Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[DFB]

That reminded me that I had a pair of HF magnetic vise jaws. The first use crumbled the ceramic magnets and they fell out. The holes in the AL jaws were shallower than the magnet thickness, so the magnets took the full clamping force.

Bruce

You have to love that quality control


I have had same set on my vice for years now

 

[Deere Dude]

I needed some grinding goggles for years but kept putting it off. I finally got a 3 pack at HF for a few bucks and threw them in the cabinet. A few days later I had to weld and grind but was to lazy to go get them. I ground a freshly welded joint and a hot speck cam up and landed on my eyelid. It tickled a little but I kept on grinding. Shortly after that my eyelid swelled up and turned red. n a week or so it is back to fair with a little burn mark, but after that incident I tried on a pair and did some grinding and welding.

Those goggles are pretty nice and comfortable. They don't steam up very fast because of the vent holes and they fit nice.

 

[JRobyn]

I can't stand goggles. Always fog up in less than a minute and are then useless. The cheap HF face shield looks like just that; cheap. But their better one (Adjustable Face Shield) IS better. MUCH better. So much so that it doesn't suck! I think it's made by AOSafety. Very solid. I used mine just today while grinding the nubs off a plastic office chair floor protector. Light weight. Easily adjustable. Flip up. Comfortable. And DOESN'T fog up, unless maybe you let it get real cold and use it outdoors.

- Jay

 

[Travelover]

Here is a 25% off coupon, ending today.

http://view.harborfreightemail.com/?j=ff031572776502&m=fe9512717066027874&ls=fec815707c6d067f&l=ff9c1572&s=fec715707c6d0478&jb=ffcd16&ju=fe8a13707c600c7970&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5015b_fd&utm_source=1051&cid=mEmail_s1051_c5015b_fd&r=0

 

[zombie]

Here is a 25% off coupon, ending today.

http://view.harborfreightemail.com/?j=ff031572776502&m=fe9512717066027874&ls=fec815707c6d067f&l=ff9c1572&s=fec715707c6d0478&jb=ffcd16&ju=fe8a13707c600c7970&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5015b_fd&utm_source=1051&cid=mEmail_s1051_c5015b_fd&r=0

Thanks! I must be due to buy something.

 

[California]

Here's a good one. The $40 Blue Flame auto-darken welding helmet.

Mine is at least 5 years old and it's been in a dark cabinet for the past year. Yesterday I set it outdoors (overcast) for a few minutes, put it in use and it works perfectly. I'm not sure it even needed that daylight exposure.

The pro's of this one are the double size window. I need this to watch the puddle through the lower half of my bifocals. And no maintenance - battery etc - needed.

Cons: This helmet's manual says minimum 125 amps when using flux core. It is barely light enough to see the puddle using my 110 volt Century 130 flux wire welder, which is similar to the HF 90 except it has DC. When I used this helmet with a HF-90 this was too dark. It works great with my 220V stick welder.

 

[CNC Dan]

Here's a good one. The $40 Blue Flame auto-darken welding helmet.

Mine is at least 5 years old and it's been in a dark cabinet for the past year. Yesterday I set it outdoors (overcast) for a few minutes, put it in use and it works perfectly. I'm not sure it even needed that daylight exposure.

The pro's of this one are the double size window. I need this to watch the puddle through the lower half of my bifocals. And no maintenance - battery etc - needed.

Cons: This helmet's manual says minimum 125 amps when using flux core. It is barely light enough to see the puddle using my 110 volt Century 130 flux wire welder, which is similar to the HF 90 except it has DC. When I used this helmet with a HF-90 this was too dark. It works great with my 220V stick welder.

Eventualy the internal batteries will no longer hold a charge. It's good to hear that yours is still going after being in the dark for a long time. I also like that it has a grind mode.

 

[PILOON]

Eventualy the internal batteries will no longer hold a charge. It's good to hear that yours is still going after being in the dark for a long time. I also like that it has a grind mode.

Broke open an older failed auto helmet to discover that they simply used a 'quarter sized' 3 volt lithium battery as power source.
My guess was that the charge circuit was faulty or I left it too long in the dark.
I always store my newer one near a window now.

 

[PILOON]

Eventualy the internal batteries will no longer hold a charge. It's good to hear that yours is still going after being in the dark for a long time. I also like that it has a grind mode.

Broke open an older failed auto helmet to discover that they simply used a 'quarter sized' 3 volt lithium battery as power source.
My guess was that the charge circuit was faulty or I left it too long in the dark.
I always store my newer one near a window now.

 

[CNC Dan]

Broke open an older failed auto helmet to discover that they simply used a 'quarter sized' 3 volt lithium battery as power source.
My guess was that the charge circuit was faulty or I left it too long in the dark.
I always store my newer one near a window now.

Yup. Two 3 volt coin cells in series to give 6 volts. You could add an external battery pack that takes common AAA cells, and wire it to where the coin cells are wired to the circuit board.

I just leave mine faceing the window when not in use, and treat myself to a new one in 4-5 years.

 

[Travelover]

Here is a 25% off coupon, ending today.

http://view.harborfreightemail.com/?j=ff031572776502&m=fe9512717066027874&ls=fec815707c6d067f&l=ff9c1572&s=fec715707c6d0478&jb=ffcd16&ju=fe8a13707c600c7970&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5015b_fd&utm_source=1051&cid=mEmail_s1051_c5015b_fd&r=0

It has been extended: http://view.harborfreightemail.com/?j=feff1572776d06&m=fe9512717066027874&ls=fe841279716c037475&l=ff9c1572&s=fe8c11777067007873&jb=ff911377&ju=fe901371736d0c7d75&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5115b&utm_source=1021&cid=mEmail_s1021_c5115b&r=0

 

[Garycw]

Picked up a set of color coded 3/8 " metric deep sockets today. Used to replace tie rod end. Saved $100. The $12 socket set did the trick.

 

[MrGiggles]

Bought the 7" grinder last night. I'm a pretty big advocate of HF, but I'm still wary of their power tools. It was around 40 bucks with a coupon and extra 1 year warranty.

So far so good. Put it through the wringer today while putting a wood splitter together, grinding and cutting 3/4" and 1/2" plate. Made two 10" cuts through 1/2" plate with no trouble, 30 minutes of non-stop cutting. I may never use my 4.5" grinder again.

We'll see if it continues to hold up.

 

[sixdogs]

Has anyone seen a coupon or better price for this rolling toolchest "roller cabinet"?

Roller Cabinet - 44" Red Rolling Tool Cabinet w/ 13 Drawers



I believe I've seen them for $320 ? or so but can't recall and now I think I need one.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Has anyone seen a coupon or better price for this rolling toolchest "roller cabinet"? Roller Cabinet - 44" Red Rolling Tool Cabinet w/ 13 Drawers <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/parts-repairs/450868-harbor-freight-tools-dont-suck-image_23816-jpg"/> I believe I've seen them for $320 ? or so but can't recall and now I think I need one.

Simon says: Use the above 25% coupon to buy it for for $293.

You're welcome.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[lostcreekranch]

Has anyone seen a coupon or better price for this rolling toolchest "roller cabinet"? Roller Cabinet - 44" Red Rolling Tool Cabinet w/ 13 Drawers <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/parts-repairs/450868-harbor-freight-tools-dont-suck-image_23816-jpg"/> I believe I've seen them for $320 ? or so but can't recall and now I think I need one.

Simon says: Use the above 25% coupon to buy it for for $293.

You're welcome.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[DFB]

That's a pretty good buy with ball bearing slide drawers and an advertised 80 lb drawer cap 5 inch wheels and 14,200 cu. in..

I always liked the US General stuff.

Just figure if the shorter width drawers are what you really want or would wider full length be better.


I don't know how far you are from store but I sure would want to inspect it for damage before I carted one away

I also see it says additional truck ship charge.

I had Craftsman 40" ball bearing latch cabinets truck delivered and they damaged the crap out it,


Couple of $$ comparisons...

Husky 46 in. 8-Drawer Mobile Workbench with 1 in. Solid Wood Top, Heavy-Duty-HOTC4608B1CD - The Home Depot


Husky 52 in. W 9-Drawer Mobile Work Bench, Black-75809AHR - The Home Depot


If you really like red there is always this one too!

 

[MrGiggles]

Can't use discounts on tool boxes.

Lowest I've seen is 349.99, but there might be a lower one through the inside track club.

 

[Threepoint]

Can't use discounts on tool boxes.

Lowest I've seen is 349.99, but there might be a lower one through the inside track club.

+1 Can't use the 20 or 25% coupons on what they consider "tool storage." That includes the chests, but I don't think their tool bags, and maybe not even their small tool boxes.

There is, however, frequently a Super Coupon for that particular chest for $369. Practically never for $349, but, yep, it was that low very recently, maybe Black Friday? HF has a form of price protection, though. If you bring in a Super Coupon for less than you paid within 30 days, they'll refund the difference. I did that on that same chest earlier this year. Great chest, BTW.

 

[MrGiggles]

I tried it with the 5 drawer cart, the cashier said no bueno.