New product ideas for Harbor Freight?

[SuperCat]

I would like to see Harbor Freight produce a deodorizing spray that can rid their stores of that import rubber chemical smell that is so stomach turning. If they can make a product that powerful, that effective against the stench of stenches, everyone on this planet would buy it.

 

[MushCreek]

I wish they would bring back the copper hammers they used to sell. Brass hammers work-harden, copper ones don't. They get mushroomed after a while, so they need to be replaced periodically.

 

[Super Mech]

Full line of open stock sockets. Including all sizes, impacts, and swivel sockets.

 

[BD1]

StvOn , I have a Dynabrade Electric 1/2"x18" belt sander. I have it for a few years. The thing is amazing for my welded artwork. I did buy their contact arm for the1/4"x 18" belts. Now that can get in almost anywhere.
One Awesome tool !!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[C91x]

Someone mentioned it but i've been waiting for years to see a real tubing bender there. Years back when they first came out with the english wheel and tubing roller, i thought it was just a matter of time but guess i was wrong
.

 

[Robinson1]

I'd like to see them get more heavily into wood shop equipment.

If they could make a 20 inch planer of decent quality and sell it for around $700 they'd have a winner

Same with thickness sanders

 

[jonesg]

That seems right.

https://imgur.com/a/XjXnDD2

although the superstitious part of my brain never liked ratcheting in this use. Admittedly I own a pair of Hein-Werners, which don't have particularly purty joinery.

I'm not familiar with assembly line practice on this larger, more industrial stuff, so I'm not certain what to blame (poor welding practice? probably. poor steel in the stand itself? poor welder setup?). I would think that at this point you wouldn't use a human to weld these anyway, although perhaps robots still cost too much if you are trying to produce the absolute lowest cost of goods.

That weld didn't fail, I wouldn't jump to a conclusion that the metal was insufficient either, the design caused a stress point at the top of the V where the crack started, then the configuration caused it to tear vertically.

The welding HAZ gave rise to a minute crack to get started....and poor geometry allowed leverage to rip the metal.

This why they don't install square windows in airplanes any more.

 

[unslow1]

Full line of open stock sockets. Including all sizes, impacts, and swivel sockets.

I'd love for anyone to do that. A few places have started carrying singles around here again. I bet theft was a major problem with those.

 

[DeeKay]

I'd love for anyone to do that. A few places have started carrying singles around here again. I bet theft was a major problem with those.

When I worked at O'reillys years ago we sold singles and inventory was almost always wrong because so many got stolen. Eventually we ended up zip-tieing singles to the pegs and keeping the actual stock in the back. No idea if they still sell singles.

 

[username2]

That weld didn't fail, I wouldn't jump to a conclusion that the metal was insufficient either, the design caused a stress point at the top of the V where the crack started, then the configuration caused it to tear vertically.

The welding HAZ gave rise to a minute crack to get started....and poor geometry allowed leverage to rip the metal.

This why they don't install square windows in airplanes any more.

I hear what you are saying, but looking at a bunch of pictures of Hein Werner jackstands (3 ton) and the HF jackstands, the shapes seem nearly identical.

https://images.globalindustrial.com/images/500x500/B1145083_02.jpg?t=1403064000000

 

[ex-x-fire]

Small engine accessories, like pulleys, clutches, gears, ect.

 

[Ton ton]

Erection wrenches.usa made of course.

 

[vavet]

Erection wrenches.usa made of course.

I googled erection wrenches, half afraid of what it was. It’s a legit thing, for steel construction, I think?

I guess the 14 year boy with the dirty mind is still lurking inside.

 

[unslow1]

Erection wrenches.usa made of course.

This is the first time I've ever heard that term. Spud wrench is what I've always heard them called.

 

[toolin' around]

StvOn , I have a Dynabrade Electric 1/2"x18" belt sander. I have it for a few years. The thing is amazing for my welded artwork. I did buy their contact arm for the1/4"x 18" belts. Now that can get in almost anywhere.
One Awesome tool !!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just bought an I-R 3/8x13” cordless... it’s an awesome little machine! Been waiting too long for Milwaukee to make one.
I’ve had several B&D 3/8x18 and love them, but have pretty much gone totally cordless, that it’s now so inconvenient having to find a power outlet!!!

Having said all that... this is something I would most likely not buy from HF!

 

[jmarkwolf]

I needed a toe jack recently to put leveling feet under my lathe, and found myself thinking that with all the jacks HF sells it would be a simple matter for them to adapt a "toe" to some of their bottle jacks.

It would of course need the characteristic "low price point".

 

[Ign]

After the jack stand fiasco I'm almost afraid to mention this.

I'm surprised they don't offer a two post lift.

They do offer a scissors lift.

https://www.harborfreight.com/6000-...TGk4fWneoy3uHu4zmdhY1EhFI4_iFiO8aAuoJEALw_wcB

Back in the days of printed catalogs they did. IIRC it was photographed with either an Astro or an S10 on it.

They actually used to offer more "heavy industrial" stuff but I think the reality of bean counters sunk in - like transportation costs, extremely low sales volume, probably requests for parts (that they didn't want to have to stock after the sale), etc

 

[Ign]

.....AND here was a thread from '11 about HF 2 post lifts:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111407

edit: and a sample photo on PBB, but not the printed catalog photo I remember
https://www.pirate4x4.com/threads/1400-7-000lb-harbor-freight-2post-lift.981132/

 

[sk farmer]

stubby short impact sockets for use on their stubby impact wrenches. it only makes sense.

 

[mercifiknow]

As I recall, the welds on the stands were the weak point, not the teeth. But I didn't own any and didn't pay good attention to the recall notices. I know the last time I was in my local HF they still didn't have any jack stands on display.

Mine were ****. The teeth bound and wedged after 1 use. That’s the only time used them. Surprised that they were not recalled sooner and more often.


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[Kscardsfan]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Belt-Sande...561719?hash=item3fe6873ab7:g:RagAAOSwqotfK0b2

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274409456284

God bless good old fashioned ingenuity. I don’t need either of those things, but I really really want them now lol.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Mine were ****. The teeth bound and wedged after 1 use. That’s the only time used them. Surprised that they were not recalled sooner and more often.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

It’s Chinese pot metal assembled in “re-education” camps by slave labor. It’s bound to have occasional QC problems lol.

 

[PugetDude]

God bless good old fashioned ingenuity. I don’t need either of those things, but I really really want them now lol.

I am going to try this. Found the M12 Cutoff Tool on eBay for $99 last nite. Trying to decide between 1/2” or 3/8” adapter kits.

 

[JRC3]

Toilet paper.

 

[stev0n]

I am going to try this. Found the M12 Cutoff Tool on eBay for $99 last nite. Trying to decide between 1/2” or 3/8” adapter kits.

i'd say go with 3/8. the belts are cheaper and more abundant.

I use a 3m 3/8 belt air sander in my bodyshop. but i'm considering doing this to get away from air tools for everything i can except paint guns.

 

[Fedwrench]

As others have mentioned open stock of wrenches & sockets. I'd also like them to figure out how to make an Icon 3/8 drive flex head ratchet that doesn't bind.

An Icon tool cart that is similar to the MAC Macsimizer tool cart in size.

 

[JWILL]

A heavy focus on Icon being competitive to Tekton with no skipped sizes and coverage.

Also an updated engine driven compressor. An updated 60-80 gallon shop compressor. An engine driven vulcan welder to compete with a Hobart on price.

 

[Ton ton]

Toilet paper.

Please no thanks. I will pass.

 

[PugetDude]

Toilet paper.

"Compare with Charmin Mega Roll"
Save $4.99!

 

[bwringer]

As others have mentioned open stock of wrenches & sockets....

Even if there's not room in the stores, it could be mighty handy if you could easily order onesie twosies as needed online for reasonable prices. Then again, Tekton does this better, with free shipping to boot. Nice Taiwanese stuff, too.

Of course, if I'm buying a single socket or wrench, it's usually because I'm in the middle of something and need it right now.




I think this was mentioned earlier, but Pittsburgh Pro made in Taiwan stubby and mid-length sockets would be nice. Sometimes "regular" isn't low enough, and sometimes "deep" is too much, you know?

The "Icon" stuff is mighty nice, but the prices are mighty high, too. For something I don't need that often, the next step down would be just ducky.

 

[hoffman912]

a Hazet assistant clone would be cool

 

[racinfarmer]

Beer, peanuts, and pork rinds.

All the stuff needed for a hard night of drinking in the shop.

Imagine if you will!

Barrels full of in the shell peanuts you buy by the pound!

Barrels of regular and spicy pork rinds by the pound!

Coolers full of cheap beer by the dirty 30!

An entire side of the store, dedicated to nothing but the cheapest, finest, not valid with the 20% Super Coopin booze one can imagine!

Hercules Haus Especial

Bauer Bavarian Barrel-Aged Bock

Chicago Electric Citrus Squeeze

Warrior Wicked Ale

Icon Imperial

Quinn Quadruple IPA

Pittsburgh Pro Porter

Pittsburgh Premium

US General Blue Ribbon

 

[JRC3]

cancer

fify

 

[PugetDude]

fify

 

[racinfarmer]

fify

What part of my idea do you not like?

 

[JRC3]

I'm just saying some things cause cancer...

I wouldn't ingest anything from there, real or imaginary.

Live long and prosper.

 

[Jagmandave]

Do they already sell dimple dies?

I agree, some accessories for their 20T press would be great

 

[racinfarmer]

I'm just saying some things cause cancer...

I wouldn't ingest anything from there, real or imaginary.

Live long and prosper.

Might as well live life on the edge.

 

[PugetDude]

I'm just saying some things cause cancer...

I wouldn't ingest anything from there, real or imaginary.

Live long and prosper.

Wait till they open a McD's Express inside HF like they have at Walmart...
"Compare to Wendys" Save $1.47!

On second thought a Panda Express might be more apropos...

 

[check251]

Socket and wrench sets that don't skip popular sizes.

I have a metric combination wrench set and it skips 13 and 18

which are 2 of my most used sizes.

It also skips 16, 20, 23, and 25 which aren't used as much.