My Harbor Freight Investment

[Garage_Mahal]

anyone know the item number on these?

My box has 99882.

 

[bchee]

MNJ I'm kind of confused how you are using the quotations

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

MNJ I'm kind of confused how you are using the quotations

Huh? what do you mean?

 

[bchee]

Since the 3/8 head on my HF ratchet is no longer needed; I cut it off, and flipped the 1/4 head to the inside "vs the outside originally."

too bad you had to cut that ratchet. I assume you weren't able to return it.

FYI Titan makes an extendable 1/4 ratchet like the one you made. model 12075. The benefit is you still have the quick release and the handle may be shorter, close to what you might expect with a 1/4 ratchet.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VM4O1G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

too bad you had to cut that ratchet. I assume you weren't able to return it.

FYI Titan makes an extendable 1/4 ratchet like the one you made. model 12075. The benefit is you still have the quick release and the handle may be shorter, close to what you might expect with a 1/4 ratchet.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VM4O1G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I could have returned it, but it took only about 5 mins to take it apart, cut it, and reassemble. It would have taken much longer to go to HF and return it, then go to AutoZone and purchase the Titan one; plus I like that all my extending ratchets match "color and style wise; OCD again, LOL."

The quick release would be nice though, but I don't mind.

 

[williaty]

MNJ I'm kind of confused how you are using the quotations

He threw me for a loop too. I finally realized he uses them whenever he ought to be making a parenthetical remark. Just visualize the quotation marks as ( ) and it starts to make more sense.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

He threw me for a loop too. I finally realized he uses them whenever he ought to be making a parenthetical remark. Just visualize the quotation marks as ( ) and it starts to make more sense.

LOL... Oh, you guys means these " " quotations.

I'm pretty sure I am using them correctly "at least I think so, lol."

I use my quotations mainly for indirect thought and/or summarizing. This allows me to get my point across without breaking thought, creating a new sentence, or technically have a "run on" sentence.

May favorite punctuations are:

Ellipsis - ...
Semicolon - ;
And, of course; the quotation - "

I also love starting a sentence with a conjunction. My English teachers would always argue with me about this. However, it is perfectly acceptable; if performed correctly.

They thought I should become a writer or a lawyer. But, here I am repairing vehicles with Harbor Freight tools.

 

[leod]

impressive collection of HF tools, i have mostly Craftsman but plan to add more in the future. no HF store near us though so my choices are Sears, Lowes, HD, WMT, Amazon, ebay, GJ

 

[bobemmerich]

That is a great set of tools. I love the box, too. I'm eyeing one at HF now. I say who cares what type of tools you use, as long as they're used correctly. I applaud the OP for going against the trend. I just wish I could get that organized...

 

[bmwohio]

OP, I am about go buy the 13 drawer US General that you have as the base for your set-up. I am a weekend warrior DIY'er and this is far from my profession. I have built up a nice collection of CMAN, HF, and a few SO tools that I bought from the truck at my dad's friend shop.

I am hoping that this will be the last tool box I buy for a while.....do you think my expectations are correct in thinking this will last me for at least 5 years?

My other option is the Griplatch Ball Bearing 8 drawer base (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959619000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7) ......thoughts? Anyone else?

Thanks, and I think your set-up looks good too

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

OP, I am about go buy the 13 drawer US General that you have as the base for your set-up. I am a weekend warrior DIY'er and this is far from my profession. I have built up a nice collection of CMAN, HF, and a few SO tools that I bought from the truck at my dad's friend shop.

I am hoping that this will be the last tool box I buy for a while.....do you think my expectations are correct in thinking this will last me for at least 5 years?

My other option is the Griplatch Ball Bearing 8 drawer base (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959619000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7) ......thoughts? Anyone else?

Thanks, and I think your set-up looks good too

The HF box should last you well over 5 years. I can not really say much much about that particular CM box, but most here will agree that the HF boxes are far better than the CM boxes.

 

[bmwohio]

The HF box should last you well over 5 years. I can not really say much much about that particular CM box, but most here will agree that the HF boxes are far better than the CM boxes.

That's what I thought you might say, thanks again.

 

[tpolley]

MechanicNamedJohn, not to hijack the thread but i'm slowly catching up to you. its comming along nicely but its probably not quite enough to warrant my own "my harbor freight investment thread". for christmas, santa clause-in-law gave me an OBDII code reader and a metric long handle wrench set to compliment my sae set i got last year. Mrs. clause gave me a 80 amp inverter welder i've been drooling over for years. last week i ordered online, 3/8 sae and 1/2 metric swivel impact sockets. they were on sale for 9.95 and 11.95 respectively. this afternoon i went to the store and bought 3/8 impact extension set and a single quick release 1/2 extension. a 1lb dead blow hammer to compliment my 4lb, a 12in prybar to compliment my 24in. and a gasket scraper.

i think they're phasing out the impact swivel sockets because their stock is getting lower and lower every time i go in. they don't have deep wall swivels anymore and this afternoon they were out of 1/2in metric shallow.

 

[AdamsAutoAdvice]

How much did you pay for the whole Tool Chest and Cabinet setup? Not including the tools.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

How much did you pay for the whole Tool Chest and Cabinet setup? Not including the tools.

$830'ish "that includes 7% tax," with 20% coupons and some haggling.

 

[AdamsAutoAdvice]

Haggling.... how did you manage to do that at HF?

 

[tpolley]

i just bought a roto head ratchet yesterday on my lunch break. $13.99. i haven't had a chance to use it but i will this weekend.
i also got the swivel impacts i ordered last week. it was wierd, they were shipped via fedex but when they got to kansas city they were handed off to the USPS and they arrived via the mail man.
i have two more sets of impact swivels, 3/8 metric shallow and 1/2 sae shallow and i think i'm done buying sockets. seeing as they don't offer deep wall swivels anymore. I'm already gunna have to re-arrange my impact socket drawer to make room for the swivels.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Haggling.... how did you manage to do that at HF?

Just complain about the condition of the boxes; you'll be able to find something small to ***** about. The manager knocks the price down, and then I also use a 20% off coupon.

Not sure if this tactic will work at all HF's, but it did at mine. Plus I spend a lot of money there, so maybe they are more willing to accommodate me.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I posted this pic in another thread here.

I just want to add it to my thread also; to show the strength of the US General boxes.



I weigh at least 220lbs, plus I would safely assume there is also a 100lbs of tools in the drawer.

 

[Indy_500]

I posted this pic in another thread here.

I just want to add it to my thread also; to show the strength of the US General boxes.



I weigh at least 220lbs, plus I would safely assume there is also a 100lbs of tools in the drawer.

that is awesome!

 

[muibubbles]

oh hell yeah that is a gangster pic.. they should use that for advertisement...

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

oh hell yeah that is a gangster pic.. they should use that for advertisement...

I agree that this would be be a great advertisement pic, showing strength and stability.

Though I'd bet this one would sell more toolboxes.

 

[bczygan]

I agree that this would be be a great advertisement pic, showing strength and stability.

Though I'd bet this one would sell more toolboxes.

If I had a box decked out like that.........I'd only need one tool!

 

[472scout]

does anyone else here have the cylinder leakdown tester? If so what do you think of it?

I had one. It was unusably bad. I returned it.


Coulda been a fluke, their QC isn't the greatest.

I have one unused that I'll be selling. Lots of complaints in the HF reviews. Wish I would have bought something else.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cylinder-leak-down-tester-94190.html

 

[bmwohio]

I posted this pic in another thread here.

I just want to add it to my thread also; to show the strength of the US General boxes.



I weigh at least 220lbs, plus I would safely assume there is also a 100lbs of tools in the drawer.

John, this pic needs to be your new avatar!

PS - how did you get your woman to take that picture?

 

[jeffk14]

Wow John, that's a very nice looking "top unit"!

 

[Case IH]

I know this should go in the "Let's See Your Toolbox" thread, but thats not what I want to share.

Someone asked me how much money do I have invested in tools. Honestly I had no clue. I save all my receipts, from HF, and auto parts stores. Anyway, I tallied up my HF receipts; the total was $3115.89 "This price only reflects the items pictured below, not the videos."

I can't believe that's it. That total also includes items not pictured below such as; a 2 ton engine hoist, load leveler, engine stand, engine support bar, trans jack adapter, parts washer, grease gun, HF membership, and boxes of Black latex gloves.

Toolbox is also included in the price; just want to make that clear.

A few items not factored in price; not purchased at HF. Scanner, multimeter, injector pulse tester, battery charger, A/C UV leak detection kit, and 1 triple square bit. However I think all the HF items not pictured cost around the same amount.

Now, I did buy most all items on sale and 20% off. FYI, you don't need a coupon to get 20% in the stores, just ask, they will give it to you.

[/IMG]


Long ago, I purchased most all my tools from Mac & SK, I had a semi loaded Macsimizer, more than half of my paycheck went to the tool trucks. I have more tools now than I did back then. All for way less than the cost of the old Mac box.

My HF tools have already paid for themselves more than 10 fold.

Toolbox update:

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t50-mTYBkr8&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t50-mTYBkr8&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><P><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iFYY87zLLdE&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iFYY87zLLdE&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><P><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q39vuQD3Cug&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q39vuQD3Cug&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><P><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U-eWsJd9Xig&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U-eWsJd9Xig&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><P><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rzZ1W3WeSaA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rzZ1W3WeSaA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

OK now that you have actually had the tools and box for a while...how dose it hold up meaning mostly the various tools? I would really like to know

 

[TexasCoder]

Nicely done John! I love the setup and the manner in which you take care of the tools. Any tool, as you stated, used properly and taken care of, will last a long time. I am a bit OCD, also, and clean my tools after each use, but haven't yet cleaned them "during" use as you state in one of your post

I am thinking of redoing my garage (a little two car garage, I mechanic on my own, friend's and family's vehicles) and buying the same lockers you have and if you get a moment, could you answer 3 questions:

1) Are the doors reversible? (It appears so, but I don't want to assume anything, in case you specifically bought 1 left hand unit, and 1 right hand unit)

2) From HF's website, it looks like the lockers come with only 2 shelf inserts, is that correct?

3) Do you own, or have you used, a pair of Spring Clamp Pliers (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000T4UI4/?tag=atomicindus08-20 If so, what is your opinion of them? (Typically I just go at the clamps with pliers, but lately I have been working on foreign (Volvo, VW) vehicles, and notice these things are littered with clamps that range in sizes from 6mm to 18mm!)


Thanks again for the post, if it wasn't for your post, and the videos, I would never have joined this site!

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

John, this pic needs to be your new avatar!

PS - how did you get your woman to take that picture?

In the other thread, UncleJoe said I needed to have a "hot babe" pose next to the box. So, I asked my girlfriend to pose, and she said sure. Unfortunately it was 18*F; so that was the least amount of clothes I could get her in. But, she said she would give me more "meaning less" for Valentines Day. So you guys can expect some new pics in February.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Re: Open Box

The units you got were opened?

Seems like you should be getting paid for all the advertising you do on this forum for HF. Mmmm..... wait..... how do we know you aren't getting paid?

I make them uncrate and open them on spot, before I buy them.

Trust me, I have not seen a dime from HF.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

OK now that you have actually had the tools and box for a while...how dose it hold up meaning mostly the various tools? I would really like to know

I had zero issues with my HF tools in the last year. I am very pleased with them.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Nicely done John! I love the setup and the manner in which you take care of the tools. Any tool, as you stated, used properly and taken care of, will last a long time. I am a bit OCD, also, and clean my tools after each use, but haven't yet cleaned them "during" use as you state in one of your post

I am thinking of redoing my garage (a little two car garage, I mechanic on my own, friend's and family's vehicles) and buying the same lockers you have and if you get a moment, could you answer 3 questions:

1) Are the doors reversible? (It appears so, but I don't want to assume anything, in case you specifically bought 1 left hand unit, and 1 right hand unit)

2) From HF's website, it looks like the lockers come with only 2 shelf inserts, is that correct?

3) Do you own, or have you used, a pair of Spring Clamp Pliers (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000T4UI4/?tag=atomicindus08-20 If so, what is your opinion of them? (Typically I just go at the clamps with pliers, but lately I have been working on foreign (Volvo, VW) vehicles, and notice these things are littered with clamps that range in sizes from 6mm to 18mm!)


Thanks again for the post, if it wasn't for your post, and the videos, I would never have joined this site!

1. The doors are reversible; the come predrilled on both sides, just simply remove the door and flip it.

2. The lockers only come with 1 shelf insert.

3. The link you provided is not working. But, I think I know what tool you are taking about. I rebuilt a Volvo 2.9L engine, and wished I had one of those tools, but it is not needed, though if you find yourself around vehicles with these clamps I would get one.

Welcome to the GJ, and thank you.

 

[Vettman]

I didn't see the Harbor Freight pry bars

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I didn't see the Harbor Freight pry bars

They are in my service cart.

 

[Vettman]

They are in my service cart.

That's where mine are I wish I lived closer to a store. The nearest Harbor Freight is 35 miles. I'd probably spend much more if they built closer to me.

 

[cf2004]

Can we turn this into a "KRA haulin ***" versus "US General Haulin ***" thread?

I kid, I kid.... am just a dirty little prev that loves to see half naked girl....hahaha




But, no for real more pics of your wife on the box box lwould be great lol!!!!

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Can we turn this into a "KRA haulin ***" versus "US General Haulin ***" thread?

I kid, I kid.... am just a dirty little prev that loves to see half naked girl....hahaha




But, no for real more pics of your wife on the box box lwould be great lol!!!!

That thread will be made, I already agreed to it awhile ago. I wanted to do it for Christmas, but it is too cold, so hopefully in February I will upload the pics.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

That's where mine are I wish I lived closer to a store. The nearest Harbor Freight is 35 miles. I'd probably spend much more if they built closer to me.

Yeah that *****, mine is 4 miles away.

 

[cf2004]

That thread will be made, I already agreed to it awhile ago. I wanted to do it for Christmas, but it is too cold, so hopefully in February I will upload the pics.

sweet!!

You know tho, I think this is one area were we can all set aside our difference's among brands. I mean really, I don't think anyone would give a damn if it was a rubbermaid tote if a half naked girl was posing with it!!! do you?

 

[Bull]

Geez, John, your girlfriend is really attractive. Probably my favorite "toolbox top" model yet.