(Part 3) Top products from r/harborfreight

Not a split beam style one. Never have to reset those when putting them away.

This one is a stellar buy - non branded snap on for a fraction of the cost. I love my hf stuff but this torque wrench is the best one I’ve ever had

Precision Instruments PREC3FR250F Silver 1/2" Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench with Flex Head https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMSFIM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_M4aPCbFEZ9X3H

Your supposed to use the filter and the bag together but it's kind of a hassle to fit them both in there so I just use the bag and it works well. This is the brand that I use, I am still on my first set as the bags can hold quite a bit.

Crucial vacuum bags https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DNITR28?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image&th=1

Just make sure there compatible with your model.

My rule of thumb at Harbor Freight is to buy the best version of whatever tool you are looking at, and read the reviews.

My experience with their power tools:

-Chicago Electric reciprocating saw: Decent, not quite as robust as a higher end unit, but for $20 and occasional use, it's fine.

-Drillmaster angle grinder: Used it several times a week for a year until it was stolen. $10 and pretty solid as long as you give it an occasional break under heavy use.

-Bauer cordless angle grinder: Replacement for the Drillmaster, and I would run two batteries out under heavy use without the tool itself appearing to break a sweat (e.g. cutting 1" notches out of 1/2" mild steel).

The table saw, in particular, does not have the best reputation, and the miter saw could be better.

I would spend a little extra to at least get the Admiral miter saw: https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/miter-saws/12-in-dual-bevel-sliding-compound-miter-saw-64686.html

And then maybe this for a table saw: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HIWQZ4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=daringabroad-20&linkId=d20fa642a4fd9c281d7233dfd403fbee

It also looks like it has been pretty heavily used based on the guard plate scuffs and the motor housing. $65 new brand name vs $40 used HF w/o legit warranty... idk man. Splitting hairs at that point imo

edit: $55 Makita & $67 Dewalt searching amazon for like 30 seconds

If you are working on things that get scratched easily, make sure to also buy a non-marring jaw cover for the vise! they're made out of some type of rubber or plastic and won't ruin your "stuff." Something like this.

I have 3 grinders:

• Dewalt DEW402
  
• Portercable PC60TPAG
  
• An older HF 5 or 7 amp.. can't recall which.
  
  I listed these in specific order of my favorite, second favorite, and third. Depending on what I'm doing, I lean pretty hard on these grinders from time to time and all three are fantastic. The HF is slightly underpowered compared to the dewalt, but it was always 1/3rd the cost! If you can spare a few extra bucks, I'd probably swing for the Porter Cable personally... however, I have no doubt the Chicago Electric would probably last you a good long time.

The 150 is the better bet because it's clip on, instead of cigarette lighter. But if you're gonna pay retail prices, might as well just go this route https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00088-88P-Portable-Compressor/dp/B005ASY23I

My little Makita is a “big bore” design, similar power to what the HF 21g claims. Nice and quiet. Under 80db from a few feet away.

I’ve been thinking about doing a bad thing… sticking the Makita’s pump & motor into the big cheap HF tank and throw away the noisy HF assembly.

Definitely interested in the new stuff from HF!

Why that Precision Instruments wrench over a CDI torque wrench, which is who makes Snap-On's torque wrenches, last I checked?
I'm asking for research purposes, not criticism.

I have this saved in my tool wish list.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LA19P2/

1 - There are definitely other tools in the market that look like HF clones. They'll change the housing colors to brand the tool as their own. The best way to find them is to do a search on Amazon for the HF tool brand and name. For example, "central pneumatic brad nailer" will list a number of HF nailers as well as ones that are very similar. If you compare the pictures and specs you'll notice that some are almost exact except for the color and stickers.

HF Brad Nailer

Valu-Air Brad Nailer

I'm really not sure about the internal parts but I bet they're not much different, especially considering the price of both. This may not be true for some of the other tools.

2 - Their higher end tools are supposed to compete with Milwaukee, Dewalt, Makita, etc. They still sell the lower end tools at cheap prices so I think people will keep buying them. I wrote a post about this a few months ago https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/b6s3n4/hf_premium_tools_and_the_future_of_hf/

I used 3M spray adhesive and cut this to fit for the top of my 5 drawer cart and the side shelf:

Rubber Diamond Mat

PORTER-CABLE 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher 119.99 over at Amazon. It's the most/best rated.
PORTER-CABLE 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B002654I46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KspZCbNJV560D

I was considering the same one and ended up going with this one off Amazon. Similar wattage and price range but it also runs off propane.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RBKGZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_qOI3DUz9ajy6Y

I think I found the kit they are, here's a link for reference: DEWALT DW1361 Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set, 21-Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GIO0F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_mVLlzb08AERJN

I'm using this for a wheel chock. It folds down flush to the deck for folding the trailer.

Finished product here.

They look similar. heres the one i used https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001RM8BMY/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

Here's one for $350 shipped

There are items specifically for this purpose. This is the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/d/Leaf-Blower-Parts-Vacuum-Accessories/Metro-ED500-DataVac-500-Watt-Electric/B001J4ZOAW

There are cheaper ones out there, but those are made of plastic and the DataVac is made of steel.

These Knipex are very reasonably priced and will handle 99% of the snap rings you come across. I've used too many shitty pliers. At this point, I just get the knipex on Amazon and get on with my life. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD9RNUC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

One of their 6t jackstands slipped on me with this thing sitting on top of it. Damn near shit me britches. Turned out to be a manufacturing flaw on one of the jackstand's teeth. I switched to these and I'll never go back.