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Old 02-06-2011, 10:48 AM   #46
7T2
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Marysville, OH
Posts: 667
Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight

I have so much HF stuff I don't know where to start:

Good:

Engine Crane
Large Winches
Jack Stands (be careful though, weight rating is for a PAIR, not each. Not immediately obvious.)
Blast Cabinet (don't try to move it full of media though, legs will fold)
Ratchet tie downs
Motorcycle Stand
Air/Hyd Bottle Jacks
Motorcycle Lift
Chain Fall
Utility Trailer
Oil Drain tank/Dolly
Heat Gun
Framing Nailer
1/2" Earthquake Impact Wrench (works great and sounds like a Ferrari)
1" Shallow Well Pump (has worked well for several years now, and I bought an open box one for a backup for $40 with a coupon)
Brushes
Gloves
LED Flashlights (free)
Pittsburgh wrenches and pliers (haven't broken or rounded off any yet, but cheap enough that I wouldn't care if I did)
Digital Calipers
C-Clamps
Air Cutoff Tool (haven't broken one, but at $9.99 who cares? Cutoff wheels seem to work ok for me)
Die Grinder
Chain Fall
Magnetic Driveway Cleaner
6 foot Level
Squares
Powder Coater
Retractable Hose reel
12 Volt Jump Start Power Supply (got me going a couple of times, works best if you charge it before going on a trip, not just leaving it in your vehicle)
Trailer Light Kit
Adjustable Table Saw Dolly Kit
Bench Buffer Motor
Wood Lathe with Adjustable Rotating Head (get it while it is on sale with a 20% coupon on top for less than $200, makes a great wheel polisher with a little creativity)


Be Careful:

Anything Hydraulic - all the hydraulic stuff I have seems to develop problems/leaks - Wheel Dollys (AWESOME otherwise, but have to add fluid that leaks out from time to time), Air/Hydraulic Ram (added this to my engine hoist, and it worked great to begin with, but is problematic now), Hydraulic Jacks (seem to leak more often)

Shop Press (bent over time, but still works)
Chains and Tow Straps (don't seem to be up to intended tasks, but trucker chains are nice for engine hoists, just don't try to yank a truck out of a ditch with one)
Adjustable Tow Bar (worked ok for a while, but stopped using because it was bending)
Parts Washer (good deal, but was missing pump parts. Did not realize until I unboxed well after I bought it)
Roller Stands (not good for much more than a single piece of lumber, don't turn well)
Electric Terminals (work, but very flimsy)
Manual Tire Changer (better than nothing, but it's getting bent up)
Cheap Air Hose (works, but hard to manage/too stiff)
Casters (some are good, especially for the price, but others don't want to roll straight)
Steel Wheel Dollies (don't always roll straight)
7" Variable Polisher (speed control is not very precise, changes while using)


Avoid at all costs:

High Speed Metal Saw - Air Powered (so frustrating I threw it into my pond)
Drill Bits
Plastic Spring Clamps/Ratchet Clamps (I have yet to find a use for these, spring is WAY too tight and clamp too flimsy (any size), ratchet clamps will not hold anything)
Taps/Dies
Ratchets
Portable Abrasive Blasters
12 Volt Electric Portable winch ( the one shrouded in plastic with the handle) - junk
Auto Darkening Welding Shield

The best part is getting 20% off ANYTHING (even clearance, sale, and high-dollar items)
__________________
1957 GMC Ambulance
1962 Belair Wagon
1963 C80 Truck Cab *FOR SALE*
1969 Chevy C10 Short Bed
1972 Chevy C10 Long Bed *SOLD*
1996 C3500 Dually *SOLD*

Last edited by 7T2; 02-06-2011 at 11:00 AM.
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