Harbor Freight tools that DON'T suck

[Garandman]

Get the corded one. I beat the piss out of my cheapo $15 one and it has never given me an issue. Currently i have an illegal saw blade ripper mounted to so i can groove pieces of decking for traction and scare myself silly while using it. Good times...
Never buy battery powered tools from Harbor freight. They usually change the design up every few years so your tools get out dated quickly.

Bought this one: https://www.harborfreight.com/power-...der-57002.html

Cut through the hardened lock hasp in about three seconds.

[petro]

Bought this one: https://www.harborfreight.com/power-...der-57002.html

Cut through the hardened lock hasp in about three seconds.

Just saw this one today on a coupon for $29.99

[Garandman]

Anyone using one of their soda blasters? Have a number of projects where thst would be helpful. There’s a hand held gun, 15 lb, and a 40 lb blaster.

https://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-...ter-60801.html

[boosten lebaron]

I was using all 3 until i upgraded to the cabinet. The gun is a joke, don't even bother. The tanks worked well enough but as you can expect they are messy. Clogging was an issue until i settled on the right media and even then you will need to tip it every now and then. The 15lbs one was good for small projects out in the yard but burned through media pretty quickly so i had to keep refiling if i was on a big project. The 40lbs worked better.
Unless you need to be doing work out in the yard or large pieces the cabinet is worlds better than both, especially after you do the recommended mods to it. People have even turned them into wet media blasters now so even better.

[Garandman]

Just saw this one today on a coupon for $29.99

Wasn’t the right one: got this one with a promo for $45.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-...der-56459.html

[black]

My HF sonicator just died... Easier to buy a new one vs tinker with it tonight. I need to clean this carb

[Garandman]

Still have my sonic cleaner. My daughter discovered it is spectacular for cleaning jewelry.

[Garandman]

Are HF compressors advisable? Going to need a 110V unit that will provide near 5cfm at 90psi.

[Gixxer]

https://rentaltoolsonline.com/nemo-a...SABEgIsA_D_BwE

[RandyO]

Are HF compressors advisable? Going to need a 110V unit that will provide near 5cfm at 90psi.

their prices are inviting, but never heard of the Fortress or McGraw brands before

I kinda like this oil lubricated Quincy from Northern Tool
https://www.northerntool.com/product...2124vpq-105043

[LuvDog]

Are HF compressors advisable? Going to need a 110V unit that will provide near 5cfm at 90psi.

Yes. I have one of their older ones 29 gal vertical oil lubed and it’s been chugging away for me for 10 years. Mine was when they were Central Pneumatic but this one looks similar.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...sor-58507.html

[Garandman]

Do they ever go on sale?

[PinHead]

Do they ever go on sale?

Yes, I got mine on sale and stacked a coupon. They are on sale right now as a matter of fact. The biggest one I see on sale is 4.5 SCFM at 90, I know you were looking for a 5 SCFM.

[LuvDog]

Do they ever go on sale?

It was just on sale last month for $479

And actually. I could probably be talked in to selling mine.

It's the Central Pneumatic model. I've used it 2x a year for tire changes, and some other random times for a cutoff wheel.

[Garandman]

If it’s for sale LMK model, condition, price.

Wasn’t the right one: got this one with a promo for $45.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-...der-56459.html

Of course, now that I bought one, traded a guy a box of ammo for a bunch of DeWalt 18V tools including a cutoff saw.

[boosten lebaron]

Are HF compressors advisable? Going to need a 110V unit that will provide near 5cfm at 90psi.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...sor-64294.html

This is my work horse, or at least the older one is but it looks identical to this, just black. While its specs are low it does a good job. I did replace the regulator with a more robust one to get more volume out of it. The stocker has tiny passage ways for air flow. All my equipment ran way better with the new regulator on it. I change the oil every few years and its always golden in color. It just about the right size to be on the edge of portability too. I go up and down stairs with it all the time but i wouldnt want to if it was any bigger. I rhino lined it too so i would have more places to grip while lugging it around.

[petro]

Wasn’t the right one: got this one with a promo for $45.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-...der-56459.html

Do you guys use HF cut off discs? I always told myself I’d never rely on Harbor Freight for anything related to life safety, or something that can explode and maim me. Several years later, I now own a HF jack and 4 jackstands, and I’m starting to get low on my non-HF supply of cut off discs…

[LuvDog]

Do you guys use HF cut off discs? I always told myself I’d never rely on Harbor Freight for anything related to life safety, or something that can explode and maim me. Several years later, I now own a HF jack and 4 jackstands, and I’m starting to get low on my non-HF supply of cut off discs…

No, but I do use their flap disks if needed.

[nhbubba]

Anyone using one of their soda blasters? Have a number of projects where thst would be helpful. There’s a hand held gun, 15 lb, and a 40 lb blaster.

https://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-...ter-60801.html

I have this ultra cheapie "portable" standblaster : https://www.harborfreight.com/portab...kit-37025.html
It actually works okay. Used it to strip a steel frame eons ago and just dusted it off to do some wheels recently. Did a quick test with my little 5gal pancake. That works but not well-obviously-as the compressor just can't keep up. I've borrowed a ~30 gal unit that is rated at 4.something scfm and that does much, much better. I am pleasantly surprised at how well it works. Good 'nuf for this home-gamer.
I use the finest grit media I can find. Sourced at tractor supply most recently.

[boosten lebaron]

Do you guys use HF cut off discs? I always told myself I’d never rely on Harbor Freight for anything related to life safety, or something that can explode and maim me. Several years later, I now own a HF jack and 4 jackstands, and I’m starting to get low on my non-HF supply of cut off discs…

I swear, half the reason I buy hf equipment is because of the sweet ass colors. orange and yellow jack stands? Yes please.

[LuvDog]

Anyone using one of their soda blasters? Have a number of projects where thst would be helpful. There’s a hand held gun, 15 lb, and a 40 lb blaster.

https://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-...ter-60801.html

I missed this earlier. I have the 15lb one I think. I used it to blast out a fuel tank that had some light surface rust. It worked great and has been sitting on a shelf since then. let me take a look to see it's condition, but I'd sell it too if you're interested.

[FriskyDingo]

Do they ever go on sale?

Check your e-mail, I got a 25% off "no product restriction" coupon, good from 04/05-04/11... It didn't come from the standard "Harbor freight" e-mail address, it came from "Store Manager, Harbor Freight" in case you have your e-mails sorted...

I'd send you this one as there's only a 20% chance I'll use it today, but it says "Only For MYNAMEHERE" in big bold letters, so assuming it's tied to my phone#....

[RandyO]

Check your e-mail, I got a 25% off "no product restriction" coupon, good from 04/05-04/11... It didn't come from the standard "Harbor freight" e-mail address, it came from "Store Manager, Harbor Freight" in case you have your e-mails sorted...

I'd send you this one as there's only a 20% chance I'll use it today, but it says "Only For MYNAMEHERE" in big bold letters, so assuming it's tied to my phone#....

ya, I got that today too. The generator I'm looking at is out of stock at all nearby stores, I think everybody is out of generators after the recent storms

[MattR302]

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...sor-64294.html

This is my work horse, or at least the older one is but it looks identical to this, just black. While its specs are low it does a good job. I did replace the regulator with a more robust one to get more volume out of it. The stocker has tiny passage ways for air flow. All my equipment ran way better with the new regulator on it. I change the oil every few years and its always golden in color. It just about the right size to be on the edge of portability too. I go up and down stairs with it all the time but i wouldnt want to if it was any bigger. I rhino lined it too so i would have more places to grip while lugging it around.

I’ve got the same one, a friend gave it to me as a housewarming gift about 15 years ago. I don’t use it much for air tools, but the wheels make it convenient to roll out to the driveway to fill car tires, and like boosten said, it’s just small enough to carry it upstairs or put it in a car trunk. Mine needs a new regulator though

[Garandman]

What’s the read on oil versus oil free compressors these days? Always purchased oiled compressors but we’ve also been pretty lackadaisical on maintenance.