Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

...Signs said it was because of the fires in CA.

I Googled on 'fire in Calabasas today'. (Calabasas is HF's corporate HQ and likely where the billing computers are located).

Its bad. 100 square miles fire perimeter. A quarter million people under mandatory evacuation.

Here's the local CBS News writeup.

 

[Threepoint]

Imagine the training seminar for that one! You want us to do what with the cards? We have been having issues shipping bagels down there.

Don't know if all HF stores have been affected, but I'm sure the clerks at the local HFs near me would have no trouble adapting to this.

The fire situation in CA right now is so bad it's almost surreal to just watch on TV.

 

[Alan W.]

The fires are terrible cant even imagine the horror and pain of those who have died in it.

 

[Rock Crawler]

My HF lost some of its credit/debit card machine functions 2 nights ago. You still buy with the card, but you hold your card and use the little number pad to key in your card digits, your expiration date and your security number. Slightly less convenient, but not a big deal.

The manager informed me today that we are about a month away from the release of the "Inside Track Club" software release where the ITC orange tag prices will automatically apply to any ITC labeled items when they scan your card. No more reminding to tell them and them manually activating ITC pricing for each item.

Today I ran to HF and grabbed the 1/2" drive impact swivel socket set and the impact swivel adapters. I also grabbed up the free light. Why not grab the light, I can afford it

So then I ran to Lowe's for 2 packs of Kobalt things that you just can't match at HF. The $20 5 piece pliers set and the $15 self adjusting channel locks.

I'm pretty happy with the Kobalt junk I've bought so far, so I have no reason not to keep buying it. I view Kobalt as I notch up from Pittsburgh tools in fit, finish and overall quality.

 

[zombie]

My HF lost some of its credit/debit card machine functions 2 nights ago. You still buy with the card, but you hold your card and use the little number pad to key in your card digits, your expiration date and your security number. Slightly less convenient, but not a big deal.

I was thinking of the flatbed carbon copy card imprinter. Hopefully they can get these fires under control. Looks like we have a break in our fire season for now.

 

[KubotainNH]

Rock, those swivel sockets look decent. Tell us how they work out please.

 

[Diggin It]

Any experience or opinions on their el cheapo BP monitor? Don't expect a med-quality device, but does it work at all?

 

[Wasmeneh]

I know that they are n ot allowed to sell them in certain states, N.C. included.

 

[Diggin It]

But is that only HF due to them being inaccurate? Or is that anyone who doesn't normally sell medical items?

 

[Wasmeneh]

Not sure why. Used one in the past,and,seemed ok. Went to get another and was told,that they were prohibited from selling them by NC.

 

[prichard]

Rock, those swivel sockets look decent. Tell us how they work out please.

I have a set that I have yet to destroy. They've been solid so far on some really stuck bolts.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Today's project was adding 16 Rural King sourced LED 4 foot shop lights to the main garage area. The area is 26' wide and 38' deep split into 2 bays. The lights down the sides are set at 2.5 feet apart, the difference can be seen on the left of the Jeep where I took these photos today before I got that side done. It's all finished now, I'll have to take more pictures another day. I'm in for a 12 hour night shift now after spending all day hanging and wireing these. I love it!

 

[Diggin It]

^^^ Did'ja notice HF has one of those now?

 

[Rock Crawler]

^^^ Did'ja notice HF has one of those now?

LOL, for all of my HF love... I don't trust the shop lights.

 

[dragoneggs]

LOL, for all of my HF love... I don't trust the shop lights.

Yikes... now that is saying something, coming from you. :laughing:

 

[California]

Any experience or opinions on their el cheapo BP monitor? Don't expect a med-quality device, but does it work at all?

I bought two, one for home in town and one for out here at the ranch. They match each other, and match what the nurse registers when I go in for a checkup. I think they are sufficient for amateur use where you don't expect .001% precision, you're just satisfying curiosity.

But I wouldn't rely on anything from HF if the application is critical. Instead buy one at a pharmacy after consultation with the pharmacist.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I guess when I think of things that attach to the house that my wife and kids live and sleep in, I kind of want a light that I expect to be installed and I really do not have to worry about it again. My experience with HF and electrical items is not so grand... So I a trusting RK to be able to get me what is hopefully a better put together light fixture kit that will last many years. At a 30,000 hour life expectancy, you could burn them 8 hours a day, 365 days a year for a little over 10 years before expected end of life. In my use pattern that would likely be 20-30 years. I like that idea. The HF version may be just great and fine, but I just do not have that kind of personal faith in them for things that have electrons moving within.

 

[Diggin It]

I wouldn't be surprised if it were the same China manufacturer as the one RK sells.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I wouldn't be surprised if it were the same China manufacturer as the one RK sells.

Exactly.

 

[dragoneggs]

I wouldn't be surprised if it were the same China manufacturer as the one RK sells.

Exactly.

Me either... have to say I am impressed with my FEIT brand from Costco though... surely China