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re: What's the most useful thing you've bought at Harbor Freight?
Posted on 4/14/20 at 12:52 pm to Gtmodawg
Posted on 4/14/20 at 12:52 pm to Gtmodawg
They don't sell 'em at HF but I bought a WEN track saw a couple of years ago for less than $200 with about 160 inches of track and clamps. I put a $100 blade in it and it works as well as a $1000 Festool. It takes some tinkering to keep it true and when you change settings it takes a little longer but it will flat our cut a dead straight and true line in a piece of $150 3/4 inch plywood and I don't have to fight the table saw to do it. I built a dead flat track saw / assembly table / table saw extension based on the Ron Paulk torsion box out of pink foam board and door skins and use a piece of foam board under the track and it works as good as anything I have ever owned to break down sheet goods. Put some blue painters tape where the cut is going to be, use the foam board on the other side and even cheap BC Fir won't splinter at the cut....it is amazing. WEN sales some very good hobbyist tools...again, they may not last under constant use but for a hobbyist they are great.
1
Posted on 4/14/20 at 12:56 pm to Loup
Ratchet Straps
usually $12ish but wait til it goes on sale for $5 or $6. So cheap and easy to use and just toss whenever they rust out, although I've found regular lubrication keeps them going. 400lb working load so it can handle most stuff, but I also keep a legit set of straps for the heavier stuff
Also, check this website before you buy anything from HF
HFQDB
usually $12ish but wait til it goes on sale for $5 or $6. So cheap and easy to use and just toss whenever they rust out, although I've found regular lubrication keeps them going. 400lb working load so it can handle most stuff, but I also keep a legit set of straps for the heavier stuff
Also, check this website before you buy anything from HF
HFQDB
Posted on 4/14/20 at 1:01 pm to tiger693
quote:
Also, check this website before you buy anything from HF HFQDB
When I first discovered HF about 10 years or so ago they'd give you a coupon at the check out! If they didn't have a coupon they were just as likely to simply discount an item by 20%! They don't do it any longer.
They are still prone to offering free inside track club for a year if you have a problem with an item or service. I wouldn't be a member of a club that would have me as a member and I sure as hell ain't paying for a discount club but the inside track deal ain't a bad one, especially if they give it to you for free! Amazon will do the same thing with Prime Membership. My wife has managed to get it for free for at least 7-8 years!
Posted on 4/14/20 at 1:13 pm to Gtmodawg
-floor jack and jack stands have been used a lot!
-20 ton shop press.
-Deep impact sockets
-Clamps
-18ga finish nailer on sale for $15 that I absolutely wore out. Drove over 25k nails with it. Threw it away and bought another.
-20 ton shop press.
-Deep impact sockets
-Clamps
-18ga finish nailer on sale for $15 that I absolutely wore out. Drove over 25k nails with it. Threw it away and bought another.
This post was edited on 4/14/20 at 1:14 pm
Posted on 4/14/20 at 1:15 pm to Loup
Posted on 4/14/20 at 1:44 pm to Gtmodawg
Posted on 4/14/20 at 1:59 pm to Loup
The Bauer 1/2" electric impact has served me well. Hell, it's stronger than my Craftsman electric impact.
I have a 4 1/2" grinder I bet I've had ten years that I've used the heck out of.
I have a 4 1/2" grinder I bet I've had ten years that I've used the heck out of.
Posted on 4/14/20 at 2:08 pm to bamarep
I have a pancake compressor and brad nailer/staple gun that run great. Also bought a knockoff sawzall about 7-8 years ago during a renovation that won't die. My wife's grandfather said you'll pay $30 for it and it may last 6 months or it may last forever. Mine has been the latter. Plus if it dies, you're out $30.
Like others have said, moving dollies and blankets. We use the blue moving blankets for dropcloths when painting. Better than the disposable plastic ones that move around while you are walking or get holes in them and you end up cleaning paint off the floor.
Like others have said, moving dollies and blankets. We use the blue moving blankets for dropcloths when painting. Better than the disposable plastic ones that move around while you are walking or get holes in them and you end up cleaning paint off the floor.
Posted on 4/14/20 at 2:14 pm to Loup
I've got to rethink all the Chinese crap, but HF is a guilty pleasure of mine.
I've had mostly good luck. The Taiwanese made hand tools (Pittsburgh Pro) are 90% of Snap-on or Matco, at about 1/10 to 1/4 the price.
The tool cabinets are stupid good values and the oiled compressors are excellent values as well. I had built up a nice set of air tools there for awhile.
Even their knock off Mechanix gloves (Hardy) are great for what they are - $5 throwaway work gloves.
I've had mostly good luck. The Taiwanese made hand tools (Pittsburgh Pro) are 90% of Snap-on or Matco, at about 1/10 to 1/4 the price.
The tool cabinets are stupid good values and the oiled compressors are excellent values as well. I had built up a nice set of air tools there for awhile.
Even their knock off Mechanix gloves (Hardy) are great for what they are - $5 throwaway work gloves.
Posted on 4/14/20 at 2:21 pm to ducksnbass
quote:
-floor jack and jack stands
Posted on 4/14/20 at 2:24 pm to Loup
Basically same as the waterproof Plano boxes (3700) and with a coupon got them for under $5. Picked up 6 a few weeks ago.
Posted on 4/14/20 at 2:51 pm to Splackavellie
Hope they’re more water proof than my Plano’s
Posted on 4/14/20 at 3:24 pm to Loup
Small boat trailer (with some modifications)
This post was edited on 4/14/20 at 3:25 pm
Posted on 4/14/20 at 3:40 pm to Splackavellie
What are these Plano knock offs called? Can't find them on their site
Posted on 4/14/20 at 4:12 pm to deeprig9
quote:
Small boat trailer (with some modifications)
that thing was a DEAL...I don't think they sale 'em anymore, do they?
Posted on 4/14/20 at 4:35 pm to Success
Posted on 4/14/20 at 4:52 pm to Loup
I have only ever bought 2 things from Harbor Freight, other than sandpaper and Gorilla Glue, a 3" c-clamp, that has been used exactly once, and then, in a pinch when I needed a set of dial calipers recently, when I was away from home, I ran into a Harbor Freight, and bought a set of 6 inch dial calipers, for about 18 bucks.
When I got back to the job that I was doing, I found out, those calipers are only accurate to .01, so I returned them.
So, I guess, to answer your question, sandpaper and glue.
When I got back to the job that I was doing, I found out, those calipers are only accurate to .01, so I returned them.
So, I guess, to answer your question, sandpaper and glue.
This post was edited on 4/14/20 at 5:30 pm
Posted on 4/14/20 at 7:16 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:
Heat gun
How long does yours last? We use them in my shop almost daily and they last about 8 months. I buy two at a time because of this.
Posted on 4/14/20 at 7:33 pm to Loup
Hard to say. I got alotta shite from there. I think the air tools have been the best value. A whole bunch of hand tools
Posted on 4/14/20 at 7:49 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I have found this to be the most useful thing I have bought there. I use it to keep my wife in line
LINK
LINK
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