Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[IslandTractor]

Have a Makita 9.6 volt that installed many 1000's of tin roof screws that is , like 15 years old and darn thing still is using the 2 original batteries.(do have to charge a day B4 using).
Buddy gave me an 18 v Makita as he had no batteries or charger for it.
Since a 12 volt fitted I proved that the drill was OK and cruised Kijji and located a guy that had 2 18 v batteries for $25 from a set that his drill was stolen from 2 years back.
Plugged in his batteries, both of which still had power, and gladly handed over the $25. as both still had plenty of power even after all that time.
Makes me a nice back up set.

I have one of those 12v Makita drills from the mid 1980's. Darn thing still works though I don't use it anymore.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think our fore fathers would be laughing themselves silly about modern day men and their powered equipment woes. It makes me wonder, in a hundred years from now, what will people look back at us and laugh about.

Has anyone bought this Viking power/jump starter pack? Lithium Ion Jump Starter and Power Pack

I see good reviews for it. The main reason I would buy one is to start my DR field and brush mower. Even though I keep the battery on a maintainer, I only get about 3 years use. The batteries are about $65.00. The Viking power pack is now on sale for $65.00. It seems to me, buying this will eliminate the need for buying new batteries.

I don't have the HF version but I do have a couple of those Lithium jump starter batteries and they do work. They don't work like a typical jump start battery though. You hook them up and wait about five minutes before trying to start.

 

[California]

Has anyone bought this Viking power/jump starter pack? Lithium Ion Jump Starter and Power Pack

Looking at Amazon reviews for similar ones, people seem to like that kind of jumper battery. If I were buying one I might spend some $10 more and get the type that also has 19 volts out to power a laptop, in addition to the jump start and usb phone charger functions. That would be an ideal home emergency power supply.

 

[sixdogs]

One thing you absolutely have to do is add grease on their wheels. I have a number of their rolling wheels such as caster or those with bearings in them and couldn't figure out why they were hard rolling. I disassembled the wheel, added a little simple tractor chassis type grease and wow, what a difference. Prior to that, the bearings weren't rolling but just sliding in place.

 

[TheMan419]

One thing you absolutely have to do is add grease on their wheels. I have a number of their rolling wheels such as caster or those with bearings in them and couldn't figure out why they were hard rolling. I disassembled the wheel, added a little simple tractor chassis type grease and wow, what a difference. Prior to that, the bearings weren't rolling but just sliding in place.

Prior to becoming a tractor owner I was of the opinion you only needed duct tape and WD40. If it moved and was not supposed to, duct tape it. If was supposed to move and did not, spray WD40.

Now I add grease to that mix.

 

[John_Mc]

... The main reason I would buy one is to start my DR field and brush mower. Even though I keep the battery on a maintainer, I only get about 3 years use.

Sounds as though you need a better quality battery maintainer. Some cheap ones can ruin a battery. I've had very good luck with the BatteryMinder products.

 

[DFB]

I think our fore fathers would be laughing themselves silly about modern day men and their powered equipment woes. It makes me wonder, in a hundred years from now, what will people look back at us and laugh about.

Has anyone bought this Viking power/jump starter pack? Lithium Ion Jump Starter and Power PackI see good reviews for it. The main reason I would buy one is to start my DR field and brush mower. Even though I keep the battery on a maintainer, I only get about 3 years use. The batteries are about $65.00. The Viking power pack is now on sale for $65.00. It seems to me, buying this will eliminate the need for buying new batteries.

AchingBack I hear ya about jumping equipment. A while ago I wanted a small jump starter the old style was what had in mind and wasn't even considering the lithium packs yet they were pretty new then. So I think it was maybe thread too I was asking about the HF options. Their AMP pack wasn't high but I only needed it for small equipment really had no intention of jumping trucks or autos just mowers and motorcycles. So I also didn't want to spend a lot and even the cheapest HF was still $40 plus I would have had to mail order it too Our new HF store is barely 1 year old now.

So long story short I picked up this unit off AMAZON.


Amazon.com: Schumacher XP4 4 Peak Amp Instant Portable Power Source: Automotive

I have had for a couple of years now its so handy. I even use it for a power supply if need be, like test a starter whatever. I even tossed it in my motorcycle saddlebag one day when my battery was failing and need to be replaced Wouldn't hold a charge so I jumped it each time I had to start again

Just thought I pass it on

I have to say when I went looking for this the amount of the new style lithium packs to found on amazon now is amazing it took me awhile to locate this where it used to come quick


Obviously the other types could prove quite usefull too

 

[AchingBack]

AchingBack I hear ya about jumping equipment. A while ago I wanted a small jump starter the old style was what had in mind and wasn't even considering the lithium packs yet they were pretty new then. So I think it was maybe thread too I was asking about the HF options. Their AMP pack wasn't high but I only needed it for small equipment really had no intention of jumping trucks or autos just mowers and motorcycles. So I also didn't want to spend a lot and even the cheapest HF was still $40 plus I would have had to mail order it too Our new HF store is barely 1 year old now.

So long story short I picked up this unit off AMAZON.


Amazon.com: Schumacher XP4 4 Peak Amp Instant Portable Power Source: Automotive

I have had for a couple of years now its so handy. I even use it for a power supply if need be, like test a starter whatever. I even tossed it in my motorcycle saddlebag one day when my battery was failing and need to be replaced Wouldn't hold a charge so I jumped it each time I had to start again

Just thought I pass it on

I have to say when I went looking for this the amount of the new style lithium packs to found on amazon now is amazing it took me awhile to locate this where it used to come quick


Obviously the other types could prove quite usefull too

Thanks for your suggestion for this alternative unit. I wound up buying a similar unit at Walmart, Schumacher SJ5 $49.95 http://www.batterychargers.com/sj5/

 

[Oaktree]

Earthquake 1/2" XT. This is the high torque, composite version of their regular 1/2" Earthquake impact gun and it is impressive and then some.

Has anyone used their electric 1/2" impact wrench? Any good? Don't need one often enough to justify $100, but $39.95 fits the budget.

 

[Midniteoyl]

HF breaker bar compared.. Wish he would do destructive testing though.