Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Reg]

On the original set of 3 I went up to maybe 3/8" mild steel. I broke the hex end off the largest one drilling something thick, it got jammed. I welded a bolt to where the hex broke off and still use it. It cuts fine just a bit wobbly. I was expecting a bit more from the larger set but maybe it just doesn't like thin stainless or it wasn't hardened properly.

Stainless THIN sheet and fairly large diameter drills don't go well together.
Stainless work hardens and as soon as the drill starts to poke through the steel will typically tear - THEN it jams.
Soft(er) backing metal can HELP a whole lot with this.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Stainless THIN sheet and fairly large diameter drills don't go well together.
Stainless work hardens and as soon as the drill starts to poke through the steel will typically tear - THEN it jams.
Soft(er) backing metal can HELP a whole lot with this.

For larger holes, in sheet metal, I use a bi-metal hole saw and back up sheet metal with 2x4 or plywood for support.

 

[KubotainNH]

Stainless THIN sheet and fairly large diameter drills don't go well together.
Stainless work hardens and as soon as the drill starts to poke through the steel will typically tear - THEN it jams.
Soft(er) backing metal can HELP a whole lot with this.

Makes sense. Hard to put any backer material on a sick that is already in place.

Funny that it was cutting fine until I hit the 7/8" to 1" step.

 

[Reg]

Makes sense. Hard to put any backer material on a sick that is already in place.

Funny that it was cutting fine until I hit the 7/8" to 1" step.

As you increase the diameter the speed of the outer edge gets higher as the pressure gets lower (same force, larger cutting area).
7/8 to 1" is about a 15% increase of speed AND about a 12% decrease in pressure.

So yeah, more predictable than "Funny" (-:

 

[MossRoad]

So last year I bought one of these torches to burn weeds along my garden fence.

Propane Torch

It works pretty well for $20.

 

[tjkubota93]

Dragoneggs, just barely managed to get two holes in my bucket to mount the piranha tooth bar on before the shank separated from the cutters.

Even though I do it, you really aren't supposed to use step drills in material thicker than the step segments in the bit. They are for sheet material.
I have got a ton of use out my 3 hf step drills I bought 15 years ago. Alot of it has been in too thick material (makes a cone shaped hole before the biggest part goes through)

 

[newbury]

Does anyone know of a site that tracks HF's "lowest prices" like camelcamelcamel does for Amazon?

 

[MossRoad]

Does anyone know of a site that tracks HF's "lowest prices" like camelcamelcamel does for Amazon?

I'll bet those prices would look like a slot machine spinning!

 

[newbury]

I'll bet those prices would look like a slot machine spinning!

They do, but the prices would also let us know what really is the "historical" (hysterical ??) lowest price. Like the 26 in., 16 Drawer Glossy Red Roller Cabinet Combo which is $350 as of this writing, frequently $320, occasionally $310 and went down to $295 once last year.

 

[PJSprog]

So last year I bought one of these torches to burn weeds along my garden fence.

Propane Torch

It works pretty well for $20.

I got one of those last year, too. I've used it on the driveways and brick patio, and used it a couple weeks ago to burn along the edge of the lake. Works very well.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I got one of those last year, too. I've used it on the driveways and brick patio, and used it a couple weeks ago to burn along the edge of the lake. Works very well.

I bought one, back in the 1990's, primarily to light brush piles. It still works like new. It hooked up to a propane bottle that sits in an old plastic milk crate for stability. I just toss it in the bed of Polaris Ranger and go.

I looked at the upgraded version,with the piezoelectric igniter but, decided that the igniter was probably the weak link. I just use a torch striker EZPZ.

 

[PJSprog]

It hooked up to a propane bottle that sits in an old plastic milk crate for stability.

That's a great idea, Rick. Those things definitely get unhappy when they tip over (ask me how I know).

 

[JRobyn]

I had one of the non-igniter models of torch and upgraded to the igniter. It's worth the extra $ to me. So far (about 3yrs) working fine.

 

[MossRoad]

I put my propane tank in a bicycle wheel cart at the back. Balanced pretty good and easy to roll around.

 

[Tonyinohio]

Maybe you guys have seen this but I thought the story on the son of the HF founder was interesting:

This Billionaire Made His Fortune on $5 Chainsaws - Bloomberg

I couldn't imagine sending my son to an orphanage because I was "overwhelmed" as a parent when my wife was sick. I wouldn't wish either circumstance on anyone.

 

[man00]

I don't know about this one, but for the money might be worth the chance
Truck Bed Cargo Unloader

 

[hslogger]

After a year of denial and one of trepidation, I broke down and bought one of those HF riding mower jacks.I've read more reviews on them than there are apples on a tree. Oh man, used it four times so far. It isn't built like a Swiss watch. Of course it is made in China. I haven't abused it. It works. It is really a handy addition to my mostly old school USA stable of tools. What strikes me the most is a parking lot full of pickups blaring "extreme conservative" sentiments. Ya know. "Make America..........

 

[California]

Maybe you guys have seen this but I thought the story on the son of the HF founder was interesting:

This Billionaire Made His Fortune on $5 Chainsaws - Bloomberg

I couldn't imagine sending my son to an orphanage because I was "overwhelmed" as a parent when my wife was sick. I wouldn't wish either circumstance on anyone.

Just Wow! That's a must-read for everyone following this thread.

Summary: Smidt is sole owner. He took out $2 billion in dividends in the past 12 years.

 

[dirtymartini]

I don't know about this one, but for the money might be worth the chance
Truck Bed Cargo Unloader

I will give this two thumbs up! I have one and have used and abused it...Unloaded loads and loads of firewood, over a ton of #4 stone, topsoil, you name it. One of the handiest things I have ever bought.

 

[dragoneggs]

I don't know about this one, but for the money might be worth the chance
Truck Bed Cargo Unloader

I have one and it works great. Had to buy a mat to put down underneath to reduce the friction of the fabric sliding on my LineX coating on the bed of my F150. You still need to clean out the dirt that ends up on the sides by the wheel wells.