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Old 01-13-2019, 01:17 PM   #21
Gegrad
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wing-in-it View Post
most all of my “traveling” tools are Harbor Freight.

They work in a pinch.
yep, same here.
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Old 01-13-2019, 01:20 PM   #22
ctbruce
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One things for sure. Whatever you buy, you're never out foul price or all that much. At heart, I'm a cheap skate and will always give them a chance. Real happy with my 1/2 inch impact driver and saved a ton of money on it.
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Old 01-13-2019, 03:30 PM   #23
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Like Chip said, whatever you buy you really aren't out that much money. My first try with HF was with a chromed socket set; just wouldn't fit anything properly and would round the edges on a nut real quick so I swore off for years. Kept reading reading reviews similar to these so tried them again. I tried impact sockets first - love them - got about 4 or 5 sets now. Bottle jacks, some roller stands for power tools, hand tools, moisture meter (questionable), all kinds of breaker bars, VOM (cheapie - but works) - lots of stuff. Bought a buffer/polisher a year or two ago. Works good but is more bulky and heavy than some of the competitors....but it costs about a third and does the job. Buffer pads are OK but not as good as others - don't cost near as much either.

As a previous poster pointed out: don't buy power tools that need to be accurate. I would not buy saws or things like that. They are a good alternative for economical tools, which can get very expensive.
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Old 01-13-2019, 04:01 PM   #24
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I look at them as disposable tools or need to use few times tools. My experience is some things are junk like electrical tape, electrical connectors, anything in the gardening dept, drill bits, saw blades. Only power tool from them is a 4" angle grinder. All my other power tools are DeWalt, Makita, etc. I have bought breaker bars, nail pullers, crow bar, hammers and a few sockets that are o.k. given the cost. Obviously I don't expect hf socket set to last 50 years like my snap on but for the price it's ok. Also have a 12 ton bottle jack and some air accessories (blow gun, air hose, fittings) that seem to be ok.
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Old 01-13-2019, 04:23 PM   #25
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Thanks, I appreciate the information. If I remember correctly that TT has a 15K AC on top of it. I would want to use it to run at least one of mine. What else did you do to it to help it breathe?
I used a paddle bit to add a few holes under the front so it could get more air where it needs it. Across the cooling fins of the inverter. As well as a few little filters, on the oil door and to the front.Click image for larger version

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Old 01-13-2019, 04:26 PM   #26
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To each their own. My HF wrenches have completed every task I have used them for. Some are 30+ yrs old. And yeah it’s easier to take a torch to a cheaper wrench to bend it to a special shape. That 9/16 combo wrench is still in use BTW.

The chrome sockets are a bit thin walled but knowing that I don’t try to “torque” them. I have the impact set for that.
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Old 01-13-2019, 04:49 PM   #27
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Our fleet trucks are stocked with HB tools including gas air compressor, impact wrenches, jacks and all hand tools. I was skeptical but they've held up well. In 3 1/2 years I've only had to replace some floor jacks. The seals leak when it gets below freezing sometimes, but other than that they've held up well.
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Old 01-13-2019, 04:58 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by River Duck View Post
I bought a 100 lb pancake style air compressor there a few days ago for 40 bucks!
Hard for me to turn down a deal like that!

Have you tried to inflate a 60 PSI tire with that pancake compressor? I have one and it comes no where near able to go to 60 PSI. I am a professional mechanic and most of my tools are pretty old. Craftsman and SK Wayne for the most part. I use screw drivers a LOT and use Vessel brand which is a Japanese company that makes a wide range of Japanese Industrial Standard screwdriver.



I could never see buying from the trucks as the value just isn't there in my opinion. I use a power drill a lot and use Black & Decker. There are probably better but I usually buy several at a time and the chucks usually are the first thing to go as they won't hold a bit so I just change out. There may be better quality but for the price vs lifespan, they have served me well. I keep Harbor Freight hand tools on my bikes as they work fine; especially the forged stuff. The screwdrivers and their impact driver not so much. I still use a Craftsman hand impact driver I have used for over 50 years.
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Old 01-20-2019, 09:07 AM   #29
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Oscillating tool, you'll find a hundred uses. I like the coded, variable speed model. Buy the blades on line at fitzall.com
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Old 01-20-2019, 09:32 AM   #30
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Have you tried to inflate a 60 PSI tire with that pancake compressor? I have one and it comes no where near able to go to 60 PSI.
I have a Craftsman 3 gal “hot dog” compressor that wouldn’t make 60 psi after very little use. I found the head gasket was blown. Now it makes 125 psi. Just like new.
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Old 01-20-2019, 10:04 AM   #31
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I had an older Predator generator that was not an inverter type, and lasted us for four years. Wasn't as loud as an older contractor type, and was usable when we needed one for AC. Bought one of the new 3500's last year and it's much better. I added some copper pipe to run the exhaust out to the side of our truck (it sits in the front of the bed) and away from the 5er. Soldered a couple of joints, but left most as slip on so it all comes apart.

They've some things I wouldn't buy or use on a bet, but most everything else in general is fine.
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Old 01-20-2019, 10:05 AM   #32
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...disposables (chip brushes, ... not so much with others.
It took a while, but I found something I could agree with in this thread.
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Old 01-20-2019, 10:16 AM   #33
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I use HF for throw away stuff like gloves. Important stuff I go elsewhere but still need to be careful. I was looking at their 2000W generator and found Champion at the same price. Free shipping and saved the tax. My power tools are all Dewalt and hand tools from Craftsman and Snap On from years ago will outlast me.
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Old 01-20-2019, 10:34 AM   #34
JackTyniec
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Originally Posted by RedRocket View Post
Okay here it goes. I have bought several things from Harbour freight that I do think are good quality. Predator generator, several ratchets, a breakover, and some sockets. Although they aren't the most expensive tools they get the job done. Anyone else have any story they'd like to share?
Have bought a lot of tools and other items from HF with no problem except for a battery charger/compressor which only lasted 2 years. Happy to continue buying from them.
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Old 01-20-2019, 02:58 PM   #35
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Tools

For the average guy at home they are pretty good for the most part,, if I too were a full time mechanic I think I would buy better,, good prices though
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Old 01-20-2019, 03:40 PM   #36
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Funny thing is my HF 1/2 drive air impact gun produces more torque than my coworkers Mac.

He borrows mine when we install WD heads on the shank. And replace pin boxes.
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Old 01-20-2019, 04:53 PM   #37
Todd727
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Trucker chain has been good. Goop and they have thick nitrile gloves. I've had very good luck with the automotive code readers. The free flashlights are worth exactly what you pay. Parts washer has worked well.
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Old 01-20-2019, 05:18 PM   #38
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I own a few things from Harbor freight; but admittedly, not much. Best tools I purchased nearly 12 years ago that I use frequently, a $10 breaker bar and a set of high-impact lug sockets have torqued too many wheels to keep count. The HF item that I wish would die (that just doesn't) is an 8 gallon oil lube air compressor I bought 8 years ago to build a shed with.

Since that project, it mustered enough life to put up 300 linear feet of 6 foot privacy fence, rebuild a wooden deck, winterize annually my landscape irrigation system, trim out the crown in 3 bedrooms, and blow out my RV lines for the last 3 seasons. The compressor is loud, obnoxious, and its gauges are cracked. I've only changed out the oil once in 8 years of ownership in the hopes of its early demise. But it continues with life and laughs in my face everytime it rattles the garage floor. Impressive but damn irritating.
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Old 01-21-2019, 06:44 AM   #39
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I wrenched for a LOT of years and would not have used HF at that point but retired from that 20 years ago and their tools are fine for DIY. Thier freebies are never good quality but even they are usually good enough until they break down (3rd free multimeter).

Don't have anything big $$ of theirs.
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Old 01-21-2019, 05:44 PM   #40
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I have found that the combination wrenches don't fit and when they do "don't put much umph" into it as they tend to break. Screwdrivers are cheap and very cheaply made so not worth the effort to shop. Things like soft goods are ok.
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