Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[downsizingnow48]

This Harbor Freight 1x30 belt grinder for about $45 is unbeatable for tool and kitchen knife sharpening. I took it apart and reassembled it so the belt travels horizontal away from the operator, for me that is easier to use than vertical. And got a bunch of good belts from a online supplier. It doesn't have a lot of power but does pretty good anyway.

 

[IslandTractor]

This Harbor Freight 1x30 belt grinder for about $45 is unbeatable for tool and kitchen knife sharpening. I took it apart and reassembled it so the belt travels horizontal away from the operator, for me that is easier to use than vertical. And got a bunch of good belts from a online supplier. It doesn't have a lot of power but does pretty good anyway.

I have the same one. Used a 20% coupon on it too. Excellent value even though some of the parts are a bit iffy.

 

[paulharvey]

I have a Chicago Electric Arc-180 130 amp AC/105 amp DC arc welder. I know it is no longer made, or at least no longer sold by harbor freight. I need a new main power switch (the magic blue smoke got loose from my switch). I've already emailed HF customer support, and am still waiting; but the basic question is... do the sell replacement parts for discontinued models?

Failing that I'm going to try to figure out a simple ghetto way to switch the main power and eliminate the fan, power on light, and over heat light/thermostat.

...

Harbor Freight emailed me back. Parts on discontinued models are not available. With the number of identical products with more than one model number, that could make things a bit difficult for replacement parts in general.

 

[IslandTractor]

Harbor Freight emailed me back. Parts on discontinued models are not available. With the number of identical products with more than one model number, that could make things a bit difficult for replacement parts in general.

In my experience HF has virtually no replacement parts ever for anything including items currently in stock. You might be able to get a replacement battery but only because they sell those in the store. I've never seen any hint that HF operates a service center or parts depot to support after sale customer needs. That's why their "extended warranty" program is really just an insurance policy to get you your next one "free" if the original breaks. I have never ever seen them take something back for repair. Don't think they have the systems to do it.

 

[California]

HF had a major re-organization few years ago. I don't remember the details but as I recall the founder was forced out by a new management team and many of the founder's policies were abandoned. They had a parts-order system in the past but I think they closed it down.

I was able to phone Camarillo (HQ) and buy replacement connectors for my tarp shed after the wind damaged it a few years ago. But now they don't sell that model and I'm not going to attempt repair after it was damaged again. (photo).

Keep in mind you are buying throw-away tools and don't pay more than they are worth!

 

[paulharvey]

I knew what I was buying; a used cheap welder. Think I paid like $52 total, and I suspected a new switch would cost nearly that much. I found the original maker (of the switch) and after converting Rupees to USD, $32. Plus shipping from Hyderabad. I'm going to try to maybe rig a 30 amp 3 pole breaker as a switch. I'll rig it up some how.

Which is part of the lesson with many cheap tools; you very well might have to rig it up to make it work, and that's OK if you know going into it

 

[IslandTractor]

I knew what I was buying; a used cheap welder. Think I paid like $52 total, and I suspected a new switch would cost nearly that much. I found the original maker (of the switch) and after converting Rupees to USD, $32. Plus shipping from Hyderabad. I'm going to try to maybe rig a 30 amp 3 pole breaker as a switch. I'll rig it up some how.

Which is part of the lesson with many cheap tools; you very well might have to rig it up to make it work, and that's OK if you know going into it

Is there any reason you cannot wire the welder to be "on" continuously and then use a simple switched extension cord to turn the thing on and off? HF sells a nice foot pedal switch that I use for my bandsaw. Costs about $10 with a coupon. Power Maintained Foot Switch If you wanted to use your welder for TIG, you might want the momentary version of that switch: Foot Switch - Save on this Momentary Power Foot Switch I'm sure there are similar switches for 220v if needed.

 

[aczlan]

I knew what I was buying; a used cheap welder. Think I paid like $52 total, and I suspected a new switch would cost nearly that much. I found the original maker (of the switch) and after converting Rupees to USD, $32. Plus shipping from Hyderabad. I'm going to try to maybe rig a 30 amp 3 pole breaker as a switch. I'll rig it up some how.
Which is part of the lesson with many cheap tools; you very well might have to rig it up to make it work, and that's OK if you know going into it

If its 220v, you just need to break the two hots, so a switch like: Leviton 30 Amp Industrial Double Pole Switch - White-R62-03032-2WS - The Home Depot would work.
Add a few bucks for a steel box, a cover and a couple of screws to mount it to the welder and you will be good to go.

Aaron Z

 

[sixdogs]

This is something new that I saw today in an email so I can't verify the quality. They are a set of auto lift ramps. I have two sets of far more expensive ramps like this that I use to change the oil or work on a hot rod. Comparable prices are $100 to $200 a set and are the darlings of the Corvette and street rod crowd. For $29.99 they seem worth a look.

Coupon Display

For some reason I can't access their site today or I'd print a link to the product rather than the sale coupon.

 

[California]

auto lift ramps.For $29.99 they seem worth a look.

Coupon Display

I sorted the user reviews worst-first. Learned that these 16,000 GVW rated ramps crumbled under the weight of a Prius, Civic, VW, Camray, Accord, etc etc. Lots of frightened customers.

Plus I don't think that only six inches of lift would be useful for a Corvette.

 

[Travelover]

For some reason I can't access their site today or I'd print a link to the product rather than the sale coupon.

Here is the link. Not too highly rated.

Magnum-16000 Auto Ramp Set with Built-In Safety Chock

 

[IslandTractor]

I sorted the user reviews worst-first. Learned that these 16,000 GVW rated ramps crumbled under the weight of a Prius, Civic, VW, Camray, Accord, etc etc.

Plus I don't think that only six inches of lift would be useful for a Corvette.

I have a set that held up the front end of a Ford Windstar without any trouble. I can imagine if you don't line them up properly and twist them as you drive up that they would fall over and fail. Used properly they certainly held up half a minivan though.

 

[DFB]

Here is the link. Not too highly rated.

Magnum-16000 Auto Ramp Set with Built-In Safety Chock

That's just plain SAD! :laughing:

I have 2 sets of steel ones..both must be at least 20 years old

 

[lostcreekranch]

I am looking at the HF cement mixer. Cement Mixer - 3-1/2 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer The reviews seem to be pretty positive. Have a small job to do (2-3 bags of quickcrete) but, always seem to have small jobs that I do with a wheelbarrow. Any experiences out there? Thanks! Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Picked up my HF cement mixer yesterday. $199.99 and 20% coupon, out the door for $159.99. First mod will be replacing the skinny wheels with something wider.

More later.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[DFB]

Hey I always thought by my Ni-cad powered HF 5- 3/8: circular saw was pretty decent. It not going to be a Fuel saw but it works fine for trimming things. I still have it and use it when the need be. (in fact just recharged the batteries for good measure) The laser light is an upgrade.

There some fairly recent video online on the 4 most popular cordless tools ...and all from HF. Is a shame they're not Li-on powered

circular saw

impact driver

reciprocating saw

hammer drill


Javier says share the love

 

[IslandTractor]

Don't know why HF is so late to the Lithium battery game.

 

[stingray1]

HF doesn't even sell replacement parts for their current models as best I can tell. If I were you I'd take the old switch to an electrical supply store and see what they can do to match it.

I agree,should be able to match one up to work,hopefully without much,if any fabrication.

 

[rbstern]

The wife was dulling a lot of drill bits, drilling through cheap flatware handles for crafts projects. Turns out this air punch will punch a nice, clean whole through the thin metal handles, which are otherwise very difficult to drill:

Air Punch Flange Tool

Have punched about a hundred pieces thus far, in a matter of minutes. Would have taken hours on the drill press. Haven't had a use for the flanging side of the tool yet, but that could come in handy later.

 

[IslandTractor]

The wife was dulling a lot of drill bits, drilling through cheap flatware handles for crafts projects. Turns out this air punch will punch a nice, clean whole through the thin metal handles, which are otherwise very difficult to drill: Air Punch Flange Tool Have punched about a hundred pieces thus far, in a matter of minutes. Would have taken hours on the drill press. Haven't had a use for the flanging side of the tool yet, but that could come in handy later.

Any idea of what gauge metal it will punch?

Edit: 16gauge according to HF.

 

[California]

Their description says 3/16 hole with a throat depth of 3/16. Am I reading that right, the edge of the hole is at the edge of the material?