Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[chopped]

If the management of Sears wants to know why they're in trouble, they should look at their prices.

In some reference to the previous post ahead of this one, It reminds me of the go around with sears after I found the small 3 inch air cut off wheel from harbor freight being sold from SEARS third party sales. I wrote several letters to them explain that 199 dollars was way out there considering it was a HF tool and cost around 21 dollars at HF the third party sale also were using the HF pictures. But Sears told me they weren't responsible for third party prices etc. I tried to explain that by sears allowing to advertise for the third party 'business' then their reputation was at stake but they decided to blow me off.
( I stopped going there years ago after the replacement ratchets were garbage....)

As an example I submit these links.
Sears.com

3 in. Heavy Duty Electric Cut-Off Tool


In this case the difference isn't all to much but .

Or these. throw a differnt label in the circle and wammo..lol

3 in. High-Speed Air Cut-Off Tool

Sears.com

 

[Garycw]

I almost forgot one I can't do without and recommend everyone has. The Security Bit set. Invaluable when you need one. There's a 10-12 piece and a 100 piece set. They're actually cheap enough to have both. Work really well, although you have to provide your own 1/4" driver or wrench. I think the small set is $3 and large $6

 

[Travelover]

I almost forgot one I can't do without and recommend everyone has. The Security Bit set. Invaluable when you need one. There's a 10-12 piece and a 100 piece set. They're actually cheap enough to have both. Work really well, although you have to provide your own 1/4" driver or wrench. I think the small set is $3 and large $6

I agree, these are great. My DW teaches 4th grade and for fun, she lets kids disassemble old electronics to see what is inside. They love having the "magic keys".

 

[sixdogs]

I almost forgot one I can't do without and recommend everyone has. The Security Bit set. Invaluable when you need one. There's a 10-12 piece and a 100 piece set. They're actually cheap enough to have both. Work really well, although you have to provide your own 1/4" driver or wrench. I think the small set is $3 and large $6

Great idea. That is something I forgot but is a must have addition. You may only use it a couple times a year but when you need it, you better have it. Here's the one I have and it's often on "sale" for $6 or so.
100 Pc Security Bit Set with Case

I used mine a couple of weeks ago to take the license plate off a trailer I had sold. It had some weird screw head on it and this thing had a weird bit to fit it. Either that or let the plate go with the trailer. Before that I needed to get the hinge off a box I had. Either have that bit or break the lock off. Glad I had the bit.

 

[Garycw]

I've used mine maybe 10 times in 8 months. I just needed it again today and jogged my memory of this thread. It's a diffinetly must have, and so far seem pretty tough. Those little torex bits w/hole in center are a lifesaver.
Another similar set I use a lot ( not from HF) is the Winchester gunsmith bit set. Also highly recommend!

 

[lostcreekranch]

I need to also post this one over in the "do suck" thread or the "sucks worse than anything I ever bought from anyplace thread" if that exist?

Electric Die Grinder with Long Shaft

Had some rust removal work to do that was beyond where I could use pneumatic tools so bought one of these electric die grinders and an HF wire brush set using a 20% coupon.

Wire Wheel/Cup Brush Set 6 Pc

Got home and plugged it in without wire brush. Very smooth, no vibration, lots of power. I installed the large wire brush and got some vibration but assumed that Chinese wire brushed would not be perfectly balanced. Started removing rust and in less than 15 minutes I felt heat on right hand and realized that motor was on fire which had set my work glove on fire. Thru the POS on the ground, put out glove and yanked the cord from power.

Took it back to HF the next week, when I was in Houston, and traded it our for a replacement. Got home and powered it up, again with nothing attached. Once again, very smooth and no vibration. Reinstalled a different wire brush and powered it up again. The high speed vibration was so bad I couldn't continue to use it as was rattling my teeth. Installed a small grinder bit and same result, a really aggravating vibration.

Took it back to HF and got my refund. This was the suckiest tool I ever bought from anywhere!

I plan to submit this review on the HF web site when I have time.

 

[IslandTractor]

I need to also post this one over in the "do suck" thread or the "sucks worse than anything I ever bought from anyplace thread" if that exist? Electric Die Grinder with Long Shaft Had some rust removal work to do that was beyond where I could use pneumatic tools so bought one of these electric die grinders and an HF wire brush set. Wire Wheel/Cup Brush Set 6 Pc Got home and plugged it in without wire brush. Very smooth, no vibration, lots of power. I installed the large wire brush and got some vibration but assumed that Chinese wire brushed would not be perfectly balanced. Started removing rust and in less than 15 minutes I felt heat on right hand and realized that motor was on fire which had set my work glove on fire. Thru the POS on the ground, put out glove and yanked the cord from power.

I've not heard of using a die grinder with a wire wheel. Is that common? I only use carbide burrs or small sanding disks which require far less power to run. I use angle grinders when using wire wheels. Was the tool a POS or was it asked to do something it wasn't designed to do?

 

[lostcreekranch]

I've not heard of using a die grinder with a wire wheel. Is that common? I only use carbide burrs or small sanding disks which require far less power to run. I use angle grinders when using wire wheels. Was the tool a POS or was it asked to do something it wasn't designed to do?

It was a 2" wire wheel? Is that some kind of "extreme duty"???

 

[IslandTractor]

It was a 2" wire wheel? Is that some kind of "extreme duty"???

Would have thought that would work about the same as the 2" sanding disks. Guess not. I have the same grinder but use it primarily with the carbide burrs and haven't had any trouble.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Would have thought that would work about the same as the 2" sanding disks. Guess not. I have the same grinder but use it primarily with the carbide burrs and haven't had any trouble.

I probably managed to get two bad ones out of same manufacturing run. I was really hoping it would work as I thought it would be handy for numerous tasks. They both did have a lot of power but, the vibration and setting my glove on fire kinda soured me on the tool.