Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

Is that long-handle vise-grip built well enough to apply maximum force to it?

I would have expected an ordinary vise grip to fold up or bend sideways and tear out a rivet, or something, if it got the force that long handle provides.

 

[sixdogs]

Wondering about the new Predator 3500 generator... on sale now at $649. About a 1/3rd of the price of the Honda 3000 that I have. Only 9 reviews so far on HF but all 5 star.

35 Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator

I know nothing about these generators but a food truck I know that goes to farm auctions has one and has run it for well over a year with no problems. It's a little loud but runs all day for an auction and has never quit.

 

[sixdogs]

Yesterday, I got every hose clamp I had and threw them out. I tried 10 and all stripped out before any real tension was applied. For me, I would rather have nothing than those clamps.

 

[hutchman]

Wondering about the new Predator 3500 generator... on sale now at $649. About a 1/3rd of the price of the Honda 3000 that I have. Only 9 reviews so far on HF but all 5 star.

35 Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator

Don't know about that one, but I did splurge for the 2000W one. I was running my 7000W a lot at the pole barn for a fan and some lights and it was sucking gas, making noise and running basically with no load. I received a $429 coupon in the mail so I used that. It's been great. Easy to start, very quiet (especially in Eco mode) and sips gas.

Did research and determined the Champion was the better deal due to a 2 year warranty (I really believe it's the same machine just packaged differently) but then I realized that Lowe's and Home Depot had them on their web site but didn't actually have them in store. It was a ship to store kind of deal and I didn't want to wait and wanted it in my hot hand now so sprang fornthem HF one. Very happy with it so far (a lot easier to move too compared to the 230+ lb. 7000W one). It has its uses. Now I have 4 generators ;(

 

[DFB]

You did good! That may be the last one left in the wild anywhere.

I used mine this morning to clamp some plywood to the benchtop so I could cut an irregular shape in the part of the plywood out beyond the bench. The clamp made it much easier.

This is a very handy tool.

There were 6 of them in my nearest store when I stopped last night on my home from work

I also seen that extended handle grip wrench I also wondered who and for what would be using that one lol!

I have seen way too much damage of things by ham fisted mechanicks using vice grips over my years. Mine almost never come out the tool drawer anymore.

Did get some hand B&D hand pruners on clearance 3.99 from $8.99

I plan flip them over on my flea mkt tool table for the original $9.00

And just for grins I picked up that 2 pc set of Raptor pliers with the hammer head for $2.50. Will see how that goes too!

 

[California]

What's this? On the HF website 'Vulcan' returns only welding consumables, gloves, and this welding cart.

Looks like they will soon have a new line of (more expensive?) welders. Searching 'Vulcan Welder' returns a manufacturer in India.

 

[17 Oaks]

Purchased their demolition hammer for a recent project and I was extremely impressed with how well it worked and the anti-vibration feature was fantastic. The hammer went through 5" concrete and 2" rock layers quite well.

12.5 Amp SDS Max Type Pro Demolition Hammer Kit

Bought it, used it to strip 2000 sq ft of double stacked floor tile and linoleum, worked great, gave it to a friend who is a contractor and he has used it for 2 years and its still going...

 

[sixdogs]

What's this? On the HF website 'Vulcan' returns only welding consumables, gloves, and this welding cart.

Looks like they will soon have a new line of (more expensive?) welders. Searching 'Vulcan Welder' returns a manufacturer in India.

Looks like Lincoln knockoffs?

 

[Ford850]

And if you look at the Vulcan company from India, their logo is different and they don't make small welders like these. It looks like HF is ripping off the Vulcan name to use here, and having knockoffs of some other welder for the products.

 

[sixdogs]

And if you look at the Vulcan company from India, their logo is different and they don't make small welders like these. It looks like HF is ripping off the Vulcan name to use here, and having knockoffs of some other welder for the products.

No wonder this thread is so long. It's hard to figure out all the players