Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[5030]

All I know is, DeWalt batteries are insanely expensive (so are Milwaukee packs). I've been through 3 DeWalt cordless drill drivers now. 1 hammer and 2 regular ones for an average of 150 clams a toss and 100 bucks (average) for the XR packs, I'm on my (I think) 4th pack now. The DeWalt I have now is getting pretty raggy. When it expires I'll replace it with a Bauer 20 volt for 69 bucks (everyday) versus the $150 plus DeWalt.

I'm not a home brew fiddler and I know you can rebuild them at home but that isn't me. I have more pressing things to do, like farm and maintain farming equipment, nit fiddle with 100 buck packs.

 

[5030]

This winter, I need to motorize my apple masher. No more cranking it.

 

[hunt4570]

All of those sound tasty!

I have three of the old big Coleman 3-burner gas camp stoves and use one - fueled from a propane cylinder - at an outdoor sink occasionally when all the relatives come to visit the ranch. I have enough adapters, hoses, fittings to run all three. The center burner on these is hotter than a kitchen stove and the additional burners are at least equal.

Someday for a large canning project I'll set up an outdoor production line using these.

Hmmmm I might have to look into something like that, it might just work. I've an old Coleman 2 burner stove, but I don't think its big enough for the two large pots I use

 

[hunt4570]

Ryobi here too. I found a Remington pole saw for $10 less battery and charger. Used a Ryobi flashlight as a battery holder (photo) to power it. Got up on the ladder and cut an oak branch that was chafing my powerline into my house - the same issue that was one cause for the severe wildfires in Northern California.

That hack was ugly but it got the job done. Here's my post where I described it in this thread in 2017. And another post showing it after I proved it worked. Later I moved the battery assembly to a fanny pack, that made the pole saw lighter, more maneuverable. I trimmed quite a bit of oak with it to get overhead clearance for the harvest transport trucks.

Then this year I bought Ryobi's 18v pole saw. It's lighter and the saw end is simpler, compared to the Remington that tended to get caught in small overhead branches. The Remington's chain and bar were apparently new and are interchangeable with Ryobi (both Oregon). The Remington was the best $10 I've spent recently!

I don't think I'd buy a Ryobi to save my soul.. junk in my opinion.. but that's me.

 

[hunt4570]

This winter, I need to motorize my apple masher. No more cranking it.

Just got done with a big (for me) batch of canned tomatoes and applesauce.. all produce from Hastings Michigan.. you anywhere near there?

 

[DMax82]

This morning I bought some zip ties, 24oz hammer, 4lb hand sledge hammer, and a splitting wedge. Had a 30% off coupon for 5 items under $10.

 

[Oaktree]

I don't think I'd buy a Ryobi to save my soul.. junk in my opinion.. but that's me.

I used to think that until someone gave me a couple Ryobi 18v tools (but no battery). When I discovered the batteries were compatible with their newer tools I picked up a drill/driver kit and just swap the batteries around as needed. They've stood up very well. The reciprocating saw is my go-to one. Battery life is good...better than some other brands I've used.

Interestingly, the worst experience I've had with cordless tools is Makita...the brand many consider to be the holy grail.

 

[Oaktree]

Yesterday I got the Lynx pole saw out to do a little trimming and when I went to put it back in the tractor bucket I saw that the extension pole was bent right where it attaches to the saw.This is an engineered piece of tubing and probably the strongest part of the saw.I've only used this saw 5 or 6 times and always on limbs up to about 4" and never have dropped or banged it against anything that I know of but something smacked it pretty good.I started to just cut the end off and re- attach the saw end to good material but thought better of it and called H.F. customer service.After the usual long wait I finally got a lady to talk to and explained what had happened and asked if I could buy a replacement extension pole.She checked and said that the only serviceable parts were the battery and blade. She then asked when I had bought the saw and I told her it was 8/10/19 so she said it was under warranty for 90 days so I could take it back to the store for replacement.I took it in this morning fully expecting to be told it was abuse and not covered but ,to my surprise, the clerk called someone in the back to bring up a replacement.While waiting I asked her if the new saw would have a 90 day warranty so she checked the computer and found a deal where I not only got the 90 day but could buy the extended warranty for $6.00,giving me 15 months warranty.I jumped all over that and as we were finishing up I remembered that I had forgotten to bring in the battery and charger. She said not to worry about it just keep it for a spare.

That is what I call customer service and not the first time I have been treated great every time I've had a problem with any of their products.

If yours is anything like the first one I bought you were smart to get the extended warranty. After maybe 5-6 hours of use (not continuous) a gear stripped in the motor assembly. Of course the 30 day warranty was up, but my local HF store said they'd replace it if I bought the extended warranty on the new one. What a deal, who else would have done that? And the warranty is still in effect on the replacement! (no problems with it yet)

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

If yours is anything like the first one I bought you were smart to get the extended warranty. After maybe 5-6 hours of use (not continuous) a gear stripped in the motor assembly. Of course the 30 day warranty was up, but my local HF store said they'd replace it if I bought the extended warranty on the new one. What a deal, who else would have done that? And the warranty is still in effect on the replacement! (no problems with it yet)

Hey I'm glad they replaced your saw for you. Are you sure the gear was stripped? If the same thing happened to your saw that happened to mine, it was an easy fix:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chainsaws/414897-had-fix-my-harbor-freight.html

 

[Diggin It]

Had a 30% off coupon for 5 items under $10.

I've been looking for that one again. Good through 11/10 this time, so maybe ....