Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

aeblank · Jan 28, 2019

I think they're pricing themselves out of relevance, but who knows.....

Diggin It · Jan 28, 2019

^^ I don't disagree, but they're not alone. Dollar General and Big Lots for example have both been changing to higher priced items than what made them popular.

Sysop · Jan 28, 2019

Currently, the list is all compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich.

Unfortunately, that list seems to cut into all departments...

Diggin It · Jan 28, 2019

^^ Which are generally the newer or higher dollar items that usually have dedicated coupons or discounts. Most of the general stock items are eligible.

The only two on that list I really don't see specials on are the trencher and saw mill.

Handloader109 · Jan 28, 2019

I think their marketing department is larger than walmart's with the way the change all the coupons as often as weekly.

Got their coupon in paper and is 30% off...... one item under $10.
Wow.

Btw, you really have to now use the supposed super coupons to get good discounts on things such as compressors and jacks. Btw, where else can you go and pick up a floor jack for $60?

Just saying.

Travelover · Jan 28, 2019

I broke the tip of one jaw of a pair of diagonal Pittsburg pliers the other day and took it back to see if I could get a replacement. I did not see the same pliers on display so I asked for assistance. The manager brought up a blister pack of assorted pliers and cut out the diagonals for me - no questions asked - no receipt - no grief. I think the employees at my local store are nicer than average.

ultrarunner · Jan 28, 2019

The Home I recently bought has a Harbor Freight sourced First Alert 2054F fire safe built in.

I have the key but have no combination and none of the seller's relatives know the combination. It was sourced through Harbor Freight for $140

To open requires the 4 number combo and key.

Home Depot PDF Link

https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/79/7960ce4a-09dd-4953-b689-d915a9cc782a.pdf

The 4 number combo is suppose to be printed on the owner's manual which I have not been able to find.

Am I out of luck?

Is cutting through the hardened steel anchors to get it out the only option?

tjkubota93 · Jan 28, 2019

D2Cat said:
I somehow lost the little black plastic cover/holder for the battery on the caliper, which makes it useless. I took it back in and the manager went and got another one and said. "Here, they have a lifetime warranty."

Even if it doesn't have a warranty, he made a cheap investment in a repeat customer. Funny how nobody gets that anymore!

aczlan · Jan 28, 2019

ultrarunner said:
The Home I recently bought has a Harbor Freight sourced First Alert 2054F fire safe built in.

I have the key but have no combination and none of the seller's relatives know the combination. It was sourced through Harbor Freight for $140

To open requires the 4 number combo and key.

Home Depot PDF Link

https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/79/7960ce4a-09dd-4953-b689-d915a9cc782a.pdf

The 4 number combo is suppose to be printed on the owner's manual which I have not been able to find.

Am I out of luck?

Is cutting through the hardened steel anchors to get it out the only option?

Per the manual ( First Alert FIRE THEFT SAFE 254F Operations & Installation Manual (Page 11 of 12) ) they can supply the combination with some numbers off of the safe.
If not a locksmith would likely be able to open it in under an hour.

Aaron Z

kenmac · Jan 28, 2019

Sysop said:
Currently, the list is all compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich.

View attachment 589099

Unfortunately, that list seems to cut into all departments...

WOW ! not long ago I used a 20% off on one of those small 2-3 gallon compressors. They use to be good on anything.
Most times at check out, I can get the person checking me out to give my coupon back to me.

ultrarunner · Jan 28, 2019

I must have missed that when I down loaded the manual...

Was doing some reading and apparently some have cracked these with patience...

It is not the value but if I can't use it I need to get rid of it without damage to the surroundings case work...

California · Jan 29, 2019

Huh??

ultrarunner · Jan 29, 2019

I have in my procession a safe bought at Harbor Freight that is combo with key...

Have the key but not the combo.

I would say so far the Harbor Freight Safe doesn't suck because I have yet to find a non-destructive way to open it.

Since it was bought at Harbor Freight I thought this would be the right place to post.

Sysop · Jan 29, 2019

Manufacturer can provide the default combination with the serial number and proof of ownership.

ultrarunner · Jan 29, 2019

Sysop said:
Manufacturer can provide the default combination with the serial number and proof of ownership.

Being that I just bought the home... not sure how far I will get...

Of course I have the closing papers and contract of sale which clearly states all personal property remaining at the close of escrow conveys with the home and this includes items attached and the safe had 4 large 1/2 or 5/8 bolts through the bottom... maybe lag bolts?

There are actually 3 safes in the home... two were opened by a pro for the estate...

They are open and drilled using a template... a gun safe and a safe for bullion...

The cheap safe that I am working on was for papers... it was key opened but someone spun the dial so key is now a no-go...

This scenario is not unusual with Estate type sales... never know what exactly you get... outside of the clear title!

Only posted here because there is a Harbor Freight Receipt for it...

Diggin It · Jan 29, 2019

Call the realtor. See if they know, or if they can contact the previous owner. Unless ... they might need a Ouija board to do that.

California · Jan 29, 2019

ultrarunner said:
I have in my procession a safe bought at Harbor Freight that is combo with key...

Since it was bought at Harbor Freight I thought this would be the right place to post.

Oh. Good luck! Who knows, you might find something valuable in there, especially considering the house had a bullion safe.

aczlan · Jan 29, 2019

Diggin It said:
Call the realtor. See if they know, or if they can contact the previous owner. Unless ... they might need a Ouija board to do that.

It was an estate sale, he is in contact with the heirs, but talking to the previous owner would require a medium or something...

Aaron Z

California · Jan 29, 2019

aczlan said:
It was an estate sale, he is in contact with the heirs, but talking to the previous owner would require a medium or something...

Aaron Z

That's what he needs the Ouija board for.

Diggin It · Jan 29, 2019

Can you use an extension on the Torque wrenches? I know you can, but does it alter the click function?

I've got some bolts and nuts I can't get to without one.