Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[von-mil]

I needed a shorter version of the magnetic tool holder so I wanted to remove a couple of the individual magnets prior to cutting the base. I used a heat gun for 20 seconds or so and then was able to pry the magnets away from the base. Some very sticky stuff in there - in addition to magnetism - that was holding them in place.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Good to know, I have a coworker that took a couple apart... I didn't remember him saying anything about goo...

Speaking about HFT magnets, I have the ITC membership right now and they have a coupon for the 22" rolling magnet bar for picking up stuff for $30, the 22" and 30" specs look similar but there's more info on the 30" but the 22" says it's adjustable height, but doesn't say anything about the strength of the magnets other than it can pick up 9 pounds which is much lower than the 50 pound rating of the 30"... confused... both have quick release handles, adjustable handles, 7" tires, etc...I'm tempted but haven't had time to read too many of the reviews for both to weed out the reasonable information...

After 7 years, one of the tires on my HFT 4x8 trailer has sprung a leak, will get it off here shortly and look into it.

 

[California]

re a rolling magnet bar, I bought HF's $10 version. 17 In. Mini Magnetic Sweeper. Claimed 4.5 lb pulling force. The magnetism is adequate for washers, nuts, bent framing nails. On a flat floor it doesn't skip over objects that it should lift. Even when running it across a small pile of debris collected by sweeping with a broom. However - I used it on the lawn to find roofing nails dropped by the roofers and the handle-to-bar joint bent immediately. Classic Early-HF, more flimsy than you expected. Way too flimsy for anything but smooth floor, and don't hit a table leg or it will fold up. I reinforced the joint with a right-angle shelf support and hose clamps, now it's sufficient for occasionally finding a lost nut that went under the workbench etc. I recommend get one of the more expensive versions, skip the cheap one.

 

[Threepoint]

If we're talking about the same axe, the website says it has a Lifetime Warranty.
http://https://www.harborfreight.com/35-lbs-fiberglass-axe-61159.html?_br_psugg_q=axes+26+hatchet

Maybe they mean the lifetime of the axe.

Update. I'd actually made this comment in jest, as "lifetime of the [product]" leaves a bit of room for interpretation. Say, the axe eventually wears out after normal use. It's lifetime has arguably ended before the warranty has been exercised. So no free replacement.

Well, I was in HF yesterday and bought that very axe. I commented to the manager that it looked pretty sturdy. He said "Yes, Lifetime Warranty. I tell Harbor Freight if they put lifetime warranty on a product, they should expect me to replace it if there ever is a problem with it!"

I didn't ask if I'll need to keep my receipt. As Woody Allen says, "Eternity is an awful long time, especially toward the end". :laughing:

 

[rangerfredbob]

re a rolling magnet bar, I bought HF's $10 version. 17 In. Mini Magnetic Sweeper. Claimed 4.5 lb pulling force. The magnetism is adequate for washers, nuts, bent framing nails. On a flat floor it doesn't skip over objects that it should lift. Even when running it across a small pile of debris collected by sweeping with a broom. However - I used it on the lawn to find roofing nails dropped by the roofers and the handle-to-bar joint bent immediately. Classic Early-HF, more flimsy than you expected. Way too flimsy for anything but smooth floor, and don't hit a table leg or it will fold up. I reinforced the joint with a right-angle shelf support and hose clamps, now it's sufficient for occasionally finding a lost nut that went under the workbench etc. I recommend get one of the more expensive versions, skip the cheap one.

That's why I asked, I had one of those flimsy things with 2" wheels and it wasn't sufficient, the axle supports are goofy as well and I think one fell out... Maybe I'll just go to the store and see the difference.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Any of you, with the HF 20 ton press, might be interested in this air over hydraulic 20 jack, to upgrade your press. I bought mine shortly after getting my press. It's a really nice upgrade.

My only complaint is that the spring, that pulls the jack rod back down, rusted in our high humidity. I plan to remove it, stretch out out, and spray it with some rust reformer, then some black paint.

2 Ton Shop Press - Hydraulic Shop Presses on Sale

 

[dragoneggs]

Any of you, with the HF 20 ton press, might be interested in this air over hydraulic 20 jack, to upgrade your press. I bought mine shortly after getting my press. It's a really nice upgrade.

My only complaint is that the spring, that pulls the jack rod back down, rusted in our high humidity. I plan to remove it, stretch out out, and spray it with some rust reformer, then some black paint.

2 Ton Shop Press - Hydraulic Shop Presses on Sale

View attachment 614571

Also highly recommend. I replaced the stock jack on my 20T HF with air over hydraulic and makes the press so much more friendly to use. No more 'jacking' by hand. Just push the lever for air!

 

[thepumpguysc]

I dont have 1 but I DID watch the vid of the conversion on Utube.. VERY nicely done..
It seems like EVERY HF item has an "improvement" video.. & most are on target..
The sand blaster mods, the parts washer mods & the 20T shop press mods are all hi on my list of fav. videos.

 

[caver]

You always get the HF promo Tool Disposal Notice....is this a tongue in cheek way of saying that you will be throwing it away some time after you buy it? :stirthepot:

 

[California]

You always get the HF promo Tool Disposal Notice....is this a tongue in cheek way of saying that you will be throwing it away some time after you buy it? :stirthepot:

Well sure. The sale ads declare Won't Last Long!!!!

 

[handirifle]

I really like their motorcycle jack. Use it on my Harley, and lawn mower and quads. I have the steel one since I never have to lift it.

 

[Diggin It]

I've been wondering about one of those for that and other uses. Like positioning liquid filled tires.

 

[PhysAssist]

That's why I asked, I had one of those flimsy things with 2" wheels and it wasn't sufficient, the axle supports are goofy as well and I think one fell out... Maybe I'll just go to the store and see the difference.

I have the 30" one, it was sturdy enough to pick up a mayo jar full of nails the roofers dropped off our roof into our yard and driveway, which took several hours of going back and forth over it.

I say yard rather than lawn because it's quite rough and untrimmed, and while it wasn't exactly easy on me to do it, the rolling magnet held up without any problems.

It's not adjustable, but it is very sturdy.

https://shop.harborfreight.com/medi...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_17692.jpg

For the $5 difference, I'd get the bigger one, unless the 30" is too long for use in your shop.

 

[handirifle]

I've been wondering about one of those for that and other uses. Like positioning liquid filled tires.

For that I would use the lift they have with the extended arms

 

[California]

I've been wondering about one of those for that and other uses. Like positioning liquid filled tires.

I got HF's shop crane when I had to replace an axle housing earlier this year. (My longwinded post describing this). At the time, the crane was $100 with a coupon from HF coupon database.

The crane was also helpful for snaking the heavy ROPS assembly back into place without dismantling it. (Photo).

 

[Diggin It]

My tires aren't near that big. Began to think about one of the vehicle positioning dollies. Wheels under dolly would allow moving the wheel/tire into and out oif place. They have some lifting I believe to raise and lower, or at least some do. Rollers would allow rotation the wheel/tire to align lugs.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Do any of you have the 100 Watt solar RV charging system? I just bought a 28' travel trailer and I'm thinking about adding some solar backup power to it to keep the pair of Interstate batteries pushed up during the day.

 

[handirifle]

Not theirs but personally their panels are huge for their output. I would look at a Renogy system. A little more but solid reputation and only one panel to deal with instead of 4. Install it and leave it on the roof.

 

[Oaktree]

I really like their motorcycle jack. Use it on my Harley, and lawn mower and quads. I have the steel one since I never have to lift it.

I haven't seen one set up in the store, but from the pictures in the flyer it looks like it might be tippy/wobbly. Does it bolt to the floor?

Do any of you have the 100 Watt solar RV charging system? I just bought a 28' travel trailer and I'm thinking about adding some solar backup power to it to keep the pair of Interstate batteries pushed up during the day.

I don't have that one, but I do (did) have one of their smaller ones, and I'd put it in the "sucks" category. In full sunlight it only puts out ~12.8V, which is barely above a battery's own voltage. No danger of overcharging that's for sure!
Mine failed completely after a couple months, took it apart and the wires were just held onto the panel with some sort of snot, and one wire wasn't making any connection at all. Neither the crappy wire nor the panel itself would accept solder, so I just tossed it.

 

[mtrbike]

It won't hardly even cut plastic now, but it did fine when new. It has never cut anything but plastic--no metal ever.

Bruce

in my shop, even with quality steel drillbits plastic will dull bits and bandsaws alot faster than when cutting and drilling steel with cutting oil as a lube