Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[IslandTractor]

Speaking of calipers, I find that at $2.99 each, this little thing 6" Utility Caliper is worth having in multiples around the house, car and shop. I have one at my desk for internet measurement emergencies and though I wouldn't rely on one to build a space shuttle, it is fine for general duty. Besides quickly checking dimensions of small objects, it functions as a pretty good tire tread gauge, measuring pipe OD and ID, steel gauge etc etc. Again, in case you missed it, they cost $2.99!!!

 

[PILOON]

Speaking of calipers, I find that at $2.99 each, this little thing 6" Utility Caliper is worth having in multiples around the house, car and shop. I have one at my desk for internet measurement emergencies and though I wouldn't rely on one to build a space shuttle, it is fine for general duty. Besides quickly checking dimensions of small objects, it functions as a pretty good tire tread gauge, measuring pipe OD and ID, steel gauge etc etc. Again, in case you missed it, they cost $2.99!!!

YES--
Great little caliper, I also have them everywhere.
Not a new idea as mine are almost 20 years old, I also have quality steel one as well as a digital and frankly they all measure the same, mind you I have not tested in hot and cold temperature extremes.

 

[crazyal]

I bought a set of the 8" digital calipers from HF and they seam to work fine but they slide a lot rougher than my Mitutoyo calipers. It's like the feeling between a properly lubed bearing and one with no lubricant at all. But they work and are cheap. I would love to hear from anyone who bought the Mitutoyo selling on ebay from China for what seams like a cheap, but more than HF, price. I have a feeling that they are knock offs that someone just put the name on.

 

[SPYDERLK]

How come I'm on my original battery? Mine are 3 or 4 years old and not frequently used.

I think because the early ones really turned off - no sensor on line to turn on automatically or keep track of movements. ... If you move yours while off does it come up with a true reading or do you have to re zero it?

 

[SPYDERLK]

YES--
Great little caliper, I also have them everywhere.
Not a new idea as mine are almost 20 years old, I also have quality steel one as well as a digital and frankly they all measure the same, mind you I have not tested in hot and cold temperature extremes.

Yes. Those are vernier calipers. Extremely accurate if your eyes are good. ... The HF verbal description is BS.

 

[California]

I think because the early ones really turned off - no sensor on line to turn on automatically

I've had mine ten years and recently replaced the battery a second time. Possibly the third time. I think it shuts off cold.

Yes. Those are vernier calipers. Extremely accurate if your eyes are good. ... The HF verbal description is BS.

It really is! "down to the last millimeter or 16ths". That ignores the vernier scales which are labelled 1/128" [about .010"] and .05mm.

I keep mine with my drills and use the inch vernier to know the size of a drill bit. Accuracy is quite sufficient for that.

I learned how to read verniers on an old-school surveyor's K&E transit 50 years ago. I thought anybody could intuitively understand this. Maybe the author of that HF description was like a young kid looking at a dial corded phone.

But looking at the Metric vernier (.05mm) in the HF description - that vernier scale is 3 times longer than the 1/128" scale. I can't see distinctions as fine as what that provides. If I could read it, that's graduations of about .002".

 

[sixdogs]

How come I'm on my original battery? Mine are 3 or 4 years old and not frequently used.

I think because the early ones really turned off - no sensor on line to turn on automatically or keep track of movements. ... If you move yours while off does it come up with a true reading or do you have to re zero it?

When mine is off and I move it, no reading shows and the display stays off. Do others work this way?

 

[Ford850]

I picked up a couple of the 4 1/2" grinders with paddle switches yesterday. Thanks to those on here suggesting to add grease. The first one I opened had 2 of the 4 screws not even finger tight, but the gear box was packed full. The second one had tight screws but only had a pea sized glob of grease and not close to the dry gears. Now they are both packed with grease and snugged up.

 

[sixdogs]

Your above post about grease reminds me to mention that the caster wheels they sell usually need grease. On a recent purchase, none really had sufficient grease and only half had more than a thin wipe. Might have been a bad batch but it's worth a check before you install them.

 

[farmer2009]

What kind of grease are you using? I've got one of those grinders and it sounds horrid. But works ok needs more torque as it bogs easy.

 

[SPYDERLK]

When mine is off and I move it, no reading shows and the display stays off. Do others work this way?

The newer ones sense motion and come "ON" with the correct reading. IOW, it keeps track while "OFF". -- I asked my question poorly. More exactly; when you turn yours off, wait a minute or so then move it and then turn it back ON, does it display the correct reading for the new position? Or does it display the last reading or a default error code so that you have to re zero before using?

 

[Ford850]

What kind of grease are you using? I've got one of those grinders and it sounds horrid. But works ok needs more torque as it bogs easy.

Most that I've used sound horrid. Even my Dewalt sounds similar. But the one of mine that had dry gears and little grease had a very high pitch to it.
The grease that's in them is very stiff, at least mine was at 30 degrees. I added what I use in most things... a quality EP grease from my grease gun. After reassembling and realizing there is no seal in these, I figured I'll bee seeing my added grease leak out in the heat of summer use.

 

[California]

I've used stuff I already had: Skil worm drive saw grease, outboard motor lower end grease.

These are thicker than lube grease.

 

[DFB]

My first micrometer from HF many years ago was a VIS manufactured in Poland and not China. Had green enameled wrinkled finish. Was good quality, accurate and still my favorite one for one hand use with the swivel lock.

Overall its smaller than the later one with the mechanical readout. #895

 

[Travelover]

Here is a 25% off coupon and some good freebies.


http://view.harborfreightemail.com/?j=ff061574776505&m=fe9512717066027874&ls=fec815707c6d067f&l=ff9c1572&s=fec715707c6d0478&jb=ff951d71&ju=fe9a1c757567057f77&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1216b&utm_source=1026&cid=mEmail_s1026_c1216b&r=0

 

[MF1045]

The Pittsburgh Ratchet wrenches are decent quality. I'v yarned on em pretty good with no failures yet. Noticeably better quality than Trac Supply's version, though a little more expensive. But still relatively cheap.

 

[dragoneggs]

The Pittsburgh Ratchet wrenches are decent quality. I'v yarned on em pretty good with no failures yet. Noticeably better quality than Trac Supply's version, though a little more expensive. But still relatively cheap.

I've wondered about those... thanks for posting. I've always wanted a set as an alternative to sockets.

 

[California]

HF Tools That Catch Fire

I was reading through Consumer Reports magazine (Mar 2016) that says HF is recalling Drill Master cordless drills. An internal switch can stick in the On position and overheat, risking fire and burns. The drills were sold nationally from May 2011 to September 2015 for $35 to $46. If you have one you can return it for replacement; go to the website or call 800.444.3353 for details.

Copied verbatim from a new thread on Welding Web. Maybe we need a 'catch fire' thread here too.

 

[California]

HF Tools That Catch Fire ... Just a Heads Up - another post in the HF forum over at Welding Web:

I have had the 3.4 hp chop saw catch fire the black one

Has anyone here had a similar experience?

 

[5030]

Myself, I've had numerous Chinese power tools that I've gotten as gifts go up in smelly smoke... Seems to be SOP for that stuff. You won't find me buying that stuff.

I've always wondered how come all HF stores stink?