Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Pixguy]

Question - can a 4.5" grinder do work like in this sidewalk photo? My home in town needs some grinding like this, to feather a lift of maybe 3/4 inch. Or, what should I rent?
It can do it because I'm in the middle of my mothers driveway. I'll take a pic the next time I'm there to show you its capability. "My friend" would advise you to take your time and use water to stretch the disk's life and not burnout the grinder.

Also thinking about this - my old shop at the ranch wasn't floated off to dead flat. The trowel marks make it hard to pull a floor jack. (Photo that incidentally shows the uneven floor). Is it reasonable to rent something and grind the whole room dead flat? Any ideas?
Maybe a more qualified member will chime in because I'm not sure what the largest diamond disc made.

See in bold ^

Another in neighborhood. The homes were built in 07-08 and these pin oaks were planted at that time. The roots actually have moved the 4'X5' sections 3" in a few cases. I like the oaks for the canopy but it was idiotic to plant them on the sidewalk side of the road. Some residents have taken them out due to the issue.

 

[gstrom99]

Question - can a 4.5" grinder do work like in this sidewalk photo? My home in town needs some grinding like this, to feather a lift of maybe 3/4 inch. Or, what should I rent?

Also thinking about this - my old shop at the ranch wasn't floated off to dead flat. The trowel marks make it hard to pull a floor jack. (Photo that incidentally shows the uneven floor). Is it reasonable to rent something and grind the whole room dead flat? Any ideas?

If you have anything more than "a little bit" to clean up, I'd rent one like this if you have a decent rental place nearby.

Black Hawk Equipment | Browse In-Stock New Equipment

Browse Black Hawk Equipment's selection of in-stock new equipment ready for immediate purchase. Find reliable tools and machinery from trusted industry brands.

www.blackhawkrental.com

 

[California]

If you have anything more than "a little bit" to clean up, I'd rent one like this if you have a decent rental place nearby.

Black Hawk Equipment | Browse In-Stock New Equipment

Browse Black Hawk Equipment's selection of in-stock new equipment ready for immediate purchase. Find reliable tools and machinery from trusted industry brands.

www.blackhawkrental.com

Thanks. After a little digging, 'scarifier' in a search found some results. I should just do it.

I've been cussing that uneven floor for most of my life. Nothing with hard wheels such as the creeper for going under tractor, rolls evenly on it.

 

[5030]

I had a cheap $20 grinder burn out on me Monday when I was grinding down a cracked uneven driveway with a diamond wheel. They easily replaced it but I'm likely pushing it beyond its ability.

20 bucks don't buy much today.

 

[Pixguy]

20 bucks don't buy much today.

No argument there. I have a bigger and better grinder up in NH and only intended this small grinder to do this one job.

 

[5030]

I bought a Milwaukee pedastal grinder at machinery auction grinder for 30 bucks a few years ago. What a beast. Surprising what you can buy at auctions.

 

[jjeff]

I bought a Milwaukee pedastal grinder at machinery auction grinder for 30 bucks a few years ago. What a beast. Surprising what you can buy at auctions.

Bought a 2nd HF motorcycle ATV jack at an auction recently to use at my cabin went for $20 didn't work cause the hydraulic jack was overfilled and wasn't bled properly. Fixed it in 5 mins. They cost over $120 new these days.
Some folks junk is another folks treasure Lol

 

[5030]

We live in a landfill society today... I do the same. Like our cars. I run them until the body rots away. Mechanically good however. Bondo isn't my forte'

 

[jjeff]

We live in a landfill society today... I do the same. Like our cars. I run them until the body rots away. Mechanically good however. Bondo isn't my forte'

Drifting, but a few years back at an auction bought a very cheap front wheel drive 4 cylinder 5 speed rusty asian hatchback winter beater/ grocery, parts getter, at an auction. It won't break lol I've put more miles on it than my Duramax since I've owned it. Only thing I've done to it is pm, brake pads, and calipers. Imo a lot of folks around here only buy AWD with automatic tranny's these days.

 

[5030]

The more complex, the more they cost in repairs. Both ours are front wheel drive only. Amy 'burb' is 4 wd and complex and parts are expensive too, even at A1 and Rock. The 'burb' is the luxury vehicle here. I didn't buy it, she did. A little drift don't hurt at all. Same with tractors too. The more complex, the more routine repairs cost you. My wife's van is looking ratty but it runs excellent. When the frame breaks, it goes to the scrapper. So far, so good. It's unibody so no fixing. My 14 Focus RS has no rust interestingly. Had to replace all the steel brake lines on her van with Ni-Cop. Steel lines corrode after a while in the salt up here. Ni-Cop is easier to work with too. Cheap HF bending tools and tapered fittings from NAPA.

I need to replace the right outboard inner seal on the open station, it's weeping and the parts were 120 bucks. Gotta play to pay I guess. All 'grunt' work and I'm the resident grunt.

 

[jjeff]

The more complex, the more they cost in repairs. Both ours are front wheel drive only. Amy 'burb' is 4 wd and complex and parts are expensive too, even at A1 and Rock. The 'burb' is the luxury vehicle here. I didn't buy it, she did. A little drift don't hurt at all. Same with tractors too. The more complex, the more routine repairs cost you. My wife's van is looking ratty but it runs excellent. When the frame breaks, it goes to the scrapper. So far, so good. It's unibody so no fixing. My 14 Focus RS has no rust interestingly. Had to replace all the steel brake lines on her van with Ni-Cop. Steel lines corrode after a while in the salt up here. Ni-Cop is easier to work with too. Cheap HF bending tools and tapered fittings from NAPA.

I need to replace the right outboard inner seal on the open station, it's weeping and the parts were 120 bucks. Gotta play to pay I guess. All 'grunt' work and I'm the resident grunt.

My wife has a fully loaded AWD crossover that I can't stand driving it let alone trying to occasionally repair it, however I was able to diagnose and repair the check engine light with my HF zr 14 obd scanner when the capless fuel fill wasn't sealing properly.

 

[5030]

Same here with hers. GM has a touchy fuel filler and you have to replace the stuff under the fender to correct it. I think on hers it was about 100 bucks. Have the same scanner. Just as good as the Snap-On, 1/4th the cost. Another good buy from HF and I have the update app too.

 

[jjeff]

Lol I cleaned the mating surface and put a dab of grease around it. Shade tree yooper rigged Lol. I assume you have to hook up to a computer with usbs online to update the hf zr 14?

 

[jjeff]

Same here with hers. GM has a touchy fuel filler and you have to replace the stuff under the fender to correct it. I think on hers it was about 100 bucks. Have the same scanner. Just as good as the Snap-On, 1/4th the cost. Another good buy from HF and I have the update app too.

Using the zr 14 for one diagnosis and repair pays for itself imo.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Many old neighborhoods have cracked or heaving sidewalks from 50-100 year old trees. Worth it IMHO.

This oak heaved driveway pretty good.

 

[Pixguy]

View attachment 781179
This oak heaved driveway pretty good.

My last post showing these sidewalks I saw today. This neighborhood was put in 2007. I guess these Florida Pin Oaks have the whole year to grow.

Raised this driveway corner before they took out the oak.

 

[jjeff]

Probably already mentioned but a slightly modified HF motorcycle lift works great for carefully unloading pickup truck beds especially when there aren't freaking snow banks to ramp stuff off and on. Had this lift for almost 15 yrs and hasn't let me down yet.

 

[Travelover]

30% off coupon less than $20

 

[Travelover]

HF is closing out their hand pruners that are a very well done Taiwan knock off of the Swiss Felco brand. With the 30% off coupon I posted above, they are eight bucks. You won't find a finer set of pruners for that price.

 

[California]

HF is closing out their hand pruners that are a very well done Taiwan knock off of the Swiss Felco brand. With the 30% off coupon I posted above, they are eight bucks. You won't find a finer set of pruners for that price.

Yes!!! Everybody should run in and get those. Unexpected superb quality.

I have both the Felco and those here at the orchard. I use them a lot. Literally they are identical, in quality and function. Just green in place of of red. One more at home in town. Bought one as a thank-you for the gals across the lane who occasionally give us a bottle of the Cabernet they grow and bottle. And recently when I saw Closeout I bought a spare for the ranch.

Just do it, buy one or more. There's nothing better.

Thanks Travelover for the heads-up.


Added: that link has a second photo that shows two pruners. The good pruner, the Felco clone, is the one with more silvery aluminum showing.