Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[gstrom99]

easier to use then trying to find a helper when bleeding brakes, and it works pretty good .

I should probably go get one. I have trouble getting a buddy to come help with that job. They always seem to be able to get ME to come help them whenever, though...

 

[5030]

Problem with them is, they don't work well with servo motor ABS brakes. You have to have the servo energized to allow fluid to flow freely so I just have someone in the vehicle with the ignition on, press and hold the brake pedal down.

 

[newbury]

<snip> However no one I know searches Cl or auctions for hf tools and expects to pay top dollar for them.

But I've seen lot's of CL ads for HF tools. Usually listed by their "better name" like General Tools or Pittsburg, for prices above what they are selling for at HF.

 

[California]

But I've seen lot's of CL ads for HF tools. Usually listed by their "better name" like General Tools or Pittsburg, for prices above what they are selling for at HF.

I don't understand why anyone posts a Craigslist ad like that, for HF tools. Any potential customer will know what its worth.

I found the same thing on Amazon when I was looking for a jigsaw. A Ryobi (Home Depot trademark) offered at 60% over HD's price when there were others listed at a small % over - reasonable for someone with free Prime shipping. I posted a review pointing this out and got a nasty response from the seller and several others who may have been the seller's sock-puppets. But a month later his price matched everyone else.


Also on CL - there are always Lincoln 225-AC Tombstones, as-new, offered for 3x the price of an older identical one. These are indestructible, buying used isn't a risk. Apparently offered by people who paid too much at HD ($450) then realized a modern welder is more versatile and practical. If you really want a 225A AC transformer welder there are CL listings under $100 with the same capabilities. With a little research you can buy more capability for less $.

 

[jjeff]

Problem with them is, they don't work well with servo motor ABS brakes. You have to have the servo energized to allow fluid to flow freely so I just have someone in the vehicle with the ignition on, press and hold the brake pedal down.

Fortunately for me most things I do brakes on is old and well broken in.

 

[jjeff]

But I've seen lot's of CL ads for HF tools. Usually listed by their "better name" like General Tools or Pittsburg, for prices above what they are selling for at HF.

Yes I've seen that also. Quick experience I had, I was looking for a 7" polisher lady was selling a used working variable speed Makita for around $20 and a brand new in the box hf 7" Chicago electric one for around $100 obviously I bought the Makita, when I brought the price up to her she said her husband recently passed and was trying to liquidate his stuff pretty sure she didn't know what the stuff was worth and put a price on the hf one using comps from quality brand name polishers. I gave her $40 for the Makita and I replaced the power chord that was chewed up.

 

[jjeff]

What someone asks for something they are privately selling and what they actually get for it are two different things imo.

 

[sd455dan]

I own a fully restored South Bend 3 foot benchtop lathe with collet closer and quick change gearbox I never use, a SB cabinet shaper that I also never use, A LeBlond Servo Shift tool room lathe with a 6 foot bed and a pristine Kalamazoo Built Atlas floor lathe, completely tooled (even have the taper attachment, quick change gearbox, 4 jaw, 3 jaw, 6 jaw chucks, face plates, dog plates, live centers, all sorts of tooling and I use it as well as the LeBlond all the time. I also have two Bridgeport mills, one a Series 1 and the other a CNC Versa Trak. When I pass, my wife is gonna have one heck of a sale.

That is an Excellent set of machining Tools. Had to look up Servo Shift
The Bridgeports and LeBlond are keepers. Were there two qualities or different manufacturers of Atlas lathes and Kalamazoo was the quality Original?

 

[KubotainNH]

Anyone use this 16g finish nailer? I'm thinking of getting one for my son so I can have my Porter Cable nailer back...lol. I'm waiting on a 20% off coupon, I missed one last week I think.

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]

That is an Excellent set of machining Tools. Had to look up Servo Shift
The Bridgeports and LeBlond are keepers. Were there two qualities or different manufacturers of Atlas lathes and Kalamazoo was the quality Original?

Atlas machine tool was always in Kalamazoo until they closed about 30 years ago. The also made lathes for Sears and Roebuck but not the quality their own stuff was. The inherent issue with their lathes is the didn't use prismatic Vee ways but instead relied on adjustable Gibs riding on the backside of the ways to prevent 'fishtaling' when turning longer pieces so the carriage movement isn't as fluid as a machine with prismatic Vee ways.

I got the machine from an estate sale and it had very little use. In fact, many of the accessories were never used and still in their original cartons.

It's a very nice under drive (110 volt) machine with Timken Roller bearings in the headstock. I primarily use it for chuck and collet turning and rarely use it to turn longer lengths. I even have an Atlas tool post surface grinding attachment (OD) for it but I've never used it and probably never will. Grinding on any lathe is detrimental to the ways.

The LeBlond is my go to machine actually. It's 3 phase and it's a dandy. LeBlond is no longer in business either. it will hold (collet driven) 0.0001 TIR. Glad I have 3 phase available. It's only 220-3 and I would prefer 408-3 but I'm good with it.

The LeBlond is an excellent gunsmithing lathe with a very large through hole in the spindle.

I also own a Kent 6x18 Toolroom surface grinder that I use quite a bit. Bought that new for myself about 10 Christmases ago.

They are all keepers far as I'm concerned. Got a lot of welding stuff and a nice Hypertherm CNC plasma cutter too. I can do any welding discipline, from TIG to gas welding.

Nice to have the tools to do what I want to. In reality, the tooling cost more than the machines did, that and all the precision tools I use for measuring and I'm a Starrett person.

 

[5030]

What someone asks for something they are privately selling and what they actually get for it are two different things imo.

Always, or at least when it comes to general merchandise.

 

[PJRAM]

I just bought a Harbor Freight hoist and so far it seems fine. Even with my low ceiling I was able to move and store my post hole digger, but I can see many other useful applications for it. A word of warning. The 10 ft. Unistrut track, hanging brackets and roller trolleys cost more than the electric hoist.

 

[Pixguy]

I just bought a Harbor Freight hoist and so far it seems fine. Even with my low ceiling I was able to move and store my post hole digger, but I can see many other useful applications for it. A word of warning. The 10 ft. Unistrut track, hanging brackets and roller trolleys cost more than the electric hoist. View attachment 769540

That should come in real handy when you want to pick up an implement onto saw horses so you can work comfortably at seat level.
I always worried about the strength of the tracks so please report back on lift weights. I used similar tracks in my portrait studio for my lighting that could go not only back and forth but side to side too but the lights were less than 20lbs.

 

[bcp]

Unistrut says up to 600 pounds.

https://unistrut.biz/content/Resources/Literature/Unistrut-Trolley-Systems.pdf

Bruce

 

[jjeff]

That is a great idea using unistrut for a track with a HF hoist system wish I would have thought of something like that for my small old garage when I lived in the city.

 

[PJRAM]

That should come in real handy when you want to pick up an implement onto saw horses so you can work comfortably at seat level.
I always worried about the strength of the tracks so please report back on lift weights. I used similar tracks in my portrait studio for my lighting that could go not only back and forth but side to side too but the lights were less than 20lbs.

I'm not certain how much weight my setup can safely lift, but my son and I were hanging from it at the same time and we weigh just over 400 lbs. together. I will probably test it with my Woods 5 foot box scraper which weighs around 500 lbs. I did add rafter hangers to the roof rafters before I installed the track, just for added security.

 

[jjeff]

Anyone use this 16g finish nailer? I'm thinking of getting one for my son so I can have my Porter Cable nailer back...lol. I'm waiting on a 20% off coupon, I missed one last week I think.

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

Imo I'd be leary of paying 60-70 bucks for it, deals are getting better with the holidays coming up.

 

[5030]

One thing I do like about HF is their return policy, 30 days, no questions asked and their cheap extended warranties, up to 3 years return for replacement. I've never taken anything back except a carbon pile battery tester because it was 12 volt only and I needed one for 6 volts.

 

[gstrom99]

Anyone use this 16g finish nailer? I'm thinking of getting one for my son so I can have my Porter Cable nailer back...lol. I'm waiting on a 20% off coupon, I missed one last week I think.

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 one and it has worked fine, for my limited house remodel/trim work.

 

[jjeff]

The 2 ton Pittsburgh hf cherry picker is good, had it for 4+ yrs no problems I did buy the hf air over hydraulic long arm jack for it, has worked flawless as well.