Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[thepumpguysc]

Could u tell us what LUMENS they are please..

 

[newbury]

Me either... have to say I am impressed with my FEIT brand from Costco though... surely China

Often it's not the "where it's made" problem but the quality control.

 

[Kernopelli]

I have been very pleased with the Viking 4amp battery maintainer. I have kept one on the tractor for over a year and the recent effortless cold morning starts reminded me of what a difference this has made. I will also mention it has been out in the weather the whole time ( I wasn't concerned about it since I bought the warranty) and it hasn't hurt the performance one bit. 4 Amp Fully Automatic Microprocessor Controlled Battery Charger/Maintainer

 

[dragoneggs]

Often it's not the "where it's made" problem but the quality control.

Totally agree.

 

[Diggin It]

Often it's not the "where it's made" problem but the quality control.

Totally agree.

A smoked chicken from one store isn't the same as one from a neighboring store.

 

[California]

I have been very pleased with the Viking 4amp battery maintainer. I have kept one on the tractor for over a year and the recent effortless cold morning starts reminded me of what a difference this has made. 4 Amp Fully Automatic Microprocessor Controlled Battery Charger/Maintainer

That looks like a better buy than the 1.3 amp BatteryMINDer Plus maintainer/rejuvenator that was recommended on TBN a while back. (Presently $25 + $7 shipping from Northern Tool).

HF's has two better features: 4 amp charging, and an LCD display so you know what's going on.

Now I wish I had bought the HF one.

 

[Ford850]

That looks like a better buy than the 1.3 amp BatteryMINDer Plus maintainer/rejuvenator that was recommended on TBN a while back. (Presently $25 + $7 shipping from Northern Tool).

HF's has two better features: 4 amp charging, and an LCD display so you know what's going on.

Now I wish I had bought the HF one.

Read the reviews, sorted lowest first. There are a lot of comments about boiled batteries, float not working, and overall failures and fried units within months. I don't want to ruin a battery or burn down my barn or house.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I've been using these 4 brands as well as a yellow one from Cycle Gear called Yuasa and all have worked as expected over many years.. but my highest failure rate of the lot has always been the most expensive Battery Tender brand. Go figure.

 

[California]

Read the reviews, sorted lowest first. ... I don't want to ruin a battery or burn down my barn or house.

Oh.

Plugged it [HF] in and the smoke rolled out of it. Wasn't even hooked to the tractor yet.

Looks like the BatteryMINDer Plus was a good choice after all.

 

[crazyal]

My opinion is a factory makes a product, say pliers. Then someone sorts them. The best looking/ items go to the line that puts blue handles on them and then stamps Kolbalt on it. After the best pliers are removed the next best then get a different color handle and go to a different chain. Often the bottom of the barrel gets sent to HF. It doesn't mean it's the worst, just that maybe it doesn't look as nice. Other times a factory makes stuff and it's all the same other than the color of the plastic and the sticker they put on the side. As HF buyers we are tasked with trying to pick well, call it a lottery. Items you can pick up and examine are more like betting red or black on a roulette wheel. Boxed items where the box is in perfect shape is more like placing a bet on a row or column. Chances are there's something wrong with it but it'll be minor. If the box is damaged then it's like placing a bet on a single number. If you don't find any damage then you've hit the jackpot.

 

[Diggin It]

Got a decision to make and I've not been doing well in that area lately.

I have a $350+ Gift Card from the Class Action Settlement. I have a list of small things I need, like a trailer jack, chain fall, extension cord, etc. I also am considering a different generator since my 8250 is giving my electronics fits when I need it during outages. I was looking at the 2K Inverter unit which has been running between $400 and $450 on coupons. But I like the electric start on the 3500 which runs around $700

Do I take the big bite on one of the generators and buy the smaller stuff over time? The other $350 to buy the 3500 is inconvenient right now due to other bills, but the full $700 later might be even harder.

The 2K would run all of the electronics by use of a couple of extension cords and the 8250 could be used to run the motor appliances (refrigerator, freezer, AC or furnace). That would only cost me $50-75 or so over the GC balance.

 

[tjkubota93]

Often it's not the "where it's made" problem but the quality control.

Are any light fixtures not china made now?

 

[KubotainNH]

Got a decision to make and I've not been doing well in that area lately.

I have a $350+ Gift Card from the Class Action Settlement. I have a list of small things I need, like a trailer jack, chain fall, extension cord, etc. I also am considering a different generator since my 8250 is giving my electronics fits when I need it during outages. I was looking at the 2K Inverter unit which has been running between $400 and $450 on coupons. But I like the electric start on the 3500 which runs around $700

Do I take the big bite on one of the generators and buy the smaller stuff over time? The other $350 to buy the 3500 is inconvenient right now due to other bills, but the full $700 later might be even harder.

The 2K would run all of the electronics by use of a couple of extension cords and the 8250 could be used to run the motor appliances (refrigerator, freezer, AC or furnace). That would only cost me $50-75 or so over the GC balance.

Personally I would go the generator route especially if the extra wattage would drop the usage of the bigger unit. Electric start is nice as is being able to run most everything (I have town water) on a unit that sips fuel and is quiet. I have a Lifan 3600 inverter that I have 6 circuits on. Lights, kitchen plugs, fridge, full size freezer, furnace and my internet gear. It runs them easily as long as I'm careful running the microwave as it starting at the same time as fridge & freezer may trip the gen breaker but it doesn't happen often.

Also, it may take longer but be cheaper to buy the smaller items as they go on sale or have really good coupons come up. :2cents:

 

[Diggin It]

Thing is, I'm finding at least some on other sites at lower prices.

 

[millsan1]

My opinion is a factory makes a product, say pliers. Then someone sorts them. The best looking/ items go to the line that puts blue handles on them and then stamps Kolbalt on it. After the best pliers are removed the next best then get a different color handle and go to a different chain. Often the bottom of the barrel gets sent to HF. It doesn't mean it's the worst, just that maybe it doesn't look as nice. Other times a factory makes stuff and it's all the same other than the color of the plastic and the sticker they put on the side. As HF buyers we are tasked with trying to pick well, call it a lottery. Items you can pick up and examine are more like betting red or black on a roulette wheel. Boxed items where the box is in perfect shape is more like placing a bet on a row or column. Chances are there's something wrong with it but it'll be minor. If the box is damaged then it's like placing a bet on a single number. If you don't find any damage then you've hit the jackpot.

I just bought some deep sockets.

Next day, I was in Lowes. Their deep sockets are identical, down to the packaging.

 

[KubotainNH]

Thing is, I'm finding at least some on other sites at lower prices.

For a generator? Time to make a shopping list with prices I guess.

I would think using the card to defray some of the cost would hurt less. How much cheaper are the other ones?

Dual fuel would be nice though.....
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Champio...-Generator-with-192cc-Engine-100263/206842512

 

[millsan1]

Got a decision to make and I've not been doing well in that area lately.

I have a $350+ Gift Card from the Class Action Settlement. I have a list of small things I need, like a trailer jack, chain fall, extension cord, etc. I also am considering a different generator since my 8250 is giving my electronics fits when I need it during outages. I was looking at the 2K Inverter unit which has been running between $400 and $450 on coupons. But I like the electric start on the 3500 which runs around $700

Do I take the big bite on one of the generators and buy the smaller stuff over time? The other $350 to buy the 3500 is inconvenient right now due to other bills, but the full $700 later might be even harder.

The 2K would run all of the electronics by use of a couple of extension cords and the 8250 could be used to run the motor appliances (refrigerator, freezer, AC or furnace). That would only cost me $50-75 or so over the GC balance.

Does this help you?
Harbor Freight Tools Black Friday Ad for 218 | BlackFriday.com

 

[dragoneggs]

Personally I would go the generator route especially if the extra wattage would drop the usage of the bigger unit. Electric start is nice as is being able to run most everything (I have town water) on a unit that sips fuel and is quiet. I have a Lifan 3600 inverter that I have 6 circuits on. Lights, kitchen plugs, fridge, full size freezer, furnace and my internet gear. It runs them easily as long as I'm careful running the microwave as it starting at the same time as fridge & freezer may trip the gen breaker but it doesn't happen often.

Also, it may take longer but be cheaper to buy the smaller items as they go on sale or have really good coupons come up. :2cents:

Pretty much exactly what I was going to say. Easy to spend someone else's money but I think I would get the generator I really wanted at HF (assuming you did your homework) and buy the other stuff at lowest price and on 20% coupons.

You must buy a ton of stuff there. I haven't received a check yet but I don't know if it was an automatic thing. Do you have an idea of how much you spent to get $350 rebate?

 

[Diggin It]

haven't received a check yet but I don't know if it was an automatic thing. Do you have an idea of how much you spent to get $350 rebate?

Not automatic. You had to file before the deadline more than a year ago. No filing, no claim.


It was 18% of the qualifying purchases I filed.

 

[John_Mc]

That looks like a better buy than the 1.3 amp BatteryMINDer Plus maintainer/rejuvenator that was recommended on TBN a while back. (Presently $25 + $7 shipping from Northern Tool).

HF's has two better features: 4 amp charging, and an LCD display so you know what's going on.

Now I wish I had bought the HF one.

That BatteryMinder (model 12117) is the lowest end BatteryMinder product still in production. They have discontinued selling it to any distributor except Northern Tool. I own one of them that is almost 20 years old and still going strong. I'd still take that old, out dated BAtteryMinder product over the Viking any day. The newer BatteryMinder products have been significantly improved. I own 6 different BatteryMinder products (including one connected to my aircraft battery - that is the only charger I'll trust with that +/-$500 battery).