Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[KubotainNH]

Just FYI, that's my site. I made it a couple years ago and have been trying to keep it going as much as I can, upgrading here and there. Glad to see you guys like it, and hope it keeps saving ya'll some money

Appreciated, I used it for the free magnetic tool holder. I've never seen that one free here.

 

[dragoneggs]

Appreciated, I used it for the free magnetic tool holder. I've never seen that one free here.

Hey cool... just bought a magnetic parts holder and want another one or two. Thanks for the pointer to the coupon, Clintz!

 

[AchingBack]

I'm bartering for an older model Central Machinery 10", 12 speed drill press. Although it has the chuck key, it doesn't have a chuck release key, or any other tools. I assume the chuck release key must be use if you ever needed to remove the chuck. A search for a chuck release key has left me clueless. Maybe I'll never need one, I hope. To give you an idea of the possible age of the drill, the table is round. It does have the table vise, too.

This is an older unit from Harbor Freight. Perhaps twenty years old. The deceased gentleman built a beautiful portable table for it. His daughter was asking $75.00. I offered to properly prune her ornamental trees; about an hours worth of work.

 

[npalen]

Is this perhaps what you're referring to as a "chuck release key"? Some better drill presses have the chuck attached to the spindle via a morse taper shank. There would be a slot in the spindle in which the "key" is inserted to extract the chuck. I've always heard the key referred to as a "drift".

Edit: Sorry, I posted the wrong URL above. Should be this:

HHIP 39-265 4-piece Drift/Center Key Set (Mt 1-2-3- and 4/5/6): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[TheMan419]

Just FYI, that's my site. I made it a couple years ago and have been trying to keep it going as much as I can, upgrading here and there. Glad to see you guys like it, and hope it keeps saving ya'll some money

Nice. Thank you so much. The NPR coupons are awesome of course. The batteries may not last as long as if you bought Duracell in the store, but free is free

 

[Travelover]

........... The batteries may not last as long as if you bought Duracell in the store, but free is free

Just don't put them in anything you care about and leave them there long enough to leak and corrode.

 

[TheMan419]

Just don't put them in anything you care about and leave them there long enough to leak and corrode.

Lol true. Usually either something that is going to chew through them or the free flashlight. So that is good. Stuff I really want to count on get "real" batteries.

 

[mcfarmall]

I'm bartering for an older model Central Machinery 10", 12 speed drill press. Although it has the chuck key, it doesn't have a chuck release key, or any other tools. I assume the chuck release key must be use if you ever needed to remove the chuck. A search for a chuck release key has left me clueless. Maybe I'll never need one, I hope. To give you an idea of the possible age of the drill, the table is round. It does have the table vise, too.

This is an older unit from Harbor Freight. Perhaps twenty years old. The deceased gentleman built a beautiful portable table for it. His daughter was asking $75.00. I offered to properly prune her ornamental trees; about an hours worth of work.

The item you seek is called a drift. They are used to remove Morse taper drills or drill chucks from a spindle with a Morse taper. Look at MSCdirect.com and you'll find them.

 

[sixdogs]

Earthquake 1/2" XT. This is the high torque, composite version of their regular 1/2" Earthquake impact gun and it is impressive and then some.

1/2 in. Composite Xtreme Torque Air Impact Wrench

I was going to buy the regular 1/2" impact version but this was on sale for only $95 (great price) and when I picked it up I was shocked at how light it was. Not sure on the exact weight but 4 1/2 lbs comes to mind. Whatever it is, it's much lighter than the regular, non-composite version of the same thing. That one feels like holding a lead brick by comparison.

It's beautifully fit and finished and is shockingly powerful. It's only been used once but took off a stubborn nut and was ultra smooth in doing it. It gets almost a full five stars in the ratings and I can understand why. These Earthquale wrenches, especially the composite Earthquake line have to be one of the best deals coming out of Harbor Freight. Handling this wrench in the store and pondering it's good feel, I almost was able to set aside the overpowering smell of deteriorating Chinese rubber.

 

[clintz]

How did you get the XT model for only $95? They have a composite Earthquake for around that price but it's not the XT model?

 

[sixdogs]

How did you get the XT model for only $95? They have a composite Earthquake for around that price but it's not the XT model?

There was a flier in my email. Took it and got the tool. It might have been $96 or $97.

 

[KubotainNH]

I almost was able to set aside the overpowering smell of deteriorating Chinese rubber.

LOL, that is one thing I can do without. The rubber wheels on my new welder cart smelled like this too, I let them soak in vinegar and water which helped a bunch.

 

[npalen]

Benchtop Blast Cabinet
Received this unit and set it up this weekend. Was a bit apprehensive having read a number of threads regarding issues with the Harbor Freight blasting cabinets. There was very little assembly required and had to reseal only one small area next to a corner due to a shipping ding.
I added a 21" fluorescent light up in the rear inside corner which provides plenty of light for blasting. Using Black Beauty 20-40 mesh media which leaves a nice paintable surface on steel and cast iron.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Benchtop Blast Cabinet
Received this unit and set it up this weekend. Was a bit apprehensive having read a number of threads regarding issues with the Harbor Freight blasting cabinets. There was very little assembly required and had to reseal only one small area next to a corner due to a shipping ding.
I added a 21" fluorescent light up in the rear inside corner which provides plenty of light for blasting. Using Black Beauty 20-40 mesh media which leaves a nice paintable surface on steel and cast iron.

There are many videos posted on YouTube on performance enhancing modifications for the HF blast cabinets. Most are for the floor model but, I do remember some for the bench top model.

Please give us some feedback after you use it a while. Hope you have plenty of air compressor. I'm looking at the HF 5 HP/ 60 gallon unit.

 

[npalen]

There are many videos posted on YouTube on performance enhancing modifications for the HF blast cabinets. Most are for the floor model but, I do remember some for the bench top model.

Please give us some feedback after you use it a while. Hope you have plenty of air compressor. I'm looking at the HF 5 HP/ 60 gallon unit.

I'm running a 6HP/60 Gallon compressor and it seems to be plenty. Yeah, I've watched a lot of videos and read a bunch of posts and, like you say, lots of mods being done on the Harbor Freight blast cabinets.
To be honest, I'm happy with the unit as is but may find a need for some improvements as time goes on. My biggest concern was media leaks, (sounds like some kind of political issue, doesn't it) but everything seems to be sealed up fine including the door. I think that the reason for this is the fact that the unit comes prebuilt with welded and bolted construction.
I mounted the unit to the shop wall today to preserve floor space and it doesn't take up much room.

 

[dragoneggs]

I'm running a 6HP/60 Gallon compressor and it seems to be plenty. Yeah, I've watched a lot of videos and read a bunch of posts and, like you say, lots of mods being done on the Harbor Freight blast cabinets.
To be honest, I'm happy with the unit as is but may find a need for some improvements as time goes on. My biggest concern was media leaks, (sounds like some kind of political issue, doesn't it) but everything seems to be sealed up fine including the door. I think that the reason for this is the fact that the unit comes prebuilt with welded and bolted construction.
I mounted the unit to the shop wall today to preserve floor space and it doesn't take up much room.

The media leaks can be fixed easily with a little silicon or poly urethane sealant. Most importantly, you need negative pressure in your cabinet. Those that try to blast without sucking enough air out as exhaust are the ones who ***** like he11. Not the cabinet's fault.

 

[bcp]

Interesting comment on the HF flag.

3 Ft. x 5 Ft. American Flag with Embroidered Stars

Bruce

 

[downsizingnow48]

A few years back Minnesota made it illegal to sell American flags unless they are made in the USA.

 

[Pixguy]

A few years back Minnesota made it illegal to sell American flags unless they are made in the USA.

Yup, I bought a few flags this week and I would never buy an American flag made outside the US.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Yup, I bought a few flags this week and I would never buy an American flag made outside the US.

yep - I'm with you 100%. Last time I picked up an American flag at WalMart I discovered that it was "Made in China". Promptly took it back for a refund. My American flag says "Made in the USA".