Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[WW2017]

Has any one tried the CenTech Timing light. I need to check the timing on my 861. Was going to static time it but since I've never done this, I was wondering if the light could just confirm I hadn't screwed something up

 

[hunt4570]

Simple answer, buy a second unit.....

For years I farmed with one unit and used it for everything but I finally convinced my partner (wife) that a second unit would make life easier... and it did. With 2, I don't have to constantly change implements out (and some of mine are heavy and have multiple hydraulic and electronic hookups) and I can leave one unit free for around the farm chores if necessary plus I don't accrue so many hours per unit with 2.

What I did was buy an identical unit to the one I already have so services and filters and grease points are identical and they both are on the same service schedule too. Makes life much simpler for me and I can go from one to the other and know exactly how both will perform because they are identical.

It's only money and you cannot take it with you so spend it...

So I can spend $500 to $1500 for a nice stand alone generator (mine was about $600) or another measly $28,000 for another matching tractor... now there's a no brainer..

 

[LouNY]

The spare tractor doesn't need to be a clone to what a person has now.
As long as it starts and runs decently that is all thats needed for an occasional use spare tractor.
It can even be a smoking oil burning 2wd on bald tires as long as it has a good governor thats all that needed.

For that matter pto power generator doesn't even need to be mounted to the tractor,
it can be skid or trailer mounted with the pto shaft being the only thing required to be connected.
So the tractor can quite easily be disconnected to plow or tow something and reconnected easily with minor short interruptions of power.
Heck I can disconnect from my generator in less then 2 minutes if desired and reconnection is just as easy.
The worst thing is all the danged blinking clocks.

As far as the price compare the prices for the same KW and then contemplate the life spans,
my 25 KW generator is over 25 years old.
Then compare the power quality provided, mine is a 4 pole 1800 rpm copper wound generator head,
the power quality is clean and a pure clean sine wave with voltage and frequency stability much better then 3600 rpm screamer is going to have.

 

[5030]

So I can spend $500 to $1500 for a nice stand alone generator (mine was about $600) or another measly $28,000 for another matching tractor... now there's a no brainer..

Don't much care one way or another in reality. I have a standby diesel genset with a turbocharged JD diesel and automatic transfer. Works just fine for me.

 

[5030]

The spare tractor doesn't need to be a clone to what a person has now.
As long as it starts and runs decently that is all thats needed for an occasional use spare tractor.
It can even be a smoking oil burning 2wd on bald tires as long as it has a good governor thats all that needed.

For that matter pto power generator doesn't even need to be mounted to the tractor,
it can be skid or trailer mounted with the pto shaft being the only thing required to be connected.
So the tractor can quite easily be disconnected to plow or tow something and reconnected easily with minor short interruptions of power.
Heck I can disconnect from my generator in less then 2 minutes if desired and reconnection is just as easy.
The worst thing is all the danged blinking clocks.

As far as the price compare the prices for the same KW and then contemplate the life spans,
my 25 KW generator is over 25 years old.
Then compare the power quality provided, mine is a 4 pole 1800 rpm copper wound generator head,
the power quality is clean and a pure clean sine wave with voltage and frequency stability much better then 3600 rpm screamer is going to have.

My suggestion for same units was from a maintenance standpoint only. I like standardization of motive power myself but whatever blows your dress up. I only need to keep identical filters and lubricants on the shelf for maintenance, not a bunch of different items because I own various units but that is my personal choice and may not be yours. I don't dress you and you don't dress me...

 

[5030]

Additionally, I'm all about 4 pole skewed rotor gen sets and 1800 rpm is always better from a longevity standpoint concerning not only the generator head but the power source as well. Most all copper or alloy wound heads will produce PSW power, it's the frequency that becomes an issue because the power unit has to input a stable RPM to deliver constant 60 hz and that is nearly impossible with any mechanically governed power source. As the load (amp draw) increases or decreases, the input rpm fluctuates and so does the CPS. Fact of operation.

 

[hunt4570]

Don't much care one way or another in reality. I have a standby diesel genset with a turbocharged JD diesel and automatic transfer. Works just fine for me.

Well you are the one that brought it up..

 

[5030]

Well you are the one that brought it up..

Just ended it as well....

 

[dlctcg]

I've read (almost) every post on this thread.... & not sure if I missed it but the Bauer 5 in. Random Orbital Pal Sander has surpassed my expectations ten fold... I purchased it for a home project (for under $24 with coupons) & not expecting much as we have units 4 & 5 times the cost for work.... (our Bosch units were being used on a project)
All I can say is, I will never spend the kind of money Bosch, Dewalt, or anyone else ($120++) on a random orbital sander. I now have over 100hrs on this sander & it runs perfect.... yes it has a little more vibration than the ones that cost 5x as much, but the finish results have been great....

I just finished building a new staircase & I would guess I have over 50hrs of sanding on this project alone by the time of assembly & I had 3 coats of finish on it... (was rough lumber milled locally that I started with). This sander has performed just as good as our $$$$ units we use...



& it raised....

 

[dragoneggs]

I've read (almost) every post on this thread.... & not sure if I missed it but the Bauer 5 in. Random Orbital Pal Sander has surpassed my expectations ten fold... I purchased it for a home project (for under $24 with coupons) & not expecting much as we have units 4 & 5 times the cost for work.... (our Bosch units were being used on a project)
All I can say is, I will never spend the kind of money Bosch, Dewalt, or anyone else ($120++) on a random orbital sander. I now have over 100hrs on this sander & it runs perfect.... yes it has a little more vibration than the ones that cost 5x as much, but the finish results have been great....

I just finished building a new staircase & I would guess I have over 50hrs of sanding on this project alone by the time of assembly & I had 3 coats of finish on it... (was rough lumber milled locally that I started with). This sander has performed just as good as our $$$$ units we use...

View attachment 653456

& it raised....

View attachment 653457

Well that is a testimonial! I guess the Festool sanders are out of the question. :laughing: Nice work. I look forward to pics with the railings installed. :thumbsup: