Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

I was just “TRYING” to buy some sandblasting gloves..
The ones that come/came with the blaster lasted a good while but it’s time to change them out..
On the website it says, “In Store Only”.. but it won’t allow me to check availability.. how stupid is THAT.!!
On a brighter note, I DO like their store.. & the folks that work there are pretty knowledgeable..

Just phone the store.

I've done that a few times, with the result that either they see several in inventory, or they send a runner to see if the last couple of items are still on the rack.

But choose a low-traffic hour.

 

[5030]

Maybe this one.

https://www.harborfreight.com/9-amp-surface-conditioning-tool-58079.html

Bruce

That's it. I got it on sale for under 100 bucks. Dandy tool and variable speed as well.

 

[California]

I see a bargain today. Closeout on the 950 (breakaway torque) Earthquake long nose impact wrench, $55.

I bought the similar Earthquake 1 snub-nose a few years ago, also on closeout like this. I love it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-ratchets-impact-wrenches/air-impact-wrenches/12-in-composite-air-impact-wrench-2-in-extended-anvil-twin-hammer-950-ft-lbs-63385.html

 

[California]

... and a note that I guess reflects on HF's reputation.

I went to put my Earthquake 1 short-nose impact wrench on ebay, like-new condition. But found there was already one there for $5 plus shipping that hadn't sold in three successive listings.

 

[Alan46]

... and a note that I guess reflects on HF's reputation.

I went to put my Earthquake 1 short-nose impact wrench on ebay, like-new condition. But found there was already one there for $5 plus shipping that hadn't sold in three successive listings.

I’ll give you $5 if you pay shipping

 

[California]

I’ll give you $5 if you pay shipping

 

[jyoutz]

Yesterday I bought a HF foam cannon for my power washer. I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, but the construction looks far more substantial than all of the name brand ones I saw at HD. When I was buying it, a guy who is a professional auto detailer told me that’s all he uses because they are better than the other brands costing twice as much.

 

[WranglerX]

Noticed in last couple of days HF in now advertising on TV.....

 

[cdaigle430]

I am pretty darn impressed with the 5 ton electric log splitter, the quinn digital torque'angle wrench and those cheap dollies.
Also bought a herculese hammer drill and battery and brought it to my Brother in law in Brazil 4 years ago-uses it every week...still same battery.

 

[chiefcook]

I have been very happy with the Doyle hand tools.

 

[RobertEH]

Doyle hand tools are fantastic!

I love their hitch vise as well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-hitch-vise-58880.html

 

[kenmbz]

Doyle hand tools are fantastic!

I love their hitch vise as well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-hitch-vise-58880.html

View attachment 876517

I also have this and love it, for hitch and non hitch use.

 

[Cycledude]

Couple weeks ago I used my brothers 18 volt Milwaukee pruning saw and really liked it. It’s pretty much like a Saws-all but it’s designed to be easy to operate with one hand.
Today at the local Harbor Freight store they had a returned 20 volt Bauer pruning saw, it looks like new and the price was $23.18 after the 20% discount so I bought it, also bought the 2 year free replacement warranty for another $23.99 and 5 pruning blades, grand total came to $59.25 . I already own a 20 volt Bauer battery and charger so I didn’t need to buy that.
Changing blades is almost unbelievably easy with this thing, no tools needed.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-compact-reciprocating-saw-tool-only-58458.html

A new 18 volt Milwaukee pruning saw would cost $169 plus tax without a battery or charger or blades.
I have owned a Milwaukee Saws all for many years, it’s a handy tool but the new cordless stuff is so much nicer especially the no tool required blade changing feature.

 

[California]

Couple weeks ago I used my brothers 18 volt Milwaukee pruning saw and really liked it. It’s pretty much like a Saws-all but it’s designed to be easy to operate with one hand.
Today at the local Harbor Freight store they had a returned 20 volt Bauer pruning saw,

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-compact-reciprocating-saw-tool-only-58458.html

Please come back to describe how well this works for pruning. I tried a cordless reciprocating saw for pruning in my orchard, mostly for clearing out unwanted suckers and rotten limbs too big for the long handle pruner, and didn't like it.

My favorite now is something I saw recommended somewhere (here?) by a pro arborist, the Silky PocketBoy folding pruning saw from Japan. This thing is incredibly sharp, it cuts twice as fast as anything else I've used while using less force. Folded it's no longer than pruning shears, so it drops right into the small tool holster on my belt. There's a longer folding pruning saw on the tractor but I nearly never climb down to fetch that, I can get more work done with the PocketBoy. Then a Ryobi battery chainsaw for larger cuts.

I'll be interested to hear your results. I might be persuaded to get one.

 

[Cycledude]

Well I used the 20 volt Bauer Pruning saw for about 10 minutes, then it started pouring rain so I quit, it does cut excellent but it does seem like maybe it vibrates a little more than the Milwaukee Pruning saw I used a couple weeks ago. But I was cutting different wood this time so that might have something to do with it.
Sounds like you probably do a lot more pruning than I plan to do.
Your Silky tool sounds interesting but I probably won’t be buying one.

 

[kenhar]

Bought wrenches both sae and metric, 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2", screw drivers, nut drivers for the farm truck. Didn't want to lose my good stuff on the farm. After 10 years, the screw drivers are junk. No problems with anything else and they have been well used and abused. 3/8 ratchet broke after 5 years, they replaced it no problem. A tool is no better than the warranty, all of them will break.

 

[Oaktree]

Please come back to describe how well this works for pruning. I tried a cordless reciprocating saw for pruning in my orchard, mostly for clearing out unwanted suckers and rotten limbs too big for the long handle pruner, and didn't like it.

My experience is similar to yours. The "pruning blades" didn't do a very good job cutting branches, etc.

 

[California]

Sounds like you probably do a lot more pruning than I plan to do.
Your Silky tool sounds interesting but I probably won’t be buying one.

The Silky Pocketboy is an expensive pro tool, helpful to lessen fatigue for someone pro pruning all day. But I bought it just to make pruning easier.

It's wicked sharp, 7 years now and it feels 99% as sharp as it was on the first day. Claimed induction hardened so the blade can't be sharpened.

 

[California]

Bought wrenches both sae and metric, 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2", screw drivers, nut drivers for the farm truck. Didn't want to lose my good stuff on the farm. After 10 years, the screw drivers are junk. No problems with anything else and they have been well used and abused. 3/8 ratchet broke after 5 years, they replaced it no problem. A tool is no better than the warranty, all of them will break.

I bought the cheap briefcase tool set to keep in the house, where little force is needed for most repairs. Its ok so far, in a few uses over several years. I go fetch my real shop tools for heavier stuff - nailing, plumbing etc.

And I got the cheap $10 combo socket set, to leave in the open-air shop workbench where various farm laborers eat lunch and I thought something might disappear. It has served ok for light work except the ratchet which was junk. I took the first set back for exchange, when that second ratchet failed immediately I substituted in an old Taiwan ratchet that continues to work fine. This set is used mostly with the Ryobi 1/4" hex mini-impact driver, it's convenient for that. But I get out the real tools for heavier work.

Incidentally I never realized how much I was missing without an air nailgun before I bought an old Porter-Cable at the flea market. Wow. I don't know if HF's are as good but I would buy one today if I didn't already have this. Photo of a recent project. Nailing in tight spaces, as I scabbed on doublers to the rotted stair stringers, would have been impossible without this. Everybody needs a nailgun!

 

[QRTRHRS]

I bought the cheap briefcase tool set to keep in the house, where little force is needed for most repairs. Its ok so far, in a few uses over several years. I go fetch my real shop tools for heavier stuff - nailing, plumbing etc.

And I got the cheap $10 combo socket set, to leave in the open-air shop workbench where various farm laborers eat lunch and I thought something might disappear. It has served ok for light work except the ratchet which was junk. I took the first set back for exchange, when that second ratchet failed immediately I substituted in an old Taiwan ratchet that continues to work fine. This set is used mostly with the Ryobi 1/4" hex mini-impact driver, it's convenient for that. But I get out the real tools for heavier work.

Incidentally I never realized how much I was missing without an air nailgun before I bought an old Porter-Cable at the flea market. Wow. I don't know if HF's are as good but I would buy one today if I didn't already have this. Photo of a recent project. Nailing in tight spaces, as I scabbed on doublers to the rotted stair stringers, would have been impossible without this. Everybody needs a nailgun!

If that PC nailer breaks down, you may still be able to get parts online. I have two PC bradnailers and a roofing nail gun, all have had the plastic pistons replaced. As for HF. I have the Bauer 20V narrow crown stapler and a standard size air stapler for chores like securing insulation.