Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[jjeff]

Since I'm in my shop today, can't say enough good things about my hf 6" cross slide drill press vise, I believe it may have been discontinued? definitely not precision engineered for all the machinist folks it has some play in it and with spindle runout on my hf drill press I center punch everything anyway. It holds everything I've drilled in including using a hole saw accurately for my projects and doesn't send your work flying. Notice grade 8 washers and bolts cause the flange holes don't line up.

 

[5030]

I believe it is NLA. Like the 12" diameter flat face abrasive grinder. Discontinued as well. I have one and it's a beast. Weighs around 70 pounds and the motor has some balls too. Get my PSA discs from MSC, not HF however.

 

[5030]

Since I'm in my shop today, can't say enough good things about my hf 6" cross slide drill press vise, I believe it may have been discontinued? definitely not precision engineered for all the machinist folks it has some play in it and with spindle runout on my hf drill press I center punch everything anyway. It holds everything I've drilled in including using a hole saw accurately for my projects and doesn't send your work flying. Notice grade 8 washers and bolts cause the flange holes don't line up.

I see it has adjustable Gibs to remove the slop.....

 

[jjeff]

I see it has adjustable Gibs to remove the slop.....

Only some of it

 

[jjeff]

Since I'm on a harbor freight kick, the bench top tubing bender is handy had it for over 10:years, it has several dies for radiuses and one to bend flat stock notice cheater bar, I've used it for bending light guards and built a few rear racks using both steel and aluminum tubing.

 

[neverfailyou]

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.

HF had free batteries with coupon and additional purchase. When coupons were discontinued, free batteries and free other things all went away (maybe around the time covid came… not sure of time frame). I stopped going much to HF when this came about… but then I seem to have a good stock of most consumables and tools on hand.

 

[IndyJay]

OK guys, the free blue flashlights are back. LINKY

Got two of them. Can't beat the price. Come in handy with the magnetic back.

 

[gstrom99]

Got two of them. Can't beat the price. Come in handy with the magnetic back.

Dang! I was just up near my closest one yesterday. I was thinking of stopping in, but didn't.

It's 40 miles away, so not worth a special trip. I have three of those flashlights already. Work great.

 

[Oaktree]

HF had free batteries with coupon and additional purchase. When coupons were discontinued, free batteries and free other things all went away (maybe around the time covid came… not sure of time frame).

I remember them being on sale with coupon but never free. The orange & black Thunderbolt alkalines aren't too bad, though they don't have the capacity for higher draw items like a camera. OK for remotes, flashlights, clocks, portable radios, etc. Don't think I've ever had one leak.

Got two of them. Can't beat the price. Come in handy with the magnetic back.

Have they put stronger magnets on them now? Ones I have will barely hold the weight of the light, don't directly fall off, but will work their way down whatever you attach them to. Most of the ones I have use the individual LEDs, not the newer ones with the COB ones.

 

[IndyJay]

I remember them being on sale with coupon but never free. The orange & black Thunderbolt alkalines aren't too bad, though they don't have the capacity for higher draw items like a camera. OK for remotes, flashlights, clocks, portable radios, etc. Don't think I've ever had one leak.

Have they put stronger magnets on them now? Ones I have will barely hold the weight of the light, don't directly fall off, but will work their way down whatever you attach them to. Most of the ones I have use the individual LEDs, not the newer ones with the COB ones.

Not sure since they are new to me. They have both a beam and a small flood light. Mine seem to have a fairly strong magnet.

 

[daugen]

Harbor Freight vise did very well in comparison testing
Using one of these as an anvil is dubious
I loved the one vice where the test drop punched a hole all the way through.
It was as hollow as a chocolate easter egg

 

[California]

HF Coupon Database app? It's no longer listed on Google Play Store.

Any advice for a new similar app?

 

[5030]

Far as vises go, I never use the Anvil part of mine. I bought a real anvil at an estate sale for cheap and mounted it to a butt sawn log and use that.

 

[John_Mc]

HF Coupon Database app? It's no longer listed on Google Play Store.

Any advice for a new similar app?

I never used the app, but the website is still up and running:

Harbor Freight Coupon Database

 

[5030]

Don't do apps either. In fact the only thing my cell phone is for is calling and very limited texting. Guess I'm old school in that respect and we still have a landline too. I correct that, I do have my drone apps on it, one from Autel and one from DJI.

 

[jjeff]

This little guy is so handy if you need a small bench vice and need it to be somewhat portable. Had it for less than ten years no problems. On the other hand I bought a 4" hf bench vise over ten years ago it ended up in the scrap yard after the screw bent and a jaw cracked. I'll say it again Over the years a lot of there stuff has improved in durability over the years imo.

 

[5030]

I'd be curious to know how well the hf icon line of snap/ retaining ring pliers are? Personally I used to hate removing snap rings had a drawer full of cheap ring pliars best one I had was a cheap long nose needle nose one I ground down and bent it to work I eventually broke it on a L 2850 front end rebuild, went out spent some money on a knipex kit now I laugh and look forward to removing/ installing those rings.

HF has started offering 2 different sets of heavy duty internal and external snap ring pliers. There is an 8 piece set in a blow molded case and a 4 piece set in a smaller blow molded case as well. Bought the 4 piece set, was 49 bucks. Nice snap ring pliers, heavy duty quality made like all the ICON stuff is. Lifetime guarantee like all the ICON tools are.

 

[5030]

I rarely post pictures but of you visit any HF store, check them out (ICON snap ring pliers). I think you'll be quite impressed.

 

[flyerdan]

Harbor has their own app in the play store that has all the coupons that come out in the emails.
Just search harbor freight and it should come right up.

 

[crashz]

I generally hate most HF tools, but the 4 ton Daytona jack is very well built and works well. Not a problem lifting the front or rear axle on my F450.