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Old 01-13-2019, 06:03 AM   #1
RedRocket
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Harbor Freight

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?
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Old 01-13-2019, 06:20 AM   #2
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Which generator did you buy? How is the noise level? Thanks in advance.
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Old 01-13-2019, 06:29 AM   #3
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95% Harbor Freight. Some specialty tools from Mac
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Old 01-13-2019, 06:37 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos View Post
Which generator did you buy? How is the noise level? Thanks in advance.
I have the 3500. It's a nice generator, real quiet and plenty of power for my TT. I did do a few mods to it, to get it to breath right. Purs like a kitten now. Hauled it to Yellowstone this past summer just in case, and used it a few times on that trip.
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Old 01-13-2019, 06:39 AM   #5
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I had good luck at harbor freight.
The only item that I had problem with was there line wrench it cant handle a stubborn /rusted nut.
They refund / replace with no problem even if you can't find receipt.
You get free flashlights , chepo batteries , scissors and volt meters .
20% or 25%
off coupons save you a lot . You can get coupons online if not on mailing list
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Old 01-13-2019, 06:48 AM   #6
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I'm like Chuckster, my tool box plus 95% of the tools in it came from HF. They actually have a better warranty than Craftsman on hand tools, if it breaks or malfunctions they'll replace it & on their power tools for a 1% charge they are warrantied for 2 years, full replacement with equal or better.
Now if I were a professional mechanic wrenching 8-10 hours a day 5-6 days a week, no I would probably buy better quality, but for us do-it-yourselfers they are more than adequate in my opinion.
Actually if you were to do some investigation you'd find that their 18 volt battery operated tools are rated right up their with the best of them.
I have NO affiliation with Harbor Freight, other than spending money there regularly!!!
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Old 01-13-2019, 07:38 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedRocket View Post
I have the 3500. It's a nice generator, real quiet and plenty of power for my TT. I did do a few mods to it, to get it to breath right. Purs like a kitten now. Hauled it to Yellowstone this past summer just in case, and used it a few times on that trip.

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?
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Old 01-13-2019, 07:45 AM   #8
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Quote:
Now if I were a professional mechanic wrenching 8-10 hours a day 5-6 days a week, no I would probably buy better quality, but for us do-it-yourselfers they are more than adequate in my opinion.
I have been wrtenching on the side for 40+ yrs on my driveway and most of my tools in my garage arsenal are also Harbor Freight. I will say the 18 volt drill is a bit bulky when working in some tight spaces in an RV. I have a 12V makita for that and now a 20V Dewalt brushless for regular stuff.
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Old 01-13-2019, 09:11 AM   #9
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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!
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Old 01-13-2019, 09:45 AM   #10
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Zip ties tarps and telescoping flag pole that I take along camping.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:50 AM   #11
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2 gallon hot dog air (vs pancake) compressor and associated hoses/fittings, IR temperature gun, air pressure gauge, palm sander and other assorted little items (screwdriver sets, VOM, etc).

I used to prefer Sears for tools, but there aren't many around these days - and getting scarcer.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:55 AM   #12
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They discontinued my portable garage , I got the last one on the east coast 5 years ago to replace 13 year old one. It held up great
I recover every 3 years with a HF camo tarp $29.00 on top of orig one.
A bag small HF bungee cords .
think the PG was $179.00
I skidded the floor 12 skids $3.00 each
10 for floor 2 I brokedown for filling in the slats
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Old 01-13-2019, 11:48 AM   #13
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There is a new Harbor Freight that opened only 40 miles from us so it's new to me but they did have the right size side marker light for our trailer. The stock ones couldn't hold the lens on. The smallest bump and they would pop right off. The whole light assembly was only $5 and it takes a screw driver to pop the lens off.


Also picked up an 8 ton bottle jack and a pair of 3 to jack stands. They seem like quality and what don't we import from China these days? I figure I'll look at that generator too.


So I'd give them an up vote. Good staff too, not a bunch of whiners as some retail is these days.


West end of Richmond is the new location, Gaskin Road and Broad Street.
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Old 01-13-2019, 12:11 PM   #14
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Hand tools and disposables (chip brushes, sandpaper, gloves) are all good. Grinders, heat gun, and sanders are decent. Any kind of saw that you need precision on (i.e. mitre saws, jigsaw, circular saws) is a hard pass for me (woodworking and home improvement is my main side hobby when time permits). Too much play in the chucks and such leads to wildly inaccurate cuts. Besides, spend $10-20 more on a sander and get a Rigid and never buy another one with their lifetime warranty. Had a HF quarter sheet palm sander (what I use most) and burned it up after a while (well after the warranty period). Bought a Rigid, and after about the same time I had it the pad break down on me (3 years after purchase)... it got replaced for free and I have a brand new pad on it. Like a new saw. So HF is very good for some things, not so much with others.
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Old 01-13-2019, 12:13 PM   #15
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I don't think anything at HF is high quality - cutting disks and drill bits are junk. But for a DIYer, they are probably more than adequate. I buy things like shop rags, wiring connectors and stuff like that. And I have a drawer full of free flashlights and voltage testers.

But I bought a torque wrench that didn't work at all and a stud welder/dent puller that quit after 15 or 20 welds. The stud welder went in the trash in a bit of a fit, but HF stood behind the torque wrench and I was able to get my money back.
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Old 01-13-2019, 12:19 PM   #16
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I've had mixed results. Sometimes work ok, other times something isn't just right. Adjustable wrench that gets jammed, torque wrench that is way out of calibration. Also leary about electronics and power tools. Hydraulics and pneumatics seem ok. You have to pick your shots.
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Old 01-13-2019, 12:58 PM   #17
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Some things are "Dollar Store" quality so shop wisely.
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Old 01-13-2019, 01:01 PM   #18
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most all of my “traveling” tools are Harbor Freight.

They work in a pinch.
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Old 01-13-2019, 01:04 PM   #19
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Having lost count of how many engines I have built in the last 40+ yrs. it’s not just the tool but also the operator.
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Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

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Old 01-13-2019, 01:04 PM   #20
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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.
This is true.
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