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Top 10 HF tools

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Farmall450

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Messages
13,354
Location
Marengo, Illinois
Don't think I've bought 10 things that I've liked but...

The Black & Yellow 5 pack of leather work gloves (for the price, unbeatable)
Soapstone Pencil Combo Pack (Square & Round) Note, both refills were cracked
Old set of Pittsburgh screwdrivers were actually decent,

Next time I buy Impact Sockets I'm going with their Pro's.
 
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NWphotog

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
1,471
44" top and bottom chest
Roto ratchetsh
Multi tool
$2.99 led puck flashlight (love it!)
Breaker bars
Mechanic work gloves
Dead blow hammers
Freebie multimeter (always have one in the truck and tool bag now)
Pry bars
High volume horn

Lots of other items but that's a good start.
 
C

crewchief888

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
13,739
Location
NW indiana
RivennHewn said:
I bought the panel welding clamps, but I haven't used them yet. anybody else buy them?
and some magnetic welding angles
Walked through there the other day, and couldn't talk myself into spending any money.
Click to expand...
i bought some of the panel clamps last week, but havent used them yet, their magnetic welding angles dont seem to have much holding power IMO
FiendFX said:
Anyone tried their A/C Manifold Gauges?
Click to expand...

buddy of mine has a set, the couplers on the ends of the hoses are not the greatest.

JSGAuto said:
The tire mounting fixture. It isn't the most complicate tool...but it works!

Between using it on cars, and on motorcycle tires, It has saved me probably $1K's of dollars. The racecar and motorcycles go thru many tires!
Click to expand...

i grabbed one of them on sale about 3 years ago. saved me a lot of aggravation busting tires to scrap the wheels,
swapping tires and wheels on my trail truck. i've had great results with 33"-35" tires, not so much on some lower profile stuff, with stiffer sidewalls

orange 4" grinders
black 11mil disposable gloves
3" air cut off tool
mechanics type "impact" gloves
6t jackstands

:beer:
 
P

pacecar

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
236
Location
bryan, tx
I got an air compressor for x-mas, went by to get me some goodyear hoses, all they had left was the 25 footer

The folks stocking told me they will not be carrying anymore goodyear hoses, so get em while they are there, i'm gonna have my brother check a couple stores around San Antonio to try to score me a 50 footer
 
C

cmandp

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 22, 2011
Messages
1,271
Location
New Jersey
HF's toolboxes for sure, the 26", 44", 56", the single drawer, the gloss black and 5 drawer carts are great for the price.

I think their plastic socket rails are great too. They work better than metal rails and are still reasonably sturdy. They're so cheap I don't mind modifying the length for each socket set.
 
D

Davefr

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 7, 2010
Messages
11,815
Location
OR
The only "real" tool worth buying is the plastic ratchet. It's hard to explain but it's actually nice to use for everyday tasks.

The 2.5L ultrasonic cleaner is also pretty decent.

Other then that it's stuff like tarps, gloves, bungee cords, etc.

Never forget the HF shopping rules:
- Don't buy anything that cuts
- Don't buy anything with moving parts
- Don't buy anything with an electric motor
- Don't buy anything where failure could be a safety issue.
- Don't buy anything that measures
- Don't buy anything that you may need for a second time
 
W

woody 73

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2009
Messages
11,540
Location
The Great State Up North
More with Honorable mention:

I don't remember the name and I no longer see the product but it was an empty Aluminum bottle that you filled with any liquid and then you just added air from your compressor or used a bicycle pump...fantastic wish I had bought more!

At one time they sold little SS jars that had a see-through lids I think they came from Pakistan, but those little suckers are very nice with holding small bits and you could just look at the top and see what each jar held; I no longer see them.

Someone said the Blue gloves but I find they wear out very fast (cloth gloves); on the other hand if you can find the gloves that can hold up to the chemicals without falling apart they are a good buy;something like 50 to a box.

They made a blue plastic Movers dolly and that sucker could hold a ton of weight trust me I moved 800lb. machines all around my shop with no problems.

They made a knockoff of Eastwing hammers that hold up ok, I think they still make them under the pro name.

Now for some not so Honorable:

The plain Jane Bright orange Electrical pliers darn those teeth crush in an instant, maybe some have had better luck but not me.

The vise grips are like tissue paper don't get me started.

The drill bits I think they made out of extra ply waste products (but some people might like them).

Screwdrivers are a hit and miss some are ok and other are not so good.

hope that helps you out.
 
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NWphotog

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
1,471
I agree many of their screwdrivers are horrible. I do think the orange and green pros are a very good value. I believe they recently changed the colors.
 
T

Trey T

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
3,749
Location
Houston, TX
20 Oz. High Volume Low Pressure Gravity Feed Spray Gun Item #66222

and 1/2" impact wrench earthquake (1st gen)
 
J

jbighump

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
45
Location
above tn but below oh
1/2" breaker bar
gloves
hook and pick set
paint markers
air fittings
oil filter pliers
vaccum pump
free screwdrivers the wife loves these
roto ratchets
earthquake air tools
and most air tools are good
 
L

Larwyn

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 10, 2011
Messages
378
Location
Texas
My list is easy, these are the HF tools which have given satisfactory or better performance. Some of them are modified to some extent, others are bone stock. These are the ones that I use often.

1. 4 x 6 Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Bandsaw.
2. 16 speed Heavy Duty Floor Drill Press.
3. Compact Bender
4. Throatless Shear
5. 110 pound anvil (The old Russian made one).
6. 20 ton hydraulic press
7. 1000 pound Hydraulic Table Cart
8. 2 ton foldable Shop Crane
9. An older model vise simialr to thier current 5" Multi-Purpose Vise.
10. 12 inch Disc Sander (the older green model).
 
S

steel 35

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
2,105
Location
Between the PNW and the Emerald Triangle
Three inch die grinder
Wrenches
3/4" ratchet set
Like my three 13 Drawer boxes.

AS mentioned I won't try pliers or anything that grips or turns screws anymore.

And these are a must for my shop!
 

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91bronc300

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Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
2,559
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mrpizza

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 1, 2011
Messages
2,935
Location
IL
1. 25 inch 1/2" breaker bar
2. 1/2" Earthquake impact gun
3. Goodyear air hoses
4. Four piece orange handle pick sets
5. 3" air cutoff tool
6. The drill master 4 1/2" angle grinders.
7. Pittsburgh pro impact sockets
8. The 2 ton low profile floor jack
9. Goop hand cleaner
10. Step bits

I love the grinder as they can be had for ten bucks. I get it with the two year extended warranty for an extra five bucks. Basically free grinders for two years. I rarely burn one up though.
 
N

NC-Fordguy

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
1,391
I've had good luck with.....

Impact sockets
20 ton shop press (I did break an arbor plate)
240 volt compressor
torque wrenches (I used these primarily for wheels)
Locking extensions
24 in breaker bar
vacume brake bleeder
step drill bits
die grinders
HLVP guns ( spraying primer and jamb outs)

not so much with some other things though
 
C

cheechi

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
4,384
Location
Triad, NC
I think I saw those sure shot style on a recent trip in there. I wanted one, but settled for one of the old style squeeze pump oil can style. It was just for WD40 but I have been meaning to get one of them anyway.
 
S

SteveL

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2005
Messages
760
Location
St. Louis, MO
Here's my list that has worked well:

HVLP spray gun
Dead blow hammers
6" bench grinder
Framing nailer
Air staple gun
25' hose reels - have 4 of these
Hearing protection ear muffs
Hydraulic roll around stool
4 ton Bottle jack & drill press vise - made an awesome golf club head extractor from these
Casters
20 gauge wide crown stapler - air version
Speed square
Compound sliding drill press vise
Bearing puller set
4" cut off discs


Probably have some others but can't remember off hand. Considering getting a couple of 44" tool boxes to go under a new bench.
 
C

Cedge

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2012
Messages
205
Location
Greenville SC
1000 pound lift table..... like having 2 extra hands.
56" Roller Box................ I can actually find my tools now.
Titanium Nitride End mills.... Cheap, tough as nails and cut great.
115 pc. Titanium Nitride Drill index.... Cheap, accurate and quite durable.
115 pc. Cobalt Drill Index.... Self centering, accurate and very durable.
Green Tool Grinder..... Sadly, discontinued, but this thing is a beast.
6 and 8 inch Digital Calipers..... Accurate and cheap enough to have several.
Aluminum Racing Floor Jack.... Light weight, low profile and works exactly like it should.
3 ton Jack Stands..... heavily made, well designed and very dependable.
1" Belt and 5" Disc Combination Sander.... Tough little ****** that just keeps going and going.
4 ft 12 socket power strips..... Heavy duty with a lot of quality for the price

Didn't realize just how many good long term usable tools I've gotten from HF.

Steve
 
H

Hammer1963

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
2,048
Location
Kentucky
Black 4 drawer tool cart
Titanium Nitride step drills
1/8" double end Titanium Nitride drill bits
Orange dead blow hammers
Mig pliers
2 part epoxy
No longer available HF Pro 3" DA (mine is 15 yrs old and used weekly)
1/2" breaker bar
Chicago Electric 3" cut-off wheels
 
A

acdc73

Banned
Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Messages
131
I keep hearing about the HF step drill bits - I'll have to get some and see if they hold up
 
E

Exceller8

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2012
Messages
2,337
Location
Banning, CA
15 piece metric & SAE service wrench sets
Red shop rags

The service wrenches are so good they are the only ones that get to play with my other American made stuff. :D
 
M

Mike662

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 19, 2009
Messages
303
Location
Colorado
I don't have 10 items on my list, but I have their self-retracting air and electric reels, and I am more than satisfied with both.

Plus the 44" toobox, discussed at length here on GJ. Excellent value for the money, IMHO.

$9 heat gun, works for my purpose (mostly, heat shrink tubing)
 
J

jweller

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
108
1) Best thing I bought there was a tile saw.They don't carry it anymore but it it is this one I have done a ton of tile work with it and it keeps on ticking. I did not buy the blade at HF thought.

other stuff

2) the hooks and picks
3) tarps
4) the 6 pack of split leather work gloves
5) step drills
6) the nut and bolt storehouses - I buy them if I see them on sale. and they have saved me a trip a number of times. Obviously not grade 8 or anything, but its a good cheap assortment.
7)Casters
8)the oscillating multi tool - I bought it because I wasn't sure how much I would use it, and figured I'd try the cheap one to see how useful it was, but I use it all the time and it keeps going. Louder than a bomb though.
9)12 ton press
10)the LED puck thats always on sale for like $3. Picked one up and I can't believe how bright it. and it's got a hook and a magnet so you can get it where you need it. lotta bang for the bucks
 
A

ambenz

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
4,236
Location
NW Chicago Suburbs
I have to say I am satified with all these things I bought.....

tb1.jpg


tb2.jpg


tb3.jpg


tb4.jpg
 
OP
D

Danglerb

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
9,736
Location
SoCal
TipsyMcStagger said:
Can this be used with a bit capable of drilling 1 1/2" holes into rock?

I have a bunch of rocks in the canal behind my home I've been trying to remove to no avail. I'm considering using expanding grout (expanding cement) which requires a series of 1 1/2" holes to be bored.

Tipsy
Click to expand...

1 1/2 you might need to step up a model, but I haven't seen many comments on rock drilling, only concrete.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23829
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37460
 
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