Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[hunt4570]

I take this with me when I go out cutting limbs and trees to sharpen my chain, itç—´ faster then using the file but not as good as filing.

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Seems it would sharpen the outside of the teeth instead of the inside...

 

[DMax82]

I have the larger one, I think 8700 watts, Had it about 3 years now with no issues at all. I don't use it too often (normally power outages) but it always fires right up and does the job as intended.

Thanks for sharing, that's great to hear. They seem to have a fantastic reputation, I just hate spending money!

 

[Threepoint]

[snip] I just hate spending money!

I suspect most of us raised by parents who were part of the Greatest Generation feel that way. But tools are an established exception. The only real question should be, "Which tool will give me the best bang for the buck?" :laughing:

 

[DMax82]

Great point! I would also add "am I getting the best possible deal?". In this case I feel yes, given the $70 off coupon.

 

[5030]

I've been wrong before but with the price of the Stihl professional AP series I think it will around for a long time...

My Stihl battery chain saw continues to impress... had storm fall large Oak fall across the fire trail... grabbed the Battery Stihl and made quick work of all the large limbs... one had to be cut from two sides because the diameter is larger than the chain bar is long.

It is a real shame what is happening to small carb engines of the past... growing up we never had issues... the saws, mower, generator... etc... had original carbs for decades.

The 'cause' is all 100% ethanol gas. Nothing else. Get rid of the ethanol mandate and small engines will rejoice. Because I use my saws infrequently, I drain all the weasel pee out and then start them and run them dry before putting up. Saws especially because there is no float bowl (pumper carb) benefit from running dry and that works on a float carb ro if you are sure to use the choke to suck every last bit of gum gas out of the float bowl.

 

[4570Man]

The 'cause' is all 100% ethanol gas. Nothing else. Get rid of the ethanol mandate and small engines will rejoice. Because I use my saws infrequently, I drain all the weasel pee out and then start them and run them dry before putting up. Saws especially because there is no float bowl (pumper carb) benefit from running dry and that works on a float carb ro if you are sure to use the choke to suck every last bit of gum gas out of the float bowl.

I leave the fuel in my equipment and I’ve never had a problem with them and I burn ethanol free gas. I’ve never had a single carb problem on any on my equipment. I pick up free non running stuff pretty often and pretty much every time it’s a screwed up carb from e gas. I know that ethanol free gas isn’t easily available everywhere but it is here. If people had enough brain to not put e gas in their saw they’re going to use 10 minutes and toss aside until next year there wouldn’t be nearly as many complaints and non running equipment.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I’ve been treating all my ethanol contaminated gasoline with Stabil Marine 360 for about 5 years with very good results.

 

[ultrarunner]

Very interesting. About 40 years ago, my first chainsaw was a Sears Craftsman 14" with a self-sharpening mechanism like you describe. The saw was made for Sears by Poulon, and had what was called a "barracuda chain". The sharpening mechanism actually worked well, although the sharpening stone wore down fairly quickly, and it tended to remove a lot of steel. The chain teeth had a tall scythe-like design, very aggressive. Probably a consumer-safety nightmare by our standards today. I eventually started using standard chains and didn't bother with the onboard sharpener. That saw kept going for decades!

Still have the same saw but mine was made in Japan... The Barracuda worked very well... But, as you said very aggressive so eliminated from consumer market... that saw cost a lot on minimum wage!

 

[hunt4570]

I suspect most of us raised by parents who were part of the Greatest Generation feel that way. But tools are an established exception. The only real question should be, "Which tool will give me the best bang for the buck?" :laughing:

I was always taught about buying tools... Buy the best you can afford!

 

[Threepoint]

I was always taught about buying tools... Buy the best you can afford!

Yes, I agree with that in some cases. And, for that matter, there is a real value simply in knowing a particular tool I own is the best, even if the actual use I'll put it to will never require that level of quality.