Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[crazyal]

The metal tabs on Li-ion batteries are needed for soldering because soldering directly to the battery will most likely put too much heat into the battery and damage it. Surprisingly solder doesn't conduct electricity that well. For most applications it's not a problem but when it comes to batteries that can draw plenty of current it's not the best choice. If you have a cordless tool that you like but the battery pack is dead and you only have the means to connect replacement cells is with solder then it is what it is and you should do it. If you are going to solder I would suggest trying to keep the amount of solder between the tabs to a minimum. If using a copper wire I would flatten it out to lessen how much solder will be between the tab and the wire.

The springy wire things used for battery holders are for low draw devices, like a flash light. In the case of a modern cordless tool they draw a lot more power. These packs are used on things like chainsaws and lawnmowers.

 

[5030]

Spot weld the batteries into the tabs.

 

[California]

Spot weld the batteries into the tabs.

Aren't those the batteries (technology) that catch fire in phones, and can't be shipped in quantity? I've seen advice to leave battery replacement to the guys who do it all the time.

I've replaced Nicads in Norelco shavers but I thought LiIon was more difficult to work with safely.

 

[Grumpycat]

So where will you be in a couple of years when the batteries die (like all batteries do) and HF has moved on to the next latest and greatest idea they have for a brand? There are some places that replace the guts of battery modules, but at what cost?

Can you tell I'm beginning to get annoyed with HF's constant brand 'upgrading'?

Yes, that prospect is simply awful!

I'm worrying about my DeWalt 18V stuff. My 12V DeWalt stuff has long been abandoned.

 

[Grumpycat]

The batteries are usually welded together. Solder would work but adds resistance.

Batteries Plus used to have battery welders in-store. Plenty of YouTube videos showing how to build one of your own. Good online battery vendors will sell batteries welded together in any configuration you desire for nominal fee.

The issue with solder is not resistance but heat. The battery is exposed to much more heat soldering a tab than welding.

 

[Grumpycat]

Aren't those the batteries (technology) that catch fire in phones, and can't be shipped in quantity? I've seen advice to leave battery replacement to the guys who do it all the time.

I've replaced Nicads in Norelco shavers but I thought LiIon was more difficult to work with safely.

Lithium batteries connected to a circuit are a risk. Bare cells are not.

 

[Fallon]

Lithium batteries connected to a circuit are a risk. Bare cells are not.

No, actually they can be very problematic if punctured or what no when not connected to anything. The trade off for more energy density is more energy density. Not all "lithium" batteries are the same. Lithium ion batteries in your cell phones, laptops & other things can suffer from thermal runaway & catch fire. LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries are much safer & more stable. Not quite the energy density as other zlithium types though.

Handling bare cells & rebuilding battery packs isn't rocket science, but it does take some skill & training. You can figure it out from YouTube. But accidentally shorting out an unprotected cell can end very badly.

 

[boatmoter]

Harbor freight has a lot of great tools.. since I retired from being a Auto tech,I know longer share my pay checks with Snap-on & USA tools, if I need something,I go to Harbor freight.. found out that if you buy mig wire from them, it will not weld,the wire is garbage, get quality wire,the harbor freight welders are very good for the price

 

[crazyal]

The e bike crowd who build their own bikes make battery packs by buying individual cells and connecting them. There's plenty of videos on how to do it. I was just warning people that there's a bit more to it than one might think.

 

[MossRoad]

Harbor Freight big foot 700# capacity (I kinda doubt that) hand truck.

$35.00

I've had it for 3-4 years. Works great. I use a ratchet strap and cheap Harbor Freight moving quilts to protect furniture. I've moved couches, tables, roll-top desks, refrigerators, car transmissions... all kinds of stuff. I like this thing.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

700 lb. Capacity Bigfoot Hand Truck