Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[crazyal]

My local Habitat ReStore always have a couple of timing lights on the shelf. Grampa dies and his stuff goes off to Habitiat. No one buys them - most have no idea what they are.

Just like 20 years ago with dwell meters.

 

[crazyal]

Folks bash the cheap HF 4" grinders but I have had good luck with mine. A $9 one finally bit the dust with the switch malfunctioning after 5 years of use. I bit the bullet and bought a replacement from DeWalt while at my local Atwoods. I bought the heavy duty 11 Amp one for $89 Plus 9.5% tax so right at 100 bucks. I looked at the lesser one (7 amp motor) for $59+tas but decided to go whole hog on the purchase. I still have 2 more HF paddle type, one with a broken lock pin so I will see how long those two last. BTW: I got the elcheapo HF grinder from my BIL after he nearly burned it up using a wire wheel. He got it so hot, he had to have on gloves to hold it and I still got 5 more years of use. I used it with a cutoff wheel all the time and used it a lot.

I had a couple of the cheap HF ones but, and more me than the grinder, I often need to do a serious amount of grinding. The HF ones hate it if you lean on them. In no time flat they get so hot you can barely hold them. I have a 13 amp DeWalt that I can't stop. 5 plus years now and no matter how hard I push it keeps going. I'm sure if I slowed down the HF ones most likely would of done the job but at some point speed vs saving a few bucks comes into play.

 

[LouNY]

I have a few of the Harbor Freight 4 1/2" grinders, I keep differnt discs and wire brushes on them so it is just pick it up and go.
When I have to do some really serious grind i also have a 9" Milwaukee that resides under my work bench a heavy old beast of a grinder
that will give you a workout just manhandling it around. I would guess that it may get a couple of hours use a year compared to most likely over 100 hours on the small ones.
The small HF ones have held up almost as good as the name brand small ones over the years.

 

[3Ts]

All the Habitat Restores around here have gone to being little boutique stores.. dishes, housewares and other useless garbage. Used to be good stuff in them, building supplies, tools stuff like that. disappointing!

I went to them for supplies when we built our cabin, e.g. sinks, doors, etc. What I found is that the identical item between them and the big box store is that the big box store was cheaper and in better condition and available in more than just ones or twos. It actually cost me more for the travel to get to the Habitat Restore and more for the item (if they had it).

 

[5030]

Been to our local store, was not impressed.

 

[dragoneggs]

Same exact hose i ordered. don't forget some fittings to replace the hose from the reel to the compressor.

Pretty much plug and play... wasn't able to get the protective metal spiral spring wrap that came with the HF hose reel over the new hose but I will make a sheath later. And wouldn't you know it... all done and I found a perfectly good blue hose hanging on the wall nearby! :duh:

 

[Ford850]

Pretty much plug and play... wasn't able to get the protective metal spiral spring wrap that came with the HF hose reel over the new hose but I will make a sheath later. And wouldn't you know it... all done and I found a perfectly good blue hose hanging on the wall nearby! :duh:

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I've had a Flexilla hose for several years and I love how it stays flexible no matter how cold it is. That makes it easy to retract in my reel. Funny - I have al old blue hose hanging up too, but it needs a repair. It's been there for many years and my son wanted to revive it last month, but it's so stiff now I told him not to bother since I'll never use it.

 

[herm0016]

the deep cut bandsaw is 89 bucks now... that's very tempting. you guys approve of that tool? ill get a good blade.

 

[hunt4570]

the deep cut bandsaw is 89 bucks now... that's very tempting. you guys approve of that tool? ill get a good blade.

Ought to supply a link so we know what you are referring to.

 

[California]

the deep cut bandsaw is 89 bucks now... that's very tempting. you guys approve of that tool? ill get a good blade.

This one? Here's the coupon from hfqpdb.

I have the previous version, not as deep cut but it works fine for my occasional use. HF's original blade is apparently for wood. I went to an industrial supply place and got a pro metal cutting-blade for it. Recommended, if the new version is as good.