Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[crazyal]

Pittsburgh Tubeless Tire Repair Kit #45183; $5.99, tire plug kit. Plugged handle broke first use, on wife's Chevy impala tire. I pre reamed and used the cement for lube, handle just snapped. The plugger tool also is very very soft, and bent badly. Got to try to get back by and return it.

I read that you really should use this type of plug with tires with steel belts or cords in them.

CU-306-8-BLACK JACK TIRE REPAIR-PATCH PLUG COMBO 1/4 STEM

The simple plug type can allow the rubber to separate around the steel cords that results in a tire failure. The patch/ plug type are a lot safer. The downside is that you need to dismount the tire.

 

[creekbend]

I'm going to the store in Danville next week and check out the 72" by 80" moving blankets. They are #6.99 each with coupons, and the reviews are positive.

 

[Baby Grand]

Bought a set of these hose pliers, which proved very effective when I had to remove my Mazda's intake manifold, fuel injection rail, injectors, fuel lines, and all the air hose crip-crap attached to the intake manifold so I could replace a $12 hose that the dealership wanted $800 to swap out.

3 Piece Long Reach Hose Grip Pliers

They allow you to get a real good grip on anything round and plastic or rubber without crushing it. They more than paid for themselves just on that one job.

 

[radioman]

I bought a set of 3 metal snips(left, right, straight cut) and it was on sale for less then 9 bucks something and I had a 25% coupon and it was brought down to less then 7 bucks. Not bad considering ONE good pair costs over 12 bucks . I used it a few times and it does cut good on gutter metal, but I could tell it had less leverage then my good snips. For the price, I was willing to put up with using more brute strength to do the job since I dont use them often, but I wouldnt recommend it if you use it daily on the job as it would be very tiring.

 

[Travelover]

I'm going to the store in Danville next week and check out the 72" by 80" moving blankets. They are #6.99 each with coupons, and the reviews are positive.

I've got a bunch of these, usually, at $5 each with coupon. I use them to cover my car seats to keep the dog's mud and hair off the seats. The padding absorbs any bit of wetness the dog might track in. Oh, and they work great for moving stuff, too. :laughing:

 

[Travelover]

I bought a set of 3 metal snips(left, right, straight cut) and it was on sale for less then 9 bucks something and I had a 25% coupon and it was brought down to less then 7 bucks. Not bad considering ONE good pair costs over 12 bucks . I used it a few times and it does cut good on gutter metal, but I could tell it had less leverage then my good snips. For the price, I was willing to put up with using more brute strength to do the job since I dont use them often, but I wouldnt recommend it if you use it daily on the job as it would be very tiring.

I've had this set for several years and in my casual use, I've been happy with them. They cut clean on thin metal and will bite a big chunk off thick aluminum, like when trimming corners.

 

[creekbend]

I've got a bunch of these, usually, at $5 each with coupon. I use them to cover my car seats to keep the dog's mud and hair off the seats. The padding absorbs any bit of wetness the dog might track in. Oh, and they work great for moving stuff, too. :laughing:

Thanks for the Heads Up.

 

[SPYDERLK]

That gererator just kept purring. All told I used 1-1/4 gallons of gas. It take a fuel mix as the engine is 2 cycle. Now I have to find what I can power around the farm. Worked pretty good for me.

900 Watt Generator

I feel silly to ask this, but can you or anyone confirm for me that it is an inverter type generator? I'd think it would almost have to be, but I also would think they would mention it were it true since it is a valuable feature in my opinion.

Sometimes a person needs a little power but for a long time, and it is painful to have substantial engines clattering away trying to run tiny loads for long periods.

It is not inverter type altho may meet your needs for very lo drain applications. I have bought 2 and returned both. They do not meet their specs. Measured figures
are:
1.5A ,,,,,,,,,110V ,,,,,,,,,165W
3A ,,,,,,,,,,,,109V ,,,,,,,,,327W
4A ,,,,,,,,,,,,110V ,,,,,,,,,440W
5A ,,,,,,,,,,,,104V ,,,,,,,,,520W
5.5A ,,,,,,,,,100V ,,,,,,,,,550W
6A ,,,,,,,,,,,,97V ,,,,,,,,,,,582W
6.5A ,,,,,,,,,96V ,,,,,,,,,,,624W
7A ,,,,,,,,,,,,95V ,,,,,,,,,,,665W
7.5A ,,,,,,,,,89V ,,,,,,,,,,,667W
8A ,,,,,,,,,,,,85V ,,,,,,,,,,,680W

In many situations this output charcteristic will be unusable above 500W
larry

 

[EE_Bota]

Wow, that' great info. Larry, thanks for posting it.

 

[daugen]

double wow....those are pretty crummy specs. Try running a motor at 90V and see how long it takes to turn into a toaster.
I guess the 900 watt rating is double extra special peak voltage, whatever that means...
and shouldn't the low load voltage be closer to 115-120Volts?

to be fair this is a five amp gen at a very low cost, maybe just accept it for what it is and use it within those limitations.

I have a similar older 1000 watt rated Kubota gas gen, four cycle. Hardly gets used anymore, but now you've got me interested in doing the same test...maybe they all do this.
Larry, what did you use for a load bank?