Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

Travelover · May 27, 2008

patrick_g said:
Detroit Tom, It said "DRIP" system didn't it? Doesn't it drip at most of the fittings?

Pat

Of course. What was I thinking?

patrick_g · May 28, 2008

How about a band mill for sawing your own wood for $1800 plus shipping?

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Here is the manual in PDF:

http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/97000-97999/97445.pdf

If you don't need to check your accuracy with a micrometer because you are building a barn or such and don't expect to make a living with it for decades then it might be worth the price.

Only does 6 ft as supplied but bolting on track to any length is not hard. Only handles 16 inch diameter so it might be handy to have a chainsaw type mill (Alaskan or similar) to square your cant and get it down to 16 inches wide.

Sure looks intriguing. Track looks to be the weak link but easiest to improve. Uses good blades and recommends a good sharpening service (both WoodMizer)

Pat

Charlesaf3 · May 28, 2008

I actually just installed the drip irrigation system in a new bed yesterday, and am seriously thinking about buying 4 more.

But I don't disagree with detroitTom at all. It's definitely not "plug and play". Its more "here are some cheap parts which you can use to maybe make your own system"

I basically look at it as $5 for 150 feet of neoprene tubing. If I can find cheaper tubing, I'll just buy that. I've given up on the HF drips, and am now using a nail in the tube - works much better, and easier

Travelover · May 28, 2008

Charlesaf3 said:
..........................I basically look at it as $5 for 150 feet of neoprene tubing. If I can find cheaper tubing, I'll just buy that. I've given up on the HF drips, and am now using a nail in the tube - works much better, and easier

Good point - I was going to mention that if I was doing it all over again, I'd just lay out the tubing and poke holes in it at the appropriate spots. I don't trust the pressure reducer though - looks like a flood waiting to happen.

California · May 28, 2008

Charlesaf3 said:
Its more "here are some cheap parts which you can use to maybe make your own system"

I love it! I think that exactly describes some of the stuff coming out of China. And you don't know which items until you take them home.

I've had excellent luck with the HF 4.5" angle grinders. But their much simpler 'cutoff saw adapter' to mount an angle grinder in was total junk. Even after substantial reinforcement and redesign there was no way to hold work secure, or to make it cut straight as you applied more pressure. At best, it was only a prototype for building a similar unit that worked.

I never thought much about this design philosophy until I was reading about the primitive low-rpm China diesels offered for off-the-grid generators. An importer noted they will run for years, but a critical setup step is to take the engine all apart and flush the casting sand out of all the nooks and passages before it is ready to put in service. Not a flaw, just a different expectation of the user's role compared to Western goods. "Here's all the parts you need to make a low maintenance generator".

Likewise I read that the Chinese tractors arrive with mystery 'shipping' fluids that should be replaced before the engine is started. I've wondered if this is a small part of the manufacturer's hazardous waste disposal program.

Charlesaf3 · May 29, 2008

good point! Harbor freights model should be "some assembly required. Even if it looks finished"

Now that I've seen the idea of the HF drip irrigation system, I'm going to see if I can get better tubing at a big box store for roughly the same price. The internal diameter of the HF tubing is lousy for pressure equalization.

I like the drip irrigation concept a lot for landscaping though. Less water used, and its going on the plants you want it to, not encouraging weeds.

In my case I also bypassed the filters for the hose water, so its got a lot of iron in it. Fine for the plants, but stains the house. Drip solves that.

orangebluegreen · May 30, 2008

Hope I can add something that DOES suck.

Bought a "10 GAUGE 6-IN-1 AIR FRAMING NAILER" that claims "Contact trip trigger works either way"

This would lead me to believe you could hold down the trigger and bump the head to speed nailing plywood.....IT DOES NOT WORK on this unit, only one shot at a time and you must release the trigger for each shot.

Took it back and found Northern had theirs on sale for $99 and it DOES work as advertised. Have had no problems with the Northern air nailer after about 5000 nails. Probably not up to professional daily use but fine for homeowner.

Bedlam · May 30, 2008

Yes definitely sound like it wasn't right mine I hold the trigger and then hit the tip to the wood and fires right off.
one plus is from your wording you said took it back, I guess your near a store. so thats a plus. I d hate to have to ship back and take a chance on the next replacement one.My thought was if you returned it would they 'test' out another in the store before they let you take it home?
Ive been to walmart and wanted to open the box and see if a particular thing had inputs as the box didn't tell, and they wouldn't open the box I had to buy it and go out the front door open the box, saw that it had no jacks and go right back in the next door and return it. sounds stupid but thats how they do it

orangebluegreen · May 30, 2008

Yes I have both Harbor Freight and two Northern's in my town.

They took back the nailer without problem and asked me if I had used it. I said I had shot a few rounds before realizing it did not do what it said. They said no problem, just could not be returned to stock.

I don't believe the unit was defective, I think that was the design. The problem appears the advertising didn't match the unit. There are two types of safeties on nailers and the ad doesn't match reality. Who knows, could be a different shipment might work.

I have had good luck with their impact sockets and small items.

gemini5362 · May 30, 2008

Bedlam said:
Yes definitely sound like it wasn't right mine I hold the trigger and then hit the tip to the wood and fires right off.
one plus is from your wording you said took it back, I guess your near a store. so thats a plus. I d hate to have to ship back and take a chance on the next replacement one.My thought was if you returned it would they 'test' out another in the store before they let you take it home?
Ive been to walmart and wanted to open the box and see if a particular thing had inputs as the box didn't tell, and they wouldn't open the box I had to buy it and go out the front door open the box, saw that it had no jacks and go right back in the next door and return it. sounds stupid but thats how they do it

Call walmart customer service and complain. I have opened a lot of boxes of items in wal mart with no problem. Sounds like either an employee or a manager did not want to do it and corporate headquarters needs to know that.