Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[jjeff]

I could see wheels being handy for a real finish carpenter or contractor that has to move it constantly however I'm my experience with wheels on a bridge tile saw and a tables saw I removed them cuz they were super cheap and both table and tile saw always wobbled unevenly and got hung up on everything imaginable til I removed them. Meaning they were more of a pain iny ace than anything with a resemblance of useful convenience.

 

[2manyrocks]

The big wheels on the Ridgid actually work outside in the grass. The disadvantage is the stand takes up a lot of space in a truck bed if you are hauling it with other tools to work on different jobs. The smaller Ryobi folds up more compactly. Also takes up less space in a workshop.

edit: The saw clamps onto the Ryobi stand rails with two levers. It's easy to unclamp the saw from the Ryobi stand to reposition the stand on a job site as needed. IMO, it's awkward to try to move the Ryobi stand with the saw attached and so I remove the saw to move the stand.

If you were working on something like a boat dock where the saw stand needed to be rolled a long way, I'd suggest looking at the Ridgid. If it's a job at home where it's more convenient to carry and store a smaller stand, I'd look at the Ryobi.

 

[California]

... flux core wire boogers lol still is strong and fits like a glove.

Just put down some extra FC bead so you have something to grind down, if it needs to be pretty!

This HF breaker bar had a loose swivel pin. Now its repaired permanently, using the Flux Core welder. Plus some 'minor' grinding.

 

[jjeff]

Definitely doesn't need to be pretty, didn't really need it to be very strong or would have run 7018. just a super quick functional repurposing hack so far so good. Over the years I've become a self proclaimed expert using grinders especially when I need aesthetic appeal lol

 

[gemat]

I tend to use Walkers Game Ears myself, but then most times I don't use anything. At 76 I have what my wife terms selective hearing anyway.

Haha, sounds like you've earned that selective hearing! I’ve been thinking about trying Walkers Game Ears too, might be time, since I’m starting to miss half the sounds in the garage myself.

 

[John0829]

I tend to use Walkers Game Ears myself, but then most times I don't use anything. At 76 I have what my wife terms selective hearing anyway.

Yeah I get that too and I admit my hearing is bad, BUT I am suppose to hear her while I am at the other end of the house behind a door or two and she is speaking at such a low volume it is almost a whisper (it is the way she talks all the time). Oh, yes and the TV or radio is on as well, turned up so she can hear. Or how about in the car/truck and she is turned talking toward the window, softly at that level I would barely hear in a sound proof room... Wish she would carry a big stick, at least then I would know when I am suppose to nod, grunt or get that strange look on my face.

 

[JeepHead]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I ended up ordering the Wen stand due to the price and the reviews on it. The savings was so good that I bought two adjustable roller stands as well. Being as I am about to start on a 18x32 deck that I will be building entirely with no help, those stands will help holding one end of the boards while I am attempting to level/fasten the other end. Next summer I will continue the deck around the entire pool but this will get me by for now.

 

[JeepHead]

7 days of deals start today. Today's deal is a really good one and one I will be taking advantage of soon as I leave the office today. Hard to beat these jacks for $99.

 

[hslogger]

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Bought this a few months ago. Assembly was straight forward and seems to be as sturdy as advertised. I cobbled together a little support post for when it is fully raised, just because I'm an overly cautious sort. I don't think this one falls into the "Suck" category.
Sorry. I should have described it. ATV lift, 500lb capacity.

I bought mine last year.it fit together tightly and I use it for my heavy Deere riders or as an in between work bench. Absolutely gets my recommendation.

 

[California]

Somebody posted this early draft listing all the daily specials, in Reddit's HF group.

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/1m57pvd/days_of_deals_leaked

 

[JeepHead]

Somebody posted this early draft listing all the daily specials, in Reddit's HF group.

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/1m57pvd/days_of_deals_leaked

That's good to know! I almost bought the 10ga extension cord the other day. I am glad I waited.

 

[5030]

Had a Rapid Pump jack for a while. Flawless.

 

[jjeff]

This older hf Chicago electric and very reasonably priced sds hammer drill/ mini Jack Hammer does not suck. My cordless and corded 1/2" DeWalt brand hammer drills sometime struggle drilling holes in concrete. This Rarely does nor do I go thru the hf sds concrete drill bits I bought for it as frequently as other name brand fairly expensive concrete drill bits. Modified one of the chipping hammer attachment ends with a sleeve to incorporate grounding rods, occasionally drive rerod stakes with it sure beats manually pounding them in. Yes it's taken some abuse and lackluster maintenance procedures on my part but is still a reliable go to tool for many applications with or without a few mods I made.

 

[Gregster613]

This older hf Chicago electric and very reasonably priced sds hammer drill/ mini Jack Hammer does not suck. My cordless and corded 1/2" DeWalt brand hammer drills sometime struggle drilling holes in concrete. This Rarely does nor do I go thru the hf sds concrete drill bits I bought for it as frequently as other name brand fairly expensive concrete drill bits. Modified one of the chipping hammer attachment ends with a sleeve to incorporate grounding rods, occasionally drive rerod stakes with it sure beats manually pounding them in. Yes it's taken some abuse and lackluster maintenance procedures on my part but is still a reliable go to tool for many applications with or without a few mods I made.

Glad yours works as it's supposed to! I've had one for years that the hammer portion won't work correctly (never did from the get-go) I just use it as a drill and its great for that.

 

[California]

Kinda related: Lowe's has 4 ft LED garage lights on closeout for $10, nationwide, marked down from $40.

Its reviews say the motion sensor is flaky but installing it on a switched circuit works fine, just turn the little switch to 'On".

Item #5430731

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-KOBALT-4-BLACK-TREAD-MOTION-LINKABLE-SHOPLIGHT-W-KOBALT-STAMP-AND-BLUE-END-CAPS/5014610023?idProductFound=false&idExtracted=true

 

[bmaverick]

Anyone changed tractor tires with the H-F tire changer?

It's bad when replacing a tractor tire inner tube on the front wheels costs $60+tax+disposal fees at your local tire shop or farm store. This is no balancing, no thrills rim. I can buy tubes just about anywhere. Dumb locus tree spikes/thorns are hurting my wallet.

https://www.harborfreight.com/manual-tire-changer-58731.html

 

[bcp]

I've used mine about a half-dozen times for a project, as its cost was less than having it done.

You can have it if you come get it.

Bruce

 

[Alan W.]

Ive changed a few tires with mine also. Works but it is a manual tire changer. Requires some effort. [emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]
It needs to be anchored firmly and there are a few mods that you can buy that appears to make it much more user friendly.

 

[dicktill]

I've used mine about a half-dozen times for a project, as its cost was less than having it done.

You can have it if you come get it.

Bruce

How easy is it to use? Will it work on a small front tractor tire (18x8.50-10)?

 

[Topzide]

How large is center hole on rim? It need to be about 2" minimum. If that is the case, it'll work. Takes some practice and sol8d anchoring. I've done a couple 15" trailer tires with mine.