Harbor Freight tools thread.

I would get some harbor freight impact sockets.

 

Milwaukee and Ridgid are both made by Techtronic industries. Just under different licensing agreement for brand ownership. I bet most of the internals are the same between the two.

 

The large and heavy wall HF impacts I don't recall breaking, not in the big sizes. The smaller ones and thin wall ones that they try to replicate Sunnex on.

12 and 14 mm would be the ones I can't stand, I should be more specific! All of the large ones have been the best bang for the buck out there, and I even have broken 19 and 21 mm Snap on impact sockets where the backup HF heavy ones survived.

I have not been to a HF in over a yearn but they sell a few diff lines, I tried the thin wall impact sockets twice (lots seem to vary) and ended up throwing them in the scrap pile.

Sunnex makes outstanding impact sockets for the money, I broke a 21 and had to order a replacement but otherwise all good.

Sunnex swivels have treated me well too, I have 3/8 Snap on swivels.. and the Sunnex is 2nd best of the brands I have tried.

There are two tools that I only use Snap-off for, because none of the other brands compare flare (line) wrenches and universal impact sockets. The Sunnex is a good budget version, but if I were using them daily I would recommend the Snap on version. Idk if you ever broke onen but I have and damn those things can be dangerous.

 

The fuel line is great.

I would have gone that route, but since I was already invested in Rigid gen 3 and 4, and thw batteries and chargers from my gen 4 fit I stuck with gen 5.

 

The right answer is you need impact sockets. But you can get away with chrome.

I have those multi colored half inch sockets from harbor freight that fall in the chrome category I have and do use in the play truck in the woods with the impact.

I also use a 1/2 drivw 13/16 spark plug socket for the lugs on one of my trucks. I have broken at least one, but it is the only socket that I own that fits in the wheel.

99 percent sure it should have 19mm lugs.

I really like that impact, battery life is great with the 4.0 AH battery I can pull all my trailer tires and put them back on if i need to.

 

My cousin has the fuel line, I have the Rigid.

Using his impact and drill back to back they are very similar to the Rigid.

I have to say I think the fuel line is a hair better, but 6 to 1 half dozen to another they both work great.

 

Yeah!

I have 6 or 8 idk batteries, bought the forst ones in 2012 and have only had one failure (Rigids)

All of the tools still work. The bearings in my gen4 hammer drill are very worn, and I nevee liked my old 1/4 impact so I got the gen5 as a replacement and I use it all the time.

 

That battery deal also firmly ended my love of the Craftsman 19.2 v c3 impact.

Tool is great, lightn works well.. medium power. Loved it. And it was only 99 bucks.

But after a few years, and Craftsman selling out to China (and me swearing off all new crapsman tools) I had gone through about a dozen batteries. I have one, literally one that still works.

 

This guy is not a "hazard fraught" devotee, but had some good things to say about their cordless impact.

 

It does kind of seem like harbor freight tools are slowly getting better, while most other tool companies are slowly getting worse.

 

Alright, so I spent a couple of years working the register at Harbor Freight, meaning that I handled most of the returns. Here is my two cents. The fewer moving parts the better. Hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. you’re good to go. It was very rare that we saw them come in, even with the replacement policy. I’ll be honest, I have my craftsman drivers that I love, but if I’ve got t pry something, I’ll use the HF ones, because I know they’ll replace them. The tarps are nice for moving, or covering something short term, but if its going to be exposed the elements invest in something better (I’ve only used the silver). I’ve never seen jack stands come back. It was rare that we would see anything hydraulic come back, but it happens. I would buy the warranty on it. The warranty is gold, if you have that piece of paper, it doesn’t matter what you did to it. I saw a group of drunk auto tech students come into our store front he local tech school. They had crushed a big old floor jack. They showed me their extended warranty, and I just called and had them bring up a new one. It took a little convincing to get the story, but they finally obliged when the transaction was complete. They had their big diesel pick up truck up on the jack and decided to move the truck. Someone said, hey the jack has wheels, lets just see if we can leave the front wheels off and drive it into the garage with the truck still on the jack. Obviously that plan did not work as anticipated, and yes alcohol was involved. Air tools, I’d buy the warranty, they don’t last very long, but if you aren’t using it much, they’ll get the job done. I’ve heard good things about the air compressors, but your best bet is to buy a Campbell Hausfeld when they have those in stock. The electric “power” tools are crap. If you need a cordless drill or impact,and you’re actually going to use it for anything I would go ahead and buy a DeWalt or Makita, etc. I’ve been roofing with a DeWalt and watched the thing slide off a roof that was 20-25 feet in the air, hit the ground and be fine. I’ve had people return the crap from Harbor Freight that fell off a set of saw bourse 3-4 feet in the air and the thing cracked in half. IF you neeed something like an orbital hand sander for occasional around the house use, you’re probably fine. That multi tool tool that is like the Rockwell cutter tool is junk. The blades are utter garbage, so its not good for cutting much more than drywall, and you’d be better off just buying a drywall saw for that. I hope this helps.

 

If I didnt already have my SnapOn cordless impact, Id get a Ridgid to add to my tool list. If you need a new set of cordless tools, https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...546b8f&cm_mmc=CJ-_-5467698-_-11210757&cj=true

 

@Geeder48, any knowledge about the vibrating compactor?

 

I have not seen this one. Must be new.

 

I love my Rigid.

If I wanted to waste money, I would buy that Snap on! Or the IR. They each have an outstanding cordless, which you have to sell a limb for.

For air, I prefer the IR to the SO but same deal they are the best.

Ranking on cordless I think
1-SO/IR
2-Milwakee's top, Dewalts top
3-fuel/Rigid
4-other similar brands
5-crapsman 19.2 c3






25- anything HF, or other no name budget knockoff

 

The electic standup tamping one?

I knew of one that was bought and used around on a few projects, it worked fine.

The gas powered plate one is not really something I would try, if it was a simple job I would rent and if I was going to use it a few times they are relatively cheap for a better unit.

 

Any insight on the Vulcan welders? Or were you gone before they came out?

 

Get impact sockets.

The Pittsburgh PRO impact sockets (black finish) are

$28 CR-MO VAMPLIERS 7.5" Vise Grip Heavy Duty Locking Pliers with Screw Extractor Curved Jaws. Professional Grade. Secure Hold, Quick Release. Grip & Remove Stripped/Stuck Screws in seconds.

CR-MO just like the $$$$ brands. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a complaint about them, definitely not of one breaking.

The standard Pittsburgh impact sockets (not the PRO line) are a different story.