Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[bcp]

Hardware stores around here stock the double-ended 5/16 bits, with the sprung ball in the side, in many different combinations.

Bruce

 

[Oaktree]

Hardware stores around here stock the double-ended 5/16 bits, with the sprung ball in the side, in many different combinations.

Good to know, I've got several of these (not HF ones) with missing/chewed-up bits...never knew they made replacement ones. I'll have to look next time I'm out.

 

[Travelover]

I got the free 6 piece set of bungee cords the other day. Not bad for the price...lol. At least they have metal ends with little caps on the sharp ends. Always handy for something and comes in a nice plastic jar - good for fastener storage. Digital Savings and Coupons from Harbor Freight

 

[JRobyn]

My SIL "borrowed" my air hose a while back, so I got a replacement when I was at HF the other day. One of these -

1/4 in. x 25 ft. Coiled Polyurethane Air Hose

should be at the end of the hose for every pneumatic finish nailer, tire chuck, and air nozzle/blow gun. Very flexible, surprisingly long, substantially larger than the cheapy yellow ones, come with a swivel end, and are cheap! I now have 4 (and SIL has 1).

 

[bcp]

I didn't like my experience with those coiled hoses. OK with something heavy, but set down a blow nozzle, and it recoils out of reach.

Bruce

 

[Rock Crawler]

I didn't like my experience with those coiled hoses. OK with something heavy, but set down a blow nozzle, and it recoils out of reach.

Bruce

1/4" is to small to effectively run your impact. Your impact will be weak as all get out on a 1/4" supply. I run the 1/2" black pipe to my fittings and then 1/2" sure line.

 

[TheMan419]

I have 3 or 4 already.

They are actually quite durable. I also have 3 sets of there free 6 screwdriver sets, also decent. I don't mind grinding them up for special projects.

The 6 free screw drivers are awesome. For light use having sets located in places that are not just my shop is good. Nicer screw drivers in the shop.

Yes also good for making modifications to get a project done if needed.... they were free after all.

 

[whitepine2]

I didn't like my experience with those coiled hoses. OK with something heavy, but set down a blow nozzle, and it recoils out of reach.

Bruce

Another thing don't weld around them a spark will burn right through,melt like butter.

 

[PhysAssist]

One of the most useful "cheap" tools I have found is the $19.99 reciprocating saw. I have had 3 or 4 of these over the years. (Yes I consider them "disposable"). For a 20 dollar bill I can use, abuse, destroy, and do it again a few times. Then I go buy another. They ussually last about a year or so, depending on how much abuse. This past "time to replace", I decided to get a Ryobi one, 1/3 more power, some nicer features... What a POS !... First time using it, broke the blade holder... Took it back the next day and got another... 60 miles RT (had to get other materials anyway). The second wasn't any better, the reciprocating shaft would bend when any pressure is applied (and I mean just a little). Got another $20 special (really $16 w/ 20% off). Serves my purpose well. I think I'm gonna try the next better "industrial" one next time around.

I concur- I'm on my 3rd, I think, because I only reach for it, when there's no other way [I can think of] to get whatever it is cut off.

I prefer almost anything to reciprocating saws- unless it's THE right too for the job...

BTW, has anyone seen the new [to me anyway] DeWalt reciprocating saw blades that you can snap/break off about 1.5- 2 inches out from the attachment point to the saw- leaving the longer piece with a new attachment point, so you basically throw away the used up/dulled area closest to the saw and have a new [shorter] saw blade to continue with.

If anyone has tried them, are they resistant to breaking off prematurely- like while in use?

PA

 

[California]

Not HF but Tractor Supply: a LED flashlight/flat panel worklight. 300 lumens. Bigger than a flattened D-cell flashlight. Cost $3.19.

Look in Tractor Supply's specials/closeout bin by the register. I tried it then bought a second one. It's bright!

There's a folding foot to tilt it toward your work. Magnets on the bottom and back. A hook folds out from the top. Finally, a big pocket clip.

These show as closed-out on TSC's website so no mailorder.

Here's a review with photos. $5 Jobsmart LED Work Light Review | For B Bodies Only Classic Mopar Forum

I should have bought several for Christmas presents!

 

[PhysAssist]

Not HF but Tractor Supply: a LED flashlight/flat panel worklight. 300 lumens. Bigger than a flattened D-cell flashlight. Cost $3.19.

Look in Tractor Supply's specials/closeout bin by the register. I tried it then bought a second one. It's bright!

There's a folding foot to tilt it toward your work. Magnets on the bottom and back. A hook folds out from the top. Finally, a big pocket clip.

These show as closed-out on TSC's website so no mailorder.

Here's a review with photos. $5 Jobsmart LED Work Light Review | For B Bodies Only Classic Mopar Forum

I should have bought several for Christmas presents!

Thanks for the heads-up!

I usually find a bunch of things like that to give my nieces and nephews as token Christmas gifts, and I have been slacking this year.

Plus I'm a sucker for any decently sturdy and bright flashlight.

I bought some orange puck lights at Autozone that came 3 in a package for I think 19$ and was trying to find a link for you, but they must be an in-store only item too.

These strobe in orange/red in multiple patterns, have a BRIGHT white work light, and are completely sealed and waterproof, plus they run forever on a couple of AAA batteries.

I just don't know why anyone would need 3 in one vehicle, unless it's a semi- they're so eye-catching and bright- I split one pack into our 3 vehicles, and bought another one for my F-I-L, niece, and nephew.

They look like these I found at Wallyworld.com and Fleabay [for anywhere between 35 and 79$ apiece there]


They are also worth looking for...

PA.


PS: I forgot to say that they have 2 very strong magnets on the bottom for temporary attachment.

 

[Oaktree]

Not HF but Tractor Supply: a LED flashlight/flat panel worklight. 300 lumens. Bigger than a flattened D-cell flashlight. Cost $3.19.

Look in Tractor Supply's specials/closeout bin by the register. I tried it then bought a second one. It's bright!

Nice! Picked up 3 of them today. Clerk said they were a one-time purchase for a "deal-of-the-month".

Good riddance to D cell flashlights. Unless you spent the $$$ for a Maglite or something similar they never worked worth beans, would constantly dim/go out & you'd have to shake it to get the light back.

I should have bought several for Christmas presents!

Got one of 'em for my wife to keep in her car.
Don't tell her & spoil the surprise. :laughing:

 

[Gary Fowler]

Well that sounds good but every wall has shelves and they are full.

You just need to get more walls.

 

[PhysAssist]

Nice! Picked up 3 of them today. Clerk said they were a one-time purchase for a "deal-of-the-month".

Good riddance to D cell flashlights. Unless you spent the $$$ for a Maglite or something similar they never worked worth beans, would constantly dim/go out & you'd have to shake it to get the light back.

Got one of 'em for my wife to keep in her car.
Don't tell her & spoil the surprise. :laughing:

Shake gently!

I have had the same problem, and then had a worse problem, because after I shook them, the + terminals ended up dented in and no longer made contact to the neg above them- so I stuck some Al foil waded up between them.

PA

 

[sixdogs]

One true winner that I forgotten in the silver tarp. You know, the big brother of the blue tarp. If you are serious about covering something and willing to pony-up, the silver tarp will out live a blue tarp many times over. I have a smaller one I bought about 8 years ago on a coupon sale and it's still not too different from new. I did see the smaller size as a freebee a long time ago and have that one as well.

 

[Illini22]

I have 3 or 4 already.

They are actually quite durable. I also have 3 sets of there free 6 screwdriver sets, also decent. I don't mind grinding them up for special projects.

Only 3 or 4? Lol. I've got that many in every car, location, etc. Haha

 

[PhysAssist]

One true winner that I forgotten in the silver tarp. You know, the big brother of the blue tarp. If you are serious about covering something and willing to pony-up, the silver tarp will out live a blue tarp many times over. I have a smaller one I bought about 8 years ago on a coupon sale and it's still not too different from new. I did see the smaller size as a freebee a long time ago and have that one as well.

Hi SD,

You are right on the money there- especially if you can cinch it down tightly so that flapping in the wind is kept to a bare minimum.

We used one of the 100' lengths of their 21/2" or 5/8" polyester ropes to crisscross over top of our's on our big wood pile, in addition to using tie-downs through the grommets, and it is pretty much as good as when we unbagged it.

PA

 

[sixdogs]

Hi SD,

You are right on the money there- especially if you can cinch it down tightly so that flapping in the wind is kept to a bare minimum.

We used one of the 100' lengths of their 21/2" or 5/8" polyester ropes to crisscross over top of our's on our big wood pile, in addition to using tie-downs through the grommets, and it is pretty much as good as when we unbagged it.

PA

Yes, I forgot to mention that cinching down is very important to longevity of the tarp.

 

[KubotainNH]

Only 3 or 4? Lol. I've got that many in every car, location, etc. Haha

Obviously you go to HF more often than I do. I have to go out of my way to get to the store. So many useful free items, like the bar magnet.

 

[Garandman]

Went to a local HF today to buy the 105 pc tool set for my 14yo son. There were four different PN’s! I bought 4030. Hope that’s a good one!