Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[IslandTractor]

Picked up a HF 80A-DC Stick Welder over the weekend. Man, is that thing tiny. I didn't get a chance to use it yet, though, so it'll probably be this coming weekend. I've read some pretty good things about it. We'll see.

It wasn't on sale, unfortunately, at $170. They did have the flux core feed unit on sale for $99, and I almost went that route instead. For some reason, I just went with the stick.

...and I didn't have my free flashlight coupon with me. :banghead:

View attachment 499427

Don't forget to give us a report on the little HF inverter stick machine. I love the lunch box size. I've always wanted one but have 110v/220v welder (Multimatic 200) already and haven't been able to justify another.

 

[dragoneggs]

My new HF floor standing sand blast cabinet is up and working. Great price and it doesn't suck but does benefit greatly from modifications. I should start a thread on the mods.

 

[txdon]

I got here late. Island Tractor, I tried to copy and paste your response so it would be easier for others to follow but I failed at that attempt.

So here are my thoughts to TXdon; I sure would like to add my healthy and hearty applause to TXdon also!! What a grand looking addition you did to your property!! That is stunningly superb workmanship. I could only dream about being even slightly close to that good. Man, you are an skilled person! Very well built.
Greg

Thanks. I really did not have a plan when I started, just one paver at a time, and 20K pavers later I'm done. A special thanks to Ron Hall (TBN) who help me with one section as he passed by my place and to the late Jim Inman (TBN's Jinman) who came up with the ideal to tie the circle together with the Compass Rose. Jim was able to walk on his creative idea. See Pic. He died later that year.

 

[PJSprog]

Don't forget to give us a report on the little HF inverter stick machine. I love the lunch box size. I've always wanted one but have 110v/220v welder (Multimatic 200) already and haven't been able to justify another.

Will do. It'll probably be this weekend before I fire it up.

 

[lexluther]

I'm not a pro. First paver project. The compass rose took several months working on it part time, the entire paver circle drive took two years, but I did take a break in the middle to recover from a heart attack, and only worked when the weather was right. Looking at it from space it does point true north. The secrete is to get the boarders right with cement and steel and with the right slope for drainage then add a good packed rock base followed by coarse leveling sand, pack again, measure, cut and lay.

Dang, that is cool... from space... even more cool

 

[lexluther]

By the way on the batteries... a pet peeve of. One after the Kirkland brand ruined so many things... the Duracell batteries marked "duralock" or something similar are guaranteed not to leak. Knowing that was enough for me to switch for ever

 

[IslandTractor]

By the way on the batteries... a pet peeve of. One after the Kirkland brand ruined so many things... the Duracell batteries marked "duralock" or something similar are guaranteed not to leak. Knowing that was enough for me to switch for ever

Frankly I have learned to trust Kirkland branded stuff from Costco. Certainly higher quality than anything equivalent from HF. I think of Kirkland the way I used to think of Craftsman. Better than most but not as good as the top pro stuff.

 

[lexluther]

Frankly I have learned to trust Kirkland branded stuff from Costco. Certainly higher quality than anything equivalent from HF. I think of Kirkland the way I used to think of Craftsman. Better than most but not as good as the top pro stuff.

Except the batteries they are... They will ruin whatever you put them in eventually

 

[sixdogs]

There is a new freebie tool offer to go along with the free flashlights and such and it's a welcome addition and a desirable item. It's a screwdriver with replaceable tip so you can use any screwdriver bit it in. We have a couple of these and they are very handy. One screwdriver with a few bits and you're covered for most any situation.

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...html&cust=&keycode=1021&single=true&main=true

Not sure if it's a magnetic tip but it would be sweet if it was. I'll be heading to HF in the next few days to pick up some yet unknown item I can't live without along with my free screwdriver.

 

[KubotainNH]

There is a new freebie tool offer to go along with the free flashlights and such and it's a welcome addition and a desirable item. It's a screwdriver with replaceable tip so you can use any screwdriver bit it in. We have a couple of these and they are very handy. One screwdriver with a few bits and you're covered for most any situation.

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...html&cust=&keycode=1021&single=true&main=true

Not sure if it's a magnetic tip but it would be sweet if it was. I'll be heading to HF in the next few days to pick up some yet unknown item I can't live without along with my free screwdriver.

That is a useful one, I've been collecting them to put in each of our vehicles. No magnetic tip from what I remember.