Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Rock Crawler]

I received the replacement 18V tools today.... Sorry Harbor Freight... Your price is too high and your warranty is to low.

Ridgid 5 piece set for $279.

 

[KubotainNH]

I'm returning them

I found the Ridgid 5 tool deal for $279 and ordered that. For around $80 more I'll have the 1/2" impact, 1/4" impact, drill, 4.5" grinder and LED light plus a 2 amp battery and 4 amp battery and a single charger.

I can't pass that deal up.

Yes I know, earlier in this thread I said bring the HF stuff back and buy the 5 tool deal. It's great having a battery powered cutoff wheel at your disposal. So I'll be waiting for your review.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Yes I know, earlier in this thread I said bring the HF stuff back and buy the 5 tool deal. It's great having a battery powered cutoff wheel at your disposal. So I'll be waiting for your review.

I have a task that needs done this week. I loaded my buddies 11,000 lb skid steer into my trailer and ripped the rear supports clean off of the frame. So I need to grind the 2" round tube mounts clean and also grind the trailer frame clean, then weld it all back together. I'll charge up the Ridged batteries and attempt to do all prep work with the new tools.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Guess what came!? I'll get them charged up this evening and start grinding.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Guess what came!? I'll get them charged up this evening and start grinding.View attachment 580628View attachment 580629

Nice kit. I have many of the Ridgid 18 Volt tools and I'm interested in how well the angle grinder works for you. I already have three corded grinders but, have an application that battery powered would be very helpful.

Looking forward to your review.

 

[Threepoint]

RockCrawler, out of curiosity, would you mind putting a voltmeter on the Ridgid 18v batteries once you have them freshly charged? Wondering if they will read 20v. I suspect they may use the same cells as the Hercules 20v and Dewalt 20v batteries, but are just described differently, like Milwaukee (maybe to comply with European marketing requirements?)

 

[Ford850]

RockCrawler, out of curiosity, would you mind putting a voltmeter on the Ridgid 18v batteries once you have them freshly charged? Wondering if they will read 20v. I suspect they may use the same cells as the Hercules 20v and Dewalt 20v batteries, but are just described differently, like Milwaukee (maybe to comply with European marketing requirements?)

There's no difference between 18v and 20v tools. It's a marketing spin. 2V Max Vs 18V Batteries, Which Is More Powerful? - CDZ

 

[Threepoint]

There's no difference between 18v and 20v tools. It's a marketing spin. 2V Max Vs 18V Batteries, Which Is More Powerful? - CDZ

Yes, that is the claim by various reports, online and on YouTube. I'm curious to see what RockCrawler finds with his brand new out-of-the-charger Ridgid batteries.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Since I still have the Hercules in the boxes, I can test them side by side tonight. I'll report back.

 

[crazyal]

My experience with the Ryobi 18v string trimmer - it would be fine for urban lawn grooming. My actual use is to cut foot-high straw that is too close to the deck columns to cut with the tractor and rotary mower. This works, but cutting material that coarse breaks the string continually. And refilling the spool is a PIA. Buy a couple of extra spools to swap in mid-job!

I would like a tool powerful enough to trim the blackberry runners that threaten to go up my orchard trees - this isn't it.

Mine was a great buy in near-new condition at Goodwill for $10. Next time I dropped stuff off there I found the leaf blower for $7. Again, this blower is sufficient for minor use but its not up to moving windrows of large wet leaves.

I see there are several models of Ryobi 18V string trimmers and leaf blowers. I'm talking about the models in this photo. Here's the review article where I found the photo.

I gave up and bought a Honda. While it's not the best ergonomically the 35cc 4 stroke cuts through anything I throw at it. Being a 4 stroke it's quiet and no 2 stroke smoke. It came with a saw blade and anything under an inch think it doesn't even notice. I would assume all the 4 stroke trimmers on the market now are like it. When I'm done using it I shut the fuel off and let it run until it dies. Then I just drain the fuel out of the tank back into the gas can so it never have fuel in it that can go bad. But we have a long winter up here so it will sit from August until May without being used.

 

[downsizingnow48]

x2. I tried a bunch of string trimmers, both electric and gas, all frustrating for one reason or the other. So about 6 years ago I got a Husqvarna with a Honda engine. The engine and the trim head work perfectly all the time. It sits most the year but always starts right away in the spring with fresh gas.

 

[KubotainNH]

Guess what came!? I'll get them charged up this evening and start grinding.View attachment 580628View attachment 580629

That set looks very similar to the Craftsman C3 setup I have built except for the flashlight which I don't need. I use all of the tools quite often and at least one pretty much daily. Love the 1/2" impact gun for tire swaps/auto repairs. The compact gun for almost anything you'd use a screwdriver or nutdriver on, super light and portable with the small battery (I never use a drill for screws now). The drill...well ya know and of course the grinder is super useful for a quick cut.

They should come with earplugs for the impact guns though...lol.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Yes, that is the claim by various reports, online and on YouTube. I'm curious to see what RockCrawler finds with his brand new out-of-the-charger Ridgid batteries.

Identical.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I created a little video this evening while I was playing around. All filmed, edited and produced from my Galaxy Note 9. It's amazing what these computer phones can do!

Ridgid Gen5X VS Harbor Freight Hercules. - YouTube

 

[LouNY]

Nice video

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Great video Larry. I am still very happy with my Ridged purchase. The 4ah batteries are great. I was thinking about adding the grinder to my set. I'm looking forward to see you real world test of it. Thanks

 

[lostcreekranch]

Great video Larry. I am still very happy with my Ridged purchase. The 4ah batteries are great. I was thinking about adding the grinder to my set. I'm looking forward to see you real world test of it. Thanks

Me too LS. I have an application for a cordless grinder and I have numerous Ridgid 18V tools, chargers, batteries.

 

[Raspy]

I got two new 3 1/2" "Roadshock" LED lights tonight. Hooked them to a power supply and they are nice. 1050 lumens. They come with a waterproof plug, they have a heavy diecast aluminum housing, stainless steel hardware and have Cree LEDs. They look like a good choice for fog lamps but not for high-beam driving lights. $29. each.

 

[Raspy]

Here's a favorite from Harbor Freight: The stainless steel shoehorn. Very durable, 12" long, last a lifetime, very smooth to the touch with heavy gauge stainless. Works better than any shoehorn I've ever had so I bought a bunch of them for Christmas gifts. $5.99. What a deal.

 

[dragoneggs]

Nice job RC! It is amazing what a smart phone can do production wise now too!