimum.

 

[JRobyn]

Just announced!! A new HF in Cookeville, TN! This is only about 10 miles from me.

 

[CreekyB]

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.

I verify mine on a calibration bench. We have to have our torque wrenches calibrated at least annually, for some processes it is more frequent. I do all of mine quarterly, I do not keep them if they deviate more than +/- 1% over a 3 month span.

I only own one beam torque wrench, it is an inch pound, I use it to set preload on some bearing assemblies.

I am just funny that way, I also only use two brands of multimeters and two brands of oscilloscopes, again, just what I have found to serve me in my needs with the highest level of accuracy.

There are other brands with great accuracy I am sure. These happened to have made a LOT of mortgage payments and bought a LOT of food.

 

[IslandTractor]

Just announced!! A new HF in Cookeville, TN! This is only about 10 miles from me.

Warning. Don't buy anything the first few trips. Take your wife with you and leave the credit card in your car.

 

[JRobyn]

Warning. Don't buy anything the first few trips. Take your wife with you and leave the credit card in your car.

Thanks, but not an issue - I'm a HF veteran. Many, many $$$ expended there at the Atlanta stores over the years.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks, but not an issue - I'm a HF veteran. Many, many $$$ expended there at the Atlanta stores over the years.

My name is Island and I'm a HF addict....

 

[hutchman]

All of these auto helmets use a solar cell and rechargeable LiIon batts.. They do go bad. I dont see your point though as nothing you linked actually talked bad about the HF helmets..

I wasn't talking bad about the HF helmets ... it's all I have. All I was saying is they will eventually crap out and when they do you can either toss them or fix them.

It's been a few years since I fixed one but I just looked back at some links and it looks like they have CR2032 batteries. There are re-chargeable and regular type. I thought I remembered reading somewhere that CR2032's weren't rechargeable but looking again at the links it looks they there is a rechargeable version.

HF Helmet battery replacement webpage?
Reviving an AutoDarkening Welding Helmet

I like them and am glad I didn't spring for one of the more expensive $180+ versions as they appear to eventually die and have the non-replaceable batteries too.