Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Diggin It]

I bought one of their cement mixers with a 40% off coupon. It's not a Kobalt, but it works fine for one 60# bag at a time. Two overwhelms the motor. Still better than a wheelbarrow

We have the 3 1/2 cubic foot version. I think it was $189 on sale.

It will do 2x 60lb bags, but I prefer to do them one at a time. I think that's around .45 cubic foot each. I'm happy with it.

Runs off a little 1600w generator.

I dump the mixed concrete directly into the BX2370 bucket, then drive it to the destination and dump / shovel it out.
--

I think I finally found the answer I was looking for. I had no idea how many bags it would do in one batch. Now I see ... not enough. I was doing 3 50s or 2 80s in my wheelbarrow and was hoping one of these would save time. Now I see it won't.

 

[tjkubota93]

Do you have a link for the ridgid teeth?

FWIW I bought the HF 18" for $8. I really needed to get an outside faucet off. My only other "immediately available" choices in that size were $20@ Lowes, and $43 at Home Depot. Based on 50 years of home repairs, (plus the fact I have a better one about 1,000 miles away) I expect to use this maybe 3 times. But it's good to know I can buy quality replacement teeth.

Of course before I went to HF I perused the hfqpdb coupons and ended up getting a lot more stuff I've been needing. :laughing:

Wrench Parts | Wrenches & Tubing Tools | RIDGID Tools

 

[sodamo]

Deleted

 

[newbury]

Wrench Parts | Wrenches & Tubing Tools | RIDGID Tools

THANKS!!

And a comment on the mixers - I have used concrete mixers since the 1960's. One of the best "advances" was the use of plastics so they rinse out EASILY. About 5 years ago I bought a "Kobalt" from Lowes for about the same price as a HF only because of the plastic tub. Although I don't use it frequently EVERY time i rinse it out I wonder why all mixers are not at least lined with HDPE

 

[Diggin It]

Hmmmm, they came out with a new utility box I think I'll try:

Tactical Ammo/Utility Box item#64113

Picture shows a tray inside which most of them don't have and this one also has smaller storage compartments on top.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

THANKS!!

And a comment on the mixers - I have used concrete mixers since the 1960's. One of the best "advances" was the use of plastics so they rinse out EASILY. About 5 years ago I bought a "Kobalt" from Lowes for about the same price as a HF only because of the plastic tub. Although I don't use it frequently EVERY time i rinse it out I wonder why all mixers are not at least lined with HDPE

I just assembled the HF mixer. For once the instructions were good and no missing fasteners. I see a big potential problem area with the axle and wheel assembly. The wheels are junk. I determined the tube that is the axle will receive a piece of 1/2" schd 40 pipe. A 5/8 axle most after market wheels are made for is a tight fit . Plan to heat the pipe and drive 5/8 axle stubs about 4" then weld. Add pneumatic tires/wheels and it will a lot handier and hold up under the pressures of heavy concrete. I have quite a few projects for it plus a friend also needs. Save a bundle over rental coats.

Ron

 

[lostcreekranch]

I just assembled the HF mixer. For once the instructions were good and no missing fasteners. I see a big potential problem area with the axle and wheel assembly. The wheels are junk. I determined the tube that is the axle will receive a piece of 1/2" schd 40 pipe. A 5/8 axle most after market wheels are made for is a tight fit . Plan to heat the pipe and drive 5/8 axle stubs about 4" then weld. Add pneumatic tires/wheels and it will a lot handier and hold up under the pressures of heavy concrete. I have quite a few projects for it plus a friend also needs. Save a bundle over rental coats.

Ron

My solution. Had a piece of 5/8" rod and wheels from a recycled fertilizer spreader. It's very easy to move now.

 

[California]

Found an old photo. As I mentioned above, the HF 24" aluminum pipe wrench's handle snapped when I used a cheater pipe over it.
But the next one I bought to replace it is noticeably beefier.

View attachment 574920

 

[crazyal]

Found an old photo. As I mentioned above, the HF 24" aluminum pipe wrench's handle snapped when I used a cheater pipe over it.
But the next one I bought to replace it is noticeably beefier.

View attachment 574920

You'll be lucky if you don't break it too. No aluminum pipe wrench will take a cheater pipe and not break in short order. Get a steel one and you might bend the handle if you need to use a cheater. A friend owns a sprinkler business and warns everyone he hires that if he catches them using a cheater on an aluminum pipe wrench they will be fired. Of course he has a combination of Ridgid and Reed that cost about $100 for a 24". He does buy plenty of HF tools like large sockets, just not pipe wrenches.

 

[TomIre]

Going to buy a wood stove from Northern Tools. No hydraulic experience with NT. Do they do coupons like HF?