Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[von-mil]

I mounted the magnetic strip to the back of my tractor and use it to temporarily store hitch pins, etc when changing or adjusting implements. It sure beats dropping the pins on the ground, setting them on top of a tire, a fender, inside the cup holder, or just generally misplacing them.

 

[Michael Aos]

That caught my eye too.

"The Beverly Hills property, with a white-brick Regency mansion, outhouses and manicured gardens offering uninterrupted views of the city". I presume they meant outBUILDINGS.

 

[fried1765]

I mounted the magnetic strip to the back of my tractor and use it to temporarily store hitch pins, etc when changing or adjusting implements. It sure beats dropping the pins on the ground, setting them on top of a tire, a fender, inside the cup holder, or just generally misplacing them.

View attachment 539570

THAT is a GREAT IDEA !!!!

 

[Michael Aos]

Really caught my attention too. I was also thinking I could do something similar on my dump trailer.

THAT is a GREAT IDEA !!!!

 

[California]

I mounted the magnetic strip to the back of my tractor and use it to temporarily store hitch pins, etc when changing or adjusting implements. It sure beats dropping the pins on the ground, setting them on top of a tire, a fender, inside the cup holder, or just generally misplacing them.

View attachment 539570

THAT is a GREAT IDEA !!!!

Ditto!!! I need to mount one on my Qhitch!

 

[newbury]

I tie the free magnetic tool holders on heavy twine and stick them on the wall around my shops, I've probably one for each shop. Then when I invariably drop a metal part, like a washer, bolt etc. If I can't find it immediately I use the bar to drag and find it. Saves a LOT of bending over.

 

[Mendonsy]

I tie the free magnetic tool holders on heavy twine and stick them on the wall around my shops, I've probably one for each shop. Then when I invariably drop a metal part, like a washer, bolt etc. If I can't find it immediately I use the bar to drag and find it. Saves a LOT of bending over.

YEP!! I have done the same thing. I've been trying to find a broom handle or something similar that I can easily attach one to. Haven't found the right combination yet.

 

[dragoneggs]

I mounted the magnetic strip to the back of my tractor and use it to temporarily store hitch pins, etc when changing or adjusting implements. It sure beats dropping the pins on the ground, setting them on top of a tire, a fender, inside the cup holder, or just generally misplacing them.

View attachment 539570

Going to add that mod to my BX. Good thinking! :thumbsup:

 

[California]

For finding lost screws I have HF's $10 mini-magnet on wheels. It's flimsy. I had to add an angle bracket between handle and base (using hose clamps) before it was suitable to push blindly under the workbench, or run in the gravel in front of my barn stall/shop.

It's also handy to clean up scraps of mig wire after a welding project.

Also their 'hockey puck on a stick' magnet for when the wheeled one won't fit into a tight space. I bought this one first, don't need it much.

 

[sixdogs]

I mounted the magnetic strip to the back of my tractor and use it to temporarily store hitch pins, etc when changing or adjusting implements. It sure beats dropping the pins on the ground, setting them on top of a tire, a fender, inside the cup holder, or just generally misplacing them.

View attachment 539570

What a great idea.

Do the larger items, like toplink pins, stay on over rough ground and bouncing around?

 

[thepumpguysc]

When I'm out in the field working on injection pumps, I use the HF magnetic TRAY for things like cotter pins & washers.
That thing is STRONG.. Usually takes 2 hands to break the "seal" once its attached to a flat surface.

I "tried" the titanium drill bits yesterday.. TOTAL JUNK..
Tagged as HI SPEED METEL drill bits.. what a joke.. Had 2 snap off drilling SOFT metal..
Buyer BEWARE..

 

[Rock Crawler]

Harbor freight has Haul Master 3/8" 5,400 lb chain binders for under $15 with the inside track coupon that expires after tomorrow night. These are cam over style, but I can't buy used ones on Craigslist for that price, so I'm running over after work to grab 3.

 

[Rock Crawler]

When I'm out in the field working on injection pumps, I use the HF magnetic TRAY for things like cotter pins & washers.
That thing is STRONG.. Usually takes 2 hands to break the "seal" once its attached to a flat surface.

I "tried" the titanium drill bits yesterday.. TOTAL JUNK..
Tagged as HI SPEED METEL drill bits.. what a joke.. Had 2 snap off drilling SOFT metal..
Buyer BEWARE..

I tried to use those to step drill out to 1/2" holes in 3/16" plate, I got 1 and then half of a second hole drilled out of 12 before the 1/2" but melted.

I ordered a Supertanium II 1/2" drill bit online and drilled the rest and you can't tell that the bit had ever been used. Harbor Freight drill bits are in fact junk. I guess they are good for wood...?

 

[von-mil]

What a great idea.

Do the larger items, like toplink pins, stay on over rough ground and bouncing around?

I haven't tried driving around with anything attached to the magnet - I only use it while off the tractor. It holds onto hand tools and any type of pin hardware very well. Heavier round pins can roll right off the magnet if there is not something right next to it to prevent the rolling. Smaller clip-type pins which lay flat would not fall off while bouncing the tractor around.

 

[PJSprog]

I mounted the magnetic strip to the back of my tractor and use it to temporarily store hitch pins, etc when changing or adjusting implements. It sure beats dropping the pins on the ground, setting them on top of a tire, a fender, inside the cup holder, or just generally misplacing them.

View attachment 539570

Agree with everyone else ... this is awesome. Thanks, von-mil.

 

[PILOON]

I mounted the magnetic strip to the back of my tractor and use it to temporarily store hitch pins, etc when changing or adjusting implements. It sure beats dropping the pins on the ground, setting them on top of a tire, a fender, inside the cup holder, or just generally misplacing them.

View attachment 539570

Add me to the list, this should be a factory option.

 

[newbury]

OT slightly
While we are writing about magnetics -
I've bought a bunch of Neodymium ring magnets of small sizes. I tie them to monofilament or temp glue them on like a piece of 12 gauge bare copper wire to "fish" metal parts out of places they shouldn't be. I've got several of those telescopic magnetic pickup tools but they don't work around corners. I can bend the copper wire to "fish" down a curved pipe.
At times I'm a "fumble fingers" and tend to drop small screw and washers.

 

[PhysAssist]

So far, I have only used it to rough cut bar stock prior to machining. I found it very easy to use and cut quicker than I expected. I did not pay much attention to the quality of the cut. If it was ugly, I would have noticed. This was the Bauer brand one (#63444) that I got for $99. Well worth that cost.

Ken

That's the one I traded up for.

 

[PhysAssist]

OT slightly
While we are writing about magnetics -
I've bought a bunch of Neodymium ring magnets of small sizes. I tie them to monofilament or temp glue them on like a piece of 12 gauge bare copper wire to "fish" metal parts out of places they shouldn't be. I've got several of those telescopic magnetic pickup tools but they don't work around corners. I can bend the copper wire to "fish" down a curved pipe.
At times I'm a "fumble fingers" and tend to drop small screw and washers.

That's a great idea- and my Carpal Tunnel syndrome is why I end up dropping things a lot of the time, although to be fair- I used to have some amount of "dropsy" prior to the CTS, it's just a lot more frequent now- especially toward the end of the day, when I've been using my hands a lot.

...And to make both our posts thread-compliant- here's the link you made me look for:

Rare Earth Magnets - Rare Earth Magnet Set, 1 Piece



Now as you can see above- these aren't the ring version [HF doesn't list any] but you could still glue the to whatever extension you might wish to.

 

[Kernopelli]

One thing brought up recently but we should mention again are the jack stands. Never trust them. I use the six ton ones and if I am going underneath always add an extra one for good measure. Remember what we're dealing with here. For areas where the six tons are too tall I use the aluminum three tons and always a backup if underneath. Just an FYI.

So there are actually Four things ( I had previously only known of three) you should never buy from HF

1. Parachute
2. Fire extinguisher
3. Condoms
4. Jack stands

All joking aside, your point is well taken!