Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[sixdogs]

I leave the tape measures at various places in the barn or shop and then when I need to measure something and don't have a tape, the HF one is just right. It's pretty big to carry around but not too big to sit on a shelf in the barn.

 

[Rustyiron]

I got the 5 drawer roll around tool cart last week. (the red one for about $185) Quite impressed!
Big casters, heavy ga. metal construction. If I had to question anything, it would be the "closed lid" drawer locking mech. It's a little slow uppon opening the lid. Week spring? Hope is loosens up with use.

 

[dragoneggs]

I leave the tape measures at various places in the barn or shop and then when I need to measure something and don't have a tape, the HF one is just right. It's pretty big to carry around but not too big to sit on a shelf in the barn.

Agreed, I can't have enough tape measures. Sometimes there are a couple sitting next to each other but I like to spread them around the garage/shop and inside the house too!

 

[aczlan]

Agreed, I can't have enough tape measures. Sometimes there are a couple sitting next to each other but I like to spread them around the garage/shop and inside the house too!

I found a deal (or was it a steal?) at Lowes a while back and got a 4 sets of 4 tape measures (a 25', a 16', a 12' and a 6') for $0.80/set. I now have one in each vehicle, a couple in the shop, a couple in the house, etc.
Makes life much easier when I don't have to look for a tape measure.

Aaron Z

 

[dragoneggs]

I found a deal (or was it a steal?) at Lowes a while back and got a 4 sets of 4 tape measures (a 25', a 16', a 12' and a 6') for $0.80/set. I now have one in each vehicle, a couple in the shop, a couple in the house, etc.
Makes life much easier when I don't have to look for a tape measure.

Aaron Z

Oh yeah... at least one in each vehicle too!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Picked up a male air quick connect with the air chuck, and it leaks air. Fortunately I had one laying around that worked, so the air chuck works.

 

[California]

Picked up a male air quick connect with the air chuck, and it leaks air. Fortunately I had one laying around that worked, so the air chuck works.

I haven't had good luck with the brass air quick-connects. Quality seems random.

I started converting to the larger 1/4 x 3/8 size, initially to get more air to my impact wrench, and so far haven't hit a bad one with these. And the difference in ID through the coupler is immense - one of the reviews says 2.5 times the area. The only negative reviews I saw were folks who hadn't recognized these fit the 1/4" threads that are generally used on 3/8" air hose; aside from that all reviews are favorable - even including the people who had to get exchanges before they possessed usable sets!

I recommend these larger air couplers. As one reviewer noted, it might be a good idea to verify everything fits together before leaving the store.

 

[PILOON]

LOL, I also have a ton of tape measures but never can find one when I need it.

It's funny how the free gifts add up. Back when I was building my house Lowes had 25' Stanley tape measures for $9 that came with a $10 off when you spend $50. Since I was always picking up small stuff to complete projects I was there usually 3 times a week. Each time I would grab another tape measure to get another coupon. I now have at least 20 of those tape measures all around the house/ shop/ garage. You would think that you could never have too many tape measures but I actually do have too many. It would of been different if I could of left them in the package but to get the coupon on the back you had to remove the tape measure. So now I have a drawer full of them and have given away a half dozen. I don't have a HF close so I don't have many of their free gifts (I do have several free screwdriver sets hanging on the wall).

 

[DFB]

I agree it's like hit or miss with brass connectors.

I have steel ones on most all my air attachments. There is still a new package of the Central Pneumatic 68192 must have bought looong ago. And there are some cheapo (Homier)brass couplers in the drawer of my tool box where I keep air fittings that still have some tape on them. I know I replaced them because they wouldn't stop leaking.


Even a low cost 16 ga finish nailer I bought off Amazon came with a steel fitting already installed. Nice tool....no leaks, no misfires, works good. I went thru just about an entire box of 2500 2 inch nails with no problems. And at a price that was better than the comparable CP models at Frieght. Another item that there are two of. One has slightly better reviews than the other. 68023 & 69575


I bought to to replace the "Contractor Series" 40116 HF 18 brad nailer that I have had for a long time. HF doesn't list that one any longer. It misfires a lot now and keeps messing up the face of my work. Now that I have some time off I will take a better look at it to see what's up with that!


I always liked that little gun the plastic case is all cracked now and the locking tabs broke off ages ago I used a velcro strap to keep it closed.





Sometimes I think the nails are a problem more than the gun though that may be relative :laughing: The old gun worked well with the sample of fasteners it came with but gave me fits using a box of grip rite brads from the Orange box

 

[Kernopelli]

re the HF torque wrenches I've had one for 20+ years and its spot-on. I compare it against two beam type torque wrenches a couple of times per project (cause it is from HF after all) and all three have always matched. It came with some kind of a certification document claiming it meets mil spec or something.

I have been very pleased with their digital torque adapter. 1/2 In Drive Digital Torque Adapter Comes in a nice sturdy case, you can toggle it to read in NM, In/Lbs or Ft/Lbs and can be used with 1/4" , 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets.