Harbor Freight Tools -- What works? and What doesn't?

[Jwin]

Just realized how out of level it looks in that photo
I have a 3°pitch on the upper level so water doesn't stand on it, nothing like what it looks like
Must have been the angle or something

 

[GrogNerd]

Look at you, & look at me and my rinkydink sawhorses

Probably the most force I'll ever have exerting on those things, joining 2x4s. Mostly be using them to glue some cutting boards & jigs

Structures & furniture are a little ambitious for me right now... shiny new as I am

 

[z-bob]

Literally the best $15 I've ever spent on a tool: HF 6" digital caliper. Every man should own one, seriously.

Yup. And the "Pittsburgh" combination wrenches are surprisingly good. The cheap scissors and screwdrivers are worth having; scatter them all over the house so you can leave your good ones locked safely away somewhere.

 

[MaxStout]

Look at you, & look at me and my rinkydink sawhorses

Probably the most force I'll ever have exerting on those things, joining 2x4s. Mostly be using them to glue some cutting boards & jigs

Structures & furniture are a little ambitious for me right now... shiny new as I am

Those HF clamps will always have a place in your wood shop. I have a few, myself, along with a bunch of the light-duty Jorgensens. They're great any time you need moderate pressure, like face-gluing small boards, holding something in place until you can shoot nails into it, etc.

When you get into the big projects, it's nice to have a bunch of big pipe clamps. No matter how good your joinery is, you will encounter a time when that carcase just doesn't pull together, or you want to edge-glue a bunch of boards into a table top.

You can never have too many clamps.

 

[mirthfuldragon]

Yup. And the "Pittsburgh" combination wrenches are surprisingly good. The cheap scissors and screwdrivers are worth having; scatter them all over the house so you can leave your good ones locked safely away somewhere.

And tape measures. I was losing them all the time. Now I have 9 of them, and I only lose them sometimes.

 

[b-boy]

I've learned my lesson the hard way that it's not worth buying less than DeWalt.

Yup Just picked this up a few days ago to replace the HF drill. Mixing thinset is as easy as whipping cream.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-1-2-in-Corded-Hammer-Drill/3032367

 

[argentcorvid]

Literally the best $15 I've ever spent on a tool: HF 6" digital caliper. Every man should own one, seriously.

They're ok. Mine feel like they dragged them through the sandbox as part of the manufacturing process. Still better than trying to eyeball with a measuring tape though.

 

[augiedoggy]

I've learned my lesson the hard way that it's not worth buying less than DeWalt.

Yeah I have a couple DeWalt drills sitting in my garage... Replacement batteries are priced pretty ridiculously. So much so a new drill was the better vaue. They are obsolete now with the newer lithium drills today.. along with the two Ryobi 18v drills one craftman, a 9.6 Makita and even an old Milwaukee..all sitting in a cabinet since myself or my father bought them because I haven't brought myself to recycle them yet.. I did buy some aftermarket batteries for the Ryobi which work ok but not as well as the newer lithium drills that run on the 3.7v laptop style cells.

No doubt there's better tools out there but again it really depends on the owner and thier priorities and use.
Ironically I have a 110v DeWalt variable drill and I found it wouldnt work well to drill my stainless kettles because it was too touchy as far as speed control and ruined the step bit. had to use the Ryobi in screw mode which cut like butter at the right rpm.

 

[schematix]

Yeah I have a couple DeWalt drills sitting in my garage... Replacement batteries are priced pretty ridiculously. So much so a new drill was the better vaue. They are obsolete now with the newer lithium drills today.. along with the two Ryobi 18v drills one craftman, a 9.6 Makita and even an old Milwaukee..all sitting in a cabinet since myself or my father bought them because I haven't brought myself to recycle them yet.. I did buy some aftermarket batteries for the Ryobi which work ok but not as well as the newer lithium drills that run on the 3.7v laptop style cells.



No doubt there's better tools out there but again it really depends on the owner and thier priorities and use.

Ironically I have a 110v DeWalt variable drill and I found it wouldnt work well to drill my stainless kettles because it was too touchy as far as speed control and ruined the step bit. had to use the Ryobi in screw mode which cut like butter at the right rpm.

Battery issues are not unique to any mfr. they are all 3rd party supplied.

Best thing with dewalt is to buy the 3 or 4 pack on Black Friday special. Throw out the old perfectly good tools and get new ones with new batteries.

 

[Pkrd]

They're ok. Mine feel like they dragged them through the sandbox as part of the manufacturing process. Still better than trying to eyeball with a measuring tape though.

Mine seems to need a new battery every time I go to use it.

 

[GrogNerd]

sidewalk sale this weekend. already stopped by got a couple more clamps, a cheap tool bag (if I were still gigging, this would have been my fx pedal gig bag) and a heat gun

$20 total

 

[Jwin]

sidewalk sale this weekend. already stopped by got a couple more clamps, a cheap tool bag (if I were still gigging, this would have been my fx pedal gig bag) and a heat gun

$20 total

All good to have.
The stepped drill bits are good to have laying around as well as the pneumatic accessory kit.
A couple of cheap levels, cause you have to try real hard to make a level that doesn't work. Can it fall down three stories, maybe not. None the less.
I try to take one of the free flashlight or free tape measure coupons each time I go, cause you can never have enough of either.

 

[TheLostBeer]

I've learned my lesson the hard way that it's not worth buying less than DeWalt.

Eh Milwaukee has some very good stuff too, and yet to see a electric tube cutter by dewalt, for what dewalt does t have I have in Milwaukee... those are the 2 I stick with primarily, but rigid which is owned by HD has a lifetime warranty on their batteries.. so really depends what you looking for..


On with the op, was at HF today and looking to get there woodworking table and make that my new brew table, for the time being.

 

[SaltPig]

Recent experience: Do not attempt to use the Harbor Freight knockout punches on stainless steel kettles. I very nearly ruined one of mine trying to punch a hole using them. In fairness, it is only rated for 10 gauge mild steel, so I was exceeding the spec. The HF Step bits saved the day and drilled all the required holes in all three kettles without any apparent damage to the bits.

 

[crane]

Recent experience: Do not attempt to use the Harbor Freight knockout punches on stainless steel kettles. I very nearly ruined one of mine trying to punch a hole using them. In fairness, it is only rated for 10 gauge mild steel, so I was exceeding the spec. The HF Step bits saved the day and drilled all the required holes in all three kettles without any apparent damage to the bits.

I've used my harbor freight punch set to make over 2 dozen holes in various keggles and kettles for myself and others. I also used it to punch out 23 holes on my mild steel control panel. It's showing some signs of wear after all that use, but I certainly wouldn't tell people not to use them.

 

[augiedoggy]

I've used my harbor freight punch set to make over 2 dozen holes in various keggles and kettles for myself and others. I also used it to punch out 23 holes on my mild steel control panel. It's showing some signs of wear after all that use, but I certainly wouldn't tell people not to use them.

I also punched holes in some mighty thick steel for my control panel without issues... just be sure the hole size is correct as Ive heard the sizes are for conduit.

 

[augiedoggy]

Battery issues are not unique to any mfr. they are all 3rd party supplied.

Best thing with dewalt is to buy the 3 or 4 pack on Black Friday special. Throw out the old perfectly good tools and get new ones with new batteries.

They are priced by the company who brands the tool regardless of who makes the tool or battery... You pay for marketing and the brand. This is why a 2 pack of replacement batteries is $120 at lowes for an old dewalt 18v drill and a 2 pack of oem 18v batteries for a ryobi is like $50... crack either one open and you find the same battery cells inside...
Dewalt which is owned by stanley tools (also owns craftman) is just another marketing name along with porter cable, delta, bostich ands others these days which are all owned by black and decker... and who is selling more and more chinese goods with these once american name brand labels on them.... Hitachi also makes some stuff to be sold with their various brandings as well.

did you know Chervon owns skil? That one struck me as kind of odd... I also didnt know that My ryobi tools are made By TTI... the same folks who own Milwaukee and a bunch of other brand names to sell under.

 

[argentcorvid]

Recent experience: Do not attempt to use the Harbor Freight knockout punches on stainless steel kettles. I very nearly ruined one of mine trying to punch a hole using them. In fairness, it is only rated for 10 gauge mild steel, so I was exceeding the spec. The HF Step bits saved the day and drilled all the required holes in all three kettles without any apparent damage to the bits.

My HF step drills didn't get hardened or something, they each worked the first time I made a cut in some sheet metal, and now they are duller than a butter knife.

 

[schematix]

My HF step drills didn't get hardened or something, they each worked the first time I made a cut in some sheet metal, and now they are duller than a butter knife.

That's normal for HF. Use it once and throw away.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I used hedge trimmer for the first time the other day. For light weight trimming its probably fine. It got stuck twice on a 3/4ish branch. It instantly started to smoke the second it bound up and smelled like burnt electric if you know what I mean. I'm assuming its going to die in short order as its literally half smoked.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...0.html&usg=AFQjCNFCL8WiHADVcvUmc4PkIoNIpg1TjQ

 

[augiedoggy]

I used hedge trimmer for the first time the other day. For light weight trimming its probably fine. It got stuck twice on a 3/4ish branch. It instantly started to smoke the second it bound up and smelled like burnt electric if you know what I mean. I'm assuming its going to die in short order as its literally half smoked.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...0.html&usg=AFQjCNFCL8WiHADVcvUmc4PkIoNIpg1TjQ

well in fairness I smoked my dads black and decker trimmer the same way when I was a kid. He made me finish the hedgerow with a manual trimmer.
I would kind expect 3/4" branches to pretty much trash any little electric hedge trimmer like that advertised or not pushing to the absolute limit will usually short the lifespan of anything.. especially when one mans 3/4" can vary by eye..
an electric hedge trimmer isnt the best tool for trimming 3/4" branches regardless and most people dont wait that long to cut and reshape thier hedges lol.. it is called hedgeTRIMMER for a reason

 

[augiedoggy]

My HF step drills didn't get hardened or something, they each worked the first time I made a cut in some sheet metal, and now they are duller than a butter knife.

ok ill ask, did you use cutting oil and slow rpms? I burned up $36 in step bits myself before realizing the drill I was using was still going too fast and once I switched drills and bought a 3rd set of drill bits I was able to cut 12 holes with the same bit in my stainless kettles like a knife through butter. They arent the best bits but when used correctly they arent all that bad either. There are a lot of threads here where people destroyed all sorts of drill bits trying to drill through metal incorrectly I imagine some might take more abuse but it doesnt mean the cheaper option wont get the job done when not abused.

 

[PlinyTheMiddleAged]

My experience is similar to augiedoggy's - I've drilled many holes in stainless steel hardware with my cheap HF step bit. Just have to use low RPMs (really low) and lube. If the lube starts to smoke, just back off and let things cool down for a second. If the stainless gets too hot, it'll harden and make drilling even more difficult. Never really had a problem with slow and cool.

 

[Jwin]

Ditto here. Drilled two Al kettle and all holes in my standup kegerator just fine.

 

[MaxStout]

They are priced by the company who brands the tool regardless of who makes the tool or battery... You pay for marketing and the brand. This is why a 2 pack of replacement batteries is $120 at lowes for an old dewalt 18v drill and a 2 pack of oem 18v batteries for a ryobi is like $50... crack either one open and you find the same battery cells inside...
Dewalt which is owned by stanley tools (also owns craftman) is just another marketing name along with porter cable, delta, bostich ands others these days which are all owned by black and decker... and who is selling more and more chinese goods with these once american name brand labels on them.... Hitachi also makes some stuff to be sold with their various brandings as well.

did you know Chervon owns skil? That one struck me as kind of odd... I also didnt know that My ryobi tools are made By TTI... the same folks who own Milwaukee and a bunch of other brand names to sell under.

Tool batteries are a racket.

I have a bunch of older 18V DeWalt tools that use the old XRP 2.4Ah NiCd battery packs. One by one they stopped holding a charge and needed to be replaced. The OEM replacements were around $100 for 2, but I found decent Chinese knockoffs on Amazon for $40 for two that work just as well. Like you said, probably the same cells inside.

 

[Jwin]

Tool batteries are a racket.

I have a bunch of older 18V DeWalt tools that use the old XRP 2.4Ah NiCd battery packs. One by one they stopped holding a charge and needed to be replaced. The OEM replacements were around $100 for 2, but I found decent Chinese knockoffs on Amazon for $40 for two that work just as well. Like you said, probably the same cells inside.

Research online. You may be able to crack them open safely and just replace the cells for even cheaper. Especially if they are using a common cell. The Ryobi one plus batteries just have 18650s in them(them same batteries used in mose ecigs). Ifixit has a breakdown on them. If you still have the old packs, can't hurt. Well, it can, because there is potentially some high voltage left in those things.
On another note, if the battery pack is registering around 12v instead of 18, and refusing to fully charge, it's likely that one cell/battery is shot, causing it to engage the voltage protection circuit. A single 18650 is about $5 online.

 

[augiedoggy]

Research online. You may be able to crack them open safely and just replace the cells for even cheaper. Especially if they are using a common cell. The Ryobi one plus batteries just have 18650s in them(them same batteries used in mose ecigs). Ifixit has a breakdown on them. If you still have the old packs, can't hurt. Well, it can, because there is potentially some high voltage left in those things.
On another note, if the battery pack is registering around 12v instead of 18, and refusing to fully charge, it's likely that one cell/battery is shot, causing it to engage the voltage protection circuit. A single 18650 is about $5 online.

yes very true... most of the latest generation power tools use the slimmer 18650 Li ion cells now actually... older ones ues the NI CD or Ni-MH and the cells for either can be found on ebay new or as I found the 25 or so I have by cracking open old laptop battery packs.... it is usually one or 2 cells that go bad and prevent them from charging... walmart carries the18650 cells too in the landscaping light isle

I tore my ryobi packs apart but them realized I can get a 2 pack of battery packs on ebay for $25 shipped I just went that route..

I use the 18650 cells in those led flashlights and backup battery packs I bought for like $3 empty that charge my phones or other devices... one even has multiple types of output with a voltage selector switch if I want to run my sat radio or whatever..

 

[baer19d]

I find this useful for inspecting inside of a sanky fermenter to make sure it clean.
https://www.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-61839.html

 

[Jwin]

I find this useful for inspecting inside of a sanky fermenter to make sure it clean.
https://www.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-61839.html

Very popular in the diy colonoscopy crowd as well.

 

[GrogNerd]

much cheaper, with longer scope (4m/>13ft) + hooks to pc & android for viewing

boss got one, said it works great (told me it was for inspecting dryer vent, but hey, whatever... I don't judge)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016KUGVJC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20