Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

Fallon · Oct 28, 2019

Tractor Seabee said:
Like my previous, seem that Ryobi developed an 18V system that has been very successful, but when they went to 40V it has not panned out well. Hope they get it fixed so I can use my investment in outdoor tools.

Ron

I'm hoping so too. I have 8-10 One+ batteries & probably 2 dozen tools strewn about. Not perfect at all, but good homeowner gear. I've ended up with 2 of their 40v trimmers somehow & no issues yet, but not much use yet.

hunt4570 · Oct 29, 2019

5030 said:
I could never 'live' with a battery powered 'weed wacker'. I don't wack weeds for the most part, I mow them. I use my Stihl straight shaft brush cutter with a scratcher blade most of the time and some of the time with a toothed blade to cut saplings on the ditch bank.

I agree with that and I too use my Stihl brushcutter to do mine...BUT... after reading all this was thinking a cordless electric one would be nice for just trimming grass around the patio and such rather than get out the big dog.. been thinking about it lately. Probably wouldn't go HF or Ryobi though..

Oaktree · Oct 29, 2019

5030 said:
I could never 'live' with a battery powered 'weed wacker'. I don't wack weeds for the most part, I mow them. I use my Stihl straight shaft brush cutter with a scratcher blade most of the time and some of the time with a toothed blade to cut saplings on the ditch bank.

I can see how they might be OK for a suburbanite who just wants to trim around flower beds, bushes, mailbox, etc. (and they're quiet which is nice) but yeah, most of the trimming I do is brushier stuff or for extended enough periods where a battery might not hold up too.

Same for HF's (or anyone else's) AC powered pole saw. Almost none of the trimming I use one for is anywhere within extension cord range of an outlet, and don't really feel like lugging a small generator around. Again, maybe good for suburbanites but less useful for us rural folk. :confused3:

hunt4570 · Oct 29, 2019

Oaktree said:
I can see how they might be OK for a suburbanite who just wants to trim around flower beds, bushes, mailbox, etc. (and they're quiet which is nice) but yeah, most of the trimming I do is brushier stuff or for extended enough periods where a battery might not hold up too.

Same for HF's (or anyone else's) AC powered pole saw. Almost none of the trimming I use one for is anywhere within extension cord range of an outlet, and don't really feel like lugging a small generator around. Again, maybe good for suburbanites but less useful for us rural folk. :confused3:

Yes, to all that... suburbanites and us "country folk" definitely require a different set of tools!

Fallon · Oct 29, 2019

hunt4570 said:
I agree with that and I too use my Stihl brushcutter to do mine...BUT... after reading all this was thinking a cordless electric one would be nice for just trimming grass around the patio and such rather than get out the big dog.. been thinking about it lately. Probably wouldn't go HF or Ryobi though..

I'm tired of messing with carbs, fuel & what not on my brush cutters. I have a very high end Stihl from 20 years ago. I've replaced it with a Ryobi 40v to avoid messing with the carbs. It's not as powerful, but the lack of any required maintenance makes it more productive overall by a good margin. 2 batteries give me 25 minutes or so each, which is plenty for my needs most of the time.

5030 · Oct 29, 2019

Fallon said:
I'm tired of messing with carbs, fuel & what not on my brush cutters. I have a very high end Stihl from 20 years ago. I've replaced it with a Ryobi 40v to avoid messing with the carbs. It's not as powerful, but the lack of any required maintenance makes it more productive overall by a good margin. 2 batteries give me 25 minutes or so each, which is plenty for my needs most of the time.

Different scenario's require different tools. 25 minutes isn't nearly enough for me and I seriously doubt any cordless trimmer has the guts to spin a metal scratcher blade, let alone a toothed one (I can run a circular table saw blade if I wanted to but I run a brush blade mist of the time. Never have gas issues, I either use Marine Stabil or canned gas. That might change if the gummit starts this 15% corn alcohol in pump gas crap but then most small engines built today will seize up on 15% by volume anyway. Not built for it. In reality not built for any alcohol in the fuel.

5030 · Oct 29, 2019

I think my next HF purchase will be an electric pole saw. Have a hand one (Corona) and it's a PITA to use. Torn between the Lynx 40 volt ($170 clams not on sale) and the corded Chicago Electric one, 79 clams not on sale but subject to a 20 off coupon which the Lynx isn't. Don't really want a cordless and I have a gob of all weather extension cords.

Both have Oregon bars and Oregon chains so I wonder what the works are like or of comparable? Whatever I get, I'll get the extended warranty as I fully expect to break it at some point. I tend to buy HF stuff and run the bags out of it right off to see it it will break and if it does, return it for another or a refund. However a pole saw will get intermittent use.

lostcreekranch · Oct 29, 2019

I trimmed three live oaks last week, using my Lynxx 40V pole saw only. It still had more than 50% battery capacity left when I finished. I also have the 40V chain saw and blower.

Industrial Toys · Oct 29, 2019

I live on large acerage, much of it kept park like. I love the 40volt Oregon Trimmer. If you do regular trimming, there is simply never a need for a heavier machine, and of course I have them too. I also, never ran out of juice on the Oregon, as that is way more trimming than I would want to do in one go anyway.

Also have the pole saw and self sharpening chainsaw, which enticed me to get into the whole line.