Harbor freight must haves?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Going to harbor freight with a buddy Friday. We only have a few hours so I was wondering what you guy would recommend we spend our time looking at? Anything you recommend? Anything to stay away from?

 

[brownbagg]

the purple hvac gun, its $12. its a great gun. and if the six ton jackstands are on sale, thats a good deal

 

[rsanter]

first start with an ad from the paper or a magazine for the best deals.

look at
the 44'' toolbox
4 wheel movers dollies
their version of the mechanics work gloves

bob

 

[SMKS]

What do you need?

 

[Pate]

The 24" monster adjustable wrench for $30.00. No possible way I'll ever use it, but it was a must have.

http://www.harborfreight.com/24-jumbo-adjustable-wrench-60702.html

 

[Fedwrench]

The monster 1/2 drive breaker bars for like $12 or less are a good deal. The hose picks on sale are decent. I'd stay away from anything with a power cord but, that's just me.

 

[IlliniBone]

Going to harbor freight with a buddy Friday. We only have a few hours so I was wondering what you guy would recommend we spend our time looking at? Anything you recommend? Anything to stay away from?

If you have a few hours at Harbor Freight you should be able to look over every tool in stock. Be sure to print off a free with purchase coupon and also the 25% off coupon.

Any ideas on what tools you need, what you work in on your shop, etc...

 

[jakemac]

The 4 Piece Anti-Fatigue Foam Mat Set. I used them to replace the carpet in my basement mancave after a flood. On sale, 1/2 the price of HD or Lowes.

I also like the Key-Shaped Folding Knife. It's nice to have a knife on hand for opening boxes and envelopes. It dulls quickly though, but for $2 on sale it's fine for what I use it for.

The 5 Piece Airbrush Cleaning Brushes are great to have on hand as well for detail cleaning.

Surprisingly, the 3 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated High Speed Steel Step Drills have held up well for drilling steel plate.

 

[70C-10]

Get a 5 drawer service cart or the 44" tool box.

 

[beatcad]

im so done w/ bashing HF, so I wont. it's so easy to go into that store and get all crazy about the neat stuff & low prices.
really the stuff to load up there are yer garage consumables like zip ties, gloves, cut off wheels and the like. last time I was there I got a 15lb anvil that I beat on and don't regret buying. a couple years ago I got a heat gun that I still use.
just stay away from the hand tools like wrenches, ratchets &sockets.
and the movers dollies are a great bargan and work great

 

[mdbeck1]

These three links will take you to whatever the current coupons are.

Super Coupons
http://www.harborfreight.com/extra-savings.html

Digital Savings
http://www.harborfreight.com/digitalsavings.html

Monthly savings book
http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/emails/SavingsBook/monthly_savings_book.html

Okay,

Take a look at the three links in this quote. I put them on smart phone and while I'm in the store I bring them up to use at the register. They take the number right off of my phone and it works like a champ.

 

[erty67]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192&highlight=pass+fail

enjoy

 

[Super Sport]

Mover's Dollies.
Floor jacks & jack stands.
Nitrile gloves.
Ratchets & breaker bars (I personally love the 17" 3/8" breaker)
Earthquake impacts.
Magnetic shelves & paper towel holder.
Toolboxes & carts.

 

[mdbeck1]

I think the "tool" that I've used the most is the 1000 lb scissor cart. I keep finding new uses for it but I'm always using it to put something heavy into the truck (like the 6k generator). It also makes a dandy portable worktable.

 

[machine_punk]

Their:
- composite ratchet wrenches
- The 'more expensive' version of the pneumatic 90-degree die grinders (the one which usually goes for $20-25).
- the earthquake 1/2 impact wrench. (actually, any of the earthquake line you want).
- the 5-drawer tool cart.
- the adjustable outfeed rollers

that is all I can think of, off the top of my head.

Kev

 

[TiredDude]

The composite ratchets are surprisingly good, IMO

 

[3oheight]

The composite ratchets are surprisingly good, IMO

Just got one last weekend. I like it.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Magnetic parts tray

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

The monster 1/2 drive breaker bars for like $12 or less are a good deal. The hose picks on sale are decent. I'd stay away from anything with a power cord but, that's just me.

The 1/2" drive breaker might be the best deal in the store.

As for electric goods, I bought a Chicago Electric grinder from them years ago and it works as good as ever. Powerful as a mofo too!

 

[lightning02]

which cutoff wheels are you guys using from HF? they sell couple diff kinds.

 

[monomach]

The favorites of the things I have:

8 Piece Professional Screwdriver Set
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece...set-94607.html

C-Clamps:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-...amp-37846.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...amp-37848.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-...amp-37850.html

4" Angle Grinder:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...der-91222.html

44" box. It's the real deal: http://www.harborfreight.com/roller-cabinet-44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-69387.html

Consumables are usually a good deal, except for grinder wheels and sawzall blades.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I've used the composite ratchets before, one of the guys in the shop had a set, I was impressed with them. I was thinking maybe some pliers (longer 11" set). Maybe an assorted size driver set. Impact extensions. Wobble sockets. Torx sockets. Fill in my sockets I don't have. Shop supplies. Snap ring pliers. Some other things people have listed. I have mostly truck tool stuff, and whatever I don't use much I bought tekton. If you say no sockets I'll take your guys word for it though.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

4 packs of ratchet straps. I keep a couple packs of them in all my vehicles and some in the garage as well.

 

[Provincial]

which cutoff wheels are you guys using from HF? they sell couple diff kinds.

I have stopped buying the HF grinding and cutoff wheels and gone to the Local Welding Supply for the consumables. I find that the LWS has good stuff that is more economical if you compare how much production you get from each wheel.

I've used the composite ratchets before, one of the guys in the shop had a set, I was impressed with them. I was thinking maybe some pliers (longer 11" set). Maybe an assorted size driver set. Impact extensions. Wobble sockets. Torx sockets. Fill in my sockets I don't have. Shop supplies. Snap ring pliers. Some other things people have listed. I have mostly truck tool stuff, and whatever I don't use much I bought tekton. If you say no sockets I'll take your guys word for it though.

I have not been impressed with any of the pliers. All the snap ring pliers I have bought from HF have been an extreme FAIL.

I have had very good experiences with the impact extensions. Also the impact sockets.

 

[ZRX61]

What do you need?

When has that ever been a consideration when visiting a tool store?

 

[ZRX61]

I have not been impressed with any of the pliers. All the snap ring pliers I have bought from HF have been an extreme FAIL.

What he said, they are made of cheese.

 

[oldtools]

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-and-38-drive-x-14-38-double-head-flex-ratchet-wrench-67994.html

 

[John316]

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-38-drive-uick-release-extension-bar-set-67976.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-lb-neon-orange-dead-blow-hammer-41797.html

 

[newchris]

green and orange handled screwdrivers. i loveeeee them

 

[diggerrick]

1/2" drive extendable ratchet: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-extendable-ratchet-98831.html

and 3/8" x 1/4" extendable ratchet: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-x-1-4-quarter-inch-dual-drive-extendable-ratchet-98802.html

 

[upgrading]

Be sure to print off a free with purchase coupon and also the 25% off coupon.

Best way to go.

A lot of the free ones will be expiring 10/23.

 

[Davefr]

Here are the 5 key rules of thumb for shopping at HF:

1. Avoid anything electric
2. Avoid anything that measures
3. Avoid anything where failure could result in injury
4. Avoid anything with more then a couple moving parts
5. Avoid anything that cuts

The plastic ratchet is actually pretty decent and doesn't violate #4 too much.

 

[TJx]

Superlube
Tip: The NRA and other gun magazines have good HF coupons.

 

[mattygee]

...coupons.

 

[Ign]

Shop staples for me: impact sockets, SEVERAL dead blow hammers, and uni-bits (altho quality and thus longevity of the latter seems to be declining).

Keep a dead blow at the lathe, one at the mill, one at the bench and one in the trailer tongue box.

 

[Ign]

4 packs of ratchet straps. I keep a couple packs of them in all my vehicles and some in the garage as well.

Careful here. A bad ratchet mechanism will send you (er me) to the insane asylum. After getting a pack years ago which would either not ratchet properly or not release, I swore them off. Ditto for plastic zip ties; got a whole batch without the "catch" tooth so they were more like SLIP TIES.

 

[General Geoff]

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-and-38-drive-x-14-38-double-head-flex-ratchet-wrench-67994.html

Awesome tool right there. Lowest profile head I've ever seen on a 3/8" and 1/4" ratchet, and extra long for more torque. Mine has withstood over 100 ft-lbs regularly without complaint.

3/8" drive head thickness:

 

[geojag]

If you say no sockets I'll take your guys word for it though.

Obviously not truck quality, but if they are sizes you rarely use, HF has sockets that will work for cheap. I have a set of the Pittsburgh Pro 3/8 shallow sockets that I have for my truck box . I have used them to help people out that are broke down, things like changing alternator, etc. I use them at the junk yard, sometimes with a big breaker bar. So far, they have performed. If it something you are going to use everyday, I would definitely get something better.

 

[theoldwizard1]

MUST HAVE

• Shop towels. Ever since I was a little kid the sign of a "real mechanic" was a red shop towel hanging from his back pocket !
• Made in the US rubber air hose

NICE TO HAVE (and HF quality seems adequate)

• Air hose couplers
• 2 Piece 20° Offset & 45° Angle Long Reach Pliers
• 3 Piece Long Reach Hose Grip Pliers
• 3-1/2 Lb. Single Bit Michigan Fiberglass Axe
• 8/10/12 Lb. Sledge Hammer With Fiberglass Handle

CONSUMABLES

• O-ring assortment (SAE and Metric)
• Heat Shrink Tubing assortment (regular and marine)
• Electrical Tape (go out and but some 3M Scotch® Super Vinyl Electrical Tape 88 for real electrical jobs !)

 

[theoldwizard1]

Careful here. A bad ratchet mechanism will send you (er me) to the insane asylum. After getting a pack years ago which would either not ratchet properly or not release, I swore them off. Ditto for plastic zip ties; got a whole batch without the "catch" tooth so they were more like SLIP TIES.

Hit or miss on the ratchet straps. If I had a heavy/valuable load I would not use the HF ones ! The 1" ones are "adequate" for lighter loads.

As for zip ties, I have found the best quality are Panduit or Thomas & Betts or at least ones that use a stainless steel "tooth".