Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Ford850]

I almost bought a 1" belt sander a few years ago, but then started using flap disks in my angle grinder. The flap disks work wonders for sharpening mower blades, but now I'm leaning towards getting the belt sander again. Thanks guys.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I have the 1x30 grinder and use it a lot for knife sharpening and minor reprofiling. I removed the guards and re-arranged the pieces so the belt is horizontal rather than vertical. That works better for me. The platen can be used, there is also a section of the belt that is not supported by the platen which is useful too.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I worked in a small engine shop for a couple of years. Blade sharpening was always a part of the daily routine. 90% of the sharpening was done with a 1" belt sander.
When a blade came in with huge gouges the grinder was used to straighten it out. Most of the time the belt sander was all that was used.
Every blade was balanced as it was sharpened by checking it often. An aggress grit is more than enough to take care of sharpening duties unless you hit a boulder.

 

[Teachu2]

I needed to remove the front bumper off a '95 Jeep Wrangler to install a towbar today. They are T55 Torx bolts, and were both tight and rusted. Read lots of posts on Jeep forums of guys using floor jack handles as cheater bars, PB Blaster for days on end, propane torches, hammers, punches, voodoo... The only T55 driver I had was a Husky from Home Depot with a 3/8 drive, and they are known to go to pieces if a cheater bar gets near them. Of course, I needed it today. The customer reviews of the Harbor Freight Professional Impact drivers were as tough as any and far better than most, and only $30 a set of eight. 8 Piece 1/2" Drive Internal Impact Star Socket Set
Bought a set this afternoon, put the T55 on my HF Earthquake 1/2" air impact 1/2 in. Aluminum Air Impact Wrench, and popped all four out in seconds, with no strain on the operator or budget. Re-used two bolts on the installation, and the bit looked like new when I was finished. I may never need them again, but they certainly met my need today. For us shade-tree mechanics, tinkerers, DIYers, and others who need affordable tools that are good enough - these are.

 

[dragoneggs]

Good feeling eh... way to go Teach! They are now paid for and everything else is gravy.

 

[Teachu2]

Good feeling eh... way to go Teach! They are now paid for and everything else is gravy.

Saved a couple hundred bucks and got it done right the first time by doing it myself. Took about as much time as driving to the dealer and back, and I know exactly how it all goes together. Makes it easier to recognize an issue before it becomes a problem or failure.

 

[KubotainNH]

I needed to remove the front bumper off a '95 Jeep Wrangler to install a towbar today. They are T55 Torx bolts, and were both tight and rusted. Read lots of posts on Jeep forums of guys using floor jack handles as cheater bars, PB Blaster for days on end, propane torches, hammers, punches, voodoo... The only T55 driver I had was a Husky from Home Depot with a 3/8 drive, and they are known to go to pieces if a cheater bar gets near them. .

I take it not much salt used on the roads in your area. Here you would need to cut them out which may be what the guys in the forums are dealing with. I envy those who don't have to deal with rusty cars.

 

[handirifle]

Will have to keep those in mind if I ever come across a torx bolt that big.

 

[Alan W.]

Used the HF torx impact to remove Ford bed bolts on two trucks. Worked excellent.

 

[reb]

I am having difficulty getting my lawn mower to run. One thought was to replace the engine with the predator vertical shaft engine. Not sure how much hassle that would be. I get the impression that the hole pattern is pretty much a standard. Has anyone here tried that?

 

[dragoneggs]

Have to say that after a couple months using my HF 30in 5 drawer Mechanics cart... I am a fan and can highly recommend! I scored it on an open box return for half price during a sidewalk sale, but it is still worth the normal sale price at $189. Now storing my 20v tools in the top and filling the drawers with drill bits, sanding, grinding, solder gun, and even my my mom's (grandmother's?) flat small electric iron. The bottom shelf holds my beast grinder, a 7in Makita and a couple other oversized tools that don't fit in drawers;

Love that old iron though... more than sentimental... pre-steam era and is absolutely perfect for gluing laminated edging.

 

[Professor Marvel]

Thanks to the positive feedback here, I bought one of the cordless pole saws. We have lots of oak trees in five or six varieties, and are slowly getting them limbed up to 8' off the ground. This little electric does a great job, and the battery life is amazing. The included Oregon chain is the icing on the cake.

are you able to reconfigure the handle so it is shorter? i am looking to be able to make a short one for reaching into bushes and reaching down to cut saplings
i have a stihl but i can't make it any shorter

 

[Diggin It]

I am having difficulty getting my lawn mower to run. One thought was to replace the engine with the predator vertical shaft engine. Not sure how much hassle that would be. I get the impression that the hole pattern is pretty much a standard. Has anyone here tried that?

I have the old Greyhound version, several years old now. Bolted right on, no issues. Had to run a choke cable up the handle, not sure if that's needed on the new ones. Mine runs fine. It can be tempermental to start, has to be choked even when hot, but runs strong and smooth.

 

[3Ts]

are you able to reconfigure the handle so it is shorter? i am looking to be able to make a short one for reaching into bushes and reaching down to cut saplings
i have a stihl but i can't make it any shorter

I bought mine because of reviews here and have been impressed with it. My primary use is to cut branches and bushes that are about chest height but in a thicket so I need the reach thru the brush and it works well for that. I've used it to cut an occasional branch overhead and it work well there also. It's really a good buy and a good tool.

 

[Diggin It]

Hollar if you see the 30% off items under $10 coupon again. I need a bunch of small things like hammers, extension cords, pliers and so on that would qualify.

 

[stuckmotor]

For us shade-tree mechanics, tinkerers, DIYers, and others who need affordable tools that are good enough - these are.

That sums up my feelings about most HF tools that I have.

 

[Travelover]

Hollar if you see the 30% off items under $10 coupon again. I need a bunch of small things like hammers, extension cords, pliers and so on that would qualify.

Bookmark this site. Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - pct coupons, freebies, free with purchase, free tools, free stuff, inside track club coupons

 

[TractorGuy]

The motion sensor alarm works fine. Just bought 3 more of them to scare critters away. Have to keep the alarm/receiver out of the rain.

 

[PILOON]

I am having difficulty getting my lawn mower to run. One thought was to replace the engine with the predator vertical shaft engine. Not sure how much hassle that would be. I get the impression that the hole pattern is pretty much a standard. Has anyone here tried that?

As far as I know all engines of same displacement/HP have the same pattern*, also under 6 hp generally shares same accessory mounting pattern.
When U get up in the HP range that's where U get surprises.

*Briggs, Tekomish, Honda (Chonda)

 

[dragoneggs]

Bookmark this site. Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - pct coupons, freebies, free with purchase, free tools, free stuff, inside track club coupons

yeah guaranteed 20% coupons anytime. But the 30% are rare and I don't see them on this site.