Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[LD48750]

I recently needed to cut a slit in a pipe.
Tried many different ways & couldn't get a straight cut lengthwise.
Bought this (7-1/4 in. 48T Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade) metal cutting blade for my skill saw & IT WORKED!!!!!!. (mounted in my radial arm saw.)
I don't know how long it's going to last but it sure beats a hacksaw or even a sawsall.

 

[PhysAssist]

A few days ago I posted about buying this kit - Air Compressor Pressure Switch, Safety Valve, and Gauge - $12.50 on Ebay.
1/4" BSP 4 Port Single Phase Air Compressor Pressure Switch + Safety Valve Gauge | eBay

...To repair my year 2010 Harbor Freight 10 gallon compressor.

I got the kit installed.

Thank you for the comprehensive notes- they may be helpful for many of us at some point.
PA

 

[PhysAssist]

Handy, yes but if you keep in the barn, put in a plastic bag. The mice LOVE them.

Plastic bags don't stop the destructive behavior of the members of genus rodentia in our barns or out buildings- in fact very little except frequent presence of humans or some of our 4-legged assistants [particularly the feline one] keeps them suppressed.

For that reason we have rodent traps spaced throughout the perimeter of the barn, including one at each end of the roll-up door.

Unfortunately, HF doesn't sell any traps apropos for the smaller rodents we see, only these: Search results for: 'trap'

 

[PhysAssist]

I recently needed to cut a slit in a pipe.
Tried many different ways & couldn't get a straight cut lengthwise.
Bought this (7-1/4 in. 48T Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade) metal cutting blade for my skill saw & IT WORKED!!!!!!. (mounted in my radial arm saw.)
I don't know how long it's going to last but it sure beats a hacksaw or even a sawsall.

Is that the usual diameter blade that your Radial Arm saw uses?

Mine is [IIRC] 10", [at least] and I don't recall ever having seen any smaller bladed ones.

Mine's an old Sears-Craftsman I "inherited" from a B-I-L, what make is yours?

I'm asking because if the 7.25" diameter blade worked on yours, I could prolly use it on mine too, and that would be a great addition to my cold-cut cut-off saw, which I can't use to make long straight "ripping" cuts on linear stock any better than you could.

 

[/pine]

Something I just ran across is a fuel injection replacement for the carb on Predator 212 cc engines...

For those that are not familiar with the 212...they are a Honda clone and most honda and 3rd party performance parts will fit the 212...

here's a link to the mechanical injection Tillotson TCT Mechanical Fuel Injection ( Carburetor Replacement) - GoPowerSports.com

 

[California]

...Radial Arm saw... 10" ... old Sears-Craftsman ...

Are you familiar with the recall on some of those saws? Send in the motor, get $100. I did this with the one I inherited. There was a design error that would let the work jump upward into the unshielded blade.

Craftsman Radial Arm Saw Recall

 

[PhysAssist]

Are you familiar with the recall on some of those saws? Send in the motor, get $100. I did this with the one I inherited. There was a design error that would let the work jump upward into the unshielded blade.

Craftsman Radial Arm Saw Recall

Nope, probably because I was gifted it by my B-I-L after he legitimately inherited it from his dad and, had already bought a better newer one...

But many thanks, now that I know, I'll look into it post-haste!

Did you replace the motor with some fraction of the $100, because I don't think I can buy a comparable radial arm saw for that price.

PA

 

[Oaktree]

Here's one that does suck, their 1.5W solar battery charger. I picked one up to use on an ATV that's normally stored in a shed with no electricity. Last time I tried to start it, battery dead. Put a meter on the panel connector, 0 volts. Took it apart, everything looked connected, but the wires are just held to the back of the panel by some sort of snot, which apparently wasn't doing a very good job making contact. Tried to solder them on, but neither the panel nor the cheap Chinese wire they used would accept solder. Finally glued them on with some epoxy. Works now, but even in direct sunlight barely puts out 12V. At least I got it with a 20% off coupon. :confused3:

Curiously, how is the output wiring attached on "real" solar panels?

 

[PhysAssist]

Something I just ran across is a fuel injection replacement for the carb on Predator 212 cc engines...

For those that are not familiar with the 212...they are a Honda clone and most honda and 3rd party performance parts will fit the 212...

here's a link to the mechanical injection Tillotson TCT Mechanical Fuel Injection ( Carburetor Replacement) - GoPowerSports.com

Hi /Pine,

Have you tried using one of these yet?

I have a 420cc Predator motor on my DR Brush Mower, and it's a great running engine, once it gets started, but despite using fuel stabilizers, and running it dry in the fall, it seems like every spring I still need to take the carb off and apart and clean and degum it- and even though I've gotten pretty practiced at it after several seasons, it's a true PITA, and inevitably, I foul [euphemism for what comes out of my mouth loudly at this juncture yearly] something up and have to replace or repair some ting.

So, if this was a likely more reliable way for fuel/air to get inside it, I'd love to get one...

Thanks,
PA

 

[lostcreekranch]

Plastic bags don't stop the destructive behavior of the members of genus rodentia in our barns or out buildings- in fact very little except frequent presence of humans or some of our 4-legged assistants [particularly the feline one] keeps them suppressed.

For that reason we have rodent traps spaced throughout the perimeter of the barn, including one at each end of the roll-up door.

Unfortunately, HF doesn't sell any traps apropos for the smaller rodents we see, only these: Search results for: 'trap'

We’ve had really good luck with these to catch mice in and around feed room at the barn and in the shop.



I buy them at Wally World and Home Depot.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Victor-Easy-Set-Mouse-Traps-4-pk/12166945

 

[LD48750]

Is that the usual diameter blade that your Radial Arm saw uses?

Mine is [IIRC] 10", [at least] and I don't recall ever having seen any smaller bladed ones.

Mine's an old Sears-Craftsman I "inherited" from a B-I-L, what make is yours?

I'm asking because if the 7.25" diameter blade worked on yours, I could prolly use it on mine too, and that would be a great addition to my cold-cut cut-off saw, which I can't use to make long straight "ripping" cuts on linear stock any better than you could.

No, the saw takes a bigger blade.
No markings tell me what size it is but I'd guess (without measuring an old blade) that it is a 9". (They made 8, 9 & 10 inch for a short time.)
Also a Sears-Craftsman, inherited from ex F-I-L. Late 50's early 60's vintage.
The 7 1/4 just barley gets down to the table but did cross cut the pipe.

If I was trying to rip sheet stock, I would put a shim under it, something like a piece of paneling or plywood.

P.S. Wear protection, eye, face, & anything else the CHIPS can get at. They are sharp & hot.

Metal Saw - YouTube

 

[California]

Are you familiar with the recall on some of those saws?
Craftsman Radial Arm Saw Recall

Nope ... now that I know, I'll look into it post-haste!

Did you replace the motor with some fraction of the $100, because I don't think I can buy a comparable radial arm saw for that price.

I didn't replace that saw. I went to Lowe's and bought the Skil table saw that is an identical twin to HF's version and a better deal. For the same price, about $129. the Skil-labelled one includes the stand.

 

[weldingisfun]

I recently needed to cut a slit in a pipe.
Tried many different ways & couldn't get a straight cut lengthwise.
Bought this (7-1/4 in. 48T Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade) metal cutting blade for my skill saw & IT WORKED!!!!!!. (mounted in my radial arm saw.)
I don't know how long it's going to last but it sure beats a hacksaw or even a sawsall.

For what it is worth, I have been using the HF metal cutting circular saw, that they no longer carry, with that same blade for about five years. It is still going strong with the original blade.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Got one in the barn, better check it. I think its in the plastic bag it came in.

No mice in the barn blanket, stuck it it tractor cab.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I got this vise from Harbor Freight in 1982. Made in China. But smooth and tight even today, 35 years later. I got it because I needed a heavy vise and the US-made vises were just stupid expensive, this one was 1/3 the cost.

Some HVAC guys were doing some work here the other day and admiring it. That is what brought it to mind, I have had it so long I don't even notice it. Checked their website, nothing like it there now.

 

[bcp]

I've had this or a similar one for about 20 years. No problems.

5 in. Multi-Purpose Vise

Bruce

 

[crazyal]

I got this vise from Harbor Freight in 1982. Made in China. But smooth and tight even today, 35 years later. I got it because I needed a heavy vise and the US-made vises were just stupid expensive, this one was 1/3 the cost.

Some HVAC guys were doing some work here the other day and admiring it. That is what brought it to mind, I have had it so long I don't even notice it. Checked their website, nothing like it there now.

You got one of the good ones. Mine was red but exactly the same. The casting was poor so they used plastic body filler to make it look nice. Found out one day while bending a piece of steel with a torch. The filler they use quickly caught fire and stunk to high heaven. It did last a number of years but the nut the threads screw into finally broke. Over all, for the price it wasn't bad and had it not been tightened down as tightly it may still be around.

 

[PJSprog]

We’ve had really good luck with these to catch mice in and around feed room at the barn and in the shop.

View attachment 528077

I buy them at Wally World and Home Depot.

For my money, those Victor traps are the only ones that really work well (although I prefer the metal catch over those plastic ones). We pay a service at work to come in and deal with pest control. They have those silly plastic traps all over the place that a mouse is supposed to walk into and get stuck. I've never seen a mouse in one. I brought in a Victor trap last week, put a raisin in the catch before I left for the evening, and had a dead mouse the next morning.

... and in keeping with the thread, no, I don't think I've ever seen them sold in HF stores.

 

[downsizingnow48]

You got one of the good ones. Mine was red but exactly the same. The casting was poor so they used plastic body filler to make it look nice. Found out one day while bending a piece of steel with a torch. The filler they use quickly caught fire and stunk to high heaven. It did last a number of years but the nut the threads screw into finally broke. Over all, for the price it wasn't bad and had it not been tightened down as tightly it may still be around.

Today will have to go check for that filler.

 

[Travelover]

Another new freebie. I use a similar one from Dollar Tree as a night light in my camper for midnite potty trips. Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - LED SUPER BRIGHT FLIP LIGHT