Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Tinhack]

Seemed like whenever I needed a spanner wrench could never find one so I attached them to end of chord on grinder with a zip tie. Or if I need one usually can get a disk off by turning it with a gloved hand, Or a needle nose pliers can work good also.

I have one tool box drawer that has accumulated about seven or eight of those wrenches from different tools. But yeah, they tend to get lost easily.

 

[Jrasband]

I have one tool box drawer that has accumulated about seven or eight of those wrenches from different tools. But yeah, they tend to get lost easily.

I always put the disks on hand tight, that way you can usually get them back off by hand.

 

[Tinhack]

I always put the disks on hand tight, that way you can usually get them back off by hand.

I've never had that happen with the disks I use. I put them on by hand but it seems heavy grinding always tightens them up too much to remove them by hand. And for sure wire brushes can't be removed by hand.

 

[JeepHead]

On my angle grinders, I always put the disks or the wire wheels on and off by hand. I usually wear gloves to get a better bite and save my hands which are in rough shape to begin with.

 

[jjeff]

Pretty sure most angle grinders I own turn in a direction, so the rotation keeps the wire wheel, flap disk, wafer wheel or whatever you use, tight and further tightens it. Problems for me happens when a wafer wheel explodes definitely don't have the strength or grip anymore to turn the collar alone. Harbor freight and other 4.5" grinders are pretty inexpensive so being a self proclaimed tool junkie I have acquired a handful of 4.5" grinders leaving specific grinding wheels on each one all the time. I use a cordless grinder specifically for wafer wheels and cutting some steel. Cuz it's really nice keeping a power cord out of the way when making cuts at odd angles or cutting seized bolts or pins.

 

[California]

My favorite angle grinder is the 11 amp Hercules corded one. It seems to be a perfect twin to the similar DeWalt. Recommended!

My only cordless angle grinder is a Ryobi 18 volt. A disappointment. It has slower rpm and less resistance to slowing down compared to HF's 4.5 amp $10 grinder. I put a wire brush on the Ryobi and dedicated it to cleaning weld slag.

 

[jjeff]

yrs ago starting using a 18 volt DeWalt no way could I run a abrasive grinder blades for much time. So I started using 4.5" cut off wafer wheels on it worked great for that still have that grinder sounds like its on its last legs but still works for occasional use up north. Fast Forward bought a new 20 volt brushless DeWalt 4.5" 6 or so years ago that thing is great no comparison to my old 18 volt. I've owned a cheap corded HF 4.5 lasted about a year but was super cheap and worked for awhile. Found better brand name 4.5-9" corded grinders on sale occasionally, from Makita, to Milwaukee brands and a few old metabos before Menards carried them. They definitely seem to perform better than earlier hf ones I've used, by being able to remove more material cuz I think they have better more powerful motors and spin at higher rpms. Previously said yrs ago I bought a HF band saw with adjustable down pressure I really like that thing. Still working good.

 

[California]

Silver \ black 'extreme duty' tarp. Silver side to the sky?

This is on a tarp shed where previous tarps haven't lasted a second year.

 

[flyerdan]

Grok's thoughts on it, I tend to agree...
For the best lifespan of a silver/black tarp, use it silver side up. The silver side is typically designed to reflect UV rays and heat, which helps protect the tarp material from degradation caused by prolonged sun exposure. This can extend the tarp's durability, especially in harsh weather conditions. The black side, while effective for blocking light or absorbing heat, is less resistant to UV damage over time. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations, as some tarps may have specific coatings or designs that affect this advice.

 

[jjeff]

Anyone have any experience with those hf extreme duty tarps and how long they last? Will be used year round permanently mounted for a roof on old greenhouse. Green house not used for growing anymore just storage. Approx 25'x22'.