Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[rangerfredbob]

Apparently THESE fit as well, and a 5 pack for $9 isn't bad...

 

[lostcreekranch]

Apparently THESE fit as well, and a 5 pack for $9 isn't bad...

So .. your arbor is 3/8"?

 

[rangerfredbob]

I haven't measured, but one of the answered questions said it fit

 

[Oaktree]

I bought one of these benches a couple weeks ago, and I'd put it in the "doesn't suck" category. I notice it's on sale for $69.99 this weekend, I got it new years with a 25% off coupon for only a couple dollars more.

Went together in maybe 3 hr, and seems pretty solid. Not sure I'd use it in an unheated shed or other place that might be damp since the pegboard back and the drawer bottoms didn't seem like they'd stand up too well to dampness, but we're using it in a utility room in the house so that should be fine. Bench top & shelves are plastic-covered 5/8" particle board, but for what we use it for should be OK. Not something I'd put a vise on or use for metalworking/carpentry though.
The included light wasn't very bright so I replaced it with a 3' LED shoplight.

 

[BukitCase]

I bought one of the benches Oaktree linked thinking it'd be faster than building one myself; it probably was, by at least a few hours. Included light was crap, so I cut the ends of the top pieces out to fit a 4' LED shop lamp.

the ONLY thing that's worth saving when I get time to build my own, is that (not even HF) shop lamp. Other than that, it should be sold as a "flat surface for lightweight stuff" - The drawers FALL OUT if you put more than a couple pencils in 'em, it's my own fault for the temporary insanity of swallowing HF's "industrial, heavy duty, professional, etc, BS.

If/when I get time, I'll build one. When I do, I'll probably just fold the pieces of this one up (yeah, they really ARE that thin) and toss 'em in the garbage. Either that, or maybe keep it for working on electronics stuff.

To be fair, this 5 ton splitter
5 ton 12 Amp Electric Log Splitter

has worked FAR better than I woulda hoped - makes kindling out of straighter wood pieces quick and easy, takes a fairly knarly chunk to bog it down... Steve

 

[Ford850]

I have one of those cabinets. I love it. Well made and heavy materials. Use it as my O/A center as it has racks for two cylinders and O/A rod. I am considering adding a 1/2" plate to the top for a welding bench. Drill and tap it for a vise and for work hold down clamps. I sold my big (2.5' X 4') welding bench when moving /downsizing and sure miss it. My new garage is much smaller so space is now a problem as my other half insists on parking her car in one side. I also have the smaller unit for MIG/TIG that I have my AC buzz box on for my arc welding center. It is also is a great unit. Not set up yet as I have not been doing shop work. A welding project is in the offing so plan to work on my equipment set up. Will make a rack to hold 3 HF 4 1/2" grinders; cutoff, 1/4" grind wheel, and wire brush. Hate changing discs all the time.

Ron

How’s that Vulcan welding cart #63179 holding up for you?

 

[Travelover]

I bought one of these benches a couple weeks ago, and I'd put it in the "doesn't suck" category. I notice it's on sale for $69.99 this weekend, I got it new years with a 25% off coupon for only a couple dollars more..........

I've had one of these for a couple of years and it has worked out fine. I've had to re-tighten the bolts a few times (use Loktite if you buy one), but for the money it does the trick - I even have a medium sized vice mounted to it. Now, if you do heavy duty mechanical work like reefing on suspension parts, you'll want something beefier.

 

[Threepoint]

I've had one of these for a couple of years and it has worked out fine. I've had to re-tighten the bolts a few times (use Loktite if you buy one), but for the money it does the trick - I even have a medium sized vice mounted to it. Now, if you do heavy duty mechanical work like reefing on suspension parts, you'll want something beefier.

I've had one in a bay of our barn for over 15 years. It's been a good addition for lightweight work. The particle board top (maybe 1/2" or 5/8") has warped pretty badly from the ambient humidity, but that's no big deal at all.

 

[hunt4570]

So bought this "sand blaster" a while back, finally got a chance to use it yesterday. I thought it did real well getting the rust and old paint off an old vice I'm fixing up. Had a 25% off coupon so it cost me all of 20 bucks!

Portable Abrasive Blaster Kit

 

[stingray1]

How is it as far as capability? As we all know, HF tends to be a bit optimistic about capabilities of their tools, and as it is 1.5 ton seems a bit light duty for anything but an ATV or a very small car.

I also have this 1.5 ton aluminum jack,works great for my Corvettes.