Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Runner]

Harbor Freight Hardy leather welding gloves, 3-pack for $14.99. Terrible welding gloves, but they are really good for clearing brush when handling things with thorns like hedge trees, wild rose bushes/vines, locust trees, etc.

I also really like the Hardy "Performance Work Gloves" for $5.49/pair. They are like a cheapo version of Mechanix gloves for 1/3 the price. Not as good as the Mechanix gloves, but good enough to save your hands when doing things like tree work, metal working, etc.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Anyone that uses the Bauer 20V tools and uses a Dremel on occasion do yourself a favor and get the Bauer flex shaft rotary tool that takes the 20V batteries, it's fantastic... way more torque than a Dremel and the flex shaft is like 30% more flexible...

 

[3Ts]

One thing about farm auctions and that is, the people selling the junk, all think it's gold. It ain't.

I quit going to farm auctions. The last one I went to, I'd intended to buy the pallet of 400 T posts. When the bid got to more than it would cost to buy them new at Tractor Supply, I decided it wasn't worth going to any more auctions. And that didn't include the buyer's premium of 10%. I've got an ag exemption so what I buy from TS is free of sales tax.

 

[Grumpycat]

I quit going to farm auctions. The last one I went to, I'd intended to buy the pallet of 400 T posts. When the bid got to more than it would cost to buy them new at Tractor Supply, I decided it wasn't worth going to any more auctions. And that didn't include the buyer's premium of 10%. I've got an ag exemption so what I buy from TS is free of sales tax.

In TN t-posts are considered a real estate upgrade and not an ag expense for the sales tax exemption.

 

[LouNY]

A lot of different grades and specs for simple T posts.

 

[RobertEH]

I have been very satisfied with the Doyle brand hand tools. I have been trying to buy a new one every time they run some kind of sale.

 

[crazyal]

Until lately I have been impressed with HF tools. It seemed like they had turned a corner and were starting to make a real push towards being a retailer of good tools. Some are but then you come across some that just are terrible. For example I bought a 10" tile saw almost 2 decades ago, Chicago Electric I believe. The saw has been great. I've lent it out dozens of times. Now that I'm older I thought I would get the folding stand for it to help make moving it easier. It's the Diamondback folding stand. The only problem is it only folds as long as no saw is mounted in it. Exactly who thought making a lightweight stand fold (other than to fit in the box) was a wise idea?

 

[1Mech]

I like their aluminum frame floor jacks. I use one quite often on car repairs, lifting it in and out of my work van is A LOT easier than a steel frame floor jack! They hold up pretty well under daily use, I can pick it up and move it with one hand if needed. My first one lasted quite a few years, I am on my second one now, not sure how long I have had it, but I would guess over four years.

 

[1Mech]

Does anyone know if HF cordless tools can use a Dewalt battery? The connections look similar. I never remember to take a Dewalt battery in the see if they would work.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Does anyone know if HF cordless tools can use a Dewalt battery? The connections look similar. I never remember to take a Dewalt battery in the see if they would work.

I can't think they'd be the same, but I am sure there are adapters available.

 

[Grumpycat]

Does anyone know if HF cordless tools can use a Dewalt battery? The connections look similar. I never remember to take a Dewalt battery in the see if they would work.

Was said somewhere a tab could be cut to make batteries interchangeable. Don't know if that was to use HF battery on DeWalt or which way.

 

[bcp]

Tool batteries should be interchangeable just like flashlight batteries.

Bruce

 

[Alan46]

Tool batteries should be interchangeable just like flashlight batteries.

Bruce

You got that right!

 

[bcp]

Thousands of tool are thrown away when the battery fails and can't be replaced because the connection has changed.

Bruce

 

[5030]

Speaking of HF tools that don't suck, I really like their battery powered transfer pump, I use it for all sorts of transfer duties, from gasoline to diesel fuel to light gear oil and they are pretty cheap compared to the ones on Amazonian.

I see they are on sale right now for under 10 bucks. I tend to buy a couple at a time and they are hard on regular D cell batteries so what I did / do is I bought a couple 2 packs of Li-Ion rechargeable D cell batteries and I charge them (all 4) and 2 on the shelf when the 2 in the pump get weak, I exchange them with charged ones. Much cheaper than tossing conventional D cells. They do expire after a while but for under 10 bucks a shot, I don't care. In fact, I presently have 3 of them, one in use and 2 standby.

Nice thing about the rechargeable D cells is they hold their charge just fine sitting on the shelf, waiting to be used.

 

[5030]

Thousands of tool are thrown away when the battery fails and can't be replaced because the connection has changed.

Bruce

Why I've standardized my cordless tool assortment to just Bauer. No issues with non compatible batteries at all. You could do the same deal with the 'Hercules' line as well but I started out with Bauer so I stick with Bauer. They are not 'professional use, heavy duty' tools but for occasional use, they work fine for me and the newer brushless ones are even longer lasting on a battery. I have a pile of them actually.

Bauer batteries are pretty inexpensive as well. Much cheaper than say DeWalt or Milwaukee for that matter.

 

[Alan46]

Speaking of HF tools that don't suck, I really like their battery powered transfer pump, I use it for all sorts of transfer duties, from gasoline to diesel fuel to light gear oil and they are pretty cheap compared to the ones on Amazonian.

I see they are on sale right now for under 10 bucks. I tend to buy a couple at a time and they are hard on regular D cell batteries so what I did / do is I bought a couple 2 packs of Li-Ion rechargeable D cell batteries and I charge them (all 4) and 2 on the shelf when the 2 in the pump get weak, I exchange them with charged ones. Much cheaper than tossing conventional D cells. They do expire after a while but for under 10 bucks a shot, I don't care. In fact, I presently have 3 of them, one in use and 2 standby.

Nice thing about the rechargeable D cells is they hold their charge just fine sitting on the shelf, waiting to be used.

Thanks for the great IDEA. That’s exactly what I’m going to do tomorrow. I have 3 pumps, one for gas, diesel and Def!
What other great ideas do you have?

 

[Farmerjonathan]

20 ton 212cc Log Splitter

Amazing deals on this 20 Ton Log Splitter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Predator log splitter is a GREAT buy. Splits in both directions, starts easily on second pull, running 3/4's throttle has split everything I have put on it.

 

[MRTOES]

I used to have at least one of everything they sold. At that time what I liked most about Harbor Freight was parts diagrams and inexpensive repair parts. Had most of their drills and battery operated tools for my shop.
Not so much any longer. Sometimes they now change a part number and "don't sell parts for that model any longer" They discontinued all support for NICAD battery operated tools and came out with new ones LI AND stopped selling their old batteries completely (Very unlike RYOBI which went with LI that fit their older models as well, just new chargers). (I found out you can use RYOBI LI batteries in old Harbor freight)
Last I found that I was paying money to be in an Inside Track Club but every time I looked into a magazine there were sales promotions and coupons for much better prices. No More HF for me.

 

[coast40]

I wonder how HF is doing this year/last year?

HF says they are opening 2 new stores per week. The sign on the new local store, 60 miles from another HF store said.