Harbor Freight tools thread.

nah, no pro here, just a diy with lumen needs. I have a bunch of hf items but anything electronics for the most part i have gone or learned to go with different brands.

 

The owner has a real intersting back story:

Mother dies of MS, dad sends him to an orphanage when he was nine. Four years later moves in with Aunt. At 16 gets his own apartment, where he starts harbor freight as a mail order.

 

I'm curious about this tactical light with the 18650 lithium battery (same as the HF Braun slim bar) that I just purchased. It looks almost exactly like the HF tactical light but uses a lithium, so for $4.19 with free shipping, I thought I would give it a shot. => https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tactical-O...var=641250377717&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I also picked up 2 of these 18650 lithum recharges for $0.96 each. => https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-7V-Unive...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

That is interesting.

Until very recently, they have been what I would say is very authentic about what they sell. The 'premium' branded lines appear to be better quality with bigger specs, but I haven't been tracking any of it except for the whole Daytona thing.

I just stick with their base brands (Pittsburgh, Chicago, etc.) as they seem to do well enough for me.

 

I heard that in the beginning, he would sell tools that were returned at a discount price by way of mail order.

 

That still goes on at the Parking Lot sales. Here, they'll have a table set up with the return tags and what was brought back. I've looked at the impact drivers, but the prices were still high compared to the corded one.

 

That's a smart way to run a business if you are the one cutting out the middleman, so even your returns bring in revenue.

 

The earthquake xlt 1/2” drive cordless impact is really nice too! Stronger Than the snap on’s we use. It will bust 1” lugnuts torqued to 120lb no prob.

 

Not bad for $80. You cant do major jobs with it but its nice to have something to work on. My girl likes it as she can do arts and crafts on it. Also the little stool under it is also a great from HF, drops low and fits nicely on the shelf.

Looking to get a bench grinder. how are the ones from HF? any recommendations?

 

I've had a Pittsburgh grinder for about 10yrs. It's just a plain, simple AC motor. Their grinding wheels in the box are a bit frail. The one that shattered was simply replaced with a buffing wheel. It has save a ton of money just sharpening mower blades. I'll do them for my neighbors if they come around when I have mine out (no room for a work bench sadly).

 

Thanks. Yea just really want it to have a wire wheel on it to clean up bolts and such.i would make it removable by wing nuts or something and put it on when needed

 

You shouldn't have any problem with. Although for wire wheels to save you a bunch, I have one of these for my drill:

$4 Forney 72792 Wire Wheel, Fine Crimped with 1/4" Shank, 3"

https://www.amazon.com/Forney-72792-Wheel-Crimped-Shank/dp/B00YIZV200

I've used it a couple dozen times and it is still kicking. I think I got mine at Lowes?

 

ive tried those. good for certain things but when it comes to cleaning bolts i feel the bench wire wheel is best. two hands on it and can really get a good clean out of it. I had cars in NY and my shop i worked for had a bench grinder wire wheel. it was the best thing as i needed it with all the road salt corrosion lol when i removed bolts from my old exploder i would clean them up to brand new and add some anti-sneeze on them...better than factory lmao

 

Cool! I just wanted to check.

They do clean up nice. The other thing that I have been dreaming of is a blasting cabinet with some walnut shell media. Just wow!

No space for that either. Our next house will have three deep bays or a damn shop!

 

haha yea thats awesome. we had a sandblaster. dont know what was really used but i used it a ton also. nothing like bringing something back to life. Ugh i see houses here in florida with 3 garages hopefully one of these days lol

 

The current house was supposed to have a garage slightly larger than the last, but the tax records were wrong. It's pretty tight. The living space was wrong also to our benefit, so it all balances out.

In any case, getting in a warm-ish car in the winter and a cool-ish car in the summer is worth it.

 

I keep a healthy supply of the HF nitrile gloves in 5 and 7 mil all the time, but I hate those yellow gloves - they don't breathe for shit IMO.

I know this is the HF thread, but Sams Club has some "Grease Monkey" brand gloves I like much better:

 

Sams Club and Costco recommendations are fair game here, IMHO.

 

Not sure if this was posted earlier, I skipped around a bit, but here's a 25% coupon for this weekend:

 

Yeah cool thing they extended it. Stopping by in a few.