Harbor Freight tools thread.

I went with 1/2”

 

I was roaming around HF this weekend and saw that their 7in 10A polisher is a lot less than the 6in 5.7A one: Is there a good reason to pick the smaller one? Thoughts on the digital controls of the 7in? I'm never had any of my many HF tools fail, but I only have a few of their electric stuff.

I have some light pinstriping one the Taco and scratches on the Wife's Subaru that I want to try and fix.

Thanks!

 

The 7" unit is not a random orbit tool--for scratch removal and finish buffering get the dual-axis random orbit tool--I have one, it's a good tool...

 

Thanks for the recommendation and pointing that out. I completely missed that it wasn't dual axis. Now the pricing makes sense.

 

Ah man I used one of these when I was working at a fabrication shop in HS. Seemed to do pretty well aside from occasionally throwing the band off

 

Here's a 20% off coupon that will soften a bit of the blow: $64.99 less 20 % = $51.99 -- it's good through 5/26, and for Chicago Electric branded stuff...

 

Thanks, Cliff. I appreciate it.

The coupons on top of there great prices make it hard to resist. That store is my downfall.

 

My wife says they should rename it "Toys 'R Us" now that that name is available...

 

Oh hell yeah! The toys are much better at HF.

 

Wish their tool boxes were couponable.

Would definitely help me be irresponsible.

 

Great tools for money
-multi color ratchet wrench set
-earthquake impact
-US general compressor
-abrasives
-floor jack
-jack stand
-shop rags
-throw away parts trays
- rubber air hose
- dead blow
- pry bar
-half the screwdrivers

Good deals, tools that work
-engine hoist
-shop press
-most "profesional" hand tools
-paint gun
-chip brush
-magnetic tray
-body saw
-lights
-zip ties
-large needle scaler
-blast cabinet
-winches

Shit to avoid at all cost
-regular hand tools
-any adapters (eg 3/8" to 1/4")
- electric hand tools
- air tool fittings
- air tool accessories
-saw blades
- creaper
- carpentry hammer
- half the screwdrivers
- mini needle scaler
- central pnuematic compressor
- welder

 

One note about the zip ties, from what I found it is only true about the natural colored nylon ones. Any of the other colors are either not made out of nylon or the colorant weakens it? Not sure.

I disagree with some of the avoid list, but not worth arguing about. I know that I am shopping cheap and that's good.

 

add to the "void" list:
table saw (just plain junk);
bench grinders (bulky motor housings, flimsy tool rests)
bench mount disc and belt sanders (weak pressed steel frames);
8" and 10" drill presses (pressed steel tables and bases, ill-fitted/sloppy quills);

 

I've had good luck with my 8" HF drill press - it has a cast iron table and the quill was a good one.

It did require a disassembly/cleaning/oiling/adjusting out of the box. An hour of TLC up front made it into a reliable piece of equipment. That seems to hold true with a lot of the bigger Harbor Freight machine tools.

 

Has anyone tried the protig 200 yet? I'm looking for a decent starter rig I can weld aluminum and stainless with.

 

I have their metal lathe ( converted to a 14" bed) and the mini-mill--they are made by Sieg; I once saw them described as "pre-assembled assembly kits"--as you said; once disassembled, cleaned, deburred, an lubricated with decent lubes they are pretty good:

 

Hey, Folks.

I got an April HF mailer. The 6in DA polisher is on sale for $50. Sorry, @cliffyk, that beats the 20% coupon. I snagged it and one of each of the pads.

Thanks again, though.

There is a 25% off coupon on Saturday and Sunday. I'm going to grab the Meguiars stuff then.

I love it there.

I'm gonna test drive it on the Wife's Forester first. What can go wrong?

 

We have a new HF opening in a few weeks. Can't wait to get a few more tools!

 

They're like the McDonalds of tools.

 

Yes. I bought one a few months ago. Only thing that I do not like is that the post flow is not adjustable. And on the pulse settings are not adjustable for on time and background voltage. And on A.C. the HZ is only from 50-150. So far I have welded mild steel, stainless and aluminum. Decent machine for the price.