Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

California · May 30, 2008

orangebluegreen said:
The problem appears the advertising didn't match the unit. ... could be a different shipment might work.

I think that's exactly the problem.

I bought HF's 90 amp flux-wire welder (#94056) and couldn't make it do anything useful. (I posted about it here). I took it back. Then I noticed Ebay had dozens of them being unloaded by some liquidator representing HF. Apparently most of them were returned!

Then a year later I bought the same model and it works flawless, very good value for the money. In my opinion the first welder's wire wasn't real flux core welding wire, it was some low bid bogus pretend imitation wire, and after HF took back a lot of welders unnecessarily, they changed suppliers for the wire and now sell a useful welder.

Like the comments on building something useful out of HF raw ingredients, sometimes you have to try samples from several batches. Just an unfamiliar business model!

Charlesaf3 · May 30, 2008

I think we all seem to basically agree that sometimes you get good value from harbor freight, but its not a place for the casual or those afraid of tinkering.

Certainly if I had to be certain it worked, like others have said I'd never buy from there.

Sometimes it isn't even the cheapest place to buy.

shvl73 · May 30, 2008

California,
Thanks for the info on the small wire feed. I've thought of getting a small unit that I can use on 110v. I think I've seen it on sale for around $100. I might have to get one next time.

Bedlam · May 31, 2008

shvl73 said:
California,
Thanks for the info on the small wire feed. I've thought of getting a small unit that I can use on 110v. I think I've seen it on sale for around $100. I might have to get one next time.

I like you bought one to be more portable and when I didnt have access to 110 volts
I got the under 100 dollar wire feed one its not to bad. Ive used it a couple times doesnt work bad. overall. I like it for small things like exhaust pipes.

patrick_g · May 31, 2008

Some folks think I must have stock in HF or that I am a rabid supporter. Neither is true. After all the title of the thread is HF tools that DON'T suck.

Still, so many of the posts are complaints and items the buyer thinks do suck, I guess there should have been a HF tools that suck thread.

Anyway, A while back I bought a HF 14 inch abrasive cutoff saw. The trigger switch went intermittent within a few minutes of use and then shortly thereafter the switch failed altogether. One of these days real soon now I will be putting a different momentary switch on it and pressing on.

I just got my Industrial model 4 1/2 inch B&D angle grinder back from the shop. I had recently let the smoke out and it was DEAD. About $50, including shipping, for about a $100 tool. I could have bought 5-6 HF units for the cost of the repair. I also could have had a V-8 but went for a glass of lemonade instead.

Pat

tallyho8 · Jun 1, 2008

patrick_g said:
Still, so many of the posts are complaints and items the buyer thinks do suck, I guess there should have been a HF tools that suck thread.
Pat

They did Pat! Did you miss it? And, surprisingly enough, it had far fewer replies than this thread has.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...suck.html?highlight=harbor+freight+tools+suck

Bedlam · Jun 2, 2008

Thanks for the link . Now we can keep em both seperate.

Charlesaf3 · Jun 2, 2008

I want to reconsider my previous approval of the drip irrigation system. It was interesting to play with, and get some ideas, but people would be better off putting parts together from Lowes.

No doubt harbor freight makes lots of pure junk. It's just not ALL junk.

patrick_g · Jun 2, 2008

tallyho8 said:
They did Pat! Did you miss it? And, surprisingly enough, it had far fewer replies than this thread has.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...suck.html?highlight=harbor+freight+tools+suck

Thanks, went there read that. It is probably way overoptimistic to think folks who want to rant against HF will make there deposit in that thread and not here.

It could have served as a lightning rod.

Pat

chumly2071 · Jun 3, 2008

I've got this 12" disc sander, and it has worked very well, as has the 4x6 bandsaw. The saw coupled with my Miller welder have been two of the most used tools in my shop.
I've got more HF than I sometimes want to admit, but most of what I do have, I have found to be decent. it seems a general rule of thumb on most HF stuff is to look at it as a tool in "kit" form. the bead roller is great, after you reinforce it, as is the english wheel. a lot of this type of equipment I bought to try out, before spending huge $$$ on commercial grade equipment. It was better for me to spend a little, learn a lot, then upgrade, instead of spend a lot on fewer machines, and learn less. I can upgrade as needed.

patrick_g · Jun 3, 2008

chumly2071 said:
a lot of this type of equipment I bought to try out, before spending huge $$$ on commercial grade equipment. It was better for me to spend a little, learn a lot, then upgrade, instead of spend a lot on fewer machines, and learn less. I can upgrade as needed.

A very prudent approach, sir.

I have bought HF stuff before thinking that if it turned out really useful before it broke or went awry, I could buy a "real one" and am still waiting for it to break or mess up and force me to buy a real one.

Pat

John861 · Jun 3, 2008

One of my favorites is the 2 1/2 ton long frame jack. It's great for lifting tractors and tall trucks because it lifts to 31". I didn't need the capacity of the similar 10 ton unit. I like begin able to jack up things without stacking blocks.

Also, the 30 ton log splitter has worked well for me. With the Robin engine and Haldex/Barnes pump, I figured I couldn't go wrong. The only thing I'd change is a larger foot plate. Then again, they recommend a maximum log size of 8".

shvl73 · Jun 4, 2008

Stopped at the HF in Springfield, MA. The small flux core welder was $119+ tax. I passed. If I see it again for <$100, I might go for it.

Travelover · Jun 4, 2008

shvl73 said:
Stopped at the HF in Springfield, MA. The small flux core welder was $119+ tax. I passed. If I see it again for <$100, I might go for it.

If you haven't already, you might want to sign up for their online coupon emails. These emails also include a list of free shipping to store offers and a link to their local sale circular.

Everything goes on sale eventually and often at a huge discount over the regular price.

shvl73 · Jun 4, 2008

DetroitTom said:
If you haven't already, you might want to sign up for their online coupon emails. These emails also include a list of free shipping to store offers and a link to their local sale circular.

Everything goes on sale eventually and often at a huge discount over the regular price.

Where do you sign up?
I've filled out the little card in store twice, and nothing so far.

California · Jun 4, 2008

shvl73 said:
I've filled out the little card in store twice, and nothing so far.

You might check your spam bin. I had to whitelist harborfreight and harborfreight22.com to get them past my ISP's default spamtrap.

Here's their online signup to get their email coupons:
Coupon Signup

stevem5215 · Jun 4, 2008

I have that 90/100 amp 115v flux welder also. Got it the day after t-giving for $89. It was a steal at that price. Although, I'm only planning on using it about 1 time a year I figure that I'll get my money's worth just using it a couple times. I already have used it twice this year so I'm ahead of schedule. Welded a chair leg back on and welded hooks onto the tractor. Although I agree about the flux wire. I'm going to get some new stuff. I think there's something wrong with the wire that was supplied with the unit.

Steve

RobJ · Jun 4, 2008

I had the 100 Mig for a few years now. I just retired it. It worked ok, on light stuff. I had feeding problems from time to time. Replacement tips are the same as Lincoln and can be found at HD. Keep the cable straight and it feeds much better. Recently mine stopped pushing the wire through. The line is ok just spins. I have the spring adjustment maxes out and actually a little more (if you have one you know what I'm doing).

The bad parts about is the wire is always HOT. Touch the wire to the work without pulling the trigger and she sparks. ALso the wire tube is plastic. Don't let anything fall on it. And the cable that holds the wire tube and other 2 wires is thin rubber. It won't take any heat, it'll melt like butter.

I got mine for $99 on sale (print and take in an internet page in and the stores will honor, same with a printed ad). I still have and sometimes use the 220v mig. Got that one with a printed ad for $179. It actually has some good power and has a COLD gun. I still mostly use a stick, but I just received a HH 140 the other day with C25.

patrick_g · Jun 4, 2008

RobJ said:
I had the 100 Mig for a few years now. I just retired it. It worked ok, on light stuff. I had feeding problems from time to time. Replacement tips are the same as Lincoln and can be found at HD. Keep the cable straight and it feeds much better. Recently mine stopped pushing the wire through. The line is ok just spins. I have the spring adjustment maxes out and actually a little more (if you have one you know what I'm doing).

I have the Lincoln Weld PAK 100 which feeds better if the cable is not kinked or bent too sharply. The only other feed problems I have had are due to rusty wire. When I got a bad snarl when driving off road I had to take a lot of wire off the spool. Being frugal I just put in out on the ground and fed it though. Worked OK first day but not second, due to light rust. I tossed the last few feet and went back to the remainder of the 11 lb spool and all is good.

Pat