Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[PhysAssist]

Havent looked in awhile, but, it use to be those sales books you got in the mail would have one price for an item on the front cover, or at least close to the front, and another cheaper price for the same item closer to the back of the book but with a different item number. Exact same thing. As it is, most of their items still have multiple item numbers.

Every time I look , I find at least one or two of these conflicts.

As far as I'm concerned, shopping at HF is just like shopping on the internet or any/everywhere else- you HAVE to know what is a good deal and what isn't, keep track of prices, and watch for what you want to hit the price that is right for you.

That said, I'm the guy that bought the old model HF portable bandsaw which I bought on clearance for $99, when the sale price on the new model in the store was marked way higher, got home and found a coupon for the new saw for $99, and immediately returned the old model for a new one- a much better tool.

All the other comments about multiple prices on one item, coupons that have varied utility, and all the various marketing things they do to encourage impulse buys, are not awfully much different from the "tools and tricks" of the trade that I was taught in management school when I went into store management ["promoted" from stocking shelves] at Gold Circle [a Walmart/Target wannabe from Ohio] in the early 1980's.

 

[Travelover]

Havent looked in awhile, but, it use to be those sales books you got in the mail would have one price for an item on the front cover, or at least close to the front, and another cheaper price for the same item closer to the back of the book but with a different item number. Exact same thing. As it is, most of their items still have multiple item numbers.

I'm not sure HF does this to be deceptive, I think they have a number of Chinese suppliers for each item and they have a unique item number for each supplier so they can keep track of each, for recall purposes, for example.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm not sure HF does this to be deceptive, I think they have a number of Chinese suppliers for each item and they have a unique item number for each supplier so they can keep track of each, for recall purposes, for example.

HF has Chinese suppliers????

 

[BigBoyToys]

Decided to swap out the original HF 20 ton press jack with the HF 20 ton air jack. It was on sale and I had a 20% coupon so I couldn't pass it up. Also added in an inline oil feed. Makes using the metal brake so much faster! :thumbsup:

 

[Threepoint]

Decided to swap out the original HF 20 ton press jack with the HF 20 ton air jack. It was on sale and I had a 20% coupon so I couldn't pass it up. Also added in an inline oil feed. Makes using the metal brake so much faster! :thumbsup:

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Sweet. I've thought about doing this, too, but so far I haven't used the press for more than a few small things. If I add a metal brake, I'll for sure do it. BTW, I've heard that the air-operated jack is one noisy sucker. Wear your hearing protection!

 

[dragoneggs]

Havent looked in awhile, but, it use to be those sales books you got in the mail would have one price for an item on the front cover, or at least close to the front, and another cheaper price for the same item closer to the back of the book but with a different item number. Exact same thing. As it is, most of their items still have multiple item numbers.

Yes there are different item numbers but they aren't the exact same thing. Very close maybe. For instance the 20t shop press for quite some time had two numbers... maybe still does. The orange press and the newer grey press. Besides the color there were a few other tweaks. I like to read as many of the reviews on HF tools on their site and youtube, etc. to really help with understanding their value and certain things to be aware of and mods.

Decided to swap out the original HF 20 ton press jack with the HF 20 ton air jack. It was on sale and I had a 20% coupon so I couldn't pass it up. Also added in an inline oil feed. Makes using the metal brake so much faster! :thumbsup:

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I did the exact same mod to my 20t... makes it much faster and more pleasurable. My only issue was when I installed the inline oiler and it slowed my jack too much using my old craftsman air compressor. I took it off for now until I upgrade to a much more powerful compressor with larger tank. I am eyeing the HF 5hp 60gal compressor and don't think I really need that much, but want this to be my last and will handle my eventual plasma cutter.

 

[California]

New toys!

I see HF is now selling a Li-Ion power pack that isn't much larger than a phone but can start a car.

Reviews on Amazon for similar models are favorable. You can carry it in the glovebox, it holds a charge for years, it will start a good size car, pickup, or diesel tractor up to maybe 30hp. And start these more than once.

For me, I think I would pay a little more for a similar model on Amazon that additionally has 19 volts out for my laptop. But the amperage rating on this HF model is right up there with the better ones I see on Amazon.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Yes there are different item numbers but they aren't the exact same thing. Very close maybe. For instance the 20t shop press for quite some time had two numbers... maybe still does. The orange press and the newer grey press. Besides the color there were a few other tweaks. I like to read as many of the reviews on HF tools on their site and youtube, etc. to really help with understanding their value and certain things to be aware of and mods.

The first 3 are exactly the same.. Same price now, but not always: Search results for: 'jack'

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

New toys!

I see HF is now selling a Li-Ion power pack that isn't much larger than a phone but can start a car.

Reviews on Amazon for similar models are favorable. You can carry it in the glovebox, it holds a charge for years, it will start a good size car, pickup, or diesel tractor up to maybe 30hp. And start these more than once.

For me, I think I would pay a little more for a similar model on Amazon that additionally has 19 volts out for my laptop. But the amperage rating on this HF model is right up there with the better ones I see on Amazon.

Do you thin it will keep its charge even after repeated freezing?

 

[BigBoyToys]

BTW, I've heard that the air-operated jack is one noisy sucker. Wear your hearing protection!

It really isn't that loud. Just a deep thumping sound. Much less noisy that I thought it would be.