Harbor Freight Good tool list

[SkyHiK5]

Originally Posted by SteelFuser

Yes Snap On does have some tools made else where those are called Bluepoint. What do you do for a living? I make my living and reputation on what I do and my tools. Snap On will always take it back no matter what no questions, just here's your NEW not rebuilt tool. So go ahead and buy cheap tools and you'll end up with a cheap product.

Originally Posted by Rusty Kustoms

Just last week I gave my snap on guy a ratchet that I bent with a cheater bar and he pulled a brand new one from the ceiling and handed it over, no questions asked

I think you guys are missing it.
No one here is saying that a HF ratchet is better than a Snap-On.
In fact interestingly enough, look through this entire thread no one has mentioned their ratchets at all.

Lets use their impact sockets as a guide.
I can buy 3 sets from HF, still spend 50% as much, have 2 spares if I break and they will replace them THE DAY I BREAK THEM on the way home, I don't have to wait for the tool fairy to come around.

RECAP
HF guy #1 A Chevy is a fine truck to get you back and forth to work.
HF Guy #2 I agree my Chevy does fine
HF Guy #3 I prefer a Ford, never used a Chevy
Strap-On guy Come on dudez....you life is on the line. you need a full DOM tube buggy, on Mogs, with a CTD and NOS those streets are mean....

[muddermilitia]

I havnt read all the replies, but what do you guys think about their sheet metal brakes? I was thinking of getting one so I can build a new tranny tunnel for my truck

[gcb17]

How about this compressor for airing tires on the trail?



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93186

[gustav129]

Originally Posted by gcb17

How about this compressor for airing tires on the trail?



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93186

That's nice an all, but you can do an OBA system for just a little more than that. Then you can run your air tools off of it also.

[tnmike]

So far this non contact thermometer is the cats meow..30 bucks and they have them in the retail stores.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=96451

[KRMNALMIND]

I have that compressor nd it has worked fine. I bought it on sale plus 15% off i think i paid $40 you can't beat that. I have used it to air up the 35's on my F250 for when we air down for the fire roads and light trails. I have never run it or a time check so no idea on that.

[rock mafia]

Originally Posted by tnmike

So far this non contact thermometer is the cats meow..30 bucks and they have them in the retail stores.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=96451

Got one of those last week, seems to work good.

I like these for the money, they're no snap on, but they arn't $100 either.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=96781


I've had the mid size floor drillpress for over 4 years. It's done 2500 or more nothes as well as drill a quite a few holes. Chuck ain't real true, but it's still going strong. Swith burned out a couple of months ago, I called HF and ordered a new one, it was only $1.

I hate buying crap from china, but when is less than 1/4 the cost of american stuff, what do ya do. Not to mention most namebrand electric tools are made there anyway.

[HaroldD]

Here's my Harbor Freight Favorite tools list:

Cheap gloves to give to laborers.


---End of List---

Every tool I have purchased there has failed.

[yozsi]

Originally Posted by HaroldD

Here's my Harbor Freight Favorite tools list:

Cheap gloves to give to laborers.


---End of List---

Every tool I have purchased there has failed.

LOL, have you considered that maybe it was user malfunction?

[Realsquash]

Originally Posted by HaroldD

Here's my Harbor Freight Favorite tools list:

Cheap gloves to give to laborers.


---End of List---

Every tool I have purchased there has failed.

I should take a pic of the balljoint press that I bent out of whack the first time I used it. The threaded rod won't even go through the hole in the end! I bet it deflected a good 3/4".

Andy

[Vortec_Cruiser]

You have to use a little common sense when buying tools there. If a tool obviously looks like a piece of crap, then I don't buy it. Over the years, I have bought a 12-ton press, 20-ton press, numerous grinders & wheels, cutoff saws, and impact sockets with a 98% satisfaction rate. Some of their tools work out okay, while others are only good for scrap.

[eschoendorff]

Originally Posted by Vortec_Cruiser

You have to use a little common sense when buying tools there. If a tool obviously looks like a piece of crap, then I don't buy it. Over the years, I have bought a 12-ton press, 20-ton press, numerous grinders & wheels, cutoff saws, and impact sockets with a 98% satisfaction rate. Some of their tools work out okay, while others are only good for scrap.

'nuff said. [/thread]

[eclancy]

i work on heavy equipment...both in-shop and on the road in the service truck.

HF stuff that works great for me, and has had no problem standing up to any abuse i throw at them on the big iron:
Impact sockets
3/4 drive sockets/ratchet--ratchet is kinda sloppy, but works none the less
long handle "professional" wrenchs--love 'em
blue handled screwdrivers w/nut molded to handle
heat gun
right angle and straight pneumatic grinders
4.5" orange electric grinder
large drill bits (9/16"-1")
ratchet straps
come alongs
jack stands
engine crane (2 ton)

Iffy at best:
long hex socket bits
star bits

No good:
small drill bits
saw blades
batteries

anyone have any experience w/ the 1" impact gun??
I know they take alot of air, but i can supply alot of air

[HaroldD]

Originally Posted by yozsi

LOL, have you considered that maybe it was user malfunction?

Yes , and certainly I've asked them to do what they were designed for. Last straw for me was a pitman arm puller that failed under stress. Pieces of puller flying everywhere - was a minor miracle that nothing hit me.

Found a snap on pitman arm puller on ebay from a local guy, picked it up, took the same pitman arm off like it was butter.

I'm not a snap on snob, but as others have said, use common sense. I will never use any of HF gear that has potential to injure me again. I was lucky.

[Realsquash]

Originally Posted by HaroldD

I will never use any of HF gear that has potential to injure me again. I was lucky.

That would be most tools then. HF is junk. If I need to cut and weld something for a one-off I'll buy something from HF.

Andy

[stealthcammo1]

anyones tried the chicago electric plasma(digital display). i can get it for 450 OTD. should i just get it?

[dumblucky]

grinders and wheels all day long, I buy one new one a year for 20 buks ,,I have four so I one takes a shit I return it as the one just purchase so four at twenty plus 20 each after and I always have four already set up griders..

try that with Milwaukee 600$$??

I burned up a $40 1/2" drill after two years bought a new one returned the burned one now I have two

the big drill press has gone through 1" thick with 1" bits ()Yes HF bits!!} bout 50 holes as of yet and will do plenty more,,

SIDE NOTE
this press need to be maintained the spindles have nuts no they must be tightened,, also the chuck needed a small spot weld to keep it from spinning ..I do want t o replace it with a Jacobs

basically it will slip if not fixed but for the price

I want a band saw and will try it

[bgaidan]

Originally Posted by dumblucky

grinders and wheels all day long, I buy one new one a year for 20 buks ,,I have four so I one takes a shit I return it as the one just purchase so four at twenty plus 20 each after and I always have four already set up griders..

try that with Milwaukee 600$$??

I burned up a $40 1/2" drill after two years bought a new one returned the burned one now I have two

the big drill press has gone through 1" thick with 1" bits ()Yes HF bits!!} bout 50 holes as of yet and will do plenty more,,

SIDE NOTE
this press need to be maintained the spindles have nuts no they must be tightened,, also the chuck needed a small spot weld to keep it from spinning ..I do want t o replace it with a Jacobs

basically it will slip if not fixed but for the price

I want a band saw and will try it

So you're buying new and then using that package/receipt to warranty your old, used and out of warranty stuff? Dick.

[Realsquash]

Originally Posted by dumblucky

grinders and wheels all day long, I buy one new one a year for 20 buks ,,I have four so I one takes a shit I return it as the one just purchase so four at twenty plus 20 each after and I always have four already set up griders..

try that with Milwaukee 600$$??

I burned up a $40 1/2" drill after two years bought a new one returned the burned one now I have two

the big drill press has gone through 1" thick with 1" bits ()Yes HF bits!!} bout 50 holes as of yet and will do plenty more,,

SIDE NOTE
this press need to be maintained the spindles have nuts no they must be tightened,, also the chuck needed a small spot weld to keep it from spinning ..I do want t o replace it with a Jacobs

basically it will slip if not fixed but for the price

I want a band saw and will try it

I don't think buying shit tools 5 times is justification when you could have bought a Milwaukee and never had a single problem. Those grinders are crap no matter how many you buy.

Andy

[cabletech]

I think the "justification" comes in that he doesn't have to change from grinding wheel to flapdisk, he just grabs the other grinder and goes at it.

I like my Hitachi angle grinder, but sometimes it's a pain going grinder/flap/grinder/flap/wire etc, but I don't really feel like spending another $90 to have another grinder just so I can be lazy.

So he does have a point.

[Realsquash]

Originally Posted by cabletech

I think the "justification" comes in that he doesn't have to change from grinding wheel to flapdisk, he just grabs the other grinder and goes at it.

I like my Hitachi angle grinder, but sometimes it's a pain going grinder/flap/grinder/flap/wire etc, but I don't really feel like spending another $90 to have another grinder just so I can be lazy.

So he does have a point.

Well that depends if he's using HF's crap wheels, too :P

Andy

[robs88yj]

I just bought the 4 ton Porta Power on sale, don't remember the price. It more than paid for itself the first use. All the attachments fit nice and tight and it worked so well I am going to go back and get the pullback ram to go with it. My first use was fixing a broken passenger lower control arm mount on a TJ. Pushed the broken/bent parts back in alignment while the axle was still under the Jeep. Made what I thought was going to be a long drawn out repair simple and quick.

[blink32]

95014-5VGA 110lb Pressurized Abrasive Blaster, picked this up a few weeks ago. Used it with black oxide first but then switched over to sifted play sand. Works well with a dry air source. So far put about 7-800 lbs of abrasive through it and I'm pretty sure the lower valve controlling the abrasive flow is worn out and the pad that seals to the dead man nozzle is definitely worn in. Otherwise a good piece so far.

[JJonesee]

I have beat the crap out of the portaband. I got it for free as a gift over a year ago. I tell you what - it still cuts. The blade likes to kick off when it binds, so I am sure thats the only thing keeping it from ripping apart.

I did replace the blade that came with it right off the bat.

[miniyota]

i bought one for $50.

it works great. it took my 32" tires form 15 to 30 psi in 2 minutes. it didn't get very hot. i had all 4 tires aired up in 6 minutes. its very good for the price.

Originally Posted by gcb17

How about this compressor for airing tires on the trail?



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93186