Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[IMCA38]

Here is my list of good HF tools.

Metal band saw- I'm not saying its as good as a high dollar commercial unit, but for the money t does a nice job. I much prefer using it to my chop saw. One day though, I do hope to make a decent stand for it.

1/4 3/8 1/2 SAE socket set package- I got this probably over 20 years ago. Has worked great. My only real gripe was that the metal box for the 1/4 set was too small and was impossible to get everything back into it. I did eventually buy a nice Craftsman set, but these sets went in the race car trailer and served us well at the track every week.

Air riveter- What a great tool this is! Having a race car, these things pay for themselves just in the time and fatigue they save.

Step drill bits- In some regards, nicer than the Irwins since they have a hex shaft.

4 ton porta power- I'm on my second one. I killed the first, but the miracle is that I didn't kill it sooner. I totally tortured that thing and it performed well beyond my expectations. Finally blew a seal, so I got a new one.

C clamp locking pliers- I have some of the Vise Grip ones, but I hate to use them for welding in case I get too close and weld them to my work or something like that. These are cheap enough that I don't care if that happens.

Car dollys- I use these on my race car, work great.

3 pack detail brushes, tape measures, halogen bulbs, welding magnets etc.- I buy these any time they're on sale, just like supplies, can never have too many.

 

[Ken_CT]

I went to a woodworking show a couple of weeks ago in Springfield MA, and drove past a HF store. Stopped in on the way back and was like a kid in a candy shop. I have purchased a number of their tool in the past by catalog, with full knowledge of what to expect. I usually will order things that are a couple of bucks, but I bought the abrasive chop saw, which I am happy with. Not a Milwaukee, but not the price either. If there is a tool I have an occasional use for, I have no problem buying HF. I feel if I wear it out, then I use it enough to justify buying the best I can get to replace it. I bought a few of the neon 6 in 1 screwdrivers for $1 each so there will be one anywhere needed, and they are pretty good. One item I was very impressed with is the mig welding cart. It looked just as well built as the name brand ones, and for $39. I found you can get some real bargains there as well as some real junk.

 

[twigpig]

I really like my orange HF battery grease gun. I had to use a pump grease gun when I was a kid way more than any person should in a lifetime so anything that can help greasing is good. So far it is holding up well with good pressure. I think the batteries for these are better than their 12 volt cordless drills HF sells. I put a Lincoln tip on it after I ruined the stock one on a broken zerk. I bought the HF pneumatic grease gun several years ago but it wasn't worth a crap so I returned it.

I used the 4 1/2 inch grinder with a diamond blade to help cut the granite I installed in the kitchen and bathrooms and fireplace hearth on the house I built. Still going strong. I am proud of the way the granite turned out.

I also used the 7 inch polisher to shape and polish bullnose and top polish joints on the granite. It is also still going strong. I used diamond polishing pads from a stone working supply store.

The 10 inch "Industrial" tile saw impressed me. I put a lot of tile in the new house on the diagonal which means a lot of tile cutting. It worked great for me and is still in good shape. I don't think it would hold up for a professional tiler since the pivot points do not have bushings or bearings but there is no slop in them on mine yet. I also notice the price keeps coming down on them.

I liked the two sets of impact sockets and plier set.

The thumb ratchets were a waste of metal. The battery charger I bought 5 or so years ago didn't do very well either. The bench chainsaw sharpener/grinder is marginal. If they had spent another dollar or two on the clamping system to hold the chain in better it would have been great.

 

[Travelover]

10 Things I Wouldn't Buy from Harbor Freight:

1) Parachutes
2) Fire Extinguishers
3) Pacemakers
4) Vaccines
5) Birth control devices
6) Elevators
7) Bullet proof vests
8) Trigger locks
9) Pitons
10) Scuba Gear

I'm sure there are more - these just off the top of my head in a light hearted moment.

 

[dfkrug]

I just bought and tried the HF top-of-the-line auto-dark welding helmet.
Great tool! On sale for $70 and SOOO much better than the generic
auto-dark helmet I bought years ago, before they were commonly
available. I got the skull and not the eagle I wanted, but oh well....
It is comfortable and has a huge window.

 

[wedge40]

I just took a trip up to Harbor Freight cause I wanted to get a couple of the HVPL spayers they have on sale. As usually I picked up a few other things and managed to get out the door for around $100.00. Didn't pay much attention to the bill and really didn't do much calculating in my head. But when I got home I looked that bill and he had charged me $39.99 (the original price for one) for three sprayers. Unless they are using some sort of new math the price should have been $44.97.
People here have been saying how great these things are.. I can't wait for the warm weather so I can give it shot.

Wedge

 

[plastikosmd]

harbor freight liftgate 200 bucks..lifting 600lb oven..came in handy, house jack is just to stabalize when i drag it onto the truck

 

[dfkrug]

PLASTI:
How does that lift work? Prob not hydraulic, yes?
You are the first I have heard from who bought one of those. Glad it
worked out.

 

[plastikosmd]

nope, there is a winch built in, works via cable. controlled with a cord/hand control. dont have to remove the tailgate to use it, folds up after you fold the tailgate. handy for the right situation.

 

[wedge40]

harbor freight liftgate 200 bucks..lifting 600lb oven..came in handy, house jack is just to stabalize when i drag it onto the truck

I'd like a large pepperoni and mushroom please.
Sorry couldn't resist.

How is that attached to the truck. I'm thinking it hooks the hitch?

Wedge