Harbor Freight tools thread.

Only thing my home de pot has in stock is $189 and is a 45 minute drive away. I think the HF is my best option for better or worse. I need to get these parts out this weekend, so shipping something in isn't an option. Oh well, yolo.

 

I used that for years for my fab work before I found a vintage floor length drill press. It’ll be fine for metal at least to 1/2” but you have to use the correct bits (cobalt) and go slow. It’s a little underpowered so if you’re heavy handed on the lever, the bit will bog down and you’ll slip the belt. Not a huge deal if you’re patient. definitely worth its price point.

FWIW, I’ve had decent luck with WEN power tools. If you want to budget a little more you can look at their drill press and compare specs.

 

Let us know your thoughts.

 

Yeah, WEN brand is the one I've been eyeballing at HD.

 

I have their 8” bench grinder and I like it a lot. I added the Multi-tool belt sander attachment and it’s downright scary to use.

 

I got the 12in drill press from them, mostly because it’s the only one affordable with variable speed.
Only drawbacks I found so far are

- low speed could be a little lower
- the lift table bends a little down when Pressing to hard down

 

Fack it, I'm buying. -$15 and shipped to my door.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-2-3-Amp-8-in-5-Speed-Benchtop-Drill-Press-4208T/316322510

 

I have that exact one that I got from Amazon I think. I haven't completely put it through it's paces but it has served me well so far and tucks in nicely along the side of my work bench

 

I was just browsing HF and noticed they have a lot of off road recovery gear?

Anyone know if it is decent stuff?

 

Interesting

 

I was eyeing these the other day as well... I've been thinking about buying the apex winch if I can find it on sale-my goal is if it's 480 or less I'll go for it because that's roughly half the price of the warm VR/control relocation kit. These accessories seem to be at a decent price point as well. Doubt many people will have real world experience because these are new products, but hopefully there will at least be some YouTube side by side comparisons or something like that soon

 

There are a lot of videos of the apex winch. This was by far the most interesting:

https://youtu.be/0RKW89K_HwM

 

What could go wrong?

 

Yes, you're right, sorry I was somewhat misleading, winches have been out for a bit and have a variety of reviews, it appears that the soft shackles and other accessory bits are new and as yet unreviewed.

 

I went to get a cheap Chicago electric 1/4" die grinder and ended up getting the higher end Hercules for $54 with ITC discount. The build quality seems as good as the yellow one and is notably tighter than low end (Chicago electric) HF junk tools. I was originally not a fan of HF trying to bring up tool quality and cost as I just buy there for the cheapest option, but at $54 I am actually impressed. Power is good, it does not bog or overheat with a 1" dia. grinding stone after 20 mins on steel.

 

Anyone seen coupons for 6 ton jack stands? Need to get two sets.

 

Anyone get the $140 backpack?

 

Jeez! I thought I paid too much for my $100 Klein backpack

 

I havent seen any yet.

 

I have the apex and have used it a few times on the trail. Once to winch a prerunner up an incline and twice to pull a ranger out of an obstacle. Oh and once we tried using it to get a drone out of a tree. Switched to a kinetic strap for that one and finally got it out.