Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Skyco]

Ok I got sucked in by the metal cutting circular saw today- had a 20% off coupon.
Haven't tried it yet but am intrigued by what I've read. Interestingly it is only available at stores, cannot be ordered off the website...that puzzles me.

I had a HF store manager once tell me some stuff is only sold online because too many people buy it in a store then return it after one use..such as their portable gas auger. Nothing wrong with it they just are unethical cheap skates* and want to rent it cost free. So why would the cold saw be in store only? BTW the exact same saw is at NT for only $40 more than the HF price and they don't provide weekly 20% off coupons making for a $58 difference:licking:

*Used to work with a guy that would brag about all the tools he'd buy on Friday for weekend projects then return them on Monday...what a POS.:ashamed:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

*Used to work with a guy that would brag about all the tools he'd buy on Friday for weekend projects then return them on Monday...what a POS.:ashamed:

He probably talked out the other side of his mouth about how important it is to buy American and support local businesses. If I were a business, I wouldn't need his kind of support.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

After using the HF 4x24 Makita knock off belt sander for a few more hours today I think is is a keeper. Go ahead and pick up some HF belts because they are cheap and work but they have the lapped joint vs butt joint found at most hardware stores and do bump a little if not held correctly.

The dust collection bag is also an awesome improvement over my old belt sander.

I used their dry wall driver some for wood screws. Not idea for use on the top of a 12' step ladder but I think it shouid do what it was designed to do.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I bought a couple G70 chains and 2 binders the other day. So far neither has broke.
About half the cost of TSC.

I also got a few swivel casters, much lower cost than TSC.

I almost bought a welder, but decided not to.

How are the LED trailer lights? Would like to put LED on my trailer, and HF is half the cost of a set at wallyworld.

 

[California]

I'm becoming convinced that most of the stuff at HF is the same generic stuff as at TSC or Wallmart. The only thing left to compare is price and warranty. And I think HF is often shorter on warranty but in many cases their lower price more than compensates.

Two notes: The 90 amp flux wire welder is $90 (less a penny) in todays email ad. That is an advertised price, not a coupon, so you can also apply a 20% coupon if you have one. (One appeared in the Sunday paper here that is still valid. I don't see any online at the moment). Net cost $72. I haven't seen the welder that cheap in a while.

And - today I tried out the 3,000 lb camo remote controlled winch. I think those have been as low as $49 and are presently under $70. This darn thing is dangerous. A touch on the remote pulls in four inches of line. And its fast.

I don't see a way to inch it along. It's always 4" in or out for the briefest touch on the remote. Holding the remote button down runs continuous plus 4" more after you release the button. I'm working on a winch-powered lift to dump my 4x8 tilt-bed trailer, and 4" pull, minimum, is way more than I want while I try out different rigging combinations.

 

[1-3-2-4]

Picked up a few things yesterday..

Centech 5-in-1 meter 98674

fuel pressure/vacuum gauge. 93547

3-in-1 battery jump start 8884

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Picked up a few things yesterday..

Centech 5-in-1 meter 98674

fuel pressure/vacuum gauge. 93547

3-in-1 battery jump start 8884

Let us know how that pressure gauge works. That looks like something that HF could screw up if they didn't pay close attention.

 

[1-3-2-4]

Let us know how that pressure gauge works. That looks like something that HF could screw up if they didn't pay close attention.

funny thing about that is I made a mistake of picking up one that did not have the plastic wrap and good thing I opened it up in the parking lot before I took the 50 mile drive home..

everything but the manual and gauge was missing, so I went back in the sore and exchanged.

I gotta start checking more things often now.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Because of the 50 miles one way I now plug in all power tools where the drink machine connects.

 

[1-3-2-4]

haha I just noticed I've yet to buy anything powered by electric power other then my 10 gal air compressor which is doing very good.

I just tested the 12V outlet on my jump pack to a inverter to power a 13 inch tv, to my surprise it powered up with no issue