What different specialty items did HF sell...

[DFB]

In the past that are like no longer available?

I mean something besides the famed Whale gutting knife, or Cordless Hammer

There was a post today "Rare and collectible Harbor Freight tools?" over in Vintage Tools of course pretty much meant to be a joke about their ever being any value to their import tools. And even though the current inventory of tools and products has changed somewhat in the past few years for sure, I for one have never been a raving fan of most items HF sells in general.

But I have purchased some things from there in over probably 30 years time mostly thru mail order too back when, so when that post come up made me think of a few items that I have that of course aren't found in the current catalog or on the website. And if a likeness can be found out on the market at all.

Now the first one I looked for was a match to this Made in Taiwan 4pc stud puller set that HF no longer carries, item # 05337 but looking online there are many various imports that look to be exactly the same thing still. And except for the red storage box vs the old gray HF one , the SUNEX 8804 set was one the very first search matches I came across. Right down to knurling and stamping

https://sunextools.com/products/4-pc-sae-stud-puller-set/


Anybody else maybe have something to share...

 

[ChrisLS8]

They had a square socket set that I used for Nissan drain plugs

 

[dodge610]

I have that stud puller set from HF no complaints on my end they do the job.

 

[DFB]

They had a square socket set that I used for Nissan drain plugs

I remember that!

Also regret not buying it

 

[DFB]

I have that stud puller set from HF no complaints on my end they do the job.

 

[DFB]

So here is another item HF doesn't sell anymore the Pittsburgh # 40824 2 lb (32oz) brass fiberglass handled hammer and also the 1lb or 16oz version.

So looking online who sells the same thing in with just a slight change in the neck of the fiberglass shaft but in general identical right down the molding on the rubber handle and COO (for a seriously shitload LOT more money these days too!)

I also have the same hammers in both sizes with a solid copper head too.


https://www.tekton.com/brass-hammers?head-weight=32-oz
https://www.tekton.com/16-oz-jacketed-fiberglass-brass-hammer-30903

 

[Swervyjoe]

Doesn't look like they have planishing hammers anymore.

 

[Stephenw]

Wheel alignment turnplates.

 

[unslow1]

I was disappointed when they stopped stocking the huge rechargeable Maglite brand flashlights.

 

[joe_padavano]

The HF Soda Blast conversion kit to turn your pressure pot into a soda blaster. I got one of these years ago and installed it on a cheap pressure blaster. It actually works, and no, it isn't just brass fittings - there's some sort of orifice down inside it. I think I paid under $50. The same kit today is sold by vendors like ALC and Eastwood for considerably more. The picture is even the same.

 

[Shehzada]

Why were all these discontinued? Not enough purchased em?

Sent from my mobile device

 

[Odd-job]

I can’t seem to find the nutcracker they supposedly used to sell.

Edit: not sure if this counts as specialty but I do miss the Goodyear rubber air hoses they used to carry. I guess they realized the made in USA hoses were too good so replaced them with their house brand.

 

[darkzero]

Not really speciality items but a few off the top of my head are the carbide grinder (Baldor clone). Yeah just a Chinese knock off but was sold for way cheaper than all the other knock offs.

They used to sell a mini 3oz grease gun like the Dualco. I liked those & still have the ones I got from HF.

They used to sell a high pressure oiler. Not the metal can ones, those leaked like crazy. It was all plastic with clear plastic can but they worked well, were cheap, & they never leaked.

They used to sell a short 9" grease gun hose. Yeah nothing special but they were cheap. I use them on the their 3oz grease gun, not the one I mentioned above that is a push button pump, the mini grease gun they still sell that takes the little grease cartiridges. Luckily I bought 4 of the hoses before they got discontinued.

 

[619DioFan]

I have a deadblow hammer with a brass head on one end and plastic on the other. one of my favorite tools. they haven't carried these in a long time. also before the us general 72 '' 18 drawer box they had a 72'' 20 drawer that was I believe 30'' deep. only seen pics of it but it sure looked nice.

 

[stock z/28]

The 3/8 drive flex flare sockets?

 

[darkzero]

I do miss the Goodyear rubber air hoses they used to carry. I guess they realized the made in USA hoses were too good so replaced them with their house brand.

I have one of those Goodyear hoses from HF on a HF retractable reel. It's my main air hose at home & still in really good shape. The red hose that came with the reel I gave to my buddy, I never even used it. My buddy said it only lasted a few months before developing cracks and eventually blew a hole.

 

[Arcoril]

The 3/8 drive flex flare sockets?

I was thinking the same thing when I saw this thread. I first heard about it from this review and I'm sad that I never got a chance to grab a set.

 

[mfewtrail]

They had a square socket set that I used for Nissan drain plugs

I have one of those pipe plug sets. That set included square and hex sockets.


HF used to carry a security torx + etorx socket set in the same style blue case the pipe plug sockets came in. Those were pretty decent as well.

I have one of those Goodyear hoses from HF on a HF retractable reel. It's my main air hose at home & still in really good shape. The red hose that came with the reel I gave to my buddy, I never even used it. My buddy said it only lasted a few months before developing cracks and eventually blew a hole.

I have one of the red rubber HF hoses and it's five years old at this point. No cracking at all. It does not see much sunlight and isn't left pressurized when not being used.

 

[Aaron_W]

They used to sell full size lathes, not just the 7"x and 8"x mini lathes.

 

[mrvm]

Seems the red round pads for the floor jacks are no longer available. Mine hasn't cracked yet but has saved some paint on the pinch welds or frame rails

 

[darkzero]

They used to sell full size lathes, not just the 7"x and 8"x mini lathes.

They used to sell 12x, 9x, & a micro 4x lathe. Also used to sell a benchtop size knee mill (Clausing clone) but I've never seen any of them in the stores around here. The 4x I did see in stores but not anymore & they don't have them on the website anymore either. I wanted to get a 4x just to mess around with.

The 8x used to be in stores around here but not anymore. And the raised the price to $999! When I bought mine I paid $385 otd w/ tax. Now the 7x costs $599!

Edit: I just looked & looks like they still sell the knee mill. I haven't seen anyone buy one recently though but no surprise. And they dropped the 8x down to $699. Guess they finally came to their senses not selling any for $1k.

 

[MushCreek]

They used to sell copper hammers for way less than you could buy one elsewhere. They haven't sold them in many years, but I still have one. It's so mushroomed as to be nearly useless, though. A brass hammer will work harden; a copper one won't.

 

[jacked_72]

I bought a valve spring compressor at HF 15+ years ago. They don't carry anything like it anymore.

 

[Arcoril]

Seems the red round pads for the floor jacks are no longer available. Mine hasn't cracked yet but has saved some paint on the pinch welds or frame rails

That's a shame. I've been thinking of picking a new one up since my old one is getting a little beat up. A hockey puck works as an alternative but I definitely prefer the red pads.

 

[ARFLY]

Use to sell a stubby Roto head ratchet. I should have bought one.

 

[dodge610]

Use to sell a stubby Roto head ratchet. I should have bought one.

Still got mine it was a this might come in handy purchase lol.

 

[ARFLY]

Still got mine it was a this might come in handy purchase lol.

Has it come in handy?

 

[Aaron_W]

They used to sell 12x, 9x, & a micro 4x lathe. Also used to sell a benchtop size knee mill (Clausing clone) but I've never seen any of them in the stores around here. The 4x I did see in stores but not anymore & they don't have them on the website anymore either. I wanted to get a 4x just to mess around with.

The 8x used to be in stores around here but not anymore. And the raised the price to $999! When I bought mine I paid $385 otd w/ tax. Now the 7x costs $599!

Edit: I just looked & looks like they still sell the knee mill. I haven't seen anyone buy one recently though but no surprise. And they dropped the 8x down to $699. Guess they finally came to their senses not selling any for $1k.

Yeah, they still have the Clausing like knee mill and 8x oniine. I think they also have one of the Rong-Fu style mill drills, but again only online.

The really weird thing to me is the 7x10 lathe is $669 but the larger 7x12 is $599? Why would anyone pay $70 more for a 2" shorter bed.

They have also priced themselves into the range of the smaller diameter but much higher quality, US made Sherline and Taig mini-lathes. When I bought my Sherline a few years ago, the HF minis were quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Ditchdigger]

I have a few Strong Hand Expand-o pliers I bought from HF years back

I also used to buy Bondhus allen wrench sets there.

 

[DFB]

I have a few Strong Hand Expand-o pliers I bought from HF years back

Wow can't say I remember THAT plier tool

I also used to buy Bondhus allen wrench sets there.

Ya they had a lot brand names one time Skil, Homelight even Milwaukee

 

[DFB]

So with a little garage time it just dawned on me this old 748pc SAE hardware and bin storage set of mine set came thru Harbor Freight too in those good old days. Must have been late 80's early 90's.

I also bought more of the bins 2 boxes of 20 for extra hardware storage outside of the set. Still have them all too.

Looking online its available from many vendors some well over $150 with CPO being one of the better priced suppliers but still over $100.

https://www.cpooutlets.com/atd-343-...n343&msclkid=0d02d9fa0d181ff9926587f051d4ca73

I believe I paid maybe $59 back then at best.

 

[yrly]

They used to sell these pretty solid longer handle ratcheting offset wrenches, not that riveted together plastic/plate metal stuff you usually see. Beam style and had a push reversal switch. Cummins tool truck sales used to have them too. I only have the SAE set I believe since I work mostly on yard equipment but my dad has both sets. Crazy they were only $25 or so now that I think about it. I haven’t seen one for sale anywhere in years.

 

[engineer2]

They used to sell a granite polishing kit. Would be great for scratches and minor repairs. Long discontinued.

 

[lbhsbz]

Not specialty, but these are probably my favorite adjustable wrenches...purchased at HF in the ‘90s.

They’re very good

 

[1foxracing]

This is a tool they sold as a automotive brake spring tool but I bought it for motorcycle exhaust springs and it works great. They were like $2.50 when they sold them. You can buy the same tool today under different brands starting around $10.

 

[DFB]

This is a tool they sold as a automotive brake spring tool but I bought it for motorcycle exhaust springs and it works great. They were like $2.50 when they sold them. You can buy the same tool today under different brands starting around $10.

Ya that's a good one for sure!

I remember we had a thread going on those spring tools a while back I bought a set of 5 new ones from my motorcycle shop bud at his dealer cost (he bought a set too)

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417410&highlight=spring+puller

 

[gearhead1]

Well, this light for one thing. Had one on my mill. Then a couple years go by any they no longer have it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LYEIYS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They were like $5 from HF.

 

[gearhead1]

They also had a grade 5 bolt assortment, like 500 piece.

 

[darkzero]

Well, this light for one thing. Had one on my mill. Then a couple years go by any they no longer have it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LYEIYS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They were like $5 from HF.

I remember those. I had one, used it for a while until the switch broke.

 

[kctyphoon]

Anybody ever wonder where China imports its cheap **** from? Lol