Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[lostcreekranch]

You did good. That looks like a better tool than HF's blue paddle-switch 6 amp version.

I like the NT grinder because it has an off / on switch. I'd think the paddle switch would be unwieldy, in the cut off adapter, unless you could lock it on?

 

[California]

I like the NT grinder because it has an off / on switch. I'd think the paddle switch would be unwieldy, in the cut off adapter, unless you could lock it on?

I have the HF cheap and intermediate grinders in addition to the paddle switch one. When I tried HF's grinder cutoff mount I installed the $10 HF grinder in it, because that grinder wasn't as useful as the intermediate one that was my primary grinder at the time. It didn't take much loading, weight, on the grinder to make the disc wander off the layout line without bogging down the grinder. I quit using the flimsy HF mount at that point. It seemed dangerous.

I think HF's $10 angle grinder should be sufficient to put in the new NT mount as a cutoff saw. It has a slide on/of switch. This use doesn't work the grinder very hard.

 

[stuckmotor]

I like the NT grinder because it has an off / on switch. I'd think the paddle switch would be unwieldy, in the cut off adapter, unless you could lock it on?

I have a HF grinder with a paddle switch and don't like it.

 

[Rock Crawler]

So, Harbor freight has 3 options for wrench sorting. One is the Wrench-It-To-Me, it's one of the few third party products that is resold by HF.

Next is a pair of similar designed wedge shaped racks, one being steel for $6.99 and one being a soft plastic almost rubbery material for $5.99.

The first mentioned is a large rectangle with various large wrench, small wrench and hex key Allen wrench sorting areas. My problem with those one is that it just takes to much space as it is and needs to be dissected to remove the hex key areas and make each segment modular. I'll do that this weekend with my Dremel.
76 Pc Wrench Organizer

Then you have the steel and plastic, both share a common trait that for me is no good. The issue for me is that these are made to positively engage the wrenches and provide a carry handle. I do not want to have the space if the handle taken and I do not want to push and rotate the wrenches in and out of the grippers every time I need to interact with this. So I bought 4, cut the handles off by scoring with a utility knife and bending/cracking the handle off. Then I took diagonal cutters and snapped the latching hooks off to make these work as I desired. Now we are talking! Attached is a photo of a pre cut and post cut plastic one. I'll segment out the Wrench-It-To-Me to create 4 more sets of similar organizers, and I'll move the hex key part to the hex key drawer. Win win.

The plastic one I got for $5.99 minus the 20% coupon and with tax for $5.08.
16 Slot Wrench Rack


The steel version would be more difficult to modify to this configuration, so even though I like metal over plastic... In this instance the plastic is clearly better to fit my desired use.

 

[Diggin It]

I'd think the paddle switch would be unwieldy, in the cut off adapter, unless you could lock it on?

I have one and while it works OK for my use, I'm not wild about the paddle switch. Mine CAN be locked on though, so you could plug it in to a switched outlet box and turn it on/off that way while mounted in the adapter.

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]
Attached is a photo of a pre cut and post cut plastic one. I'll segment out the Wrench-It-To-Me to create 4 more sets of similar organizers, and I'll move the hex key part to the hex key drawer. Win win.View attachment 577798View attachment 577799View attachment 577800View attachment 577801

Well done, RockCrawler. But hopefully there's a solution for those crow's foot wrenches in the bottom left corner of that last drawer. They aren't staying lined up nicely like the rest.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Well done, RockCrawler. But hopefully there's a solution for those crow's foot wrenches in the bottom left corner of that last drawer. They aren't staying lined up nicely like the rest.

It's a work in progress. I'm working 6am to 6:30 pm for another week and a half, Sundays off. So I get home around 7:30 and spend an hour in the garage playing with this organization while drinking a couple Coronas... I go to sleep around 9 and wake up at 4am.

I want to trim the unused length from those wrench racks as well. At the same time, I'm trying to split off a set of everything into the HF 4 drawer roller cart for pulling outside to the tractor. The idea is to have a rolling basic set that prevents me from needing to walk back and forth to the main box when I have something going on outside.

I also have another HF 4 drawer roller in my lower set of bays that I'm doing the same in. I'm actually thinking that I might get that 301 piece Pittsburgh set from HF for the lower garages. That's a pretty decent basic kit to minimize humping upstairs for every tool need.

There is only so much time and only so much money that can apply at one time, do I'm calling this a winter project with respect to both time and money.

 

[PJSprog]

I have a HF grinder with a paddle switch and don't like it.

I have it, too, and actually like it. It was the paddle switch that sold me on it. I've had no issues with mine.

 

[Threepoint]

It's a work in progress. I'm working 6am to 6:30 pm for another week and a half, Sundays off. So I get home around 7:30 and spend an hour in the garage playing with this organization while drinking a couple Coronas... I go to sleep around 9 and wake up at 4am.

I want to trim the unused length from those wrench racks as well. At the same time, I'm trying to split off a set of everything into the HF 4 drawer roller cart for pulling outside to the tractor. The idea is to have a rolling basic set that prevents me from needing to walk back and forth to the main box when I have something going on outside.

I also have another HF 4 drawer roller in my lower set of bays that I'm doing the same in. I'm actually thinking that I might get that 301 piece Pittsburgh set from HF for the lower garages. That's a pretty decent basic kit to minimize humping upstairs for every tool need.

There is only so much time and only so much money that can apply at one time, do I'm calling this a winter project with respect to both time and money.

For me, probably more frustrating than not owing the right tool for a project is owning the right tool but not having it with me when I need it!

 

[tjkubota93]

So, Harbor freight has 3 options for wrench sorting. One is the Wrench-It-To-Me, it's one of the few third party products that is resold by HF.

Next is a pair of similar designed wedge shaped racks, one being steel for $6.99 and one being a soft plastic almost rubbery material for $5.99.

The first mentioned is a large rectangle with various large wrench, small wrench and hex key Allen wrench sorting areas. My problem with those one is that it just takes to much space as it is and needs to be dissected to remove the hex key areas and make each segment modular. I'll do that this weekend with my Dremel.
76 Pc Wrench Organizer

Then you have the steel and plastic, both share a common trait that for me is no good. The issue for me is that these are made to positively engage the wrenches and provide a carry handle. I do not want to have the space if the handle taken and I do not want to push and rotate the wrenches in and out of the grippers every time I need to interact with this. So I bought 4, cut the handles off by scoring with a utility knife and bending/cracking the handle off. Then I took diagonal cutters and snapped the latching hooks off to make these work as I desired. Now we are talking! Attached is a photo of a pre cut and post cut plastic one. I'll segment out the Wrench-It-To-Me to create 4 more sets of similar organizers, and I'll move the hex key part to the hex key drawer. Win win.

The plastic one I got for $5.99 minus the 20% coupon and with tax for $5.08.
16 Slot Wrench Rack


The steel version would be more difficult to modify to this configuration, so even though I like metal over plastic... In this instance the plastic is clearly better to fit my desired use.View attachment 577798View attachment 577799View attachment 577800View attachment 577801

They all stink. To me its easier to just lay in bottom of drawer in an organized fashion. They always fall off the racks.
Good luck finding one with the right # of slots for your wrenches too....