Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[dragoneggs]

I've had pretty good luck with screw extractors. I'm no expert but I the key is to get a hole drilled in the crapped up screw as big as possible and use the largest extractor. Of course you don't want to go too wide and break the walls out that you're trying to grip. The easy outs I have used don't break but sometime they twist a bit if not large enough diameter for the torque applied.

 

[MossRoad]

Okay here is a HF tool that kinda doesn't suck. I just bought an easy out (screw extractor) set. Very first use, I shattered two drill bits in seconds. Reverted to my non HF bits and drilled the pilot holes. The HF extractor worked perfectly though to back out two 5/16-18 screws in the vice I am restoring.

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I've got that same set. I agree, the bits suck. I broke one first use, too. :laughing:

 

[sixdogs]

Maybe it's just me but HF needs to put some new and different items in it's coupon and sale fliers. Time to shuffle things up so it's not the same old predictable items time after time. But maybe it's just me.

 

[dragoneggs]

Maybe it's just me but HF needs to put some new and different items in it's coupon and sale fliers. Time to shuffle things up so it's not the same old predictable items time after time. But maybe it's just me.

That would be nice but remember they buy by the boat load and have quite the distribution and marketing machine allowing to move through their inventory. Adding a new item to their repertoire is probably more trouble and risk than it may seem. They have it wired for sure.

 

[Travelover]

Maybe it's just me but HF needs to put some new and different items in it's coupon and sale fliers. Time to shuffle things up so it's not the same old predictable items time after time. But maybe it's just me.

Yea, especially the free items. What's a guy to do with 50 flashlights? :laughing:

 

[sixdogs]

Yea, especially the free items. What's a guy to do with 50 flashlights? :laughing:

Put 'em with the other 35 free ones?

 

[California]

My wife grabbed some as prizes for her students. They loved them!

 

[94BULLITT]

I've had pretty good luck with screw extractors. I'm no expert but I the key is to get a hole drilled in the crapped up screw as big as possible and use the largest extractor. Of course you don't want to go too wide and break the walls out that you're trying to grip. The easy outs I have used don't break but sometime they twist a bit if not large enough diameter for the torque applied.

Getting the hole drilled in the center of the bolt is very important.

 

[California]

Getting the hole drilled in the center of the bolt is very important.

Agree.

Center punch the h*** out of it. You might have to grind the stub flat to do this. And be sure to use a left-handed drill bit.

For my last project like this I bought a premium drill bit and ez-out from an industrial-supply place. For most projects HF tools are 'good enough' but this was a broken stud in an engine front cover where botching the job would cost hundreds to remedy. With good tools everything went according to plan. Here's a post I made describing the project including a photo. That wasn't supposed to break.

 

[TheMan419]

Ok so I found a website that claims the coupons they have are legit. And that I can get a bunch of cheap stuff for free with no additional purchase required? True statement?

Yes I realize the flashlight and multi meter will be junky but likely good to keep in the tractor tool box for emergency.