Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[KubotainNH]

They told me that replacement parts could be shipped to me but, probably wouldn’t be shipped until early next week then ...... who knows how long to finally get them?

I gave up and made another 150 mile round trip, this morning, to get a trade out. I checked every nut bolt and washer to assure that I had everything this time. Two round trips ate up my coupon savings, and then some, in fuel costs.

Well that sux, thanks for the update.

 

[newbury]

If the most commonly sold vehicles in the USA are increasing $1000-$3000 as I read this morning one might consider any items containing metal planned for purchase in the next few years to get it done this week or as soon as possible.

Plans just announced to put tarriffs on an additional $200 billion of China imports will impact auto companies, Harbor Freight, Walmart, etc consumers.

I expect we are living in a time of fast changes and that Harbor Freight will be a favorite place for some of us for years to come.

Yup, I maxed out my HF buys earlier this year.

Do any of you have experience with the HF Lynxx 40 volt pole saw?

4V Lithium Cordless Pole Saw

I致e got an Echo pole saw that extends up to 16 but, I知 thinking the HF saw would be good for branches just above the reach of a chain saw, and way lighter too.

Can you use the 20% coupons on the Lynxx tools and batteries?

As others wrote the Lynxx Polesaw is great, short but great. I also have an Echo PPT 280 with a 4' extension, so I can reach out 17 feet with a 28CC chainsaw.

I have a chance to buy a used Echo pole saw from a friend that's like new and cheap. What do you think of it?

My use would be to trim some 1" to 1 3/4" bottom branches off of about 200 spruce trees and then sell it. Maybe 6 branches per tree and the pole would allow me to easily reach into the tree. Think it would hold up?

Buy it, they are great.

How does it work at various sizes of branches? Strong? Weak? Any issues or strong points?

Heavy compared to the Lynxx. But as powerful as any small chainsaw on a stick. Definitely need a GOOD harness for extended use. But then I've got chainsaws ranging from a 40V electric to a 120CC Stihl 088. Fit the tool to the job if you can afford it.

 

[sixdogs]

Thank you. I've learned the Echo saw I can buy is a fixed 8' length and is a current model, probably a PPF-2620. It's like new and would work great for my pruning the bottom few branches on some spruce trees and allow me to easily reach in among the mass of branches. As mentioned, the only trees around here are the ones I planted and I've planted a lot.

 

[newbury]

Thank you. I've learned the Echo saw I can buy is a fixed 8' length and is a current model, probably a PPF-2620. It's like new and would work great for my pruning the bottom few branches on some spruce trees and allow me to easily reach in among the mass of branches. As mentioned, the only trees around here are the ones I planted and I've planted a lot.

I think you can get a 3' extension for that. And note Echo holds 20% off 1 day sales at many of their dealerships, listed here.
But if it's a fixed 8' length I'd go with the Lynxx.

 

[sixdogs]

I think you can get a 3' extension for that. And note Echo holds 20% off 1 day sales at many of their dealerships, listed here.
But if it's a fixed 8' length I'd go with the Lynxx.

Thank you.

 

[dragoneggs]

They told me that replacement parts could be shipped to me but, probably wouldn稚 be shipped until early next week then ...... who knows how long to finally get them?

I gave up and made another 150 mile round trip, this morning, to get a trade out. I checked every nut bolt and washer to assure that I had everything this time. Two round trips ate up my coupon savings, and then some, in fuel costs.

Yes, lesson learned by me long ago dealing with HF. I open up the box on everything I buy in the parking lot if I can稚 tell if it is damaged or missing parts.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Yes, lesson learned by me long ago dealing with HF. I open up the box on everything I buy in the parking lot if I can稚 tell if it is damaged or missing parts.

Thankfully ours has 120 volt outlet just outside the front door that I use to make sure 120 volt tools will at least power on and off.

 

[sixdogs]

Yes, lesson learned by me long ago dealing with HF. I open up the box on everything I buy in the parking lot if I can稚 tell if it is damaged or missing parts.

Those are words to live by and on the tool chests it's a must.

 

[California]

Yes, lesson learned by me long ago dealing with HF. I open up the box on everything I buy in the parking lot if I can't tell if it is damaged or missing parts.

Not just the tool. Check your receipt. I got half way home then thinking about my $200 purchase, realized I had paid more than it should have been with the 20% coupon. Turned around and went back. Repeated the transaction, this time with coupon applied to the expensive item not the minor accessories.

The assistant manager had served me and I suspect he was trying to improve margins.

 

[Threepoint]

Not just the tool. Check your receipt. I got half way home then thinking about my $200 purchase, realized I had paid more than it should have been with the 20% coupon. Turned around and went back. Repeated the transaction, this time with coupon applied to the expensive item not the minor accessories.

The assistant manager had served me and I suspect he was trying to improve margins.

Ouch! Really hope that wasn't the case! It would be pretty risky on the part of the assistant manager. Especially since he wouldn't be the most likely person to get the credit for improved same-store margins. Now that HF automatically emails a copy of the receipt to the customer, in addition to the paper receipt, it won't take long for him to be busted if that's going on. HF Corporate keeps its local store staff on a pretty short tether. They don't last long if they are caught breaching corporate policy.

As I understand it, only a supervisor (including assistant manager of course) has the administrative permissions necessary to override certain of the computer's programming. I do know that the system is set up so that the clerk has limited ability to screw up, or screw around. Once the clerk scans or types in the bar code of the coupon, the system automatically applies the 20% or 25% discount to the highest-priced eligible item that's rung in that transaction. At least that's how it was explained to me a couple of years ago by a manager. Not even a supervisor has the authorization to force the register to apply a coupon to an "ineligible" item. Instead, if he wants to force a 20% discount on an item as a matter of customer relations, he must use his/her personal "employee" discount to ring the sale. That's been done for me a couple of times. What I don't know is whether a supervisor (or even a regular clerk) could force the coupon discount to ring on the lower-priced item without ringing it separately. Next time I'm at HF I'll try to remember to ask.