Your favorite Harbor Freight (HF) Bargain?

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • davidtu
    Senior Member
    • Apr 2006
    • 708
    • Seattle, WA
    • BT3100

    Your favorite Harbor Freight (HF) Bargain?

    Trying to summon the collective wisdom of what items are considered good buys from HF. The forums have this info spread all over, but maybe we can collect it here??
    Never met a bargain I didn't like.
  • Jeffrey Schronce
    Veteran Member
    • Nov 2005
    • 3822
    • York, PA, USA.
    • 22124

    #2
    Aluminum Bar Clamps (example 48" (44" opening) is currently $9.99 - % offs).
    Latex and Nitrile Gloves (Lates in store currently for $3.99 per 100, Nitrile is on sale online for $4.99 per 100)
    Nail Guns are often cited as excellent values - framing and others

    Comment

    • jspelbring
      Established Member
      • Nov 2004
      • 167
      • Belleville, IL, USA.
      • Craftsman 22114

      #3
      HF bargains

      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.
      To do is to be.

      Comment

      • jnesmith
        Senior Member
        • Jan 2003
        • 892
        • Tallahassee, FL, USA.

        #4
        I second most of what has been mentioned, with the exception of stationary power tools.

        Digital dial calipers.

        Recon Dewalt ROS.

        HVLP turbine spray unit.

        12" Disk sander.

        Ryobi string trimmer.

        I've been happy with all of these, and bought them all at deeply discounted sale prices.
        John

        Comment

        • WayneJ
          Senior Member
          • Jan 2004
          • 785
          • Elmwood Park, New Jersey, USA.

          #5
          I'll find out in a couple of weeks. I just put a job app in the store thats opening near me I might be working for them.
          Wayne
          Wayne J

          Comment

          • Knottscott
            Veteran Member
            • Dec 2004
            • 3815
            • Rochester, NY.
            • 2008 Shop Fox W1677

            #6
            The Pittsburg 6" bar clamps for $1.99
            Happiness is sort of like wetting your pants....everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.

            Comment

            • messmaker
              Veteran Member
              • May 2004
              • 1495
              • RICHMOND, KY, USA.
              • Ridgid 2424

              #7
              We used to have a pretty exclusive list on what were considered good products from Harbor Freight. I can't seem to be able to find it. If it can be located , we could just update.
              spellling champion Lexington region 1982

              Comment

              • uglystick
                Established Member
                • Jan 2006
                • 119
                • Garland, TX, USA
                • Ridgid R4511 Granite top

                #8
                my HF stuff

                No power tools or big ticket items in my lineup (yet). ALWAYS use a coupon & check internet for price match in store.

                1309-2VGA DEAD BLOW HAMMER
                1903-6VGA 7 PC, 3/8'' SHANK, 1/4'' TO 1'' TITANIUM NITRIDE COATED FORSTNER BIT SET
                4852-1VGA 8'' CONTROLLED PRESSURE, NON-MARRING HARDWOOD CLAMP
                33279-8VGA PUSH BLOCK
                36697-0VGA FEATHER BOARD WITH ANGLE FINDER
                37051-9VGA NITRILE GLOVES, LARGE (PACK OF 100)
                38183-7VGA 24'' ALUMINUM BAR CLAMP
                41338-0VGA 36 PC. 1/2'' SHOP BRUSHES
                43768-2VGA INDUSTRIAL EAR MUFFS
                46074-4VGA ADJUSTABLE ROLLER STAND
                46309-2VGA 18 GAUGE, 3/8'' TO 2'' AIR BRAD NAILER
                46752-7VGA MEDIUM GRIT SANDING SPONGES (10 PACK)
                47078-6VGA QUICK ACTION 8-POSITION WORKBENCH
                47257-5VGA 6'' DIGITAL CALIPER
                47429-2VGA ROTARY CLAMP VISE
                91525-1VGA 3/8" x 25 FT. PVC AIR HOSE
                94024-0VGA 4 PC. SOLID BRASS QUICK COUPLER SET

                -Kendall

                Comment

                • vanguard
                  Established Member
                  • Jul 2005
                  • 287
                  • Brighton, MI, USA.
                  • Ridgid TS2400SL

                  #9
                  I like my 18 gauge nailers, my 1/2" impact and my horizontal/vertical 4x6 metal cutting bandsaw.

                  For latex gloves I like to use Costco. 3 boxes for 9.99.

                  Comment

                  • JR
                    The Full Monte
                    • Feb 2004
                    • 5633
                    • Eugene, OR
                    • BT3000

                    #10
                    Digital calipers ($15 on sale)
                    JR

                    Comment

                    • IBBugsy
                      Established Member
                      • Jan 2006
                      • 160
                      • Allentown, PA.
                      • BT3100

                      #11
                      Ditto a lot of what was posted above. Mostly the very cheap stuff (I can't resist things under $10!!) and I always have some coupons with me.

                      I especially like to search HF when I need a tool that may only be used once.

                      My air brad/nailer has been very useful and several small air tools and accessories (mostly for auto work). Digital caliper has also been used a few times.
                      Dave - Weekend Garage Junkie
                      "I'm no physicist but I know what matters" - Popeye

                      Comment

                      • Sawatzky
                        Established Member
                        • Apr 2005
                        • 359
                        • CA
                        • Ridgid TS3650

                        #12
                        The 5 speed bench drill press that often goes on sale for $40.00 is great. It has done everything I have needed it to do. Aslo, I have a bunch of the 3/4 inch pipe clamps. Not as nice as the "Pony" Clamps, but they work just fine and are only 3 or 4 dollars a pair.

                        Comment

                        • jp_spins
                          Established Member
                          • Aug 2005
                          • 111
                          • .

                          #13
                          I have the 21 degree framing nailer and I just bought a drill press for $40 that I'm pretty happy with.

                          Comment

                          • brooks
                            Established Member
                            • May 2006
                            • 106

                            #14
                            About the 47078-6VGA QUICK ACTION 8-POSITION WORKBENCH, check your local Kragen Auto Parts type place. I got a couple of clones of that quickie-workmate for $9.95. It took a bit to assemble them. I'm surprised how useful they've been. When it's practically free like that, you don't mind throwing them into the back of the truck just in case.

                            Comment

                            • vaking
                              Veteran Member
                              • Apr 2005
                              • 1428
                              • Montclair, NJ, USA.
                              • Ryobi BT3100-1

                              #15
                              I don't have much experience with HF but I think I can generalize the set of information somewhat:

                              You are pretty safe with things that do not need high precision (gloves, sanding sponges, pneumatic wheels, Dust hoses etc.
                              Be cautious of high precision cutting tools with cutting edges on them like router bits or table saw blades,
                              Power tools themselves are not polished in every detail like Dewalt or Makita, but at the fundamental level they work OK. Manuals and assembly usually suck - be prepared that the money saved will cost you more time to put things together. This goes equally well for drill press, band saw, dovetail jig, dust collector etc.
                              Alex V

                              Comment

                              Working...