Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[jjeff]

Since I'm in my shop today, can't say enough good things about my hf 6" cross slide drill press vise, I believe it may have been discontinued? definitely not precision engineered for all the machinist folks it has some play in it and with spindle runout on my hf drill press I center punch everything anyway. It holds everything I've drilled in including using a hole saw accurately for my projects and doesn't send your work flying. Notice grade 8 washers and bolts cause the flange holes don't line up.

 

[5030]

I believe it is NLA. Like the 12" diameter flat face abrasive grinder. Discontinued as well. I have one and it's a beast. Weighs around 70 pounds and the motor has some balls too. Get my PSA discs from MSC, not HF however.

 

[5030]

Since I'm in my shop today, can't say enough good things about my hf 6" cross slide drill press vise, I believe it may have been discontinued? definitely not precision engineered for all the machinist folks it has some play in it and with spindle runout on my hf drill press I center punch everything anyway. It holds everything I've drilled in including using a hole saw accurately for my projects and doesn't send your work flying. Notice grade 8 washers and bolts cause the flange holes don't line up.

I see it has adjustable Gibs to remove the slop.....

 

[jjeff]

I see it has adjustable Gibs to remove the slop.....

Only some of it

 

[jjeff]

Since I'm on a harbor freight kick, the bench top tubing bender is handy had it for over 10:years, it has several dies for radiuses and one to bend flat stock notice cheater bar, I've used it for bending light guards and built a few rear racks using both steel and aluminum tubing.

 

[neverfailyou]

Wouldn't grease make it fall off even easier? I'll sometimes wedge a small piece of paper in there which helps somewhat.

I do wish they had stronger magnets on them. Barely enough to hold the light to something, falls right off on something that moved/vibrated.
When did HF do free batteries? Don't ever remember seeing that.

HF had free batteries with coupon and additional purchase. When coupons were discontinued, free batteries and free other things all went away (maybe around the time covid came… not sure of time frame). I stopped going much to HF when this came about… but then I seem to have a good stock of most consumables and tools on hand.

 

[IndyJay]

OK guys, the free blue flashlights are back. LINKY

Got two of them. Can't beat the price. Come in handy with the magnetic back.

 

[gstrom99]

Got two of them. Can't beat the price. Come in handy with the magnetic back.

Dang! I was just up near my closest one yesterday. I was thinking of stopping in, but didn't.

It's 40 miles away, so not worth a special trip. I have three of those flashlights already. Work great.

 

[Oaktree]

HF had free batteries with coupon and additional purchase. When coupons were discontinued, free batteries and free other things all went away (maybe around the time covid came… not sure of time frame).

I remember them being on sale with coupon but never free. The orange & black Thunderbolt alkalines aren't too bad, though they don't have the capacity for higher draw items like a camera. OK for remotes, flashlights, clocks, portable radios, etc. Don't think I've ever had one leak.

Got two of them. Can't beat the price. Come in handy with the magnetic back.

Have they put stronger magnets on them now? Ones I have will barely hold the weight of the light, don't directly fall off, but will work their way down whatever you attach them to. Most of the ones I have use the individual LEDs, not the newer ones with the COB ones.

 

[IndyJay]

I remember them being on sale with coupon but never free. The orange & black Thunderbolt alkalines aren't too bad, though they don't have the capacity for higher draw items like a camera. OK for remotes, flashlights, clocks, portable radios, etc. Don't think I've ever had one leak.

Have they put stronger magnets on them now? Ones I have will barely hold the weight of the light, don't directly fall off, but will work their way down whatever you attach them to. Most of the ones I have use the individual LEDs, not the newer ones with the COB ones.

Not sure since they are new to me. They have both a beam and a small flood light. Mine seem to have a fairly strong magnet.