Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[PJSprog]

I've been using this Cen-Tech multimeter for about 10-ish years. Had the previous version for another 10 years that worked just fine until I dropped it face-down on a concrete floor in my basement. I've had no trouble at all with the new one, but the continuity tone could definitely be louder ... and maybe a different frequency that doesn't blend so well with my tinnitus.

 

[PhysAssist]

As I mentioned, the Coot is an antique UTV it weighs about 1000#, so yeah, I'd say the X20 is overkill (what I'm seeing are rated 10,000# and up). Plus the 16 Amp alternator on the 16 HP Briggs V-Twin engine is going to have trouble keeping up.

I appreciate the lead on the smaller winches. They certainly seem to be a step up from the Harbor Freight (which I know is setting the bar rather low).

That being said, and I'm not disagreeing, BUT...
I bought the old style wired remote #3500 HF winch 6+ years ago to use as a lift motor for our snowplow, which started out weighing about #400, but with multiple rebuilds from impact damage [we had a lot of stumps along our driveway that have since been re-mediated], rust, and general improvements, it's now probably #500-600+- not counting the truck mounts, and it just died this winter,and although I could have rebuilt it I bought one of these instead: 25 lb. ATV/Utility Electric Winch with Wireless Remote Control

 

[frugalangler]

was working in the shop the other day, and had to tack some metal together, so used my HF 120V spot welder, I have to say it's also one of those that not only doesn't suck, but it's actually very good. my only regret is that I didn't get the 220V version but at the time I needed something to do a job fast and I didn't have 220V readily available, so went the 120V route, but it's tacked stuff I'd not have expected it to.

120 Volt Spot Welder

 

[tjkubota93]

I don’t think I stand much chance with my more than 10 yo Fluke 117

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This Fluke product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for three years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover fuses, disposable bat- teries, or damage from accident, neglect, misuse, alteration, contamination, or abnor- mal conditions of operation or handling. Resellers are not authorized to extend any other warranty on Fluke’s behalf. To obtain service during the warranty period, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return authorization information, then send the product to that Service Center with a description of the problem.
THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. FLUKE IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUEN- TIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY. Since some states or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of an implied warranty or of incidental or consequential damages, this limitation of liability may not apply to you.

I don't know the specifics, I had a fluke 73 I bought used on ebay quit working. Listed it for parts and someone messaged me saying it was lifetime warranty. I sent it for repairs and sold it for twice as much after receiving a fixed meter. Maybe the warranty was only on that model or they changed their policy? Either way I was happy. They gave me no grief at all.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I've got a bad 73 and a AN/77.. Have to call them and check this out.

 

[jdom84]

without having to read all 827+ pages of this thread... how do you know which tools have been discussed already? :confused3:

 

[PJSprog]

without having to read all 827+ pages of this thread... how do you know which tools have been discussed already? :confused3:

If you're looking for something specific, you can use the search tool for this thread.

Otherwise, happy reading.

 

[Travelover]

without having to read all 827+ pages of this thread... how do you know which tools have been discussed already? :confused3:

I've asked people to include the item number in the post to make it easier to search, but not everyone does, plus numbers change with suppliers. Definitely use the search function.

 

[4get gto]

without having to read all 827+ pages of this thread... how do you know which tools have been discussed already? :confused3:

I would hope nobody has a hissy fit if it was talked about before. Heck most everything on TBN gets discussed 3-4 times a year.

 

[jdom84]

Very true... see the same things pop up over and over all the time. I was mostly thinking it would be cool to have an index. The search works to a point, but sometimes brings up so much other stuff that I go ADD and end up on a different thought.

I have found that reading reviews of items where they are sold is a waste of time... But when people in the field are reviewing these things after they have put them to work, you can trust them a bit more (sometimes).


Anyways, couple months ago, I bought a harbor freight air grease gun and have had good luck with it. Like other grease guns, people complain about busting off zerks... but you can loosen the tip on this one and get it off with out any damage to the zerk. I was going to get a lock-n-lube tip but after seeing you can just loosen this tip, Ill hold off on buying it. It cost more than the tool does. I have always treated HF tools like they are disposable but have been surprised how long some of the stuff last.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Very true... see the same things pop up over and over all the time. I was mostly thinking it would be cool to have an index. The search works to a point, but sometimes brings up so much other stuff that I go ADD and end up on a different thought.

I have found that reading reviews of items where they are sold is a waste of time... But when people in the field are reviewing these things after they have put them to work, you can trust them a bit more (sometimes).


Anyways, couple months ago, I bought a harbor freight air grease gun and have had good luck with it. Like other grease guns, people complain about busting off zerks... but you can loosen the tip on this one and get it off with out any damage to the zerk. I was going to get a lock-n-lube tip but after seeing you can just loosen this tip, Ill hold off on buying it. It cost more than the tool does. I have always treated HF tools like they are disposable but have been surprised how long some of the stuff last.

I had one of those for 6 Mo. Constantly fought getting the plunger to work in the tubes, usually got grease all over the olace. Threw it away and bought an Alemite. End of problems. Still Chinese made and not much more money.

Ron

 

[sixdogs]

without having to read all 827+ pages of this thread... how do you know which tools have been discussed already? :confused3:

Yes, you can search but if in doubt just bring it up again. It's interesting to read of the fortunes or misfortunes of others while playing one of the greatest lottery wheels of the current era; Harbor Freight. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose but if it isn't mentioned we never know.

 

[newbury]

without having to read all 827+ pages of this thread... how do you know which tools have been discussed already? :confused3:

And with HF the tools change in quality, witness the recent discussion of Taiwan vs China origin wrenches. Look at their changes over the years on their sawmill.

 

[KubotainNH]

A Fluke meter for $35?

After reading your advice I looked on Ebay. First thing I noticed is the the generic name for some cheap China multimeters is a fluke. I didn't see any genuine Fluke new or good used, until prices starting far above $35.

How do I find one?

I've had the meter below for a couple years with no issue. It comes with a nice soft case and the extra cables and which are helpful. You could just search Amazon and get one with a bunch of good reviews. The one below I saw in a magazine that listed must have tools.

Amazon.com: ESI 585K Deluxe Automotive DMM: Automotive

 

[crazyal]

I have two fluke meters and a Fluke light pen at home and several at work (including an old one with buttons on the side and a color scope meter). They seam nice and durable but only on rare occasion have I needed the extra quality. I've used everything from a heath kit dial meter with (if I remember correctly 6 C batteries inside) to Radio Shack specials (don't think I owned a HF meter simply because I've never needed one while at the store). What I can tell you is that when you pull a little too hard on the leads and the meter falls you will cringe a lot more if it's a $400 Fluke than a free HF.

If you remove the back cover you should be able to expose the circuit board. The dial on the front just rotates some contacts that touch the circuit board. It should have a fine layer of dielectric grease to keep the contacts from not making good contact. Simply cleaning up the contacts and getting some dielectric grease from any auto parts store will solve any problems that rotating the dial a few times will temporarily fix.

 

[California]

I have two fluke meters and a Fluke light pen at home and several at work (including an old one with buttons on the side ... I've used everything from a heath kit dial meter with (if I remember correctly 6 C batteries inside) to Radio Shack specials...

What I can tell you is that when you pull a little too hard on the leads and the meter falls you will cringe a lot more if it's a $400 Fluke than a free HF.

I hadn't thought of that in years but my first quality meter was a Heathkit VTVM, yes kids that's a Vacuum Tube Volt Meter. It plugged into the wall.

And before HF had the free meters, a quality Taiwan Fluke clone with the pushbuttons on the side that lasted a decade or so.

It looks like the $20 multimeter recommended by PJSprog is on closeout, 'store only', and I see there is a new HF line of claimed quality meters - at of course double the price and no coupons allowed. I'm torn between buying the HF one or a mailed-from-China equivalent, for less. My use is mostly 12v and AA battery testing and I could use a continuity beeper that is loud enough to hear. No need here for expensive precision.

 

[Kernopelli]

I have bought several items recently and the store manager was pretty insistent that I buy an Extended Service Plan on the items. He stated that any item covered by their ESP plan can be returned/ exchanged for a new one for ANY reason prior to the expiration of the plan.....even outright abuse/destruction or just normal cosmetic wear and tear. Yesterday they even offered to write the "return before" date on an item as a reminder and suggested I put a calendar reminder in my phone so I wouldn't let the warranty lapse before exchanging it for a new one. They even suggested I only buy the one year ESP because I can exchange it any time for a new item and there is no reason to pay more for a 2 year term. You can purchase another ESP for the new item and exchange that item before the new ESP expires so you are getting a new product once a year for only the cost of the ESP plan.

This all seemed very strange to me. After the second time they told me this ( assistant manager this time), I made them re-explain the whole deal again and assured them it made no sense and was contrary to the corporate return guidelines on their website and in store ESP pamphlet. They assured me they ( their store) WILL make an exchange for ANY reason and will NOT institute the "repair clause" and no receipt needed as long as the ESP is entered at time of purchase under my phone number. They said the majority of people will not remember or take the time to take advantage of the ESP so they are still coming out ahead. I'm sure they get a kick back on selling ESP's and it's hard to believe that at some point in time HF won't come down on a store manager that is allowing an extreme amount of frivolous returns but I took the chance that this time next year he still has a job there . I won't do this on everything but I never get much more than a year out of their welding helmets before I have either destroyed the lens, broken the head band adjustment or simply have scratched it too much to see well and I like the idea of getting a new one for a few bucks once a year. I will say this also, so far they ARE very easy to work with, they have already given me a full refund on a chop saw I purchased online, w/o receipt and never asked me a question concerning why. In the end, time will tell how this ESP policy works out.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have been pushed hard to purchase the ESP on a couple items at HF. One was for the wet tile saw. He said use it hard and return it if it breaks and if there is a new better model, I would get that one, no questions asked. I decided not to buy it as it is against my 'religion' to buy extended warranties but it sure was tempting. ESP/warranties are a money maker for the seller. For the individual, it's like betting on the lottery in my opinion.

 

[California]

ESP/warranties are a money maker for the seller. ...

I overheard a cashier boasting to another how she had made a substantial commission selling the extended warranty for an expensive item.

I wonder if the margin is so great that the price of the warranty is negotiable, like when buying a car.

 

[dragoneggs]

I overheard a cashier boasting to another how she had made a substantial commission selling the extended warranty for an expensive item.

I wonder if the margin is so great that the price of the warranty is negotiable, like when buying a car.

Yep, often salespersons will get commissions for selling warranties because it is more profit for the company on the same item.