Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

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

I have a couple of those, and like them. I think the two removable bit-holders have the right size opening for the two common sizes of hose-clamp bolt heads, too.

 

[IslandTractor]

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

I've ruined stuff with Duracell and other premium batteries too. Leave them in a few years past their use by date and crap happens. The only thing I have not experienced is a leaking rechargeable Eneloop battery (yet). Those are my current favs.

 

[MossRoad]

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.

I'm pretty sure you can loose tips down that handle if you shove them in there. I just picked one up a couple weeks ago to have in my pouch. Its nice in that it eliminates 4 handles. They are cheap, but work. Grab a few and keep one in each car, because, you know, we can all work on modern cars with a screwdriver now... :laughing:

 

[sixdogs]

I have a couple of those, and like them. I think the two removable bit-holders have the right size opening for the two common sizes of hose-clamp bolt heads, too.

Now, that would make a truly useful--- and free---HF tool to get. Sure wish it was magnetized as well.

When these replaceable tip screwdrivers first showed up in the 1960's, they were from Japan and every guy wanted one. Those $500 stereo component sets from the mid 1970's usually came with one. They were well made screwdrivers--no magnet--and I might still have mine.

 

[California]

A couple of days ago I posted (#6881) about the HF MIG-180 welder I just bought from someone who had upgraded it with longer, heavier cables etc. Today I installed a replacement of the spool hub that should have been in it, and a jumper so + or - can be sent to the gun. (First owner had modified components to gas-only and 10 lb rolls only).

The welder works great, I won the gamble on buying used HF gear. I intend to run flux core only because I don't need pretty welds, most of what I do is modifications or repairs on 3-point implements. And I need to carry the welder a distance to locked storage when I don't have a project going. KISS principle.

I put down several sample beads on 1/8" flat stock and discovered the lower 1/3 of its heat range is sufficient for this. I tried maximum setting one time and went right through the 1/8" material.

One more mod is a big capacitor mounted external. I found that this smooths the arc at any amperage setting, as claimed. It is also claimed to increase output current, but that must stress the internals so I'm not likely to run it wide open with the capacitor switched on.

Has anyone on here applied these modifications to this, or the prior versions, of HF's mig welders?

 

[Clyde in TS]

My best success with broken bolt removal has been with left hand drill bits. My experience is that a drill bit "bites" and snaps off just as it is penetrating the bolt. A left hand drill bit (available from Harbor Freight) will often back the bolt out when it bites.

 

[PILOON]

Now, that would make a truly useful--- and free---HF tool to get. Sure wish it was magnetized as well.

.

Quite easy to magnetize a screwdriver blade.
Stroke it with a good magnet works and they even sell a 'magnetize/demagnetize device' tool at some stores.

 

[sixdogs]

Quite easy to magnetize a screwdriver blade.
Stroke it with a good magnet works and they even sell a 'magnetize/demagnetize device' tool at some stores.

I've done blade tips before but this would require the screwdriver shank as set up to accept the tip. I figured that would be too big to do?

 

[KubotainNH]

Quite easy to magnetize a screwdriver blade.
Stroke it with a good magnet works and they even sell a 'magnetize/demagnetize device' tool at some stores.

Yep. I've also removed the handle on these and put one end in the chuck of my drill to give me some high powered reach.

 

[MossRoad]

You could also get some of these tiny magnets and shove a couple down the shank. Then the whole thing would be magnetized... maybe. :laughing:

1/8 x 1/16 Inch Neodymium Rare Earth Disc Magnets N48 (1 Pack) – totalElement