Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[PILOON]

I thought I posted a thread specific to HF blast cabinet mod but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I didn't and probably should start a thread if I didn't...

I have heavily modded my cabinet but one of the items that didn't get an upgrade until now were the gloves. They do suck! They split pretty early in the use cycle and I have been using duct tape with not great luck to hold them together. Replaced the originals with new ones from the Tacoma Company. Highly recommend them if you want to turn your HF cabinet into a first class machine.

View attachment 545924 View attachment 545927

As I said, lots of mods but I learned pretty quick that it is nice to have quick access to the whole insides of the cabinet so I got so I modified a socket... View attachment 545926 View attachment 545925

New gloves installed and a peek at some other sweet upgrades from Tacoma Company...

View attachment 545928 View attachment 545929

Thought I had another spare pane of glass. But I guess not. :smiley_aafz: So another trip to HD before I button this up.

View attachment 545930

.

To extend the life of the glass try black window bug screen spaced about 1/4" from the glass. The media will bounce off of the screen but you still have a decent view of your work and it will save the glass.

 

[dragoneggs]

To extend the life of the glass try black window bug screen spaced about 1/4" from the glass. The media will bounce off of the screen but you still have a decent view of your work and it will save the glass.

Thanks for the tip! I go through single weight glass far more than I had hoped.

 

[thepumpguysc]

the screen tip IS a good one.. I'll hafta give it a try..
I don't know what a replacement glass costs from HF, but my HF is about 50 miles from me..{100 r/t}
.. & I just went to the hardware store w/ my old glass & they used it as a template to cut me a new piece for a few dollars..{cheap}
Lasts the same amount of time.. IMO

 

[prichard]

Thanks, Piloon

 

[PhysAssist]

Thanks for the tip! I go through single weight glass far more than I had hoped.

I neither have a sand blast cabinet, nor need one, but I wondered if [given its increased hardness] tempered glass would last longer than the lexan or window glass, plus I guess I'm just curious by nature- anyway, this thread:Protective film for your sandblast cabinet. What do you use? - The Garage Journal Board has a lot of work-arounds for prolonging glass life-

One of them that stood out to me was using a cell-screen or tablet-sized screen protector of one of the gorilla-glass knock-offs to get a more durable view port in the bigger window.

Also here's another supply place for SB components- including tempered glass [? what sizes you need tho...]
Sandblast Cabinet Parts & Supplies for Abrasive Blasting Cabinets - TP Tools & Equipment

and

Sandblasting Cabinet Window Protector - All Clear Products
YMMV.

 

[Ford850]

Or you could sell the used glass on Craigslist for a premium...
"Frosted glass pane. Only one left to sell."

 

[lostcreekranch]

Or you could sell the used glass on Craigslist for a premium...
"Frosted glass pane. Only one left to sell."

. All clouds have a silver Lining!

 

[Code54]

I personally use the film on my glass and it works very well. I have a Skat Blast cabinet and been using the film for years with great success. The other thing is add a filter system - it makes a huge difference in visibility and filters the dust out of the cabinet.

 

[PhysAssist]

I personally use the film on my glass and it works very well. I have a Skat Blast cabinet and been using the film for years with great success. The other thing is add a filter system - it makes a huge difference in visibility and filters the dust out of the cabinet.

That's another one of the things I gleaned while looking into the question [dust avoidance], from here:
Clearwater Glass Studio

 

[dragoneggs]

I personally use the film on my glass and it works very well. I have a Skat Blast cabinet and been using the film for years with great success. The other thing is add a filter system - it makes a huge difference in visibility and filters the dust out of the cabinet.

I do have a first class filtering system. I suppose I should get off my arse and post a thread on my HF blast cabinet mods. Wait... that means more arse time! :confused2:

There are a few youtube vids on mods... I went to school on most all of them before I invested.

 

[thepumpguysc]

HF sells the vac/filter canister to hook up to the cabinet for 143.00..
I also "heard" that MOST people use a shop vac to suck the dust.. BUT..
1 guy said if you run a FAN instead.. it works better..?? Just something small like a computer fan..
I guess it forces the dust out the hole..??

 

[PhysAssist]

HF sells the vac/filter canister to hook up to the cabinet for 143.00..
I also "heard" that MOST people use a shop vac to suck the dust.. BUT..
1 guy said if you run a FAN instead.. it works better..?? Just something small like a computer fan..
I guess it forces the dust out the hole..??

I did see one suggestion to use a piece of brake line to make a diverter using air parasited from the supply hose to keep a small but constant steady stream of air blowing across the inside of the "glass" [kind of like the air wash my wood stove uses to keep the glass on the front cleaner...]

 

[Ford850]

I picked up 2 snatch blocks Snatch Block and 2 3/8"x65' cables 3/8 in. x 65 ft. Replacement Winch Cable with Hook last week. The cables are replacements intended for winches, but I wanted to try them for pulling logs with my tractors. I added cable eyes and double clamps to the open ends of each cable and added a clevis hook to one of those eyes. I really had doubts this would work to pull a 20" ash across a creek and snake it back and forth through the woods to a point I could pull it out with a short chain. Using the blocks to double the cable gave me the slow power to pull the tree though the creek, deep mud, and onto higher ground. Then I cut the tree into 15' lengths and pulled with the single cables and multiple chains (over 200' total distance), snaking the logs through the woods. Overall I was really impressed with how the blocks worked, and the cables are still in great shape. I'm looking forward to having these cables and blocks to help drag out more trees that are in wet inaccessible areas of the woods.

 

[Sysop]

I recently looked at their snatch blocks. I had a coupon that would have made HF a couple bucks cheaper, but I preferred a set I found on Amazon.

I paid $22.95 > Amazon.com: 8milelake Snatch Block Recover Winch Pulley (1T(2lb)): Automotive

 

[KB7722]

25% this Saturday and Sunday. 20% friday. Coupons probably on line. I got an email and they were handing them out in store several weeks ago

 

[tjkubota93]

using my harbor freight cart to unload the tool box I bought there. Is that how you know you have a problem?

 

[SPYDERLK]

View attachment 546464using my harbor freight cart to unload the tool box I bought there. Is that how you know you have a problem?

Id call it recognition of usefulness.

 

[PhysAssist]

View attachment 546464using my harbor freight cart to unload the tool box I bought there. Is that how you know you have a problem?

Nopers- Having the right tools for the job!

 

[Midniteoyl]

Series 2 vs Blue-point

 

[sixdogs]

The US General Series 2 looks very nice. I may have to pick one up soon.
Harbor Freight is really raising the bar.