CLC Tools and Shop Thread (1 Viewer)

[ToyoToler]

I love Harbor Freight for what it is, but it for sure has its do's and don'ts.

The best harbor freight buys are generally "dumb" tools and things that you'll just use once or twice.

Things that I've bought and liked:
-Engine hoist and engine stand
-Racing jack and jack stands (I bought the 2 year warranty on the Jack and the guy told me to bring it back and get a new one after 2 years whether it was broken or not... Sure thing!)
-Step bits (These are cheap and work surprising well. You can get a pack of 3 for $8 or something. The "nice" ones I've seen can run $45 for 1. I've used them for anything from drilling through 1/4" plate to cutting out things at the junkyard)
-Impact sockets (If you get the pro edition ones, they're pretty good quality. I haven't had one break on me yet)
-cheap odds and ends (disposable stuff)

Stuff I haven't liked:
-Anything that goes on an angle grinder or drill (minus the step bits listed above) (I've bought some grinding wheels and wire wheels and dril bits that were unusable they were so unbalanced)
-Angle grinder (Sorry Andrew, I bought one of these and it didn't even work from day 1. I returned it and bought a Makita and it's been great)
-A/C gauges (These leaked, but I actually only needed them once so it was convenient b/c it gave me an excuse to return them)

Those are just some of the things I can think of off the top of my head. I'm due for another visit so if I find anything that impresses or depresses me I'll let you guys know.

 

[Clutchee]

Ok my 02 cents:

rubber glove holder that's magnetic
Paper towel holder- magnetic
Engine hoist
Step stool
Magnetic parts trays- keep bunch on tool box always use them!
Dead blow hammer
Brass hammer
Heat shrink assortment set
Step bits
Oring assortment kit

 

[Nottajeep]

I've been shopping northern tool over the last 6 months. Their website is insane selection. Price and quality also seem good.

Here is a deal I'm about to jump on.
Ironton 63-Pc. Screwdriver Set | Screw Nut Drivers| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[MScruiser]

I must own the best angle grinder to ever come off the Chinese factory floor. I'm never going to part with it!

 

[MScruiser]

aren't 200 series guys are supposed to shop off of the snap-on truck

You sound like a 99%'er.

 

[Bossman]

Forgot about the step bits. Good luck with them here too. Also, I get my tree saver straps there. I've worked them hard over the years and never had one fail. Stuff like brooms and dustpans, brass drifts and hammers, etc have been good too.

 

[wngrog]

Step bits are the greatest things I ever discovered.

So, on the shops..........

I want to see em. Love shops and shop spaces. I like Bossman's wood stove.....

Yall post em up.

 

[offr0adlim0]

There are only a few things from HF you will find in my box,

Chisels are so cheap from there it's hard not to get a set. Safty Note: Before use strip the green paint from the tip otherwise it will chip and get embedded in your eye.

Marine Waterproof heat shrink is awesome

Oil drain works good after you wrap all threads with Teflon.

The air ratchets work better after you take the mufflers off. They are then really loud but are way more powerful.

Screw drivers are decent if you loose them a lot like I do.

Impact sockets are ok. Stay away from the chrome sockets as they will break and you will bust your knuckles.

**Stay away from the Camo colored rope. As Martis found out it is nothing but nylon wrapped baby diaper elastic.

One way to look at cheap tools is that if you get one use out of them they payed off. Over all if you turn wrenches for a living most tools at HF will do nothing but piss you off. They are cheap and consumeable.

 

[Nottajeep]

 

[wngrog]

Great looking shop Braswell

 

[southff4]

HF: sand blasting cabinet. Sucked. Leaked like crazy and had to silicon the whole thing just to keep 80% of the media inside. Sold it before I moved to new house.
Parts washer pretty good. Just wished northern tool still sold the good washing solvent. Sold it also.
Demolition hammer kinda like a handheld jackhammer works great think I paid 179.00 for it.
Air powered cutoff wheel soso it binds up easy but if you got time it will work.
Air powered small sawsall piece of junk. Will not cut hot butter. But then again I only paid 10.00 for it.
Pin nailer works soso jambs up a lot.

Now northern tool sells some ok stuff.
Homark tool box is nice.
My engine puller and stand came from there
Jack stands are nice 6 ton I think.
Sockets and impacts work fine.
Got my rapid air system from them also it's nice!
Air Hose reel, extension cord reel and led light cord reel work great.
Only problem is the nearest one is on summer and you stand a 50/50 chance of you truck getting broke into.

Never had any good luck with kobalt tools.

 

[southff4]

Very nice braswell!!

 

[MScruiser]

I'll add a few other tools from HF.

The Air-Body saw was pretty much broken the second I opened the box. I took it back and got my $15 back.

The large electric motors (i.e. compressor motors) are pretty good. Granted, they are NOT made by the usual HF suspects. I have had one I have been using for about 8 months that has been great, powering my Ingersoll compressor.

 

[southff4]

That's the saw I was talking about. It's a POS.

 

[Nottajeep]

Todd- check out this membership with Northern Tool. Free shipping and additional discounts.
Hotline | Members-only Benefits | Northern Tool + Equipment

Might keep your truck safer.

 

[BMThiker]

2000 SF of heated/conditioned space

 

[under_psi]

awesome

 

[Nottajeep]

A buddy's shop in TX. He did it up nice...

 

[ntsaint]

I have serious feelings of shop inadequacy now...

 

[southff4]

That's sweet set up. Love the old signs. But since American pickers came on you can't find them or priced crazy high.