IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 16,647
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
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Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck
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LincTex
Silver Member
They have two lines for drills. grinders, etc.... The Cheaper "Drill Master" (garbage) and the orange/red "Chicago Electric" line. I have been super pleased with the better line.
Some things, like my 14" chop saw, are 15 years old! I can't tell you how much oilfield pipe I have cut with that thing!!! I did have to replace the brushes, but otherwise it has done great.
ANYTHING with gears in it will be nearly dry from the factory. You MUST open the gearbox and add lube. I always coat everything inside with STP (it always sticks to the metal). Grease just sticks to the inside of the walls of the gearbox and won't "flow" to the gears, so I always make it runny by stirring in some "gear lube" first.
Best Buy EVER: "ARC-180 AC/DC welder". Holy crap, I have run at LEAST 200 lbs of welding rods through that thing. The DC is super smooth - I preheat cast iron and use a nickel rod, and the bead is so smooth it looks like it was done with a TIG welder!!! It was only $159 with a coupon back in about 2005 I think. The 6' leads are cheap "jumper cable" wire with crappy clamps... It might be 8 gauge!! I made new longer leads with real 4 gauge wire from TSC and added good Hobart ground & electrode clamps, and the welder PIK UP power. I guess the original leads had a LOT of resistance! My only gripe is it has a short duty cycle (burn three rods & let it cool!), but it's still awesome for what I use it for.
The 1/2" VSR Hammer drill is awesome for $20 with a coupon. I know I have used it for about 40-50 anchor bolts so far.
Some things, like my 14" chop saw, are 15 years old! I can't tell you how much oilfield pipe I have cut with that thing!!! I did have to replace the brushes, but otherwise it has done great.
ANYTHING with gears in it will be nearly dry from the factory. You MUST open the gearbox and add lube. I always coat everything inside with STP (it always sticks to the metal). Grease just sticks to the inside of the walls of the gearbox and won't "flow" to the gears, so I always make it runny by stirring in some "gear lube" first.
Best Buy EVER: "ARC-180 AC/DC welder". Holy crap, I have run at LEAST 200 lbs of welding rods through that thing. The DC is super smooth - I preheat cast iron and use a nickel rod, and the bead is so smooth it looks like it was done with a TIG welder!!! It was only $159 with a coupon back in about 2005 I think. The 6' leads are cheap "jumper cable" wire with crappy clamps... It might be 8 gauge!! I made new longer leads with real 4 gauge wire from TSC and added good Hobart ground & electrode clamps, and the welder PIK UP power. I guess the original leads had a LOT of resistance! My only gripe is it has a short duty cycle (burn three rods & let it cool!), but it's still awesome for what I use it for.
The 1/2" VSR Hammer drill is awesome for $20 with a coupon. I know I have used it for about 40-50 anchor bolts so far.
hutchman
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2014
- Messages
- 1,838
- Location
- Central Virginia
- Tractor
- LS R3039, Deere SST16, Ariens APEX 60", Polaris Ranger 900 XP EPS
Some of their welders are good ... several years ago I bought that 165A inverter TIG welder (blue one) item 98233. That thing has been great! It is a mean stick welder too!
They recently put it on clearance a few weeks ago (they made it a long time). I liked it so much I picked up the very last one my store had, new in the box (been sitting in the stock room on top shelf for a little over a year) for $244.98!
They recently put it on clearance a few weeks ago (they made it a long time). I liked it so much I picked up the very last one my store had, new in the box (been sitting in the stock room on top shelf for a little over a year) for $244.98!
IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 16,647
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
I've always wanted to try their lunch pail size 70A inverter welder. At less than $150 on sale it seems a good deal for sheet metal or minor repairs. Never seen it operate but it sure is cute.
hutchman
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2014
- Messages
- 1,838
- Location
- Central Virginia
- Tractor
- LS R3039, Deere SST16, Ariens APEX 60", Polaris Ranger 900 XP EPS
I know what you mean ... I've looked at that one a few times and thought it was cool myself.
Oaktree
Super Member
I've never seen power tools at OSJL, but I've gotten a few hand tools (shovels, rakes, etc.) there and they've been fine. The pliers, screwdrivers, and such look pretty cheap. Tarps are almost always on sale, and seem to stand up as well as any. Avoid the bunji cords.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 65,689
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Me, too.... but I always have the feeling I'd find out I wasted $150 shortly after purchase and kick myself for not putting that money towards a better product. Gotta find a guinea pig to test it for us!!! :cool2:
hutchman
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2014
- Messages
- 1,838
- Location
- Central Virginia
- Tractor
- LS R3039, Deere SST16, Ariens APEX 60", Polaris Ranger 900 XP EPS
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 65,689
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
So did this air compressor! hahahahaa
21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor
"The perfect compressor with powerful, quiet and consistent airflow…plus we love the low price."
Street Trucks Magazine
Its the loudest, slowest to recover compressor I've ever had. I think these guys were deaf from their boom boom trucks! :laughing:
IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 16,647
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
Agree published reviews are good. However, I don't trust HF to publish bad reviews. I've left some negative reviews on other products that never appeared on their site.
Still, a 110v inverter stick welder is a simple enough device so perhaps in this instance the reviews are both real and representative.
