Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Rock Crawler]

At 200 bucks and a flux core marginal amperage welder, I'd say it qualifies as a disposa-welder.

Yes, really... what do you want? I've got a $1600 Thermal Arc commercial welder with crane lifting points built in....I consider it disposable now... 15 years later. If I burn the torch, you go buy a generic Tweaco style, if a board fries.... go buy a new welder.

 

[California]

Took a chance on the Admiral 7 1/4 " metal blade. What a pleasant surprise! Cut some 5/16 angle with very pleasant results. Smooth cutting, no burrs and no overheating of the metal. ... for $19, I'm quite pleased.

Dang another HF tool I hadn't realized that I need!

 

[5030]

Yes, really... what do you want? I've got a $1600 Thermal Arc commercial welder with crane lifting points built in....I consider it disposable now... 15 years later. If I burn the torch, you go buy a generic Tweaco style, if a board fries.... go buy a new welder.

It's Tweco but I know what you meant.

 

[California]

I have many of Ryobi 18 V tools. Some I have had for at least twenty years and I can still get batteries. I know there are better tools out there but Ryobi works for me at a price thats not too bad.

Agree.

Their present Li-Ion 18 volt batteries fit any Ryobi 18v tool no matter how old. These present batteries are lighter, more powerful, hold a charge longer, and remain useful longer. I have '2014' written on the first Li-Ion I bought and its still useful. This 18 volt Ryobi series is what HF should have been selling all along instead of changing battery style a dozen (?) times over a couple of decades making their old tools useless.

 

[buck12]

Agree.

Their present Li-Ion 18 volt batteries fit any Ryobi 18v tool no matter how old. These present batteries are lighter, more powerful, hold a charge longer, and remain useful longer. I have '2014' written on the first Li-Ion I bought and its still useful. This 18 volt Ryobi series is what HF should have been selling all along instead of changing battery style a dozen (?) times over a couple of decades making their old tools useless.

I am still adding tools. My next will be the grinder.

 

[RichZ]

I bought one of the US General 22" x 26" tool storage cabinets a couple of years ago. I've been very happy with it, except for one thing: the mice are also very happy with it. Evey few months, I find a drawer filled with chewed up paper towels & rags, seeds/grain/nuts, and LOTS of mouse poop. Does anyone have suggestions on how to mouse-proof one of these things?

Put a few moth balls in each drawer. That works really well to keep mice out.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I bought one of the US General 22" x 26" tool storage cabinets a couple of years ago. I've been very happy with it, except for one thing: the mice are also very happy with it. Evey few months, I find a drawer filled with chewed up paper towels & rags, seeds/grain/nuts, and LOTS of mouse poop. Does anyone have suggestions on how to mouse-proof one of these things?

I've been very satisfied with my 4 piece US General set. Well, I guess I'm disappointed that it's over full with tools and now I'm looking at adding another 72" base to give me room to expand.

But for quality, weight handling, bearing slides and choices in various drawer sizes.... I'm very happy.

 

[Travelover]

Put a few moth balls in each drawer. That works really well to keep mice out.

I put moth balls, Irish Spring soap and dryer sheets in my camper to keep out the mice. They build nests out of the dry sheets right on top of the moth balls and ate the soap.

 

[buck12]

I put moth balls, Irish Spring soap and dryer sheets in my camper to keep out the mice. They build nests out of the dry sheets right on top of the moth balls and ate the soap.

Moth balls never worked for when I tried to keep mice away from tractor. What did work was a bean bag like thing I purchased at the local Co Op. I think it was just sawdust soaked in peppermint oil. I would have to replace them every two or three months but they kept my seat and wires safe until I bought a shipping container.

 

[California]

I am still adding [Ryobi] tools. My next will be the grinder.

The angle grinder? I see there are two of them now, $45 and $99. I have the first one. It's real convenient but not that powerful. Only 6500 rpm vs the more common 13,000 rpm. It's great with a cup brush for cleaning flux-core slag between welding passes. No cord to get snarled up in! It also worked well with a flap disc. But its no more powerful than HF's $9 DrillMaster for actual grinding. For remote use, maybe with a cutting wheel for fenceposts or something, it would be ideal.

I got that one when I wanted another battery so buying the combo pack made the net cost of the angle grinder very reasonable.

Has anyone tried the new $99 version?

Added: I went looking for reviews of the $99 grinder. Reviews on Amazon are very favorable. Except some people who bought the 'refurb' version for $20 less, received random quality. I've had good luck with 'Amazon Warehouse' discount items, clearly described as 'packaging damaged', minor scratches (so what?) or something that is likely a customer return that tested ok. Those have simple return privileges. I don't care if the manual is missing for $20 off. But I've avoided third-party sellers listed after Amazon Warehouse, those sound like a frustration-maker.

One common theme in the reviews is this larger one needs Ryobi's more powerful 18 volt batteries, 3AH or better.