Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

If anyone's still interested - Northern Tool's angle grinder holder (chop saw) is back on sale at $15, free shipping.
I bought one, and posted a review a few pages back in this HF thread:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...-freight-tools-dont-suck-514.html#post5266365

Ironton Angle Grinder Holder | Northern Tool + Equipment

Sale ends ... When? It still shows $15 and free shipping on the website. (Their email said the sale would end yesterday).

 

[Diggin It]

I need a corded drill. There are times when cordless ones just don't cut it, like drilling thicker steel. I have a decades old Mall drill, complete with steel outer shell, but it only has a 3/8" chuck and is not reversible. The cord finally gave up on it yesterday so I need to replace that. But it has so much torque, it could break your wrist if it catches and starts to spin.

I'd like a 1/2" chuck and hopefully something that will 'release' somehow instead of trying to twist your arm off.

I also have a Chicago Electric 1/2" reversible that is selectable between drill and hammer, but it's stuck in hammer and I can't find a way to fix that.

Suggestions of HF's current offerings under $50?

 

[Diggin It]

The old version of the 4 piece metal oil end cap filter wrenches came through for me today when I couldn't get anything else in place.

 

[crazyal]

So with HF changing the name of it's tool lines I wonder if they are going to change the name of their stores too, lol? Reminds me of Goldstar. They were a discount electronics company back in the 70s/ 80s. If you don't remember them then maybe Kraco rings a bell (they were their main competition). Anyway I think they got tired of being known as the bottom tier electronics company so they changed their name to Liquid Gold, when that didn't work they just switched to LG. They might of even had another name somewhere along the way. Anyway LG is no longer seen as one of the el cheapo brands it once was. I wonder if HF is going to try to do that. If so it'd be a shame as cheap tools have their place.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Don't know if they're any good but, here's a Hitachi 4.5 grinder with 5 disks for $39.95

Travers Catalogs - Metalworking - December 218 - page 42

 

[PILOON]

I need a corded drill. There are times when cordless ones just don't cut it, like drilling thicker steel. I have a decades old Mall drill, complete with steel outer shell, but it only has a 3/8" chuck and is not reversible. The cord finally gave up on it yesterday so I need to replace that. But it has so much torque, it could break your wrist if it catches and starts to spin.

I'd like a 1/2" chuck and hopefully something that will 'release' somehow instead of trying to twist your arm off.

I also have a Chicago Electric 1/2" reversible that is selectable between drill and hammer, but it's stuck in hammer and I can't find a way to fix that.

Suggestions of HF's current offerings under $50?

I'm the lucky one as I have a Milwaukie hole hawg that sports a 5/8 chuck and has hi/lo speeds. Cot to be careful as that beast can break your wrist,
I add a length of 3/4 pipe as an insurance as I can overcome the torque with it.
I have bored 3" holes thru 8" of laminated trusses with it making a pail full of chips. Awesome tool.
LOL, got it from a pawn shop for all of $40. (Cdn) Love all Milwaukie tools as I have a few now. Quality!

 

[downsizingnow48]

I have old Milwaukee corded drills, Hole Hawg and smaller Magnum, both 1/2". Unbeatable, had them for decades.

On the Mall drill, I would guess you can get a 1/2" Jacobs chuck to fit it. The Jacobs website has lots of chucks with specs.

 

[4570Man]

I have one of these which has a clutch that works pretty well. It’ll still knock you off a ladder but it won’t break your arm in 3 places like a hole hawg. Now if you find one of the dewalt for the specified budget of 50 you better jump on it because they’re about a $300 piece. I bought mine with a cord in 2010. If I was buying today I’d probably get the 60 volt cordless version.

 

[Kernopelli]

Don't know if they're any good but, here's a Hitachi 4.5 grinder with 5 disks for $39.95

Travers Catalogs - Metalworking - December 218 - page 42

I have been using one of these for about a year. I have had no issues and it has seen quite a bit of use.

 

[TMGT]

Picked up the "Berger" F style clamp the other day. Not as nice as my Stronghand clamps but still seems very comparable quality wise. I'm going to buy a second so I have a pair. Also noticed the welding angle magnets look identical to my Stronghands........ might have to try one out also.
12 in. F-Style Welding Clamp