Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Cougsfan]

I bought one of the US General 22" x 26" tool storage cabinets a couple of years ago. I've been very happy with it, except for one thing: the mice are also very happy with it. Evey few months, I find a drawer filled with chewed up paper towels & rags, seeds/grain/nuts, and LOTS of mouse poop. Does anyone have suggestions on how to mouse-proof one of these things?

Buy some peppermint and put a little in each drawer.

 

[Cougsfan]

A few months ago I bought a Hercules table saw. Overall I am impressed with it. The one thing I recently noticed though is that I can't install my Dado blade. I am not an expert on such matters. Do other inexpensive table saws accept Dado blades, or is there a Dado that will fit the Hercules?

 

[BukitCase]

Cougsfan, from what I've read that's fairly common in lower priced saws - my old PM66 has no problem, friend has a Unisaw and it's fine. I'm thinking the cheaper (and NOT so cheaper name brand) portables WOULD have the problem, possibly a cost-saving thing (cheaper bearings, shorter arbor) -

Don't know if these are still made (I had one, probably still in a drawer somewhere after I tried it ) - try searching for a "wobble" dado. If you're wanting to do cabinet grade stuff, probably shouldn't waste your time, the results are slightly "less than stellar"... Steve

 

[Cougsfan]

I have a wobble dado that I use on my radial arm saw, and the Hercules arbor is too short for it.

 

[BukitCase]

How many months is "a few"? If it's less than 3, I would consider returning it within their 90 day "window", and finding one that WILL take a dado if that's important to you.
I know the Dewalt
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...le-Saw-with-Rolling-Stand-DWE7491RS/204512007

Can take up to 13/16" dado, but it's about TWICE what the hercules costs, and the MAkita version is even MORE -
Best Table Saws That Accept Dado Blades in 221 - The Best Scroll Saw | Pro Reviews | Buyer Guides | Tips & Tricks

for that price, if you didn't need portability I'd be shopping CL for a used cabinet saw. I gave $600 for my WELL-used PM66, but it can rip or crosscut 4x8 plywood in one pass, and I can balance a quarter on the table while it's RUNNING - I added an overarm guard/dust pickup; the thing ain't purty, but the CUTS sure are - I almost need to rough 'em up so glue has some "teeth".

I don't think the Herculese is made in the UK, if it was that's why it won't take a dado - in the UK, dado's are ILLEGAL (safety excuses) -

One other possibility, if all else fails - get a Freud box joint blade set -

Freud 8" x 2T Box Joint Cutter Set (SBOX8) - Dado Saw Blades - Amazon.com

you might only need TWO passes for clean, square bottom dados (you get 1/4" or 3/8" width per pass, depending on which way you mount the pair)... Steve

BTW, if you're sneaky (like me) and needed 3/4" dados I would make a 3/8" shim for the rip fence, then just make one 3/8" pass WITH the shim and one WITHOUT :laughing:

 

[BravoXray]

Does anyone know if the Icon 8 pc snap ring plier set is any good? I'm sick of dealing with the junk pliers I have. Thinking of adding this to my Christmas list.

If they are junk, what are some good brands (without having to chase down the Snap-On truck)?

Try Lowes for Craftsman of Kobalt brand pliers. Around Christmas they usually have a set of four or five on sale for $20-$30.

 

[LouNY]

For large heavy duty ones I like this type.
GEARWRENCH Heavy-Duty Interchangeable Tip Convertible Snap Ring Pliers, 9-1/2" - 212D - - Amazon.com

 

[Cougsfan]

How many months is "a few"? If it's less than 3, I would consider returning it within their 90 day "window", and finding one that WILL take a dado if that's important to you.

BTW, if you're sneaky (like me) and needed 3/4" dados I would make a 3/8" shim for the rip fence, then just make one 3/8" pass WITH the shim and one WITHOUT :laughing:

No, it is not so important I would take it back, but I do like your idea of using a shim.

 

[BukitCase]

Yeah, shims can be really handy; I have 3 router tables, set up so I can do raised panel doors without changing anything (one for stiles, one for rails, one for center panels) - all 3 tables have Jessem fences. I added some small micarta blocks with separate hold-down knobs.

That way, if a particular router bit is better doing several passes, I set the Jessem fence up so the cutter would take its full depth in one pass; I also lock down the micarta blocks snug against the back side of the Jessem fence - then I can loosen the Jessem and slide 1 or 2 shims between the Jessem and the micarta block.

That way, the first pass is maybe 40% of the total cut depth - remove a second shim, cut next pass; then the next-to-last pass I'll use just a thin cardboard shim - that way, the FINAL pass (no shims between micarta and fence) is more of a "burnish" than a cut - I've done complex moldings that way that felt like they were sanded with 400 grit.

I'd post a couple pics of the setup, but pretty sure that memory card is in the camera, which is 100 feet away in the shop. Let me know if interested and I'll post 'em manana... Steve

 

[crazyal]

I run a stacked dado on my 3hp cabinet saw without issues but I don't think I would even try to do it on my DeWalt contractor's saw. They just don't have the power to do it even if the arbor was long enough. Even people with 1.75hp cabinet saws with induction motors will run a 6" dado because of the lower hp.