Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Garandman]

Only run it so far for break in and test (5-6 hours) but it痴 pretty quiet and seems to use less fuel than the spec. We are using it as a whole house back up through a transfer switch in Boston, so we are using the 240 plug..

The Yamaha and Honda inverters with 240 have electric start, but are much heavier and more expensive. Given we seldom lose power in Boston anyway we consider it an excellent choice.

The people I know using the HF Inverter are motorcycle racers who use them to run tire heaters and maybe a small AC for their trailers. They typically run a weekend straight. They are happy, though far more of them are buying the Champion.

 

[California]

I KNOW this is a HF thread BUT>
I just ordered a 10k watt, electric start, DUEL FUEL gen from amazon for 499.99 w/ FREE shipping.. Duro-Max gen.
The sale is off now tho.. they're 1499.99 now.
Find the site & save it to your "favorites" & check often.. the cheapest I've seen THAT gen was 599.99 about 6 months ago..

I think posting about better alternatives to a HF product, better quality or better price, is fair in this thread.

There is a service that monitors Amazon prices daily. You can see historic trend lines for a product and it can notify you when something you are tracking drops to your preferred price point.

Amazon price tracker, Amazon price history charts, price watches, and price drop alerts. | camelcamelcamel.com

 

[PhysAssist]

Only run it so far for break in and test (5-6 hours) but it痴 pretty quiet and seems to use less fuel than the spec. We are using it as a whole house back up through a transfer switch in Boston, so we are using the 240 plug..

The Yamaha and Honda inverters with 240 have electric start, but are much heavier and more expensive. Given we seldom lose power in Boston anyway we consider it an excellent choice.

The people I know using the HF Inverter are motorcycle racers who use them to run tire heaters and maybe a small AC for their trailers. They typically run a weekend straight. They are happy, though far more of them are buying the Champion.

We live in the woods, so we've lost power a ton of times, and I wanted to be able to do some welding out of reach of our welder's outlet in the barn so we went a little bigger: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200467368_200467368

We also wanted a Honda or Kohler motor and copper head/windings, and for it to have a THD low enough for safe use with electronics, so it fit the bill, and it was at a large discount compared with the Honda and Generac [Etc]-branded generators in the same class for all of these line items.

It was also on sale, and as an "Advantage" member for the $39 membership fee we got approx $300 or $350 off of the otherwise somewhat stiff truck shipping fees.

The Honda 2 cylinder V-twin motor has been a real improvement over the B&S 1 cylinder we had on our 7K unit- it's much quieter, and it really doesn't use much, if any more gas per hour at idle.

The B&S seemed always to be running at a pretty high idle, and then would race even higher at ANY load, but the new NS w/ Honda has a very sedate idle, and graduated response to added drain.

I mounted it to a pallet on casters, so in and around the barn it'll roll easily, and we can use the tractor's forks around the property or to load it into the back of the pickup.

The only thing I don't like about it is that the oil fill spout is impinged on by the roll cage around it.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We live in the woods, so we've lost power a ton of times, and I wanted to be able to do some welding out of reach of our welder's outlet in the barn so we went a little bigger: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200467368_200467368

We also wanted a Honda or Kohler motor and copper head/windings, and for it to have a THD low enough for safe use with electronics, so it fit the bill, and it was at a large discount compared with the Honda and Generac [Etc]-branded generators in the same class for all of these line items.

It was also on sale, and as an "Advantage" member for the $39 membership fee we got approx $300 or $350 off of the otherwise somewhat stiff truck shipping fees.

The Honda 2 cylinder V-twin motor has been a real improvement over the B&S 1 cylinder we had on our 7K unit- it's much quieter, and it really doesn't use much, if any more gas per hour at idle.

The B&S seemed always to be running at a pretty high idle, and then would race even higher at ANY load, but the new NS w/ Honda has a very sedate idle, and graduated response to added drain.

I mounted it to a pallet on casters, so in and around the barn it'll roll easily, and we can use the tractor's forks around the property or to load it into the back of the pickup.

The only thing I don't like about it is that the oil fill spout is impinged on by the roll cage around it.

Wow that is an impressive machine that should be good for the next 40-50 years. Last Feb it saw a DuroMax 10000 Watt Hybrid Dual Fuel Portable Gas Propane 18 HP Generator on a flash eBay sell from an email for $649 to the door ready to start after adding oil so I bought it for my birthday then had to have the HF tool boxes as well. We have a 25 year old Coleman 18 hp twin cylinder that still is working so now I have a back up to the back up for the whole house. The new one is only a single cylinder but would like the quality of yours. They are calling for a mild winter here so I hope we never need a generator this winter. Quality they say only cost once but the cost is up front.

 

[PhysAssist]

Wow that is an impressive machine that should be good for the next 40-50 years.

Thanks Gale!

We're hoping so- following all the rules and recommendations on break-in, monthly exercise, etc...

We don't have a transfer switch, but since it's out in the barn, we have to get it out, start it up, let it warm up, and only then hook it up, AFTER turning off the main box breaker in the house, we have a written checklist and procedure on a clipboard tied to the roll cage making sure we don't try to power the neighborhood...

 

[Gale Hawkins]

That reminds me I lack an 1 hour with the break in oil (actually Rotella T6) so we need to run it another hour and change the oil in case we have a storm and the old one is sick. I can roll it near the building and run the cord through an opening if needed quickly. Ours are outside but never had to do much warm up but I do start it first while I make sure we get stuff off line with a heavy draw then just load with what we need so as not to drop the voltage below 110.

 

[PhysAssist]

That reminds me I lack an 1 hour with the break in oil (actually Rotella T6) so we need to run it another hour and change the oil in case we have a storm and the old one is sick. I can roll it near the building and run the cord through an opening if needed quickly. Ours are outside but never had to do much warm up but I do start it first while I make sure we get stuff off line with a heavy draw then just load with what we need so as not to drop the voltage below 110.

Hey Gale,

Thank you for reminding me:thumbsup:- that's something I plumb fergot to put to put on my list- plus to get all TV's and computers unplugged until the current/voltage has steadied down and is stable, and then only plug in or turn on what's mandatory- I can't believe I fergot that....

Another reminder of why I always try to keep [wait for it...] CURRENT with my subs here- I learn something new or get reminded of something I fergot pretty much daily IF I read them...

PA.

 

[newbury]

There's a 25% off coupon, Dec 7-10
http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wswidgets/common/displayCoupon.do?week=4917&campaign=b&page=25offFF2.html

 

[PhysAssist]

There's a 25% off coupon, Dec 7-10
http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wswidgets/common/displayCoupon.do?week=4917&campaign=b&page=25offFF2.html

Awesome- Thanks! for posting it!

 

[SPYDERLK]

We live in the woods, so we've lost power a ton of times, and I wanted to be able to do some welding out of reach of our welder's outlet in the barn so we went a little bigger: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200467368_200467368

We also wanted a Honda or Kohler motor and copper head/windings, and for it to have a THD low enough for safe use with electronics, so it fit the bill, and it was at a large discount compared with the Honda and Generac [Etc]-branded generators in the same class for all of these line items.

It was also on sale, and as an "Advantage" member for the $39 membership fee we got approx $300 or $350 off of the otherwise somewhat stiff truck shipping fees.

The Honda 2 cylinder V-twin motor has been a real improvement over the B&S 1 cylinder we had on our 7K unit- it's much quieter, and it really doesn't use much, if any more gas per hour at idle.

The B&S seemed always to be running at a pretty high idle, and then would race even higher at ANY load, but the new NS w/ Honda has a very sedate idle, and graduated response to added drain.

I mounted it to a pallet on casters, so in and around the barn it'll roll easily, and we can use the tractor's forks around the property or to load it into the back of the pickup.

The only thing I don't like about it is that the oil fill spout is impinged on by the roll cage around it.

The linked item does not seem to fit your description. In the reviews it says it runs full speed all the time. Your description seems to be like expected of an inverter genset.

 

[tomplum]

Man this thread is so huge! I don't know if this welding cabinet has been posted, but it is a keeper. Look for the 259$ coupon. Heavy Duty Large Welding Cabinet

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Man this thread is so huge! I don't know if this welding cabinet has been posted, but it is a keeper. Look for the 259$ coupon. Heavy Duty Large Welding Cabinet

I have one of those cabinets. I love it. Well made and heavy materials. Use it as my O/A center as it has racks for two cylinders and O/A rod. I am considering adding a 1/2" plate to the top for a welding bench. Drill and tap it for a vise and for work hold down clamps. I sold my big (2.5' X 4') welding bench when moving /downsizing and sure miss it. My new garage is much smaller so space is now a problem as my other half insists on parking her car in one side. I also have the smaller unit for MIG/TIG that I have my AC buzz box on for my arc welding center. It is also is a great unit. Not set up yet as I have not been doing shop work. A welding project is in the offing so plan to work on my equipment set up. Will make a rack to hold 3 HF 4 1/2" grinders; cutoff, 1/4" grind wheel, and wire brush. Hate changing discs all the time.

Ron

 

[tomplum]

The grinder rack was what I've come up with too for the to do list. Make something really sweet and post it! I'm using one shelf inside for cables which could be hung and free up more room too. I like the fact that the grid in the top drawer popped out and I could just slide my organizer up top along with a few more delicate items.

 

[Travelover]

Man this thread is so huge! I don't know if this welding cabinet has been posted, but it is a keeper. Look for the 259$ coupon. Heavy Duty Large Welding Cabinet

Here is a Vulcan accessories coupon. http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/20_percent_off_1511626198.1021.jpg

 

[California]

There's a 25% off coupon, Dec 7-10
http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wswidgets/common/displayCoupon.do?week=4917&campaign=b&page=25offFF2.html

Thanks! I used that today.

I got the corded 'Dremel' kit for $16.49.

It has good reviews, and it works fine.

 

[sixdogs]

In all of these pages, has anyone mentioned the blue tarps, especially the free ones? They seem an interwoven art of the American landscape and you would be hard pressed to find a rural, or even urban setting where there is no blue tarp. They are everywhere and when on "sale", with a coupon or free are a great buy. Not exactly a tool but yes they are.

I use them when I spray paint parts and don't want to paint the grass or concrete. I use them in the barn to cover implements and tools, like my tablesaw that would be subject to condensation or dust over the winter. I use old ones to put down in my trailer when I get pallets of fertilizer. It keeps any spilled where it belongs and not rusting my metal. Uses are endless and I'll bet we could do a whole thread in uses for them.

 

[lostcreekranch]

In all of these pages, has anyone mentioned the blue tarps, especially the free ones? They seem an interwoven art of the American landscape and you would be hard pressed to find a rural, or even urban setting where there is no blue tarp. They are everywhere and when on "sale", with a coupon or free are a great buy. Not exactly a tool but yes they are.

I use them when I spray paint parts and don't want to paint the grass or concrete. I use them in the barn to cover implements and tools, like my tablesaw that would be subject to condensation or dust over the winter. I use old ones to put down in my trailer when I get pallets of fertilizer. It keeps any spilled where it belongs and not rusting my metal. Uses are endless and I'll bet we could do a whole thread in uses for them.

I have several of the ~72” x 42” moving blankets I use to cover my table saw, etc. better than tarps IMHO.

 

[California]

How are the blankets better?

 

[lostcreekranch]

How are the blankets better?

If you had our humidity .... it would be obvious. I’ve never had any rust issues with the blankets. Clean and wax table saw top far less often.

 

[stuckmotor]

I bought a couple of moving blankets for the dog to sleep on. He seemed to approve.