Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Travelover]

Wow, I can think of 1001 uses for these. Picked one up a couple weeks ago, good thing I did they've been out of stock since.

I just got one and it is much brighter than the similar Dollar Tree item. My only complaint is the stiff switch, but for free.......

 

[PhysAssist]

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

Fully agree with the need for closed storage- when we first got our barn built, we had hardware in open bins, and even though the barn was closed most of the time, I found that not only was there saw dust, dirt and other airborne debris in them, there were often moths and other bugs in various degrees of activity from mummified to alive and annoying-- hence everything has closed lids now- and like friend Cali above, quart mayo jars have the biggest place, followed by smaller peanut butter and other non-specific containers.

Before the advent of ubiquitous plastic jars, I made a very large storage rack for my dad using baby food jars in a row with their metal lids screwed to a mounting board, so they would hang from them in plain view, but the areas where they could be placed were limited, and there was unavoidable attrition as the glass jars got dropped or knocked off work tables/benches.

I still have that problem, so I hardly ever use glass unless it's for something that will eat or otherwise degrade the plastic ones- and for those I use glass Marchetti salad dressing jars.

I also have some of these:
2 Bin Medium Portable Parts Storage Case

Portable Storage Case

8 Bin Portable Parts Storage Case

That I use to store assorted sizes of things like lag screws, self-drilling screws, 1/4-20 nuts, bolts, washers, etc- so that they're all in one place to choose from. They're not the sturdiest- if they get dropped they can crack and/or pop open, but I have found [by dropping a lot of things] pretty much all similar bins are about the same in durability.

 

[SPYDERLK]

It's my understanding that the trade-off with the one- or two-pump "racing" jacks is that they require a lot more force per stroke to operate. Have you not found that to be an issue? Although 20 years ago, I don't think I'd have cared!

These jacks use two different pumps operated in tandem by the handle. Altho both pumps always operate, the high displacement pump has a very low relief valve setting. This is plenty to raise the saddle with no or very light load, but vents back to the reservoir as soon as significant resistance arises. The other pump keeps pumping to the lift cylinder and lift rate slows a lot. Handle effort stays about the same rising slowly as greater lift force is required.

If the system of relief and check valves governing the output of the larger pump is flawed the handle effort will increase suddenly as the saddle encounters the load and rise to objectionable at high load. The 1st 2 stage jack I bought exhibits this problem. I didnt use it at high load soon enough to identify and return it. Still a useful jack. I now check others I buy immediately. No other has had the same issue.​

 

[PhysAssist]

Awesome. This could get you nominated to the hall of fame. :laughing:

Naw, having no visible duct tape disqualifies it from HOF.

 

[California]

Awesome. This could get you nominated to the hall of fame. :laughing:

Naw, having no visible duct tape disqualifies it from HOF.

Old magazine ad: "They laughed when I sat down to play the piano...."

I got the pole saw running and it cuts the same as it should with the native (NLA) battery. The chain seems to have had little or no use.

But its too clumsy with the bogus power supply attached. I'm going back to my original design: carry the Ryobi battery in a carpenter nail pouch then a cord to the saw.

This photo is with the extension pole retracted. The reach will be doubled when its extended.

Remington had a really goofy design. It's a cordless chainsaw that can be split into front/rear halves when you want to add the extension between them.

I'm happy. For $11 I have the tool I need occasionally. (The extra dollar was for the flea market Ryobi flashlight hacked to be the battery holder).

 

[Michael Aos]

I would say the 225pc tool set is nicer than the 301pc.

 

[Dutch445]

I would say the 225pc tool set is nicer than the 301pc.

i've been eying that also to keep in the truck,
there is a 130 piece with a hammer that i want to give to my son,
as he has absolutely no tools, that'd be good to get him something with torx bits etc,, but that
225 piece is in my sights,, have you seen it in person?

 

[PJSprog]

Picked up one of the little 2-foot 4-outlet power strips for my home studio this weekend. I liked the small size. It powers my guitar and bass amps now.



Also grabbed the light switch using the free (with any purchase) coupon. I mounted it in the closet we had built to cover the incoming/outgoing plumbing where the corner of the old basement kitchen used to be. Lights up that little space just fine.

 

[Michael Aos]

I have the 130pc (~$30), 225pc (~$100), and 301pc (~$155).

I bought the 301pc because I had read it was Made in Taiwan. I didn't notice there were two different part-numbers, so I wound up with the Made in China version first.

Bought the Made in Taiwan version and compared them side-by-side. Much nicer. Returned the Made in China version.

I made sure to select a 225pc labeled Made in Taiwan. The sockets in the 225pc seem similar to the 301pc, but the wrenches and pliers are much nicer.

Neither is as nice as the 159pc Kirkland set for around $80.

--

i've been eying that also to keep in the truck,
there is a 130 piece with a hammer that i want to give to my son,
as he has absolutely no tools, that'd be good to get him something with torx bits etc,, but that
225 piece is in my sights,, have you seen it in person?

 

[Michael Aos]

I have and use a couple of those too. I like the size and that they are only 4 outlets.

There isn't much inside them though. Very cheaply constructed.
--

Picked up one of the little 2-foot 4-outlet power strips for my home studio this weekend. I liked the small size. It powers my guitar and bass amps now.
View attachment 530618

 

[tonyq60]

Hi LD,

Thanks, I was wondering if that was how you were doing it- I'll have to get one of those blades.

Thanks also for the reminder about safe practices- I'm almost always scrupulous about those things- I get a fair amount of practice pulling metal fragments out of corneas at work, AND suturing the digits that got too close to the spinning metal, so a lot of the safety stuff comes naturally any more.

I thought about going along with the recall for the Craftsman saw, but after looking into it, I found out that they don't just want the motor, they require return of the whole carriage it uses to attach to the arm as well [which is good sense on their part as it completely disables the saw], and that would be a shame as I'm happy with the whole thing otherwise- and I'm extremely cautious with any chance of blade contact no matter how I use it.

Thanks again,
PA

We had the model with DRO that worked well and years ago recall had option of new table and guards so completed.

But arm made of rolled steel and chappy design so loose fit.

Picked up an older model all cast iron but same motor so transfered parts to new to us unit and sent in DRO model and got our 100 bucks...The older one substantial better unit.

Still have the frame to make something out of...

 

[Michael Aos]

I noticed the 2-ton aluminum racing floor jack is back on sale for $120. I've only used mine once, but I thought it was great.

I'm kind of wishing I'd purchased one of the new Predator 3500W inverter generators back when they were $649.

 

[Michael Aos]

I noticed the 2-ton aluminum racing floor jack is back on sale for $120. I've only used mine once, but I thought it was great.

I'm kind of wishing I'd purchased one of the new Predator 3500W inverter generators back when they were $649.

 

[SPYDERLK]

.

I'm kind of wishing I'd purchased one of the new Predator 3500W inverter generators back when they were $649.

On sale right now for $699

 

[Michael Aos]

Even better -- $659. I should just do it!

On sale right now for $699

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Only thing that keeps me from giving that a try is no 240volt:/

 

[downsizingnow48]

This Harbor Freight 11/16 end wrench definitely does not suck. I needed to get the chuck off my old Milwaukee drill so I could install the Right Angle attachment. Have not had to do that for decades so the chuck was on pretty solid. The spindle nut is 11/16 but the opening is too narrow for a standard end wrench. In years past I would grind down a Craftsman wrench and that would do the job, but I did not want to grind one of my good remaining Craftsman tools. So went to HF and got the set for $9. Ground the wrench down to about 1/2 its thickness using a belt sander. The sparks were bright and lively so I figured the steel had to be pretty good. When it was thin enough I put it on the spindle nut and hammered away on the chuck tool. The chuck finally came off but not easily. So this HF wrench has been given a real torture test and performed perfect. I also used it to assemble the Right Angle attachment but that was a piece of cake.

 

[Garandman]

Only thing that keeps me from giving that a try is no 240volt:/

$1,500. We ordered one through HD.

Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower Series Inverter Generator

 

[tungularafishcamp]

$1,500. We ordered one through HD. Q6500 QuietPower Series Inverter Generator

How do you like it?

 

[thepumpguysc]

I KNOW this is a HF thread BUT>
I just ordered a 10k watt, electric start, DUEL FUEL gen from amazon for 499.99 w/ FREE shipping.. Duro-Max gen.
The sale is off now tho.. they're 1499.99 now.
Find the site & save it to your "favorites" & check often.. the cheapest I've seen THAT gen was 599.99 about 6 months ago..