Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Diggin It]

Simple:

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/diagnostics/alternatorbattery-tester-69018.html

Looks like it may not be sold any more.

Too bad, because I planned on picking up a couple more.

 

[thepumpguysc]

They do sell a “load tester” that does the same + load tests the battery..
It has a sweeping needle instead of lites..

 

[jjeff]

Doesn't the hf viking battery tester check conductance between battery plates? It's the same price as the hf load tester and is a heck of a lot cheaper than my midtronics brand conductance tester Ive owned for over 15 yrs. Wonder how accurate the hf tester is for determining battery health?

 

[Topzide]

^^^^^^^^
It seems to do a good job of battery health. Have checked a few that were double-check elsewhere and got the same results. Works for me with all the batteries in my fleet!

 

[California]

Question: What is HF's $70 14oz tungsten framing hammer? How does that work?

This weekend I had to get the old Stiletto hollow-handle 20 oz framing hammer I earned my living with 50 years ago, to drive some nails in an awkward location where I couldn't get a hard swing with a little 16oz hammer. If 16oz doesn't hit very hard, what's the story on that 14oz expensive framer?

 

[1Mech]

I bought a Hercules 20v cordless die grinder last week, used it to cut nails that were preventing me from installing Fascia boards. It seemed to work quite well. Not near as small as an air die grinder though.

 

[1Mech]

Most NEW welders today are 100% solid state IGBT units. Actually own 3 of them, all HF units. 3 IGBT welders and 3 transformer units that aren't made anymore. China and Taiwan have flooded the market (via Amascon mostly) as well as Everlast and they are all about to take a hit I suspect. The IGBT welders I own are light years ahead of the old transformer units and they are all digital and all have memory as well. Problem is, if they puke, you might as well landfill them because they are not repairable, lest not by a person with limited electronics experience like me. No more knobs to twist or setting to remember, the welders remember them for you and they are all touch screen and the IGBT machines can make a backyard welder look professional.

I read elsewhere that the Chinese industrial complex is balancing on the edge of folding and the Trump trade war I believe will push them over the edge.

How about Grizzly? All their stuff is imported. Hope they have a lot of machines in inventory. If they don't, they are hosed as well. They always tout in the catalog how their machines are made in Taiwan. Last time I checked, Taiwan was part of the Peoples Republic of China, or close to it.

Bad times for Asia in general. They brought it on themselves however.

I follow International shipping on G Captain and 'What's going on with Shipping' on YT. Both sites give you good insight into the international maritime situation.

Taiwan is not part of the Peoples Republic, but rather it's own, non Communist country, also known as Republic of China (ROC) I don't know how the possible tariffs will affect Taiwan.

 

[scootr]

Question: What is HF's $70 14oz tungsten framing hammer? How does that work?

This weekend I had to get the old Stiletto hollow-handle 20 oz framing hammer I earned my living with 50 years ago, to drive some nails in an awkward location where I couldn't get a hard swing with a little 16oz hammer. If 16oz doesn't hit very hard, what's the story on that 14oz expensive framer?

I swung 20 oz with an extended handle that I held with 2 fingers and thumb for the biggest hits... for 30 yrs. Oh yeah and the end was wrapped with tape for more stickem We framed a lot of **** before and after the guns came along... My elbow quit hurting just 6 months after I quit that.

 

[5030]

Taiwan is not part of the Peoples Republic, but rather it's own, non Communist country, also known as Republic of China (ROC) I don't know how the possible tariffs will affect Taiwan.

Whatever, not big on geography anyway. All I know is they will be tariffed at some percentage. In my view, 'over there is over there'.

 

[5030]

Not seeing a huge price increase at HF currently but I suspect I will once the stuff in the warehouses dry up. Stores are pretty busy, I believe buyers feel the same way I do.

Keep wondering where their tool boxes are made at as the quality of them is high but the prices compared to Snap-On or MAC or even the Menards boxes are very reasonable. New box time for me actually.