Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

Wa11banger · Sep 15, 2015

I can second the 20ton shop press. A little wobbly before getting some help around year 5 when I felt like getting around to it.. Did it need it? No. Just I needed something to do

that 20 ton press has seen its days and is still ready to keep going. I am going on 12 years with no service other than some very minor frame edges to tighten it up.

IslandTractor · Sep 15, 2015

For those of you with the 20 ton shop press, a press brake makes a big improvement if bending metal. I have the original press brake kit from SwagOffRoad but they have since released a finger brake version that would be even better. Simple to weld up and very useful. Made specifically for the HF 20 ton press. SWAG Press Brake Kits

crazyal · Sep 16, 2015

IslandTractor said:
For those of you with the 20 ton shop press, a press brake makes a big improvement if bending metal. I have the original press brake kit from SwagOffRoad but they have since released a finger brake version that would be even better. Simple to weld up and very useful. Made specifically for the HF 20 ton press. SWAG Press Brake Kits

I looked at theirs but felt the one that Norther Tool sells looked better. But without a NT close by I've held off. But now Swag sells a 20 ton finger press brake. I've told the fiancee that she could get me one for Christmas. I have a 20 ton shop press from Greg Smith. If you don't want to invest much into one I would get the Hf in a heart beat. But if you will use it on a regular basis I would spend the extra money on one with a hydraulic ram that can be moved side to side.

crazyal · Sep 16, 2015

IslandTractor said:
For those of you with the 20 ton shop press, a press brake makes a big improvement if bending metal. I have the original press brake kit from SwagOffRoad but they have since released a finger brake version that would be even better. Simple to weld up and very useful. Made specifically for the HF 20 ton press. SWAG Press Brake Kits

I looked at theirs but felt the one that Norther Tool sells looked better. But without a NT close by I've held off. But now Swag sells a 20 ton finger press brake. I've told the fiancee that she could get me one for Christmas. I have a 20 ton shop press from Greg Smith. If you don't want to invest much into one I would get the Hf in a heart beat. But if you will use it on a regular basis I would spend the extra money on one with a hydraulic ram that can be moved side to side.

IslandTractor · Sep 16, 2015

crazyal said:
I looked at theirs but felt the one that Norther Tool sells looked better. But without a NT close by I've held off. But now Swag sells a 20 ton finger press brake. I've told the fiancee that she could get me one for Christmas. I have a 20 ton shop press from Greg Smith. If you don't want to invest much into one I would get the Hf in a heart beat. But if you will use it on a regular basis I would spend the extra money on one with a hydraulic ram that can be moved side to side.

Agree. The.HF press is OK but not a thing of beauty. The price is right however. The Swagoffroad finger break plus the HF press gives you metal bending capability that would normally cost three times as much.

dragoneggs · Sep 17, 2015

IslandTractor said:
Agree. The.HF press is OK but not a thing of beauty. The price is right however. The Swagoffroad finger break plus the HF press gives you metal bending capability that would normally cost three times as much.

Yeah got my eye (Christmas list) for the SWAG finger break for my HF 20T press. I bought a SWAG stand for my portable (not HF) bandsaw and the quality is great.

IslandTractor · Sep 17, 2015

dragoneggs said:
Yeah got my eye (Christmas list) for the SWAG finger break for my HF 20T press. I bought a SWAG stand for my portable (not HF) bandsaw and the quality is great.

I have one of their bandsaw stands too. They are very nice.

sixdogs · Sep 17, 2015

Seems I never remember to post this but their zip ties are often on sale for a great price. Often $1 or a little more for the 8" and 11" length. We use them outside frequently and it takes a few years for the sun to degrade them enough to be replaced. They are strong, don't break or strip out and are way less in cost than others.

Here's a pic of a zip tie if you aren't sure.