Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[PhysAssist]

But to do it right you need pallet racks to go with your pallet jack.

Why, when a pallet jack can't lift [or lower] them to [or from] the pallet racks?

 

[PhysAssist]

I use mine with caution but wouldn't be without it. I wish I had the first responder yellow model

I don't use mine [an older knock-off, not from HF] very often, but I can think of at least a few times it was indispensable, and I doubt anything else would've worked.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I checked that out, but the shipping would be upwards of $180.

If you have a NT store reasonably close, they will ship to store for free.

 

[newbury]

Why, when a pallet jack can't lift [or lower] them to [or from] the pallet racks?

So you can store stuff ABOVE the palletized contents. Used, good condition pallet racks with beams for 3 levels can often be found on CL for about $200 a section (2 uprights, 6 beams).

Some people get them free. I lucked into 7 sections (8 uprights 12' high, 42 beams 8.5' long) for $70, but most of mine were closer to $200 a section.



And if you decide to move them it's like Erector sets for adults (especially if you have a welder and can cut metal )

Then after you get them set up you have so much more space for all the "stuff" you buy at Harbor Freight

 

[300UGUY]

I just bought a 12 inch double miter chop saw for $135 at the sale last week. I haven't used it yet, but I will this week, and it has good ratings.

 

[sixdogs]

These "trailer alignment balls" are on sale for $7 with a coupon I got in the latest flier. Can't find it right now but that's an OK price. They aren't real well made but allow me to back up my truck ball into the trailer hitch with near 100% accuracy. It's a one man job now and this puts the risk of damaging the truck to zero. They do break pretty easy so get a couple sets.

After they break, and they will I use them to place on certain pieces of equipment so I don't hit them when backing up or pulling forward. Typical HF hit or miss quality but hard to argue with the necessity of having them.

Magnetic Trailer Alignment Kit

 

[California]

Another winner, at least for the price. 3x21 belt sander, $26.40 after 20% coupon. That's half the cost of similar low-end units at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

HF also sells a more expensive version priced similar to the box store sanders but this cheap one has better reviews. Why pay more and risk HF's uneven QC.

I bought this specifically because among the many yard sale 'treasures' I inherited, I found 28 sanding belts of this size so I went looking for a sander to mount them. It works great. I thought it might throw these 30+ year old belts but they run true and work like I just bought them.

If the tool lasts through the deck refinishing project I'm working on, I've received fair value for $26. So far it continues to run like new. With 90 day warranty I'm not risking much.

And a tip: I also have a 1980's Craftsman 4" belt sander and some belts, but that sander soon ate up the 'wear plate' between the moving belt and the belly of the sander. The wear plate is a piece of .008" (?) flexible sheet metal, cushioned from the sander body by a layer of cork. Sears Parts says this repair part is no longer available so this will go on Craigslist for someone else to fabricate that wear sheet. I destroyed a couple of belts trying to use that sander with that damaged backing then gave up and bought the HF unit to finish the job. But the 4" belts make great sandpaper for a 4" square orbital sander,far better than cutting down ordinary sandpaper due to the tough backing. It might be worth buying 4" belts to use on an orbital sander if your existing sanding pads tear loose before the abrasive is useless.

 

[paulsharvey]

Anyone have one of the smaller compressors? I'm thinking about the 8 gal. 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor or I might cheap out and get the 69269/97080. The small cheap one is $39.99 this weekend, it would do 90% of what I use one for. I would prefer an oil one like 62763/60567 at $129.99 or 69667/68740 at $119.99. Any thoughts on any of the above models?

 

[Garandman]

Anyone have one of the smaller compressors? I'm thinking about the 8 gal. 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor or I might cheap out and get the 69269/97080. //

I've had poor luck with oilless compressors.

Bought that 2hp 8 gallon for $139 and it's been great for home use. Added a 25' hose, accesory kit, and a ball valve. IIRC

We also have a larger 20 or 25 gallon HF compressor at work. We don't use it a lot but it's going on the second or third year.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Anyone have one of the smaller compressors? I'm thinking about the 8 gal. 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor or I might cheap out and get the 69269/97080. The small cheap one is $39.99 this weekend, it would do 90% of what I use one for. I would prefer an oil one like 62763/60567 at $129.99 or 69667/68740 at $119.99. Any thoughts on any of the above models?

I have the 2hp (or was it 2.5hp at the time?) 8gal.. Bought when on sale for $89 years ago. Works great. I take it everywhere. Mine looks like this one, but with a plastic handle instead of a metal bar: 8 gal. 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor

These are oil lubed compressors.