Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[LD48750]

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.

Yes... It works great for changing blades on mowers & even changing tires on cars.
I have run into things it wouldn't undo but I found that with my air impact too.
Putting the snow blade on tractor... mounting winch on tractor....turning rims around on tractor...

It's not like my neighbors pro air impact but does a lot.

 

[Gary Fowler]

A digital camera is a high drain device. The HF batteries are Zinc Chloride.

Our Essential Guide To Batteries - Page 2 of 3 - What Digital Camera

If you use your camera frequently check out Eneloop batteries. Costco has them from time to time and Amazon has good prices on them.

I have an old Canon Powershot A630 which works quite well on 4 AA alkaline batteries from Duracell or Eveready and will take hundreds of photos before needing new batteries as long as you don't use the flash. The flash soaks up a lot of energy but normal photo in daylight as well as the LCR screen but even using the digital screen it takes lots of photos.

 

[California]

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.

Try it, don't be afraid to return it.

I had one from 10 years ago. 1) I had to start old rusted lug nuts with a breaker bar before it would turn them 2) it's a serious wrist-wrencher in contrast to air tools that hardly kick. I think because it takes a moment for inertia of the armature to wind down.

Hopefully the current ones are better.

 

[DFB]

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/

Wow what a coincidence!

Hehe great minds think alike

 

[lostcreekranch]

Back in the 1970's, Sears had a table in the tools department with tool items that had been returned. I found a Craftsman electric impact with a $5 price tag on it. Noticed that the power cord strain relief was pulled out of the handle. Handed them a $5 bill and took it home.

Put it on workbench and did partial dis-assembly. Found that the power cord had been severely twisted inside the handle, separating the stranded power wires? I stripped wire ends, twisted wire ends together, soldered connections, and insulated everything with heat shrink tubing. It's still working to this day!

 

[Midniteoyl]

Back in the 1970's, Sears had a table in the tools department with tool items that had been returned. I found a Craftsman electric impact with a $5 price tag on it. Noticed that the power cord strain relief was pulled out of the handle. Handed them a $5 bill and took it home.

Put it on workbench and did partial dis-assembly. Found that the power cord had been severely twisted inside the handle, separating the stranded power wires? I stripped wire ends, twisted wire ends together, soldered connections, and insulated everything with heat shrink tubing. It's still working to this day!

You just know that it got away from the guy and spun. Wonder if it was trigger locked and spun until it pulled the cord and slapped him in the face...


Dont ask..

 

[lexluther]

Wow, that was a lot of analysis on breaker bars...could have been a lot shorter... $16 vs $100 plus for the same performance...yikes

 

[CCWKen]

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

I had to buy one of those today from Lowe's for $47. I was stranded in the Academy Sports parking lot with a weak battery and no jumper cables. Several attempts to get help from other shoppers yielded nothing. Walked all over AS and couldn't find one so walked next door to Lowe's. They had several models but the 400 was the cheapest and looked like it would work. Fortunately, it had enough charge right out of the box to get me going. And man, that was a hike for me after just getting over the flu and pneumonia. I had to sit in the car and rest a few minutes. I went right back home after that and nearly collapsed. I need to build back strength a little at time.

 

[94BULLITT]

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

I would have liked to have seen him at least torque higher with them. If I'm getting a 1/2'' drive breaker bar out it is torqued more than 300ftlbs. I have a 3' Snap on that has a slight curve to it and I never used a pipe on it. Breaker bars are pretty simple. If he did destructive testing you might be surprised how well the HF bar would hold up.

 

[crash325]

Recent purchases.
Hand held belt sander. Dust bag is a joke. It is also too heavy for much of anything other than flat.
It does have plenty of power & belt ran true out of the box. Had 1 years ago & it sure sucked up the air in heavy use.
Don't plan any heavy use at the moment, so not a problem.

1 Quart paint gun. Haven't used it yet. Seems to be well made.

21 degree framing nailer. Not much use yet, but does work well & will drive nail head slightly below the surface.
Very heavy ( that may be a good thing. stops kick back) Seems well made.

Pin nailer quite a bit of use. Does work well. No problems so far.

Best of all 1/.2" reversible hammer drill, key less chuck. Surprise chuck hold well. More than enough power. Have drilled a lot of holes driven a lot of screws. Batter still on original charge, it hasn't slowed down.
On sale $29.95. it was there with the non hammer drills & at the same price.