Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Travelover]

Yesterday I bought a ........ bug zapper shaped like a tennis racket........

Wait - that's a bug zapper? No wonder I keep catching tennis balls on fire.

 

[MoArk Willy]

So you can get the bed lift attachment for about $200...an engine hoist for less than that.
But if you want a gantry crane....buy one.
I am sure you will use it for other things. I never want to tell anyone how to spend their money.
That is what wives are for.

 

[4570Man]

So dragging the bed aft will be a piece of cake and not damage the bed? Still like to be able to lift things. Always fighting heavy loads and with age, I am losing.

They aren’t very heavy. 2 stout guys or 4 regular guys could lift it up and walk it backwards to the pre placed stand.

 

[plumberroy]

I can't see the 30% ever influencing me to make the drive vs. using the always available 20% especially since the max purchase is $10.

Making "the drive" since I pass a harbor freight on the way home from work daily. it is along one of our most traveled routes to get to most things we need. I have ridden a bicycle down there on occasion

 

[Code54]

I have the gantry crane over in our shop and LOVE it. I did replace the upper beam for a larger HD beam (buddy gave it to me so....) and it works great. Use it to get implements out of the truck bed, stuff off the trailer, rebuild large implements (for example my Alamo 6' flail mower) and everything else I can't easily lift. A few years ago I built a a very HD land plane, there was NO way to move it around and flip it over in the garage easily without the gantry crane. Sure I could use the mini ex but it was middle of winter and didn't want to open the shop doors and let the hear out. Just throw a cable around the end I want to lift and tilt it up right in the bay of the shop and weld away. They are not cheap but I figure compared to the hospital bill for me getting squished it is a great deal! Even use it to lift the front of my ZTR to change blades quick and easily.

 

[dragoneggs]

So you can get the bed lift attachment for about $200...an engine hoist for less than that.
But if you want a gantry crane....buy one.
I am sure you will use it for other things. I never want to tell anyone how to spend their money.
That is what wives are for.

They aren’t very heavy. 2 stout guys or 4 regular guys could lift it up and walk it backwards to the pre placed stand.

I thought about an engine hoist but was sure about the reach. I have always wanted a gantry crane. And I like the idea of being able to roll it out on the driveway or use it in the shop. Ideally I would mount a contraption on the ceiling to save floor real estate which is at a premium until I ever get around to building a dedicated shop.

Unfortunately I don't have ready access to other 'grunts' to lend me a hand other than my wife. My neighbors are older than me and family is too far away when I need them.

I do know I will use it for other heavy or awkward lifts. I take my hard cover off/on of my truck bed a few times per year. It will come in handy for that as well. Got pre-purchase approval from the wife because I told her it would save her from some 'honeyhelphurry' tasks! For $555 w/coupon that seems worth it.

 

[Code54]

Here is one shot of the crane in action when I was building a little trailer.....

 

[lostcreekranch]

Wait - that's a bug zapper? No wonder I keep catching tennis balls on fire.

View attachment 616141

 

[lostcreekranch]

View attachment 616136
Here is one shot of the crane in action when I was building a little trailer.....

How much free space to you have between the upright frames?

 

[MoArk Willy]

The crane is on wheels...right?
Just re-arrange your shop / garage so the crane can roll around a workbench or some other objects in your garage. If it's over a workbench, clamp some lights to the beam when it's not being used.
Anything on wheels can be moved around. Before I built my wood shop I had to use the garage. Everything was on wheels so I could still park the vehicles in it.
Wheels are your friends.