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#151 | |
Hand Crafted C-10
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 5,180
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Quote:
You can suck up darned near anything and it sprays with gusto. I can also admit they ended up saving me quite handsomely with the same siphon feed sand blaster thingy a while back. Our shop blaster started whoosing out, installed the HF gun (with the short, fat, expensive (elsewhere) ceramic tip and was back on the road. Unfortunately, they have gone to the long, skinny tip types now and I can no longer cut corners... ...don't have the right gun. Buggers. |
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#152 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Yuba City, Ca
Posts: 31
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I too have had a lot of fun with the Harbor Freight Tools russian roulette-o-rama! Here is what we have found:
Good: 240v Plasma Torch- the consumables are not available everywhere jack stands-all eng stand- I broke the front wheel so I modified the front 2 ton engine hoist 10 pack of 4.5" flap discs 25pk of 3" and 4.5" cutoff discs and brushes and other disposable items The Bad: 4" and 4.5" elect grinders pneumatic body saw, air drill, 1/2" band saw, sheet metal shears The Ugly: 1500# swivel casters - I made my own auto skates(custom sized) and the axles sank into the wheels. The rolling chassis truck rolled off the skates. sawzall blades and drillbits seem to be made of reconstituted beer cans. I am trying out the stud welder kit now Cheers- Nate
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66 c-10 swb stepside -my daily driver 74 1Ton CrewCab Shortbed 4X4 (2) 91 2500 suburban 4X4 91 K5 Blazer 4X4-wifes daily driver 73 K5 Blazer 4x4- project soon to be 2wd 50 3 window 3100 |
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#153 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,859
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I bought a buch of the color coded deep well socket sets with the idea I would use them for "light" work. Like at my job (very light) and for a car/truck tool box. I really hate having to track down the "essetial tools" for every trip, and then put them away afterwards.
Weeell, the *250 broke and i needed some metric deep sockets. The only ones were the HB sockets. Time for a test of strength and wills. I won, and the HB sockets won. I pushed with my leg on a 3/4" drive breaker bar adapted ti 1/2". The bar was 2 feet long with a 2 foot pipe slid over the end. I had about 3-1/2 feet of leverage, I was braced and I apllied it ALL! The socket held up perfectly. Guess what resides in the "good " tool cabinet now? That'll do, pig.
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'70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60 |
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#154 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 288
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Ah, how I love the HF goodies. I mostly use the place to keep shop consumables in stock, or get a tool to modify and or/destroy for a specific purpose.Occasionally I'll get one of their bigger ticket items after doing some research, but I think we all realize, that you do get what you pay for.. So here's my list.
The Good: 2 Ton floor jack, black and yellow - This replaced a craftsman 1.5 ton unit and has great height and release control and it gets used a lot! Floor standing 1/2 drill press, tons of speed options, mounted a mini vise (purchased separately) on the platform for a very useful item 12 ton hydraulic press - A-arm and trailing arm bushings are the only items used so far, but it was great to have it onsite. Some 120v 2 ton electric winch - I turned this into an overhead hoist with a pulley block and have used it for pulling engines, cabs, beds,bodies and even small to medium children. One of the best items in my shop. Blue Nitrile Gloves - lets you have a white collar job and a greasemonkey hobby without going to work with stained hands Hardware assortments - Cotter pins, snap rings, O rings, pop rivits, zerk fitting, heat shrink tubing, you name it. It makes things so much easier when you can just go to your bench and have that last little part to get the job done. And the stuff while inexpensive, works just as you expect. 3" pneumatic cutoff tool - I know some folks have had issues with theirs, but mine works fantastic, but I've never had another one, so I might just be ignorant, but this one has been going strong for over 6 years. 3" Cutoff wheels - These may be poorer quality than the 3M stuff, but for $4 I can get a stack of them that will last me 8 months, just the right balance of price point and utility. Air hammer/chisel - kind of lightweight, but great for getting through rusty spotwelds to remove rockers, floorpans and such. Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet - I was a bit skeptical, but I needed one NOW and for HF $59 seemed like it must be magical to be so expensive. But it works great. I installed new floor pans in my '69 Chevelle wagon, and my welds were so much better and cleaner because I could finally see! (My old helmet was the one that came with the welder and was WAY too dark). Bulk pack of 1/4 and 3/8 drill bits - Yes, I know that overall they suck, but again, for $3 I can get like 8 of them and I seem to get decent life out of them if I take it easy and don't expect too much. I've got much nicer bits I use if I have to drill through a frame rail or something significant. Towing/Lifting Straps, quick links and binders - These have been invaluable for lifting bodies, beds, cabs as well as providing soft tie down points around axle tubes and a-arms for a car on a trailer. With them being so inexpensive, I can have an assortment for just about any need. The purple HVLP spray gun - I sprayed my friend's '72 C10 with it using the John Deere Blitz Black, and I couldn't believe how well it sprayed. Maybe it was the paint, but it went on flawless. Thank god we got two. They were $9 each! The Bad: Tailpipe expanders - those stripped out almost immediately Various cheap electric winches - total crap.. the larger badland winches got really good reviews from some 4x4 magazine... might try one soon for the car trailer. The Ugly: Honestly everything there is pretty ugly, there's not a whole lot aesthetic design going on, but there's not really any point to that anyway. Shawn |
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#155 |
Beer Drink'n Knuckle Dragger
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Eatonville, WA
Posts: 493
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
good:
- pittsburgh impact socket set...been using them for years, without a problem have 2 sets both standard and metric - 6k / 12k jack stands...haven't dropped a truck on me yet (and i'm not exactly careful under a truck - air saber saw...cut like butter and used it for a lot of sheet metal...wouldn't advise working on mild steel tho - big chop saw blade - got about 20 uses out of it on 1/4" pipe and still had enough left over to cut up a few sticks of angle iron...not too bad considering the price - portable band saw...for light work...bolts and such works great, don't know how it holds up to really strong steel tho bad - big ass crescant wrench, umm...didn't have a wrench big enought to change the ball on my hitch a while back, so i picked one of theirs up for cheap and luckily got it to loosen the nut, but when i put some back into it upon tightening, the thing fell apart i don't shop their for the quality...i don't think anyone does. it's for the convenience and affordability. kind of like..."i need to use a tool, but don't know anyone that has it...i'll go to harbor freight...if it gets good use i'll consider upgrading later". I never go in there trying to invest in a tool or piece of equipment that I want to keep around for life and that will last forever...that's just goofy, but you'd be pleasantly surprised by how long some of their stuff lasts. Jack
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#156 |
Beer Drink'n Knuckle Dragger
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Eatonville, WA
Posts: 493
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
yeah...after going thru a set of the HF snap ring pliers and craftsman ones...i called my snap-on dealer...i was tired of dicking around with crappy pliers
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#157 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Anderson SC
Posts: 3,883
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
A little HF humor.
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Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc |
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#158 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: huntington beach
Posts: 845
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Pulley puller pulled perfectly.
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#159 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,859
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
But can you say that while eating crackers? Or peanut butter?
![]() I am yanking your chain because you started a stupid song in my head! Pulley pulley, Pulley pulley, Pulley pulley.... ![]()
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'70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60 |
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#160 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: huntington beach
Posts: 845
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I don't know a pulley pulley song, but I do know one about a badger.
http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/ |
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#161 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Gilberts IL.
Posts: 2,488
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
WOW somebody put a lot of time in this pretty funny
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94 k2500 EXCab Long Bed 350ci New Toy 95 K2500 Suburban New PlowTruck 454ci Support our Troops @ http://anyairman.com http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ |
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#162 |
Hand Crafted C-10
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 5,180
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
WOW!! Christmas shopping in one stop!
I know at least 5 people getting the headlamp and I MUST have that nail-unbender! ![]() . |
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#163 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Auburndale, FL
Posts: 716
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Quote:
Don't forget the garden hose/extension cord combo. Great for your mother in law! Posted via Mobile Device
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Zaccaglin 1998 Chevrolet C1500 Ext. Cab 350 Former Rig: 1985 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 6.2L Detroit/TH400/NP208 |
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#164 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: strausstown pa
Posts: 3,394
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
boy only if they made the muppet grade gloves in the two finger configuration i would buy a dozen
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81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love ![]() 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover. |
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#165 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ft Wayne Indiana
Posts: 1,204
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Well the aluminum duct tape is good for putting new chrome trim around the woodgrain on door panels
![]() ![]() I think the roll (it's big too) was like $7 or something.
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71 K20 64 GMC mud truck |
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#166 |
Hand Crafted C-10
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 5,180
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
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#167 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ft Wayne Indiana
Posts: 1,204
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Thanks! I used a Q tips to burnish the tape to the surface, then used an Exacto knife to cut it.
Took a couple hours, but time well spent IMO.
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71 K20 64 GMC mud truck |
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#168 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2012
Location: Anton, Texas
Posts: 2,364
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
71k20 chey : man that looks great....never thought it would have turned out that good....
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#169 | |
#16876
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Auburn WA
Posts: 12,266
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Quote:
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Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. "I love that old car smell" ![]() Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. |
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#170 |
Hand Crafted C-10
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 5,180
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Any idea how weather-proof that tape might be?
Wow...the possibilities are making my head spin! ![]() Dash bezels...domelight housings...???... |
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#171 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ft Wayne Indiana
Posts: 1,204
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Thank you, thank you
![]() Not sure how it'd stand up to weather. It seems to be somewhat similar to the stuff that was on there from the factory. I screwed up and sprayed degreaser on it, which took the chrome off. I doubt you'd be able to do a dash bezel because it would be impossible to get the tape to curve without it wrinkling. So..domelights? Maybe. Dash bezels? Probably not. I never thought of doing a domelight though, I'll have to try it ![]()
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71 K20 64 GMC mud truck |
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#172 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Des Moines IA
Posts: 1,250
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
I have several items that have been good including the cheap purple HVLP gun in quart and half quart sizes, 2 grinders (one with cutting disc and one with grinder wheel both from HF). I have one of their drill presses that I modified from a 13" to about 2' with adjustable table and it works fine. Nice wood lathe converted to soft metal with a larger base from Ebay and an x-y vice from HF. Blast cabinet is still working good too. I have 2 of their auto darkening welding helmets and several several several clear shields... oh, and the blue nitrile gloves when they go on sale.
The bad, I'll have to agree on the lock ring plier sets (tried two different kinds and both bent way to easily) and I've broken 2 pry bars (the blue 24" long ones).
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- 1981 Sierra 454, NV4500 swap - 2006 Z06, 25k miles - 1973 Nova - Project CarNova Virus on Youtube |
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#173 |
Hand Crafted C-10
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 5,180
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
bnoon, pics of your x-y vice and your drill press mods?
Sounds like some cool "outside the HF box" uses!
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#174 |
A guy with a truck
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Germany, for now
Posts: 5,920
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
Blast cabinet is a good deal on sale. Seal the seams with silicone caulk and buy the nozzle upgrade kit from TPtools and you have a quality unit.
Posted via Mobile Device
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#175 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Gilberts IL.
Posts: 2,488
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Re: The Good, The Bad and Ugly from Harbor Freight
My cousin had to turn his 36yro Snap On tool box so I told him to look at the 54" one at HF he ended up buying it he said it is 3X better than the Snap On box I have the 44" bottom box makes the Craftsman box look like a tin can
Biught the $20 sand blasting helmet works great
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