Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[DFB]

They are nice, but I have broken impact rated ones on my battery impact driver.

I can't find them in a quick search but I think I have seen black oxide impact ones as well. Another option would be to turn the power down.

I picked up on that too they don't say impact rated but just for reference I have similar ones from TSC that have held up ok so far.

But looking thru the reviews I always start with the lowest ratings some users seem to have had a few issues with them getting stuck in the impact driver most noticeably with the 1/4 X 1/4 adapter. Others claimed the ball detents didn't work well dunno. I have to take the worst reviews with a grain of salt especially if the good reviews far outnumber them

I have quite a few of these adapters in various lengths up to 12 inches from different manufacturers but never experienced an 1/4 shank adapter getting stuck in the tool But once had a cheapie socket get stuck on a impact wrench anvil because it twisted and deformed.


Sixdogs what about the Warrior magnetic nutsetters...any good? I had some on my tool table but they sold so I didn't get a chance to try them out lol!

Power Tools – Save on Power Tools at Harbor Freight Tools

I have had stubby nutsetters tekton brand not fit in my various impact drivers they wouldn't lock in the collet because the turned down portion of the shank was too short to catch the ball when inserted in.

 

[JRobyn]

I keep at least one of the bench brushes at every different saw and drill press, plus the bench. So maybe 5 or so of them.

 

[94BULLITT]

They are nice, but I have broken impact rated ones on my battery impact driver.

Yeah, they are not much good on an impact driver. You lose a lot of torque through them. I have a snap on 1/4 impact adapter and i can torque more with it than the ones from HF.

Also don't use the bits from the security bit set from HF in an impact. I broke a Phillips after running 3 screws in wood.

 

[sixdogs]

I picked up on that too they don't say impact rated but just for reference I have similar ones from TSC that have held up ok so far.

But looking thru the reviews I always start with the lowest ratings some users seem to have had a few issues with them getting stuck in the impact driver most noticeably with the 1/4 X 1/4 adapter. Others claimed the ball detents didn't work well dunno. I have to take the worst reviews with a grain of salt especially if the good reviews far outnumber them

I have quite a few of these adapters in various lengths up to 12 inches from different manufacturers but never experienced an 1/4 shank adapter getting stuck in the tool But once had a cheapie socket get stuck on a impact wrench anvil because it twisted and deformed.


Sixdogs what about the Warrior magnetic nutsetters...any good? I had some on my tool table but they sold so I didn't get a chance to try them out lol!

Power Tools Save on Power Tools at Harbor Freight Tools

I have had stubby nutsetters tekton brand not fit in my various impact drivers they wouldn't lock in the collet because the turned down portion of the shank was too short to catch the ball when inserted in.

I have never used the nut setters so I can't say. BUT, I have used the 100 piece security bit set and can highly recommend it. It will take off every odd screw I have ever seen. In fact, I'll bet you could take apart one of those vandal proofed elevators PDQ. For the pittance it costs, everyone should have one. I use it once a year but every time am glad I have it.

 

[PJSprog]

I fired up that 80A DC inverter stick welder yesterday, and played on a flat scrap piece for awhile. Not being a welder, it took a bit to get it going. Stuck it about three times before I remembered the "striking" movement to start the arc. After that, it laid down beads pretty well with 1/16" 7014 rods. I found I got a lot less splatter and better control around 55A than I was getting at 80A. Seems like it will be a very capable little device for small projects.

The real big surprise for me was the $44 HF helmet. Very sensitive. True to other reviews, it's not the most sturdy thing, but it'll work fine for a non-pro homeowner doing occasional welding projects.

I also learned that it is not a good idea to weld on the top of a wood-top portable clamping bench. Whoops.

 

[California]

I have a piece of cement-asbestos-fiber board that was probably intended to insulate a wall behind a wood stove. I put it on the workbench when I have a small welding project to do there. No damage yet.

Thanks for the review. I don't need another welder but at times I've been tempted by HF's ads for those.

 

[Jim Nelson]

Another little jewel is the right angle screw driver set item #92630,a good friend's wife came up with this and I don't use it a lot but every now and then it is the perfect tool.I was pretty skeptical at first but there have been a couple of times I've put a considerable amount of pressure on it and it has stayed together.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Those right angle drivers are the best thing running for getting into tight spots w/o having to remove other items that might be in the way.

 

[PhysAssist]

Txdon--that really is an amazing end result. Wish I had the patience and smarts for a project like that.

I'm not sure what the current membership on TBN or this thread is, but I'll bet there are a lot of us who have not only the same respect and awe for this project, but also the same sentiments as Island Tractor- please don't tell our spouses about it!

Awesome job man!

 

[PhysAssist]

I have a yellow one from many moons ago works okay for me...have cut a lot of back poly pipe with it. Cuts straight thru the thinner wall stuff easy enough.

Does seem to cut crooked on thick stuff like sched 40 pvc conduit if you try squeezing straight thru it. Working it like a pipe cutter and rotating the tool around the pipe helps a lot to get a straighter cut.

Harbor Freight Reviews - Ratchet Action Hose/PVC Pipe Cutter

Hi DFB,


Thanks for posting that link- I had no idea that there was an independent HF review site- but i'll prolly use it a lot for stuff that I don't seem to find readily/easily on here.

They also are clearly completely independent of HF, because some of the reviews commented that HF won't post their negative comments on certain items.

Thanks again,
Thomas