Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Handloader109]

Couple of comments, flag pole. Have had mine over a year now. I usually leave flag up, not the quickest to unclip flag. I've flown two, but usually only a 3x5 nylon. We've got a lot of wind and can be 30 mph for a week at a time. I installed near eave and put up a box made from 2x that I put a screw on front and tilt it when I take down. Helps brace pole a lot. I'd love a real pole, but can't afford right now. This one works.

Wooden bench. I've two and for the $ I can't build equivalent.

Electric pole saw works well. I've cut 6 inch diameter dried oak limbs. Not easy, but doable. One of my top 10 best.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Home Depot rents the Wacker model for $83/day or $332/wk.

I've got 5 little projects in mind, so renting -vs- buying would probably be a wash.

I'd come out ahead if I used it any after that, but not sure when that would be and not too excited about storing it in the garage long-term or trying to sell it on Craigslist.

90 day returns ..



(joking)

 

[crazyal]

Home Depot rents the Wacker model for $83/day or $332/wk.

I've got 5 little projects in mind, so renting -vs- buying would probably be a wash.

I'd come out ahead if I used it any after that, but not sure when that would be and not too excited about storing it in the garage long-term or trying to sell it on Craigslist.

That's exactly how I ended up with my HF 10" tile saw. I could have rented one but HD charged like $50/day. For $170 (before the 20% off) plus the cost of a blade it cost less than 4 days rental. I've done a dozen jobs with it over the last 8 years plus lent it out to friends and co-workers. I have thought about buying the compactor simply because it's a pain to rent one. By the time you add in your time to get it and then return it what could be an hour job turns into better part of a day. But, like you said, it's bulky and heavy. I've had real good luck with HF motors as long as I drain the gas out of them before storing for any length of time. As for selling it. If I came across one on Craig's list that had been used a dozen times for $200 I would jump right on it.

 

[PhysAssist]

I want one....

One of what?

 

[PhysAssist]

Wife actually put it together while I was at work earlier this week. I had a chance to check it out a bit last night, and it's much sturdier and stouter than I had anticipated. I guess we'll see how it holds up over time, but initial impression is very favorable.

As is my usual practice, I have been beating the [H-E-double hockey stick] out of mine, for probably either a year or 2- basically since they've been selling them, and its still just fine.:cool2:

Then again, there aren't all that many moving parts for me to screw up either...

Before that, I generally used to run my miter saw on my HF welding table- which is also sturdy as all get out...- but suffered from the lack of extended support for the cut-off pieces- which I used my HF hydraulic lift table to mitigate.:thumbsup:

Almost kind of incestuous, no?:shocked:

 

[PJSprog]

I have the HF welding table as well. I've used it a couple of times for various things, but not at all yet for actual welding.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

The welding table is definetly sturdy. I use mine for other things also. Trying to figure a way to rapidly mount and unmount a heavy vise when I need it. Any ideas been persued on that?

I also have the large Vulcan welding cart. Looking at installing a thick (3/8 or 1/2") steel plate to the top then have a permanent mounted vise.

Ron

 

[buckeyefarmer]

One of what?

The post (9140) referenced what i wanted.

 

[patrick_g]

Hand Tools at Harbor Freight Tools

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 HF torque wrench is dial adjustable and can be used for a ratchet handle for 3/4 inch sockets. It goes up to 600 lb-feet. My 19.5 inch Alcoa aluminum wheels on my DRW Dodge Diesel Ram 3500 4x4 takes 450 lb-ft of torque on the lugs. Lots of garages can't get there with their air tools so I carry it in the service body cabinet in case it is needed. It is a big sucker. I named it Excaliber!

Patrick

 

[Midniteoyl]

My HF torque wrench is dial adjustable and can be used for a ratchet handle for 3/4 inch sockets. It goes up to 600 lb-feet. My 19.5 inch Alcoa aluminum wheels on my DRW Dodge Diesel Ram 3500 4x4 takes 450 lb-ft of torque on the lugs. Lots of garages can't get there with their air tools so I carry it in the service body cabinet in case it is needed. It is a big sucker. I named it Excaliber!

Patrick

Was gonna say, the RV wheels are @ 450lbs.