Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[fried1765]

Those and the lights. I'm always looking for a darn flashlight it seems.

Several years ago I took 30 of those little cylindrical flashlights to give away,.... on a trip to Cuba.

 

[PhysAssist]

The reels are nice. Before the discount versions came out at places like HF the price was just too high so I use spare steel wheels. Often you can go to a junk yard and find one that's a little damaged so it can't be used on a car. They work great for everything from air hoses to electrical cables. Back when I had my tombstone welder that was too heavy to move around I had over 100' of cable for it and chrome wheel mounted to the wall next to it to wrap the cables around when not in use.

I bought a HF one that was on clearance because it was missing the handle to turn it, and once I got tired of just turning it by grabbing the rim, [and SWMBO complained] I used the side handle from a [dead] HF angle grinder to replace the missing OEM one....

 

[TractorGuy]

The air hose reel I bought is the spring loaded retractable type. No hand reeling required.

 

[PILOON]

I recently counted and I have 17 of those free magnetic strips. I took a short piece of 1x2 and screwed the magnetic strip to it, then drilled a bunch of 1/2" holes through it. It snaps right to the side of my HF compressor and holds chucks and blow guns.View attachment 550334

Gotta do something like that as I always am looking for the blow guns, inflators etc etc.
Good post and good reminder.

One thing that helps is that I add a 'whip' (like 12 -24" on each inflator)

 

[PhysAssist]

......I suspect it would have been more obvious this was re-taped if it were next to a new one. I think I'll write DAMAGED HOSE on the box before I return it....

The air hose reel I bought is the spring loaded retractable type. No hand reeling required.

Just make sure that you do it after you show it to them, or they're going to say that you should have known it was damaged....

I have had too much trouble with the retraction springs on any such [hose, cord, etc] failing to go that route again.

 

[sixdogs]

On the small freebee flashlights, I must a dozen of them and for whatever reason, I think all of them still work. And while other pricier flashlights I have died, the HF cheapies keep on going and in some cases are my preferred flashlight. They fit in my coat pocket, are easy on batteries and when I drop one they just keep working. Beats me.

 

[TractorGuy]

Well FUDGE! The hose reel I bought had been sold and returned. It was packed back nice enough but they had rounded off the wrench hex on the hose and returned it with a coupler that was leaking. I called myself leak testing it before I mounted it to the ceiling but somehow over looked that. I thought it was strange that it came with a coupler installed. Now to man handle this thing back down and return it. Pisses me off they said they had a dozen in stock when I called today but this was the only one on the shelf when I was at the store. I suspect it would have been more obvious this was re-taped if it were next to a new one. I think I'll write DAMAGED HOSE on the box before I return it.

Just make sure that you do it after you show it to them, or they're going to say that you should have known it was damaged....

I have had too much trouble with the retraction springs on any such [hose, cord, etc] failing to go that route again.

On second thought I may just put a BH in a spot on the box where it's not obvious then explain to them it was damaged and should not be resold. Then if it's convenient I may go back in later to see if they put it back on the shelf. Sneaky Huh?

 

[PhysAssist]

On second thought I may just put a BH in a spot on the box where it's not obvious then explain to them it was damaged and should not be resold. Then if it's convenient I may go back in later to see if they put it back on the shelf. Sneaky Huh?

Hehehehe! :laughing:

 

[Wasmeneh]

Hehehehe! :laughing:

I bought one of those reels at a black Friday sale at least 10-15 years ago. The hose had to be replaced a couple of years ago but no other problems with it.

 

[PhysAssist]

I bought one of those reels at a black Friday sale at least 10-15 years ago. The hose had to be replaced a couple of years ago but no other problems with it.

I actually took the supplied stanky [and BTW very stiff and hard to use in colder temps] HF rubber hose off of mine and replaced it with a softer, more cold-friendly one I got on clearance from TSC- SWMBO loves to use it now.

 

[Rock Crawler]

So $99 I really like these gen 2 four drawer roller carts. The one with the Kubota sticker on it is going to go down into my first story garages and we'll have a rudimentary set of Cheaper older tools because that is where I keep the tractor and side by side and stuff like that. Then the other one will stay in the upper set of garages which is where I do most of my automotive repair pipe work and machine shop work. I'll use the one in the upper level as a movable satellite base for my tools. For $99 though, you really cannot complain. They are quite serviceable and will work well for my intended task.

I appreciate you guys turning me on to that sale with this particular cart because I feel that it will last an awful long time and be very serviceable and a great addition to my shop area. Thank you gentleman!

 

[newbury]

On the small freebee flashlights, I must a dozen of them and for whatever reason, I think all of them still work. And while other pricier flashlights I have died, the HF cheapies keep on going and in some cases are my preferred flashlight. They fit in my coat pocket, are easy on batteries and when I drop one they just keep working. Beats me.

I think I told this tale before but - For a long time I was getting the little free 9-LED flashlights. I would strew them around the houses so one was always handy. Then one day my son told me he thought I had been taking them from work!

I really like the blue oval ones. They go well with my Fords

 

[PhysAssist]

I think I told this tale before but - For a long time I was getting the little free 9-LED flashlights. I would strew them around the houses so one was always handy. Then one day my son told me he thought I had been taking them from work!

I really like the blue oval ones. They go well with my Fords

Plus they suck way less than those little black flashlight-shaped ones, AND have both a hook and magnet!

We also keep a couple on the side of our kitchen refrigerator for use in peering deep into our lower cupboards to find that errant can of corn, or whatever....

 

[TheMan419]

The Franklin 17 foot multi task ladder. Any opinions? They of course compare it to the little giant. Would be for home use on occasion.

 

[sixdogs]

These "D-rings" are great and with a coupon even better. I clamped them around the sides of my 9' trailer for tie downs and the same for any haywagons I build. They look good, are strong as can be and only around $5.




1/2 in. Forged Cargo D-Ring Anchor

 

[Midniteoyl]

Holy hanging shelf,, Batman!

 

[Code54]

These "D-rings" are great and with a coupon even better. I clamped them around the sides of my 9' trailer for tie downs and the same for any haywagons I build. They look good, are strong as can be and only around $5.


View attachment 550645

1/2 in. Forged Cargo D-Ring Anchor

X2 - have them on 2 trailers, my box blade, landplane and several other items. Personally weld them all attachments to give me solid tie down and lifting points.

 

[downsizingnow48]

X2 - have them on 2 trailers, my box blade, landplane and several other items. Personally weld them all attachments to give me solid tie down and lifting points.

Great idea. Going to get some tomorrow and install on stuff this weekend.

 

[dragoneggs]

So $99 I really like these gen 2 four drawer roller carts. The one with the Kubota sticker on it is going to go down into my first story garages and we'll have a rudimentary set of Cheaper older tools because that is where I keep the tractor and side by side and stuff like that. Then the other one will stay in the upper set of garages which is where I do most of my automotive repair pipe work and machine shop work. I'll use the one in the upper level as a movable satellite base for my tools. For $99 though, you really cannot complain. They are quite serviceable and will work well for my intended task.

I appreciate you guys turning me on to that sale with this particular cart because I feel that it will last an awful long time and be very serviceable and a great addition to my shop area. Thank you gentleman!View attachment 550615View attachment 550616View attachment 550617

Dang it, Rock! Now I think I have to add another toolbox to my arsenal. :smiley_aafz:

 

[crazyal]

I think I told this tale before but - For a long time I was getting the little free 9-LED flashlights. I would strew them around the houses so one was always handy. Then one day my son told me he thought I had been taking them from work!

I really like the blue oval ones. They go well with my Fords

Free stuff is great. Years ago when I was building my house I did the same thing but with Stanley 25' tape measures from Lowes. The Stanley tape measures for awhile had a coupon on the back of the package. If you spent $60 at Lowes you could get another tape measure for free. Since I was always stopping in to pick up a few things in the evenings I always had a coupon in my truck so I get a free tape measures. I must have at least 20 of them and gave away another 10. I have them in my junk drawer, in my basement, in both levels of my garage, both vehicles, and the shop. My wife just shakes her head.