Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

New toys!

I found the deal of the century, a Harbor Freight MIG 180 welder, current model 68886 and a Grizzly tig/stick welder from someone who had upgraded and sold these ridiculously cheap. I've checked out both, both run as they should. The HF has had all the modifications that enthusiasts perform on these: longer and heavier gauge 220 volt power cable as well as replacement heavier, longer 10 ft stinger and ground cables. A switched jumbo capacitor added, then the guy got carried away with a modification for smooth running of a 10 lb spool. I ordered a replacement standard spool holder so I can use up the several 2 lb rolls of flux core I have on hand. Finally he put in a solid copper bussbar in place of the factory jumper so I need to make a jumper for the DCEN (electrode negative) that flux wire calls for. I don't see anything else that it needs to put it in service.

The Grizzly welder is interesting. Grizzly imports decent machinists stuff but this is an orphan, no support available. I hacked up a plug to replace the twist-lock I found on it and tried it out, it works fine. A proper plug has been ordered.

I commented on these over in the welding forum but I expect more people familiar with the HF Mig 180 will see my description here. What can anyone tell me about the HF - or the Grizzly?

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I found a HF tool that seriously DOES suck. It's the ratcheting PVC pipe cutter.

Finger Release Ratcheting PVC Cutter

It is so flimsy that the blade deflects when about 1/2 way through a piece of 3/4" pvc, and you wind up with an angled cut. And the tool was brand new.

I knew it couldn't be very good for $6.79, but I thought it might be ok for a few cuts. Nope. Back it goes to the HF store.

 

[dragoneggs]

I found a HF tool that seriously DOES suck. It's the ratcheting PVC pipe cutter.

Finger Release Ratcheting PVC Cutter

It is so flimsy that the blade deflects when about 1/2 way through a piece of 3/4" pvc, and you wind up with an angled cut. And the tool was brand new.

I knew it couldn't be very good for $6.79, but I thought it might be ok for a few cuts. Nope. Back it goes to the HF store.

Hey Pappy, make sure you tell them the tool sucks and it wasn't just a 'rental return'. They need that feedback. I sort of know the manager at our closest HF and he said they need to know the difference and often people don't say so they assume it was just used for an odd job.

 

[California]

I found a HF tool that seriously DOES suck. It's the ratcheting PVC pipe cutter.

Finger Release Ratcheting PVC Cutter

HF must have a new supplier. I have a blue one I bought there 5 years ago that works as intended, on 3/4 and 1.25" pvc pipe. It seems a little flimsier than an expensive pro tool but it makes clean, square cuts.

Agree, when you take an unsatisfactory tool back, tell them what they got wrong. I did this recently with both a hand-held belt sander and also the 4" belt plus 6" disc combo benchtop sander.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

HF must have a new supplier. I have a blue one I bought there 5 years ago that works as intended, on 3/4 and 1.25" pvc pipe. It seems a little flimsier than an expensive pro tool but it makes clean, square cuts. . . .

Mine is a black one like shown in the link. So, I think you're right - i.e., they changed suppliers.

This one sucks for sure, and it's going back. But all the good ones I've found are really expensive, and I don't do enough with PVC to justify the cost. I may try the Husky one from Home Depot and see if it works any better.

 

[Mendonsy]

I have a red one that is all metal and works fine. I think that it came from Home Depot, but the only marking I can find on it is "Taiwan".

 

[DFB]

I have a yellow one from many moons ago works okay for me...have cut a lot of back poly pipe with it. Cuts straight thru the thinner wall stuff easy enough.

Does seem to cut crooked on thick stuff like sched 40 pvc conduit if you try squeezing straight thru it. Working it like a pipe cutter and rotating the tool around the pipe helps a lot to get a straighter cut.

Harbor Freight Reviews - Ratchet Action Hose/PVC Pipe Cutter

 

[DFB]

I found a new use for the freebie magnetic flashlight.

I keep a couple stuck on my utility trailer that I store in a tight barn stall. Aside from general nightime use, when I have to back the trailer into its stall I stick the magnets on the back and side of the trailer to light up the wall so I can get the trailer close to the wall without gouging it.

Haha back up lights hey

I know what you mean about having a hard time seeing far back parking a trailer. I had to wire in backup lights on 18 ft tandem axle so I could see what I was doing after dark

 

[Gary Fowler]

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

I got some of the free batteries once. Put them in my camera and got the "low battery" warning from the get go. Not enough power to operate the camera, so not much good for flashlight either. Never bothered with them again.
Even Duracell batteries will leak when discharged, so I try to remember to remove all batteries from things that get tossed in a drawer for use "someday".

 

[Reg]

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.

Oh, "media leaks" - - gottit, EVENTUALLY.

 

[Reg]

The HF Freight hitch is listed at $209.99. Using a 20% 0ff coupon would make it $168.99 + Tax.
On Adventurerv.net you can buy a Reese Pro Series INCLUDING a 1000lb. BALL for $189. Shipping is not free, but there is NO TAX, and the 1000# BALL is INCLUDED!
I cannot imagine why ANYONE would want to take a (safety item) chance with a Harbor Freight hitch when the Reese Pro Series price is nearly equal.
Reese sells quality stuff!
Harbor Freight tools quality are widely variable!
Why is this thread titled "Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck"?
Who wants to experiment at 75 MPH?

75 with a trailer rig that "needs" a load distributing hitch ?
IMO that isn't an "experiment", it is a death wish.

Also IMO, you are MUCH better off setting up the truck and trailer to NOT NEED the (so called) WDH.

 

[94BULLITT]

I got some of the free batteries once. Put them in my camera and got the "low battery" warning from the get go. Not enough power to operate the camera, so not much good for flashlight either. Never bothered with them again.
Even Duracell batteries will leak when discharged, so I try to remember to remove all batteries from things that get tossed in a drawer for use "someday".

They say on the pack they are to be used in something with a low draw.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I got the 44" base wheeled tool box and the 27" base and chest set last weekend. The drawers of all three work smoothly empty. Their chest come with gas shocks to hold the lids open. My are bright red. The 44" box came on a pallet with the wheels mounted but I did need to tighten the 16 bolts holding them on while it was on the tailgate.

 

[fried1765]

75 with a trailer rig that "needs" a load distributing hitch ?
IMO that isn't an "experiment", it is a death wish.

Also IMO, you are MUCH better off setting up the truck and trailer to NOT NEED the (so called) WDH.

The posting by aeblank IS about a weight distributing hitch.
It is specifically about using a Harbor Freight weight distributing hitch.

 

[fried1765]

75 with a trailer rig that "needs" a load distributing hitch ?
IMO that isn't an "experiment", it is a death wish.

Also IMO, you are MUCH better off setting up the truck and trailer to NOT NEED the (so called) WDH.

There are probably hundreds of thousands of weight distribution hitches on the highways, and properly set up they are a great safety asset.
I use a 14.000 lb. capable "Equal-i-zer" hitch with my 12,000 lb. equipment trailer, and find it to be an excellent piece of safety equipment.
Sure, I could tow with a diesel dually, and have an 8 wheel trailer with air brakes, but that is simply cost prohibitive.
A properly rated weight distribution hitch is satisfactory equipment, for many uses.

 

[aeblank]

The posting by aeblank IS about a weight distributing hitch.
It is specifically about using a Harbor Freight weight distributing hitch.

Yes.
I ordered a Reese on Amazon just this morning. With the ball for $203.....

Might even make a death wish and go 75 for a moment or two.

 

[California]

I got some of the free batteries once. Put them in my camera and got the "low battery" warning from the get go. ... not much good for flashlight either.

Agree, that was my experience too. (The pale yellow conventional batteries, not the alkalines). They were useless for the several applications I tried.

Caution - The alkalines can age and leak. I use them in the TV remote, but I check them occasionally since in that low-current application they can age before losing charge.

Fry's used to have sales even cheaper than HF's prices for alkalines but I haven't seen that recently so HF's are the least expensive that I know of.

 

[fried1765]

Yes.
I ordered a Reese on Amazon just this morning. With the ball for $203.....

Might even make a death wish and go 75 for a moment or two.

I think you made a wise choice!
You should be just fine at 74,.... but NEVER 75!

 

[aeblank]

I think you made a wise choice!
You should be just fine at 74,.... but NEVER 75!

My rig at 74.5 is safer than my old Oldsmobile at 45...

My tongue weight dry is only 440lb. The 2500 should handle it OK.

 

[Gregster613]

I got here late. Island Tractor, I tried to copy and paste your response so it would be easier for others to follow but I failed at that attempt.

So here are my thoughts to TXdon; I sure would like to add my healthy and hearty applause to TXdon also!! What a grand looking addition you did to your property!! That is stunningly superb workmanship. I could only dream about being even slightly close to that good. Man, you are an skilled person! Very well built.
Greg