Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[lostcreekranch]

If you try to use them straight out of the package they wont even absorb water but they work fine after a quick wash.

I gave up on them. Even after washing them .... they sucked ... IMHO.

I use these now;

 

[Diggin It]

Bought a pack of their shop rags ONCE. Never again. About as absorbent as a sheet of plastic. Think they are rice cloth or something odd.

If you try to use them straight out of the package they wont even absorb water but they work fine after a quick wash.

Amen on the shop rags.. I was about to give up on them picking anything up.. UNTIL.. I ran some thru the wash..

Found that out. Liquid 'beads' up on them like a newely waxed car.

What? So, they're ScotchGuarded against stains?


;-)

 

[5030]

Think more like excessive sizing. I'll have to pre wash then use...lol

 

[California]

more like excessive sizing. I'll have to pre wash...lol

Like I've said for the mystery lubricants found in Jinma's - perhaps that unwanted 'sizing' to wash out after purchase, is just another solution by China to get rid of their industrial waste by exporting it.

 

[5030]

Like I've said for the mystery lubricants found in Jinma's - perhaps that unwanted 'sizing' to wash out after purchase, is just another solution by China to get rid of their industrial waste by exporting it.

Could very well be.

 

[flyerdan]

I picked up that variable speed Dremel clone today, haven't used it yet but did plug it in to make sure it wasn't DOA. Runs up and down smoothly and initial impression is good. I like the top button collet lock and the tightening nut being knurled with flats for a wrench. A lot of things like wire brushes and sanding drums can be used hand tight so that saves hunting for the little wrench, which always seems to hide under something when you need it.
The maroon and black versions of Chicago Electric seem to be pretty well made, both this and the multi-tool look and feel good. The variable speed ones with the accessory package seems to be a better deal than the single speed ones, coupon wise.

 

[5030]

Run it for a while and see if you can find the 'smoke' in it....:laughing:

 

[ronjhall]

I gave up on them. Even after washing them .... they sucked ... IMHO.

I use these now;

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Same products I use. Tub O Towels works great on just about any dirt you get on your hands.

 

[NTG]

It's been kind of recent too, maybe the last year or so. I don't remember it being like that before. But I'm also seeing a lot more turnover. Every time I go in, I see new faces. In the past, it was just the opposite, almost always the same faces, no matter which day of the week. I used to know some of them by name. Not any more.

Same here, almost never the same people from one time to the next. I was thinking of applying for a job there, but realized it must not be a great place to work if they can't keep someone for more than a few weeks at a time.

 

[Oaktree]

The maroon and black versions of Chicago Electric seem to be pretty well made, both this and the multi-tool look and feel good. The variable speed ones with the accessory package seems to be a better deal than the single speed ones, coupon wise.

I don't know about that, at least with the multi-tool. I have both a Dremel and a CE one, and the CE one looks, feels and sounds cheap and vibrates a lot more than the Dremel one. Then again, it was probably 30% of the cost...you get what you pay for. It does the job, but is much less pleasant to use.

 

[Oaktree]

Same here, almost never the same people from one time to the next. I was thinking of applying for a job there, but realized it must not be a great place to work if they can't keep someone for more than a few weeks at a time.

My store has only been open for a couple years, but only a couple exceptions it's rare to see any given person for more than a few months right from the start. Then again, with the possible exception of Walmart the same could be said for any of the other box/chain stores in the area.

 

[hunt4570]

My store has only been open for a couple years, but only a couple exceptions it's rare to see any given person for more than a few months right from the start. Then again, with the possible exception of Walmart the same could be said for any of the other box/chain stores in the area.

Yep, low pay, work weekends and holidays.. I did it once for about 8 months and that's all I could take!

 

[5030]

My store has only been open for a couple years, but only a couple exceptions it's rare to see any given person for more than a few months right from the start. Then again, with the possible exception of Walmart the same could be said for any of the other box/chain stores in the area.

As a rule today, people really don't want to work so that is understandable. Guess my local store is an exception. Same folks all the time. In fact I know the assistant manger by first name. She has asked me to apply in as much as I'm retired and I've considered it. Problem is, I'd blow my paycheck on tools.....

Most places want to hire retired folks because they actually have some work ethic.

 

[Imold]

I bought a self tinting welding helmet from HF for 49.99 about 16 years ago and it still works just fine but it is not used everyday either. However I was surprised on how well it does work for the cost.

 

[Gregster613]

I did the same and am also impressed with the helmet. Mine mostly just hangs on a nail in my garage because I'm a very "infrequent" welder, but whenever I've grabbed it to use it works flawlessly. Greg

 

[5030]

I bought a self tinting welding helmet from HF for 49.99 about 16 years ago and it still works just fine but it is not used everyday either. However I was surprised on how well it does work for the cost.

Beats a Miller hands down with money to spare.

 

[5030]

Many years ago I bought a HF metal cutting bandsaw and it's cut literally tons of structural and bar stock however, I found the smoke in the motor in about 6 months of use and it was a stinker too.......

Replaced the motor with a Marathon and been happy every since. I see HF sells electric motors now, wonder if they are any good or if the smoke comes out quickly?

Thought about getting one to power the apple grinder on my cider press. I hand cranked 20 gallons of cider a few weeks ago. Gets old pretty fast. Cider is good though.

 

[California]

I see HF sells electric motors now, wonder if they are any good? Thought about getting one to power the apple grinder on my cider press. I hand cranked 20 gallons of cider a few weeks ago. Gets old pretty fast.

I've wondered if a better substitute to grind apples would be to buy a brand new garbage disposal, sterilize it with bleach, then core the apples and run them through that. Anybody ever try this?

(My attempt to hull walnuts in HF's junior cement mixer was a complete waste of time).

 

[Travelover]

I've wondered if a better substitute to grind apples would be to buy a brand new garbage disposal, sterilize it with bleach, then core the apples and run them through that. Anybody ever try this?

(My attempt to hull walnuts in HF's junior cement mixer was a complete waste of time).

Check You Tube - several there. I also converted a used disposer to pump out my RV tanks through a garden hose to the septic tank. Found that on YouTube, too.

 

[ronjhall]

Many years ago I bought a HF metal cutting bandsaw and it's cut literally tons of structural and bar stock however, I found the smoke in the motor in about 6 months of use and it was a stinker too.......

Replaced the motor with a Marathon and been happy every since. I see HF sells electric motors now, wonder if they are any good or if the smoke comes out quickly?

Thought about getting one to power the apple grinder on my cider press. I hand cranked 20 gallons of cider a few weeks ago. Gets old pretty fast. Cider is good though.

I have replaced two 1/2 hp motors with HF motors with no problems. Both are a couple years old now.