Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[rbstern]

We use to use one (not the HF version but looked identical) on a older toyota pickup, it's been awhile but I believe we cut it down to fit. Worked great at unloading gravel and sand. If you have a plastic bedliner they work really well!

I'm using it with a Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Cut mine down to fit, too.

 

[John_Mc]

Does anyone know what happened to the 1/2" Icon torque wrench? It was on the HF site a while ago, but now all I see is the 3/8" Icon. They have the $20 Pittsburgh 1/2", but no Icon in that size.

I've used the Pittsburgh 3/8" extensively, and was not impressed Two days into a 50KW solar PV installation, the screws over the ratchet cover backed out and fell to the ground. I found one, but the threads would no longer grab. To HF's credit, they replaced the wrench with no hassle. Unfortunately, I had nothing to finish out the day with on the job. I'd rather not go with the Pittsburgh for my 1/2" wrench.

I'm also curious if anyone has used both the Pittsburgh and the ICON torque wrenches and can comment on the quality difference between the two.

Just checked: Amazon has the Icon 1/2", but no reviews on it yet.

 

[sixdogs]

This is a Harbor Freight winner but you don't see it all the time. I think it's a blacksmith hammer because of it's sharp edges. I use it for lots of things but it's best when hammering out metal pieces or sheet metal that has dents and needs to be straightened. I can bend or shape steel and get good edges because of the flat faces and sharp corners.

I've had this one for maybe 20 years but see them at HF every now and then.

 

[aczlan]

Does anyone know what happened to the 1/2" Icon torque wrench? It was on the HF site a while ago, but now all I see is the 3/8" Icon. They have the $20 Pittsburgh 1/2", but no Icon in that size.

I've used the Pittsburgh 3/8" extensively, and was not impressed Two days into a 50KW solar PV installation, the screws over the ratchet cover backed out and fell to the ground. I found one, but the threads would no longer grab. To HF's credit, they replaced the wrench with no hassle. Unfortunately, I had nothing to finish out the day with on the job. I'd rather not go with the Pittsburgh for my 1/2" wrench.

I'm also curious if anyone has used both the Pittsburgh and the ICON torque wrenches and can comment on the quality difference between the two.

Just checked: Amazon has the Icon 1/2", but no reviews on it yet.

I have a half inch Pittsburgh one that I got with a coupon for $15 or $20.
It has worked well for my purposes (mostly putting car tires on) and I would buy it again without hesitation. Is it accurate? Possibly not as accurate as a Snap-On, but for my purposes it is good enough...

Aaron Z

 

[sixdogs]

I have a half inch Pittsburgh one that I got with a coupon for $15 or $20.
It has worked well for my purposes (mostly putting car tires on) and I would buy it again without hesitation. Is it accurate? Possibly not as accurate as a Snap-On, but for my purposes it is good enough...

Aaron Z

I checked my same 1/2" HF torque wrench against a high dollar one and they both read the same. Go figure.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I checked my same 1/2" HF torque wrench against a high dollar one and they both read the same. Go figure.

I did the same, bought mine on coupon for $10 and took it home, tested against a $280 Craftsman Pro 1/2" one that I get calibrated/verified at work. It was horrible. I returned it and got a second one, tested it and it's about dead nuts on par with my Beta Labs calibrated one. I use this one for wheels only and use my subjectively better one for engines and things that I consider more sensitive/important.

It appears based on my limited sampling of 2 units that the consistency is the typical crap-shoot that one expects from HF. But if you verify it and have a good one, it seems to stay calibrated good enough. Always back off your torque wrench as soon as the job is completed, do not store it with sitting pressure dialed into it.

 

[sixdogs]

…

Always back off your torque wrench as soon as the job is completed, do not store it with sitting pressure dialed into it.

Excellent advice I learned long ago and I always return to zero after use. Now have decades old torque wrenches that are spot on.

 

[California]

I checked my same 1/2" HF torque wrench against a high dollar one and they both read the same. Go figure.

Likewise. As I've noted here a couple of times I check mine against a Craftsman and then a Thorsen beam torque wrench a couple of times per project and they all agree.

 

[crazyal]

Anyone have the 30" 5 drawer tool cart? I was going to make something to put a tool box I have that I cam roll near my wood lathe to hold odds and ends. With a coupon it's only $10 more than their 4 drawer cart but seams a little stronger. I was hoping to put the folding flat side try on it at the height I would like so I could put a grinder on it. If needed I could beef up the side tray and make the base of the cart wider to make it more stable. Next week I could be passing by HF so I was thinking of stopping in and picking up a few things (like the T-handle allen wrenches). The Yukon work bench looks like an option but I think it would be a little too high (37") for the grinder to sit on and it's kind of wide for where it'll sit even without a side tray. I could just not put the casters on it to lower it down but it's not going to be mobile (it weights almost 150 lbs).

 

[stuckmotor]

This is a Harbor Freight winner but you don't see it all the time. I think it's a blacksmith hammer because of it's sharp edges. I use it for lots of things but it's best when hammering out metal pieces or sheet metal that has dents and needs to be straightened. I can bend or shape steel and get good edges because of the flat faces and sharp corners.

I've had this one for maybe 20 years but see them at HF every now and then.


View attachment 565904

Sixdogs,
Is that a hand drill driving hammer. Here's a link to a Chraftsman Welcome to Sears.com - Sears

 

[Rock Crawler]

Anyone have the 30" 5 drawer tool cart? I was going to make something to put a tool box I have that I cam roll near my wood lathe to hold odds and ends. With a coupon it's only $10 more than their 4 drawer cart but seams a little stronger. I was hoping to put the folding flat side try on it at the height I would like so I could put a grinder on it. If needed I could beef up the side tray and make the base of the cart wider to make it more stable. Next week I could be passing by HF so I was thinking of stopping in and picking up a few things (like the T-handle allen wrenches). The Yukon work bench looks like an option but I think it would be a little too high (37") for the grinder to sit on and it's kind of wide for where it'll sit even without a side tray. I could just not put the casters on it to lower it down but it's not going to be mobile (it weights almost 150 lbs).
View attachment 566087

Incorrect, it is a $70 difference between the 4 drawer at $99 and the 5 drawer at $169. For this reason I went with a pair of the 4 drawer units at $99 each and then used the 20% off for each of the folding side shelves.

You absolutely will need to enhance the folding side shelf if you intend to put a grinder on it.

As for the quality of the tool cart, I love it.

The 4 drawer has more space beneath and fits larger items like gallon jugs of chlorine that the 5 drawer will not accept. For the 70% cost increase I did not desire the 5 drawer version.

When your pricing this stuff, throw the paper adds in the nearest trash can and use the Harbor Freight Coupon Database phone application instead. Otherwise, your throwing money in the nearest trash can.

 

[thepumpguysc]

AL, are you saying your GRINDER weights 150lbs??!! I know HF sells a grinder STAND.. I had one before the great fire of 15'.. it was ok for a "normal" grinder.. alittle low.. but manageable.
It liked to walk... until I nailed it to the floor using the provided holes.. but that's more of a grinder balance problem than a stand problem..

 

[sixdogs]

This is a Harbor Freight winner but you don't see it all the time. I think it's a blacksmith hammer because of it's sharp edges. I use it for lots of things but it's best when hammering out metal pieces or sheet metal that has dents and needs to be straightened. I can bend or shape steel and get good edges because of the flat faces and sharp corners.

I've had this one for maybe 20 years but see them at HF every now and then.


View attachment 565904

Sixdogs,
Is that a hand drill driving hammer. Here's a link to a Chraftsman Welcome to Sears.com - Sears

Well, close but no cigar. The one in your link has rounded edges and face and doesn't work for shaping metal pieces. It's an easy mistake to make and I made it for years. The one I have is nearly square edged and flat faced. It's hard to see so maybe this is a better picture below;



Before I originally posted, I searched hammer photos and found modern blacksmith hammers that look like what I have. As well, with the old HF, anything is possible and it could be a badly finished drilling hammer. I don't know but if you form steel or metal and see one of these hammers at HF, buy it. Well, make sure the head is on tight and coupon is in hand.

 

[stuckmotor]

Well, close but no cigar. snip

Oh well, I gave it my best shot. Maybe a blacksmith will tell us what it's for.

 

[newbury]

This is a Harbor Freight winner but you don't see it all the time. I think it's a blacksmith hammer because of it's sharp edges. I use it for lots of things but it's best when hammering out metal pieces or sheet metal that has dents and needs to be straightened. I can bend or shape steel and get good edges because of the flat faces and sharp corners.

I've had this one for maybe 20 years but see them at HF every now and then.


View attachment 565904

Sixdogs,
Is that a hand drill driving hammer. Here's a link to a Chraftsman Welcome to Sears.com - Sears

Well, close but no cigar. The one in your link has rounded edges and face and doesn't work for shaping metal pieces. It's an easy mistake to make and I made it for years. The one I have is nearly square edged and flat faced. It's hard to see so maybe this is a better picture below;

View attachment 566091 View attachment 566092

Before I originally posted, I searched hammer photos and found modern blacksmith hammers that look like what I have. As well, with the old HF, anything is possible and it could be a badly finished drilling hammer. I don't know but if you form steel or metal and see one of these hammers at HF, buy it. Well, make sure the head is on tight and coupon is in hand.

I think it is a HF drilling hammer
3 lb. Drilling Hammer with Hardwood Handle



They also offer it w/ fiberglass handle.

They may have changed the edges slightly over the years.

Do the ones you see occasionally still have the right shaped head?
I looked at all the hammers offered online and didn't see anything else.

 

[sixdogs]

I think it is a HF drilling hammer
3 lb. Drilling Hammer with Hardwood Handle

View attachment 566094

They also offer it w/ fiberglass handle.

They may have changed the edges slightly over the years.

Do the ones you see occasionally still have the right shaped head?
I looked at all the hammers offered online and didn't see anything else.

I see the rounded heads one all the time and every now and then the so called "blacksmith" hammer like I have shows up. It definitely is shaped different from the rock drilling hammer. No question about that. I do believe it is a Chinese blacksmith hammer of some sort.

 

[TMGT]

Anyone have the 30" 5 drawer tool cart? I was going to make something to put a tool box I have that I cam roll near my wood lathe to hold odds and ends. With a coupon it's only $10 more than their 4 drawer cart but seams a little stronger. I was hoping to put the folding flat side try on it at the height I would like so I could put a grinder on it. If needed I could beef up the side tray and make the base of the cart wider to make it more stable. Next week I could be passing by HF so I was thinking of stopping in and picking up a few things (like the T-handle allen wrenches). The Yukon work bench looks like an option but I think it would be a little too high (37") for the grinder to sit on and it's kind of wide for where it'll sit even without a side tray. I could just not put the casters on it to lower it down but it's not going to be mobile (it weights almost 150 lbs).
View attachment 566087

I have the old version and love it, use it for tooling storage for the mill and lathe.
Liked it so much i bought a second one so I can divide the lathe and mill tooling as I have enough I need 2 carts, will probably buy a 3rd once I get my second mill back running.

I looked at a series 2 and really liked the improvements they did over the ones I have, wish I could have gotten mines in a color other then red at the time.

There's nothing wrong with the 4 drawer cart but it didn't fit my needs as well and has less storage space, less load capacity, and the optional side tray is a bit smaller.

I have the side trays but have yet to install them, have been waiting until I move into the new shop and have more space, even my second cart is still in the box waiting for the move

 

[Rock Crawler]

the optional side tray is a bit smaller.

I have the side trays but have yet to install them, have been waiting until I move into the new shop and have more space, even my second cart is still in the box waiting for the move

The side tray is now a single part number, there is no bigger/smaller or better/worse. If you want the side tray... it is what it is.

The 20% coupon works for the side tray making it go from $28 to $23.XX.

Tool Cart Folding Side Tray

 

[Texasmark]

Their mini-tire changer....well worth the 50 bucks. Geez if they would only have included it in their advertisements over the years, they would have saved me many skinned knuckles and a couple of baskets of cuss words and all that as I didn't know such a thing existed. Course in hindsight, I could have googled the subject.......daaaaaaaaa.

 

[TMGT]

The side tray is now a single part number, there is no bigger/smaller or better/worse. If you want the side tray... it is what it is.

The 20% coupon works for the side tray making it go from $28 to $23.XX.

Tool Cart Folding Side Tray

This is the tray they list for the 4 drawer "tech" cart Folding Side Tray for Black Tool Cart