Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[TractorGuy]

If it hasn't been mentioned the yellow steel sawhorses work great. Buy them one at a time with a coupon. I use some twist ties to keep the leg support from flopping around when I store mine.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I'd appreciate any thoughts or opinions on these two rotary hammers to drill 5/8" holes in granite about 4" deep? Currently $70 vs. $150. I already have an electric demo hammer.

 

[Midniteoyl]

If it hasn't been mentioned the yellow steel sawhorses work great. Buy them one at a time with a coupon. I use some twist ties to keep the leg support from flopping around when I store mine.

I have a pair that came together w/o the telescoping legs from, I believe, Menards for the same price on sale.

 

[ronjhall]

I'd appreciate any thoughts or opinions on these two rotary hammers to drill 5/8" holes in granite about 4" deep? Currently $70 vs. $150. I already have an electric demo hammer.

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I have the 10 amp model. Only used it in concrete. Drilled 2 holes 5/8" diameter 36" deep recently in cement block. Had no problems. It is heavy to hold in a horizontal position. I used Bosch drills in it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't even know when the compressor is running. Before, I have a Craftsman 40 gallon POS compressor in the upper bays, that thing was unbearable loud! I hated it.

I have the same compressor and one needs ear plugs when it runs in the same room with you.
I moved it thru the wall and into my boat shed but is was still pretty loud.
I saw an ad for a Kobalt compressor at Lowes as being the quietest compressor on the market so I bought one. It only has about 6CFM at 90 PSI but man is it quiet. I doubled it up with my Puma compressor (6.5 CFM) (somewhat loud but not as much as the Craftsman) for those times when I need a bit more volume. So far I have totally quit using the Craftsman which was basically just using the tank for volume storage anyway.

As a side issue, anyone have a fix for a leaking pressure regulator on the Craftsman. I have replaced it multiple times with a non OEM regulator and the same thing happens. It cuts on and off ok but a relief valve? on the regulator pops off and doesn't close till it is down to 90 PSI at which time the compressor kick on again and just keeps cycling that way. I have tried adjusting the relief valve but with no luck. I wont spend $150+ for a Sear regulator for it which is why I now have a Puma and a Kobalt small piggy back double tank compressors.

 

[TomIre]

I have decided to get a sun canopy for my new tractor. I'm going to need to get rid of some low branches in my fields. The ROPS didn't mind them but don't want to ruin my canopy.
Anyone have experience with this? Thinking electric might be cheaper and I won't care if I have to stop and recharge. Not really any hurry.

9.5 In. 7 Amp Electric Pole Saw

 

[bcp]

That is the 120 volt saw. How will you power it?

Here's the battery saw:
40V Lithium Cordless Pole Saw

Bruce

 

[TomIre]

That is the 120 volt saw. How will you power it?

Here's the battery saw:
40V Lithium Cordless Pole Saw

Bruce

Funny, just realized that. Battery is about 2x cost. I don't have a generator so will need to be battery. Any body have any experience with this one?

4V Lithium Cordless Pole Saw

 

[Rock Crawler]

Funny, just realized that. Battery is about 2x cost. I don't have a generator so will need to be battery. Any body have any experience with this one?

4V Lithium Cordless Pole Saw

I have the Lynxx pole saw, it's an amazing saw for the money. The battery will far outlast you. I love it!

 

[dragoneggs]

I have decided to get a sun canopy for my new tractor. I'm going to need to get rid of some low branches in my fields. The ROPS didn't mind them but don't want to ruin my canopy.
Anyone have experience with this? Thinking electric might be cheaper and I won't care if I have to stop and recharge. Not really any hurry.

9.5 In. 7 Amp Electric Pole Saw

I have it and its awesome for the price. I put a portable generator in my FEL bucket and go where I want.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I have the Lynxx pole saw, it's an amazing saw for the money. The battery will far outlast you. I love it!

WOW! The wife has been asking battery powered line trimmer. I just have to have the chainsaw in my mind. The blower would be nice to blow for the equipment when I am too tired to dig out power cords or to get the gas on going. Son is handy with poles saws and thinks one with a motor would be nice.

Maybe we can work in a trip tomorrow.

 

[iplumb]

WOW! The wife has been asking battery powered line trimmer. I just have to have the chainsaw in my mind. The blower would be nice to blow for the equipment when I am too tired to dig out power cords or to get the gas on going. Son is handy with poles saws and thinks one with a motor would be nice.

Maybe we can work in a trip tomorrow.

Hard to beat this Milwaukee deal right now.....I’ve had mine for a few weeks and they are fantastic! You basically are getting the gen 2 blower for free which is the newest model. The trimmer is great! Light and quiet. After using gas all these years is so nice to throw it on the golf cart and not have to start it all the time. Highly recommend. Think you might have to order online to get the deal. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...EN-II-FUEL-Blower-2725-21HD-2724-20/304160604

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I have some 12 volt Milwaukee tools and like them but having 4 identical batteries and chargers and users reviews has sold me on the HF option.

 

[jeeptchr]

Hard to beat this Milwaukee deal right now.....I’ve had mine for a few weeks and they are fantastic! You basically are getting the gen 2 blower for free which is the newest model. The trimmer is great! Light and quiet. After using gas all these years is so nice to throw it on the golf cart and not have to start it all the time. Highly recommend. Think you might have to order online to get the deal. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...EN-II-FUEL-Blower-2725-21HD-2724-20/304160604

I'll second this! It's an awesome combo especially if you have any other M18 tools. I'm now thinking about the 1/2" impact and grease gun set

 

[Oldpath05]

HF brand torque wrenches any good? 3/8 or 1/2 drive.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I love this thread.

Unfortunately I now have 8 tabs open, of new tools I will have to buy.

A few years ago there was a parting of the ways in this house.

Me: (after purchasing a MILWAUKEE drill that was utter crap :hissyfit "It's all made in China anyhow so I need to evaluate the quality of each tool/machine on its merits and also current reviews."
Him: "I'm going DeWalt. Every new tool will be DeWalt. Every tool we already have will be replaced/duplicated with a DeWalt tool."

Both being tool nuts, this has resulted in massive overflow.

I miss the old Craftsman. Milwaukee.

Will be splitting up as we now need two houses to store everything. Not to mention the new tractor. :cool2:

 

[California]

HF brand torque wrenches any good? 3/8 or 1/2 drive.

Seem to be. I test my 1/2" against a Craftsman beam torque wrench I bought new in 1960, and a Thorsen beam torque wrench nearly as old, a couple of times per project. All three always show identical. Good enough.

 

[TomIre]

Ended up buying a 40v Poulan cordless pole saw off Amazon. It is refurb but $90 or so was hard to pass up. Already eyeing the branches I'm going to cut off to get height clearance!

 

[PJSprog]

I have the Lynxx pole saw, it's an amazing saw for the money. The battery will far outlast you. I love it!

I keep eyeballing that every time I'm in there. Would be handy at the back fenceline of the pasture.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I purchased it thinking it would be barely capable, hobbled up junk that would get the job done short term while under performing.

Then I got it home, charged it, poured in bar oil and went to work. Talk about shock and awe! Power, battery life, build/feel quality is way above what I expected.

I've ran it last fall for a full day, this spring again, and loaned it to a buddy for a weekend. It still looks and functions like hour 1, but it likely has about 15-20 actual running hours. The battery life is way more than I can use. Your arm strength will be gone, as will your helpers.... long before the battery is in need of a charger.