Harbor Freight tools thread.

Today’s run - $9.99 1/2” drive torque wrench for a friend, $.99 set of screwdrivers to leave in the shed and free light.

 

Just picked up this 3 ton jack for $99

 

I personally would not buy a welder from HF. Stick with a name brand in case something goes wrong in a few years: Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, Esab... There are a lot of great machines available. Buy a quality MIG first and go from there.

 

Im sure the HF ones do great. If i needed one id probably buy HF just due to the infrequency that I weld

But Pops has an OLD Lincoln 110v mig welder, that admittedly has been dropped off the cart a few times and is easily 20+ years old. Still going strong.

 

Same here but go the low profile one to also fit under my kiddos Focus.
I used the 20% off coupon..was ultra surprised it was that low...watch out for the zerk fitting, mine snapped off first day- need to add a nice steel replacement one

 

Need a decent Allen wrench socket set for work. Won’t be used much. Found a 32 piece set on eBay for 28$ which is a lot better than Lowe’s or harbor freight. Not a mechanic so doesn’t need to be top notch

Thoughts?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32PCS-Mast...ff714205|iid:1&_trksid=p2380057.c101002.m4497

 

I have the same thought process and struggle. Here’s what I ask myself - what does the cheap one cost vs snap-on cost, what do I expect of it and how screwed will I be it the cheap tool fails? Can I be injured if the tool fails? You’re already looking on eBay, compare prices with used snap-on or Mac and decide.

 

Same here, which is why I trawl HF. I've only be let down once in 25yrs.

 

What exactly is the end goal of comparing with snap on? OP should pay 4-5X the cost for something he rarely uses, yeah that makes a ton of sense.

 

Also sometimes cheap hex wrenches run a little small. Even when new, the 2 and 2.5 mm HF ones I have will spin in SHCS’s that my good Allens work just fine with.

 

It is funny that I had the exact opposite experience with a set that I got at someplace like AutoZone. It is a chrome vanadium set that I didn't pay more than $10 for. They always fit tight and have not worn in about 20 or 25 years. I do agree that the similar set from HF runs a hair smaller.

 

At least you can grind them if too big, sound perfect for worn bolts too

 

I did that with one to use in a tight spot and was bummed that I didn't buy a sacrificial set for that, which was why I ended up with the HF set afterward. I got that cart before the horse.

 

@stronghammer

Everything I’ve read on sawmill or other wood work forums say it’s better to just get one of the main brands. Used if $ is a concern. By the time you put in the cost and effort of really dialing it in, you would’ve been better off buying something else. The 14” wen probably gets the best reviews for a budget friendly new saw.

There are a few guys I’ve read about that had good luck with the HF bandsaw but it’s one of those where you happen to find the rare good one. One issue is the table (I think) or possibly another part, requires drilling new holes because they aren’t correctly placed. If it was cheaper it might be worth it but they are still a decent penny for a lower quality HF tool.

Lower quality as in- they have some things that they have started to make really well, and others that they haven’t. The BS is one that they haven’t.

 

hey, thanks for the reply! I appreciate the good input.

 

It is also a good idea to check Craigslist or the local Facebook ads as it is not uncommon for bandsaws to be listed. Often people buy bandsaws with the best of intentions then rarely use them for any length of time so you can often get one that is in like new condition for the price of a new HF one but the quality will be much greater. I have a Ryobi bandsaw that I bought new and I never used it that much then went to use it after 5 years of sitting and it wouldn't work right. After digging I was able to replace an electrical part and now it works fine but it never wants to cut straight. A friend of a friend gave me a used behemoth Delta one that I have not set up yet or I would be shopping for one on CL or FB myself.

 

See if you can spot the Harbor Freight "tool" in my recently built welding cart...



When building, key point is finding the balance point/angle so your bottom doesn't drag the ground.

 

Um, because snap-on are known high quality tools, and he was questioning whether he should buy an unknown quality inexpensive tool or a known good quality but more expensive tool. He did not ask should I buy cheap unknown quality tool x or cheap unknown quality tool y. I offered him something to consider, I didn't just tell him to go buy expensive tools. Is the allen key he might buy going to fit poorly and round out something critical? For me, having a tool break or damage a fastener and leaving me stuck and having to go get another one during a job justifies the added cost for me, he can make his own decisions. It's said many times here on tw - buy once, cry once.

 

Anybod have the free bucket coupon? I only have the one valid from the 31st to the 2nd