Weekend is over...what did you get done?

[lt99ls1]

I ain't scared of China. Harbor Freight is local and will warranty my junk.

I was a skeptic at first too, but when I saw what looked like the identical unit on etrailers for roughly the same price, I gave it a shot. Haven't regretted it in the 3+ years I've been using it. Like was said....keep everything greased and it should last a very long time.

There is a thread on midgaoffroad.com about Harbor Freight tools and user experences.

I have a bunch of stuff from Harbor Freight.

2 ton Capacity Foldable Shop Crane. No issues. 8 years
2 Ton Capacity Heavy Duty Load Leveler. No issues. 8 years
800 lb. Low Lift Transmission Jack. No issues. 8 years
2 ton Low Profile/Long Reach Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump. No issues. I had to replace my craftsman jack which gave me nothing but trouble. 1 year
6 in. Digital Caliper with SAE and Metric Fractional Readings. No issues. 1 year
1500 lb. Capacity Vehicle Dollies 2 Pc. No issues. 1 year
Mechanic's Roller Seat. One caster thread stripped, welded caster to the frame. 1 year
1/2 in. Air Ratchet Wrench. No issues. 8 years
1000 lb. Capacity 9 in. x 72 in. Steel Loading Ramps. No issues. 8 years

Picked these up on 3/7
20 ton Shop Press
SAE/Metric Digital Indicator
Multi-Position Magnetic Base with Fine Adjustment

 

[Georgia Mike]

Yep, HF has some decent stuff at good prices, and I've had a lot of good luck with them. But as we all know, there are a few things to avoid. I bought one of their band saws and have nothing but trouble out of it. Same with their table top belt/disc sander. But we also have their shop crane, upright transmission jack, sheet metal brake, air drill, and countless other things from there without any major issues.

Edit: I forgot about the free standing media blast cabinet. Doesn't work worth a flip. I've seen stuff on the net about ways to improve it, but I haven't gotten around to it just yet.

 

[Ghost]

I ain't scared of China. Harbor Freight is local and will warranty my junk.

I have nothing "local" besides Lowe's and Ace..... Well that's not true.... Advanced, Napa, Oreily's, etc......

I was a skeptic at first too, but when I saw what looked like the identical unit on etrailers for roughly the same price, I gave it a shot. Haven't regretted it in the 3+ years I've been using it. Like was said....keep everything greased and it should last a very long time.

Good to know. Maybe I'll get one next time I am near a HF.

 

[Lowrange2]

I can bring you one to Uwharrie? For $250.

 

[RedHeep]

Yep, HF has some decent stuff at good prices, and I've had a lot of good luck with them. But as we all know, there are a few things to avoid. I bought one of their band saws and have nothing but trouble out of it. Same with their table top belt/disc sander. But we also have their shop crane, upright transmission jack, sheet metal brake, air drill, and countless other things from there without any major issues.

Edit: I forgot about the free standing media blast cabinet. Doesn't work worth a flip. I've seen stuff on the net about ways to improve it, but I haven't gotten around to it just yet.

I bought the belt sander, then took it apart via the interwebs to tighten the motor belt. Now it works like a champ.

 

[Georgia Mike]

I bought the belt sander, then took it apart via the interwebs to tighten the motor belt. Now it works like a champ.

I had mine apart to fix the angle adjuster (I overtightened it and broke it). Mine is just making all sorts of weird noises recently. I may readdress it. It needs a new sanding disc anyway so I may play with it a little this weekend to see what I can do with it. Got any suggestions for that band saw? It's been nothing but a headache lol. It's the one below, only mine was bought when they were still green.

http://www.harborfreight.com/horizontal-vertical-metal-cutting-bandsaw-93762.html

Crazy thing will work fine for a month, then all of sudden just start with the issues, then be okay again for a while. The main issue I have is that blade keeps jumping off. I've adjusted the tension and the tracking and no matter what it'll just jump off whenever it feels like doing it. Plus another aggravating thing is that no matter what the belt is set at, the motor never has enough torque to start without me reaching over and giving it some help by spinning the pulley by hand.

 

[shortxjdoug]

My tools come off of a truck

 

[Lowrange2]

My tools come off of a truck

and your 3/8" drive ratchet cost more than their belt sander.

 

[shortxjdoug]

and your 3/8" drive ratchet cost more than their belt sander.

My 3/8 drive ratchet is a craftsman, and so long as they see fit to replace it until time ends ill keep using that.

That tool truck is way overpriced, but the tools put food on the table so its nice when a guy comes by once a week and fixes all your broke shit

 

[Georgia Mike]

Hey now, all my tools come off a truck too. They're just taken off that truck at HF and I have to go pick them up there :dunce:

 

[Lowrange2]

My 3/8 drive ratchet is a craftsman, and so long as they see fit to replace it until time ends ill keep using that.

That tool truck is way overpriced, but the tools put food on the table so its nice when a guy comes by once a week and fixes all your broke shit

One of my good friends is a mechanic. He's one of those guys that has 2 of everything on the truck. His tool payment each month is more than his house payment. lol

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

My 3/8 drive ratchet is a craftsman, and so long as they see fit to replace it until time ends ill keep using that.

That tool truck is way overpriced, but the tools put food on the table so its nice when a guy comes by once a week and fixes all your broke shit

I've been disappointed in Craftsman hand tools lately. I had a set that I used to keep in the Jeep and was not pleased with it. Mainly the ratchets. I had a lot of problems with mine slipping, even after bringing them back to be warrantied. I gave up on them and bought a Kobalt set from Lowes and have been very happy. They've got the same warranty as well that if anything happens, bring it back and they'll replace it no questions asked.

It's a shame too. I grew up using my old man's Craftsman tools. Definitely not what they used to be.

 

[Lowrange2]

I've been disappointed in Craftsman hand tools lately. I had a set that I used to keep in the Jeep and was not pleased with it. Mainly the ratchets. I had a lot of problems with mine slipping, even after bringing them back to be warrantied. I gave up on them and bought a Kobalt set from Lowes and have been very happy. They've got the same warranty as well that if anything happens, bring it back and they'll replace it no questions asked.

It's a shame too. I grew up using my old man's Craftsman tools. Definitely not what they used to be.

Same thing there. I have a basic socket set that stays in my Jeep. Craftsman. Both the 1/4 drive ratchet and the 3/8 drive ratchet are busted. I need to return them.

I recently bought a much larger ratchet set from Lowes (Kobalt) and they seem to be much better. Fairly priced too. Bought the 1xx piece set for $99 on sale.

 

[Georgia Mike]

Unfortunately a lot of Craftsman tools are now made overseas. That's not to say they're total junk now, but I've also noticed their durability slipping. Kobalt indeed makes a fine set of tools for the money. Speaking of which I need to go buy myself a good trail toolkit with a slot for each tool so I can keep up with them.

 

[94xjsport94]

I have seen the ease and portability of one of those 100 something piece kits for the trail. Worth the money instead of throwing all my junk in a bag and then sorting through it all.

 

[Georgia Mike]

I have seen the ease and portability of one of those 100 something piece kits for the trail. Worth the money instead of throwing all my junk in a bag and then sorting through it all.

Which is what I have to do now lol. What a pain!

 

[94xjsport94]

Same here.

 

[highspeed]

I have seen the ease and portability of one of those 100 something piece kits for the trail. Worth the money instead of throwing all my junk in a bag and then sorting through it all.

I have a nice bag full of tools............and I never seem to have the right one in there when I need it

 

[94xjsport94]

That's how it goes. I'm going to post up a ride in the SEC chapter, everyone should go.

 

[Cnickgo]

I've been disappointed in Craftsman hand tools lately. I had a set that I used to keep in the Jeep and was not pleased with it. Mainly the ratchets. I had a lot of problems with mine slipping, even after bringing them back to be warrantied. I gave up on them and bought a Kobalt set from Lowes and have been very happy. They've got the same warranty as well that if anything happens, bring it back and they'll replace it no questions asked.



It's a shame too. I grew up using my old man's Craftsman tools. Definitely not what they used to be.

The disappearance of Sears is an issue as well. Sid and I tried to go swap out a handful of craftsman before the local sears closed, two ratchets that were slipping and some other stuff I have bent or broke, and they sent us 25 min into raleigh shopping hell to their main area store.