Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Threepoint]

I am actually the biggest harbor Freight booster around with just a touch of pragmatism- with the exception of the cordless tools- there it's once [or twice] bitten twice shy.
[snip]

Ha! I stay away from their "Drillmaster" line, but I've had very good luck with their Chicago Electric line for the last two or three years: The 12v lithium 3/8" drill, and their 18v ni-cad reciprocating saw, circular saw and 1/4" impact driver. So it's true YMMV. In fact, a couple of days ago I need to cut away a partially-buried section of corrugated steel road culvert. Debated whether to bring out the generator for a corded tool, or the oxy-acetylene torch. Then I happened to remember the 18v recip saw that I'd bought for some fence repair. With a cheap HF bi-metal blade it zipped right through the job. The cutting was at awkward angles, plus the culvert kept binding under stress as I cut, making the saw buck back and forth at times. That made the battery drop out a couple of times while I was cutting directly from above. So I just held the battery in place with my hand. In the future I may add an elastic band instead.

The lithium and ni-cad batteries have held up fine as long as I've had the tools, with many rechargings. I never leave them on the charger more than a couple of hours at a time, since overcharging is a quick battery killer with cheap chargers. I use a 24 hr applicance timer to shut the charger down after that time.

I've also had their Lynxx 40v lithium outdoor tools for about seven months (10" pole chain saw, leaf blower, hedge trimmer). I'm especially impressed with that line. A few weeks ago I added the Lynxx 40v 14" chain saw on sale just for kicks , but haven't used it yet. I'll also pick up the Lynxx string trimmer for light-duty trimming next time Lynxx goes on sale (regular coupons don't work). Probably like most of us here, I've got all the gas and corded electric yard tools, but I have to say, the Lynxx cordless sure beat fooling with fuel mix and cords when the work allows.

 

[bcp]

The March HF catalog has a $20 off coupon for Lynx tools, in the Lynx section.

Bruce

 

[PhysAssist]

I have always wondered about people who need to buy rags. I suppose if you've got a machine shop or are a professional mechanic it might be necessary, but I've always generated enough rags myself. And this is coming from someone who, much to the chagrin of my wife, wears clothes until they disintegrate.
Never a shortage of ratty T-shirts, old towels, skivvies, etc.

I likewise use decrepit household linen and clothing as shop rags- but we have bought the red shop rags- we use them as napkins and dish clothes.

 

[KB7722]

I likewise use decrepit household linen and clothing as shop rags- but we have bought the red shop rags- we use them as napkins and dish clothes.

+2 on that

 

[ronjhall]

I likewise use decrepit household linen and clothing as shop rags- but we have bought the red shop rags- we use them as napkins and dish clothes.

 

[shaeff]

Though I have been commanded to quit wearing the leftover "Daisy Dukes" with the pockets hanging below the cutoff. I don't understand why.
That look to me looks sexy on her.
And my granddaughter tells me that's the fashion.

Good thing I've already had my coffee for the day, otherwise you'd owe me a computer screen!:laughing:

 

[PhysAssist]

Good thing I've already had my coffee for the day, otherwise you'd owe me a computer screen!:laughing:

Heh heh heh heh...

 

[JRobyn]

Keep those red shop rags far, far away from any carburetors or hydraulics!!!

 

[California]

Keep those red shop rags far, far away from any carburetors or hydraulics!!!

Oh man sad story. About 1962 - the era of Don Garlits - I went with friends to the drag races and saw a top tier crew - as I recall Shirley Muldowney - push start a blown fuel dragster ... with the red rags still stuffed in the throttle bodies on top of the blower. Flames and rag fragments came out the exhaust.

They didn't run that day.

 

[tjkubota93]

Oh man sad story. About 1962 - the era of Don Garlits - I went with friends to the drag races and saw a top tier crew - as I recall Shirley Muldowney - push start a blown fuel dragster ... with the red rags still stuffed in the throttle bodies on top of the blower. Flames and rag fragments came out the exhaust.

They didn't run that day.

My college roommate did that with a Chevy 350 he put in a Toyota 4x4. It had long tube headers and straight pipe exhaust. It actually ran and shot pieces of the rag out of the tailpipe that he had stuck in the intake while changing the carb.

 

[tjkubota93]

The 500lb lift table cart is awesome.
I got one for unloading and installing our farm sink and double oven after seeing someone mention that on here.
Thanks for the tip.

 

[newbury]

Well the TV tables (aka Adjustable Steel Welding Table) are on sale with a historic low - $55.
coupon at Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - ADJUSTABLE STEEL WELDING TABLE

 

[4get gto]

Well the TV tables (aka Adjustable Steel Welding Table) are on sale with a historic low - $55.
coupon at Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - ADJUSTABLE STEEL WELDING TABLE

Where did the TV table name come into play on a welding table ?:confused3:

 

[Midniteoyl]

Where did the TV table name come into play on a welding table ?:confused3:

=

 

[sixdogs]

I likewise use decrepit household linen and clothing as shop rags- but we have bought the red shop rags- we use them as napkins and dish clothes.

Maybe think twice about those red rags for napkins or dishes. I don't know for sure but can you imagine, after the collective wisdom of this thread, to let whatever it is those rags are made of to get that close to your pie hole? We use them for back pocket rags for emergency situations and when used up they become a grease rag and wind up in the burn barrel.

The rag thickness seems to be hit or miss. I've had some pretty thick ones and then gotten some much thinner. I have bought better rags at a big box store for about the same price.

 

[D2Cat]

For rags, if you can't generate enough with your family, you can usually buy a whole box of misc. rags at a garage sale for less than $1.

For something I will not buy at HF is their nylon cable ties. As soon as they're pulled tight they break!

 

[KB7722]

Can anybody vouch for the HF 5" multi purpose vise or 5" or 6" swivel/anvil vise? Reviews are all over the place?

 

[sixdogs]

Can anybody vouch for the HF 5" multi purpose vise or 5" or 6" swivel/anvil vise? Reviews are all over the place?

Probably because the old ones were not good. Mine had voids in the steel that were filled with body filler and painted over. Despite that, mine is heavy and if I can get something up on the bench to clamp it, it's not going anywhere and will hold equal to anything.

The newer bench vises are better made but a little lighter. There seems to be little to no body filler but you can't tell for sure till you pound on one. An old American made vise would look better to the American eye but I don't think it would hold any better. The HF one is made of good enough steel, has good clamping force and looks OK. The jaws I saw closed tight and even. I'd prefer an older vise but I would not be afraid to buy a new HF one with a coupon or on a super sale.

 

[4get gto]

View attachment 541335 = View attachment 541336

Guess you can't hook your ground cable to wooden top ?

:reading: :laughing:

 

[Oldoak]

Probably because the old ones were not good. Mine had voids in the steel that were filled with body filler and painted over. Despite that, mine is heavy and if I can get something up on the bench to clamp it, it's not going anywhere and will hold equal to anything.

The newer bench vises are better made but a little lighter. There seems to be little to no body filler but you can't tell for sure till you pound on one. An old American made vise would look better to the American eye but I don't think it would hold any better. The HF one is made of good enough steel, has good clamping force and looks OK. The jaws I saw closed tight and even. I'd prefer an older vise but I would not be afraid to buy a new HF one with a coupon or on a super sale.

Now, if you want the "best" bench vice on the market............Wilton | Bench Vises | USA Bullet Vises

Be prepared to shell out big $$.