Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[jjeff]

I have a number of them For as cheap as they are, when I find the smoke they go to the landfill and I fire up another. Think I have 5 or so presently. That is equal to one Metabo.

Are we talking about the real metabo grinders or the big box store versions of the 4.5" $40-50 metabo?

 

[California]

My HF $10 grinder has a wire brush wheel and stays with my welding gear, dedicated to cleaning new weld beads. Plenty of power for that. It isn't run long enough to overheat. It works well for that application. No complaints.

I have better angle grinders for heavier tasks.

 

[5030]

I have to report that I'm having issues with my Braun LED trouble light. Not sure what is up with it but it shuts off all by itself at the most inconvenient times. Wasn't a big spend, I think it was less than 30 bucks but it's only been a year and it's not working very well. Might have to landfill it and get another. Little disappointed in it. Could be the battery terminal were oxidized. I cleaned them and it's currently charging on a Micro USB cable on the desk next to me. I'll see if cleaning the battery has made any difference. The swivel head is also getting loose. It has 4 small Phillips head screws that secure it to the base and I tightened them but made no difference. I do use it a lot when working under the cars so it gets banged around quite a bit.

 

[5030]

Are we talking about the real metabo grinders or the big box store versions of the 4.5" $40-50 metabo?

Don't buy the 'box store' Metabo's (I have one and I also have a Metabo SDS hammer drill. Bought them both at Fatstenal which is an industrial Metabo dealer. Cannot remember exactly what I paid but it was well north of a C note for the grinder and the SDS hammer drill was almost 350 bucks. Dang good hammer drill. I can bore 2" diameter holes in cured concrete for anchors with it, no issue (using a hollow core hole drill). I do buy my SDS shank bits at HF, much cheaper than at Fasternal.

I like tools, good tools and HF has some good tools if you are willing to pay a bit more than the cheap line. I tend to stick to Icon or Chief or Bauer for the cordless occasional use cordless stuff and to date, I have not 'found the smoke' in any Bauer cordless tool I have and I have quite a few. I have the 4.5" angle grinder, the 3/8" impact, the 1/2" variable speed drill, the hex drive nit setter and the 1/2" right angle drill. I don't recommend them for constant use but for a quick job, they are fine. I do recommend getting the 5.0AH packs as the little ones aren't worth beans.

On an impulse the other day I bought a set of metric and SAE Pittsburg Pro Series ratcheting box end wrenches and that are very nice. Fine ratchet heads and highly polished. 23 bucks a set. Will see how they hold up.

I'm a HF junkie but only descent stuff, no one time use junk. Yes I'm an ITC member and have an HF credit card too.

Been agonizing over another roll around tool box. Both of the ones I own are stuffed and my ancient Waterloo is getting pretty rickety.

Maybe this summer I'll spring for a new one, in Kubota Orange, of course. Really need a box up at the Kubota dealership I'm working at part time as I'm always using the head technician's tools. He don't mind as we have been personal friends for a long time but I prefer having my own stuff anyway. The old Waterloo can go there, then.

 

[marhar]

I was ispired by another thread with this link to Weldingweb:

HF tools that don't suck - WeldingWeb - Professional Welding Forum

The Weldingweb site is mostly about metal working tools, so I thought it might be interesting to share which tools / products we have found to be a good value at HF. I don't think anyone seriously thinks they sell good tools, but some are adequate for the need or usage we have in mind.

Some of my experiences:

1000# capacity folding trailer, about $250. Works great for my light duty needs and folds in half to stand on end in my garage, out of the weather.

4 1/2 inch angle grinder, $15. So far, so good for sharpening mower blades, dressing up metal projects

Welding magnets. Inexpensive (with the coupons I get nonstop) and fascinating for the kids to play with.

Diamond blade wet saw, $50. Works great and allowed me to do my whole bath ceramic tile project without renting any tools. Water tray is hard to remove without slopping water.

880# overhead hoist. Paid $80. Mounted to reinforced ceiling joists in barn. Extremely useful for horsing around 3 point attachments, lawn tractor, etc. A real back saver.

Box knives - not worth the $1 on sale - handle breaks on first use.

Not a tool but the assortment of hose clamps is a good buy. I have bought some 3" ext bars for my socket set as well as a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter. Both have held up. I have not used a cheater bar yet to break a bolt loose so I do not know how much torque they can take.

 

[Raul-02]

That is equal to one Metabo

Yah too true, except the Metabo is still running like a top.

 

[5030]

Yah too true, except the Metabo is still running like a top.

No issue with me. I like quality tools myself but I also like disposa tools for some uses.

 

[5030]

Never visited 'Welding Web' but I'll have to have a look see sometime. I'm very proficient in all disciplines, from TIG to gas welding and everything in between. Always been a 'stick it together' person. Started out gas welding, using coat hangers for filler rod. Don't even think you can buy metal coat hangers today...

 

[bcp]

Welding with the modern plastic coat hangers makes a weak joint.

Bruce

 

[5030]

Welding with the modern plastic coat hangers makes a weak joint.

Bruce

Yeah baby...

 

[crazyal]

Well I'm in the market for a 4x24 belt sander to do my pool deck.
I had a Craftsman 4x? which I did 3 floors (~400 sq ft total) back about 1986 and a ton of odd jobs since.
Someone let the smoke out
So I was looking at reviews and it seems Makita 9403 is what I need. But the Bauer might be a runner up at <1/2 the price.
I liked the Craftsman, I taped about 6 lbs of diving belt weights on the top then could just let it run out along the floor and drag it back. That was when I was more limber.
So @erikjohn67 (or anyone else that has one) do you think this will last well?

There's no HF close to me so I haven't gotten a replacement yet. I did pick up a Bauer jigsaw and it's worked just fine (except that the LED laser guide light is always on when plugged in) the few times I have used it so I'll probably pick up the 4x24 Bauer sander too. I did find a local hardware store that sells 4x24 belts in most grits I would use for a reasonable price too.

I'll have to do something sooner than later as my old Craftsman must have known that it's time is getting close. Now the tracking isn't working so the edge of the belt is rubbing hard against the side of the sander. I guess it's better than the belt just going the other way and falling off. But it robbing lots of power so it's time has come.

If you do buy one post what you think about it. If the nearest HF wasn't an hour and a half away and gas being so high I might have made the trip before now. Sooner or later I'll pass one. If HF had a coupon it probably would be enough to tempt me.

Has anyone else noticed the number of people selling HF tools on ebay for a lot more than they cost in the store? For example the 4x24 sander costs $109 while it can be had on ebay for $179 for the same Bauer sander.

 

[5030]

If you do the ITC thing like we do, we still get all the coupons but online. Take a picture of the coupon on my phone and show the cashier and all is good,

 

[5030]

PBlaster is on sale, 4 bucks for the big can with the straw and valve. Grabbed 5 the other day, I use that stuff like water.

 

[California]

Never visited 'Welding Web' but I'll have to have a look see sometime.

I suggest start at clicking 'New Posts' to see what people are talking about currently.

It can be a bit of a maze, otherwise.

 

[newbury]

<nip>

Has anyone else noticed the number of people selling HF tools on ebay for a lot more than they cost in the store? For example the 4x24 sander costs $109 while it can be had on ebay for $179 for the same Bauer sander.

That's been going on as long as I've been viewing CL and ebay.

 

[IrishLoader]

I though I had weaned myself off of Harbor Freight but now a new store is coming in and only 6mi from my house!

Same here after moving to the boondocks. "Town" depending on what you are looking for is about equidistant in both directions, give or take about 22 miles. I find myself headed to the one that just opened one of those "Crack Palaces" a few months ago more often than not.

 

[IndyJay]

Same here after moving to the boondocks. "Town" depending on what you are looking for is about equidistant in both directions, give or take about 22 miles. I find myself headed to the one that just opened one of those "Crack Palaces" a few months ago more often than not.

So then you have probably made the fine distinction by now between "going to town" vs "going to the city". It took us a few months to understand the difference when our new neighbors would mention one or the other some 38 years ago. In your case being, equidistant to two towns, there may be even finer distinctions like up, down or over.

 

[5030]

For everyone's information, Torque Test Channel (YT) rated the 89 buck Bauer cordless, battery powered SDS drill tops over everyone else including DeWalt, Ryobi, Milwaukee and others. Don't want one, I prefer corded SDS. But in a pinch I would imagine it would work but again, with the 5AH pack.

 

[flyerdan]

I have to say their first generation of Chonda engines are quite good. I just started my frankentiller in prep for getting ready; after sitting outside under cover for a year it started on the second pull.

 

[Buggs67]

Same here after moving to the boondocks. "Town" depending on what you are looking for is about equidistant in both directions, give or take about 22 miles. I find myself headed to the one that just opened one of those "Crack Palaces" a few months ago more often than not.

Around here they call it "going over the Mountain" it being Blue Mountain and Carlisle or Mechanicsburg the destination. Both about 15 miles/25 min.