HF tools that don't suck

[John T]

I've had a set of these Berger MIG pliers for about 6 months now. They are very nice. They cut cleanly, the jaws align properly and they seem to be properly hardened. I'm very happy with them.

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-m...ers-63513.html

Mine don’t say berger

But I bought them at Harbor freight about 10 years ago.

They do the job.

https://images.platforum.cloud/uploads/201...0f994823bb.jpg


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[ndnchf]

Berger is the new version that came out last year. I had the old ones, these are much better.

[soutthpaw]

I have those red handled ones and a Set of the channel lock branded ones. The channel locks do have visible quality difference but I find with HF stuff you just look at every pair on the rack and find the ones that align correctly etc.

[John T]

Berger is the new version that came out last year. I had the old ones, these are much better.

Define better.

I don’t know how much you could ask from Mig pliers.

If you want them to pull nose hairs that’s a different story.

But I usually only use them to snap off a piece of wire or do a quick clean out of the end of the nozzle.

I don’t know how much better I can get at that.


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[bfjou812]

Has anyone tried their mini mill ? I've been contemplating buying one but don't know anyone who has used one . They don't have a display model in the local store to me .

[Mac's Crew]

I use Bridgeport..

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[bfjou812]

If I had the knowledge, space and the dollars ...................I would buy a Bridgeport. Thanks for your useless comment...................

[VPT]

I have been very pleased with the HF power pipe threader so far. No idea on longevity yet but it does have good power which is a bit odd for an electric HF tool.

https://i.imgur.com/1aX6krI.jpg

[ShutterBug]

Has anyone tried their mini mill ? I've been contemplating buying one but don't know anyone who has used one . They don't have a display model in the local store to me .

I have not, but I have seen others comment that it's not well made. Plastic gears. Low torque motors. Check out Blondi Hacks on Youtube. The one she uses looks decent for the money.

[filetobeef]

Has anyone tried their mini mill ? I've been contemplating buying one but don't know anyone who has used one . They don't have a display model in the local store to me .

https://www.harborfreight.com/two-sp...ine-44991.html
this one?
no experience with it other than seeing it in the store. 2.2 amps of power seems very low to spin a R-8 tool imo.
but depending on your needs,it can probably be tweeked to be somewhat usable .
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-...ine-33686.html this is a pretty good one however.

[jrporter]

It's a hobby mill. I use mine mostly as a precision drill press but have done some light machining on steel and aluminum, and have milled a little wood although that made quite a mess. Picked it up with a 25% off coupon and have been happy with it so far. Do some reading on the net - lots of haters out there but also many users that take it low and slow and make good parts. I picked up a $15 hall effects sensor and readout and did a mod to add a tachometer which works well.

[bfjou812]

https://www.harborfreight.com/two-sp...ine-44991.html
this one?
no experience with it other than seeing it in the store. 2.2 amps of power seems very low to spin a R-8 tool imo.
but depending on your needs,it can probably be tweeked to be somewhat usable .
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-...ine-33686.html this is a pretty good one however.

Thanks for the reply, when looking a that model , I didn't even notice the motor specs.
I was looking more at The machine from The Little Machine Shop.
This is the model I was looking at https://littlemachineshop.com/produc...ory=1387807683

Thanks for all of the replies.

[bfjou812]

It's a hobby mill. I use mine mostly as a precision drill press but have done some light machining on steel and aluminum, and have milled a little wood although that made quite a mess. Picked it up with a 25% off coupon and have been happy with it so far. Do some reading on the net - lots of haters out there but also many users that take it low and slow and make good parts. I picked up a $15 hall effects sensor and readout and did a mod to add a tachometer which works well.

I did look at some of the reviews , they all seem mixed no matter what brand. I do understand they won't do large parts but that isn't what I'm looking for. I think I understand their limits .

[INXS2]

If I had to do it again, I'd buy the one from The Little Machine Shop. I upgraded the gear system to the belt drive conversion (Little Machine Shop, removed the plastic gears) but it still has a low HP motor. Next upgrade will be putting a treadmill motor on it. In can't see throwing the Harbor Freight Mill away so I'll slowly do some upgrades.

[pidjones]

I've had one for about 15 years. Very little use, but my primary use for it is either drilling or milling with a 1/8" mill or even smaller. Huge slop in all the movements, but does what I need. Mounted to the bench next to the 7x10 mini lathe that has seen a lot of use. These days they are mainly used in rescuing old motorcycles, but in the past I used them for making physics research equipment one-offs.

[AlWengerd]

Looks like this is an old thread but it's sticky so I'll add a couple of tools to the list.

A few tools I've bought from HF that I like:
Auto darkening welding helmet. The one with the blue flames. (I know it's cheap, but it works good.)
12" F-clamp/ welding clamp. This thing is very strong!
The big welding magnets.
Earthquake xt 1/2" drive stubby impact wrench.
13 piece standard and metric impact sockets.
The little purple paint spray gun. (Goes on sale for $9.99)

One I would not recommend is the Chicago Electric electric cut-off tool. If you're careful you can cut 16 gauge material without it bogging down.

[Tcounty1]

I have the helmet, magnets, and sockets myself. No complaints


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[N2 Welding]

I put some 1/2" Husky sockets on those magnetic strips that go for free with purchase every now and then. It's about the best use I can think of out side of using them for welding and stuff.

I did not know those things sold for $5.00

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-...der-60433.html

this is how many times it was on sale or free in the past.

https://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/1...IC+TOOL+HOLDER

[Mac's Crew]

Those magnetic strips work fairly well for putting legs on carts and tables.

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[N2 Welding]

Those magnetic strips work fairly well for putting legs on carts and tables.

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Never used them like that. I use the cheap Rigid/Magswitch magnets I got on sale for things like that.

[Mac's Crew]

Kinda like clamping a bar to square up the legs but you can bypass the actual clamp

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[California]

I cut down a Magnetic Bar and attached it along the top of the QuickHitch on the back of my tractor. Switching tractor attachments includes small clips and pins, that can disappear down into the weeds. Now they're still there when I reach for them.

[whtbaron]

I cut down a Magnetic Bar and attached it along the top of the QuickHitch on the back of my tractor. Switching tractor attachments includes small clips and pins, that can disappear down into the weeds. Now they're still there when I reach for them.

Oh, I like that. Someone mentioned putting a magnet on their drill press to hold the chuck key and that has come in really handy. I might steal this idea too.

[ronsii]

Oh, I like that. Someone mentioned putting a magnet on their drill press to hold the chuck key and that has come in really handy. I might steal this idea too.

I got a bunch of those little round magnets all over the mill, lathe, drill presses, just handy to put things like chuck keys, small spotting drills, anything metal of course they get shavings on them too but still very handy to keep things from rolling and getting lost.

[California]

I got a bunch of those little round magnets all over the mill, lathe, drill presses

Another tractor application is a flat magnet 1.5 inches square on top of each fender. Each end of the seatbelt will stick there when its not in use, instead of hanging down where the rear tires can slop mud on them.