Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[DFB]

Yes the battery connection is all important a poor connection can give a misleading or weak reading. The Cen Tech has that impedance measurement feature.

I tried out the one I have on 4 different batteries...one was an unknown age (but at least a 2 year old minimum) Walmart purchased motorcycle battery that will start and run the bike but wont hold the charge after a day or two, another Walmart battery bought and I put in new in 2014 for my JD diesel tractor. the third battery was for my 8 cyl Durango. A battery I just had installed by a local garage back in June after the old one just completely failed and left me stranded out front of local lumber yard, and the 4th is a brand new lawn tractor battery I also purchased in the spring of 2015 from local auto parts store.

Both the JD battery and the lawn tractor battery showed readings better than the listed CA/CCA, the motorcycle battery gave a reading of less than half the assumed CA/CCA (it wasn't marked but it took a ejumacated guess from several similar ones found online). But the kicker was the "new" SUV battery it was showing readings about 10% lower than the listed rating. I'm trusting the garage didn't screw me on the battery and its all with the terminal connections in the reading. I haven't had any problems but I'm watching it and tomorrow will be a good test because its going down 14 degrees with a wind chill of -5 I seem to have constant terminal corrosion buildup problems with vehicle even using sprays it always comes back even with new battery.

I have made a habit now of marking the purchase date right on the battery with a paint pen too!.



Kent Bergsma has a decent series testing a battery's performance and also using these and other different types of testers

 

[Travelover]

Kent Bergsma has a decent series testing a battery's performance and also using these and other different types of testers

Good video - I learned something.

 

[Rustyiron]

Yesterday I picked up their little 1x30" belt sander for knife sharpening duty. It's awful hard to complain about a $50 tool. (so far so good) Waiting for some proper (knife) belts from amazon to give it a real try.
Their red roll around tool cart, like 5 drawers? is built sturdy and the drawers work well but the locking mech that is supposed to release the drawers when you open the lid does not work on it's own. I've tryed to lube them but they do need to be pulled up manually. I'm still "moving in" to it trying to decide what tools I want mobile.

 

[Rustyiron]

Yesterday I picked up their little 1x30" belt sander for knife sharpening duty. It's awful hard to complain about a $50 tool. (so far so good) Waiting for some proper (knife) belts from amazon to give it a real try.
Their red roll around tool cart, like 5 drawers? is built sturdy and the drawers work well but the locking mech that is supposed to release the drawers when you open the lid does not work on it's own. I've tryed to lube them but they do need to be pulled up manually. I'm still "moving in" to it trying to decide what tools I want mobile.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yesterday I picked up their little 1x30" belt sander for knife sharpening duty. It's awful hard to complain about a $50 tool. (so far so good) Waiting for some proper (knife) belts from amazon to give it a real try.
Their red roll around tool cart, like 5 drawers? is built sturdy and the drawers work well but the locking mech that is supposed to release the drawers when you open the lid does not work on it's own. I've tryed to lube them but they do need to be pulled up manually. I'm still "moving in" to it trying to decide what tools I want mobile.

I have that sander. Works fine after readjusting a bit. It is often on sale for ? less than $30. Well worth it for light duty work.

 

[Rustyiron]

Generaly everything go's on sale just after I buy!

 

[lostcreekranch]

Generaly everything go's on sale just after I buy!

You can take a better price and your receipt back, for refund of the difference, up to 30 days after your purchase.

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[bcp]

5/16 grade 70 chain now on sale.



Bruce

 

[lostcreekranch]

And so is the 1.5 ton aluminum floor Jack for $59.99. I got mine a couple of years ago on a $49.99 super coupon.

I have a 3 ton for bigger lifts but, use this one most of the time.



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[Pixguy]

Great deal

 

[superiorpower]

Anyone have experience with the 3"x21" belt sander (item #s 69859 and 90045)? I am considering using one and adding a 36 grit belt to sharpen mower blades. I really want to build a belt grinder or purchase one (but they list for nearly $2k).

 

[joefromga]

The air tool chucks and hoses and connectors have always been good. I got a electric shop hoist from there and it's still working after about 6 years or so. The hvlp sprayer was no good from the start.
Their presses and Jacks and stuff are hard to beat and I got a stainless shallow well pump that works great. Better than the overpriced ones from lowes/hd.

The drills aren't good. Steel isn't hard enough. The 90 dollar kobalt or Dewalt is hard better from somewhere else.

I love the gloves, aprons, rags, goggles, etc. Zip ties and small stuff is great.

I go for one thing and come out with an armful.

Also got the aluminum fold ramp. Pretty nice.

 

[5030]

I'll give their clicker torque wrenches a 10 too, all sizes. I've checked all of the sizes against my mega buck Snap-On dial wrench and they are all right on, every time.

Twist drills ain't much. Maybe ok for wood but someone gave me a set for my birthday and I literally unwound one drilling a hole in a chunk of steel. I tossed the rest in the scrap can...... destination... salvage yard.

 

[5030]

I'll give their clicker torque wrenches a 10 too, all sizes. I've checked all of the sizes against my mega buck Snap-On dial wrench and they are all right on, every time.

Twist drills ain't much. Maybe ok for wood but someone gave me a set for my birthday and I literally unwound one drilling a hole in a chunk of steel. I tossed the rest in the scrap can...... destination... salvage yard.

 

[94BULLITT]

I'll give their clicker torque wrenches a 10 too, all sizes. I've checked all of the sizes against my mega buck Snap-On dial wrench and they are all right on, every time.

Twist drills ain't much. Maybe ok for wood but someone gave me a set for my birthday and I literally unwound one drilling a hole in a chunk of steel. I tossed the rest in the scrap can...... destination... salvage yard.

I have a 1/2'' HF click torque type wrench that I checked against my snap on click type and they were within 2ftlbs. The hex on the end of the HF handle makes it uncomfortable to use and the handle is really short for a 1/2'' drive torque wrench. They are pretty good for the money, and cheap enough to keep one in every vehicle.

 

[Garandman]

Price just went up but still a good deal. I had a coupon so paid $279 plus plywood.
1720 lb. Capacity 48 in. x 96 in. Super Duty Folding Trailer

The bearings come in a preservative. The directions are very clear that you must clean and repack the bearings, but some people don't. Took about 5 hours to build. I added a ground wire to the wiring harness and soldered all the connections. Coated the plywood with rubberized paint.

 

[IslandTractor]

Price just went up but still a good deal. I had a coupon so paid $279 plus plywood. 1720 lb. Capacity 48 in. x 96 in. Super Duty Folding Trailer

I have one of those. Good little trailer. Be very careful when folding it. Safely done only with two people. Also consider using slightly bigger casters than provided if you will be moving the folded trailer on anything but smooth surface.

 

[Garandman]

Although called ""Folding" this one just hinges down from the front yoke. Wanted the 5 lug wheels, 2" receiver and higher capacity.

I believe you may have this one.

1195 lb. Capacity 48 in. x 96 in. Heavy Duty Folding Trailer

Build thread. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...assembling-harbor-freight-1720lb-trailer.html

 

[IslandTractor]

Although called ""Folding" this one just hinges down from the front yoke. Wanted the 5 lug wheels, 2" receiver and higher capacity. I believe you may have this one. 1195 lb. Capacity 48 in. x 96 in. Heavy Duty Folding Trailer Build thread. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/347977-assembling-harbor-freight-1720lb-trailer.html

Correct. Different trailer. I did switch out the hitch to 2" on mine though.

I wonder why they call yours folding? I always thought that was just the heavy duty trailer.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I bought their smaller 40" X 49" trailer specifically to mount my 4000 psi pressure washer on for portability around the ranch. Pull it with our Polaris Ranger.

Heavy Duty Utility Trailer - 870 Lb. Capacity

I did not install lights etc. since it is primarily used on the ranch. If it leaves the ranch, I just load the whole thing on our 6' X 12' utility trailer.









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