Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[sixdogs]

I bought that one maybe 5 years ago. I think it has 'Goodyear - USA' trademark on it.

I got that because the cheap blue HF PVC air hose was unreasonably stiff. I still have a couple of those but they are only useful for extensions, not for the working end.

From one of the reviews of an orange HF PVC hose: Caveat Emptor.

Yes, Goodyear, that's the one. I often run 150-170 psi through it. No rot, no smell, no kidding.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yes, Goodyear, that's the one. I often run 150-170 psi through it. No rot, no smell, no kidding.

Mine is also Goodyear. I didn't realize HF had changed suppliers so was wondering what all the fuss was about. The Goodyear hose is still fine ten years later.

 

[paulsharvey]

4 Piece Magnetic Welding Holders. These do suck. Two of them wouldn't hold a 16.5" piece of #4 rebar. Completely useless

 

[stuckmotor]

I've seldom had much luck with magnetic welding angles. I finally made some from angle iron and clamp them onto what I'm welding.

 

[sixdogs]

4 Piece Magnetic Welding Holders. These do suck. Two of them wouldn't hold a 16.5" piece of #4 rebar. Completely useless

Forgot about those and yes, they do suck. I have three or four and never had a successful use for them.

 

[IslandTractor]

4 Piece Magnetic Welding Holders. These do suck. Two of them wouldn't hold a 16.5" piece of #4 rebar. Completely useless

They are not meant to hold heavy objects like rebar. They work for holding sheet or 1/4" where the weight is on the table and the holders are simply keeping the vertical piece stable and maintaining the 90 or 45 degree angle.

 

[paulsharvey]

They are not meant to hold heavy objects like rebar. They work for holding sheet or 1/4" where the weight is on the table and the holders are simply keeping the vertical piece stable and maintaining the 90 or 45 degree angle.

But a 16 inch pieces of 1\2" rebar only weights like a pound, 2 at the most

They are not meant to hold heavy objects like rebar. They work for holding sheet or 1/4" where the weight is on the table and the holders are simply keeping the vertical piece stable and maintaining the 90 or 45 degree angle.

 

[IslandTractor]

But a 16 inch pieces of 1\2" rebar only weights like a pound, 2 at the most

Understood but what these magnets are really designed for is to simply hold two pieces of steel at a 90 degree angle while welding. They really are not designed to hold weight but rather position. I think the main use is to have both pieces on a bench with one on edge and the magnet keeps the piece on edge from falling over and in the correct position. Very different than clamps.

 

[prichard]

Understood but what these magnets are really designed for is to simply hold two pieces of steel at a 90 degree angle while welding. They really are not designed to hold weight but rather position. I think the main use is to have both pieces on a bench with one on edge and the magnet keeps the piece on edge from falling over and in the correct position. Very different than clamps.

I was thinking of getting these for the purpose you describe. In your opinion they are decent tools for position of supported metal?

 

[IslandTractor]

I was thinking of getting these for the purpose you describe. In your opinion they are decent tools for position of supported metal?

Yes. Just be clear that they are not going to support a 4x8 foot sheet of 12 gauge steel on edge. A foot or two of vertical height I would not be concerned about at all when using about one every foot or so along the base. Just use more of them if you have something a bit taller but they really are not designed to hold stuff that you couldn't easily hold in place with one finger if you were lucky enough to have three arms.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Yes. Just be clear that they are not going to support a 4x8 foot sheet of 12 gauge steel on edge. A foot or two of vertical height I would not be concerned about at all when using about one every foot or so along the base. Just use more of them if you have something a bit taller but they really are not designed to hold stuff that you couldn't easily hold in place with one finger if you were lucky enough to have three arms.

You have an ingenious way of cleaning out all of the metal fileings that get attached to them?

 

[IslandTractor]

You have an ingenious way of cleaning out all of the metal fileings that get attached to them?

No secret. I try to keep them away from metal filings. PITA

 

[bcp]

Those magnets might hold a smooth bar the same weight as the rebar. The ridges on the rebar prevent the magnet from getting a good grip.

Bruce

 

[Garandman]

You have an ingenious way of cleaning out all of the metal filings that get attached to them?

Plastic wrap.

 

[paulsharvey]

There are two sizes; are the large ones much better? 4-3/4'' Multipurpose Magnet Holder

 

[GoldenCityMuse]

No secret. I try to keep them away from metal filings. PITA

Has anybody tried heavy duty zip-lock type bags?

 

[California]

Has anybody tried heavy duty zip-lock type bags?

I keep the retrieving magnet in a ziplock to keep it clean when I use it. That plus the TSA-style metal detector wand to first locate a lost object make a good combination.

But I don't see how a ziplock near welding would work, due to the heat.

 

[IslandTractor]

Plastic wrap.

Is that to remove the filings or to prevent them from attaching??? I can see it is a great idea to prevent filings from attaching but don't see how it would remove them.

 

[bcp]

Remove the filings by holding a short strip of duct tape on your finger, adhesive out, then pressing the filings.

Bruce

 

[dragoneggs]

I was thinking of getting these for the purpose you describe. In your opinion they are decent tools for position of supported metal?

They work great for me used as IT previously mentioned.