Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[dragoneggs]

I have the Werner 22 (which I think is 9' step ladder size). Other than it being heavy it works fine. It's a little bouncy when fully extended but I rarely use it as an extension ladder. I'm not sure if I would like one that was lighter weight. I did get some of the LG attachments, like the stand that hooks onto a step for things like a paint bucket. At the time the Werner was a good $100 cheaper than the Little Giant.

I got a few accessories thrown in to sweeten the deal on the Little Giant. The paint bucket (used a couple of times) but the one I do like is the clamp on extension leg for sloped ground. My house is built on a steep slope so the sides are impossible to access without a 'strap on' peg leg (what I call it).

No question the Little Giant is sturdy even extended completely. As I get older I am more conscious of going up ladders. Best ladder I have ever been on. Been eyeing the HF smaller knock off and I could see me grabbing that for more mundane tasks at lower heights if the weight is much less (need to do the research on that) My dad's old rickety wooden step ladder needs to be retired. But another sentimental tool that I have been hanging on to more than it deserves. I hope he would understand. RIP dad.

 

[MossRoad]

I got a few accessories thrown in to sweeten the deal on the Little Giant. The paint bucket (used a couple of times) but the one I do like is the clamp on extension leg for sloped ground. My house is built on a steep slope so the sides are impossible to access without a 'strap on' peg leg (what I call it).

No question the Little Giant is sturdy even extended completely. As I get older I am more conscious of going up ladders. Best ladder I have ever been on. Been eyeing the HF smaller knock off and I could see me grabbing that for more mundane tasks at lower heights if the weight is much less (need to do the research on that) My dad's old rickety wooden step ladder needs to be retired. But another sentimental tool that I have been hanging on to more than it deserves. I hope he would understand. RIP dad.

36 Best Repurposed Old Ladder Ideas and Designs for 2

 

[dragoneggs]

36 Best Repurposed Old Ladder Ideas and Designs for 22

I'll be sure NOT to show this to my wife. This is right up her alley. However my ladder is so ugly I don't even think she would bite.

 

[MossRoad]

I have some things of my relatives that are retired to places of honor in the garage as well. :thumbsup:

 

[dlctcg]

I'll be sure NOT to show this to my wife. This is right up her alley. However my ladder is so ugly I don't even think she would bite.

So many comments... so little time... so not the right forum... ... sorry couldn't resist...

 

[MossRoad]

I'll be sure NOT to show:laughing: this to my wife. This is right up her alley. However my ladder is so ugly I don't even think she would bite.

Shabby chic!

 

[MossRoad]

Speaking of Harbor Freight tools that don't suck... :laughing:

I bought this framing nailer last week and ran about 900 nails through it Saturday and Sunday framing up the walls for our garage addition. After 20% off coupon, it was about $72.00. First framing nailer I've ever used. Seems to work just fine.

30deg-34deg Framing Nailer

 

[3Ts]

I got a few accessories thrown in to sweeten the deal on the Little Giant. The paint bucket (used a couple of times) but the one I do like is the clamp on extension leg for sloped ground. My house is built on a steep slope so the sides are impossible to access without a 'strap on' peg leg (what I call it).

No question the Little Giant is sturdy even extended completely. As I get older I am more conscious of going up ladders. Best ladder I have ever been on. Been eyeing the HF smaller knock off and I could see me grabbing that for more mundane tasks at lower heights if the weight is much less (need to do the research on that) My dad's old rickety wooden step ladder needs to be retired. But another sentimental tool that I have been hanging on to more than it deserves. I hope he would understand. RIP dad.

Please do retire it. It is not worth someone getting injured on it like my dad did on his.
I've gone to using only the OSHA certified 300# ladders. (I'm about 250# at the moment so that leaves a little room for tools).

 

[dragoneggs]

Please do retire it. It is not worth someone getting injured on it like my dad did on his.
I've gone to using only the OSHA certified 300# ladders. (I'm about 250# at the moment so that leaves a little room for tools).

Ya know, my grandfather (an architect) died falling off a ladder. Good advice. :thumbsup:

 

[TMGT]

I just picked up this blast cabinet from an auction today, I have the smaller red cabinet and was pretty impressed with its performance so hopefully this one won't disappoint.

The red one works very well, but by the time I did some upgrades and added a vac/reclaimer to it I was about what I git this one for (used of course) and I have the advantage of a larger work space. Plus it's not that horrible red HF likes to use!

So far I would say it's well built, metal is quite a bit thicker then the smaller red model in a lot of areas. Access and work area are pretty good, and the components like foot pedal and gun seem to be pretty good quality and the reclaimer that came with seems to have a decent reputation.

Looking forward to trying it out soon. (Don't look at the mess of a shop behind it!)

 

[Diggin It]

Speaking of Harbor Freight tools that don't suck... :laughing:

I bought this framing nailer ...

I have the older 28 degree version. Works fine, but heavy. What sucks is that they stopped selling nails for it.



On ladders, I have the Werner version. Works fine for what it does, but doesn't fold in all the places the LG does. Unless maybe I need some adapters. I could use a strap-on pegleg, but my ground is easy enough to dig one leg in deeper if need be.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I have the older 28 degree version. Works fine, but heavy. What sucks is that they stopped selling nails for it.



On ladders, I have the Werner version. Works fine for what it does, but doesn't fold in all the places the LG does. Unless maybe I need some adapters. I could use a strap-on pegleg, but my ground is easy enough to dig one leg in deeper if need be.

HD sells the 28° nails for it. The brand Paslode uses the same degree nails

 

[California]

HD sells the 28ｰ nails for it. The brand Paslode uses the same degree nails

Oh man I never want to to hear the name Paslode ever again! The only day I ever took off on sick leave when I was a Journeyman Carpenter was after a whole day of nailing down decking, seemingly acres of it, building the base for an apartment complex. Take a half step while crouched, fire, another crouched over half step, fire, all day. I was all cramped up by the end of the day, too painful to stand up straight. When I came back the boss said that is brutal and asked (Union rules) if I objected to having a laborer run the Paslode. H-- no! No objection from me!

But now I own a similar nailgun, Porter Cable, and like it.

 

[Oaktree]

I have the older 28 degree version. Works fine, but heavy. What sucks is that they stopped selling nails for it.

I have the same one. Like you said, it's heavy but does the job. I think it needs a little more pressure/volume than my 45 year old Craftsman compressor can deliver...I have to hand-drive the nails the last 1/8" or so. Still, beats doing it all by hand. Don't do a lot of framing anyway so not a big deal.

I'd read somewhere (here?) that the HF nails kind of sucked anyway...as someone else noted, I'll just get them at HD.

 

[MossRoad]

Speaking of Harbor Freight tools that don't suck... :laughing:

I bought this framing nailer last week and ran about 900 nails through it Saturday and Sunday framing up the walls for our garage addition. After 20% off coupon, it was about $72.00. First framing nailer I've ever used. Seems to work just fine.

30deg-34deg Framing Nailer

Update... ran about 4500 nails through it. No jams. Used both Harbor Freight nails and Paslode nails from Menard's. Both worked fine. The Paslode nails were more expensive, but just look like better nails, and seem to hold stronger, because the few I misplaced and tried to pull back out were bears to get out.

 

[MossRoad]

I also bought one of their palm nailers.

Compact Palm Air Nailer

It was about $26 after coupons. Wow, it actually works very nicely for putting in truss nails in the brackets in tight spaces. Dirt cheap and works. That's just crazy talk.

 

[MossRoad]

So what the heck, I bought this roofing nailer, too. :laughing:

15deg Coil Roofing Nailer

About $100 after coupon. Only ran a coil of nails through it so far. Just bought 1400sq ft of shingles tonight, so I'll post reviews after I put it to more use.

 

[5030]

So what the heck, I bought this roofing nailer, too. :laughing:

15deg Coil Roofing Nailer

About $100 after coupon. Only ran a coil of nails through it so far. Just bought 1400sq ft of shingles tonight, so I'll post reviews after I put it to more use.

Mossy, don't forget to put some air tool oil in the air inlet....

 

[rangerfredbob]

The $100 21 degree nailer works pretty good too, I had to follow up with a hammer for many but I blame that on feeding the thing low pressure... I did have to woarranty one but that was due to a badly placed piece of wood that was dropped from 12' onto the trigger...

 

[MossRoad]

Mossy, don't forget to put some air tool oil in the air inlet....

Yep. I've owned air tools since I was maybe 17. Always give them some before use. If they get continuous use, I give them some more every hour or so. :thumbsup: