Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[sd455dan]

Last free bucket I got lasted about a month. Was filling it with sudsy water to wash the buggy and it was running out the bottom. The bottom was so thin it failed right away. Took the metal handle off it and roasted it on the burn pile.

I find that the 5 gallon tractor hydraulic oil buckets are better made and once cleaned with brake cleaner and then some windex they work just fine as wash buckets etc.
HF can keep their bucket, but wish they weren't out of the free step drill bits a while back, but did get the freebie 300lb tie down straps.

 

[sd455dan]

Last free bucket I got lasted about a month. Was filling it with sudsy water to wash the buggy and it was running out the bottom. The bottom was so thin it failed right away. Took the metal handle off it and roasted it on the burn pile.

Mine failed too.

 

[John_Mc]

Saturday Dec 21 for Harbor Freight's 12 Days of Savings sale, the Predator 9500 Watt Inverter Generator is $800 off (regularly $2300, sale price $1500) and the 3500 Watt Inverter Generator is $220 off (regularly $800, sale price $580).

If the 9500 Watt Inverter Generator were dual fuel, I'd probably jump on it, since I converted my older generator to dual fuel years ago, and had a connection installed on the propane feed to my house to run it.

Something puzzles me about the specs for the 9500 Watt generator. It's rate for 7600 continuous and 9500 watts surge. The 240 volt outlet is rated for 30 amps and has a 30 amp circuit breaker on it. 240V X 30A = 7200 watts. How are you supposed to get 7600 watts continuous out of that, let alone the 9500 watt surge?

 

[jyoutz]

Pretty crazy how much any five gallon bucket costs these days. The ones that seem to have lasted the longest for me seem to be dry wall mud buckets.

Hmm.. I always get those Home Depot and Lowe’s buckets for about $4 and they last about 3 years. The same with TSC buckets. Today I picked up a free HF bucket and it seems about the same as the others.

 

[California]

Ask a painting contractor for buckets. They have plenty. It's trivial to rinse and scrape out latex paint down to clean plastic because it doesn't really adhere.

 

[5030]

Bought the HF illuminated, adjustable magnifying head mounted gear. Actually, bought 2. Good price (under 20 bucks) and wok excellent for this old man (and his wife). Bright LED, battery operated built in headlamp and 3 magnifying ranges. Work excellent for small parts.

Posts complain about the headgear being flimsy but I don't find that to be true. The ones I bought work just fine and stay adjusted and on my head just fine.

 

[jyoutz]

I bought a U.S. General 4 drawer tool cart yesterday. They are currently $80 off through January 2 for IT members. I’m very impressed with the build quality of this unit and the sale price is unbeatable.

https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-4-drawer-tech-cart-red-59572.html

 

[Happy in NC]

I have the 5 drawer. I have been very please with it. Use it to store air tools and acc.

 

[5030]

HF really upped their game on tool chests and boxes. I know the Vulcan welding cart I bought is first rate as well and it carries 2 120 cubic foot gas bottles no issue. The tool boxes come in Kubota orange, a big plus.

 

[newbury]

Pretty crazy how much any five gallon bucket costs these days. The ones that seem to have lasted the longest for me seem to be dry wall mud buckets.

My last 5 gallon bucket cost ~ $120. Full of SDT2. From Messicks