Harbor Freight Tools

[Michael Dombrowski]

Is there a list anywhere of the Harbor Freight tools that are considered good deals (digital calipers for $16, air nailer for $15, etc) ?

Thanks Mike

[Woodcrafter]

The HF 2HP Dust Extractor seems to be a favorite (when on sale) and their wood lathe is liked by some (not all). Then there are clamps etc for general handyman/DIY tasks.

-- Regards,

Dean Bielanowski Editor, Online Tool Reviews

60 woodworking product reviews online!

------------------------------------------------------------ Latest 6 Reviews:

- Sherwood Lathe Copy Attachment

- Ryobi Right Angle Drill

- Porter Cable COIL250 Coil Nailer

- Ryobi 18v Cordless Jigsaw

- Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture & Cabinet Construction

- Milescraft SignCrafter

------------------------------------------------------------

[Rumpty]

"None of the above" comes to mind.

[Dr. Deb]

Mike, essentially, do your homework. If a tool (caliper) costs $12.00 at Woodcraft and the identical item is $3.99 at HF . . . . As for the power tools. Most are okay for the hobbist, but stay away from the really cheap stuff. The dustcollector works well, after you add a good filter bag (or in my case two) and use a plastic garbage bag for the collection bag. As it comes out of the box, it looks good, makes a lot of noise and does nothing good (30 micron filter bag - you need 1 micron or less). The cordless drills (18v) work well - they are not Dewalt quality, but you are not paying Dewalt prices either.

Generally, use you head.

Deb

[Michael Dombrowski]

Yes, but there are many tools that have been regarded here for years as worth the money and I'm just wondering if there is a list of them somewhere. As you point out, the dust collector is one of those.

Thanks Mike

[mac davis]

nope.. you have to search the archives..

HINT: got a HF flyer today and 6" bar clamps are $1.99 again, other sizes slightly more until you hit 40" for 5 or 6 bucks..

I stocked up last time and they're very good clamps, great at this price..

[Morris Dovey]

I've bought and been satisfied with HF's:

• Dust Collector

• 3/8" Corded VSR Drill

• 3/8" Rechargable 18v Drill

• 18ga Pneumatic Brad Nailer

• Pneumatic Pop Riviter

• Pneumatic Drill (works great for pocket holes!)

• Electric Cut Out Tool

• Hand Truck (converts into cart)

• Furniture Dollies

• Right Angle Grinder

• 36" Clamps

• 3/4" Pipe Clamps

• 4" and 6" C-Clamps

• Drill Press Vises (one small, one large)

• Air hose reel and several hoses

• Pneumatic couplings

• Small Pliers Set

• Punch Set

• 115-Bit TiN Drill Set (but /flimsy/ index!)

• Horizontal (metal cutting) Bandsaw

• Fold-Up Trailer (with 4x8 load area)

I've bought and not been happy with HF's:

• Pneumatic Body Saw (trouble starting)

• 10" Bench Disk Sander (disk wobbles, table damaged)

• Nut Driver Set (round sockets)

[Cox West]

I was thinking of picking up a rubber mallet when I pass my local store next. I can always epoxy the rubber back onto the handle when it comes flying off.

Dave

[Glen]

I have found their brad nailer (currently $19.99) to be well worth it. I also bought their flush trim router (also $19.99) about a year back. I figured what the hell, I'll spend $20 on beer on a Fri. night. If it's a POS I'm not out much. I was pleasantly surprised. Granted, it's not a PC or a DW, but for the very few times that I need a flush trim router it did what I needed it to do. If I used it regularly I would probably want something sturdier, bu it fir my needs.

Glen

[Bill Leonhardt]

To add to the list:

I have the $25 (on sale) 1/2" corded hammer drill (Chicago Electric, I think). Needed it to attach stuff to my basement shop walls. Works fine.

Bill

[Doug Winterburn]

The compressor auto drain kit for ten bux.

[mac davis]

I had the same problem with their body saw... Gave it to my kid, who's a mechanic in the army and uses a compressor with a much higher cfm than my HF compressor does... worked fine for him..

[mac davis]

hey Glen.. tell me about that lil bugger..

I was going to order one online, to avoid having to take my router out of the table for stuff like rounding edges on hardboard, etc..

I sort of backed out because the picture seems to show the rack & pinion and gears made out of plastic... will it really adjust and hold position?

[phil_ordway]

In my experience, beware of anything with moving parts - inclouding the brad nailer which started leaking after a couple of light uses.

[Bob G.]

Not that I know of....BUT I have several of their tools....Tools I use once every 2 or 3 years etc....

I do own their cheap 6 inch digital caliper ....works for me... but I am only use it to varify that lumber is planned to the same size...who knows if it is accurate...?

Bob Griffiths

[Larry Blanchard]

That's definitely one of the better tools from HF. I've got a workshop wall full of them. Never had a problem.

And I buy their box of razor blades when it's on sale, but that's for modelling, not woodworking.

[Sean Dinh]

[Greg O]

Buy the molded dead blow hammmers instead. I have two of them from HF. One for wooddorking, another for banging car parts togather or apart. Got an orange one and a black one so I can tell them apart. Greg

[Greg O]

I went through two compressor tank drain do-hickeys, then gave up and bought one frm Grainger fo $50 that was easier to install, and it works too! On the other hand, my neighbor has one, and it works fine! Greg

[George E. Cawthon]

Tighten the screw and add oil.