Harbor Freight tools thread.

I got a coil spring compressor To install my new front shocks. I was scared but will probably never need them again.

 

We do allot of coils here at my place so I got a commercial compressor to help with my mental health.

 

I have used those before at the bus yard I used to work at. It’s nice to clip it in spin the wheel and swap it out. So stress free.

 

Anyone have a source for rebuild kits for the aluminum floor jacks? I have the 2 ton aluminum jack that I use as a support jack when I need to work away from my garage that developed a leak after a few years. I bought a set of seals online that were supposed to hold up to hydraulic fluid but I developed a leak in about 6 months after rebuilding it. I’m going to try to rebuild it one more time before I just pony up for another jack.

 

It's time to pony up for the 3 ton. I just can't go back to a steel jack after having an aluminum one. I have a 2.5 but it won't die. It's over 10 years old but I can't justify buying a new larger one until this one gives up on me. I do have to use wood blocks to lift my lifted 4Runnner.

 

Anyone have/use a hydraulic punch driver kit? I'm thinking about building a hydraulic exhaust tubing expander. Wondering if the hand pump is any good.

 

Just the tires I got from HF.
The frame was 1”x2” aluminum extrusion from 80/20 https://8020.net/1020.html
And the axle was threaded rod from Home Depot https://www.homedepot.com/s/threaded%20rod?searchtype=suggest&NCNI-5

 

Out of stock in my 4 nearby stores. If I order online who knows when I'll get it.

Gonna have to Amazon route.

 

LOL, last time I had to use those janky HF spring compressors, my buddy and I were using his SWAT shield because we were convinced we were gonna be killed.

Basically like this

 

They don’t think it be like it is, but it do.

 

Safer than the jack stands. Who knew!

 

I was actually able to rebuild the 2 ton aluminum jack again and it’s been fine for the time being. I figure if it takes me rebuilding it once a year with my crappy o-ring kit then it’ll do for now until that routine becomes a pain. I also have the 3 ton steel Pittsburgh jack with the ProEagle extender on it. I’d highly recommend that upgrade on these jacks. I have the base pads on both jacks so I can move the extender between both. I actually have their aluminum motorcycle jack too and it comes in handy to install sliders. I just have a hard time buying another jack since I already have three.

 

I have it and use it to punch holes in the top plates I make for my sliders. It works awesome but repeated use on 11ga and I broke the smaller center rod. There still enough threads to align the small cutting head (1”) so I just use it on my floor press. On thinner material (13 ga and thinner) it works great. These holes are also flared with my dimple die kit but you get the idea.

 

Anyone have experience with the Badland Apex Synthetic winch? With the 20 percent off coupon it comes in right at 480 plus tax seems like a pretty wicked deal. I’ve seen the regular badland winch in service and it worked well.

 

Clean out the cheap grease and replace with a high quality lithium grease, check all the crimped connections and run it in bursts, 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off.

 

Thanks!

 

It’s not fast but half of nothing is nothing.

 

Thanks. From what I have seen, the large center rod should thread onto the flaring wedge. If not, I'll have one made that does. Not sure I'll get much use out of the punches, but it would be interesting to also make a hydraulic dimple die set of it. Hmmm....

 

I've had the regular 12k badlands for many years now. Lots of pulls and never a problem.
I did pull it all apart after a few years and everything looked great in there. Even the grease.
No experience with the new one though.

 

The small center rod is only used for the smallest punch (just over 1”). The large rod is used for the rest of the kit. I used the small punch the most out of the kit so I’m not entirely surprised. It’s a good kit. I actually bought a second one and broke the same rod after a slider build so it may have been that 11ga was just too much for it despite what they advertise.