Harbor Freight all-stars

[BioNerd]

I'm surprised no one mentioned their $5 machete and their led flashlight freebie.

I also liked their 10x10 shade structure, super cool.

Am I blind or I didn't see their red metal wheel carts?

 

[GortonsFisherman]

I don't know how they'll compare long-term, but, for me, both work as well as their brand-name counterparts, and in the case of the knockout set, for less than a tenth the price.

14 Piece Hydraulic Punch Driver Kit - http://www.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-punch-driver-kit-96718.html

SAE Drill/Tap/Deburr Bit Set - http://www.harborfreight.com/sae-drill-tap-deburr-bit-set-95528.html

 

[jdmstr]

Thanks for putting this together OP. Very cool idea, especially with the voting.

I'll add my +1 to:
Magnetic parts trays
blue mechanics gloves
1000lb engine stand
black tool cart (if it's the 4 drawer)

And a -1 to:
3/4" ball joint separator - Mine stripped its threads out on first use, which was on the tiny ball joints from my Thunderbird.

Since starting the current job, there have been some HF gems I've found out about, and used the hell out of on a daily basis.

2-in-1 Adjustable Wrench
8" long and can expand to 1-5/8" (markings only go to 1-1/2"). Invaluable if you work on heavy equipment hydraulics (big fittings and tight spaces).
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-1-wide-mouth-adjustable-wrench-67128.html

6 Piece SAE Jumbo Angle Wrench Set
Another tool that's awesome for hydraulic work. Makes me wish I had bought these over my Northern Tool Jumbo Combos years ago.
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-jumbo-angle-wrench-set-34842.html

28 Piece Transfer Punch Set
Never even knew these existed, but have used them almost daily at work, and have held up great.
http://www.harborfreight.com/28-piece-transfer-punch-set-3577.html

5 in. High Speed Air Sander
Will remove a lot of material (and metal) scary fast.
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-high-speed-air-sander-68739.html

1/2 in. Quick Release Impact Extension Bar
Works great when using a socket in a space where if it flies off, you're going to be spending some time with a magnet to retrieve it. I bought one of these the day after that happened.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-quick-release-impact-extension-bar-98208.html

did you lube the threads on the ball joint seperator?

 

[vartz04]

+1 for the socket trays and the wobble extensions.

 

[monomach]

That's a lot of mentions for the wobble extensions. I might have to try those out.

 

[kball]

I agree the wobble extensions are fantastic for the $10 price you can get the whole set for. I have used mine a ton and haven't broke one yet. I have cracked some of the chrome off the ends but none have broken. I have snapped MAC wobbles (1/2" dr) clean off in the past.

 

[Tronyadorable]

anyone know if the 25 foot welding hose is any good?
http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-x-25-ft-grade-r-type-vd-twin-welding-hose-60686.html

Technically it's not to be used with propane. That said: I've used one set of mine for 11 years with propane.The other is acet. The Real Mans Gas
I do prefer the real Victor handles-regulators over the HF but the tips,hoses and cutting torch head are fine.That big cutting only torch is OK too.

 

[bubinga]

Technically it's not to be used with propane. That said: I've used one set of mine for 11 years with propane.The other is acet. The Real Mans Gas
I do prefer the real Victor handles-regulators over the HF but the tips,hoses and cutting torch head are fine.That big cutting only torch is OK too.

l just need the hose for my baby set.
It is Acetylene, not propane.

Edit,
Tractor supply has a hose but it's 3/16" not 1/4".
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/hobart-oxy-acetylene-hose-grade-r-b-fitting-3-16-dia-25-ft-l
Can I just use the 3/16"?
What is the difference?

 

[Dr. D]

I too love my deadblow hammer ... but after 8 or 9 months, it still stinks out my tool box with that curing plastic HF smell. It seems so wrong that the thing I don't like about a tool is it's smell ... my other tools have no smell ...

Agreed - this has been my biggest fail at HF so far and it has nothing to do with performance or reliability issues. I put the deadblow in my toolbox and the next day the entire garage reeked of HF, including my wife's car. She chucked that hammer out in the yard behind a shed and 6 months later you can still smell that damn thing when you get within 6 feet of it.

My favorite HF items:
66836 pick and hook set
96210 F-clamps (6" and 12" sizes only, longer ones are usually warped)
96233 horizontal toggle clamps (for woodworking jigs)
39273 Japanese flush cut saw
96408 3" swivel casters with brakes
67994 3/8 + 1/4 double flex head ratchet
69321 magnetic paper towel holder
61880 disposable brushes (for spreading glue)
65475 pegboard hooks

 

[Uncle_Charlie]

Item 92739 - 1200 grit sandpaper

I did a search for it on the website and came up with a different number, 69970. For smoothing multiple layers of a linseed oil finish on a rifle stock, I can't find anything comparable at the home improvement stores.

 

[wild cowboy]

Item 92739 - 1200 grit sandpaper

I did a search for it on the website and came up with a different number, 69970. For smoothing multiple layers of a linseed oil finish on a rifle stock, I can't find anything comparable at the home improvement stores.

do you feel like item 69970 is exactly the same as the 92739 that you like?

 

[kctyphoon]

I have to mention my 2 ton jack, low profile, rapid lift pedal and "t" handle with the release knob on top of the handle. It's the highest lifting floor jack they have, and it's strong enough to lift my 95 f350 diesel dually.. Pittsburgh Automotive - Item#68050. I love this jack $129 and never goes on sale

Anyone mention the jack stands yet? 3 and 6 ton..
Front wheel bearing adapter press kit - Pittsburgh Automotive - Item#66829
200/400 watt power inverter - Cen-Tech - Item#66967

I have the $20 sawzall at work for probably 5 years now. Luv it

 

[kctyphoon]

Btw, has anyone else noticed all the harbor freight items showing up in Home Depot these days?

 

[jd_1138]

The tarps are a good buy. I usually have 3 or 4 on hand at all times still in their plastic. Last week I sold a set of dining room chairs to a lady and she was paranoid about stacking them together in the back of her small SUV. She was afraid of scratches, so I ran inside and got her a new tarp and let her keep it.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

did you lube the threads on the ball joint seperator?

I did not. Ran it straight out of the box.

 

[vartz04]

The 3/8 air ratchet is great.
And yeah, the nitrile gloves.

Not for me you must have been lucky. I knocked mine off my bench and the trigger broke off sheared at the connection point.

 

[fourtythree]

Anyone mention the jack stands yet? 3 and 6 ton..

I have the 3 tons. They've been fine.

 

[chrisexv6]

I have to mention my 2 ton jack, low profile, rapid lift pedal and "t" handle with the release knob on top of the handle. It's the highest lifting floor jack they have, and it's strong enough to lift my 95 f350 diesel dually.. Pittsburgh Automotive - Item#68050. I love this jack $129 and never goes on sale

Anyone mention the jack stands yet? 3 and 6 ton..
Front wheel bearing adapter press kit - Pittsburgh Automotive - Item#66829
200/400 watt power inverter - Cen-Tech - Item#66967

I have the $20 sawzall at work for probably 5 years now. Luv it

I managed to find a coupon for that jack, got it for $84.99! It took a while to get in stock in my store but I got a raincheck that would allow me to use the coupon-ed price just in case. Really surprised it doesnt get more mention, since it seems to be the best of a lot of worlds....low profile, long reach, etc. I can lift the front end of my fairly low G37 using the factory service spot (crossmember near the steering rack).

Another mention - the really long Pittsburgh screwdrivers (here: http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-super-long-screwdriver-set-34253.html).

When I hung my flat screen TV I needed a way to get to the adjustment screws on the TV mount once the TV was hung....the 2' long Pitt screwdrivers did the truck, and Ive used them a lot more times than I thought I would after that project.

 

[gary300]

50' retractable hose reel. Got mine for 60 bucks.

 

[larryq]

The Legendary Purple HVLP Gun? (47016)

I'll certainly second this. It's no Iwata or Sata but for ~$10 it's remarkably good. Perfect for any number of jobs, including the 1989 Buick you've always wanted to strip and repaint but couldn't justify the expensive equipment for.

 

[sac02]

Updated through post #141.

Orange deadblow hammers got another negative vote, and may have to be moved to a new, "controversial" All-Star list.

Like the asterisk next to "those guy's" home run records...

 

[chrisexv6]

I'll certainly second this. It's no Iwata or Sata but for ~$10 it's remarkably good. Perfect for any number of jobs, including the 1989 Buick you've always wanted to strip and repaint but couldn't justify the expensive equipment for.

I third it.

Used it to spray 5 brand new interior doors and what looked like miles of door and window casing trim. Thinned latex with Flotrol and had at it. Did a spectacular job for the price.

 

[Tronyadorable]

I've got Satans Purple Pisser too.2 of them. I use them for just about anything.
I have buddies that are REAL painters for mission critical stuff.A lot of a paint job is operator skill and I flat out ****.

 

[RickP]

I'll +1 these tools:

right angle die grinder
Push pin pliers
Purple HVLP paint gun
Oscillating multi-tool (corded)
machete
Japanese flush cut saw
Disposable brushes

I also like the 3 shelf steel service cart (61165) but I didn't see that on the list.

 

[todd_fuller]

Front wheel bearing adapter press kit - Pittsburgh Automotive - Item#66829

I used this to R&R the rear bearings of my Subaru. Piece of cake to remove and install the bearing.

A lot of the comments say this thing is weak. I'm not sure I agree though. When I did the above job, I failed to remove the outer seal at first. I cranked this thing down like crazy with a good breaker bar and then with my Milwaukee 2763 impact thinking the bearing was just being hard to get. Nothing broke, so maybe the actual kit has changed over time?

 

[wkderf]

another vote for the breaker bars.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I love the Orange Dead blow hammers.

Wish they had a 5 lb one for landscape blocks !

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have the 4 lb engineer's hammer, but it is the old style with a fiberglass handle. These have a longer handle than the drilling hammer.

 

[slomatt]

Here are my favorites, some are repeats, some haven't been listed yet.

All sizes of the torque wrenches.
Blue tarps, I have several of these that I use to build temporary spray booths.
Orange deadblow hammers.
61427 5 Drawer tool cart
69705 Purple HVLP spray gun
68424 1/2" Earthquake impact wrench
98831 1/2" drive extendable ratchet (great to carry in the truck)

I usually avoid Harbor Freight power tools, but these have worked out really well for me.
69274 10 Amp Rotary Hammer
69924 Dual Action Polisher
Orange angle grinder, 10+ years of abuse and it just won't die.

- Matt

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I'll +1 these tools:

right angle die grinder
Push pin pliers
Purple HVLP paint gun
Oscillating multi-tool (corded)
machete
Japanese flush cut saw
Disposable brushes

I also like the 3 shelf steel service cart (61165) but I didn't see that on the list.

Push pin pliers are very good and the service cart!

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

The cheap heat gun that usually goes on sale for 9.99 are great, I have an older orange one that's really good and a newer black one that's not as good but still worth the price.

Three bolt puller
Bearing and seal driver
Pneumatic Brake bleeder kit

These are the only HF tools I own, planning to buy the brake caliper kit.

I have owned and used these as well and will say they were great, I passed them on when I upgraded.

T Handle hex head set
All Pittsburgh pro pliers

 

[wild cowboy]

The tarps are a good buy. I usually have 3 or 4 on hand at all times still in their plastic. Last week I sold a set of dining room chairs to a lady and she was paranoid about stacking them together in the back of her small SUV. She was afraid of scratches, so I ran inside and got her a new tarp and let her keep it.

here, you can have it back!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not life changing but very useful especially when woking on small engines.

• Long reach, bent, needle nose pliers. Great for fuel line spring clamps.
• Hose grip piers. Much better than trying to pry that hose off of a carburetor inlet barb with a screw driver.

 

[ecotec]

You have one item listed 3 different ways in your list. You listed it as disc brake service kit, wind-in brake caliper set (+1), and as disc brake turn back tool set (same as above?).

http://www.harborfreight.com/disc-brake-pad-and-caliper-service-tool-kit-pc-69053.html

It really is one of the gems of Harbor Freight.

Also, thank you for doing this. While there have been similar threads in the past, this is a topic worthy of continual exploration. There is a LOT of junk in that store, and few absolute gems. Being able to easily (much easier to navigate the the PASS/FAIL thread) identify what is worth buying at HF is important.

 

[CobraRed]

You're links to 1/2" and 3/8" earthquake are reversed, BTW

 

[bubinga]

Did I already post I had good luck with the 4 1/2" cut off wheel, that goes on ,say a 4 1/2" dewalt grinder?

 

[donthelegend]

Another vote for:
-2 ton low profile jack (68050).
-Magnetic trays
-12" F clamps

 

[chrisexv6]

COmpletely forgot:

66353 - 7" diamond turbo cup wheel (might be part 61418 as well)
61419 - 4.5" diamond turbo cup wheel (might be part 98729 as well)

Used both of these to grind the surface of my interior concrete foundation walls to prep them for coating with Xypex. Dusty, of course, but these along with a ShopVac and dust collector guard for the grinder made quick work of a job I thought would be a pain. And the wheels still look like they were barely used.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

3 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated High Speed Steel Step Drills

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drills-91616.html

these are GREAT, work as good as my Irwin step bits. you can usually find a coupon for $7.99 for them.

 

[Vpick001]

+1 for the orange deadblow hammers.
+1 for the magnetic trays. I love these while working on cars.
+1 for the composite 3/8 ratchet, as well as their new model.

The new pro series 3/8 long ratchet is pretty solid too, but I've only had it for a few days, so I don't know if it can be called an all star just yet.