Your favorite Harbor Freight (HF) Bargain?

[just4funsies]

Like those sanding sponges, and got a nice little submersible sump pump to drain the pool with for 8 bucks. Have some of their clamps, but trust the good work to the high-dollar ones (Bessey and Jet). My son got one of their 4x8 trailers for his mowers, seems to have been an excellent value. I like their chip brushes for disposable convenience in non-finish usage. I use their latex and nitrile gloves. The mortiser was a good deal for $69.

But the BEST deal at HF is the 20% off coupon, which I use often at HD and Lowes for bigger ticket items. Have even bought appliances with them.

[davidtu]

But the BEST deal at HF is the 20% off coupon, which I use often at HD and Lowes for bigger ticket items. Have even bought appliances with them.

HF has product in common with Lowes and HD? Like what?

Everything looks to me like Chicago Electric, etc. How do you work it?

[sweensdv]

My thumbs up HF list in no particular order is;

#40073 1/4" Crown Stapler
#45378 2HP Dust collector
#05645 Magnetic Base
#00623 1" Dial Indicator
#34214 Angle finder
#36697 Feather board
#44566 Dado Set
#07535 1/4" Swivel Connector
#36842 High Volume Air Duster Gun(Retail Stores Only)
#41891 Tire Inflator w/Guage
#31255 3/4" Pipe Clamp
#04067 3-Way Edge Clamp
#34387 6" Bar Clamp
#05975 12" Bar Clamp
#31264 18" Bar Clamp
#?????? C-Clamps, All Sizes
#35837 Brad Point 29 Piece Drill Bit Set
#36221 9" Drill Press Locking Clamp
#41796 1LB Neon Dead Blow Hammer
#37861 SAE T-Handle Hex Key Set
#37862 Metric T-Handle Hex Key Set
#47257 6" Digital Caliper
#90007 SAE Ratcheting Wrench Set
#90008 Metric Ratcheting Wrench Set
#42305 Metric Box Wrench Set
#00659 Magnetic Parts Holder
#03163 600# Hand Truck Dolly
#42288 Magnetic Pick-Up Tool

Not all are gems of course but for the money they cost I've been satisfied.

[LCHIEN]

HF has product in common with Lowes and HD? Like what?

Everything looks to me like Chicago Electric, etc. How do you work it?

well not much in common.

But sometimes you will get a manager at one of the box stores
to OK a match - they say they match coupons and its a hardware store...

OTOH, sometimes you get box store managers who won't approve a coupon match with HF - and you can see why.

[Woodwerker]

Justed posted a new thread on this one, but I picked up a 14"X40" Lathe for $30 minus the 20% coupon for a total of $24 out the door. This was a clearance item and they had a few left :-)

[radhak]

Please note this is an ancient thread, rejuvenated.

Thought this might do with a bump, and others can add more.

Also, this might be a good place to mention that I found just now (searching for this thread) that there is a a "Social Group" for HF Stuff. Click on quick links at the top of the page and click on social groups. Maybe I should post this there too...

Anyway, just realized that a pack of 10 foam brushes for $0.89 (yes, 89 cents) from HF is one of the best things I could get. The foam is slightly softer than what I got from Rockler, but at a tenth of what that cost, I am very happy !

At 9 cents each, it's the real 'disposable' - no cleaning!

[Knottscott]

Since this thread was started, I've added a 13" benchtop DP, model 38142 for $144. I don't know what more I could ask of a DP....it's really been terrific.

[dbhost]

For me:

14" bandsaw (on sale + 20% coupon)
DC (on sale + 20% coupon)
6" Jointer (same)

They all work fine - not top quality, a pain to assemble, and the tools both needed a little tuning, but overall, I'm satisfied.

Another vote for the 14" Band Saw #32208, and the 2HP Industrial Dust Collector #98769.

I also want to cast my vote for the Pittsburg bar clamps of all sizes, on sale these things are such a steal it's almost criminal...

Not sure of the model #, but the stud sensor / metal detector has yet to fail me.

I don't own the 6" jointer due to space constraints, but if I wasn't worried about space, I would have preferred the longer bed of the HF jointer over my Sunhill...

For the most part, everything I have gotten at HF has been pretty decent, except for the hole saws, and corner clamps. And those were pretty obvious in store that they were junk... I took a cheap gamble they would do the job. They did, just barely...

[messmaker]

I really like the 6" jointer as well. My favorite tool is the $25 hammer drill. It is a beast and then some.

[JoeyGee]

I paid less than $10 for a brad nailer, and it has paid for itself many times over. It's powered by a HF pancake compressor that I don't remember what I paid for, but has been well worth the price.

I bought a 4" grinder for one job. It was under $10 IIRC. It was cheaper than renting one, and I still can't kill the thing. It's been great. I think there was a thread on this not too long ago.

I recently bought a shop apron for $3 and I love it. It doesn't have the nice criss-cross, back saving straps, but so far it's comfortable for me. The strap was a little scratchy on my neck, but my MIL put some nice soft leather on it for me, now it's great.

I will second and third the Pittsburgh clamps. They are a steal.

[MPH1978]

Their digital calipers are pretty good.

[eccentrictinkerer]

This is my favorite HF tool. Sometimes called a molding removal tool, it's really slick for a lot of tasks. Other than my cordless drill, it's probably used more often than any tool in my bag. And it's only $1.99 on sale!

[jhart]

Posted this link over to the Harbor Freight Social Group. Maybe some others would like to join the group. Check it out.

[LCHIEN]

the 6" stainless steel digital calipers (don't get the plastic ones) are still the best value. And still going down in price.

[radhak]

Posted this link over to the Harbor Freight Social Group. Maybe some others would like to join the group. Check it out.

Good idea, Joe. I joined, and also created a 'worst of HF' discussion there. Now to see which one is a longer list .