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I think I'd have to be pretty hard-up to buy a power tool at Harbor Freight. I just had one open by me and my purchases so far have consisted of some wire brush cups, foam brushes, air compressor attachments/accessories, and a 7'x9' tarp. They should just change their name from "Harbor Freight Tools" to "Disposable Tools".
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Feb 26, 2014 15:36
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enkalen posted:I bought 2 of the metal HF wrench organizers. i like them better than the craftsman basic plastic ones. The HF organizer is $7 vs $10 for craftsman. It also gives you 14 slots, craftsman only has 2. Ooh, I may have to grab one of those. I've got a cheap rear end set of combo-wrenches that still live in their plastic rack/case/giant-pain-in-the-rear end.
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Feb 27, 2014 16:13
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revmoo posted:Normal. Jesus. Hopefully you took your Ultra-Cheater-Pipe contraption back to the shop and lovingly placed it up somebody's rear end.
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Mar 6, 2014 23:55
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I don't recall, was it ever determined if a non-garbage grease gun exists?
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Apr 2, 2014 01:20
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Rhyno posted:Easter is stupid. I decided I wanted to buy a cabinet add-on for my HF tool chest. Just realized they're closed today. That sucks. Mine was open and even had a special today-only 25% off coupon. Bought some cotter pins 
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Apr 20, 2014 20:43
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Vise chat: I built my workbench to fit in a specific spot, so my dimensions were kind of dictated by that. I was given a 5 1/2 inch Wilton vise that weighs about a thousand pounds, so I needed to make sure it was anchored well. Since I overbuilt the poo poo out of my bench (4x4 legs instead of the suggested 2x4), I had to go pretty far in from the corner if I wanted to do a straight through. I ended up using 3 monster lag bolts into the perimeter and leg and 1 shorter hex bolt through just the top of the bench. I limited myself on ever swapping out the vise for a grinder or anything like that, but it's definitely as sturdy as I'll ever need it to be and I can pivot it around the corner of the bench if I need to (swivel base).
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Apr 28, 2014 18:44
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meatpimp posted:No, I overbuilt the poo poo out of my bench (actually, both my bench and my dad's bench)... my parents built a log home about 15 years ago and I used some of the scrap 4x8 lumber for the uprights and cross bracing. They are absurdly heavy. Like 400lb++ for 10' benches. As soon as I get my garage cleaned up, I'll post a couple pics. Gat drat! Alright, I'd say you've got me beat there. Scrounged up some pictures from when I built mine:   It's currently covered in tools, rags, cans of solvents, parts, etc.
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Apr 29, 2014 15:10
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Same here. Mine uses welded steelies like that one. It's pretty drat nice.
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May 4, 2014 22:19
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InitialDave posted:Manual impact driver and a BFH. I agree on the screwdrivers, but would eschew the multi-bit type for a set of good quality flats, phillips and pozis. Maybe an OBD adaptor. Seconding a BFH. A 3 or 4 pound engineer's or drilling hammer will be one of the best tools you own.
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May 24, 2014 19:21
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StormDrain posted:I was given a harbor freight one with an adjustable headrest that I love. I've got a Big Red Jacks version of this one that's great. I did have to go around and tighten all the wheels first as they got a bit floppy and pinched the poo poo out of my arm. Ferremit brought up a good point with torquing stuff down - I usually have to wedge myself against something so I don't just spin around. I've also got a stool like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/190514...TfUG4VAC1vD_BwE that my dad gave me. Mine's red and is in much better shape than that clown's.
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May 30, 2014 14:00
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Mario posted:For chain wrenches, I like the Vise-Grip style ones. Easy to just lock in place so it stays put. I've got a pair of these. I've yet to use them, but I'm sure I'll love them when I do.
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Jun 5, 2014 04:31
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Echoing and adding to jammyozzy: 3 or 4 pound hammer, definitely a torque wrench (I prefer the click-type if I'm working alone), at LEAST 4 jack stands, and go get a small length of pipe that will fit over the handle of your ratchets. I've got an 18-ish inch length of copper pipe and it's a godsend. Go get a softer mallet as well. I have a dead-blow (no bounce) hammer with a soft rubber face and a harder vinyl side that I use for stuff that I don't want to trash out with my metal hammer. Also, I don't know if you can get this over there, but it's the best penetrating lubricant I've ever used: http://www.amazon.com/Kano-Aerokroil-Penetrating-aerosol-AEROKROIL/dp/B000F09CEA Don't feel like you need to go out and drop serious money on top-shelf stuff, but pick up what you can and replace what breaks with better stuff. I've got a cheap Stanley set of sockets/wrenches that I've beat the poo poo out of and haven't broken anything. I have put the ratchets through much more abuse than they should have taken. I'm not sure how it works over there across the pond, but parts stores will usually loan more job-specific tools for a refundable deposit. Coil spring compressors, line flaring tools, steering wheel pullers, etc. Boaz MacPhereson fucked around with this message at 22:26 on Jun 12, 2014 |
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Jun 12, 2014 22:23
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InitialDave posted:Incoming Hey man, they just saved my bacon. Hard to compress the springs by weight alone when there's no engine in the car 
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Jun 13, 2014 04:52
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ALRIGHT. It was an example... Sorry I'm not that knowledgeable on wacky British go-kart suspension. 
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Jun 13, 2014 15:14
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So what are you guys using for cutting fluid? I've got about a quarter inch of lame steel to put a few holes in and my bit is... not great. No access to a press either, unfortunately.
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Jun 14, 2014 03:47
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kastein posted:If the bit is already spanked it can only do so much, though. Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing. I'm probably going to hit up HD today and pick up a new bit and some fluid. Thanks for the suggestions guys.
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Jun 14, 2014 13:18
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Motronic posted:A reciprocating saw is terribly overkill and will leave the ends looking like crap without the right blade and knowing how to use it. A simple $10 hack saw will run through a piece of 4" PVC pipe in under 30 seconds. Echoing this. Just get a decent fine-tooth blade and a cheapo hack saw will get the job done in no time.
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Jun 19, 2014 21:58
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Rhyno posted:So does anyone who doesn't work in a garage use coveralls while they work? I've ruined a bunch of clothes in the last year and I was thinking of picking up a set. Ollie's Discount has them for $15 and 15% off this week, I figure it'll save me from ruining anymore clothes, but will I look like a tool? I used tyvek suits until I trashed them all and I KNOW I looked like a tool. I've thought about picking up some coveralls but I'm afraid I'd get way too loving hot. I just have some dedicated wrenching clothes.
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Jul 1, 2014 01:51
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I bought a set of the HF flares in SAE because they were on some crazy sale. I attacked a few pretty gnarly nuts and have had no issues so far. No rounded nuts, no explodey wrenches. Maybe I've just gotten lucky. I'm sure one will disintegrate in my hands at some point and I'll replace them with something else.
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Jul 2, 2014 22:22
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Just swapped my single bulb light socket for an 8 foot four bulb fluorescent in the garage. Went from 1600 lumens to 11000. Light is a tool, right?
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Jul 5, 2014 01:29
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sharkytm posted:Have you seen the pictures from my lighting upgrade? I went from three bare compact fluorescent bulbs plus one eight foot four bulb t8 to six eight foot, four bulb t8's on two switches. You are drat right light is a tool.  Sweet jabbers. I don't have the space or wiring for that kind of setup, but it must be glorious.
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Jul 5, 2014 03:55
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I had to say it. I just haaaaad to say that I've had no problems with my HF flare nut wrenches. I just managed to explode the 3/8" end and rip out a chunk of my finger. So it goes.
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Jul 9, 2014 01:53
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Elmnt80 posted:Its a 33mm bolt actually. Pitman arm nut? I took mine off with an adjustable wrench, a length of pipe, and my BFH
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Jul 17, 2014 03:19
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Tools! - Keep hammering assholes!
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Sep 5, 2014 14:25
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Wasabi the J posted:I can't feel but help that the missing comma is intentional. gently caress. I'm leaving it.
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Sep 5, 2014 17:11
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Bajaha posted:I can't help but read this in the voice of Lord Helmet from Spaceballs  We need a Dark Helmet smiley. :assholes:
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Sep 5, 2014 20:10
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EKDS5k posted:I don't have a suggestion for which tool box to buy, but I did manage to get this off the Snap On truck last Friday: Deal of the loving decade right there.
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Sep 16, 2014 14:56
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EKDS5k posted:Fun fact: I originally didn't want to buy it. I'm saving for a trip to Japan with the family next month, and every penny counts, so tool purchases are basically on hold right now. I only took it because I can pay it off over 6 months with no interest, and my Snap On guy said he won't bill it out until I get back from vacation, so my payments won't interfere with that. Oh come the gently caress ON.
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Sep 17, 2014 14:42
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StormDrain posted:I had trouble finding the last round of brake line flaring tool chat. I recall the best option was an 'in-line' flaring tool. Any recommendations? I'll be running 3/16" Copper-Nickel. Just ordered this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/oes-24364 I'll report in here how it goes. Fingers are crossed.
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Sep 19, 2014 01:03
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kastein posted:That is exactly the same OEM inline flaring tool I have and here I am to say it rocks and is worth way more than 25 bucks. This makes me very happy. I really didn't want to buy a flaring tool because I don't think I'll ever need it after this project, but for $22, I figure it will be worth not dealing with more bullshit bar-clamp types.
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Sep 19, 2014 03:17
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Boaz MacPhereson posted:This makes me very happy. I really didn't want to buy a flaring tool because I don't think I'll ever need it after this project, but for $22, I figure it will be worth not dealing with more bullshit bar-clamp types. Update: It just loving works. I'll probably end up redoing all the other flares too because it's so loving nice. So glad I bought it.
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Sep 20, 2014 21:41
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Ran my $20 HF grinder for quite a while yesterday and it didn't explode and remove my fingers, so I'd call that a winner! I did replace all of the factory "grease" with some high-temp red grease, so I'm sure that's got something to do with it. I'm kicking myself for not buying it a year ago.
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Sep 22, 2014 18:25
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kastein posted:Whatever you do, make it so you use a 1/2 or 3/4 sheet of something as the top surface. Then beat the poo poo out of it for a couple years… once it's good and used up, rip the old top layer off, stick another on, and away you go again. Nonreplaceable wear surfaces are the devil. I did this but with another layer of 1/8" luan nailed on top. Nice smooth surface that's easy and dirt cheap to replace. Plus, if I REALLY gently caress it up, I can rip the plywood off, too.
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Oct 18, 2014 07:30
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So I'm convinced that I need to go buy some more hammers. I've already got a 3lb drilling hammer and a small dead-blow with replaceable heads (one plastic and one rubber). I think I need a bigger BFH and a bigger dead-blow. HF here I come.
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Oct 23, 2014 20:07
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HF 8# sledge + 20% coupon + saw = my brand new 8# 16" hammer. Picked up a neon 3# dead-blow too. HAMMERS 
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Oct 24, 2014 16:42
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Anybody know off-hand of a torque wrench that will also click on left-hand threads? I discovered yesterday that mine does now. Why does it reverse if it won't measure torque that way?! 
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Oct 27, 2014 17:16
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Safety Dance posted:Harbor Freight 1/2" torque wrench will. Good to know. I actually own their 3/8" and totally forgot about it yesterday. Edit: We have a winner. Ring bolts are torqued. Hells yeah. Boaz MacPhereson fucked around with this message at 01:29 on Oct 28, 2014 |
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Oct 27, 2014 18:39
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AncientTV posted:Jack: You can usually find some kind of sale for a floor jack and jack stands somewhere. Getting a jack at places like Harbor Freight is fine, but don't cheap out on your jack stands. If you don't already know, don't work on your car using only a jack to hold it up. I'm going to agree with all of this and add just a couple minor points: - Buy a 3-ish pound drilling/engineer's hammer. There are many jobs that will do well with a heavy dose of BFH. - Sometimes Wal-Mart will run specials on a big Stanley "Mechanic's set". I've been using (and abusing) one of these sets for a few years now and somehow nothing has broken. You can pick them up for 50-75 bucks if you keep your eyes open.
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Nov 21, 2014 17:57
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I'm definitely with the guy on the whole "universal sockets = meh" opinion, but I'd be interested in trying the ratchet if it can eventually be purchased separately. If they do a combo ratchet+palm ratchet for $20 or so, I'd probably pick it up.
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Nov 23, 2014 00:10
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PitViper posted:Recommendations on brake line flaring tools? I just used a loaner bar-style to reflare one end of a premade line (screw you Ford, bubble flare on one end and SAE double flare on the other?) and it was pretty terrible. Not that I do them often, but I don't want to repeat the experience using the bar-style again. Is there a particular inline set that's better than another? Anyone a baller and used one of the fancy hydraulic ones? If it's 3/16" line, buy this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/oes-24364 If it's a different size, look for one like that but in your size. Seriously. Just go buy it and save yourself the pain.
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Nov 25, 2014 02:15
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