Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,331  
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,332  
I have been thinking about getting an air compressor and some air tools. I have never worked with an air compressor. I need a way to get the mower blades off of my deck, and decided now was the time. My budget is pretty limited right now and this Air Tool Kit from Northern Tool looked to be decent and the reviews are positive. The impact wrench says it needs 5 CFM. The Harbor Freight 21 gallon compressor is on sale for $145 and claims 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI. Is it any good and will it run the impact wrench?
Those should work.
I have (and much prefer) the Harbor Freight Earthquake impact wrench, it has over 700 ft/lb of torque (vs the 400ish ft/lb from that gun).
I also have and like a belt driven compressor vs a direct drive compressor. The belt driven ones are much quieter, you can have a conversation while they are running (vs that one where you will want hearing protection while it's running).

Aaron Z
 
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,333  
I致e had mine for several years and it always starts on 1st or 2nd pull. All my 2-cycle tools are Echo.

How does it work at various sizes of branches? Strong? Weak? Any issues or strong points?
 
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,334  
Those should work.
I have (and much prefer) the Harbor Freight Earthquake impact wrench, it has over 700 ft/lb of torque (vs the 400ish ft/lb from that gun).
I also have and like a belt driven compressor vs a direct drive compressor. The belt driven ones are much quieter, you can have a conversation while they are running (vs that one where you will want hearing protection while it's running).

Aaron Z
So much truth in that direct drive compressor comment, I'll never in my life own one again. I've been there, done that, learned the lesson. I now use a belt drive Kobalt 60 gallon compressor.

I went with the Harbor Freight Earthquake Extreme 1190 ft/lb impact and converted to all 3/8 air hose and high flow 3/8 fittings. Wow! I typically run it with the dial turned all the way down, and it's still super easy to over tighten lug nuts. This thing is a total beast!
 
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,335  
How does it work at various sizes of branches? Strong? Weak? Any issues or strong points?

I’ve cut 8-10” branches often but ....... I make several initial cuts farther out the limb to prevent damage to the tree. Keep the chain sharp, oil in the tank, and it will cut wood ..... like cutting butter. Let the weight of the saw do the work, you don’t need to force it.
 
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,336  
Those should work.
I have (and much prefer) the Harbor Freight Earthquake impact wrench, it has over 700 ft/lb of torque (vs the 400ish ft/lb from that gun).
I also have and like a belt driven compressor vs a direct drive compressor. The belt driven ones are much quieter, you can have a conversation while they are running (vs that one where you will want hearing protection while it's running).

Aaron Z
Many direct drive compressors are oiless. The oil lubricated direct drive ones arent as noisey as the oiless variety. Easy to fall into the oiless trap.
 
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,337  
Thanks. I was going to buy a spare battery but, found the coupon for the blower so bought it and now have two batteries.

Well ..... after a 150 mile round trip, to closest HF Store, I opened the pole saw box only to find that the saw bar was missing. No plastic guard either!

Can’t begin to describe how p...sed off I am now. All savings now blown in diesel fuel costs to make a second round trip to get this corrected.

How hard is it to put all the parts in the box!!!

Haven’t tried blower yet ..... just three parts ..... blower, battery, charger. Charging battery overnight.
 
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,338  
Well ..... after a 150 mile round trip, to closest HF Store, I opened the pole saw box only to find that the saw bar was missing. No plastic guard either!

Can’t begin to describe how p...sed off I am now. All savings now blown in diesel fuel costs to make a second round trip to get this corrected.

How hard is it to put all the parts in the box!!!

Haven’t tried blower yet ..... just three parts ..... blower, battery, charger. Charging battery overnight.
I would see if it's possible to contact them and ask if they can ship you the missing parts. Maybe they do not do that kind of thing, but I think in your unfortunate position, I would try...
 
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,339  
Many direct drive compressors are oiless. The oil lubricated direct drive ones arent as noisey as the oiless variety. Easy to fall into the oiless trap.
I can't imagine anything louder than my HF direct drive oil lubricated compressor, an earlier 10 gallon version of this present model.
image_26566.jpg


It's unpleasant, deafening - even located beyond the end of the workbench at the back of the tractor stall.

I see there are two different current models. The plastic cover faces the user and is like a megaphone on this one, and mine. Maybe the other version with the cover opening to the rear is a little quieter.

That said, I think these are the practical minimum in cost and capacity that can run that impact wrench.
 
   / Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck #9,340  
Well ..... after a 150 mile round trip, to closest HF Store, I opened the pole saw box only to find that the saw bar was missing. No plastic guard either!

Can't begin to describe how p...sed off I am now.
And if they are as unreasonable as I have occasionally encountered, they will require you to return your entire kit as-received in exchange for another kit. Instead of pulling the missing parts from one on the shelf.

I broke 1/2" ratchets twice in the cheap $10 socket/ratchet kit and had turn in the whole kit for exchange - both times - when just a ratchet exchange would have been sufficient.
 

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