Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

Look what's coming!

That photo is hosted on HF's website. Model #63616.

And they have the owner manual online:
https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/63000-63999/63616.pdf

Specs

120V, draws 20.5A at 100A output.
Welding current range 30~140A.
Rated duty cycle 40% @ 100A, 100% @ 75A.
Open Current Voltage 42VDC.
Spool capacity up to 12 lb spool.

There's a little bit of marketing magic there, nobody has a 20.5 amp 120V outlet needed to get 100 amps output, and the claimed 140A output would need 40% more than that. But other, more reputable vendors claim 130~140A for their 120V welders too.

Much thanks to KMA over on Welding Web for tracking this down:
New "Vulcan" welder line?

 

[PhysAssist]

Hf has them, I have the set. But I just now went through a half dozen search terms before locating them on the website.

Hex Drill Socket Driver Set 3 Pc

They don't make it easy do they- it took me about 1/2 dozen searches to find the floor mats- never thinking that I needed to search foam mat, instead.

and for the adapters, drill and driver instead of adapter, oh well.

 

[PhysAssist]

When it comes to locking pliers, the only ones that you can really count on are Vice Grip and other American based brands. Germany too I would guess. Economy locking pliers are soft. Most can be destroyed by just getting as firm a locked grip as your strength allows. The pins in the joints bend and will finally shear if used tight over and over.

While I do love my Vice Grips- , and I DO, witness that I still have the set that were some of the first tools my da ever gave me, when I were just a sprat, and I just bought one of their chain pipe sets,

and I hate to rain on your parade...

From the Irwin Industrial Tools Wikipedia page: Irwin Industrial Tools - Wikipedia

"In 2008, Irwin announced the closing of its DeWitt, Nebraska plant, ending 80 years of American production for Vise-Grips, citing a necessity to move production to China "to keep the Vise-Grip name competitive."[9]"

This is the AP story referenced by footnote #9 above: Workers sorry Vise-Grip plant moving to China - Business - Local business | NBC News

I also have some of the older vice grips w/o the release lever- which according to the WP article, makes them even older than me. :confused3:

...and putting strict isolationist nationalism aside, just 'cuz they ain't made here, don't of necessity make 'em junk...

 

[sixdogs]

I like those. Much better than HF's red ones, better than earplugs. I have noticeably less fatigue after a day of tractor operation using these.

Yes they are better, BUT if you also want to get a couple pairs of the cheap red ones along with some throwaway $1 safety glasses, you have them in the event of an emergency or if you're off site and you forgot the good ones. Something is better than nothing in that event. I don't wear the low end stuff hardly ever but faced with a 20 mile round trip back to the barn or low-buck ear muffs, the make do is better than none at all and for a dollar who cares if you never use them.

 

[weldingisfun]

I learned during my last HF visit that the 20% OFF coupons are even more limited than I believed. They cannot be used on any product with the brand names listed in the coupon. For example, there is a set of titanium drill bits with the Hercules brand on it, Hercules Titanium Drill Bit Set 21 Pc. No discount!

 

[SPYDERLK]

I thought the couplers were at the end of the line. But I see you said they were but then it went into the test jig.

While I do love my Vice Grips- , and I DO, witness that I still have the set that were some of the first tools my da ever gave me, when I were just a sprat, and I just bought one of their chain pipe sets,

and I hate to rain on your parade...

From the Irwin Industrial Tools Wikipedia page: Irwin Industrial Tools - Wikipedia

"In 2008, Irwin announced the closing of its DeWitt, Nebraska plant, ending 80 years of American production for Vise-Grips, citing a necessity to move production to China "to keep the Vise-Grip name competitive."[9]"[/COLOR]

This is the AP story referenced by footnote #9 above: Workers sorry Vise-Grip plant moving to China - Business - Local business | NBC News

I also have some of the older vice grips w/o the release lever- which according to the WP article, makes them even older than me. :confused3:

...and putting strict isolationist nationalism aside, just 'cuz they ain't made here, don't of necessity make 'em junk...

Yes. I was aware they went to China, and was pretty skeptical at 1st. Theyre still the best but I prefer the pre switch by a small margin. The only actual improvement was the allen key socket in the adjustment screw.​

On the NEG side Iv had the new ones jam in the open position sometimes and require the jaw to be manually squeezed shut a little to let the handle operate. Never happened with the American made ones. Also theres a little less metal in the handle grip area. Its narrower and not quite as nice on the fingers.

Over the years I had a couple problems with Vise Grips, and phoned them. I was immediately sent a new set, maybe two, from the factory.​

I suspect they still stand just as firmly behind their product.

BTW, I have a set w/o the release. I found it in the street about 5yrs ago. Doesnt look old. Still made?? :confused3:

This type actaully has a very slightly higher jaw force at lock. ... Its because the over center point right before lock is closer to the physical stop. The over center point is max force and the leverless ones go barely beyond so that youll be able to release without the mechanical advantage offered by the release lever​

Theyre a little more hair trigger because of that.

 

[bcp]

From:
IRWIN History - IRWIN TOOLS

About four decades later there was another blacksmith with an idea, this one in the small town of DeWitt, Nebraska. William Petersen was a Danish immigrant who invented the first locking pliers in his blacksmith shop, and began selling them from the trunk of his car to farmers and people in surrounding towns. He patented his new idea and called it Vise-Grip.

It was the beginning of what would become two tool industry leaders, joining forces to create one industry giant.

In 1993 the company's histories would converge. Petersen Manufacturing, which changed its name to American Tool Companies in 1985, acquired the IRWIN Tool Company.


Petersen Vise-Grip photos

Vise-Grip patent 1924

Bruce

 

[California]

I also have some of the older vice grips w/o the release lever- which according to the WP article, makes them even older than me. :confused3:

I found my first ViseGrips in an obscure space inside the grille of a 1949 Olds 88 that I bought in 1961 from my uncle - who had bought the car new. The pliers cleaned up ok but they had been in there a while. Non-locking version.

I'll look around and see if I still have them.

 

[Sysop]

 

[Midniteoyl]

...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-tools-dont-suck-post4833820.html#post4833820

 

[Sysop]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-tools-dont-suck-post4833820.html#post4833820

Ewps, missed it. Good catch!

 

[Midniteoyl]

Ewps, missed it. Good catch!

You're up early, but not that early

 

[DFB]

I found my first ViseGrips in an obscure space inside the grille of a 1949 Olds 88 that I bought in 1961 from my uncle - who had bought the car new. The pliers cleaned up ok but they had been in there a while. Non-locking version.

I'll look around and see if I still have them.

Back in my old motorcycle Enduro dirt bike days more than once a pair vice grips become a makeshift gear box lever or foot peg after said part may have succumbed to boulder or was mangled beyond normal recognition

 

[V65ozzie]

I like their ball pein hammers, the ones with the yellow handles. I'm on my 3rd set in two years. My guys lose them constantly.......... I've had luck with their impact sockets. I have a bunch of their cheap sockets, they sit in a box for those times I have to build a tool for a one time job or such, they also double as press adapters.
Harbor freight has it's place in my tool box, generally for disposable use

 

[Midniteoyl]

Back in my old motorcycle Enduro dirt bike days more than once a pair vice grips become a makeshift gear box lever or foot peg after said part may have succumbed to boulder or was mangled beyond normal recognition

Mine was a hood release handle..

 

[California]

Back in my old motorcycle Enduro dirt bike days more than once a pair vice grips become a makeshift gear box lever or foot peg after said part may have succumbed to boulder or was mangled beyond normal recognition

I recently found a rusted footpeg in the orchard that I think I recall ripping off of my BSA, in about 1964.

After the second winter of that as my only transportation I gave up on bikes for a long time. Then about 1988 we had a slide covering the logging trail back into my gold mining claim so I went out to the flea market and got a $100 junker dirt bike to haul stuff in. (between carburetor teardowns). I brought that back to the orchard and looped it clear over backwards climbing the terraces here too fast. No injury, but as I watched the bike tumble head over heels down the slope it occurred to me that at over 50 and responsible for a family, that was enough dirt biking for me.

 

[California]

Ok, back on-topic for this thread.

I'm surprised no one commented on my post #7701 above, the introduction of a new line of 'Vulcan' welders at HF that are likely to be clones of Hobart, Everlast, or something. I think this marks HF stepping up to go toe to toe with the big boys, or at least with the reputable brand welders sold at the box stores, TSC, etc.

That page linked over on Welding Web shows the new Vulcan line is in pre-order status now. And I see HF's flagship mig welder, mig-180, is on sale for $249 which may be a closeout.

Does anyone know more about this?

 

[Oaktree]

Hearing Protector

which are the ones that we had borrowed at the range, and which, even though the online specs say they are rated for 25 dB noise reduction [the packaging says 35 dB IIRC], are WAY better than my electronic ones, which are also rated at 25 dB NR.

How do they stand up? Never tried the HF ones, but I've had several from HD or Lowes with plastic headbands, I'd be lucky to get a summer out of them. Now maybe I've just got a big head, but those always broke in half after a few uses. Finally broke down and got an American-made set at a real tool store with a spring steel band...8 years and still like new.
I suppose the HF cheapies are good to keep in the truck for emergencies as someone else mentioned, but I wouldn't want 'em for my only pair.

 

[jimmysisson]

We used a couple pair of Peterson vice grips to haul roof plywood up mid-seventies. Used a muffler clamp u-bolt w threads cut off welded to the rounded portion between handle and jaws. Worked well for cheap.
Jim

 

[Michael Aos]

I just started using the $35 Hercules 4.5" 7-amp small angle grinder. Liking it so far.
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