Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[crazyal]

I have one of the 8" Pittsburgh digital calipers and never had an issue with the battery. It's been at least 3 years on the original. They don't slide as smooth as my Mitutoyo calipers but the accuracy seems pretty good. My Mitutoyo will remember where it is when you power it up where as the HF will set zero to where ever it is. If your not careful and it's not closed all the way it'll not be accurate.

Has anyone ever tried to buy replacement parts from HF. I assumed that it was like trying to find a unicorn or bigfoot.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I have one of the 8" Pittsburgh digital calipers and never had an issue with the battery. It's been at least 3 years on the original. They don't slide as smooth as my Mitutoyo calipers but the accuracy seems pretty good. My Mitutoyo will remember where it is when you power it up where as the HF will set zero to where ever it is. If your not careful and it's not closed all the way it'll not be accurate.

Has anyone ever tried to buy replacement parts from HF. I assumed that it was like trying to find a unicorn or bigfoot.

I too have had horrible luck with the same calipers. I've gone through 3 thinking that maybe I just got a bad one. Nope. They eat batteries about as fast as I can put them in. My 20 year old Starret is my go-to tool to use.

 

[PILOON]

I too have had horrible luck with the same calipers. I've gone through 3 thinking that maybe I just got a bad one. Nope. They eat batteries about as fast as I can put them in. My 20 year old Starret is my go-to tool to use.

Since I don't use mine all that often I always remove the batteries and store them in the case I use for it.
And mine is a well known brand name and not an import.

 

[California]

Has anyone ever tried to buy replacement parts from HF. I assumed that it was like trying to find a unicorn or bigfoot.

Some 5 years ago they sold me replacement elbows and poles for this HF 20x20 tarp shed that the wind bent. Not very expensive.

And I ordered the optional bracket to go back from the top of their Qhitch to an implement that can't be hooked. I assume this bracket remains available as an accessory.

But I think they have new policy to not warehouse repair parts for anything, just 1) exchange during the warranty period then 2) sell you another.

That top bracket arrived absurdly packed: in a snug cardboard box the size of a brick, then this box put in a cubic ft box of plastic peanuts. The bracket is made to stand up to a 40hp tractor and you could drive over it with a dump truck. Way overkill on the packing.

 

[TheMan419]

Anyone have a current coupon for the free tarp?

EDIT: And no there is not one I could find at the database

 

[frugalangler]

Anyone have a current coupon for the free tarp?

EDIT: And no there is not one I could find at the database

There is one on the database, Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - 5 FT. 6" x 7 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP

 

[PhysAssist]

Has anyone ever tried to buy replacement parts from HF. I assumed that it was like trying to find a unicorn or bigfoot.

I have, but not related to your caliper discussion- I bought a replacement hydraulic jack for use with my HF truck crane [ https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-with-cable-winch-60731.html ] after having sent them an email asking about it, and getting a reply directing me to call customer service and ask to buy the replacement part.

It worked pretty well once they understood that I wasn't trying for warranty service.

I've had the crane on the truck since about 2003, and ended up replacing the jack in 2009- I finally blew up the seals in the replacement about 2 years ago lifting some locust trunks into the back of my F350.

My initial bolt-in installation per HF's instructions bent the bejasus out of my truck bed- spreading the bed wall about 3-4 inches out of true by the time I realized the rock I was lifting wasn't moving and the bed wall was.

I was able to bend it back using a tow strap wrapped around the bed hooked to a come-along and a nearby [big] locust tree.

Then I took it to my friendly neighborhood welder, who stuck three big heavy chunks of steel between the ladder frame and the base plate [he made to go under] the base plate of the truck crane- no bending since.

PA

 

[Ford850]

I picked up a couple of the 4 1/2" grinders with paddle switches yesterday. Thanks to those on here suggesting to add grease. The first one I opened had 2 of the 4 screws not even finger tight, but the gear box was packed full. The second one had tight screws but only had a pea sized glob of grease and not close to the dry gears. Now they are both packed with grease and snugged up.

I've used these for close to two years now, but had a failure of one of them last week. While pushing in the pin to lock the spindle, I used the wrench to loosen the nut holding on a grinding wheel. Even using that flimsy little wrench they supplied, the main housing imploded crumbling the center portion that held the push pin in place. The die cast metal is too thin and crumbled into pieces. I noticed they make a better quality grinder now too, but nothing else with a paddle switch. Meanwhile, my old Dewalt paddle grinder keeps on working strong.

 

[crazyal]

Some 5 years ago they sold me replacement elbows and poles for this HF 20x20 tarp shed that the wind bent. Not very expensive.

And I ordered the optional bracket to go back from the top of their Qhitch to an implement that can't be hooked. I assume this bracket remains available as an accessory.

But I think they have new policy to not warehouse repair parts for anything, just 1) exchange during the warranty period then 2) sell you another.

That top bracket arrived absurdly packed: in a snug cardboard box the size of a brick, then this box put in a cubic ft box of plastic peanuts. The bracket is made to stand up to a 40hp tractor and you could drive over it with a dump truck. Way overkill on the packing.

Sounds like you confused them when you ordered replacement parts. They probably never had anyone do such a thing and didn't know how to package it.

 

[TheMan419]

There is one on the database, Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - 5 FT. 6" x 7 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP

Thanks. Wonder how I missed it. Saved to phone