Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[chopped]

My friend had one of the 'A' frame ones, and it twisted up on him, and they couldnt send the right replacement part so he rebuilt it. I have the one with the staright across top. It works fine for me but I didnt push the limits..

 

[patrick_g]

My friend had one of the 'A' frame ones, and it twisted up on him, and they couldnt send the right replacement part so he rebuilt it. I have the one with the staright across top. It works fine for me but I didnt push the limits..

I have the straight top 12 ton too and I have pushed it pretty hard. Then I got an air over hydraulic jack to upgrade it. So far so good as it is still OK. The round bar thingy that conveys the force has gotten a bit deformed as it is soft metal but is still is immanently usable and easy to replace should it ever be required.

You'd think the slope top would be tougher but...

Mine is around 15 years old, I think, If I recall correctly.

Pat

 

[bcp]

Does anyone have a 12 Ton A-Frame Industrial Heavy Duty Floor Shop Press and are they worth the money? I do have a 20% off coupon.
12 Ton A-Frame Floor Shop Press

Been using one for a couple of years. No complaints.

Bruce

 

[evan price]

Picked up a couple of big silver tarps at Harbor Freight to cover over some equipment. They were restocking the shelves...the old ones- made in China. The new ones- made in Vietnam!

The Vietnamese trying to take over China for making cheap stuff now? Are we gonna see a crap price war? :lol:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Picked up a couple of big silver tarps at Harbor Freight to cover over some equipment. They were restocking the shelves...the old ones- made in China. The new ones- made in Vietnam!

The Vietnamese trying to take over China for making cheap stuff now? Are we gonna see a crap price war? :lol:

Vietnamese have been doing their own version of cheap for a while now. Same with the Thai's.

 

[Danno1]

Picked up a couple of big silver tarps at Harbor Freight to cover over some equipment. They were restocking the shelves...the old ones- made in China. The new ones- made in Vietnam!

The Vietnamese trying to take over China for making cheap stuff now? Are we gonna see a crap price war? :lol:

I used the 20x30 version of that on my roof this past fall when it was open. I had 10-20 CMUs on it to hold it down. Went through rain and snow and still doesn't leak. Should be good for the woodpile next year.


.

 

[sixdogs]

We forget how far the quality at Harbor Freight has come since the good old days of 15 or 20 years ago. I found an early pair of their scissors today in the basement and was shocked at the poor quality of the older ones. I'm thinking 20 years old but in near-new condition.
Here's a photo of their current scissors compared with the old ones I found. I tried a close-up as well in hopes the detail will show. The quality is really bad and the paint seems only there to hide how bad it is. No adjustment screw to hold them together, just a pin hammered over. Carbon steel.
As bad as some things may seem today they are way better than they were before.

 

[Travelover]

We forget how far the quality at Harbor Freight has come since the good old days of 15 or 20 years ago..........

I've got a half dozen of those new HF scissors and I love them. Cheap enough to abuse but tough enough to take it.

 

[alchemy]

Did anyone mention yet the cen-tech handheld IR thermometer. Dirt cheap. 29.00 maybe? I forget. Anyway, they are the best of the cheap ones and Ive used mine many times for a few years for all sort of stuff. I cant begin to name all the things they are handy for that you would not think of til you had one. As for tractors, and vehicles, they are great for quickly and
"casually," checking actual temperatures here and there. You can use them to find heat leaks on your house too. 20 years ago these were over 1000.00.
Believe me, it's the kind of tool that once you have it you are glad you do.

also, because I use them in my business and temp is critical for several things I have fluke digital thermometers etc and I have checked the centech against them and they are accurate enough. I had about 4deg F difference at 400F.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

China factories had done a good job of "learning" from the companies that contract with them.

 

[txdon]

Did anyone mention yet the cen-tech handheld IR thermometer. Dirt cheap. 29.00 maybe? I forget. Anyway, they are the best of the cheap ones and Ive used mine many times for a few years for all sort of stuff. I cant begin to name all the things they are handy for that you would not think of til you had one. As for tractors, and vehicles, they are great for quickly and
"casually," checking actual temperatures here and there. You can use them to find heat leaks on your house too. 20 years ago these were over 1000.00.
Believe me, it's the kind of tool that once you have it you are glad you do.

also, because I use them in my business and temp is critical for several things I have fluke digital thermometers etc and I have checked the centech against them and they are accurate enough. I had about 4deg F difference at 400F.

Can this be used to find hidden fires or hot spots in walls as a firefighting tool?

 

[California]

Can this be used to find hidden fires or hot spots in walls as a firefighting tool?

In theory, sure. But for something that critical I think I would buy a brand that I'm sure will work when I need it. Or maybe carry more than one of these. It is HF after all.

HF also sells a smaller IR thermometer that sometimes is on sale below $10. I have this one. It's not much larger than a car-key remote. This might be better to issue to firefighters if portability is more of an interest than precision. It doesn't have a laser to aim it, you just point it. Accuracy seems excellent so far as I can tell.

I use this when mowing to compare upper/lower radiator temp. (to see if I need to go and hose chaff out of the fins).

 

[Travelover]

............
HF also sells a smaller IR thermometer that sometimes is on sale below $10. I have this one. It's not much larger than a car-key remote. ............

This is really handy for checking wheel bearing temperatures on trailers. Saves the scorched fingers. :laughing:

 

[sixdogs]

This is really handy for checking wheel bearing temperatures on trailers. Saves the scorched fingers.:

What else do you use remote thermometors for? This is tempting.
HF sells two basic types--one is laser aimed and the other has no laser. I figure the laser one is better but the other one gets higher ratings for accuracy.

Non-Contact Infrared Laser Thermometer

Infrared Thermometer

 

[Low Bucket]

These are probably the best things that I have bought at Harbor Freight.- I bought all different sizes and half a dozen of each.

4-3/4'' Multipurpose Magnet Holder

The price is great!- At Tractor Supply Co. and other places they cost a lot more.

Paul

 

[deereman75]

for firefighting, I think one of those thermal imaging cameras would be better. That way you can see a whole wall or flor at once, and see how hot all the differnt places are. Also good for finding people in rubble.

 

[Travelover]

What else do you use remote thermometors for? This is tempting.
HF sells two basic types--one is laser aimed and the other has no laser. I figure the laser one is better but the other one gets higher ratings for accuracy.

Non-Contact Infrared Laser Thermometer

Infrared Thermometer

I've got the cheapie. Bought it on sale for 6 or 7 bucks. I also used it for looking for leaks in my home - especially good around windows and doors. Wife uses it with her 4th graders to demonstrate energy principles.

 

[Barnone]

I'm sure these stepped drill bits have been mentioned but just in case...
They are simply great.
Steel Step Drill Set - 3 Piece, Titanium Nitride Step Drill Bits

 

[jake98]

We forget how far the quality at Harbor Freight has come since the good old days of 15 or 20 years ago.

I'll second that.. I used to buy tools from them but stopped, until I got this bender this week. Haven't used it yet, but there's nothing to really go wrong with one, and the quality looks very good. Big names are selling the same unit for $100 more.

 

[sixdogs]

Oh, forgot to ask on the remote thermometer, is the laser model a necessity or is the non-laser version the one to get?