Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Travelover]

Air tool oil, Just before you put it away give it a couple drops in the air inlet (quick connect) and then a run it for a sec

If it is still stuck when you try it, I have smacked mine against my bench with the trigger pulled and that always worked.

Since I got my air dryer (desiccant) and became religious about oiling I don't seem to have that problem anymore.

Thanks for the tip.

I'll try the air tool oil and a plastic hammer.

 

[1-3-2-4]

never had any of my air tools stick I have the earthquake 1/2" impact and eartquake 1/2" air ratchet longest I've let it sit was maybe 6 months but I always drop in 10 drops before using.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Today I went and got some mechanic's gloves to use as rescue gloves...:thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

Which portapower are you referring to, the small one or the ?10 ton version? The latter goes on sale occasionally and I've been thinking it would be good for straightening various things I manage to bend with or on the tractor.

I have the 10 ton one. It's older, it has a metal case with white foam to separate the parts. The foam has long since broke apart and my neighbor broke one of the female connectors while using the pull back attachment. The pull back attachment uses chains vs the newer ones that just contract.

It leaks a little bit of oil and I've topped the oil off but over all it's worked very well. It's heavy and I try not to move it but it's one of those tools you may not use often but when you need it there it is.

I've used it to do body work, things like pushing roofs back up and before I had a shop press I would use it to push bearings on and off pinion gears (with the help of the house and detached garage foundations).

 

[crazyal]

I think I defended HF a bit (though not too strongly) on this thread a while back.

I'm coming to the conclusion Dargo is right - most stuff at HF is just junk. Still some stuff I buy there, but instead of thinking around 20% of it is worthwhile, I'm probably down to 5-10%...

Still positive recs on the hydraulic stuff - the portapower is great for jacking house parts. And the 3 pack of welders gloves is very useful.

But prices keep on going up there - HF used to be priced for throw aways, and now they are starting to charge as if they are selling real tools. That's just crazy.

I try to stay away from the electric stuff, most of what I've bought hasn't worked out too well. I can't count the number of orange 4 1/2" grinders I've gone through and when you don't have a store close by returning them is just too much of a pain. But steel things like the tire changer and hydraulic stuff like bottle jacks seam to work pretty good for the money.

I do have the 10" tile saw and it's paid for itself at least 3 times now.

 

[Freddieboy]

I have an HF store close by and have tons of their stuff.....if failure of the tool can hurt or kill you, do not buy it from HF.

example: I had a strut spring compressor fly apart during use... very dangerous. First time I used their breaker bar, it broke.

 

[Travelover]

...........First time I used their breaker bar, it broke.

At least they named it honestly. :laughing:

 

[chopped]

:laughing:Like the split leather gloves lol

..split...

 

[tractordog]

air rivet gun has not failed me. Got two, great for sheet metal projects.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

At least they named it honestly. :laughing:

:laughing::laughing::laughing: