Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[newbury]

The only issue with them is when the batteries expire you cannot take them apart to renew the batteries. I've tossed a couple already.

I can. 3 screws.
I've maybe dozens of them hanging all over. used to put the free batteries in them for replacement.

 

[5030]

The ones we have appear to be riveted together but I'll look closer.

 

[Alan W.]

I can. 3 screws.
I've maybe dozens of them hanging all over. used to put the free batteries in them for replacement.

Same here. Hated to see the free batteries go. Didnt care how long they last when free.

 

[sd455dan]

OK guys, the free blue flashlights are back. LINKY

Forgot all about the flashlight when I was in at HF today. gal grabbed one without a word scanned and subtracted and dropped it in with the other things.

The ones here also have the 3 screws and 3 AAA

I keep forgetting them on projects turned on and then have to replace the dead batteries.

I think it is an HF plot to sell more batteries, which is OK with me.

 

[newbury]

The ones we have appear to be riveted together but I'll look closer.

It takes a real small screwdriver. And although the case looks like it could split in the middle it does not, the blue piece is like a thin top. I think you can see it in the pic.

 

[sd455dan]

I use one of their cheap plastic razor knives to split the label that they place across the 2 pieces.

 

[psvfd]

I replaced the batteries yesterday in one of the free blue light, the smaller light on the end does not work but the big one works.

 

[5030]

I can. 3 screws.
I've maybe dozens of them hanging all over. used to put the free batteries in them for replacement.

You are right. Got the magnifying glass out and by golly, there are 3 tiny cross slot screws. I'll be replacing the batteries now.

 

[5030]

Going to HF tomorrow. Going to buy 4 of their rechargeable Li-Ion D size batteries and the charger. I use their battery operated transfer pump (10 bucks) a lot and it's hard on batteries so I'm gonna try the rechargeable ones. $8 bucks a pair. Have to see what ITC stuff is on sale too.

I'll grab another light too.

I bought the Bauer 20 volt handheld blower and it's **** for blowing out the radiators on my big Kubota tractors and with a 5 AH pack, it runs and runs and fits behind the seat nicely as well.

 

[daugen]

hand held blowers really are the best for cleaning off the screens and engine. My Makita one, well just couldn't work without it.
Big blower sort of works, but little one you can poke the end in and get in the corners better. Can also blow crud off floor without blowing it all over cab first.
Great idea to keep one on tractor 5030.

I have had the giveaway lights before. I just bought some online to put near my electric panel for operating the gen controls to get regular light back on.
I think they were three for ten bucks, not a lot, but very bright. Lot brighter than HF ones.
free is good though...

 

[5030]

Free is always best in my opinion. I bought one of those Braun rechargeable LED trouble lights a while back on sale (ITC) and it's ok. The hinge on the light bar is sloppy now and no way to tighten it up that I can see and the run time isn't that long either. Cannot give it a 10, maybe an 8 at best. Recharges via USB but be aware it requires a mini USB plug.

The Bauer cordless blower comes with a concentrator snout that really directs the airflow. It really 'blows'....lol...and it's a 'tool only' deal so it was pretty cheap. Think I might buy a second one today.

 

[Oaktree]

Put a little grease on it might hold your socket on better if you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty. It makes me feel anyway, like I did something besides sit behind a computer, pushing papers.

Wouldn't grease make it fall off even easier? I'll sometimes wedge a small piece of paper in there which helps somewhat.

I can. 3 screws.
I've maybe dozens of them hanging all over. used to put the free batteries in them for replacement.

I do wish they had stronger magnets on them. Barely enough to hold the light to something, falls right off on something that moved/vibrated.
When did HF do free batteries? Don't ever remember seeing that.

 

[jjeff]

Wouldn't grease make it fall off even easier? I'll sometimes wedge a small piece of paper in there which helps somewhat.

I do wish they had stronger magnets on them. Barely enough to hold the light to something, falls right off on something that moved/vibrated.
When did HF do free batteries? Don't ever remember seeing that.

Nope it helps it stick on the anvil in my experience until you get a real stubborn bolt and it gets real warm than the grease just melts away like butter lol.

 

[jjeff]

I u

Free is always best in my opinion. I bought one of those Braun rechargeable LED trouble lights a while back on sale (ITC) and it's ok. The hinge on the light bar is sloppy now and no way to tighten it up that I can see and the run time isn't that long either. Cannot give it a 10, maybe an 8 at best. Recharges via USB but be aware it requires a mini USB plug.

The Bauer cordless blower comes with a concentrator snout that really directs the airflow. It really 'blows'....lol...and it's a 'tool only' deal so it was pretty cheap. Think I might buy a second one today.

I use an oversized blow gun it disperses the air enough so it doesn't bend the rad fins, works for me.

 

[5030]

Not had overly good results from the HF cheapo batteries. Not much life in them in my opinion.

On a better note, couple years ago I bought the HF 10 ton hydraulic 3 arm gear puller to remove rusted on disc brake rotors. It's a godsend. It's a bit cumbersome to get on (really takes 2 people) but once it's on, I guarantee it will pull any rusted on brake rotor or stuck drum with 3 or 4 quick pumps of the hydraulic ram. If it don't pull it, it will break the stuck rotor in two and then it will come off. I've used it on harmonic balancers on diesel engines too. Makes life a whole lot easier as in no beating them apart now which is really detrimental to the suspension parts. Comes in a nice blow molded case too.

 

[5030]

I u

I use an oversized blow gun it disperses the air enough so it doesn't bend the rad fins, works for me.

All well and good at the shop (and I do that as well) but in the field, the handheld Bauer blower works for me. I use it on the square bailer knotter stack as well to remove the chaff build up that causes missed bales. Hay chaff is always an issue when bailing and it would take a heck of a long air hose to get a blow gun in the middle of a hayfield...lol

 

[jjeff]

The hf central forge fluted extractors are ok I've had this kit for years, drill bits that came with them are garbage, finally broke a extractor I won't discuss the four letter words and drill bits I destroyed in attempting to extract the extractor. Finally a older more knowledgeable person led me to reverse thread drill bits for extraction purposes. Definitely don't trust hf bits for that.

 

[jjeff]

All well and good at the shop (and I do that as well) but in the field, the handheld Bauer blower works for me. I use it on the square bailer knotter stack as well to remove the chaff build up that causes missed bales. Hay chaff is always an issue when bailing and it would take a heck of a long air hose to get a blow gun in the middle of a hayfield...lol

Off topic but reminds me of using an old grove crane used to pull boats and docks it had an air leak at a boat yard I worked at had to run 500' of air hose connected to a standalone compressor which was connected to crane down a concrete wharf in order to prevent all the brakes from locking up. That's OSHA approved right?? Side note, I will not discuss the noises the pivot bearing on the turret would make. however I wore a life jacket when I was pulling the levers and was always ready to bail in a moments notice.

 

[jjeff]

Not had overly good results from the HF cheapo batteries. Not much life in them in my opinion.

On a better note, couple years ago I bought the HF 10 ton hydraulic 3 arm gear puller to remove rusted on disc brake rotors. It's a godsend. It's a bit cumbersome to get on (really takes 2 people) but once it's on, I guarantee it will pull any rusted on brake rotor or stuck drum with 3 or 4 quick pumps of the hydraulic ram. If it don't pull it, it will break the stuck rotor in two and then it will come off. I've used it on harmonic balancers on diesel engines too. Makes life a whole lot easier as in no beating them apart now which is really detrimental to the suspension parts. Comes in a nice blow molded case too.

I really like mine had it for a long time now was a set of three I believe HF no case though nice you can take arms off interchange components reverse them etc.

 

[5030]

The hf central forge fluted extractors are ok I've had this kit for years, drill bits that came with them are garbage, finally broke a extractor I won't discuss the four letter words and drill bits I destroyed in attempting to extract the extractor. Finally a older more knowledgeable person led me to reverse thread drill bits for extraction purposes. Definitely don't trust hf bits for that.

I have an (expensive) set of Snap On spline drive extractors. I like them a lot. Don't use any HF bits, only Cleveland Twist.