Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[sixdogs]

These Harbor Freight digital calipers are a great deal when they are on "sale" for $9.99. There are priced all over the place from this number and up to $20.

Digital Calipers - Save on these 6 Inch Digital Calipers

The above should be a $9.99 coupon.

If you turn them off when done the battery will last quite a while. I've had mine for two years and, with my occasional use have never changed it. It's spot on accurate. I've seen what I believe is the identical tool rebranded and sold elsewhere for $35. It's not a Starrett but on a price-adjusted basis is two thumbs up.

 

[sixdogs]

These Harbor Freight digital calipers are a great deal when they are on "sale" for $9.99. There are priced all over the place from this number and up to $20.

Digital Calipers - Save on these 6 Inch Digital Calipers

The above should be a $9.99 coupon.

If you turn them off when done the battery will last quite a while. I've had mine for two years and, with my occasional use have never changed it. It's spot on accurate. I've seen what I believe is the identical tool rebranded and sold elsewhere for $35. It's not a Starrett but on a price-adjusted basis is two thumbs up.

 

[IslandTractor]

These Harbor Freight digital calipers are a great deal when they are on "sale" for $9.99. There are priced all over the place from this number and up to $20. Digital Calipers - Save on these 6 Inch Digital Calipers The above should be a $9.99 coupon. If you turn them off when done the battery will last quite a while. I've had mine for two years and, with my occasional use have never changed it. It's spot on accurate. I've seen what I believe is the identical tool rebranded and sold elsewhere for $35. It's not a Starrett but on a price-adjusted basis is two thumbs up.

I own that and agree. However, what I also own are about three or four of their cheapo plastic micrometer/calipers. I use those for quick checks on non critical measurements both at the workbench and all around the house. I even check remaining tire tread with them. Very handy. Haven't broken one yet even though they lay on the workbench.

 

[DFB]

Sixdogs I have to say you make realize what HF tools I do have especially the ones I don't use that often anymore.

I have a regular 1" micrometer from them is stamped Made in Poland got that waaaay back sometime in the 80's

And actually I have quite a few of the Central Machinery measuring tools. The angle torque gauge, telescoping bore gauges, a timing gauge, a dial indicator and the holder with magnetic base. Even the flat granite comparator base I have all came thru freight many year ago along with the 1" mechanical micrometer.

I seem to think my digital inside/outside caliper came thru JC Whiney but still was made in China. I take the batteries out when I'm not using it turns on to easy

I don't even see some of that stuff on the web site??

The digital thickness gauge for $9.99 looks like a handy measurement tool

 

[BigE_]

These Harbor Freight digital calipers are a great deal when they are on "sale" for $9.99. There are priced all over the place from this number and up to $20.

Digital Calipers - Save on these 6 Inch Digital Calipers

The above should be a $9.99 coupon.

If you turn them off when done the battery will last quite a while. I've had mine for two years and, with my occasional use have never changed it. It's spot on accurate. I've seen what I believe is the identical tool rebranded and sold elsewhere for $35. It's not a Starrett but on a price-adjusted basis is two thumbs up.

I have these as well and they work OK. Note that they don't actually turn off. The display just turns off, but what most people don't know is that the LCD doesn't draw any power when the numbers aren't moving. So, it actually takes more power to turn it off and on than to just leave it on. Either way, the AG13 batteries can be found for cheap on eBay or at DealeXtreme - Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - DX Free Shipping Worldwide

 

[chopped]

Or Here
10x AG13 LR44 LR1154 SR44 A76 357A 303 357 Alkaline Coin Cell Button Battery F5 | eBay

 

[Rford]

This reminds me of the joke I heard a long time ago about my dad liking Sears "life-time" car batteries that he bought one every year...

I have a remote piece of land and needed an air supply for tires that were constantly going flat---tractor tires, pick-up, golf cart, etc. I bought one of these high volume 150 pound 12V air compressors a few years ago and just plain wore it out from use and abuse. It is fast andit was a life-saver and so after I fried my last one (ran it too long and too hard against mfg's express written orders) I ran right out and got another. I took the old one apart and it looks like the wire to the heat circuit breaker gizmo is toast. I'm not much of a micro-electrician and doubt it would be worth fixing anyway as much use as I've given it. It was a little over $40 on sale with a 20% off coupon (honored even though compressors aren't subject to the 20% off). The nice thing about this unit is I can take it with me on the tractor or cart and if I get a flat I can at least get back to the barn and inside to fix the flat.


12Volt 150 PSI Compact Air Compressor

 

[Rford]

This reminds me of the joke I heard a long time ago about my dad liking Sears "life-time" car batteries that he bought one every year...

I have a remote piece of land and needed an air supply for tires that were constantly going flat---tractor tires, pick-up, golf cart, etc. I bought one of these high volume 150 pound 12V air compressors a few years ago and just plain wore it out from use and abuse. It is fast and it was a life-saver and so after I fried my last one (ran it too long and too hard against mfg's express written orders) I ran right out and got another. I took the old one apart and it looks like the wire to the heat circuit breaker gizmo is toast. I'm not much of a micro-electrician and doubt it would be worth fixing anyway as much use as I've given it. It was a little over $40 on sale with a 20% off coupon (honored even though compressors aren't subject to the 20% off). The nice thing about this unit is I can take it with me on the tractor or cart and if I get a flat I can at least get back to the barn and inside to fix the flat.

The Harbor Freight reviews are not very good for this item. I can't explain why. Mine was great. Perhaps I lucked out and got a good one. We'll see. If this replacement doesn't hold up I'll report back. I did notice the carrying bag, which I don't need, was cheaper than the last one.

12Volt 150 PSI Compact Air Compressor

 

[rbstern]

I just welded one of these to the underside center of my HF quick hitch. I had been thinking about getting a cat 1 trailer hitch, but didn't love the idea of having another implement taking up space.

Doesn't interfere with hooking up implements. Just stick a drawbar/ball in there when you want to move a trailer.



3500 lb. Step Bumper Receiver

 

[California]

I just welded [3500 lb. Step Bumper Receiver] to the underside center of my HF quick hitch. ...Just stick a drawbar/ball in there when you want to move a trailer.

I should do this! I presently have a ball on a side-to-side bar clipped into my QH.

Locating the ball back farther would allow sharper turns.

Can you get low enough to get under the tongue of a small utility trailer? (16 inches from ground, I think).