Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[daugen]

5030, good luck with grease gun. I've had every type, including a Dewalt cordless which I really liked, and no longer have.
As long as they load easy and catch a prime quickly, anything with a push button is great. Gives you a free hand basically.
I currently have an air grease gun. It works fine but that cordless was better.

I grew up filling an ancient Alemite with a big aluminum spoon from a 30? gallon drum of grease.

 

[5030]

5030, good luck with grease gun. I've had every type, including a Dewalt cordless which I really liked, and no longer have.
As long as they load easy and catch a prime quickly, anything with a push button is great. Gives you a free hand basically.
I currently have an air grease gun. It works fine but that cordless was better.

I grew up filling an ancient Alemite with a big aluminum spoon from a 30? gallon drum of grease.

Thank you. I don't believe it will pose any issues, none of my Bauer 20 volt stuff has failed yet (other than the odd stopping 4.5" angle grinder) Been there and did that too. Amazing how much winds up on you versus in the gun isn't it? I own an ARO which resides on top of a 150 pound open head drum of grease and I' like it but it has it's limitations. I do bulk fill all my lever guns with it (via an extended length zerk fitted to each lever gun and I run the clear Poly Carobnate barrels on them so I can see how much or how little grease is left inside. Nothing worse than running out of grease in the middle of greasing something.

One reason why I don't care for grease cartridges, No matter what you do, you wind up getting grease on your hands or clothes where as the bulk load with a clear barrel is mess free and I prefer to buy grease in bulk anyway. It sits in the corner near an air outlet and I have 50 feet of Parker grease hose on it so I can get out the door and to a machine if necessary. Pneumatic greasers are not a cheap date by a long shot but it's one of those things that lasts a lifetime.

Will see how the HF greaser does. I got it cheap enough (why I bought it actually). I'm inherently cheap to begin with.

 

[Gregster613]

Thank you. I don't believe it will pose any issues, none of my Bauer 20 volt stuff has failed yet (other than the odd stopping 4.5" angle grinder) Been there and did that too. Amazing how much winds up on you versus in the gun isn't it? I own an ARO which resides on top of a 150 pound open head drum of grease and I' like it but it has it's limitations. I do bulk fill all my lever guns with it (via an extended length zerk fitted to each lever gun and I run the clear Poly Carobnate barrels on them so I can see how much or how little grease is left inside. Nothing worse than running out of grease in the middle of greasing something.

One reason why I don't care for grease cartridges, No matter what you do, you wind up getting grease on your hands or clothes where as the bulk load with a clear barrel is mess free and I prefer to buy grease in bulk anyway. It sits in the corner near an air outlet and I have 50 feet of Parker grease hose on it so I can get out the door and to a machine if necessary. Pneumatic greasers are not a cheap date by a long shot but it's one of those things that lasts a lifetime.

Will see how the HF greaser does. I got it cheap enough (why I bought it actually). I'm inherently cheap to begin with.

5030, Can you explain a bit more about those Poly Carobnate barrels? I've never heard of a clear barrel on a grease gun but it'd sure help letting me know when I'm almost out of grease in it!!
I've got an HF pneumatic grease gun that works just fine but I never know when I need to change the cylinder until I'm greasing a fitting and "whoops" no grease is coming out. Then re-load and try to work out the darn air inside! I'd change to a clear barrel if possible and I knew where to find one. Thanks, Greg

 

[BravoXray]

5030, Can you explain a bit more about those Poly Carobnate barrels? I've never heard of a clear barrel on a grease gun but it'd sure help letting me know when I'm almost out of grease in it!!
I've got an HF pneumatic grease gun that works just fine but I never know when I need to change the cylinder until I'm greasing a fitting and "whoops" no grease is coming out. Then re-load and try to work out the darn air inside! I'd change to a clear barrel if possible and I knew where to find one. Thanks, Greg

Not 5030, but on every grease gun I have ever owned you could pull the t-handle at the end of the barrel out and that showed you how much was remaining in the tube. If it only pulled out an inch or less, the tube is almost empty. You have to pull the handle out all the way and off to the side to lock it to load a new tube.
Seems pretty easy to me, as every time I use the gun, I pull the t-handle out to see how much is left before I start greasing things.

 

[5030]

5030, Can you explain a bit more about those Poly Carobnate barrels? I've never heard of a clear barrel on a grease gun but it'd sure help letting me know when I'm almost out of grease in it!!
I've got an HF pneumatic grease gun that works just fine but I never know when I need to change the cylinder until I'm greasing a fitting and "whoops" no grease is coming out. Then re-load and try to work out the darn air inside! I'd change to a clear barrel if possible and I knew where to find one. Thanks, Greg

Run up polycarbonate grease gun barrels on Amazon or just grease gun barrels, that is where I got mine. I believe the maker was Plews. Sure is nice and the barrels come with their own plunger and handle too. I like seeing how much I have or don't have. Of course they will only work with bulk loading as you cannot see inside a grease cartridge.

 

[Gregster613]

Not 5030, but on every grease gun I have ever owned you could pull the t-handle at the end of the barrel out and that showed you how much was remaining in the tube. If it only pulled out an inch or less, the tube is almost empty. You have to pull the handle out all the way and off to the side to lock it to load a new tube.
Seems pretty easy to me, as every time I use the gun, I pull the t-handle out to see how much is left before I start greasing things.

BravoXray, Yes after you mentioned it - I thought of checking the plunger level! I just don't think of it when I grab the gun to get the greasing procedure over and done with! I've got to slow down some and not be so rushed all the time I reckon. Thanks for the "simple" reminder to a forgetful dufus like me.

 

[Gregster613]

Run up polycarbonate grease gun barrels on Amazon or just grease gun barrels, that is where I got mine. I believe the maker was Plews. Sure is nice and the barrels come with their own plunger and handle too. I like seeing how much I have or don't have. Of course they will only work with bulk loading as you cannot see inside a grease cartridge.

5030, Thanks for that info on the clear barrels! Now I can look them up and see if they'll be of use for me. Although I do use cartridges so probably not. I now know exactly what you were talking about though. Thanks

 

[John_Mc]

What's the scoop on the Greenwood 4 gallon backpack sprayer (#63092) sold by HF? My local HF has them on sale for 60% off.

Do they work OK? How do they hold up?

Also wondering about the Central Pneumatic paint shaker (item 94605). Do they hold up OK, or is it the usual central pneumatic disposable junk?

 

[5030]

Good question, don't have either. Never had an issue with my Solo backpack sprayer. Gotta be 20 years old.

 

[2manyrocks]

What's the scoop on the Greenwood 4 gallon backpack sprayer (#63092) sold by HF? My local HF has them on sale for 60% off.

Do they work OK? How do they hold up?

Also wondering about the Central Pneumatic paint shaker (item 94605). Do they hold up OK, or is it the usual central pneumatic disposable junk?

I have a backpack sprayer (can't remember brand) that sits in the shed after I used it a couple of times. I found that it was pretty heavy to carry when full of water. Also found my sprayer to be uncomfortable on my back because it wasn't all that well contoured and wasn't easy to get on and off. I went back to the normal sprayer tank because it was easier for me to manage.

 

[chiefcook]

Good question, don't have either. Never had an issue with my Solo backpack sprayer. Gotta be 20 years old.

What's the scoop on the Greenwood 4 gallon backpack sprayer (#63092) sold by HF? My local HF has them on sale for 60% off.

Do they work OK? How do they hold up?

Also wondering about the Central Pneumatic paint shaker (item 94605). Do they hold up OK, or is it the usual central pneumatic disposable junk?

I bought the backpack sprayer and it leaked air pressure. I flat sanded the opening and it has worked fine since then with no problems.

 

[Hay Dude]

Is the Harbor Freight 3/4” ratchet any good?
Someone walked off with mine
I’ll just have to settle for an el cheap o until I find a good 40 year old used one built to last

 

[California]

What's the scoop on the Greenwood 4 gallon backpack sprayer (#63092) sold by HF? My local HF has them on sale for 60% off.

I'll recommend it. Before we went organic 10 years ago I bought one and strapped it on the right footboard of my tractor with a wand extension (from eBay) added. That worked great.

Now with a Certified Organic inspector reviewing the orchard for conformance every couple of years, it's just siting in the barn. I should give it to someone.

Quality, reliability? Well its from HF. I think its worth this present under-$20 price.

 

[flyerdan]

I can't remember if it's been discussed, but their assortments are handy to have on hand. Roll pins, cotter pins, key stock, springs, O-rings, etc. I have a couple of Suncast hose reels that were leakers, the big HF o-ring kit had all the sizes to fix them up.

 

[California]

And a dog, a frustration-maker:
The red pistol-grip hose nozzle 92398.

I couldn't rotate the front from Jet to Rain. This isn't that old, maybe 3-4 years.

Had to put it in the shop vise, still couldn't rotate it using both hands.
Got out the HF rubber-strap wrench, the larger one. That moved it but didn't loosen it up. It's still too stiff to rotate by hand.

I'll have to dedicate this nozzle to watering flowerpots now that its stuck on Rain and use something else for washing the car.

 

[John_Mc]

I can't remember if it's been discussed, but their assortments are handy to have on hand. Roll pins, cotter pins, key stock, springs, O-rings, etc. I have a couple of Suncast hose reels that were leakers, the big HF o-ring kit had all the sizes to fix them up.

I was just in HF today and used the 30% discount coupon (for up to 5 items under $10) to buy an assortment of metric grease zerks, SAE grease zerks, and cotter pins. (also picked up a rubber mallet and an air hose fitting to round out my 5 items.)

 

[Gregster613]

I recently was at Harbor Freight and picked up several items. The one I'm most impressed with is the Bauer battery powered hedge trimmer.
It's light, strong and no more electric cords to constantly worry about snipping!
It's tool only, so I had to also buy a battery (got the 6.5 hr one) and its respective charger.
I didn't mind that though because if this Bauer tool holds up I'll eventually get more Bauer items. I followed what 5030 has said about his experiences with Bauer items and figured I'd give the line a try. So far so good. I've used it about 3-4 times and it works swell thus far. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[California]

What's everyone's experience with HF's $8 'Super Deluxe' 62470 hose nozzle? A good replacement for the broken pistol nozzle that I described above?

 

[LD48750]

I recently was at Harbor Freight and picked up several items. The one I'm most impressed with is the Bauer battery powered hedge trimmer.
It's light, strong and no more electric cords to constantly worry about snipping!
It's tool only, so I had to also buy a battery (got the 6.5 hr one) and its respective charger.
I didn't mind that though because if this Bauer tool holds up I'll eventually get more Bauer items. I followed what 5030 has said about his experiences with Bauer items and figured I'd give the line a try. So far so good. I've used it about 3-4 times and it works swell thus far. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Keep in mind, I bought the Lynxx chainsaw and they have dropped it.
Now I can't even buy another battery for it. NOTHING else fits it.
After the 4th charge today, it made 2 cuts before it quit on me.
Don't expect it to last much longer.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Keep in mind, I bought the Lynxx chainsaw and they have dropped it.
Now I can't even buy another battery for it. NOTHING else fits it.
After the 4th charge today, it made 2 cuts before it quit on me.
Don't expect it to last much longer.

Some have said the Litheli batteries work for some Lynxx stuff as a direct replacement, some others with a little filing. Needs researching, and I dont have anything but some posts here and there, but maybe something to look in to.