Recent content by HuskerMedic

A couple years back, I decided I needed tools for the back of the truck. This truck sits outside overnight at my real job, so theft is a real possibility. I have a rollaway tool box full of mostly Craftsman stuff in my garage, some of which I've had for close to 30 years. I didn't want to...

My two rules for shopping at Harbor Freight: 1. I never pay full price for anything. 2. I always get something for free. The nearest Harbor Freight is close by, so I'll stop in on my way to or from another errand. Therefore, it doesn't bother me to only buy one or two things at a time...

Growing up in the midwest, all the farmers I worked for used S-K tools. These were tight-fisted, economy minded people that used their tools hard. I don't ever recall seeing a tool broken. I figure if they liked them, they must be good value for the money. When I started accumulating my...

If you do decide to go the salvage route, make sure you spell out in a contract exactly what the salvager is to do, and make them post a bond. Several instances I know of where salvagers came in, took all the good stuff, and left a mess for the owners to pay to clean up.

Does the area you are planning on building in have any zoning oversite? A friend of mine wanted to do a similar project but got squashed about halfway into it by the county zoning board. First thing to do is make sure what you want to do is legal.

Dad has a set of 3/8" drive Herbrand sockets in a blue metal case. It's about as complete of a set as you can get-standard sockets, deep well sockets, wratchet, speed handle, breaker bar, all kinds of extensions, and even 8 point sockets. Only odd man out in the set is a 3/8" deep well socket...

I was a police officer for 14 years in another life. Although it's been awhile, and my jurisdiction was an ocean away from you, I'll share what I recall. Garages/shops were more of what I call "targets of opportunity" when it came to theft. Meaning that, people didn't usually set out to...

I was strictly a Craftsman guy until about 15 years ago. I have a rollaway in the garage with a pretty complete set of Craftsman stuff; much of it was given to me as gifts when I was still in my teens (I'm mid-40's now). I don't wrench for a living but have been known to tackle some fairly...

If they push the issue, I'd start asking to see copies of their meeting minutes, notices, etc. In my state, the laws are very strict about how these types of associations have to post notice for and conduct their meetings, have their books audited, etc. If this is a "quickie" deal on their...

I agree with the other posters, put it by the door. That way, you have to go back to the fire, and should have a clear way to an exit. Two things I suggest to people when buying an extinguisher: buy one with a metal tank, and buy one with the length of short, flexible rubber hose on the...

I was told that even though Sears sells the Gearwrench stuff, they won't warranty it. Is there any truth to that? My neighborhood Ace Hardware now sells both Craftsman and Gearwrench. Don't know how they handle warranties, though. I was buying the Ace Hardware store brand stuff up until a...

I got three of them. None of them worked. Still like HF, though. Guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.

The key here is the phrase "In my jurisdiction". I was also a cop, in a former life, for 12 years. A large part of my decision to leave the field were the incompetent prosecutors I was constantly dealing with (no disrespect meant to you). In my experience, it was always the prosecutors...

I got my first Craftsman tools as a Christmas gift from my parents when I was 16 years old. I still have most of them, almost thirty years later, in a rollaway in my garage. I had added additional Craftsman tools to them over the years. I have never been impressed with Craftsman ratchets but...

Do you have a Harbor Freight nearby? I'm putting together a set of tools to carry in the back of my truck. This truck sets outside overnight where I work, and theft is a real possibility. I have a fairly complete set of Craftsman tools in a rollaway in the garage, many of which I've owned...