Harbor Freight Parking Lot Sale

[Plummit]

The Harbor Fright paper weights work very well indeed. I have bought several of them over the years and they all hold paper down securely, and use little to no electricity!

-Marc

[Bill Boyd]

Y'all sound like my wife. She won't go in the store because it smells like rubber {cue the "flying rubber dog poo from Hong Kong" meme here}.

HF has truly upped their game over the years, and even some of their corded power tool are now worth owning, IMO. After the fire 3 years ago I patronized them heavily to replace my workshop tools, with very few regrets. I have more regrets about buying a top end Quincy compressor than anything from Harbor Freight.

They sell these dollies for less than you can get the casters for, and they cradle the RV-10 tires without modification:


I couldn't be happier with the tool chests I bought from them for dimes on the dollar vs the big names.

I wish there was a HF-equivalent in the world of engines and avionics Any nominations for the title?

[Floog]

Rubber gloves. I saved $3 on a box of 100 yesterday. Then got a $25 parking ticket.

[rocketman1988]

You have regrets about buying a Quincy compressor? What would they be?

[flightlogic]

Reading Van's in bed this morning. Stalling, since the list of chores is long.
Anyway, I read out loud why your wife won't go in. My wife grabbed the iPad ad said "see, other women don't like that HF smell either".
Who would have predicted that HF could lose half the audience over a funky rubber smell? Maybe they can get some of the air freshener that Goodwill stores now have.

[DaleB]

Originally Posted by ColoCardinal

Plan on buying a couple of those moving blankets so I can sew up a cowl cover for use in the hangar. Always manage to find something else that I "need" while I'm there.
Have a photo of one of their 1/2" drills that literally broke in half while using it. Since escaping electrocution I decided not to risk another episode. I'm now the owner of a nice Milwaukee.

I did learn not to buy anything hand-held with a power cord from Harbor Freight. Tried a polisher and a 1/2" drill, both were immediate returns for motor failure.

[coffeeguy]

I did buy a $18 hammer drill for a small project in the basement. Needed to drill some holes in the concrete for one electrical box and conduit straps. Maybe 10 holes total. They tried to sell me the tool insurance for a few buck. I said if it can't drill 10 holes then I'm keep bringing them back until I get them all drilled. Haven't touched it since.

I do have one of those head strap LEDs that make you look absolutely absurd, but you don't care when you need an extra hand. Oddly enough, it works great for grilling in the dark. I don't have enough light on the back patio and I use it when I'm flipping burgers. Looks pretty dumb, but it gets the job done and I don't burn the burgers.

yeah, +1 on the wife not liking the store smell.

[SHIPCHIEF]

The 16x30 polypropylene tool cart is very good, plus it won't scratch if accidentally bumped into your plane. $99, some assembly required.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by snopercod

But I freely admit that I bought a Harbor Freight drill press in 1987 and it's still going strong.

Interesting mention of the HF drill press. About that same time I was looking for a quality floor mounted drill press. Was looking at Craftsman (Back then Craftsman was a "major" brand). Turns out the Craftsman and the Harbor Freight was the same drill press. Only difference was that the HF was green instead of black, over $100 cheaper, and shipped free. Only negative with the HF was the assembly included "peanut butter" bolts. Replaced all the bolts/nuts with quality hardware.
Drill press still works perfectly today, and it is used almost every day! Daily work in my shop includes aircraft, cars, trucks, tractors, and miscellaneous other projects.

[rv9builder]

About 20 years ago, I bought a Quincy compressor and an Ingersoll Rand die grinder from Harbor Freight. I still use both. I don't think Harbor Freight sells much brand-name stuff today?except, of course, their own brands.