The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[owenst7]

Does anybody have the grinder stand? Reviews seem pretty good on there website. I'm having trouble locating an original stand for my block grinder so might resort to this...

http://m.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-bench-grinder-pedestal-68321.html

I've had two for a few years. You can't clamp down the ends to the tube very tight or the tube will yield. That said, it has worked totally fine for my grinder for the time I've had it, as it will get plenty snug enough for that. I tried to use it for my 6" vise, and it didn't really work. I could easily just throw a length of thicker wall 3" tube in there and it would work fine though.

For a grinder or drill press, I'd buy them again. You will want to bolt them to the floor, however.

 

[bubinga]

Does anybody have the grinder stand?
I'll tell you, If ENCO has there -20 and free shipping, 0r sometimes -25% free shipping, the one they sell is pretty decent.

 

[kkroger]

Does anybody have the grinder stand?
I'll tell you, If ENCO has there -20 and free shipping, 0r sometimes -25% free shipping, the one they sell is pretty decent.

EXACT same as the HF one and Discontinued according to the Enco Website...
And $87 or so??? even with the 20% off it is too much.
But same thing as the HF one.
Enco Image

HF Image

 

[Vette10R]

I've had two for a few years. You can't clamp down the ends to the tube very tight or the tube will yield. That said, it has worked totally fine for my grinder for the time I've had it, as it will get plenty snug enough for that. I tried to use it for my 6" vise, and it didn't really work. I could easily just throw a length of thicker wall 3" tube in there and it would work fine though.

For a grinder or drill press, I'd buy them again. You will want to bolt them to the floor, however.

Thanks for the info I appreciate it!

 

[Vette10R]

Does anybody have the grinder stand?
I'll tell you, If ENCO has there -20 and free shipping, 0r sometimes -25% free shipping, the one they sell is pretty decent.

I will take a look at those as well thanks!

 

[kerryt1]

Does anybody have the grinder stand?
I'll tell you, If ENCO has there -20 and free shipping, 0r sometimes -25% free shipping, the one they sell is pretty decent.

Had one and it sucked. Actually, that's harsh. The castings were fine, but the tube was super thin wall and not sized correctly for the castings. It just wobbled like mad. I think if a person could the a beefier and correctly sized tube, it would be just fine.

 

[kkroger]

I recently purchased several small power tools there.
the Air Belt File
the Air File
the Electric Belt File
and the Electric 1/4" Die Grinder...

All work great, I needed a way to grind and polish the inside of some very Acute Mitered Stainless Tube Welds, these tools really helped to clean those areas before the Tubing Polisher.

Another Great tool I picked up the 12" disk sander. Works great...
All of these tools the Abrasives are marginal, better abrasives would push these over the top easily. Other tools that I have in my possession that seem to work well for the money, Coalescing Water Traps, Air Line Oiler, Air Hose Reel (50'), 20 Ton shop press and 20T Air over hydro jack... 12T shop press, Powder Coating System and even the powders even though they are Epoxy powders they work on stuff that just needs a durable coating... 4x6 bandsaw... it works just get a good blade... I have the small 2" Diameter D/A but have never used it.. finding abrasives again, the ones they sell come with a backing pad but only a few disks... unimpressed. Welding Tables.. They do work fine... for what they are, pretty much the same as the Stronghand Nomad... BIG floor model blast cab, add a better gun and floor pedal and a Carbide Nozzle and you will be GTG for a LONG time. Compact Bender... works fine. Scroll Attachment works, Picket Twister works OK. Tubing Roller... Works for what I do with it. I have a HULK for the important stuff, I just do Rebar on the HF, Spot Welders... work fine. 120VAC Electric Winch works fine I use it to pull heavy plate off the truck onto the plasma table. Orange Coiled Air Hoses.. and Air Hose Remnants... Cheap and work well! I'd buy couplers and Plugs ANYWHERE else though, every one I have has a leak of some sort, plugs that just LEAK Couplers that just LEAK.. Aluminum Pipe Wrenches. Electric Pipe Threader. Bearing Race and Seal Drivers, Manifold Gages, though the knobs on mine fell the f($& apart... the Electric Vacuum pump works well. the 56" Rollaway tool box works great for my use. Need another one or 3 though. Solar Security light works awesome in my shed. Appliance Dolly (two wheeler) works great, Folding Two Way Aluminum Ramps... Work great.

 

[bubinga]

Had one and it sucked. Actually, that's harsh. The castings were fine, but the tube was super thin wall and not sized correctly for the castings. It just wobbled like mad. I think if a person could the a beefier and correctly sized tube, it would be just fine.

Yeah again seriously , the one from Amco is decent I don't have any complaints with it I think a lot of stuff you get from Harbor Freight you have to end up beefing up .

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[Vigo]

That one with the drop knob at the end of the handle is a very good jack. I have used mine for a few years and love the reach it has.

I have had one for about two years now and it's the best jack i've ever used. I say that as someone who has a propensity to lower cars until they become a pain to jack up. Or so i thought. I haven't worked on anything this jack won't slide right under and jack all the way up in one attempt.

 

[bubinga]

I recently purchased several small power tools there.
the Air Belt File
the Air File
the Electric Belt File
and the Electric 1/4" Die Grinder...

All work great, I needed a way to grind and polish the inside of some very Acute Mitered Stainless Tube Welds, these tools really helped to clean those areas before the Tubing Polisher.

Another Great tool I picked up the 12" disk sander. Works great...
All of these tools the Abrasives are marginal, better abrasives would push these over the top easily. Other tools that I have in my possession that seem to work well for the money, Coalescing Water Traps, Air Line Oiler, Air Hose Reel (50'), 20 Ton shop press and 20T Air over hydro jack... 12T shop press, Powder Coating System and even the powders even though they are Epoxy powders they work on stuff that just needs a durable coating... 4x6 bandsaw... it works just get a good blade... I have the small 2" Diameter D/A but have never used it.. finding abrasives again, the ones they sell come with a backing pad but only a few disks... unimpressed. Welding Tables.. They do work fine... for what they are, pretty much the same as the Stronghand Nomad... BIG floor model blast cab, add a better gun and floor pedal and a Carbide Nozzle and you will be GTG for a LONG time. Compact Bender... works fine. Scroll Attachment works, Picket Twister works OK. Tubing Roller... Works for what I do with it. I have a HULK for the important stuff, I just do Rebar on the HF, Spot Welders... work fine. 120VAC Electric Winch works fine I use it to pull heavy plate off the truck onto the plasma table. Orange Coiled Air Hoses.. and Air Hose Remnants... Cheap and work well! I'd buy couplers and Plugs ANYWHERE else though, every one I have has a leak of some sort, plugs that just LEAK Couplers that just LEAK.. Aluminum Pipe Wrenches. Electric Pipe Threader. Bearing Race and Seal Drivers, Manifold Gages, though the knobs on mine fell the f($& apart... the Electric Vacuum pump works well. the 56" Rollaway tool box works great for my use. Need another one or 3 though. Solar Security light works awesome in my shed. Appliance Dolly (two wheeler) works great, Folding Two Way Aluminum Ramps... Work great.

Holy smokes you got a lot of stuff from Harbor Freight. Oh yeah they they say that disc sander gets good reviews. If I didn't have my old craftsman 12 inch Disc Sander I would probably get one of those Harbor Freight units

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[kkroger]

Holy smokes you got a lot of stuff from Harbor Freight. Oh yeah they they say that disc sander gets good reviews. If I didn't have my old craftsman 12 inch Disc Sander I would probably get one of those Harbor Freight units

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Not really. I have a lot more stuff that didn't come from HF, some stuff I would not buy from HF, Prefer USA made and oddly I have gotten USA made stuff from HF locally.

Some other things that I use a lot of, Cobalt Drill Set, works great for the money. If you break one replace it with a better one. HSS End Mill set, I have a couple, at the price they can't be beat. Also a bench top 1x30 Belt Sander with the Disk sander too, works fairly well for the money, identical in all respects to the Delta a buddy has. I don't do hand tools though a stubby combo wrench set caught my eye at the cash register one day. still haven't used it at all. I picked up some of the 90 degree Air Die grinders at one point to run scotchbrite disks, a router speed controller to try on my plasma table.

 

[bubinga]

Yeah, I figured some of there stuff is same as delta!. I have the 13",16 speed drill press, and it is actually made very nice for the money.
Made as nice a delta, or jet!.
Oh so the HSS end mill set is decent, s
As is the colboltdrill bits?
Is there a better set of either, or a set off either that I should avoid? I just got the automotive tire changer for the money I am impressed still getting the hang of mounting them though having a little trouble with the mounting War Slipping out of the bead/ rim area also have the breaker bar that sells for about $10 25 inch long use it in the automobile I don't think you can beat it.

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[bubinga]

Do you have the model number of the low profile Jack that you speak of?

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[bubinga]

Off subject but why am I having problems quoting with Tapatalk I was doing it fine for a few days now I seem to be having problems

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[bubinga]

I'll probably been said before but the mobile base that you have to add your own wood to, is decadent. I like it better than the Delta clone that used to sell because it does not have the big foot pedal for me to trip over. It has the little Landing Jax that you screw down and raise the wheels up off the ground yes it's a nice little mobile base.

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[dna9656]

Yeah why is that jerk's post still up? Geeze what an inappropriate thing to say.

 

[FigureItOut]

Yeah why is that jerk's post still up? Geeze what an inappropriate thing to say.

What post are you referring to?

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[Zapp Branigan]

I'm guessing it disappeared.

 

[zendriver]

Never been a big fan, of ****-splice crimp-on connectors, but I am of these - big-time.

They are clear, so you can ensure the wire is inserted properly. Hit it with the heat gun and wa-laa! They are not color-coded by wires size, per se, but they to have a color tint, correspondingly

PASS!

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-pack-18-22-gauge-watertight-heat-shrink-****-connectors-66595.html

 

[gotwheels]

Nitrile Gloves

I need some more Nitrile Gloves. I have had the 5 mil nitrile gloves. They give good dexterity, but tear/rip so easily! I use the gloves for home auto mechanic work, cleaning solvents, etc. Should I move up to the 7 mil or 9 mil - I still want good feel & dexterity. I assume I want the 7 mil, but would appreciate feedback. Thanks!

 

[ChevyEFI]

Re: Nitrile Gloves

I need some more Nitrile Gloves. I have had the 5 mil nitrile gloves. They give good dexterity, but tear/rip so easily! I use the gloves for home auto mechanic work, cleaning solvents, etc. Should I move up to the 7 mil or 9 mil - I still want good feel & dexterity. I assume I want the 7 mil, but would appreciate feedback. Thanks!

Ever since I tried out Kimberly Clark Kleenguard G10 gloves (grey,) I haven't bothered with HF nitrile gloves. They've been far more tear-resistant.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

View media item 60349

 

[theSaint024]

View media item 60349

Funny. I think most people follow this logic when debating a HF purchase. Should also have a decision point on whether the product maintains the unique HF, old man closet smell and your tolerance level to it.

 

[owenst7]

Re: Nitrile Gloves

I need some more Nitrile Gloves. I have had the 5 mil nitrile gloves. They give good dexterity, but tear/rip so easily! I use the gloves for home auto mechanic work, cleaning solvents, etc. Should I move up to the 7 mil or 9 mil - I still want good feel & dexterity. I assume I want the 7 mil, but would appreciate feedback. Thanks!

I use the 5mils for skinning animals and the 9 mil for mechanic work. The black 9 mils are great mechanic gloves. They're probably 3-4 times as cut resistant.

Showa 8500s are by far the most durable I have ever used, but they don't fit my hands well. Microflex makes some really good ones with a longer cuff that I like too, but the black HF gloves are close up there in quality and a lot easier for me to get a box on a Sunday.

 

[mikeceli]

I don't understand why anyone working on cars would want black colored gloves.

 

[owenst7]

I don't understand why anyone working on cars would want black colored gloves.

Why would it matter?

 

[fourtythree]

I don't understand why anyone working on cars would want black colored gloves.

Especially before labor day.

 

[soj]

Especially before labor day.

 

[rmasonjr]

I don't understand why anyone working on cars would want black colored gloves.

Genuinely curious - why not?


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[1969]

Agree^^^^^^^^ what difference would it make........ black, blue, .........?

 

[bubinga]

I don't understand why anyone working on cars would want black colored gloves.

Why would it matter?

Especially before labor day.

Genuinely curious - why not?


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Agree^^^^^^^^ what difference would it make........ black, blue, .........?

Y'a can't tell if your hands are getting dirty?

 

[FigureItOut]

I don't understand why anyone working on cars would want black colored gloves.

I think you owe us an answer on this enigmatic comment, ha ha.

This may have been mentioned already, but the 10 amp rotary hammer (61882) is a good buy. I bought it last year to chip the concrete off some fence posts I pulled, and used it again today to turn some scrap sections of a brick wall into mortar-free landscaping bricks. Between those two jobs I think I got my $70 worth and I'll probably have it another decade or two or three. http://m.harborfreight.com/1-18-in-10-amp-heavy-duty-sds-variable-speed-rotary-hammer-61882.html

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[kkroger]

Another Good item I just got and is "NEW" according to the flyers...

You have to make a board for the saw, I got this to mount my Dry Cut Saw...
I need a larger plate to mount the saw on, I tried with what I had on hand but it is a no go... So once I get THAT ironed out I will be good to go. Comes almost fully assembled...

 

[Bigbandguy]

Today I decided to give my HF 21 Gallon Air Compressor a "birthday" present by not neglecting it any more and actually changing the oil. I have been in this house almost 10 years and haven't done it until today. It might have gotten changed once in the previous house . It is a model 47065 and it has to be at least 15 years old. It just sits there and does its thing. I am not a heavy user but I do occasionally drain the tank. I know it isn't the best but it will run an air wrench and brad nailer and will turn up 125 pounds of air to blow the dust off something. I think this one definitely gets a pass.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Electric cement mixer #31979, works as advertised....PASS
Pittsburgh Pro #62328 3/8 Ratchet, bought it for my truck tool box. While inexpensive, it preforms well.... PASS

 

[freddyford]

The 18 gauge brad nailer, #68021, is a pass. Sometimes I have to test fire the very first nail when re-loading because it will mis-fire, but only then. Never had a jam or any difficulty in the past 2 years of moderate use. Wish it had a soft anti-mar nose piece but those usually don't last anyway.

 

[Monkey_Wrench]

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-bench-grinder-pedestal-68321.html

Grinder Pedestal 68321 - FAIL

Decent, except for the ultra-thin walled main tube. It deflects under the pressure of the set screws quite easily. It's also the wrong OD and has a loose fit in both the base and top castings. Between these two issues, it's totally impossible to use, much less level. It just wobbles.

The craftsman one is just as cheap, and is superior in my opinion. It comes with rubber feet and is much more stable.

I'll keep the HF one and replace the tube with something legitimate at some point.

I welded the whole thing together, base and top to the tube. I then mounted the three feet onto hockey pucks. It's pretty good now, I bolted my porter cable belt sander to it.


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[TalonFE]

Well, it was 10 years ago......

 

[pedrodagr8]

Just picked up the large 1/2 extendable 72 tooth ratchet for $14.39. My store had it on sale for $17.99, cheaper than the online coupons, plus I got to use the 20% off coupon. HUGE PASS. THE 18" extended reach, made easy work of lug nuts and rusted on brake bolts when I replaced the while replacing the rear brake pads. The ratcheting gear felt nice and smooth, better than I remember some others feeling. Not sure if I got lucky or if they have made improvements.

1/2-inch torque wrench. PASS worked perfectly for tightening down the bolts and lug nuts. Nice solid click at the stop, easy to read. A steal of a deal at $12 with coupon.

Also either are large enough they can be used as a club for self protection. Very heavy and solid.

 

[jd_1138]

Just picked up the large 1/2 extendable 72 tooth ratchet for $14.39. My store had it on sale for $17.99, cheaper than the online coupons, plus I got to use the 20% off coupon. HUGE PASS. THE 18" extended reach, made easy work of lug nuts and rusted on brake bolts when I replaced the while replacing the rear brake pads. The ratcheting gear felt nice and smooth, better than I remember some others feeling. Not sure if I got lucky or if they have made improvements.

1/2-inch torque wrench. PASS worked perfectly for tightening down the bolts and lug nuts. Nice solid click at the stop, easy to read. A steal of a deal at $12 with coupon.

Also either are large enough they can be used as a club for self protection. Very heavy and solid.

You used a ratchet for breaking lose rusted bolts? HF makes a nice and cheap breaker bar (25 inch) for like $12. I have the older version; they now have a nicer "pro" version.