Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[TomSeller]

I've always used a Hi-Lift jack and I have all my teeth. It's just too danged handy not to use. Just use common sense

 

[IslandTractor]

I've always used a Hi-Lift jack and I have all my teeth. It's just too danged handy not to use. Just use common sense

And don't let go of the handle!

 

[Oaktree]

Go to an auto wrecking yard. Many older autos came with a "Bumper Jack". Does about the same job, almost always leans to 1 side. Should be very cheap.

Maybe in Ariz. where there is no rust, but not really an option for most of us. Cars haven't come with bumper jacks in 40 years.

 

[Mendonsy]

Maybe in Ariz. where there is no rust, but not really an option for most of us. Cars haven't come with bumper jacks in 40 years.

Plastic bumpers probably have a lot to do with that!

 

[LD48750]

Maybe in Ariz. where there is no rust, but not really an option for most of us. Cars haven't come with bumper jacks in 40 years.

Really?

Has it been that long?
Seems like just a few years ago.

I still have a couple down in the barn.

 

[62willy]

Maybe in Ariz. where there is no rust, but not really an option for most of us. Cars haven't come with bumper jacks in 40 years.

Hey, my willys has some rust on it. It's been sitting out in the weather unpainted for at least 10 years now and there's a little surface rust. I'll have to spend minutes on it with a 1200 grit sandpaper block before I can put paint down.

Bill

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My dad still has a bumper jack and uses it.

 

[stuckmotor]

The little black flashlights that came free with a coupon and a purchase a while back were satisfactory in my book. I've had one sitting outside on a concrete block for so long that the black paint has changed colors and the light is still bright. The ones that I've gotten more recently have been a different story.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I've always used a Hi-Lift jack and I have all my teeth. It's just too danged handy not to use. Just use common sense

Yep.

But use a REAL Hi-Lift, not that cheap piece of junk that HF sells. If you don't know what the difference is, look carefully at how the handle is joined. You don't have to do a metallurgy analysis to see the problem there.

 

[TomSeller]

Yep.

But use a REAL Hi-Lift, not that cheap piece of junk that HF sells. If you don't know what the difference is, look carefully at how the handle is joined. You don't have to do a metallurgy analysis to see the problem there.

Agree, HF has its place but I would never buy something like a Hi-Lift jack there. I did not know about the extreme model Hi-Lift makes when I bought mine or I would have bought that (if they made it then).

 

[lostcreekranch]

My TSC tractor jack is about 25 years old. I give it a dose of Fluid Film about once a year. It still works well.

 

[sixdogs]

Agree, HF has its place but I would never buy something like a Hi-Lift jack there. I did not know about the extreme model Hi-Lift makes when I bought mine or I would have bought that (if they made it then).

Two points here.

HF has it's place but I would never trust anything where it absolutely had to function. That's a given. If I place a jack stand under it and plan to go underneath, I place a backup jack just in case. Everyone should be doing that considering the fluctuating quality.

On the two models of the HI-Lift jack, I wanted the other one as well and discovered that used ones bring almost as much as new ones when you sell them. So I traded up, in effect, for very few $$. Thinking back, I would buy the second jack and keep the first as well but that's just me.

 

[TomSeller]

, I would buy the second jack and keep the first as well but that's just me.

Now there is an idea. Now that you say that, I may need a Hi-Lift Extreme that doubles as a winch/spreader.

 

[PJSprog]

Picked up one of the folding welding tables Saturday afternoon. Thanks for the digital coupon, Bruce! Haven't had a chance to unbox it yet. I'll get it out and take it for a spin next weekend. Picked up a few of the swivel pad locking pliers, too. Also nabbed a free LED light (the blue oval one).

 

[stuckmotor]

My HF "Customer Reviews" button doesn't seem to be working today. Has anyone else had that problem?

 

[Mendonsy]

My HF "Customer Reviews" button doesn't seem to be working today. Has anyone else had that problem?

Dunno .... mine seems to be working OK.

 

[John_Mc]

My HF "Customer Reviews" button doesn't seem to be working today. Has anyone else had that problem?

It's working for me today.

I've had problems on Northern Tool before with reviews not showing up after I wrote them. Interestingly, this only seemed to happen when I wrote a negative review. The last one was a few years ago: I tried several times to submit a 1-star review of one of their logging Cant Hooks. I went into some detail on a couple of design and manufacturing defects (both of which were significant safety concerns). I finally emailed customer service to find out why they were not showing up. They gave me a BS answer about being concerned about their liability if they allowed my review with my "unscientific" claims (a weld broke during light use, resulting in the tip of the hook breaking off and the log falling and rolling). I questioned why they were more worried about upsetting their supplier than the possible liability of a customer getting injured using it. Finally, I watered-down the description enough that they let it through.

I do note that the design has since been replaced by one that addresses the concern with the hook. They still don't seem to know how to make a proper wooden handle (the grain should go the full length of the handle, not run diagonally across it).

 

[4get gto]

Kinda makes me think of their 5 star rating system. Nothing is ever less than 3-3 1/2 stars. Everything is better than average I guess.:confused3:

 

[sixdogs]

...

I do note that the design has since been replaced by one that addresses the concern with the hook. They still don't seem to know how to make a proper wooden handle (the grain should go the full length of the handle, not run diagonally across it).

That makes me laugh because there are times you have to really look hard to see any grain at all. Whatever wood they use seems grainless at times and if it does have a grain pattern it seems to be running the wrong way in the tool. It seems guessing would give a 50% chance of getting it right.

 

[Mendonsy]

Anyone have any experience with H-F's pneumatic tire casters??? My wife wants me to make an "all terrain" grocery cart that she can use in the garden.