Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Alan W.]

Are the Horrible Freight “Pittsburgh Jumbo Socket sets” worth buying?

94% positive reviews, but the 1 star reviews said the ratchet broke (which is what you’d expect).

View attachment 847768

Cant say about current production but the 3/4” set I bought in the early 80s is still going strong. No breakage even when I used them on impact guns. Had a 6’ cheater pipe on the ratchet trying to get a bushhog blade bolt loose without a problem.

 

[rangerfredbob]

My brother got their 3/4" breaker bar last year to break tractor lugnuts (couldn't find the rest of his kit, but we found the right socket), put a 6' pipe on the thing and it worked fine, I think it was a ratcheting breaker bar or something with course teeth...

 

[WM75Guy]

My problem with HF coupons is that they're digital only, they won't accept a print-out of one. Not gonna go out and buy a smart phone just so I can save 10% on something I don't really need or to get a free 5 in 1 screwdriver.

I print out coupons and my local Harber Freight accepts them.

 

[svendawg]

Were you really cranking on it when it broke?
How has the new one held up?m

Mine didn't break while torqueing down a bolt. The ratchet assembly came apart and would not change the direction of the socket. I do admit it is not the highest quality tool but I'm not using it everyday. I only use when something on my tractor need to come apart or tightened. If I really need to torque something down I use the ratchet to get it tight and then use the breaker bar to finish tightening the bolt.
My point was that they have a lifetime warranty, so if it breaks I can get it replaced. I couldn't justify the price of a good 1" ratchet set for the amount of times I use it.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Not sure if it sucks because I haven't used it yet, but I have high hopes. Going to use it to cut the 6x6s and 4x6s for my sawmill base tomorrow. Will edit the post if it does suck. Not bad for $135($75 for beam cutter and $60 for used worm drive)

 

[daugen]

most of this is common sense, interesting HF employee comments on quality
I like the one idea, put an expensive item in your outbox and let it sit there for awhile.
HF sees that and apparently may send you a 25% off coupon (wish you were back stuff) soon thereafter to
motivate you to buy.
worth a try...

 

[daugen]

has anyone tried HF's cheap greenhouse?
my seeds are in, and I have the itch.....
it seems to get good marks for basically a simple structure

6 Ft. x 6 Ft. Greenhouse

Amazing deals on this 6Ft X 6Ft Greenhouse at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Not sure if it sucks because I haven't used it yet, but I have high hopes. Going to use it to cut the 6x6s and 4x6s for my sawmill base tomorrow. Will edit the post if it does suck. Not bad for $135($75 for beam cutter and $60 for used worm drive)

View attachment 848668

So I used the Beam cutter. Works pretty well. A little rough where the chain comes up out of the wood but nothing that a razor blade and a bit of sanding couldn't take care of if it really mattered.

 

[Hay Dude]

So I used the Beam cutter. Works pretty well. A little rough where the chain comes up out of the wood but nothing that a razor blade and a bit of sanding couldn't take care of if it really mattered.

I have one of those, too.
Then I went with an 8&1/4” worm drive and just cut them in 2 passes.
Yes, you have to flip the beam, but I liked the cut quality.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I have one of those, too.
Then I went with an 8&1/4” worm drive and just cut them in 2 passes.
Yes, you have to flip the beam, but I liked the cut quality.

Yeah, to be honest I used my regular worm drive to cut the 6x6s because the kerf would have screwed me with this beam saw (needed 4 30" blocks and I had a 10'er).

 

[Alan46]

most of this is common sense, interesting HF employee comments on quality
I like the one idea, put an expensive item in your outbox and let it sit there for awhile.
HF sees that and apparently may send you a 25% off coupon (wish you were back stuff) soon thereafter to
motivate you to buy.
worth a try...

I do that with Amazon, sometimes it works, sometimes not. I have a 639.00 tree pusher in my cart for 2 weeks and nothing so far. Can’t use it until the spring so not a big deal if I have to pay full price!

 

[daugen]

I did buy the little greenhouse, easy purchase, did see their branding of pumps, never heard of that name

will report back when greenhouse built

 

[Grumpycat]

I do that with Amazon, sometimes it works, sometimes not. I have a 639.00 tree pusher in my cart for 2 weeks and nothing so far. Can’t use it until the spring so not a big deal if I have to pay full price!

Try https://www.camelcamelcamel.com/ for monitoring Amazon prices. See history of prices. Set an alert at any price you wish and get an email if met.

 

[California]

Try https://www.camelcamelcamel.com/ for monitoring Amazon prices. See history of prices. Set an alert at any price you wish and get an email if met.

Agree!!!

I've had uneven luck buying welding wire at Amazon that is apparently customer returns or shipping damage, but the price makes it attractive and returns are no-hassle. I'm cheap. A chunk chipped out of the side of the spool for example, won't affect usability.


Here's something scheduled to arrive here tomorrow. I paid $10.97. I would have paid $21.99 (price today, I just checked) - if I ordered at full price when starting a project, instead of waiting for a camelcamelcamel deal to come along.

Copied from their email:

​ 3rd Party Used Price History​ ​

​ ​

​

INETUB BA71TGS .030-Inch on 2-Pound Spool Carbon Steel Gasless Flux Cored Welding Wire

$10.97 Prime

Price when tracked (Apr 02, 2023, PDT):
$14.98
Desired price:
$12.50

​ View at Amazon​

 

[jyoutz]

I did buy the little greenhouse, easy purchase, did see their branding of pumps, never heard of that name

will report back when greenhouse built

I’ve been eyeing that greenhouse, but haven’t been able to figure out how to anchor it to keep the wind from blowing it. The material looks lightweight. Please post back after you get it built with any ideas for anchoring and reinforcing it.

 

[crazyal]

My 8750 Predator inverter generator let me down. The company that makes it uses a LiFePO4 battery that just isn't right for a generator in cold weather. I think it didn't have the voltage needed to open the fuel cutoff solenoid so it wouldn't start. Neither pull starting or with the battery (that quickly died). I ended up jump starting it. I've since removed the solenoid and will replace the battery with a lead acid battery once I have the time to make a battery box.

 

[jjeff]

What id do is build a raised garden bed slightly smaller than green house specs allowing a walkway in between beds build the greenhouse on top of and along sides of wooden garden bed probably 2-3 separate ones each side and back wall? figuring out how you want to secure it to the garden bed and enjoy not growing vegetables on your hands and knees all summer with a pretty stable and secure greenhouse? IMHO even some cheaply built Chinese junk can be made pretty useful and durable with a little ingenuity.

 

[Alan46]

Try https://www.camelcamelcamel.com/ for monitoring Amazon prices. See history of prices. Set an alert at any price you wish and get an email if met.

Thanks so much for the tip. I found the next size pusher for 699.00 which is 100.00 off, going to purchase that one thanks to you. I owe you bro!

 

[LouNY]

I was amazed at the diminished performance of the lithium in cold weather. I installed one in my sxs last summer and it worked great in the warm weather but once it got cold it would almost nothing till about the 3rd try or after turning the headlights on for a minute or two. Then when it got real cold I had/have to use my jump box for the first start and sometimes after a long period of being off. My jump box is an older gell type lead acid, larger and heavier booster pak.

 

[5030]

I'm not part of their Inside Track club (or whatever it's called)

I am and have been for years and the 27 buck membership fee pales in comparison to what we save there.