Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Diggin It]

So in the past 8 years I believe I've at least glanced at every post. And I often come back to review parts of the thread before major jaunts to HF.

But that's the difference. You've been here since then and have read them a few posts at a time as they were entered. Those of us just coming in won't be reading 900+ pages of posts. Then like you added, many products mentioned in those earlier pages have either been changed or deleted.

 

[bcp]

Anyone tried one of these?

Bruce

 

[California]

Heck I inherited a whole barn full of treasures like that.

Dad's social life was going to yard sales and asking about tools.

Near 20 years now, many trailerloads of stuff carried off, and now I'm down to just multiples of things I might use some day such as soldering irons, brace n bits (the ones with square tapered shanks), rolls of aluminum flashing, whatever. Lots of whatever.

I first posted this photo here 9/2004. It's part of what was stored under the house that I would never use. Straight to the dump, one of many loads.

Anybody need a hand-crank apple peeler? How many could you use?

 

[lostcreekranch]

Anyone tried one of these?

View attachment 570107

Bruce

The all red one that does 35,000 meglanations per minute has a two year warranty. I’m just sayin’.

 

[Rock Crawler]

The lights worked awesome last night. We were able to see the ground and enough detail around us that it was safe until deep into the night.

 

[aczlan]

Here's another Harbor Freight winner. It's a 10" solid rubber tire that is the same size as the pneumatic ones that go flat all the time. This one won't go flat.

On my generator with wheels, for example, every time I used it the tires were flat and that added a whole new dimension of trauma to using the generator. I swapped out the tires and tubes, added a couple washers for spacers and now am good to go with these solid tires. One point is that some applications are harder to make work because you might need to shorten an axle or something.

They are $8--before coupon--and that's a deal. Throw in a free tarp or flashlight and I'm a happy camper. Link below.

1" x 2-1/2" Solid Rubber Tire

Have you tried their 13-inch flat free tires? I have a couple of those, but the problem is if they have any significant weight on them you end up with flat spots. Wondering if these ones are a harder rubber that won't do that.

Aaron Z

 

[Diggin It]

How do we feel about this fuel transfer pump?

Steel Lever Barrel Pump

Reviews on their site are about 50-50 good/junk.

 

[sixdogs]

Have you tried their 13-inch flat free tires? I have a couple of those, but the problem is if they have any significant weight on them you end up with flat spots. Wondering if these ones are a harder rubber that won't do that.

Aaron Z

I have not tried the 13" flat free tires. The one I mentioned below worked for my purpose and I have not been able to damage them despite accidentally trying. No flat spots and they sit half the year in a hot garage and half in a cold garage with 400 lbs on them. Roll like new.

Here's another Harbor Freight winner. It's a 10" solid rubber tire that is the same size as the pneumatic ones that go flat all the time. This one won't go flat.

On my generator with wheels, for example, every time I used it the tires were flat and that added a whole new dimension of trauma to using the generator. I swapped out the tires and tubes, added a couple washers for spacers and now am good to go with these solid tires. One point is that some applications are harder to make work because you might need to shorten an axle or something.

They are $8--before coupon--and that's a deal. Throw in a free tarp or flashlight and I'm a happy camper. Link below.

1" x 2-1/2" Solid Rubber Tire

I have a 400lb generator on two of these wheels and I drag that around without regard for the tires. I figured they would never last but that was five years ago. Zero problems and highly recommended. One issue is that my dog whizzed on one of the wheels and it rusted up pretty quick. I'll also add these tires look the same as when I bought them. I have owned some HF black rubber things that seemed to "evaporate" and shrink over time. Car mats, for one and like a cotton T shirt that is only 90% of the size it used to be. No problems with my wheels and I no longer have any of their tubed utility tires/wheels. Solid HF rubber is the only way to go for me.

If I get around to it I might even make a four wheel monster platform cart with duals on it (8 wheels) to roll around seed and fertilizer in the barn.

 

[California]

How do we feel about this fuel transfer pump?

Steel Lever Barrel Pump

Reviews on their site are about 50-50 good/junk.

Dunno about that one but I was pleased with the dual direction cranked pump. The ability to suck as well as push was handy if I overfilled the tractor, and a couple of times to pull diesel from one tractor to use in the other tractor.

Here's a fuel caddy I built. My post describing fittings etc.

But I retired that caddy after some 6 years. It collected condensation water below the diesel making it a nuisance to draw the tank all the way down to empty. 2 other problems, not related to the pump: 1) the plastic threads in the barrel softened, 2) the only gas station with farm (untaxed) diesel said there was no DOT 'safe for highway transport' certification on the tank so they wouldn't let me refuel there after the first time.

I replaced that with a little battery-powered pump that I think is designed for the indoor kerosene heaters used in Asia. Same thing as this HF model except mine came from Amazon and has a float switch in the nozzle to shut off before the destination overflows. It works great.

 

[John_Mc]

He shoots and scores! I just picked up 7 of the solar rope lights from Harbor freight with the coupons and got my free tarp to throw on some firewood.

I almost bought them for the pavilion we have near our pond, but the number of reviewers who would not recommend them due to not working out of the box, very dim light, or flickering in the slightest breeze scared me off.

Glad yours are working out.