Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Oaktree]

Those are on a recall. I got a full new blister pack free in the mail a few months back. Check to see if you're eligible: https://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/recalls/Trailer-Light-Recall.pdf

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to check & see if mine are the ones being recalled.

 

[5030]

Seems to be the norm today for everyone to use that noodle wire. My wife's new Ford's entire harness is noodle wire. Stuff is a pizzer to splice or add a connector too.

 

[ultrarunner]

HF has my favorite light on sale. I ordered a few of them plus some other items. I passed on going to the store, too crazy.

39 Lumen Magnetic Slim Bar Folding LED Work Light

I did something I have never done and that was to place an Internet Harbor Freight Order.

Received email saying they are back ordered indefinably 5 days after placing my order and my order will be cancelled unless I call and say not to cancel...

I thought good stocking stuffers but it looks like a no go...

Here is cut and paste...

An item(s) from your order is currently out of stock and its delivery date has been delayed.
We are unable to provide an estimated ship date at this time because we do not have a ship date from the factory. Your action is required within 21 days to proceed with this order.

If you still want the item(s) and are willing to wait indefinitely, please call Customer service at 1-800-444-3353. If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by 12/25/2019, the item(s) will be cancelled and removed from your order.

 

[Oaktree]

I did something I have never done and that was to place an Internet Harbor Freight Order.

My first experience with HF was on online order maybe 5 years ago (we didn't have a nearby store at the time). It was the Predator 212cc engine to replace a 35 year old B&S in my logsplitter that had some serious issues. I thought shipping costs were going to be exorbitant but was pleasantly surprised that it was only $7 or so. Slowest shipping in the world...package took almost 2 weeks to get here from Calif. Good thing I wasn't in any hurry!

My wife's new Ford's entire harness is noodle wire. Stuff is a pizzer to splice or add a connector too.

I read that some foreign makes use wiring with soy-based insulation. As you might expect, rodents getting into it are a problem. What were they thinking?

 

[Diggin It]

I read that some foreign makes use wiring with soy-based insulation. As you might expect, rodents getting into it are a problem. What were they thinking?

Playing Piped Piper ... leading the rodentia away from Asia.




I used to order from HF way back long ago when they sometimes offered 'free' shipping (yeah, yeah, we all know). Got my small cast iron stove from them, all 180 pounds or so of it via FedEx ground. Got it on sale for around $150 with no shipping charge. Hmmm, maybe that's what made them drop that option?

 

[5030]

Playing Piped Piper ... leading the rodentia away from Asia.




I used to order from HF way back long ago when they sometimes offered 'free' shipping (yeah, yeah, we all know). Got my small cast iron stove from them, all 180 pounds or so of it via FedEx ground. Got it on sale for around $150 with no shipping charge. Hmmm, maybe that's what made them drop that option?

Could be. Don't work here. We have an army of mousers, constantly on patrol.

I will say that insulation as well as the conductors in modern wiring on tractors and vehicles leaves lots to be desired. Mostly noodle junk.

 

[5030]

With HF building out retail locations like Dollar General is, having a brick and mortar HF store nearby is a pretty safe bet today. We have 3 within striking distance. I use the one with the lowest sales tax rate.

One thing I have noticed with HF brick and mortar outlets is, their inventory can be spotty. Not everything is on the shelves that is advertised in the monthly 'blowout' flyers. I give Erik credit. His HF stores are constantly having 'inventory reduction, sidewalk sales and reduction sales', good advertising as is his pricing. Every item is $***.99. IOW a dollar more, always. Mr. Schmidt, like his dad is a shrewd businessman.

Don't go to Dollar General where everything is 'generally' more than a dollar anyway. Wife goes to 'Dollar Tree' instead, where 99% IS below a dollar.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ I'd still prefer a Northern closer than 90 miles. I might even drive past an HF to get to an NT.

 

[5030]

Never been that impressed with Northern. I remember back when all they sold was chainsaw and chainsaw related items. They offer some junk along with good items now. I get their catalog. Rarely buy anything.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Portable scaffold ( 63050, 63051 ), yeah or nay?

I was going to get 2 sets of these last year. Ended up going to HD with the HF add. They beat the price by 10% on the HD Metaltech scaffolding. The Metaltech was much better built, especially the deck.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MetalTe...Scaffold-1100-lbs-Capacity-I-CISCH1/302038304

If you can’t get the Metaltech, the HF ones are good for some homeowner projects.

 

[PJSprog]

^^ I'd still prefer a Northern closer than 90 miles. I might even drive past an HF to get to an NT.

We have a new Northern Tool store opened recently in part of the old Gander Mtn store about 20 miles from us. Been open for a couple of months now. I haven't been in there yet. I still go to HF.

 

[PJSprog]

I was going to get 2 sets of these last year. Ended up going to HD with the HF add. They beat the price by 10% on the HD Metaltech scaffolding. The Metaltech was much better built, especially the deck.

If you can稚 get the Metaltech, the HF scaffolding is ok for homeowners use.

We did the same thing when remodeling our house. The Metaltech is pretty decent quality. I haven't heard anything bad about the HF scaffold.

 

[Diggin It]

I think the NT version was Metaltech. I'll have to check the packaging for the ones I got from TS, but everything looks solid and fits well.

 

[hunt4570]

^^ I'd still prefer a Northern closer than 90 miles. I might even drive past an HF to get to an NT.

I have both Northern Tool and HF within an easy drive, I probably have 5-6 HF's within 50 miles

 

[Travelover]

.......... Wife goes to 'Dollar Tree' instead, where 99% IS below a dollar.

Actually 100% is a dollar or less. I find good values there, but like HF, not on everything. Maybe we need a Dollar Tree items that don't suck thread. :laughing:

 

[KubotainNH]

I did something I have never done and that was to place an Internet Harbor Freight Order.

Received email saying they are back ordered indefinably 5 days after placing my order and my order will be cancelled unless I call and say not to cancel...

I thought good stocking stuffers but it looks like a no go...

Here is cut and paste...

An item(s) from your order is currently out of stock and its delivery date has been delayed.
We are unable to provide an estimated ship date at this time because we do not have a ship date from the factory. Your action is required within 21 days to proceed with this order.

If you still want the item(s) and are willing to wait indefinitely, please call Customer service at 1-800-444-3353. If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by 12/25/2019, the item(s) will be cancelled and removed from your order.

Yep, I got the same thing. At least there's a chance it may still come. I'd be more annoyed if I went to the store and they were out of them. At least this doesn't waste my time in traffic.

BTW, folks asked about the replaceable battery. Here's a pic of the one from the light and the one from my Guarddog flashlight, same size.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I think the NT version was Metaltech. I'll have to check the packaging for the ones I got from TS, but everything looks solid and fits well.

I bought the NT MetalTech a few years ago on sale for $129 as I recall.

It’s very sturdy and stabile.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...struction > Scaffolding&utm_source=Google_PLA

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep... guess I will need to call in to prevent cancellation.

Over the years I have directly bought or referred those to Northern for generators...

The Honda prices seem to be the same everywhere but with the $200 gift card and free shipping it was too good to pass up.

 

[California]

Yep, I got the same thing. At least there's a chance it may still come. I'd be more annoyed if I went to the store and they were out of them. At least this doesn't waste my time in traffic.

BTW, folks asked about the replaceable battery. Here's a pic of the one from the light and the one from my Guarddog flashlight, same size.

View attachment 631371

Those 18650's are widely used. Tesla's cars (before Model 3) run on over 7,000 of them!

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Yep, I got the same thing. At least there's a chance it may still come. I'd be more annoyed if I went to the store and they were out of them. At least this doesn't waste my time in traffic.

BTW, folks asked about the replaceable battery. Here's a pic of the one from the light and the one from my Guarddog flashlight, same size.

View attachment 631371

Check the below link and look for a store near you. They also do online orders if you can help them identify what you need. Great outfit for many things beside batteries and bulbs. Pays to check them out. They have a booming business in Tacoma WA close to me.
Our Company - About Us - Batteries Plus Bulbs


Ron