Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[PILOON]

A few years ago when I was looking for a new digital camera, I intentionally chose an older model that took AAs as opposed to one of the often pricey custom rechargeables.
I've always had Cannon cameras because I got good service from them, but switched to Nikon recently because it is able to use AA if the dedicated internal battery is dead.

Hey, with U there!
Due to the times I carry a Digital PLUS 3 spare batteries* as I've missed some great shots in the past.

One shot I still wished to have captured was a string of wild geese marching down the road with Mamma leading, the 7-8 goslings in a straight row with Papa in back keeping them lined up straight with the occasional honk.
Added was the sunset in the horizon.

*I now top up the charges every so often!

Also my car camera has saved me a couple of fines as I can present photographic evidence when needed.
(Time stamping also often helps.)

 

[AllByteNoBark]

"this gave me the thought of just buying extra batteries"

That's what I do; I have 4-5 different lights (including a nice bright 2-cell head light I use a LOT) that use the 18650's.

Also, I've seen a fair amount of complaints about the longevity of the plug-in connector on the HF/Braun folding light (I have 3), so I've always just swapped and charged externally.

I have one of the Nitecore "smart" chargers that do the 18650's (up to 4 at once), it also does the half-length 16340 cells (rechargeable replacement for one of the NON-rechargeables a smaller light I have)

Amazon - last time I tried to get 18650's from them I got the run-around; typed in the EXACT part #, kept getting page after page of everything BUT. Finally gave up and found 18650's here
Liion Wholesale Batteries | Li-ion battery/cell distributor
IIRC, that site explained that there had been cases of SOME 18650's causing fires - woulda been nice if Amazon had been upfront about it, instead of just trying the "hand is quicker than the eye" crap... Steve

I also use the Nitcore 4 bay charger. Had good luck with it. My EDC light last about twice as long with the 3500 mAh batteries as it did with one I got from Amazon which were I think 2000 mah

 

[caver]

Today I stopped by HF's Black Friday sale and got their new Hercules 11 amp angle grinder. It seems near identical to the 11 amp Dewalt DWE402 ($89) I had originally wanted.

I got a bargain table one that appears new, except the box looks like it was used for football by clumsy children - crushed both ends and torn. Whatever - I paid $33.75.

Home now, the grinder checks out as-new. A new toy!

Here's the coupon for this grinder. I think its a good buy at this coupon price.

<snip>
haha I remembered a post about this and was just over at Hazard Fraud. I checked the front of store for the bargains but just a few odds and ends. Right before I left I was over on the other side and forget that sometimes they just take an empty shelf to also pile bargains on. They had an 11 amp and 7 amp model no box. Interesting enough the 11 amp was maybe up to a dollar cheaper. So I got it (no box) for $31.98. It also had no spanner and neither did the other one. The power cord was still wrapped up like it was new with zip ties to hold it. It's like two grinders were purchased to remove the spanner and then returned them probably saying ehhh we threw the box away, sorry. People around here do stuff like that. I got a blister pack Harris torch kit from the local Lowes one time for probably half price. Someone had separated the pack on at least two of them to steal the cutting tip. I found a place that had the cutting tips for like 4$ and shipping.

 

[5030]

Just got a 30% off coupon in the Sunday paper. Gots to go to Harbor Fright next week. Need 4.5" cutoff wheels anyway. On sale (inside track club), 5 bucks a dozen.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Since I used it today a bunch of times, if you have random angle grinders for multiple purposes like I do (I have 3 or 4 I think... cutting, grinding and flap discs on them) HFT has a universal spanner wrench for grinders, it's worth it's weight in gold... It's $6 but it's easier to use 1 tool instead of 4 that always disappear, I'm thinking of getting two since my one found a hiding spot for a few months... to save some time it's HERE. It has a spring washer on the pivot bolt so it's not all floppy or anything, simple tool but cheaper than making one...

 

[5030]

Current sale is the free LED flashlights again. Think I have 4 or 5 but as few more won't hurt. Good lights especially free (with batteries included).

 

[dragoneggs]

Just got a 30% off coupon in the Sunday paper. Gots to go to Harbor Fright next week. Need 4.5" cutoff wheels anyway. On sale (inside track club), 5 bucks a dozen.

At $30per year, I wonder if the average Joe could ever 'pay' for it. I just use as many 20% coupons that I can. I am guessing one needs to be a contractor or serious user to consume enough to pay for being on the 'inside track'.

 

[5030]

At $30per year, I wonder if the average Joe could ever 'pay' for it. I just use as many 20% coupons that I can. I am guessing one needs to be a contractor or serious user to consume enough to pay for being on the 'inside track'.

I was 'coerced' into it by the cashier. Bought the high end Zurich code reader with Fix Assist (which works very well by the way) and when I was checking out she said I could get an additional 30 bucks off if I joined the Inside Track Club so it was a wash and she marked down the Zurich from 189 bucks to 139 bucks. Win for me. Let it go a year and let it lapse.

The Zurich is a very nice code reader, I use it on all my vehicles. Easy to use and tells you what the impacted (by code) components are so no guessing. Tells you where the OBD port location is and the female plug on the Zurich is illuminated so hooking it up under the dash is simple.

I was ready to fork over 189 bucks but was surprised instead. Not made in China either.

 

[5030]

Don't know how Schmidt does it. I keep waiting for tariff related price increases but so far, the only increase has been on the Icon torque wrench, 1/2 drive went up 10 bucks and it's still a bargain at 110 bucks. I have the Snap-On version (almost identical) and it was 625 from the tool truck. Have an Icon now too. I love good tools. The ratchet head on the Icon is finer pitch than the Snap-On btw.

 

[TractorGuy]

Bought the Diamondback 7" tile saw the other day. Probably going to finish my shower project and resell for 50 bucks less but it is one sweet running saw. If I had room to store it I would keep it just in case. I didn't buy the stand because it looked like a back breaker. I just set it up on my steel HF saw horses with the legs at full height. I added a piece of plastic to the back for a backsplash and have been able to use in in my garage without making a mess. They have a 20% off any Diamondback coupon in their online sales flyer that is good till DEC 30. Kind of crazy to spend that on a saw I have limited use for. I did 99% of my cutting in about two hours. I still have a little more to do as I go along though. I figured by the time I rented a decent saw for two days I would have half the cost of buying.