Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Pixguy]

Looks like I'm ordering a 44" tool chest this weekend with the 10% off because they're out of stock with most colors. White? No thanks

 

[rangerfredbob]

The boxes are great, I'm getting used to the latches on my 56" box, the 44" I have in the garage is nice... it's odd going from the latches on the main top and bottom to no latches on the side cabinets but I'll get used to it, especially after I finalize what's in what drawer...

This week I picked up the 20 gallon oil drain thing I ordered a couple weeks ago when it was on sale. My only complaint is the male pipe threads for the upright are over cut, both on the tank outlet and the chromed pipe for the funnel, both just threaded on until the threads bottomed out... so ~5 wraps of tape it is... otherwise it's a neat setup, now I just need to get the lift installed so I can use it as intended .

I also picked up a Bauer leaf blower, it's not bad but not as refined as I expected, no trigger just a thumb wheel with 0, 1 and 2... The Lynxx is nicer, I'm sure the new brand is nice too, even the "workshop blower" from Bauer has a variable speed trigger and 3 speeds... Whatever, for $42 open box I can't complain, and for whatever reason in the box was a 3/8" flex ratchet head (no handle) and a little baggie of pop rivets... you never really know with open box returns

 

[Diggin It]

Ratchets? Power Ratchets? Do we REALLY need power ratchets? $100 power ratchets?

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Ratchets? Power Ratchets? Do we REALLY need power ratchets? $100 power ratchets?

In certain situations... YES!

I just bought a tractor, and the same thing could be said about it.

 

[BravoXray]

Ratchets? Power Ratchets? Do we REALLY need power ratchets? $100 power ratchets?

I agree. If you're that lazy, get someone else to do it for you.

 

[sd455dan]

Just bought the 12k badlands winch with the 90 day warranty also spent another $90 for the extended warranty.
Wondering if i wasted money- for something that I won't need.

Anyone bought the 12k winch and have problems early on?

 

[Fallon]

Just bought the 12k badlands winch with the 90 day warranty also spent another $90 for the extended warranty.
Wondering if i wasted money- for something that I won't need.

Anyone bought the 12k winch and have problems early on?

Only used mine a couple times in a couple years. Holding up fine for loading a few cars & logs on the trailer. It lost the fight but didn't break when I started a game of tug-of-war between 8k lbs of tractor & the trailer testing out my welds for the receiver I put on the front of the trailer. The HF winch cradle didn't fit well or hold up, but one off Amazon, my welds & the winch are still going strong.

 

[L353963]

Their table saws are cheesy and not accurate. Spoiled by Delta contractors saw, not very portable, however. The jackhammer is an exact copy of an older premium machine and works very well. Cement mixer ok as well. However had to assemble 2 to get a working one. 1st one failed to operate. The plate compactor also works very well. Not worth renting one if you have a patio or walkway to do, just buy theirs. All of their tools are Chinese copies of tools made elsewhere. The best ones are from factories in China that make components for well known mfrs. Sometimes if you print out the owners manuals, they have actually, accidentally left the other mfr name in the manual.

 

[sd455dan]

Only used mine a couple times in a couple years. Holding up fine for loading a few cars & logs on the trailer. It lost the fight but didn't break when I started a game of tug-of-war between 8k lbs of tractor & the trailer testing out my welds for the receiver I put on the front of the trailer. The HF winch cradle didn't fit well or hold up, but one off Amazon, my welds & the winch are still going strong.

Your uses are very similar to what i will be doing, starting with moving several non running vehicles from another property. The tilt trailer will not allow me to open the doors once driven or pulled up on the bed.
Looking forward to No more contorting to crawl out of the drivers window or having to "come along" a a truck up an inclined ramp.
Will also be cutting some standing dead trees from another property for firewood which has some really tight areas that a winch will definitely be helpful getting the logs to where they can be grabbed with a grapple.

I also bought that receiver hitch mount from HF and it does seem "light duty" compared to the winch, it is meant to contain. Needed the versatility to mount the winch to any rig/tractor I have with a receiver hitch. Since wife was headed to town and i was cutting steel to make a mount for the receiver there was no ability to check out the mount first
She also made the warranty choice for me. Said they told her it was the "idiot proof" warranty- Now I know why she bought it for me.

ps. Sounds like I should have had her buy the extra warranty for the winch cradle mount instead of the actual winch. Then again if it is weak in general it does not look like there is any easy way to beef the entire structure up enough.

What failed on the HF cradle? and what amazon unit did you choose to replace it?


Thanks for the info /experience it is appreciated.

 

[Fallon]

Your uses are very similar to what i will be doing, starting with moving several non running vehicles from another property. The tilt trailer will not allow me to open the doors once driven or pulled up on the bed.
Looking forward to No more contorting to crawl out of the drivers window or having to "come along" a a truck up an inclined ramp.
Will also be cutting some standing dead trees from another property for firewood which has some really tight areas that a winch will definitely be helpful getting the logs to where they can be grabbed with a grapple.

I also bought that receiver hitch mount from HF and it does seem "light duty" compared to the winch, it is meant to contain. Needed the versatility to mount the winch to any rig/tractor I have with a receiver hitch. Since wife was headed to town and i was cutting steel to make a mount for the receiver there was no ability to check out the mount first
She also made the warranty choice for me. Said they told her it was the "idiot proof" warranty- Now I know why she bought it for me.

ps. Sounds like I should have had her buy the extra warranty for the winch cradle mount instead of the actual winch. Then again if it is weak in general it does not look like there is any easy way to beef the entire structure up enough.

What failed on the HF cradle? and what amazon unit did you choose to replace it?


Thanks for the info /experience it is appreciated.

Amazon.com: ORCISH Bumper Hitch Receiver Winch Mount Mounting Plate - 15000 Lb Capacity …: Home Improvement the carry arms/handles failed because of some bad rigging. It wasn't rated for 12k, only 9k if I recall, so wasn't to surprising. The mounting plate was very thin & light for the purpose. I like the adjustable handles on the Amazon one, makes for a more compact unit.

Photos of when the winch finally stalled out. Pulled fine on the grass/sand & the start of the trailer. But better traction & the tilted deck let the brakes beat the winch.

I think there are wireless remotes for em, but I only have the stock wired one. I have a wireless for the power tilting deck. It's super nice for loading & unloading the tractor. Key fob just hangs in the cab.

 

[joeyd]

Just my luck I'd get distracted and winch the tractor all the way and put the forks into my tailgate.

 

[5030]

Modern pickup truck tailgates are pretty chintzy today.

 

[Fallon]

Just my luck I'd get distracted and winch the tractor all the way and put the forks into my tailgate.

Lol, I was expecting my bubblegum welds holding the receiver tube to the front of the trailer or maybe even the front of the trailer go. No way I'd take my eyes off things.

 

[4570Man]

Amazon.com: ORCISH Bumper Hitch Receiver Winch Mount Mounting Plate - 15000 Lb Capacity …: Home Improvement the carry arms/handles failed because of some bad rigging. It wasn't rated for 12k, only 9k if I recall, so wasn't to surprising. The mounting plate was very thin & light for the purpose. I like the adjustable handles on the Amazon one, makes for a more compact unit.

Photos of when the winch finally stalled out. Pulled fine on the grass/sand & the start of the trailer. But better traction & the tilted deck let the brakes beat the winch.

I think there are wireless remotes for em, but I only have the stock wired one. I have a wireless for the power tilting deck. It's super nice for loading & unloading the tractor. Key fob just hangs in the cab.View attachment 695156View attachment 695158

Why wouldn’t you just drive the tractor on the trailer? I’ve hauled a fair bit on a rollback and I always drive running equipment and pull dead loads.

 

[4570Man]

Modern pickup truck tailgates are pretty chintzy today.

Like any pickup tailgate ever would survive getting hit with forks.

 

[sd455dan]

Photos of when the winch finally stalled out. Pulled fine on the grass/sand & the start of the trailer. But better traction & the tilted deck let the brakes beat the winch.

Why wouldn’t you just drive the tractor on the trailer? I’ve hauled a fair bit on a rollback and I always drive running equipment and pull dead loads.

UH as he said in the earlier post- to test the welds on the freshly installed receiver hitch.

Already moved a couple cars after winching them on my tilt 20 foot trailer- and so far the 12k winch did fine. Also the HF receiver mount already distorted enough that to get the cradle out of the receiver i built, had to use the winch pulling against the trailer to remove it. HF definitely made it of to thin material.

 

[KubotainNH]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Air Punch/Flange Tool or any other brand that's good but in a similar price range?

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[5030]

I do have their air powered metal shears and they work well.

 

[flyerdan]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Air Punch/Flange Tool or any other brand that's good but in a similar price range?

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

I have that punch, it works fine. That's a pretty good price as well, I think it was around $50 when I got mine.

 

[daugen]

highly recommend watching this Youtube channel
Most tests have several HF tools in them, so you can compare Bauer and other HF against the rest of the market.
Sometimes HF does ok, mid pack, and sometime they really fail, as you would expect from buying at the
bottom of the price range.

To me it's all about value. If I pay more I want to get more. But take a look at the recent step drill test and see how one brand just blew everyone
else away. That's the one you want for hard jobs.
I admit this guy's voice wears on me a little but his content is excellent. And he rigs up some very interesting test equipment.
For a tool guy I think this is some of the best content on the internet
Using the better cut off blade for example can sure save some hard work.