Tool time

[jonesg]

Harbour Freight just opened up nearby.

I think I'm hyperventilating.

The prices are rediculously low, elec welding helmet $49.
I know its chinese junk, but I like chinese junk.
Heatguns $9 !
Hammer drill $29
1/4" air tool die grinder $7.99
angle grinder $19
Mig welder $100
Tig welder $400
impact screwdriver $7 !

pant pant pant...

 

[dooma_Flatchy]

Re: Tool time

I like Harbor Freight.

I bought a heavy duty tarp (15x30) for $40.00 2 weeks ago. I've bought an 8 gallon air compressor for a $50 bill 8 years that still works like a new one.

Have fun in there LOL.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Tool time

That is the exact reaction I had whehn I realized (after a year of living here) that we had one nearby. I've spent SO much money there and the wife is finally less frantic when I go there, as I've bought one of just about everything

I think the most important thing to remember when in there is: They won't sell out! Only buy what you need right now!

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Tool time

I think the most important thing to remember when in there is: They won't sell out! Only buy what you need right now!

Also, that it WILL go on sale again!

 

[jimr]

Re: Tool time

Don't buy anything there without a coupon or item being on sale. they do have some diamonds in the rough BUT mostly junk

 

[i386]

Re: Tool time

Funny, I went to the one in Montgomery, AL today. All I bought was a 3 piece set of step drill bits. They were ridiculously cheap compared to the $50 ones at Home Depot. I need them for drilling aluminum sheet metal which should be fine. I wish there was once closer to me. I prefer good tools, but sometimes a "lifetime" tool is not required when you're in a jam.

Use sparingly as needed I say.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Tool time

Don't buy anything there without a coupon or item being on sale. they do have some diamonds in the rough BUT mostly junk

True, you need to be selective but to say "mostly junk", I would not agree. First rate? No, but a far cry from the other end of the spectrum.

I lived thru the emergence of the Japanese resurgence and a lot of the Chinese stuff is superior to the early Japanese stuff and there is a much wider selection.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Tool time

Jones step away from the $49.00 welding hood ( they truly are crap ) spend $20.00 more at Tractor supply on a Hobart auto dark hood and you will be happy with your purchase ( the optics in the HF hood suuuuuuuck ) trust me I tried 2 of them . The $100.00 Mig is ok if its one you can use with shielding gas . I have heard good things about the Tig. I probably have almost as many tools from HF as HF has in the local store LOL. The only bad tool I have gotten from them was the hoods of course and a 4&1/2" angle grinder ( the blue one ) the orange ones from what I understand are decent. Get on their emailing list and check their websight before buying tools as you may find a better price online and you can print the page and take it with you and they will match the price in the store .


Rick

 

[jonesg]

Re: Tool time

I looked at the flyer I grabbed and the Tig is only $350,
so whats the catch, low power?

I looked the mig over, plastic wire feed clockwork, no ability to use gas and only 2 power settings.

That doesn't compare to the lincoln mig i have but the price is good.

I'll hold off on the helmet, I'm getting used to welding the wrong seams.

I have a small sherline lathe and mill, the HF hobby lathe is cheaper but sloppy where it counts.

Then again, yrs ago I bought thier horizontal metal bandsaw and its fine.

Pick and choose I guess, great to have a store here though.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Tool time

Always nice to have a candy store nearby....we have a similar store up here called Princess Auto ...their return policy is so great break any of the China stuff they replace it no questions asked....good sales on their better stuff too sales are monthly ...happy shopping

 

[mscher]

Re: Tool time

When I painted my barn, I got some really nice 4" paint brushes from HF, for about .79 each, on sale.

Not top quality, but on about par with the cheapies at the box stores, that sell for $4.25 ea.

Could even bring myself to wash them out!.. Just pitched them when done.

Only lost a very small amount of bristles, if any one ach brush.

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Tool time

I'm selective about what I buy there, since I use tools to make a living, but for quick and dirty stuff, they can't be beat. I did buy one of their big tool boxes on sale for $399, and it's better in many ways than my old Kennedy. Ball bearing drawers and decent casters- it's very well made. My tools (tool and die stuff) are VERY heavy, but the drawers work with ease. Their .99 screwdrivers (orange) seem to be as tough as any name brand ones.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Tool time

I have the cheapie Mig (paid $89) and it works well for my needs. I don't plan to make any custom choppers or build a high-rise, though. I did buy the auto-dark helmet and it works well for me. Sometime the lights in my garage kick it off, so I find I need to keep my head down a little. Oddly I have no such issues when outside, so I often weld in the entry to my garage. I like that the Mig uses a normal 120v plug.

I also bought a set of their wrenches and they are quite nice. They aren't craftsman, but they are machined well unlike other cheapie wrenches. I end up using them more than my craftsman set, just because I don't mind losing them and they are longer, giving me more leverage.

Just be wary of the power tools, as most are flea market quality. If you need something badly for a few jobs, they pay for themselves, but you likely won't have them for years like the better name brands.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Tool time

so maybe I'll give the auto helmet a shot.
I keep flashing myself, got arc eye a couple times, those big gloves do it.!

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Tool time

Don't buy anything there without a coupon or item being on sale. they do have some diamonds in the rough BUT mostly junk

I agree. HF's tools are OK for the average DIY'er but they lack the quality for heavy use.

Ditto on waiting for an item to go on sale or have a coupon. I'm a "preferred customer" and get e-mails all the time with a 20% off coupon on any item. The catch is the 20% coupon is only good for 3 or 4 days till it expires. But guess what, another 20% off offer is just around the corner.