Harbor Freight tools thread.

Just found this thread. Harbor Freight can't be beat for a lot of things if you're a hobbyist like me. If you're just a little discerning, you can save so much at HF vs. Home Depot or Lowes for tools that are as good if not better, and don't get me started on the auto parts store-branded tools. Anecdotal (and definitely not recommended), but my 6-year old HF torque wrench I bought for $20 has outlasted two Tekton torque wrenches that both had strange catastrophic failures. Calibration doesn't seem off, but I've only compared it to the aforementioned Tektons.

 

I’ve been considering swapping the synthetic rope eventually. I’ve only ever used steel cable though, how does the rope hold up to the weather?

 

Synthetic rope hold up well in the weather. It's original use was in the marine industry.

 

Public service announcement. I blew out 2 daytona jacks in the span of about 1 year. The first 3 ton daytona lasted about 9 months. It suddenly wouldn't lift anymore. So I swapped it out for the same jack. That one only lasted 3 months!

So after some research, the instruction manual mentions bleeding the jack before use. I read they can blow out seals if you don't bleed out the air. I upgraded to the daytona super duty. This time I bled the air and sure enough there was air in the hydraulic system. Bleed them jacks!

 

Bought the icon screw extractor 25 piece set today and am pleasantly surprised with the quality, I am not sure what I will ever use the 7/8 inch extractor for though. Ive already got Snap On and Mac screw extractors sets but I needed very stubby ones for a special job with about 2 inches of space to work in. I would still rather the traditional longer extractors for when there is enough space, especially if the bolt is rusty.

 

It’ll rot after time, sun and rain will deteriorate it, but it’s so much safer and easier than steel. I hate spooling steel winch cable, birds nests if you don’t keep tension on it, super hard on the hands (I always wear gloves, still tough to deal with) and heavy. Gotta spool the synth line tight to make sure it won’t cleave into the wrap below it, not that difficult though.

 

Tekton has a great warranty program, did you get them replaced?

 

Thanks! I’ve only ever used steel so like everything it’s a learning process. Steel is kind of a PIA to spool back up after use. Gloves are very important when dealing with the steel cable. Perhaps I’ll switch and see how it goes!

 

Correct- dyneema (UHMWPE/spectra) is great. Cheap, easy to splice. Holds up great, but it does weaken with UV exposure over time. The recovery industry has really run with some of the more niche stuff we used to have to custom make (closed loops, soft shackles, etc).

 

Synth is so much better in every way. You'll never look back.

 

Yeah I did, the 2nd wrench was the free replacement from Tekton, to be fair (which also broke under normal usage?)

 

Thanks for the feedback. Being in Washington I always thought the constant state of being wet might help rot the rope but I’m sure that’s figured out

 

I believe you're supposed to soak it in silicone spray or something like that

 

I have a set of their ratcheting straps that I've used on and off for at least 8 years, they still function as intended.
Their electronics have been junk in my experience.

 

I think of it as a consumable part. After five years (or however long) get a new one if needed. The key is to clean and inspect them.

 

I used cable on ATV, swapped to synthetic...synthetic was awful. Bound up froze, twisted, etc...i wont use it. I switched it back to cable.

 

How are the heat guns here? I noticed they had a couple options.

 

I have one. Works great

 

I have the cheap one. Works well, just remember to run it on low heat for a while (30 seconds) before turning it off or it will cook the heater element.

 

Wonder if that’s why every floor jack I’ve ever gotten quit working? Dammit. Who reads the manual on a floor jack?!?