Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[MossRoad]

Does anyone like their 11-1/2 X 7-1/2 X 4-1/2 ALUMINUM CASE as a pistol case. I actually was all set to get one, until I looked at in person. Seemed a bit tall/deep for my use.

$14.99
Compare that to $73.99...... yeah. :laughing:

 

[Tractorboy88]

US General 56" tool box, side drawer cabinet, and side locker. That's also a US General tool cart.



First off, i'd choose that tool cart over any Snap-On, MAC, MATCO competitor. Mine worked flawlessly till it rolled out the door of the shop one night and flipped over on its side. It was full of tools (2 standard and metric sets of shallow and deep 3/8 drive sockets, a set each of 1/4 deep and shallow sockets, at least one set of standard and metric wrenches, a complete set of screwdrivers, 3/8 and 1/4 extensions, at least 6 ratchets, hammers, pliers and much more). It scuffed it up pretty good, bent the back of it up, and the lid doesn't shut like it should anymore, but it took that beating like a tank. I still use it daily. The only problem i've had with it were the lid struts started leaking down, so i took them completely off and just flip the lid all the way over. I could buy better replacement struts at the local parts store, but i like the open space of the lid being flipped over backwards. I drilled a couple of the screwdriver holes out bigger to accommodate 3/8 and 1/2 drive ratchets and extensions, and added washers to some screwdriver holes to make them smaller to hold some smaller tools/screwdrivers. I've also added their cart shelf which is surprisingly strong and their magnetic glove box holder.

I originally went to buy their 72" US General box, but it was on back order at the time, leaving them with only the 56". I already owned the side cabinet on my previous Crafstman box, so it makes it roughly the same size, although it is a different color of red. The drawers are very solid, thick, and do not twist or open unevenly. All are heavily loaded with tools and each opens and closes smoothly. Each drawer is equipped with a lock tab on the side that must be pulled to open the drawer. Labels are included to install on the drawers, just write whats in the drawer and slide the label into the slit on the handle and cover with the protective sheet. It has a thick mat which has a rough texture (which is not good for writing on) and is held to the top of the box via an adhesive, but could be easily removed/replaced. Since i prefer not having a top box, I've been contemplating laying a piece of poly-glass on top of the mat, giving me a smooth writing surface and a place to keep some pictures. The key locks are very nice, similar to drink machine locks, or what you might find on Snap-On/MAC boxes. There is a lock on each bank of drawers, and can be unlocked using the same key. 2 keys were included. The casters are large and roll very nice, the brakes work good, and i've seen no signs of bending or bowing. The box is overall very maneuverable for its size. It comes with 2 large handles, both of which on mine have been removed for the cabinet and locker. I've seen no signs of rust in the paint/finish. Be prepared, this thing is heavy!! The shipping weight is over 500 lbs!

The side locker is spacious, can be mounted on either left or right hand side, has one adjustable shelf, 2 drawers, and a removable coat hanger rack. The drawers come with a factory liner. The lock on the door is the same type as the box, but uses a different key cut. 2 keys are included. I did add a small round magnet to the inside of the door that contacts the shelf and holds the door closed tight, versus having to lock the door after every use.

The side cabinet is the oldest unit, approx 5 years, but nonetheless has given no trouble. The drawers came with a factory liner and open/close well, not as smooth as the drawers on the box, but it is older. The drawers come with labels as well, but i have a couple of magnetic labels stuck on them. I have had them loaded with various weight tools and they perform just as well under all loads. It is a approx 4 inches shallow of the box and just as much shorter. It comes with a removable ridged mat on top. The lock works good and is of the doubled edged key type. It comes with 2 keys.

 

[PhysAssist]

Hi Tractorboy88,

Thanks for the comprehensive review.
Thomas

 

[PhysAssist]

Hi Tractorboy88,

Thanks for the comprehensive review.
Thomas

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The 130 piece tool set they have on "sale" for $32 currently is really a nice set for the tool box/trunk. The case itself will not last forever but the low end tools work OK. I would not want to use it to rebuild an engine but to change a battery or alternator in a parking lot it is a lot better than my bare hands.

More and more contractors are using their power tools I see. I saw a drill press I think it was at Sears that was about twice as much but other than the name on it it was the same one that HF offered. I like their cheap paint brushes for doing parts clean up with diesel for example. HF is not everyone's cup of tea but I wish I had a big shop with one of every item they carry.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The 130 piece tool set they have on "sale" for $32 currently is really a nice set for the tool box/trunk. The case itself will not last forever but the low end tools work OK. I would not want to use it to rebuild an engine but to change a battery or alternator in a parking lot it is a lot better than my bare hands.

More and more contractors are using their power tools I see. I saw a drill press I think it was at Sears that was about twice as much but other than the name on it it was the same one that HF offered. I like their cheap paint brushes for doing parts clean up with diesel for example. HF is not everyone's cup of tea but I wish I had a big shop with one of every item they carry.

 

[DFB]

Oh man up till now any of the HF stores were all at least a full hour or more drive for me minimum. So the guys at the motorcycle shop told me when I stopped by today one just recently opened up close by. maybe only 20 min away now and not far from the main office of the business I work for...this is not good. :laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

Oh man up till now any of the HF stores were all at least a full hour or more drive for me minimum. So the guys at the motorcycle shop told me when I stopped by today one just recently opened up close by. maybe only 20 min away now and not far from the main office of the business I work for...this is not good. :laughing:

I had the same experience about three years ago. I still have some boxes of tools I couldn't resist but haven't had the time or need to even open up. Beware the 20% coupon and GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). Anyone need a floor mounted tubing roller? or a floor mounted compact bender??

 

[IslandTractor]

Oh man up till now any of the HF stores were all at least a full hour or more drive for me minimum. So the guys at the motorcycle shop told me when I stopped by today one just recently opened up close by. maybe only 20 min away now and not far from the main office of the business I work for...this is not good. :laughing:

I had the same experience about three years ago. I still have some boxes of tools I couldn't resist but haven't had the time or need to even open up. Beware the 20% coupon and GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). Anyone need a floor mounted tubing roller? or a floor mounted compact bender??

 

[joefromga]

Most generic scan tools will not retrieve abs codes. You are going to need something like this. What year is the truck?

Looks like the 60794 does just about everything.

 

[JBourquin]

Just opened one bout 20min from me too. Doing my best to behave but the wheels in my head have been running on high speed. Just thinking about how I can stock the garage after its built.

 

[flyerdan]

My neighbor got one of those 56" tool chests for Christmas, I forked it out of the pickup for his wife and helped unpalletize it for her. Nice heavy construction and he really likes it.

 

[California]

If you're serious about loading up on new HF tools - and have some patience - then their Inside Track Club might be worthwhile. Its an additional set of discount coupons mailed monthly. I bought it one year and came out a little ahead of what I would have paid using ordinary coupons or the occasional 25% off coupon.

Also ITC might be cost effective for the contractor etc who buys multiples of the same tool for his crew.

Disadvantage of ITC is you have to wait for what you want to appear in the monthly list, not practical if you actually need a tool right now for a specific project. In that case retail less a 20% coupon is preferable to waiting months for another dollar savings.

I renewed a second year and never broke even that time. Haven't renewed since.


Charge!

 

[Tractorboy88]

My neighbor got one of those 56" tool chests for Christmas, I forked it out of the pickup for his wife and helped unpalletize it for her. Nice heavy construction and he really likes it.

I wish i had such luxury when i unloaded mine haha

 

[Garandman]

I have the red tool chest as well. I used a 2x10 to slide it down to the ground. Very useful size and works great. Had it two years.

 

[MossRoad]

I picked up this sharpening stone at HF for $.99
Sharpening Stone - Combination Sharpening Stone

and this hand-held sharpener for $2.99.
Handheld Knife Sharpener

Gotta say, I'm happy with my $3.98 purchase!

I've had a set of stainless steel knives since we got married about 30 years ago. They have never been easy to sharpen and I've never been really happy with them. So I thought, what the heck, four bucks, give it a try. I wetted the stone with water, and made about 10 passes on the rough side of the stone, followed by about 10 passes on the finer side. Then I started dragging it through the hand-held sharpener with a little force. At first, it felt like it was just sliding through the ceramic sticks. But after about the 6-7th pass, I could feel it start to bite. 2-3 more passes and dang, those knives sharpened right up very nicely. I had the whole bunch done in about 15 minutes. About 6 kitchen knives and 6 steak knives.

I cut up some chicken breasts and was very impressed. Used them on some thick steaks tonight and man, they worked great!

So, I'd say these are two Harbor Freight tools that don't suck. :thumbsup:

 

[5030]

Dang thread is so long I can't remember if I put it in but the HF bubble balancer (for mounted tires) works great. I use it with my ancient Coats 10-10 for everything except motorcycle tires. Saved me a bundle over the years (I've had it for about 5 years now).

 

[California]

I picked up this sharpening stone at HF for $.99
Sharpening Stone - Combination Sharpening Stone

and this hand-held sharpener for $2.99.
Handheld Knife Sharpener

Gotta say, I'm happy with my $3.98 purchase!

Try the 4-side diamond hone block to finish your sharpening.


This is truly the 21st century sharpening tool. Its not expensive, under $10 after discount coupon. I have one in the shop and a clean one in the kitchen. It cuts hard steel notably faster than a Carborundum-type stone. Then the 600 grit surface leaves a fine edge that slices cleanly. Highly recommended.

 

[Garycw]

That sharpening stone is good and lasts forever. Just oil it up well. The ceramic rod sharpener, not so much.

 

[sixdogs]

Try the 4-side diamond hone block to finish your sharpening.


This is truly the 21st century sharpening tool. Its not expensive, under $10 after discount coupon. I have one in the shop and a clean one in the kitchen. It cuts hard steel notably faster than a Carborundum-type stone. Then the 600 grit surface leaves a fine edge that slices cleanly. Highly recommended.

About 300 posts ago I also gave a glowing report of this diamond sharpener too but after owning mine a couple years need to add an update. There seems to be inconsistencies in manufacturing and some wear the diamonds off sooner than you would expect and lose sharpening capacity. They aren't "loading up" but rather the diamonds seem to be falling off. Mine does not work as well as it used to but I know of others still going strong.

I still really like mine but would like to pass along that info.