Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[newbury]

<snip>
Me: (after purchasing a MILWAUKEE drill that was utter crap :hissyfit "It's all made in China anyhow so I need to evaluate the quality of each tool/machine on its merits and also current reviews."
Him: "I'm going DeWalt. Every new tool will be DeWalt. Every tool we already have will be replaced/duplicated with a DeWalt tool."
<snip>

Unfortunately with battery operated tools you are "buying in" to the power source. About 6 years ago my son convinced me to get him a 6 tool DeWalt 20v Max system for his birthday. I started out with their sawz-all clone. I now consider myself "all in" on the DeWalt 20V Max AND Flexvolt, w/ about $3K of tools, batteries
and chargers.

I have the Lynxx pole saw, it's an amazing saw for the money. The battery will far outlast you. I love it!

Despite my DeWalt 20V max addiction I too bought the Lynxx, since DeWalt didn't produce a 20vMax yet and I needed a "ride-along".

/edit - and another son is invested in the Milwaukee line, all good but totally incompatible. Not like if one of us invested in Husky chainsaws, the other Stihl. They all run off basically the same fuel.

 

[PhysAssist]

I love this thread.

Unfortunately I now have 8 tabs open, of new tools I will have to buy.

A few years ago there was a parting of the ways in this house.

Me: (after purchasing a MILWAUKEE drill that was utter crap :hissyfit "It's all made in China anyhow so I need to evaluate the quality of each tool/machine on its merits and also current reviews."
Him: "I'm going DeWalt. Every new tool will be DeWalt. Every tool we already have will be replaced/duplicated with a DeWalt tool."

Both being tool nuts, this has resulted in massive overflow.

I miss the old Craftsman. Milwaukee.

Will be splitting up as we now need two houses to store everything. Not to mention the new tractor. :cool2:

I think it was George Carlin who said:

é„* house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.

 

[Oldpath05]

Seem to be. I test my 1/2" against a Craftsman beam torque wrench I bought new in 1960, and a Thorsen beam torque wrench nearly as old, a couple of times per project. All three always show identical. Good enough.

Hand Tools at Harbor Freight Tools

Glad to hear it, I bought this one last night, first one on the page>>>> Item # 62431 and because of mother I got a $5.00 off with a make believe lifetime warranty thought I'd go for it. My sons 10 year 1/2 Craftsman torque wrench has a plastic lock ring on it and that broke so it cant be locked in and since there's no more Sears around here, have to buy another one.

I looked at the $100.00 Icon 1/2" drive one, but as usual moneys tight now and didn't want to go over $50.00 and then that was only sold in store but with yesterdays discount might of been a good deal, I do like the fact that HF is offering good quality tools now so I will keep that one on my radar.

Icon 1/2" drive goes from 50-250 ft lbs, 250 sounds like a lot to me. The Pittsburgh goes from 20-150, most of my tractor bolts are around 100 lbs, most wheels are 75-125 lbs. Makes me wonder what takes over 150 ft lbs?

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Any recommendations on a good torque wrench? Will be needing one for the new tractor.

 

[Jim Nelson]

I bought the cheaper H.F 1/2" drive something like 10 years ago and my young, strong like bull, buddy broke it the other day. We took it back to the H.F. store and they replaced it.No questions at all so I bought their 3/4" model just for him. I also have their 1/4" and 3/8" drive models and that little digital deal that will fit 1/2" or 3/8" and reportedly can be used to calibrate regular torque wrenches. I also have an old Proto beam style 1/2" just to keep them honest. So far I'm very well satisfied with all of them but I'm just a casual user with a back yard shop.

 

[California]

Any recommendations on a good torque wrench? Will be needing one for the new tractor.

The HF one has served me well and remains accurate, as described above.

Tractors aren't rocket surgery. I think HF's are fine, and perhaps getting a beam model (indestructible) to check it against occasionally is all anyone needs for general automotive (tractor) work.


One comment: HF's torque wrenches are often on sale for $10~$11.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
Icon 1/2" drive goes from 50-250 ft lbs, 250 sounds like a lot to me. The Pittsburgh goes from 20-150, most of my tractor bolts are around 100 lbs, most wheels are 75-125 lbs. Makes me wonder what takes over 150 ft lbs?

My OP manual - for front/rear wheels on 4WD. 192-224 ft. lbs for the inner ring of nuts & 180 ft. lbs for the outer ring of nuts. This is the spec for both front/rear wheels. I, also, wonder how you are determining that the studs are stretched. If they are truly stretched - I'd be contacting my Kubota dealer with this concern. Agreed - something isn't sounding just right................

Another thought - you say this is the first time the wheels have been removed - - I guess it is possible that they were overtightened when it came from the factory - never heard of this, but its possible.

and this

Another data point -
My M4700/M5400 manual specs 191 to 224.2 ft lbs for front inner and 123.9 to 144.6 for front outer nuts.

 

[dragoneggs]

The HF one has served me well and remains accurate, as described above.

Tractors aren't rocket surgery. I think HF's are fine, and perhaps getting a beam model (indestructible) to check it against occasionally is all anyone needs for general automotive (tractor) work.


One comment: HF's torque wrenches are often on sale for $10~$11.

I’ve got a 1/2in one and it’s fine except my eyes are having a hard time reading the settings on the handle.

Tried nail polish but the grooves aren’t deep enough. Need another solution.

 

[thepumpguysc]

I regularly have to torque the front drive hub on inj. pumps.. Some are 200ftlbs.. but I use my Snap-on for them.
Dragon>> the grooves on MY 1/2" HF wrench are VERY DEEP.. is yours an older mdl or newer?? for 12.00. go get a newer one. Lol

 

[Mendonsy]

According to the local news channel Harbor Freight has recalled over 1 million electric chain saws made between 2009 and 2018. Apparently there is a problem with the power switch that can cause them to start without pressing the switch.