HF tools that don't suck

[DonB]

I've had a Central Machinery 8" model for maybe six years. I don't use it very often but it always works great.

Don

[MAC702]

I have a Ridgid drill press from Home Depot. Looks like it came out of the same cast at the same Taiwanese factory, just got painted orange instead of green or grey.

[ZRx61]

Does anyone have one of their drill presses? Wondering if they are any good.

Few years back I went to HF with a view to buying one. The floor model was constructed in such a way that it was IMPOSSIBLE to lock the table at 90deg to the quill meaning that it wouldn't be possible to drill a straight hole. I found one of the floor monkeys & mentioned this, his fix was to offer me a 20% discount. I explained the problem again, taking my time so that a 5 year old could understand & he countered with a 50% discount.
I walked out the door.

[elvergon]

Few years back I went to HF with a view to buying one. The floor model was constructed in such a way that it was IMPOSSIBLE to lock the table at 90deg to the quill meaning that it wouldn't be possible to drill a straight hole. I found one of the floor monkeys & mentioned this, his fix was to offer me a 20% discount. I explained the problem again, taking my time so that a 5 year old could understand & he countered with a 50% discount.
I walked out the door.

What kind of stuff like that could you say of the hydraulic 12 ton bender?

I want a 50% off next time I go for it

[stomper4x4]

You can get the original type wheels from Harbor Freight online. They can get parts for virtually anything they sell and are good to deal with.

Thanks i have looked on there site a few times and cant find anny, i just sent them a email...I hope i can get replacement i really loved using that grinder....

[wello]

one tool that dosn't suck is there 1/2" drive earthquake impact wrench I brought one a few years ago use it all the time give it hell and it has not looked like failing yet its rated to 5/8 bolts I use it at times on bigger nuts and bolts with 1 5/16 socket for doing up wheel lugs on bud wheels on trucks they have to be tensioned to 500ftb with a tension wrench and I haven't had to put have work in with the tension wrench yet

[bhays]

What about their hose reels? Anyone have any comments on those? Looking to pick up both an air hose reel and a water hose reel soon. I like the enclosed Craftsman models, but $239 is a little steep.

[tapwelder]

Harbor freight is discontinuing their small mill/drill, not the mini mill. The price is 399.00. I purchased the floor model for 300. I figured for the particular project I am working on it would be a alright.

Nobody has mentioned their lathes and mill in this thread. With tweeking(tweaking?) they are decent tools. Of course, tweeking HF tool can become a hobby by itself. Might comes down to how much time ones has.

[steve45]

What about their hose reels? Anyone have any comments on those? Looking to pick up both an air hose reel and a water hose reel soon. I like the enclosed Craftsman models, but $239 is a little steep.

I've got several of their recoil hose reels, large & small; as well as one hand crank model. My only complaint is that it doesn't feed the hose on the reel evenly, sometimes you have to mess with it to get all the hose on. Otherwise, they work just fine.

[MAC702]

I have two of the hand-crank models, each bought on sale for $9.99. Great way to coil up 100' (they actually hold about 125' of 3/8" hose) of hose that you don't use everyday.

[bhays]

Anyone have any experience with Nederman hose reels? I just bought a couple on eBay...50 footers for $49 each..seemed like a pretty good deal

http://www.nedermanusa.com

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=330007821755

[Cracker]

Does anyone have one of their drill presses? Wondering if they are any good.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...3399/43389.gif
I bought this one for myself this past Father's Day. So far, Im happy with it. I caught it on sale <50% off> and was also able to use the 20% off cupon.

[Tailshaft56]

It seems the HF Pittsburg impact sockets are getting very good reviews over on the Hobart board.

[corneliused]

I'm rather curious whether anyone has tried the harbor frieght rice cooker. I don't like burnt rice.

[bhays]

I'm rather curious whether anyone has tried the harbor frieght rice cooker. I don't like burnt rice.

You know, I really thought you were kidding till I checked the web site to be sure...they really do have rice cookers

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91914

[MAC702]

Can you do brown rice in a rice cooker like that?

[zapster]

i got 2 pedal go-carts from harbor freight 4 yrs ago for "crusing" around the lake when its frozen and there's no snow on it..

the're "single speed"...fixed 1 wheel drive off the axle..
but you cant "backpedal"...oh yeah?

took a 6 speed gear cluster assy. off a mountian bike and adapted it to the axle..
works great!!

too bad its the wifes "ride"

i'm thinking of adapting a 6 speed with reverse trolling motor to mine...

f.y.i. ... there is no gas powered ANYTHING allowed on the lake...

...zap!

[MAC702]

f.y.i. ... there is no gas powered ANYTHING allowed on the lake...

...zap!

Diesel!

[Cracker]

Diesel!

...........fired via french fry grease.

[2guysandawelder]

yall know hf just buys the tools that dont pass other companies quality control like they take all the defects from the batch of tools bulk pile them and sell them to hf

[drivesector]

I have purchased some HF tools time to time. The 3/4 inch drive socket/Ratchet sets are worth 40 bucks all day. Also some of the cheep plier, wrench, Screwdriver and socket sets are great for off roading. They work good enough for trail tools. But if you loose them or drop them in a mud bog its not a tragedy. I have learned not to buy electric tools from them though.
Drivesector

[Cebby]

I have their compact bender and a drill press vise. Both are stout and work well. Lots of folks say the grinders are good and since they are on $15 on sale, disposable. I've yet to try one yet, however I have a store near me now, so I might have to take the plunge.

[Lanmanb4]

Harbor freight is discontinuing their small mill/drill, not the mini mill. The price is 399.00. I purchased the floor model for 300. I figured for the particular project I am working on it would be a alright.

Nobody has mentioned their lathes and mill in this thread. With tweeking(tweaking?) they are decent tools. Of course, tweeking HF tool can become a hobby by itself. Might comes down to how much time ones has.

Well here you go then .. I have the MILL / DRILL .. that is belt driven ..
I like it just fine .. have to tram it properly ... other then that ..
I have kept tolerances less than 0.002" over about 6"
As far as the vise they ship with it .. well you can try to mill the bottom.
But better to just buy a nice swivel vise with good solid jaws..

For a mill, at that price, its not bad .. and I'm happy with mine

Randy

I have a smithy lathe .. so cant comment on lathes...

[littlefuzz]

How well does the HF needle scaler work? It's about half price of others I've seen. I never have liked cheap pneumatics but it won't be used everyday, just wondering if it was worth it.
Has anyone bought anything from cumming tools? They suck!

[tapwelder]

I recently purchased one of their electric winches. It has real possibility as especially for somebody who need a project motor with a gear reducer. It is 1-1/8 hp. It spins at 60 rpm. It has forward and reverse remote control. It has a brake. The shaft is 18mm hex.

It cost 76 dollars total with 15% coupon. It was on sale for 79 dollars.

I used it on a pyramid roller I built. Definitely worth the price for how much I use the roller. I was looking at paying $300 plus to purchase motor and gear reducer for this project. So price was right and only minimum modification was needed prior to use.