Harbor Freight tools that DON'T suck

[boosten lebaron]

i use old rubber bedliners to crawl on. You guys are way to fancy for me.

[RandyO]

i use old rubber bedliners to crawl on. You guys are way to fancy for me.

cardboard boxes here

[Point37]

I bought a blue one of those around Christmas when it was discounted pretty heavily to replace my old Craftsman creeper that had an MDF board as support which split a long time ago making it a pain to use. It's been working great despite me being a little over its stated capacity. As far as the head pad being cleaner, mine was until I was draining oil out of one of our vehicles and it burped out a bubble that sprayed the side of my face and got the pad!

i just like that the head pad is fake leather so you can wipe it off and it won't collect dust and dirt...my old wood creeper (inherited from grandfather) is some type of fabric and has gotten nasty over the years

side note: i just also picked up some of that black splash resistant fabric from amazon that you put in your drain pan so i don't have spray all over the garage floor...it's mostly for the filter removal...both cars have fumoto valves on them so i run the vinyl tube right into the drain hole in the drain pan...also picked up a 90 degree brass fumoto nipple for my new car...big step up from the plastic ones...less prone to pop off...

Old chunk of cardboard crew

this is what i did before i got the old wood creeper from my grandfather...i still use cardboard when clearance is an issue using ramps or jack stands

[FriskyDingo]

i use old rubber bedliners to crawl on. You guys are way to fancy for me.

makes an excellent work space, use my old Tacoma liner, along with that weeks amazon boxes to catch any dripping....

I do go a bit "fancy" as I use a few old carpeted floor mats for a little extra cushioning...

[Stoneman]

I go hybrid when it comes to that. OG creeper, big ol' piece of carpet, cardboard. They all have their uses, but usually it comes down to which one I see first...

[RandyO]

makes an excellent work space, use my old Tacoma liner, along with that weeks amazon boxes to catch any dripping....

I do go a bit "fancy" as I use a few old carpeted floor mats for a little extra cushioning...

wish this subject came up sooner, I woulda kept the bed liner in the Tacoma I sold for salvage

[dontpanic]

big ol' piece of carpet...

I really went over the top for my excercise area downstairs: two different kinds of carpet remnants. Fancy.

[RandyO]

cardboard boxes here

but more often, go to my son's garage and use his lift

[FriskyDingo]

Unfortunately a lift is the one thing my brother doesn't have in his garage...

need to change the transmission & transfer case fluid, considering taking it to the shop as bit of a bitch on the ground, but the estimates are kinda insane for what the job is. Was discussing with a friend and he recommended this place if I want to DIY, seems like it might be a good option...

http://www.gearheadri.com/

Rental For A Fully-Equipped Bay With A Lift

Basic rate includes the use of all tools, specialty tools and shop machinery, with the exception of computer diagnostic equipment, vehicle software downloads and welding equipment/supplies & tire machine, which carry additional charges.

AUTOMOTIVE
Service Bay And Lift
$25 per hour
MOTORCYCLE
Service Bay and Lift
$30 per hour

[RandyO]

Unfortunately a lift is the one thing my brother doesn't have in his garage...

need to change the transmission & transfer case fluid, considering taking it to the shop as bit of a bitch on the ground, but the estimates are kinda insane for what the job is. Was discussing with a friend and he recommended this place if I want to DIY, seems like it might be a good option...

http://www.gearheadri.com/

50 years ago when I was living in VT, there was a similar place called "Autofix" $2.50/hr +similar extras. no full vehicle lifts though, floor jack & jackstands & creepers for the most part, they did have air powered end lifts. My brother started his auto repair business in the place, He negotiated a monthly rate for 2 bays

[Garandman]

Unfortunately a lift is the one thing my brother doesn't have in his garage...

need to change the transmission & transfer case fluid, considering taking it to the shop as bit of a bitch on the ground, but the estimates are kinda insane for what the job is. Was discussing with a friend and he recommended this place if I want to DIY, seems like it might be a good option...

http://www.gearheadri.com/

Click & Clack - The Tappet Brothers - opened the “Hacker’s Haven” as that kind of tool-sharing facility.

https://goodnewsgaragecambridge.com/about-us/

The best were the “Morale Support Activities” on army bases. They had fully stocked garages with tools and a couple of experienced mechanics to advise.

[boosten lebaron]

Unfortunately a lift is the one thing my brother doesn't have in his garage...

need to change the transmission & transfer case fluid, considering taking it to the shop as bit of a bitch on the ground, but the estimates are kinda insane for what the job is. Was discussing with a friend and he recommended this place if I want to DIY, seems like it might be a good option...

http://www.gearheadri.com/

You've got to check the fine print with those places. Many restrict you to what tools you can use and what your actually able to do in there. Ie no torches, paints, certain chemicals etc. there can be pretty stiff charges for staying beyond your allotted time if something goes wrong too
They are an option though.

[RandyO]

You've got to check the fine print with those places. Many restrict you to what tools you can use and what your actually able to do in there. Ie no torches, paints, certain chemicals etc. there can be pretty stiff charges for staying beyond your allotted time if something goes wrong too
They are an option though.

I don't ever recall any bodywork other than replacing a bolt on panel/door/hood/trunk lid at the one I went to, sanding wasn't allowed ? They were really hard ass on sign out/sign in the tools you used, an encouragement to bring your own. They kept plugs, points, condensers, filters & fluids in stock. My brother used torches & arc welding in his by the month agreement, but had his own insurance coverage

It was very busy in the winter, but not so much in the summer when yer not dealing with snow & ice in the driveway, I once thought of starting such a business, didn't take too many numbers to talk me out

[obsolete]

Click & Clack - The Tappet Brothers - opened the “Hacker’s Haven” as that kind of tool-sharing facility.

https://goodnewsgaragecambridge.com/about-us/

The best were the “Morale Support Activities” on army bases. They had fully stocked garages with tools and a couple of experienced mechanics to advise.

My USAF base had the auto hobby center. Same thing and it was awesome.

[Stoneman]

I really went over the top for my excercise area downstairs: two different kinds of carpet remnants. Fancy.

[02redhawk]

The best were the “Morale Support Activities” on army bases. They had fully stocked garages with tools and a couple of experienced mechanics to advise.

Those shops were a life saver. Rebuilt a number of engines for pennies compared to having it done by others. Fond memories.

[Garandman]

Those shops were a life saver. Rebuilt a number of engines for pennies compared to having it done by others. Fond memories.

Where were you posted? Used the ones at Fort Benning & Fort Knox. Had a 64 beetle and overhauled it during Christmas break ‘81.

[02redhawk]

Fort Brag, Fayetteville NC. Cultural center of the universe. Early 80's.

[RandyO]

I get those emails too. I may stop by and grab one meself...

I bought 1 thing from HF last summer, now I get an email nearly every day. I purchase items from Northern Tool often enough that it has been worthwhile to buy their membership for discounts & free shipping

[Garandman]

Fort Bragg, Fayetteville NC. Cultural center of the universe. Early 80's.

Hence the nickname “Fayettenam.” ��

[Stoneman]

I bought 1 thing from HF last summer, now I get an email nearly every day. I purchase items from Northern Tool often enough that it has been worthwhile to buy their membership for discounts & free shipping

Yup, I get multiple every day. I dig it though. They serve as reminders that, "yeah, I was looking for one of those!".

[boosten lebaron]

Anyone else notice prices really starting to creep up here? 20-30% on a few on the items I've been thinking about buying in the last few weeks. Should have bought them before the grand buffoon started having brain seizures and changing tariffs every 20 minutes

[OreoGaborio]

Anyone else notice prices really starting to creep up here? 20-30% on a few on the items I've been thinking about buying in the last few weeks. Should have bought them before the grand buffoon started having brain seizures and changing tariffs every 20 minutes

Not just HF... Amazon, too. I have a ton of items in my cart that are saved for later & it alerts me when the price changes... nearly every alert over the past couple of months has been an increase in price.

And if you go to www.camelcamelcamel.com and copy/paste the URL of virtually any item on Amazon, I bet you'll see it's increased in cost over the past 30 days or so.

[Garandman]

Anyone have the Hercules 20v 1/2” impact wrench? Is it a good deal at $250? Need a lot more torque for some projects.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-br...ger-70954.html

[PurplePackage]

Anyone have the Hercules 20v 1/2” impact wrench? Is it a good deal at $250? Need a lot more torque for some projects.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-br...ger-70954.html

No, but I have the HF biggus dickus, Earthquake 2500 ft. lbs. 1" drive if you want it. Used it maybe 5 times and said this is too over the top.