cheap tool alert

[slowrev]

I have had good luck with the black 6 point sockets from HF. I use them on a 1/2 gun that will wring off a 1/2 inch bolt in a hurry if you are not careful.
I sometimes adapt it down and use the 3/4 drive ones on it. Busted a couple of extensions, but no sockets.
Ben

 

[California]

re HF discount coupons:

Bah! I thought I was clever using that 15% coupon I described above.

I got home and found they had stuffed a brochure in my shopping bag that included........... a 20% off coupon!

Folks, ask for that 4 page (one folded sheet) brochure before going to the register!

 

[jwstewar]

I've been to HF a few times. Bought a few things. Only a couple of things I've been disappointed in (vs. Homier & Cummins at everything ). One item I was disappointed in was a barrel pump. It'll move liquid until you get so far down and then you stop it won't restart. Defeats the purpose of having a barrel if you have to keep refilling it.

I bought a brad nailer/stapler last week. Used it yesterday. It did an OK job except the way the safety mechanism on the front is made. It is round and kept slipping off the wire I was trying to staple. I figured out a trick and was OK.

Most expensive item that I (we'll actually the wife) purchased from there was a 10x12 greenhouse. It normally sells for $799 and they had it "on sale" (though I've never actually seen not on sale) for $599 and we then had a coupon for 20% off that. Ended up being like $520 after paying Uncle Sam. I was reasonably surprised by the quality. It seems sturdy but some of the panels on it could have been just a hair bit bigger. Doors drag a little, but I think we will put a little bit of vaseline on them and that along with a little wear and they will be fine. It should do until she really gets the one she wants. Right now she is pursuing a lead on a 34'x300'

 

[HomeBrew2]

re HF discount coupons:

Bah! I thought I was clever using that 15% coupon I described above.

I got home and found they had stuffed a brochure in my shopping bag that included........... a 20% off coupon!

Folks, ask for that 4 page (one folded sheet) brochure before going to the register!

Never seen or heard of that brochure before ... but I'll sure dig around for one next time. Thanks for the tip.

 

[JRobyn]

Went to HF yesterday; they had at least two AD helmets; one was "on sale" from $99 to $59 (had blue flame decals and the hood had Chicago blah blah molded into it). They also had a "Western Safety" model (just plain black hood) priced at $79. I asked the counter guy if they still had one of the "plain" ones they used to sell for $40. He said "I'll give ya the $79 one for $40, they're getting ready to go on sale again soon". Seems to work fine, but I notice that the "darkness" is less on the sides of the shade if I turn my head (just looking at an incandescent lamp). Maybe this will improve if I sunlight charge it some or an actual arc is involved? Anyone know if there is any significant performance difference between the models?

I also returned the 3/4 drive extension I broke with my 6ft cheater on the bushhog blade nuts. They exchanged it no questions asked from a set off the shelf. Since that set was now missing the extension, he asked if I'd be interested in buying it cheap. The box was also dented, so I said it should be REALLY cheap. He sold it to me for $25!

Then I asked about the "preferred customer" discount coupon, and complained that despite my filling out several of their in-store mailing list cards, I rarely got the sale flyers. He had me fill out one more, and gave me a 10% discount on my whole order!

 

[HomeBrew2]

Man, that was a good outing! The only way I was finally able to get on their mailer list was to do it online.

 

[Dargo]

Hey, speaking of cheap tools, has anyone used the 18 volt grease gun from Rural King? It is normally 89.99 but is not on sale for $59.99. Is it worth it?

 

[MossRoad]

Hey, speaking of cheap tools, has anyone used the 18 volt grease gun from Rural King? It is normally 89.99 but is not on sale for $59.99. Is it worth it?

Only if you don't look at it while you use it.

 

[TBDonnelly]

Hey, speaking of cheap tools, has anyone used the 18 volt grease gun from Rural King? It is normally 89.99 but is not on sale for $59.99. Is it worth it?

If it's not on sale for $59.99....how much is it on sale for?

Don

 

[varmint]

Last time I was at my local HF, I looked for and couldn't find the generator covers I'd seen in their flyer... the manager and an employee searched 5 minutes before locating them in a pile of tool pouches- Black nylon, fits my wheeled Porter Cable 5250W unit just fine, and $20... a little less than the others I considered.
When I reached 40 years old or so, I realized that the tools I bought 20 years ago where still in use, and the high quality ones were a "pleasure", vs. the cheapies so why buy cheap tools? Now, 20 years later, I realize that it's better to have a LOT of tools for those occasional-need uses, and cheap is okay for those purposes, as long as they work. That make any sense??