Topic: Favorite Harbor freight Tools

[Duanob]

Not sure if this is the right place for this but there are a few tools I've found while working and restoring old motorcycles that I found very useful.

Today I put a new brake line on and definitely needed to flush out the old brake fluid. I had to go down and buy this vacuum brake bleeder.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-bleeder-and-vacuum-pump-kit-63391.html

Makes very short work out of bleeding brakes. This is my second one in 12 years. They don't work so great on ABS but they work perfect on old systems like this.

Also when painting my tanks and side covers I really like the variable speed buffer. I bought one a long time ago for my boat, used it to buff and polish paint on a couple of tanks. I still have it after 15 years! I figure if a HF tool lasts for that one job you bought it for, it worked, if it lasts past that it's gold!

the HF 8 Gal 2 hp compressor has been invaluable but after 10 years it's finally giving it up so maybe time for a new one. And the upholstery stapler they no longer sell, I've reupholstered 4 motorcycle seats with it. but it works on plastic seat pans not metal.

Any way what's your favorite HF tools? Or worst!

[Tracksnblades1]

Probably should be posted under “OTHER” not to include politics..

The Jumbo wrench extension set.  I needed a sacrificial 2.5” box end wrench for a one time use (hopefully)..
Brought the 4) wrench set for the 2.5” one for $79.00. lucked out and got a discount..

Cut the open end part off and welded a short 2.5” shaft were the open end was..
In combination with an old school hickory handle sledge hammer it removed what the 1inch extended anvil impact at 180psig wouldn’t…

😁

[HondaMan]

I like their sockets when I have to hammer some rusted bolt half to roundness to get it out. Then I can throw both away afterwards.
I like their little 'detail' brushes: they are cheap enough to be used once without much pain on certain nasty projects.
I like their meter-long screwdrivers. I keep one by the front door for salesmen who can't read the sign, or don't know what "NO SOLICITING" means. Obi-Wan would approve?
I don't like their sparkplug 'cleaners' - they don't seem to.
I like their can crusher - it saves my forehead.
Their plastic 'ammo boxes' make good toolboxes for the cars. They aren't actually waterproof, though.
I also have one of their drill presses. Sadly, it lacks a long enough chain to reach the bottom of the lake when I am boating in deep water, though.

[Duanob]

I like their can crusher - it saves my forehead.

HAHA! No doubt!

I also like their zip tie gun but I only paid $5 for it 10 years ago, but I still use it often when it comes to putting wiring back in place.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hardware/cable-ties/cable-tie-gun-57965.html

[GurgleMurgle]

I really like my tire bead breaker - I have the older red one that kinda looks like a weird snow shoe at the base, but I’m sure the newer style works just as well.

I’ve also been really happy with my 10 gallon “quiet” air compressor. 

[HondaMan]

I’ve also been really happy with my 10 gallon “quiet” air compressor. 

I used to have one of their 5 gallon donut-shaped versions. It ran much quieter after I cut off the cord and put it out at the curb.
The Sears unit that replaced it was even better. I hope it doesn't break, now?

[spotty]

I also like their zip tie gun but I only paid $5 for it 10 years ago, but I still use it often when it comes to putting wiring back in place.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hardware/cable-ties/cable-tie-gun-57965.html

never seen one of those before, must have one now. the stainless one are even cooler

[scottly]

Today I put a new brake line on and definitely needed to flush out the old brake fluid. I had to go down and buy this vacuum brake bleeder.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-bleeder-and-vacuum-pump-kit-63391.html

I bought that bleeder a year or so ago, thinking that since it was made of metal instead of plastic like the Mityvac, it should be better, and since it was cheaper, why not? It sucked, or rather, it did Not suck! I took it back the next day (a 35 mile round trip, and got the real Mityvac. Actually, I was surprised that they had started carrying name brand products at that time.
I have a 14" abrasive chop-saw I bought over 30 years ago, and I've cut a lot of steel with it!

[CycleRanger]

Funny you should mention the brake bleed tool.
I need one of those and I was going to go HF this week to get one.

My favorite HF tool has got to be the motorcycle lift.
I got one back when they still had the 25% off coupons.
So far it works fine, no leaks from hydraulic cylinder.

I've gotten a lot of use out of the cheapo blasting cabinet as well.
After I caulked all the seams and installed a light.

I use a lot of the nitrile gloves as well.
I find most of their hand tools serviceable, at least for working on bikes.
I wouldn't buy any of their air tools or power tools however.

[Kelly E]

We have done at least 30 bikes on my HF lift table and with the side extensions I made from a single bed frame I have a Honda TRX 350 Rancher ATV on the table now. I bought it in 2016 and no issues so far.
We also assembled the blast cabinet with sealant and added a light, I'm going to add another light or two. I'm using 10" LED light strips for truck boxes.

We have a 40lb sandblaster that we've had since 08'. Once I figured out how to run it correctly it is great to be able to blast a frame and other large parts. The 20 ton press has been flawless but the 14" metal chop saw is getting a bit worn after 12 years of use. The blade travels out 1/8" when pull the trigger.

We have the refrigerated air drier that works okay but after a long session on the sandblaster or the blast cabinet it gets overwhelmed. But by then I'm usually done for the day anyway. The 1/2" Earthquake pneumatic impact gun works great for several years now.

[jgger]

I bought a code reader and was very pleased when I read the literature that came with it, it was made by Inova and branded for HF!

[HondaMan]

You're making me glad I bought the Mighty Mo bleeder the first time!

[BallAquatics]

I just use a syringe, cost $2 or $3 bucks.  Works great!

[70CB750]

I really like my tire bead breaker - I have the older red one that kinda looks like a weird snow shoe at the base, but I’m sure the newer style works just as well.

I’ve also been really happy with my 10 gallon “quiet” air compressor.

I got the 2 gallon quiet compressor for nailing and such.  Very happy with it. 

[70CB750]

They opened a store in the nearest town and I shop there often. 

- angle grinder dedicated to masonry, but the blade I use is Makita
- nailing guns
- ramps for the trailer
- HF "Pellican" cases are my luggage cases for the CB900
- hammers for blacksmithing
- pretty decent earmuffs
- car dollies I used to move my new lathe

I had bad experience with HF blades and such but that was a long time ago, they might got better. 

[BenelliSEI]

Funny you should mention the brake bleed tool.
I need one of those and I was going to go HF this week to get one.

My favorite HF tool has got to be the motorcycle lift.
I got one back when they still had the 25% off coupons.
So far it works fine, no leaks from hydraulic cylinder.

I've gotten a lot of use out of the cheapo blasting cabinet as well.
After I caulked all the seams and installed a light.

I use a lot of the nitrile gloves as well.
I find most of their hand tools serviceable, at least for working on bikes.
I wouldn't buy any of their air tools or power tools however.

I bought my Mity Vac on EBay 15-20 years ago. The plainest kit with just the pump and a bit of hose. One of the best tools in my shop…..

[Johnie]

That's when I bought my Mity Vac and it has been flawless. Good product...

[seanbarney41]

I bought Mity Vac years ago to work on cars and it was great for that.  Have never successfully bled a motorcycle brake with it ever.  All the hoses and the cup does come in handy though, as soon as the pump enters the picture everything goes to hell. 

Harbor Freight tools.  Always a disappointment.  Rarely are they effective even once.  I have only had success with the simplest stuff like cleaning brushes.  A dollar spent there is a dollar wasted.

[Medyo Bastos]

I have a spring loaded center punch, great little tool!

I used to have a big ass blue vice that snapped when i tried to tighten it a little bit more one time. Piece of junk weighed about 30#


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[ofreen]

The purple HVLP paint sprayer is famous, or was.  Worked very well and you get get them all the time for $12 on sale.  They were so cheap that I know some people wouldn't bother cleaning them, just throwing them away and breaking out another one when needed.  I still have 3 or 4, but I don't know if they still have them for sale.  It seems like a lot of the stuff they used to sell is no more.

[HondaMan]

I have 3 or 4 of their 'detail' paint sprayers that I've used when painting these 3- and 4-layer paints: I mix all the paints in the sprayers and have them ready for the 15-minute intervals between layers. I use a (big) nice Craftsman compressor now, as the little round HF one I had was so noisy the neighbors complained whenever I used it.

The sprayers work well and appear to still be the same model they still sell, with a progressive feed trigger and adjustable max air rate. They used to call them "detail sprayers" back when I bought them, circa 2005 or so. They painted the bike on the cover of my book as their first job.

[Don R]

 My bike lift was $279 on sale a few years back. That was the best time to get one, it didn't have any apparent defects like some did back then.
 The touch-up paint gun also has been a good value.

[Duanob]

I got one more! The 24" tire irons are spot on. I had 2 12" ones that were almost useless so for $15 I bought 2 longer ones from HF that worked great for removing old stiff tires.

[HondaMan]

I just remembered these: I have 2 screwdrivers that are 1m (3 feet!) long, one in Phillips and one straight blade, from HF. They worked great to help change the CTS (Crankshaft Trigger Sensor) in my JEEP, which is about 8" further away than my fingertips can reach from underneath the driver's seat floor.

[budman]

I have a Black Widow HTE paint gun that is pretty sweet.  It's as good as the Devilbiss and the Binks guns a used back in the day.  I've read in a lot of the reviews that a lot of autobody guys are using them.  The only thing about the Black Widow gun is the cup.  It's just a cheap plastic cup and the lid doesn't like to screw on very easily and it sometimes leaks a little bit, but the gun sprays great.