Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[caver]

Part of my problem is that I'm cheap.

The part of the problem is that I'm a boarder line idiot to the mechanics of solar charging RVs.

It was 4 years ago but I paid 216$ for a 160 watt unit with charge controller. Everything I've bought from HF that had electronics in it failed within a year. Get something like Renogy like another poster mentioned or Zamp. yes the solar RV inputs are just hokey unless they provide a jack up on the roof.

 

[stuckmotor]

I hung the first of my two Led shop lights tonight. 4 Ft. LED Hanging Shop Light
Like others, I got them with coupons and paid $19.99. I am pleased so far and plan to buy more.

 

[von-mil]

I'm sold. 1" belt sander is on the short list.
Is it something that goes "on sale" frequently?

Fairly often and you can use the 20% of coupon on the sale price too.

The 20%/25% off coupons that I have seen in the past couple of months now exclude the 'brand' Central Machinery. They may not be valid on the belt sander.

They should just change all the tiny exclusion print to read "Not valid on items that don't suck".

 

[Ford850]

The 20%/25% off coupons that I have seen in the past couple of months now exclude the 'brand' Central Machinery. They may not be valid on the belt sander.

They should just change all the tiny exclusion print to read "Not valid on items that don't suck".

I think Central was excluded from the 25%, but looks to be accepted on the 20% coupons. Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, 20 percent off coupons, No Purchase Required coupons, toolbox coupons

 

[Ford850]

I use it 90% of the time for reprofiling cutting tools I have had it for over a year. I have no complaints. It saves me a lot of file work

I've had a H.F. 1" sander for 6 or 7 years and it's probably the handiest tool in my shop. I use it mainly to sharpen the blades on my Bearcat 5" PTO chipper and it does a great job. I also sharpen lopper and shear blades as well as a lot of rust removal etc.

Like most H.F. tools it takes a little fine tuning to make it work like the slots for the table adjustment had to be lengthened a little to get the right angle for the chipper blades. Also I use a small protractor to set the angle.

I'm very happy with mine and would buy it again if needed.

Do you guys use the coarse 40 grit belts most of the time for this metal work?

 

[plumberroy]

I use the 80 grit and 120 grit for reprofiling axes and machetes

 

[Jim Nelson]

I use the 60 grit for sharpening hardened blades and finer grits for loppers and such .The 40 grit is good to take off a lot of metal but too aggressive for finer work.

 

[Threepoint]

I use the 80 grit and 120 grit for reprofiling axes and machetes

Plumberroy, on the 1" belt sander, do you remove the platen ("back plate") to sharpen your machetes and axes? I can see how that would allow the belt to handle slight contours.

 

[California]

Does the 1" belt sander work better than a bench grinder for simply taking off metal, shaping an object?

 

[plumberroy]

Plumberroy, on the 1" belt sander, do you remove the platen ("back plate") to sharpen your machetes and axes? I can see how that would allow the belt to handle slight contours.

I slid it all the way back tighten it down it is about 3/8ths behind the beltI can push it in some for a light convex edge or push it back against the gaurd for flat sanding

A bench grinder will take metal of faster but finish will be rougher and unless you are care you will heat tempered metal hot enough to ruin the temper of hardened metal