Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[JBourquin]

Just opened one bout 20min from me too. Doing my best to behave but the wheels in my head have been running on high speed. Just thinking about how I can stock the garage after its built.

 

[flyerdan]

My neighbor got one of those 56" tool chests for Christmas, I forked it out of the pickup for his wife and helped unpalletize it for her. Nice heavy construction and he really likes it.

 

[California]

If you're serious about loading up on new HF tools - and have some patience - then their Inside Track Club might be worthwhile. Its an additional set of discount coupons mailed monthly. I bought it one year and came out a little ahead of what I would have paid using ordinary coupons or the occasional 25% off coupon.

Also ITC might be cost effective for the contractor etc who buys multiples of the same tool for his crew.

Disadvantage of ITC is you have to wait for what you want to appear in the monthly list, not practical if you actually need a tool right now for a specific project. In that case retail less a 20% coupon is preferable to waiting months for another dollar savings.

I renewed a second year and never broke even that time. Haven't renewed since.


Charge!

 

[Tractorboy88]

My neighbor got one of those 56" tool chests for Christmas, I forked it out of the pickup for his wife and helped unpalletize it for her. Nice heavy construction and he really likes it.

I wish i had such luxury when i unloaded mine haha

 

[Garandman]

I have the red tool chest as well. I used a 2x10 to slide it down to the ground. Very useful size and works great. Had it two years.

 

[MossRoad]

I picked up this sharpening stone at HF for $.99
Sharpening Stone - Combination Sharpening Stone

and this hand-held sharpener for $2.99.
Handheld Knife Sharpener

Gotta say, I'm happy with my $3.98 purchase!

I've had a set of stainless steel knives since we got married about 30 years ago. They have never been easy to sharpen and I've never been really happy with them. So I thought, what the heck, four bucks, give it a try. I wetted the stone with water, and made about 10 passes on the rough side of the stone, followed by about 10 passes on the finer side. Then I started dragging it through the hand-held sharpener with a little force. At first, it felt like it was just sliding through the ceramic sticks. But after about the 6-7th pass, I could feel it start to bite. 2-3 more passes and dang, those knives sharpened right up very nicely. I had the whole bunch done in about 15 minutes. About 6 kitchen knives and 6 steak knives.

I cut up some chicken breasts and was very impressed. Used them on some thick steaks tonight and man, they worked great!

So, I'd say these are two Harbor Freight tools that don't suck. :thumbsup:

 

[5030]

Dang thread is so long I can't remember if I put it in but the HF bubble balancer (for mounted tires) works great. I use it with my ancient Coats 10-10 for everything except motorcycle tires. Saved me a bundle over the years (I've had it for about 5 years now).

 

[California]

I picked up this sharpening stone at HF for $.99
Sharpening Stone - Combination Sharpening Stone

and this hand-held sharpener for $2.99.
Handheld Knife Sharpener

Gotta say, I'm happy with my $3.98 purchase!

Try the 4-side diamond hone block to finish your sharpening.


This is truly the 21st century sharpening tool. Its not expensive, under $10 after discount coupon. I have one in the shop and a clean one in the kitchen. It cuts hard steel notably faster than a Carborundum-type stone. Then the 600 grit surface leaves a fine edge that slices cleanly. Highly recommended.

 

[Garycw]

That sharpening stone is good and lasts forever. Just oil it up well. The ceramic rod sharpener, not so much.

 

[sixdogs]

Try the 4-side diamond hone block to finish your sharpening.


This is truly the 21st century sharpening tool. Its not expensive, under $10 after discount coupon. I have one in the shop and a clean one in the kitchen. It cuts hard steel notably faster than a Carborundum-type stone. Then the 600 grit surface leaves a fine edge that slices cleanly. Highly recommended.

About 300 posts ago I also gave a glowing report of this diamond sharpener too but after owning mine a couple years need to add an update. There seems to be inconsistencies in manufacturing and some wear the diamonds off sooner than you would expect and lose sharpening capacity. They aren't "loading up" but rather the diamonds seem to be falling off. Mine does not work as well as it used to but I know of others still going strong.

I still really like mine but would like to pass along that info.