Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[newbury]

<snip> I've never said it heard... "Gee, I just have to much winch to do this job", but I've seen plenty of guys with stalled 8K winches that I've helped day that they really wish that they had went bigger.<snip>

Depends on what your doing -
I've a 12K rarely used and a 2.5K I carry around. The 2.5K is a heck of a lot lighter and gets used more.

 

[JRobyn]

I broke out one of my "spare" HF multimeters the other day (my regular one is at the church for a wiring/lighting project). Needed to get an accurate reading on the tractor battery. Hadn't been out of the toolbox in several years. I was very surprised that its internal battery was still alive. On the 20vdc scale, it read kinda erratic - bouncing around from 6 or 7vdc up to 14-16vdc. I switched it to the 200vdc scale - rock solid at 12.4. So I rotated the selector all the way around a few times, back to the 20vdc scale. Rock steady - 12.47vdc.

Evidently the selector switch contacts are not the finest of Chinese quality. But can be compensated for (some).

 

[John_Mc]

Not sure about overkill, but okay. I don't do duty cycles on my rock crawler. If I'm screwed or another Jeep is screwed, my X2O Comp series 12,000 rings as hard, fast and long as it needs until we are moving again.

You don't need to use the X2O series, call Sara and ask about the non sealed version in 5k lbs, I'd expect it to be a couple hundred tops in the white boxed version. I've never said it heard... "Gee, I just have to much winch to do this job", but I've seen plenty of guys with stalled 8K winches that I've helped day that they really wish that they had went bigger.

The general rule is that the winch should be rated 2 times the vehicle, if your typically alone or the only winch in your group, or you mud (suctions the stick vehicle in)... You should go 3x the vehicle weight.

As I mentioned, the Coot is an antique UTV it weighs about 1000#, so yeah, I'd say the X20 is overkill (what I'm seeing are rated 10,000# and up). Plus the 16 Amp alternator on the 16 HP Briggs V-Twin engine is going to have trouble keeping up.

I appreciate the lead on the smaller winches. They certainly seem to be a step up from the Harbor Freight (which I know is setting the bar rather low).

 

[sodamo]

They have a lifetime warranty.

I bought mine for $35 new. If you want one deals can be found California.

Thanks for the tip. I’ll check into it.

 

[California]

They have a lifetime warranty.

I bought mine for $35 new. If you want one deals can be found California.

A Fluke meter for $35?

After reading your advice I looked on Ebay. First thing I noticed is the the generic name for some cheap China multimeters is a fluke. I didn't see any genuine Fluke new or good used, until prices starting far above $35.

How do I find one?

 

[tjkubota93]

I bought a fluke 101 off amazon about a year ago. The new ones were about $70. Someone had one listed as used for $35 so I bought it. (Items i have bought listed as used on amazon are open box new)
Then I bought a fluke storage bag and an ex tech lead set so I probably doubled my investment.

 

[Midniteoyl]

We saying Flukes have a lifetime warranty? 'Cause I have 2 that I have had over the years that have quit..

 

[sodamo]

I don’t think I stand much chance with my more than 10 yo Fluke 117

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This Fluke product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for three years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover fuses, disposable bat- teries, or damage from accident, neglect, misuse, alteration, contamination, or abnor- mal conditions of operation or handling. Resellers are not authorized to extend any other warranty on Fluke’s behalf. To obtain service during the warranty period, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return authorization information, then send the product to that Service Center with a description of the problem.
THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. FLUKE IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUEN- TIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY. Since some states or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of an implied warranty or of incidental or consequential damages, this limitation of liability may not apply to you.

 

[4get gto]

I broke out one of my "spare" HF multimeters the other day (my regular one is at the church for a wiring/lighting project). Needed to get an accurate reading on the tractor battery. Hadn't been out of the toolbox in several years. I was very surprised that its internal battery was still alive. On the 20vdc scale, it read kinda erratic - bouncing around from 6 or 7vdc up to 14-16vdc. I switched it to the 200vdc scale - rock solid at 12.4. So I rotated the selector all the way around a few times, back to the 20vdc scale. Rock steady - 12.47vdc.

Evidently the selector switch contacts are not the finest of Chinese quality. But can be compensated for (some).

I've had "better " multimeters do the same thing. Think it depends where they sit around unused for for any amount of time.

 

[4get gto]

I don’t think I stand much chance with my more than 10 yo Fluke 117

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This Fluke product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for three years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover fuses, disposable bat- teries, or damage from accident, neglect, misuse, alteration, contamination, or abnor- mal conditions of operation or handling. Resellers are not authorized to extend any other warranty on Fluke’s behalf. To obtain service during the warranty period, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return authorization information, then send the product to that Service Center with a description of the problem.
THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. FLUKE IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUEN- TIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY. Since some states or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of an implied warranty or of incidental or consequential damages, this limitation of liability may not apply to you.

Definitely isn't lifetime. Even if it was sometimes it's more of a pain to send back and cost than it's worth. Then to have them tell you its your fault.