Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Michael Aos]

Went back and checked this morning. Turns out the "Made in Taiwan" version was on a different shelf.

Side-by-side, the Taiwan version is definitely nicer. I'm planning to return the Made in China version. I haven't used it.

I finally noticed the 2 different part-numbers for many products seems to correspond to China / Taiwan versions. Same price.


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Just purchased the 301pc Mechanics Tool Set on sale for $155.

I'd read they were manufactured in Taiwan, so I wanted to check it out. Mine says "Made in China" -- and the fit / finish looks like it.

I'll probably still keep it though.

I have a couple similar sets -- 2 different Craftsman versions (150pc, plus another similar sized), 2x Kirkland / Costco 159pc (very nice finish), and a Dewalt 181pc black chrome.

The problem with the smaller sets is that I always seem to need that 1 tool / bit / socket / wrench that isn't included.

 

[California]

Bought one of these belt sanders from HF several years ago.....it was cheap with a coupon. I have abused the heck out of it........still going strong and doing the job.

6.5 Amp 3 in. x 21 in. Heavy Duty Belt Sander

Your luck is better than mine.

That sander ran fine for two days preparing a deck for re-staining. However the zipper on the dust bag tore out in the first hour, the second or third time it was opened. it was miserable to operate. I returned the sander.

 

[sixdogs]

Went back and checked this morning. Turns out the "Made in Taiwan" version was on a different shelf.

Side-by-side, the Taiwan version is definitely nicer. I'm planning to return the Made in China version. I haven't used it.

I finally noticed the 2 different part-numbers for many products seems to correspond to China / Taiwan versions. Same price.

View attachment 529803
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Any tool you can find made in Taiwan are far nicer than Chinese and are getting close to rival some old time American tools that were well respected. Good steel, decent craftsmanship and I'm a buy America first guy if at all possible.

 

[/pine]

Bought one of these belt sanders from HF several years ago.....it was cheap with a coupon. I have abused the heck out of it........still going strong and doing the job.

6.5 Amp 3 in. x 21 in. Heavy Duty Belt Sander

Ditto
I bought the same sander about 9 years ago in a pinch in the middle of a job...it's since went through a dozen big all fiberglass (commercial fishing vessel) customization/fabrication jobs...

Just used it the the other day (up side down) to shape / re-fit a broken sledge handle to fit a hand axe head...

 

[jerrybob]

Your luck is better than mine.

That sander ran fine for two days preparing a deck for re-staining. However the zipper on the dust bag tore out in the first hour, the second or third time it was opened. it was miserable to operate. I returned the sander.

Sorry to hear. My sander has done floors, furniture and several buggy/wagon parts..........she just keeps going and I've not been gentle.

 

[jerrybob]

Ditto
I bought the same sander about 9 years ago in a pinch in the middle of a job...it's since went through a dozen big all fiberglass (commercial fishing vessel) customization/fabrication jobs...

Just used it the the other day (up side down) to shape / re-fit a broken sledge handle to fit a hand axe head...

:thumbsup::drink:

 

[California]

Sorry to hear. My sander has done floors, furniture and several buggy/wagon parts..........she just keeps going and I've not been gentle.

I liked the operation of the sander. Easy to handle, good power, effective. If the bag had held up I would have kept it as a favorite tool. I probably will buy that model next time I have a project, and will will of course keep it - assuming it doesn't fall apart like the first one. Duct tape holding the bag closed and a dust mask on me for two days wasn't fun.

 

[TheMan419]

3 Bin Wall Mount Parts Rack

Anyone use the above? I am just a homeowner, not a commercial repair guy. Building up the usual assortment of nuts, bolts, screws and whatsits from projects. Like to keep the left overs organized so when the next project comes along I don't have to run to the hardware store.

So I do not need anything too beefy, it will get some occasional use.

 

[California]

Building up the usual assortment of nuts, bolts, screws and whatsits from projects. Like to keep the left overs organized so when the next project comes along I don't have to run to the hardware store. So I do not need anything too beefy, it will get some occasional use.

I've had my wife saving jars for me for years, and I've settled on two sizes for leftover small fasteners: Plastic quart mayonnaise jars, because they are transparent, and unbreakable when filled with heavy stuff, and glass stuffed-olive jars for smaller items, including mixed small items in the same jar. With this slender shape, nothing is concealed if you roll the jar to shuffle the contents. I bought a heavy, maybe mil-surplus, 5-drawer office filing cabinet to keep these containers and larger objects in - extension cords, scrap rubber and leather for patching things, plumbing and air fittings, trays of rusty old bolts that can be cleaned if I can't find a clean stored one. Anything I expect might be stored for years but will save a trip to town by having it on hand.

The 5-drawer filing cabinet keeps all this random stuff in a small footprint.

My work area where this stuff is stored long term is unique, its an open equipment-parking stall so anything stored long term needs to be protected from the climate and from the tractor dust that settles into anything that's been there a long time. Open trays like HF's wouldn't protect small objects as well as the jars.

 

[Threepoint]

3� Bin Wall Mount Parts Rack

Anyone use the above? I am just a homeowner, not a commercial repair guy. Building up the usual assortment of nuts, bolts, screws and whatsits from projects. Like to keep the left overs organized so when the next project comes along I don't have to run to the hardware store.

So I do not need anything too beefy, it will get some occasional use.

A problem with open bins is accumulation of dust and dirt in with the parts, especially sawdust if you're going to do any woodworking. I'm partial to the pullout clear plastic drawers for small parts. Hang two or three of these units side by side on the wall, or stand up at the back of a work bench: 4 Bin Organizer with Full Length Drawer