Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Pixguy]

Thanks for your input but couldn't you do that with any item and see bad reviews?

 

[Ford850]

Thanks for your input but couldn't you do that with any item and see bad reviews?

Absolutely, and I'm critical of many reviews. The first thing I do is sort by lowest and then read them to make a decision, sometimes I feel the reviewers are idiots and disregard them. But in this case when you read the reviews, there's a common theme of this item not working well outside, and many saying it's too weak for longer distances. Sidewalks and driveways both fall into those categories. But I like working with string and string levels for jobs like yours, so my opinion is skewed too.

 

[3Ts]

It'll work. That is not a challenge for the cut-off saws. Tractor Supply also has a cut-off that appears to be identical to the HF one.

That link does not go to TSC's chop saw. It does install a tracking cookie, however, and then takes you to TSC's home page.

When I put the original statement in, I did not include a link. I do not know where the link came from.

 

[California]

When I put the original statement in, I did not include a link. I do not know where the [Tractor Supply] link came from.

That link goes to 'www.pntrac .com' not Tractor Supply. It's some kind of magic that earns money from TSC when you click it and land on the TSC home page. All I found in the first few Google hits researching pntrac on Google, was an apparent competitor: Cashback Tracker Pro WordPress Plugin

I researched this kind of link a couple of years ago because a similar intermediary I encountered here on TBN was flagged by my ISP as 'dangerous, can't let you go there'. The intermediary must have somehow got on a blacklist. But going straight to TSC or whatever it was didn't encounter that block.

 

[sodamo]

Sadly, TBN redirects a lot of links. See a lot of Amazon links end up Walmart or some other place. Ticks me off TBN does that. Wish they would fix it.

 

[Peter 315]

I have a couple of walks and parking area to level/pitch properly. Anyone have experience with this inexpensive laser level?

View attachment 655517 $59

Junk I tried it in my new barn to level the floor......:thumbdown:

 

[defranks]

I bought one of those levels, and it's worked very well for me. It operates on the very simple principle of a plumb-bob. The light is suspended and gravity holds it. I, too, used one to level my barn floor and it worked great. I also used it to "snap" lines on my walls as I added tongue and groove. I have a much more expensive rotary laser level that I use outdoors, but for a quick job with minimum set up, the HF level is fine. The light is not real intense, so a darkened room or red glasses helps. And the "spread" is limited.
One caution, I understand that it can easily be damaged if it's moved without locking the mechanism. There's a little plastic sliding lever that locks and unlocks the pendulum. I make sure to lock it any time the level is not actually in use.

 

[Fallon]

Sadly, TBN redirects a lot of links. See a lot of Amazon links end up Walmart or some other place. Ticks me off TBN does that. Wish they would fix it.

If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product. Every commercial website from Facebook to TBN needs to make money to survive & be worth the owners effort. If they are free they are either selling you something or selling adds to the eyeballs they can get to the site, possibly your browsing data. Such is the world we live in due to people not wanting to pay. It's not a new thing & has been going on since before TV or radio. Muhammed does a good job with TBN but needs adds & redirect trackers to pay the bills and make money. I begrudge him making a few bucks WAY less than Mark Zuckerberg.

 

[Fallon]

Absolutely, and I'm critical of many reviews. The first thing I do is sort by lowest and then read them to make a decision, sometimes I feel the reviewers are idiots and disregard them. But in this case when you read the reviews, there's a common theme of this item not working well outside, and many saying it's too weak for longer distances. Sidewalks and driveways both fall into those categories. But I like working with string and string levels for jobs like yours, so my opinion is skewed too.

Intend to agree. I usually look at 2-4 star reviews & give them more weight. Personally something I review needs to be absolutely outstanding to get a 5 star review. The middle reviews tend to have more thought behind them as to why the item was good or bad & what deficiencies there might be. 1 star reviews tend to be rants often related to misuse with little valid supporting info.

 

[aczlan]

Sadly, TBN redirects a lot of links. See a lot of Amazon links end up Walmart or some other place. Ticks me off TBN does that. Wish they would fix it.

Interesting, I have seen where there have been links added for brands (such as Kubota), and I have seen you redirects added in the middle but I have never seen a link changed so that you end up someplace other than where the original poster intended.

Aaron Z

 

[5030]

Back to regular programming. Yesterday, besides the AC test gauges, I bought the HF static tire balance stand and a couple packs of stick on wheel weights in various weights. Once you get it on a level spot on the floor, it works as advertised, the balance bubble in the center is very sensitive to any rim / tire imbalance and applying the stick on weights is easy as well. Just be sure the inside of the rim is clean and grease free before you stick them on.

Balanced the tires on my wife's buggy (I just changed them out) and took it for a 'shakedown' run at 70 per. No shake, smooth as glass.

Works as advertised but I marked the floor where I put it for later reference so I don't have to recalibrate the centering bubble again.

The balancer has a spring loaded center section that aligns the rim and tire to the balance bubble. I'll give it a 9 not 10, only because it's pretty hard to get the balance assembly situated atop the hardened pin that sticks up from the base. Once it's on there however, it works just fine.

 

[5030]

Additionally, I wrote a letter to HF a while back asking them to market an liquid transfer pump with a Li-Ion rechargeable battery pack and they did. It's a Bauer 20 volt transfer pump (listed in the latest flyer under new tools), but alas, my local HF don't have them yet. Asked the manager to give me a call when they come and and she will. She's a good store manager...cute too.

 

[sodamo]

If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product. Every commercial website from Facebook to TBN needs to make money to survive & be worth the owners effort. If they are free they are either selling you something or selling adds to the eyeballs they can get to the site, possibly your browsing data. Such is the world we live in due to people not wanting to pay. It's not a new thing & has been going on since before TV or radio. Muhammed does a good job with TBN but needs adds & redirect trackers to pay the bills and make money. I begrudge him making a few bucks WAY less than Mark Zuckerberg.

Actually that is a lesser point for me. If someone is recommending a product and I am interested then that is the item I want to look at, not some other link that likely has different information, after all the poster could have chosen the other link had he wanted. I’d guess none of the redirects have resulted in a product available for me to purchase, meaning I have to re search manually.
I sure as heck don’t begrudge Mohammed monetizing this site, I’d pony up for a paid app that didn’t do unwanted things. I don’t and won’t use FB or anything from MZ as he doesn’t respect users. I do think TBN should be upfront/transparent about this policy.

 

[Fallon]

Actually that is a lesser point for me. If someone is recommending a product and I am interested then that is the item I want to look at, not some other link that likely has different information, after all the poster could have chosen the other link had he wanted. I’d guess none of the redirects have resulted in a product available for me to purchase, meaning I have to re search manually.
I sure as heck don’t begrudge Mohammed monetizing this site, I’d pony up for a paid app that didn’t do unwanted things. I don’t and won’t use FB or anything from MZ as he doesn’t respect users. I do think TBN should be upfront/transparent about this policy.

From what I've seen they are just tracking redirects. They always end up at the same place as the original link, just bouncing you & your info through an intermediate server. There are also key word links that add links based on key words where no link was originally. I haven't noticed those, but I only use TBN via TapaTalk. Usually only get keyword links via the web interface.

 

[California]

If someone is recommending a product and I am interested then that is the item I want to look at, not some other link that likely has different information, after all the poster could have chosen the other link had he wanted.

The most aggravating redirect in many discussions here is re the generic quick hitch. I don't want Pat's version.

 

[5030]

The most aggravating redirect in many discussions here is re the generic quick hitch. I don't want Pat's version.

I see that but then Muhammad sells them in his store so it's an 'on purpose' redirect. Kind of like welding items, you get directed to Everlast. I'm not at all interested in their stuff.

 

[Jim Nelson]

I use an iMac with the adblock on and never get any ads. I wouldn't mind them at the top of screen but if they are all over I'm out.

 

[5030]

If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product. Every commercial website from Facebook to TBN needs to make money to survive & be worth the owners effort. If they are free they are either selling you something or selling adds to the eyeballs they can get to the site, possibly your browsing data. Such is the world we live in due to people not wanting to pay. It's not a new thing & has been going on since before TV or radio. Muhammed does a good job with TBN but needs adds & redirect trackers to pay the bills and make money. I begrudge him making a few bucks WAY less than Mark Zuckerberg.

...and then you have the website forums that charge a 'premium' fee and still have ads, Vertical Scope's sites are real good for that. One of the main reasons I'm glad this site is still privately held.

 

[California]

Harbor Freight Jack Stands Recalled.

item numbers 56371, (3 ton) and 61196, 61197 (6 ton).

a total of 454,000 jack stands made between 2013 and 2019.

 

[dragoneggs]

Harbor Freight Jack Stands Recalled.

item numbers 56371, (3 ton) and 61196, 61197 (6 ton).

a total of 454,000 jack stands made between 2013 and 2019.

Thanks for posting... don't own them personally but will tell my friends in case they do. :thumbsup: