Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[daugen]

Used reciprocating saw blades, partially wrapped in tape for a handle, work too.

great idea. Or make your own handle in wood

My farm had a custom tile shower with zero soft grout. Now renting a home with lots of caulk in bathroom. First thing I did was
dig it out and replace it, no amount of bleach spray on it would make it look ok.
So I wish I had used this handy little device. Don't want to scratch the tile, might need a straight bladed razor knife too.
Messy job but always looks so much better when you are done.

 

[KubotainNH]

Used reciprocating saw blades, partially wrapped in tape for a handle, work too.

I was thinking something similar. Attach an old blade to a worn out screwdriver. Heat the screwdriver up and bend it to where it's comfy.

 

[California]

Used reciprocating saw blades, partially wrapped in tape for a handle, work too.

Or half a hacksaw blade with tape for a handle. This may be thinner than a reciprocating saw blade.

Also after making a tape handle, then sharpen the back side of the hacksaw blade to a knife edge to make an additional useful tool. I've made tools of both types to dig out paint between a sash window and the channel it should slide up/down in.

 

[California]

We had a two day power outage here at the house in town, where I cobbled together junk to make an old UPS into a charger for our several phones. So I went looking for a modern Li-Ion jump starter that could do this more elegantly, and leave the big battery for the lighting we need to cook. (Gas stove and floor heaters, thankfully!)

'Project Farm' on YouTube compared several Li-Ion jump starters. HF's Viking didn't do so well. There are others with double the power at a similar price. The models Project Farm tested were all recommended by his subscribers so these all should be better than random.

This YouTube link hits at the 20 minute point where Project Farm lists results of his slow-discharge tests, the aspect I was interested in. He also tested these chargers for cranking tractors, and for capability at cold winter temperatures. They rank a little differently for those tests.

After watching this, today I ordered an Imazing unit from Amazon. Project Farm's description text above the video's comments has Amazon links for the models he tested.

Best Car Jump Starter? NOCO GB70 vs Antigravity, Schumacher, Gooloo, Tacklife. Let's find out! - YouTube

 

[rangerfredbob]

I was plasma cutting some steel yesterday using some gas welding goggles, not being able to see what the heck I was doing being frustrated with the weather and the cramped garage (I need a shop to work on the projects needed to build a shop, it's complicated...). So I decided I was going to go to HFT at lunch to pick up a new helmet, do the normal and cruise by the open box section right inside the door and find two Vulcan helmets in bags for $105 each, snabbed one instead of getting the $55 version I was going to get... and I have NO REGERTS!!! That helmet is amazing, I could see what I was doing, my eyes feel great after welding from not having any surprise flashes, super clear... Between that and my Titanium MIG 170 it almost made it look like I knew what I was doing... I haven't taken a wire brush to them but they look even...

 

[5030]

I was plasma cutting some steel yesterday using some gas welding goggles, not being able to see what the heck I was doing being frustrated with the weather and the cramped garage (I need a shop to work on the projects needed to build a shop, it's complicated...). So I decided I was going to go to HFT at lunch to pick up a new helmet, do the normal and cruise by the open box section right inside the door and find two Vulcan helmets in bags for $105 each, snabbed one instead of getting the $55 version I was going to get... and I have NO REGERTS!!! That helmet is amazing, I could see what I was doing, my eyes feel great after welding from not having any surprise flashes, super clear... Between that and my Titanium MIG 170 it almost made it look like I knew what I was doing... I haven't taken a wire brush to them but they look even...

I have a rather ancient Hobart variable shade hood I use for everything. I turn the shade down for plasma and up for MIG, SMAW and TIG. Good hood. Might check out a HF one, mine is pretty old.

I've heard the HF welders are pretty good as well. Least the higher buck ones.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have been using their now $44 one for years with no problem. Really like it. Set for the most rapid response.

Ron

 

[rangerfredbob]

I have a few of the cheap ones, the batteries have died on the black one, got the blue one last time and it was nice with the grind setting but it's battery died too I think but worse is the head gear pivot part on one side broke so it's lopsided which is annoying... went to the store to get the red one and ended up with the Vulcan... Not picky, just decided to try a nice one, I imagine it'll be nicer in goofy positions...

 

[Travelover]

I have been using their now $44 one for years with no problem. Really like it. Set for the most rapid response.

Ron

What is a $44 one?

 

[rangerfredbob]

probably THIS GUY or THIS ONE, main benefit of the blue over black is the grind mode on the knob.