Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[rangerfredbob]

I spent way more at HFT than I have in a long time if ever... took 2 trips... First was to take advantage of the 20% off anything if ITC member, since I'm building a shop I need a new toolbox so I can still have one in the garage... so the 54" blue US General box is on order with top chest, I love my 46" box in the garage... That was an expensive receipt...

While there I was wandering and noticed the LED shop lights were on sale, $18 no coupon needed for "early black friday" so I grabbed two and one of the double row. Turns out the sale lights aren't the linkable ones but whatever (of course found out after I got home). Since I'm building the shop and as of today there is zero evening light I needed to improvise, threw an extension cord overhead from the shed and am currently utilizing the pull cords. I went back and grabbed 4 more lights, some 3 way plug adapters and some extension cords and mounted all 7 lights and now it's bright!

 

[stuckmotor]

I bought a Non-Contact Voltage tester listed for $5.99. Non-Contact Voltage Tester
It worked great to find the wire coming out of my breaker box that wasn't hooked to anything. When I went to cap off a line to a switch in the bathroom it showed current at both sides of the switch whether it was on or off. I had to remove both lines and spread them apart to tell which was hot. A tester with adjustable sensitivity might have solved the problem. If such a thing exists, it probably cost more than $5.99 and I'm pleased with what I bought.

 

[Frankenkubota]

Went to buy a couple roller stands. I've got a bunch of 4x8 osb to rip and figured they would help.

Out of stock.

That's the problem, more times than not they do not have what they advertise. The gal was friendly but told me, just keep trying!

Order on line and pay big shipping and I don't think you can order online and pick up at store.

 

[John_Mc]

Nope. I'm cheap: Knockout Punch Kit, 10 Pc.

That looks like a decent deal, if you get more than a couple holes per die set. I've never really trusted Harbor Freight for tools that rely on quality heat treating to function well, especially their lower-end brands. (From looking at the reviews, I see others have reported issues with dulling after a couple of uses, threads stripping or dies deforming and jamming.)

I hope yours works out better for you. I think I'm going to pass on this one.

HArbor freight really needs to improve their search function. That set pues not come up if you type in "hole punch kit" into their search bar.

 

[TMGT]

That looks like a decent deal, if you get more than a couple holes per die set. I've never really trusted Harbor Freight for tools that rely on quality heat treating to function well, especially their lower-end brands. (From looking at the reviews, I see others have reported issues with dulling after a couple of uses, threads stripping or dies deforming and jamming.)

I hope yours works out better for you. I think I'm going to pass on this one.

HArbor freight really needs to improve their search function. That set pues not come up if you type in "hole punch kit" into their search bar.

I've done a number of holes in a heavy commercial box and they are holding up very well. If I was doing it commercially I'd go Greenlee or another major brand. For part time use they work very well. Keep the threads well greased and a little grease or even lite lube on the die itself helps them last.


I think a lot of the people having problems in the reviews maybe shouldn't be using them in the first place!

 

[stuckmotor]

Went to buy a couple roller stands. I've got a bunch of 4x8 osb to rip and figured they would help.

Out of stock.

That's the problem, more times than not they do not have what they advertise. The gal was friendly but told me, just keep trying!

Order on line and pay big shipping and I don't think you can order online and pick up at store.

This link to Den of Tools tells about checking in store availability on the HF web site.
Harbor Freight Adds #1 Requested Feature to their Website! (Check In-Store Availability) - YouTube
I've made it work one time. Not sure whether I don't have the procedure down or they're still working the bugs out.

 

[tookielee]

HF has a 25% off sale and I need a table saw so.

They have the Chicago for about $150 and their hercules about $325.

I'm leaning toward the hercules.

Anybody have input?

thx

I bought the Hercules, it's been great

Edit: I got the Hercules miter saw, not table saw. I got this table saw from Lowes, think I got
it for 399.00 on sale, I've been very pleased with it.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Metabo-HPT...bide-Tipped-Blade-15-Amp-Table-Saw/1001279880

 

[Ford850]

This link to Den of Tools tells about checking in store availability on the HF web site.
Harbor Freight Adds #1 Requested Feature to their Website! (Check In-Store Availability) - YouTube
I've made it work one time. Not sure whether I don't have the procedure down or they're still working the bugs out.

I noticed that over the weekend. It's a great update to the site, and as long as it's an item stocked in stores it does show up as In Stock, Limited Stock, or Out of Stock.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Note that harbor freight now has a replacement part program.

Harbor Freight Parts

 

[dragoneggs]

That looks like a decent deal, if you get more than a couple holes per die set. I've never really trusted Harbor Freight for tools that rely on quality heat treating to function well, especially their lower-end brands. (From looking at the reviews, I see others have reported issues with dulling after a couple of uses, threads stripping or dies deforming and jamming.)

I can speak for the HF chisels and punches set. They don't belong in this thread. HT is the problem.