Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[TomSeller]

You guys talking about these:
2 Ton Push Beam Trolley

I plan to have a system in my basement and pole barn with one of these. Like to make one of those beams that rolls the length of the barn and one of these trolley's so I can basically use chain hoist anywhere.

You have to get the I-Beam from a metal/steal distributor.

The same thing is on my dream list. If you do it, please post pictures.

 

[hutchman]

The same thing is on my dream list. If you do it, please post pictures.

That's the plan with the new pole barn and house that hopefully I'll start next year. I'm not getting any younger and I plan to have a machine shop in the basement so I gotta find ways to work smarter instead of harder.

My high school shop was setup with one of those and I never forgot it and always wanted a setup just like it.

 

[ozob2k]

Following

 

[dragoneggs]

The same thing is on my dream list. If you do it, please post pictures.

Agreed. Looking forward to a build thread!

 

[lostcreekranch]

You guys talking about these: 2 Ton Push Beam Trolley I plan to have a system in my basement and pole barn with one of these. Like to make one of those beams that rolls the length of the barn and one of these trolley's so I can basically use chain hoist anywhere. You have to get the I-Beam from a metal/steal distributor.

HF sells a 1 ton rolling gantry crane that the trolley you noted works on. To me, the portability of moving the gantry crane might give more functionality.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[hutchman]

HF sells a 1 ton rolling gantry crane that the trolley you noted works on. To me, the portability of moving the gantry crane might give more functionality.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

I've seen it ... a co-worker has one. It's nice. It takes up some space.though.

 

[Travelover]

You guys talking about these:
2 Ton Push Beam Trolley

I plan to have a system in my basement and pole barn with one of these. Like to make one of those beams that rolls the length of the barn and one of these trolley's so I can basically use chain hoist anywhere.

You have to get the I-Beam from a metal/steal distributor.

Yep, that is the one. I was thinking HF sold a track, too, but I guess you'd need to scrounge an I beam somewhere.

 

[JRobyn]

1720 lb. Capacity 48 in. x 96 in. Super Duty Trailer

Anyone build this trailer? How does it come packaged? I want to pick it up with a Subaru station wagon.

I did. When I bought mine, I think it was rated for 1800lb. Added a 3/4 ply floor, heavy tie-down hooks, and the lightweight steel sides/tailgate. It came in one big box. Should fit in a Roo (Forester) with the seats down. Of the right/left main side rails, it came with two right sides; no left. HF wanted me to send back the extra right side (shipping on me) before they'd send a replacement left side. Store I bought at didn't have another one. Managed to convince the manager at another local store to let me have the left side out of one of his in exchange for my extra right. I added a good swivel tongue jack. Took FOREVER to put all the little pieces together square and get all the fasteners tight.

It has been awesome. Tows like it's not even there. Literally. Behind a Sierra, you can't see it at all, and I have actually forgotten it was on until I turned or bounced it over a bump. I've hauled a severe overload (2200lbs) of gravel in it with no visible flex. Have just finished hauling 6-7 HUGE loads of household crap from our Atlanta to TN places. It is now about 6-7 years old and the cheap Chinese "red" paint is mostly either pink or rust now. Has maybe 5,000 miles on it. Haven't even opened/greased the hubs once.

- Jay

 

[California]

Anybody have experience with the little disc/belt combo sander? Worth $60 when similar units at Home Depot, such as Ryobi etc, costs twice that?

Following up on my own inquiry.

The website claims 41.5 lbs shipping weight for this current model 97181, a good solid tool that shouldn't jump around. However while that was printed on the box, when I carried it to the car it felt like far less. I found an actual shipping label pasted on the box that said 29 lbs. They've cheapened it since the version you guys bought.

The manual doesn't mention or show in the photos, that you have to install the disc's enclosure/dust collector before mounting the disc to its hub. I saw this as a frequent complaint in the HF comments so I avoided that error.

But I discovered a short screw had been substituted for a long screw needed to attach the lower cover for that guard/dust collector. Searched a long time in my PC parts bin for a similar screw, but the size needed is one size fatter than PC stuff so no luck.

Then - it was impossible to align that dust collector/safety cover so that the sanding disk protrudes out in front of its cover. One edge of the disc was recessed, the opposite edge dragged against the front half of the lower enclosure. I loosened screws elsewhere trying to get the bodywork into the same plane as the disc but it was too far off. The sander was simply unusable as shipped. Reluctantly, I returned this for credit and bought a similar Ryobi for $119 at HD because I need to get started on a time-critical project.

The HF sander could have been made to work by elongating several adjustment slots in its metal belt guard, and maybe hammering that metal guard into the same plane as the disc. (So that the plastic dust collector attached to the belt guard is in the same plane as the disc). But its not obvious that the disc would ever be at a perfect right angle to the work table and its guide slot. I don't have time to 'blueprint' the whole machine.

This is the second time I've encountered a Hf tool that needed redesign to work as claimed. The portable band saw's shoe had a slot that wasn't parallel with the blade. A half hour trying various shims at the shoe's mounting bolts finally got the slot parallel so you could see which direction the cut would go.

Aside from these I've had satisfactory results with HF tools.

'Some Assembly Required' as they say. :fiery:

 

[hutchman]

Following up on my own inquiry.

The website claims 41.5 lbs shipping weight for this current model 97181, a good solid tool that shouldn't jump around. However while that was printed on the box, when I carried it to the car it felt like far less. I found an actual shipping label pasted on the box that said 29 lbs. They've cheapened it since the version you guys bought.

The manual doesn't mention or show in the photos, that you have to install the disc's enclosure/dust collector before mounting the disc to its hub. I saw this as a frequent complaint in the HF comments so I avoided that error.

But I discovered a short screw had been substituted for a long screw needed to attach the lower cover for that guard/dust collector. Searched a long time in my PC parts bin for a similar screw, but the size needed is one size fatter than PC stuff so no luck.

Then - it was impossible to align that dust collector/safety cover so that the sanding disk protrudes out in front of its cover. One edge of the disc was recessed, the opposite edge dragged against the front half of the lower enclosure. I loosened screws elsewhere trying to get the bodywork into the same plane as the disc but it was too far off. The sander was simply unusable as shipped. Reluctantly, I returned this for credit and bought a similar Ryobi for $119 at HD because I need to get started on a time-critical project.

The HF sander could have been made to work by elongating several adjustment slots in its metal belt guard, and maybe hammering that metal guard into the same plane as the disc. (So that the plastic dust collector attached to the belt guard is in the same plane as the disc). But its not obvious that the disc would ever be at a perfect right angle to the work table and its guide slot. I don't have time to 'blueprint' the whole machine.

This is the second time I've encountered a Hf tool that needed redesign to work as claimed. The portable band saw's shoe had a slot that wasn't parallel with the blade. A half hour of trying various shims at the shoe's mounting bolts finally got the shoe slot parallel and useful as a guide indicating which direction the cut would go.

'Some Assembly Required' as they say. :fiery:

Wow. I've had mine several years (3-4 I'd say) and I don't remember any of that drama.

Edit: Just looked ... I bought mine in May 2012. One of the rubber corner feet pads was deformed and wouldn't stay on but that's the only problem I had with it.