Trailer winch, Will this one work?

[wroughtn_harv]

I guess you'll have to put me in the anti HF aisle.

They charge as much or more than the box stores for name brand tools.

Most folks that know me understand that I have entirely too many tools, character flaw of one flawed character.

I like Bosch. The way I buy Bosch is I go to the Bosch repair center, save a ton. But you never buy consumables like blades, bits, etc at the Bosch store. You see they're not allowed to cut the prices on those because of an agreement they have with the dealers.

When it comes to Porter Cable and Delta it's the same way. I go to the repair center and I've got some deals that would embarrass me to tell you about.

Now the Black and Decker aka Dewalt store hasn't been worth squat for tools but literally a wishing well for consumables on occasion. More than once I've picked up eighty to hundred dollar SDS Max bits for the hammer drill for fifteen to twenty dollars.

I use a lot of flap discs on the angle grinder. I figure to pay seven to eight dollars depending on brand. One time I went in to the Dewalt store and they had them for two bucks. We took that place down to the bare walls finding everyone they had. I ended up with fifty or so.

But I have yet to go into a store that specializes in cheap prices that can compare with the authorized manfacturer reps on prices on name brand stuff.

BTW I buy a lot of stuff on the gawd's will premise. I make an offer and if it's gawd's will for me to have it they accept my offer. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Ozarker]

So I'm guessing you wouldn't recommend the Central Pneumatic Contractor framing nailer they have on sale for $149.95. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I think you'll be sadly disappointed with the winch you describe. Something along the lines of a Warn Z3500 would probably serve your needs better so far as loading a car onto a trailer. I'm not sure about pulling stumps with one. I guess it would depend on the stump. I used a comparable winch by Superwinch with my car dolly for a few years and it worked adequately but had some shortcomings. That's why I went to a Warn 8000 for my trailer.

Based on my experiences I can tell you there are a couple features you should seriously consider for loading a car onto a trailer and hauling it. One is a clutch so you can pull the cable out manually rather than the much slower "power out" method. You'll really appreciate this in the blazing heat, bitter cold or torrential rain.

Another is a "brake" so that you can just use a couple simple tie-backs on the back and your winch on the front (don't forget the safety chains, though). I'm guessing if you get a winch with these two features you'll probably have a very nice winch with which you'll be quite pleased. It may not be as cheap as you'd like, but you'll be happy with it long after the price you paid is forgotten.

 

[Bird]

Ozarker, in all fairness, Ranchman and Gary are right; some of the stuff they sell is well worth the money and other things are junk (like a lot of other "discount" places). I still have a Central Pneumatic butterfly (3/8" impact) and a Central Pneumatic air hammer/chisel that I bought from Harbor Freight over 20 years ago, and they both still work. But they have been used very seldom. Neither of them has been used enough in over 20 years to amount to what most mechanics would use in 6 months. They are also far from being the most powerful tools in their class. And as you may have gathered, my big complaint is that if one ever fails or breaks, Harbor Freight is the only place I know of to get it fixed or replaced and I wouldn't bet on much success there.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

For my numerous auto projects, I use my assortment of Snap-On, Craftsman, and Husky tools and other than occasional rachet or screwdriver warranty replacement stuff they've been dependable for many years.
I also buy from HF, knowing that what I am getting is light duty, and that's OK. I just bought a complete assortment of tools from them to use as a spare set to keep on the trailer with the tractor. That way I don't have to drag all my tools with me every time we head for the property - much more convenient. Most of the time, any repairs are minor, and the HF tools are OK for that. Just keep their limitations in mind.
I do keep an eye out for some of their sale/clearance stuff. I just bought a 7200w/6500w generator from them with an 11 hp B&S Vanguard engine for $499 and free shipping. It's a Dayton generator carried by Graingers for over $1300. Works great and man it's nice to "carry" some electricity to power drills, saws, etc.

 

[fishman]

wroughtn harv,

I noticed you mentioned a Porter Cable repair center. Don't have one around here that I know of. Do you know of a source on the web for Porter Cable refurbs? Just curious. The stuff on Ebay is kind of pricey.

 

[Ozarker]

I have no doubt there are some really good deals on many things they carry.

 

[Turfman]

I have to agree with Bird. I buy some stuff at Harbor Freight. I realize that I use it, break it and chuck it. Stuff I really rely on I spend the money elsewhere. It was great when my uncle had a Mac Tool truck. I bought a multimeter for sprinklers at Harbor Freight. It was just what I needed. Use it hard and get it wet and when it dies I'm out $9.00.

It has it's place.

Turfman