Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Travelover]

Come to think of it I've seen a lot of smoke from my HF compressor when it couldn't keep up with a HF die grinder ...............

That is how China controls emissions. They package the smoke in their products and it releases a little at a time once they hit US shores.

 

[California]

That is how China controls emissions. They package the smoke in their products and it releases a little at a time once they hit US shores.

Back when the Jinma buyers were posting about WTH is the bogus junk fluid they were finding in their transmission and crankcase, I suggested that was China's solution to their hazardous waste disposal problem - export it!

 

[KubotainNH]

I ended up getting the 74 bin floor stand model. I figure I can assemble it without the feet and screw it to the wall. With a 20% off coupon it was only $60. They didn't have it out on display so I couldn't see it so hopefully the plastic isn't too bad.
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While there I picked up some more 4 1/2" cut off discs. I also picked up a couple of these to try out since they were cheap. You can never have too many bar clamps. I'm curious how the aluminum will worked compared to the steel version.
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I've got two sets of these. I haven't broken any after a couple years and they are full of nuts/bolts. I take them down as needed, the plastic is flexible. I did make sure I screwed the wall mount to plywood with a bunch of screws because that piece is flimsy.

2 Piece Poly Bins and Rails

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Been following this thread for a while, didn't think to post about the HF compressor I have. It's been going strong for about 6 years now. Not sure if they are the same now, but it is the "US General" upright 60 gal. Has provided ample supply to run impact tools, paint sprayers, and framing nail guns. Never had a problem with it, changed the oil religiously though.

Have 3 sets of the "Taiwan" wrench sets that have been abused and still good, impact sockets good, ratchet wrenches good, hammers for $2.99 really good.

Did break a socket once, they replaced it no questions asked. "Free" 25' tape measures....use until broke or wore out...they are free...

Angle grinders for $10? Use them till they wear out, they'll get the job done then throw it away...only $10

Any of the pneumatic nail guns suck big time..

 

[Michael Aos]

I'm seriously thinking about purchasing either the 44" (~$350 14,200ci) or 56" (~$650 25,363ci) tool box while they're on-sale tomorrow.

I keep going back-and-forth between one of them and waiting to see what shows up at Costco.

Today I have most of my stuff spread between a HF 26" (~$300 14,600ci) & 30" cart (~$150 8100ci) and a Seville Classics UltraHD 12-drawer rolling workbench and a couple different physical locations.

 

[shaeff]

I've had the 44" for a few years now. I love it. You can never have enough storage, so if you've got lots of tools, go with the 56". That being said, I have two boxes, so no need for the big one. I'd buy another in a heartbeat if I needed it.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I'm seriously thinking about purchasing either the 44" (~$350 14,200ci) or 56" (~$650 25,363ci) tool box while they're on-sale tomorrow.

I keep going back-and-forth between one of them and waiting to see what shows up at Costco.

Today I have most of my stuff spread between a HF 26" (~$300 14,600ci) & 30" cart (~$150 8100ci) and a Seville Classics UltraHD 12-drawer rolling workbench and a couple different physical locations.

I bought two of the 44” boxes and very pleased with their quality. I installed them along a wall in my shop. I bought a 12’ pre-made Formica counter top, and installed it on top of the two boxes, leaving the big gap in the middle. If needed I can add a couple of the matching 18” boxes that hang on the side of the 44” boxes.

I installed several bench top working tools on the counter top. Working height is just right ..... for me.

Ridged oscillating belt / drum sander.

Steel City morticing machine.

HF 12” disc sander.

Rikon 10” band saw.

At end of the countertop is a dedicated dust collector for these four tools.

I’ve bought two of the HF 12 outlet power strips, to install on the wall behind the counter top. Presently there is a 4 outlet box in the middle of this bench. I’m going to take the power strips apart and shorten the power cords, on both to about 12-18” and turn the outlets on one of them upside down so power cord will both ext in the middle.

No pictures yet, as I’m still getting it all together.

 

[Threepoint]

Has anyone recently bought the Lynxx 40V Max batteries and tools?

I'm wondering if HF is maintaining the quality. Originally it seemed most of the stuff - polesaw, chainsaw, blower - got good reviews. But firms have been known to lower quality control on some things after they've made a good name for themselves.

I'm always skittish about buying HF tools that use electricity. They never seem to be packaged with enough smoke.

Newbury, I have all five of the Lynxx tools, all bought within the last six months. Very impressed with them. The standard 20% and 25% coupons don't work on them, but they go on sale every few weeks, and occasionally there is a $20 off Lynxx coupon in the flyers and monthly catalogs (e.g., the March 2018 catalog).

Thoughts as follows:

Pole chain saw - This is a real winner. I reviewed it in this thread at page 820, post 8197, and on the HF website. Only weakness, IMO, is that the 10 mm circlip that secures the drive sprocket on its hub is a bit weak. Easily replaced with better spring steel from Fastenal for a few cents.

Blower - Remarkably powerful. Also has a "Turbo" button for high velocity bursts. A helper used it to blow the leaves off our entire front yard in about 1-1/2 hrs. Even on Turbo, the thing will run for 1/2 hr! My wife just took him a freshly-charged battery to swap out when he needed it. Battery is very quickly charged, and they're all interchangeable across the tool line. Five tools means five batteries and five chargers. :dance1:

24" edge trimmer - Very versatile. Easily slices through 3/8" and 1/2" woody stems when necessary. Out performs both of my corded hedge trimmers.

14" chain saw - I was very skeptical about this one, but it's now my go-to saw for quick stuff instead of my little workhorse 14" Stihl L009 climbing saw. Not as powerful, of course, and it has a thinner chain (and it's micro-chisel) but easily handles limbs and trees up to 8" caliper. Probably much more if you're careful, but I haven't tried. Fallen tree limbs blocking the driveway overnight and making you late in the morning? No problem, just grab the saw, pop in a battery, and start cutting. No messing with fuel mix, and no fumes, so don't even need to change clothes first. The saw also stops instantly when you let up on the trigger. That's a safety plus when working in tangled brush.

String trimmer - This is the weakest performer of the five, IMO. But still worth the $$ on sale. Wife loves it for light trimming (grass and non-woody stuff). Doesn't begin to compare to a good gas trimmer, but sure beats the hassle for quick touch-ups. The line is very thin, .065", but even so, the spool only holds 20' of it. Couldn't go heavier, and even if you could, I suspect it would degrade performance rather than enhance. But it comes with two spools, with the second one stored onboard in the trimmer head itself. The line feeds automatically each time you release the trigger, i.e., each time you stop. Not by bumping the spool as in gas units. This is a bit of a nuisance But you can manually feed line by pressing a release button on the spool.

The angle of the trimmer head has several different positions, so it can be adjusted for edging. It comes with an "edger" attachment that snaps on and off, consisting of two lightweight plastic wheels to support the trimmer head as it's rolled along a pavement edge. A bit gimmicky, unless you have a lot of vertical edging. Doubt we'll ever bother with it again.

 

[Oaktree]

Any of the pneumatic nail guns suck big time..

I dunno. I have one of their 21° framing nailers and have had no problems with it. Doesn't seem to double-fire as often as a friend's name-brand one (forget the brand of his). If I was a pro carpenter I might think twice, but for the occasional home project, building a shed, etc. it does the job.

I have heard that HF's nails tend to jam, I get mine at HD or Lowes and they're fine.

 

[Michael Aos]

I bought a Dewalt 21ｰ for a single project (almost 2000 nails). I seriously considered the HF version at a fraction of the price (with coupon). Kind of wish I'd given it a try.

I have the HF 18ga brad nailer. Haven't had any issues using Dewalt nails.

I dunno. I have one of their 21ｰ framing nailers and have had no problems with it. Doesn't seem to double-fire as often as a friend's name-brand one (forget the brand of his). If I was a pro carpenter I might think twice, but for the occasional home project, building a shed, etc. it does the job.

I have heard that HF's nails tend to jam, I get mine at HD or Lowes and they're fine.