Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[5030]

I've noticed a couple of other sizes that are usually missing out of socket sets too, but I can't recall what they are right now. And they stopped selling individual sockets so you can't replace a lost one.

Not true at least at our local shop. Individual sockets (impact variety) are hanging on the rack just below the sets.

I believe HF deletes the metric sockets that directly correlate to SAE sizes.

 

[hunt4570]

I've noticed a couple of other sizes that are usually missing out of socket sets too, but I can't recall what they are right now. And they stopped selling individual sockets so you can't replace a lost one.

Lowes has individual sockets for sale

 

[JimWalch]

16mm 5/8 Inch

18mm Just under 3/4 Inch

 

[ronjhall]

16mm5/8 Inch

18mmJust under 3/4 Inch

When I am working on a metric project. I expect a complete of sockets and wrenches. Not having to go back to tool box for some inch tools.

 

[5030]

When I am working on a metric project. I expect a complete of sockets and wrenches. Not having to go back to tool box for some inch tools.

The walk back is good exercise....

 

[aczlan]

16mm5/8 Inch

18mmJust under 3/4 Inch

3/4" is 19.05MM, not 18MM.

Aaron Z

 

[hunt4570]

When I am working on a metric project. I expect a complete of sockets and wrenches. Not having to go back to tool box for some inch tools.

Agreed..

 

[rangerfredbob]

If I'm working out of my box on something I know, I put all the tools I know I need in a tool bag including those interchange sizes depending on what I find in my drawer that day... The 15mm and 18mm do get missed too often in kits though, but the 5/16" to 8mm, 11mm to 7/16" (doesn't always work), 13mm to 1/2", 16mm to 5/8" and 19mm to 3/4" are well experienced in my world, just don't get me started on where all my 10mm sockets and wrenches got off to, some days I have 5 of each others none are to be found... 3/8" is close but not close enough, that one will go one way but not the other...

 

[flyerdan]

I'm thinking of heading over during the sidewalk sale for one of these rotary tools for when my Dremel packs it in. It's the same lineage as the multi-tool I picked up a while back and seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[LouNY]

If I'm working out of my box on something I know, I put all the tools I know I need in a tool bag including those interchange sizes depending on what I find in my drawer that day... The 15mm and 18mm do get missed too often in kits though, but the 5/16" to 8mm, 11mm to 7/16" (doesn't always work), 13mm to 1/2", 16mm to 5/8" and 19mm to 3/4" are well experienced in my world, just don't get me started on where all my 10mm sockets and wrenches got off to, some days I have 5 of each others none are to be found... 3/8" is close but not close enough, that one will go one way but not the other...

I know that feeling 10mm, 7/16 and 1/2 I most have bought dozens of them over the years and always the hardest to find in my boxes.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I bought an XL kindling cracker on Amazon and wanted a dedicated hammer to keep with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Hand-Kindling-Splitter-Firewood/dp/B07NQJ8PKG

Saw this one at HF and it looked perfect for my needs.

4 Lb. Drilling Hammer

$9.59 after 20% coupon. Cheapest I’ve ever gotten out of a HF.

 

[California]

I'm thinking of heading over during the sidewalk sale for one of these rotary tools for when my Dremel packs it in. It's the same lineage as the multi-tool I picked up a while back and seems like a pretty good deal.

I bought one, and like it. But I bought some cheap accessories for it from China via Ebay. Bearing down on a rotary wire brush at high rpm, the brush's long shaft bent 90 degrees making the tool wildly out of balance. I thought it was electric shock and struggled to hit the off switch then moved to yank the cord out of the wall.

The tool is great. Better than the little Dremel I've had for years. That failure didn't hurt the tool.

Beware cheap accessories for it. Wear safety gear.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I have one of their hatchets and a drilling hammer on the porch for end of line splitting needs , great combo, it's even wife approved... I know you shouldn't hammer on a hatchet but it's just light use, heavy splitting is done beforehand. I think I got my drilling hammers for $7 but think I got the wood handle version.

I forgot about the 17mm and 11/16" combo above, another that doesn't always work but sometimes does in a pinch. 9/16" will work on 14mm but not the other way around...

 

[flyerdan]

...
Beware cheap accessories for it. Wear safety gear.

I've got one of those extensive kits that Costco had a few years back that have all that stuff so it'll be used first. My dad had a bunch of dental burrs that he'd acquired ages ago, they are good for minute wood working and fussing. Close work requires my glasses and binoc visor so that's covered safety wise, and I always position myself out of the scatter arc; even the best wire wheels shed wires.

 

[Threepoint]

I'm thinking of heading over during the sidewalk sale for one of these rotary tools for when my Dremel packs it in. It's the same lineage as the multi-tool I picked up a while back and seems like a pretty good deal.

I've had two of those for several years. It's a very good tool. I'd put it up there with the Dremel version.

 

[5030]

I've had two of those for several years. It's a very good tool. I'd put it up there with the Dremel version.

I think Dremel's are Chinese now. Might as well buy the HF version, you know for sure where it came from.....

 

[PhysAssist]

Coupons for Harbor Freight Tools - Apps on Google Play just scans of HF coupons & they accept them every time for me. Never go into the store without your 20% off & freebie tool coupon. Never need to remember to find a magazine ad or mailer anymore.

I don't like loading extra Apps on my cell for shopping, so I just open a browser, go to the HFQPDB.com site and search for the coupons I need, and then open each into a new tab.

 

[PhysAssist]

Sometimes, we had target practice before school in the mornings. The shop teacher used to borrow my pocket knife for wood projects. Today, just having the knife would be a major incident.

You mean like this:

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article235891762.html

?????????????????????????????????????????

 

[4570Man]

16mm5/8 Inch

18mmJust under 3/4 Inch

A 5/8 won’t fit a 18mm bolt. A 3/4 will work but it’s a poor fit.

 

[PhysAssist]

I致e got a harbor freight wrench set which I don稚 like, 2 sets of deep sockets and a set of shallow sockets and the shallow is the only one that has an 18 mm.

None of my socket sets, including those from Craftsman and Snap-on, had an 18 mm socket, which I needed to work on my 2001 Ford F-350's brakes- so I bought one 18 mm socket at Lowes.