The Harbor Freight Tool Thread

[SpudRider]

We are China Riders, so we are also frugal. ;) I love Harbor Freight, so I have dedicated this thread to one of my favorite stores. :)

The best way to get the lowest price at Harbor Freight is to wait for an item to go on sale, and then use a 25% off coupon. ;) For example, I just purchased a rechargeable, LED work light.

http://www.harborfreight.com/rechargeable-led-work-light-with-magnetic-base-94668.html

This work light normally sells for $35. It is now on sale for $25. Using a 25% off coupon, I purchased this LED work light for $18.75. :D

[FastDoc]

I love HF.

The only downside is I already have about every HF tool I need or can use ;-)

Nowadays when I see something on sale I like I realize I already have it ;-)

Another little known HF fact:

They will replace any tool you buy that breaks no questions asked.

[SpudRider]

Yes, the Pittsburgh brand tools have a lifetime warranty. HF will replace these tools quickly, with no questions asked. :) However, the other tools, such as air compressors, have a limited warranty. ;)

[Barnone]

I love HF.

The only downside is I already have about every HF tool I need or can use ;-)

Nowadays when I see something on sale I like I realize I already have it ;-)

Another little known HF fact:

They will replace any tool you buy that breaks no questions asked.

FD,
That about where I am too. The HF store is about two miles from my house here in Fort Myers,FL. so I'm always stopping there. When I am in the mountains I have to travel about two hours to the HF store in Asheville,NC which is like a super store.

I've got about twenty of the free led flash lights. I carry one of the 25% off coupons in my wallet all the time.

I do believe that their quality is improving plus like Spud said, you can always get a replacement if you break it.

[Weldangrind]

I appreciate the new products that seem to come out every year. I'm in the Bellingham HF about six times per year, and I never forget my 25% coupon.

I just bought the ultrasonic cleaner that was on sale for $82.99, and my 25% off coupon brought that down to $62.24. :D

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html

[SpudRider]

I appreciate the new products that seem to come out every year. I'm in the Bellingham HF about six times per year, and I never forget my 25% coupon.

I just bought the ultrasonic cleaner that was on sale for $82.99, and my 25% off coupon brought that down to $62.24. :D

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html

I bought the same item, under the same conditions. :tup:

[SpudRider]

Raise your children well, and start them young at Harbor Freight. :hehe:

https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1560676_10151895995152569_976932112_n.jpg

[GlennR]

My "extra frugal" brother takes the HF 20% coupons to Lowes and gets them to match it on their tools.

I've never tried it, but I need to remember to try it sometime.

(Btw, you wouldn't believe the Lowes HQ in Mooresville, NC. It's huge. They call it a "campus". )

[katoranger]

I just got this sears craftsman rechargeable light. Similar to the HF one for $18 on sale.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cordless-rechargeable-work-light-with-35-led/p-03473904000P

I got a coupon on my wallet too. Going to the Joplin HF store sometime soon. Or maybe Tulsa.

[SpudRider]

I just got this sears craftsman rechargeable light. Similar to the HF one for $18 on sale.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cordless-rechargeable-work-light-with-35-led/p-03473904000P

I got a coupon on my wallet too. Going to the Joplin HF store sometime soon. Or maybe Tulsa.

Yes, that light is very similar. :) I chose the HF light because I wanted the flat base which I can set down on my driveway, floor, et cetera. The HF light also has a magnet in the base.

Here's a link to a free, LED flashlight at Harbor Freight. Just print out the coupon and take it to the store. No purchase is required. :)

http://slickdeals.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2355162&d=1385155174

[quadz]

Great idea for a thread! :tup:

Love HF, got a great deal on a 3 ton floor jack recently.

[Neilritter]

I pretty much live at harbor freight. I started a little on the side home business a few years ago building tattoo machines. It's done really well so far. I've got so many tools from harbor freight it's ridiculous. I've got their mini precision lathe, metal bandsaw, 2hp air compressor, 3-1/2 horsepower metal chop saw, mig and arc welders, powder coating kit, a few vices, anvils, hammers, wrenches, sockets, this is just to make a few off the top of my head. None have failed me in the past 2 years of having this little tattoo machine business. I run the bigger tools into the ground and they keep on ticking, granted I do take care of them the best I can. I owe a lot to harbor freight, it keeps me in business and I've made a nice chunk or money from using their tools. Cheers to harbor freight

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the inspiring report, Neil. :tup: I love Harbor Freight. :)

[2LZ]

Same here! I just got the longest rolling magnets about a month ago and started rolling our dirveway. As stated earlier....I waited until the "floor sale" then added the 20% off coupon. Almost felt like I stole it.

[cheesy]

Let's see, I got my MC jack, ultra sonic cleaner, pancake compressor, rolling stool, and various hand tools for my garage. The MC jack ain't the greatest for lifting the Maggot, but works great for servicing the tractor and I wish I'd had it when I dropped the engine from the bike. The ultra sonic cleaner is great for cleaning carbs. The pancake compressor, though noisy and somewhat low on CFM, handles my staple gun and brad nailer quite well. I'd rather carry the compressor than drag a hundred foot of air hose and deal with the accompanying pressure drop when working in the back yard. Can't say enough good things about the stool.

I got a couple of the 4 foot outlet strips for work and just got the 2.5 ton shop crane for our shop. I have one of the strips on my bench and the other in our calibration lab. Our 30 year old Jet shop crane just died and I can't get repair parts for it, so HF to the rescue.

My skinflint boss sort of chided me about going to HF for the crane but I just told him that as a flyer whose first choice is Spirit Airlines, he had no room to talk.:p

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the good report, Cheesy. :)

[y2kvfr]

If you guys are patient you can find the 1000# motorcycle lift for around $350 on sale, then whack it with a 25%er. I modified mine so I can lift both my Honda VFR and Rancher ATV, lawn tractor, and now my kids Chinese ATV.

Four lengths of black pipe, a bunch u-bolts and a couple of 2x8's. The pipes go across the lift and are u-bolted to it. The 2x8s are u-bolted to the pipes. Makes wrenching a whole lot easier.

I have two of their nail guns, more free LED flash lights than you can shake a stick at, impact sockets (my impact gun is from sears)... If I plan on only a couple uses, I get it at HF. If I want it to last forever, I seek out high quality elsewhere.

Chinese tools for Chinese toys?

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the tip, Y2K. :)

I own a Chinese motorcycle, why shouldn't I use Chinese tools? :lol:

[alchemysa]

I started a little on the side home business a few years ago building tattoo machines.

I'm not a tattoo kind of guy but out of interest I'd like to hear more about how you make a tattoo machine. It sounds interesting and I respect initiative.

By the way, we dont have HF over here but we do have 'Bunnings'. I've never had reason to complain about even their cheapest power tools.

[Weldangrind]

I own a Chinese motorcycle, why shouldn't I use Chinese tools? :lol:

Indeed. I use Chinese tools on my American truck.

[quadz]

Within the past 2-3 months I've purchased the powdercoating kit for about $55, a welding cart for $32, a welding helmet for $42, the tire changer for $35, and a 8" drill press for $50.

Haven't used the tire changer or powdercoating kit yet, but love everything else so far! :)

[Weldangrind]

Quadz, I'm formally requesting a report on the powdercoater, once you use it.

[SpudRider]

X2; I am also interested in a candid report on the HF powdercoater. :)

[2LZ]

Like many here, I've spent a (very) small fortunae at HFT.... This is the roller magnet as previously mentioned I got a month or so back.....and this is a bucket of junk I've picked up off of my driveway and what I call "the flat spot".
This was only about 5 passes. Twice before I landscape dragged the driveway and 3 times after. It's definitely paid for itself.

[SpudRider]

I can't find your roller magnet at the Harbor Freight website, 2LZ. Can you provide a link?

[katoranger]

Here ya go. Called a sweeper.

http://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-magnetic-sweeper-with-wheels-93245.html

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Allen. :)

[quadz]

Quadz, I'm formally requesting a report on the powdercoater, once you use it.

Definitely will do. I'm thinking about making an oven to go along with it out of a trash can and a hot plate. lol

[2LZ]

I can't find your roller magnet at the Harbor Freight website, 2LZ. Can you provide a link?

Thanks for providing the link for Spud, Kato.
They come in three different lengths and like most other HFT items I've bought, I was actually surprised at how much nicer it was, as opposed to what I was expecting.

The wheels are height adjustable for odd terrains so it has a much wider variety of uses than just a flat slab. Also, once you load it up with scrap, hold it over a pan, pull up on the handle in the center of the bar and it pulls the inner magnets away from the bottom and all the scrap simply falls off! Nice touch. My only complaint is it's impossible to stand up and store anywhere without blocking the wheels! It loves to roll away, even on flat ground.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the good review, 2LZ. :)

[david3921]

We are China Riders, so we are also frugal. ;) I love Harbor Freight, so I have dedicated this thread to one of my favorite stores. :)

The best way to get the lowest price at Harbor Freight is to wait for an item to go on sale, and then use a 25% off coupon. ;) For example, I just purchased a rechargeable, LED work light.

http://www.harborfreight.com/rechargeable-led-work-light-with-magnetic-base-94668.html

This work light normally sells for $35. It is now on sale for $25. Using a 25% off coupon, I purchased this LED work light for $18.75. :D

I'm glad I saw this thread. I bought this light last weekend and it really proved it's worth. It comes with two chargers, one for an ac outlet and another you can plug into a 12v outlet. I plugged it into a house outlet and it was charged up in about half an hour. The reviews say that it lasts longer than the two hours described. This was my experiance as well. The base is flat with a magnet. The magnet isn't very strong, however. No matter as it comes with three different hooks for the top. This came in very handy for the strut and ball joint replacements I did on two vehicles a few days ago. It was on sale and I used a coupon for a total of $19.99.

[Weldangrind]

Definitely will do. I'm thinking about making an oven to go along with it out of a trash can and a hot plate. lol

You can often find a kitchen oven for free on CL, especially when it has a glass top that is broken. Why reinvent the wheel? It even has a storage drawer underneath for your powdercoating supplies.

[Weldangrind]

The wheels are height adjustable for odd terrains so it has a much wider variety of uses than just a flat slab. Also, once you load it up with scrap, hold it over a pan, pull up on the handle in the center of the bar and it pulls the inner magnets away from the bottom and all the scrap simply falls off! Nice touch. My only complaint is it's impossible to stand up and store anywhere without blocking the wheels! It loves to roll away, even on flat ground.

That's better than the Princess Auto unit I bought (and returned). It had the release handle, but it lacked the adjustable wheels. It cleared the driveway by too much to be effective.

It sounds like yours needs to be hung upside down on the wall.

[SpudRider]

I'm glad I saw this thread. I bought this light last weekend and it really proved it's worth. It comes with two chargers, one for an ac outlet and another you can plug into a 12v outlet. I plugged it into a house outlet and it was charged up in about half an hour. The reviews say that it lasts longer than the two hours described. This was my experiance as well. The base is flat with a magnet. The magnet isn't very strong, however. No matter as it comes with three different hooks for the top. This came in very handy for the strut and ball joint replacements I did on two vehicles a few days ago. It was on sale and I used a coupon for a total of $19.99.

Thanks for the good report, David. I also love my HF LED Light. :tup:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21o0MJdXjYL._SY300_.jpg

[2LZ]

Has anyone had any "real world" experience and good usage out of their Predator generators? They say they win awards for best value.....in their ad, of course. ;-) Last I saw, they had both Lifan and Loncin motors on them when they were the blue ones before the Predator facelift. Not sure about now.

I keep looking at the 55/6500 unit. Our power goes out often in Winter and I'd like to be able to keep the fridge running, a few lights on and the pellet stove hot.
With all the luck I've had with HFT items, I'm still leary about plunking down almost 500.00 there, when the time comes.

I have an older Honda generator I'm currently using that belongs to my father-in-law but it's only 1000 watt. Great for camping or loading in my cart and hauling out onto the property when I need portable power but it definitely has it's limitations.

[y2kvfr]

2LZ,

If it helps, we put a 6.5HP predator on my future father-in-laws Shriner go-cart to replace the aging B&S motor. That thing now goes like a bat out of H***, and starts very easily.

[quadz]

You can often find a kitchen oven for free on CL, especially when it has a glass top that is broken. Why reinvent the wheel? It even has a storage drawer underneath for your powdercoating supplies.

Yea I've thought about that, and still may go that route, but I think it would be a lot easier for me to drag around a trash can than a big oven. And space is very limited for me right now. I can just leave the galvanized can out in the weather under my deck too.

[katoranger]

Has anyone had any "real world" experience and good usage out of their Predator generators? They say they win awards for best value.....in their ad, of course. ;-) Last I saw, they had both Lifan and Loncin motors on them when they were the blue ones before the Predator facelift. Not sure about now.

I keep looking at the 55/6500 unit. Our power goes out often in Winter and I'd like to be able to keep the fridge running, a few lights on and the pellet stove hot.
With all the luck I've had with HFT items, I'm still leary about plunking down almost 500.00 there, when the time comes.

I have an older Honda generator I'm currently using that belongs to my father-in-law but it's only 1000 watt. Great for camping or loading in my cart and hauling out onto the property when I need portable power but it definitely has it's limitations.

I would be interested to here some reviews too.

[Weldangrind]

Yea I've thought about that, and still may go that route, but I think it would be a lot easier for me to drag around a trash can than a big oven. And space is very limited for me right now. I can just leave the galvanized can out in the weather under my deck too.

I'm in the same boat. If I ever manage to clear enough space, I'll put an oven on casters, so I can roll it into the shed.

[david3921]

I can't comment on the electronics of the generator but I can about the 6.5hp Predator engine. I bought one to replace the Tecumseh 6hp in my snowblower last winter. It was a direct bolt on to a 1980's Bolens two stage. You can look up the mounting dimensions on the HF website. I had to fab up a new coupling using a reducer from Granger as the Preditor output shaft is 1/2" and my blower's pulleys are 3/4". I could have replaced the pulleys with ones from TSC but I went the cheaper route. I followed the starting instructions and it started on the first pull! It's a 212cc motor, up from 196cc of the previous versions. Honda parts will fit it and there are forums that detail how to get twice the hp out of them. It has a govenor, foam airfilter, and three (!) oil plugs. These allow the motor to be oriented in a few different positions. My throttle cable hooked right up, also. I was looking at the various powered equipment at my local Menards and saw the same motor (under different names, of course) on a Kohler log splitter, a tiller, and a couple of power washers. One of these is a Snap-on. I got the motor for around $115 with a two year warentee. I had a coupon and a gift card (thanks Mom!) so it cost me about $15. If I had the motor and adapters ready, I could probaby switch it out again in less than 1/2 an hour. I'm happy with the way the motor has worked for me. It throws the snow as well or better than the Tecumseh and would be a lot cheaper to repair as well should the need arise.

[katoranger]

The engines have proven themselves. The generator portion concerns me. I am considering a Predator 13hp for the Ford tractor. It is starting to smoke and seems down on power. A rebuild on the kohler would be more expensive than a replacement engine.