Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[npalen]

20V Cordless 200 MPH Compact Workshop Blower - Tool Only

Amazing deals on this 200Mph Cordless Compact Workshop Blower at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

This Harbor Freight Tool doesn't suck. It just blows. Doesn't suck.

 

[jthibodeau89]

It appears that these coupons include all the cordless tools and welders. Just not compressors, generators, and tool boxes/cabinets, and jacks.

 

[jyoutz]

When shopping for cordless tools, look for brushless motors. More torque and longer battery life. I used to have Dewalt and Porter-Cable, but switched to Kobalt when i upgraded to brushless.

I think they are all brushless now.

 

[California]

It appears that these coupons include all the cordless tools and welders.

Yes!

The only exclusions mentioned on the coupons, are the traditional ones:

... compressors, generators, and tool boxes/cabinets, and jacks.

But "other restrictions may apply" whatever that means.

 

[crazyal]

Tomorrow I'm sure some of us will find out. I'm trying to decide if I drive an hour and a half to a HF or just order on-line. If I drive I can cross a few other things off my list and I can there's a couple of nice restaurants near it but it'll eat up close to a tank of gas burn the better part of a day.

 

[California]

Not HF but Amazon in this case:

I'm cheap. I've had good luck buying Amazon's discounted hardware and tools that may be customer returns. All have been flawless - so far. But finally, an item less than acceptable.

I ordered two 4" spools of Flux Core 'mig' welding wire, diameters .030 and .035. Different brands, both good quality. I've used both before.

Amazon's descriptions:

1) Condition: Used - Very Good - Item will come in original packaging. Packaging will be damaged.

Fine. The spool of wire is flawless. The shrink-wrap around it is intact, sealed. The paper carton looks beat up, that's irrelevant. $7.50 saved on this more expensive brand. I'm happy.


2) Condition: Used - Acceptable - Cosmetic imperfection(s) bigger than 1" on top, front or sides of item. Item will come repackaged.

No. not really acceptable. The plastic spool had chunks missing at several places, so not shipping damage on the way to me. Shrink wrap missing so this had to be a customer return. The wire wasn't secured and the tension had unwound it many turns into a rats nest. Carton in poor condition.
$5.50 saved on this one wasn't worth it.

Learned my lesson. Only Amazon's top discount tier is worth the trouble.

 

[IH3444]

Any 4th of July HF 25% off coupons?

 

[5030]

Amazon, not HF...DO NOT EVER BUY THE GREASE FITTING (METRIC KIT) FROM Amazon. Price is good but the threads on the larger M9.9 and M10 fitting is horrible as they won't thread into anything, ever. Total junk. The smaller ones are ok however, I tossed all the bigger ones in the rubbish and trundled down to HF and bought their metric grease fitting kit that actually have correct threads on them. Lesson learned, Amazon fittings are junk. HF's aren't

 

[California]

Amazon, not HF...DO NOT EVER BUY THE GREASE FITTING (METRIC KIT) FROM Amazon. Price is good but the threads on the larger M9.9 and M10 fitting is horrible as they won't thread into anything, ever. Total junk. The smaller ones are ok however, I tossed all the bigger ones in the rubbish and trundled down to HF and bought their metric grease fitting kit that actually have correct threads on them. Lesson learned, Amazon fittings are junk. HF's aren't

Actually, there are two different thread pitches for metric grease fittings. One may be obsolete. You have 50/50 odds of getting something you can use if the listing is just 'metric grease fittings'.

 

[5030]

Didn't have any threads on them to begin with.

 

[jjeff]

Didn't have any threads on them to begin with.

Well that's not good, maybe there weld on fittings lol.

 

[California]

Time for the BFH!

 

[MossRoad]

Were they drive-type grease fittings?

They look like threads, but they are barbs.

DRIVE TYPE GREASE FITTINGS, PRESS-IN GREASE FITTINGS, PRESS-IN ZERK FITTINGS, DRIVABLE GREASE FITTINGS

 

[jjeff]

Were they drive-type grease fittings?

They look like threads, but they are barbs.

DRIVE TYPE GREASE FITTINGS, PRESS-IN GREASE FITTINGS, PRESS-IN ZERK FITTINGS, DRIVABLE GREASE FITTINGS

Interesting, never even heard of that type. Wonder how far the fitting needs to go
in to hold, I've welded 1/4" 20 pitch nuts on things than screwed the fitting on the nut if I couldn't tap for a traditional screw in type due to the end of fitting protuding to far.
Harbor freight grease fittings seem to hold up pretty good and are priced fair for what you get imo.

 

[MossRoad]

Interesting, never even heard of that type. Wonder how far the fitting needs to go
in to hold, I've welded 1/4" 20 pitch nuts on things than screwed the fitting on the nut if I couldn't tap for a traditional screw in type due to the end of fitting protuding to far.
Harbor freight grease fittings seem to hold up pretty good and are priced fair for what you get imo.

I’d never heard of them either, but we had missing grease fitting on a machine at my past employer and the fitting hole was smooth. I told my senior tech, who is/was retired air craft mechanic that I’ve known for 40 years, and said hey, this grease zerk fell out because they never tapped the hole. He said, nope, it’s a press-in fitting and showed me. First I’d ever seen it.

 

[5030]

Were they drive-type grease fittings?

They look like threads, but they are barbs.

DRIVE TYPE GREASE FITTINGS, PRESS-IN GREASE FITTINGS, PRESS-IN ZERK FITTINGS, DRIVABLE GREASE FITTINGS

Not the ones I tossed. They sort of looked like threads and the ball checks in them weren't there either. I know the difference.

 

[jjeff]

What kind of useless junk is that? Reminds me when I thought I was buying vbar tire chains, they were not and promptly returned. At least with hf you can see what your buying, knowing in some cases it will not be the highest end product.

 

[D2Cat]

Those grease fitting work fine. They have barbs on them and grab the metal tightly. It's an interference fit and don't come out easily. Do you dislike hoses on barb fittings also?

 

[5030]

HF just introduced the Bauer 20 volt electric grease gun. I may actually spring for one as it comes complete with a bulk load grease nipple.

Just got a 20 buck HF birthday coupon that can be used in conjunction with any other discounts plus I have 40 bucks in Harbor Freight bucks on my HF credit card. Should be able to get it down to around 70 bucks.

 

[5030]

Swung by HF on the way home yesterday and bought the Bauer 20 volt grease gun. Got it for 80 bucks with my birthday coupon and my HF card points. I have yet to unbox it but I'll post up a review when I get it out and use it. It's a 'tool only' purchase but I have plenty of Bauer batteries and a couple chargers too. Gonna put a bulk load fitting on it so I can load it via my air grease pump. I've had excellent 'luck' with all the Bauer cordless tools so far with the exception of the brushed 4.5" angle grinder that has a penchant for shutting off if pushed too hard despite the fact that the battery has plenty of life in it. I read on Torque Test Channel that the Milwaukee 4.5" exhibits the same thing. Probably should buy the new brushless unit but not going to until this one dies which it probably won't in my lifetime. The shutting off is irritating but easily overcame by sliding the switch to off and back on again. Very handy for working underneath a vehicle or in a tight spot.

Review to follow when I get to doing it.