Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Steve C]

When a threat gets this large, it is almost impossible to know if this item has been talked about, but here goes.
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
SDS Rotary Hammer, I am handyman/audio video guy. I have used this to bust thru concrete walls to run cable, etc. It comes with bits and a chisel. Has already paid for itself in savings over the bosch units I would rent. BTW, this seems to be a clone of the bosch. For my occasional use it is great. There is nothing quite like a hammer drill to make short work of drilling thru concrete, if you have ever tried even small holes (like ones for tapcons) with a regular drill, they are a major bear! This tool makes very short work out of it!
Dave

I have the same unit. I use it with a 1-1/2" wide sharpened chisel to remove the uneven face of some of the framing members in the old house I am rebuilding.

It had plaster over plasterboard so they were not very particular about using straight lumber. This tool is great for removing material to install drywall.

 

[Travelover]

When a threat gets this large, it is almost impossible to know if this item has been talked about.............

This is a really good point. It helps if the HF item number is used in the text of the post, then it can show up on a search. After doing some poking around on Goggle, it appears that this thread is one of the best resources on the net for HF tool feedback.

 

[bota7800]

When a threat gets this large, ...
Dave

Anyone feel this thread now has more posts than HF has products that fit this thread?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Anyone feel this thread now has more posts than HF has products that fit this thread?

Nope.

I just did a Black Friday shopping spree and noticed that all of the packages now invoke the "continuous improvement" clause to explain why the picture on the package is different from the item inside.

 

[Workstead]

Nope.

I just did a Black Friday shopping spree and noticed that all of the packages now invoke the "continuous improvement" clause to explain why the picture on the package is different from the item inside.

Interesting that the product can be "improved" but the packaging can't.

 

[California]

Same package; this year a different manufacturer was low bidder!

I've read that patent law in China is totally unlike ours. In summary a government-patented design may be produced by many shops and they are all sold as the 'same' item. This is left over from the Central Planning era where all suppliers and manufacturers were allocated raw materials, and work targets, from a central planning agency. Central planning has been relaxed but 'many manufacturers/same product' is still in existence for many products. This lets HF and Walmart shop competitive bids from time to time on their common items.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Same package; this year a different manufacturer was low bidder!

I've read that patent law in China is totally unlike ours. In summary a government-patented design may be produced by many shops and they are all sold as the 'same' item. This is left over from the Central Planning era where all suppliers and manufacturers were allocated raw materials, and work targets, from a central planning agency. Central planning has been relaxed but 'many manufacturers/same product' is still in existence for many products. This lets HF and Walmart shop competitive bids from time to time on their common items.

Somewhere in there is the added part that anyone who imports into China has to submit blue prints and manufacturing data. It happens to be just enough information that a plant in China could start producing anything that is imported into China. Try to tell me that's a safety or consumer protection rule.

 

[newbury]

Searched - but here's another
6" level with magnetic strip.

Sometimes I keep it in my pocket to check the tilt of my ride
Sometimes I tape one on the bar in front of me to check my "pucker factor"

I just discovered it GREAT to use with CSM, check the level of the mill braces, and because of it's magnetic strip makes it easy to check the height of the rakers.

 

[forester2]

Harbor Freights flooring nailer! Have laid 600 sq ft of hickory. Only jammed once (when a friend who was helping put regular finish nails in instead of florring nails; actually shot them before I caught him). $149 w/ hammer plus 20% off coupon for around $120 plus tax. Less than renting one for a weekend. Plus, I'll sell it when I'm done.

 

[Bedlam]

Always wondered how that nailer worked. I have laid allot of floors and back in the day It was so expensive, I used a small drill and predrilled and then a floor nail and nail set. If you can imagine this than you sure know how much you've saved in energy time AND Blood.Lots of finger bashing with the old method.I would say you'd still be ahead even if you tossed the gun..LOLGlad it worked for you.