Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Too many Kubotas]

Anyone have any experience with those hf extreme duty tarps and how long they last? Will be used year round permanently mounted for a roof on old greenhouse. Green house not used for growing anymore just storage. Approx 25'x22'.

If you mean the dark green canvas type ones, I've had one covering a trailer with a "soft top" for maybe four years now and it's still in perfect condition. Despite our brutal UV. Unlike the HF straps that are holding it in place.

 

[jjeff]

If you mean the dark green canvas type ones, I've had one covering a trailer with a "soft top" for maybe four years now and it's still in perfect condition. Despite our brutal UV. Unlike the HF straps that are holding it in place.

I Assume that isn't a hf tarp Want cheap but somewhat longer lasting. If I was smarter and looking for a more permanent solution I'd probably buy corrugated steel $$$ and run it up the bows like a giant carport. That current plastic has been on at least before we bought the place 8 yrs ago and is starting to fail. To be honest never thought that commercial type greenhouse would still be standing especially when I moved the entire green house still erected 50-100 ft off the side of the pole barn. Could start a new thread but looking for a cheap hf solution. Lol

 

[LouNY]

I Assume that isn't a hf tarp Want cheap but somewhat longer lasting. If I was smarter and looking for a more permanent solution I'd probably buy corrugated steel $$$ and run it up the bows like a giant carport. That current plastic has been on at least before we bought the place 8 yrs ago and is starting to fail. To be honest never thought that commercial type greenhouse would still be standing especially when I moved the entire green house still erected 50-100 ft off the side of the pole barn. Could start a new thread but looking for a cheap hf solution. Lol

Have you looked at the various vendors selling the "billboard" materials.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I Assume that isn't a hf tarp Want cheap but somewhat longer lasting. If I was smarter and looking for a more permanent solution I'd probably buy corrugated steel $$$ and run it up the bows like a giant carport.

It is indeed a HF tarp, but I don't remember how large they come.

Lucked out and had more than enough corrugated steel left over from the barn, hay barn, car port, etc. to cover a smaller trailer that I only had the bows for. When the good HF tarp expires. the other trailer will also get a steel roof.

 

[jjeff]

Have you looked at the various vendors selling the "billboard" materials.

Old buddy of mine worked for a bill board sign co. Gave me a ton of old printed on sign material years ago unfortunately not for seeing a use for gigantic sheets he gave me cut it up to make smaller tarps. I will say That stuff is strong and very resistant to weather.

 

[jjeff]

It is indeed a HF tarp, but I don't remember how large they come.

Lucked out and had more than enough corrugated steel left over from the barn, hay barn, car port, etc. to cover a smaller trailer that I only had the bows for. When the good HF tarp expires. the other trailer will also get a steel roof.

Figure I need 25 long x40 wide for tarp, I should try and remember basic geometry to find the area of the bowed roof lol. For quite a while been looking for scrapped/used corrugated steel seems when I found some at an auction or similar it went quickly at a premium.

 

[5030]

I will say that I've not had any HF tools that suck lately, but then I don't purchase any of their low buck stuff anyway. Always the higher priced tools.

One of my favorites in the Bauer corded finishing tool with the interchangeable drums. It allows me to change out drums for removing mill scale on ferrous metals but at the same time, removing oixidation from aluminum prior to welding (by changing out the drums, something you have to do when going from ferrous material to non ferrous material simply because if you don't, when welding aluminum, a ferrous drum would compromise the weld. Actually have my drums marked as to their use...and the Bauer tool is quite a bit less expensive than the competitors as well.

 

[JeepHead]

I will say that I've not had any HF tools that suck lately, but then I don't purchase any of their low buck stuff anyway. Always the higher priced tools.

One of my favorites in the Bauer corded finishing tool with the interchangeable drums. It allows me to change out drums for removing mill scale on ferrous metals but at the same time, removing oixidation from aluminum prior to welding (by changing out the drums, something you have to do when going from ferrous material to non ferrous material simply because if you don't, when welding aluminum, a ferrous drum would compromise the weld. Actually have my drums marked as to their use...and the Bauer tool is quite a bit less expensive than the competitors as well.

Are you talking about the surface conditioning tool? If so, I just bought the Hercules model of this tool a couple months ago.. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet. I have been buying different drums so I will be prepared for what's needed hen I get to that point.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/sanders/surface-conditioning-tools/9-amp-variable-speed-surface-conditioning-tool-70979.html

 

[5030]

Bought the Bauer when they first came out, looking at the Herc, it looks just like the Bauer I bought and got it on sale (ITC club) for less than 100 bucks with 3 drums included. I would caution you about one thing and that is... The gearbox is lacking sufficient lubricant inside and comes apart with Torx screws. I would suggest taking it apart, cleaning out the 'smooze' grease inside and replacing it with real grease is sufficient quantity.

Certainly was less that the Eastwood version which looks identical to the HF tool. Eastwood also want q uite a bit more for the drums.

Cleaning out the 'smooze' grease that HF has in their gearboxes is SOP for me, no matter what the tool is. HF likes to use 'smooze' grease in their gearboxes for some reason, but it is easy to take them apart and remove the smooze grease and replace it with 'real' grease.

The one exception I've found is their Chief air grinders which is an exact copy of the IR air grinder at about 100 bucks less. The Chief actually has good grease in the gearcase. It also comes with flush mount grease port on the frint of the tool, for adding additional grease if required. Same with the Chief air powered drill.

 

[KubotainNH]

Bought the Bauer when they first came out, looking at the Herc, it looks just like the Bauer I bought and got it on sale (ITC club) for less than 100 bucks with 3 drums included. I would caution you about one thing and that is... The gearbox is lacking sufficient lubricant inside and comes apart with Torx screws. I would suggest taking it apart, cleaning out the 'smooze' grease inside and replacing it with real grease is sufficient quantity.

I got one of the last Bauer units for like $60 when they went on clearance a couple months ago. Seems they only have the Hercules now and it does not come with 3 drums which is a bummer.

 

[jjeff]

Hf Tools like this don't suck especially if you need to remove those plastic push rivet or whatever there called usually four letter words by me, they are definitely pet peeves of .mine. Anyways the metal pry type tools make me more civil when removing them anyway or any plastic fastener for that matter.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Here's my small HF tarp covering the original tattered canvas top, and the steel version.

 

[QRTRHRS]

During the recent "indoor parking lot sale", I saw these knee pads marked down five bucks. I had been doing a lot of weeding lately using a simple pair that did not really provide much comfort to either knee. (Left one's had a total replacement.)

Anyway, they make me feel like the terminator but they do the job.

I have watching for the Hercules 11 amp grinder to go on sale so I could pick up two more. A recent email had 20 bucks off of the 13 amp 4.5"/6" grinder, limit one per customer. So, I picked one up tonight. Guess it's time for another metal working project to try it out?

 

[Cycledude]

I recently bought a pair of knee pads at Menards, they were the cheapest ones on the shelf cost was $15 , they are definitely the best knee pads I ever had.

 

[Gregster613]

During the recent "indoor parking lot sale", I saw these knee pads marked down five bucks. I had been doing a lot of weeding lately using a simple pair that did not really provide much comfort to either knee. (Left one's had a total replacement.)

Anyway, they make me feel like the terminator but they do the job.
View attachment 3657554

I have watching for the Hercules 11 amp grinder to go on sale so I could pick up two more. A recent email had 20 bucks off of the 13 amp 4.5"/6" grinder, limit one per customer. So, I picked one up tonight. Guess it's time for another metal working project to try it out?

I haven't a pair that actually works well at all. Can't seem to get them to stay on my darn knees. I like the looks of the above set. Next time I'm next to the store I'm going to try a pair of these. Hopefully they'll work as well as they look! Thanks for the info QRTRHRS

 

[California]

Project Farm ranked HF's plastic oil change ramps at the top of his list.

I just bought them. I don't have anything as heavy as half the rated capacity.

These should work better than metal ramps, which tended to move when climbed.

Any comments?

 

[newbury]

on the subject of knee pads:
I've always had problems kneeling on concrete, gravel etc, when wearing shorts. And in Mississippi it can be shorts weather year around.
So I favor knee pads.
Back in April of 2022 Amazon was selling AmazonCommercial Non-marring Knee Pads, 9.5in, white, 3 pair for $6.25.
I ordered at least 6 packs, I keep them all around my properties.

 

[5030]

Ear plugs aren't bad either. Come in 50 packs so wear and toss.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Ear plugs aren't bad either. Come in 50 packs so wear and toss.

Throw away society.

 

[5030]

Throw away society.

I, for one, don't have any desire to use used ear plugs with ear wax on them, throwaway or not.