Hey not to be that guy but idk how long it's been since you gave anything in there line up a shot but I have several Bauer tools tool boxes I even have the five drawer us general tool box I know there not going to run a thousand cuts an hour but I've literally never had any issue with the tools I have alot of hf stuf not saying you have to but maybe give some of there stuff another go Lastly let me tell you about a miter saw I got from them I had to pick Up three cause the first two were just made incorrectly by the factory's the one I'm on now haven't had anything go wrong and it rips just like the best of them
I really appreciated your video considering how many snub their nose at Harbor Freight. Now, I’m not saying everything is worthy but things you don’t use on a frequent basis or use frequently like the consumables you pointed out are perfect reasons for going there. I would also enjoy other videos on what not to buy at high end stores or not worth paying the extra money.. meaning you’re paying for the name more than anything. Helps newbies like myself.
I use my garage as my wood shop. Space is always a premium. I drew up elaborate plans to build a storage shed. My wife is an engineer. I showed her my elaborate plan with great pride. She opened her phone. She had a plan for a 10 X 17 shed for $179.. it was the Harbor freight 10 X 17 tent carport.. it was an epiphany. I put the tent up in a few hours. I put it on a floor from free decking boards I had. I live in Indiana it snows, high winds, it has not shown any wear after 5 years. I recommend this.
I've gotten a lot of great stuff at harbor freight, love all my cordless Bauer tools and Pittsburgh pro mechanics tools, I have had good luck with Chicago electric tools as well, the circular saw,jig saw and reciprocating saw work great,had them for a couple of years now and their doing great 👍
High Agrrement! I have been seletively buying at Harbor Freight for nearly 15 years. When we moved to our current location, I was bummed besuse rhe closest HF locations were over 20 miles away. I kept mentioning that whenever I was in, and now there is a new store only 5 miles away! Probably just coincidence. I agree with you on getting consumables there - I do that and have not been disappointed. I have also purchased a number of select mechanic's tools there, and air hoses, ang again I'm satisfied with them - but also, I'm retired from paid work. A recent find was a small folding step-stool for only a few dollars. It holds 300 pouns (safe for me) and folds to a small flat pack easy to slip into a tiny space. I have one in each car, one in the workshop and a couple in the house. I use a number of the cargo straps to bind my stickered lumber - but not for actual cargo on an actual vehicle. Bungee cords and tarps are always useful, and at prices low en ough tha I treat them as a consumable as well. (A few months ago I was at a deep-discount chain store (no name, to protect the guilty, but the name starts with "O") & saw a woman puzzling over their selection of flimsy "tarps". After asking if I could help, I quietly tolder that if she went two stores down to Harbor Freight, she would find much better quality ones, in more sizes, and for LOWER prices. All true! I did look at some HF routers a while ago, and was NOT impressed. Among other things, I could not find any with 1/2" collets, there were a few for 3/8" collets. Three-eights inch??? I only know of one US manufacturer that makes bits in that size, and only a few of them. Luckily, Woodcraft recently had a Skil router set on sale that uses both 1/4 and 1/2 collets, so that need is solved. Like you, I have no problem suggesting Harbor Freight for a lot of things useful in the woodworking shop.
I have purchased boxes of their "chip brushes" in 1 inch and 2 inch sizes. Ideal for finish application followed by disposal. I also bought a dial indicator and magnetic base to set the table of my table saw to parallel. There are a lot of good items there!
Not sure if it's the same one Bill is referring to but the Disc Sander I have from Harbor Freight is a combination 9 inch Disc Sander and 6 inch x 48 inch Belt Sander and this thing has OUTLASTED the previous two that I had! I think I paid about $250 for it and that INCLUDED a friggin floor stand and that was far cheaper than anything close. I figured I'd bite the bullet due to time and availability issues, and this thing has far exceeded my greatest expectations for it and then some! There is a more practical and less expensive alternative for the hobbyist or DIYer, it's a bench top model with a 4 in. x 36 in. belt sander and a 6 in. disc sander for around $60 - $70 that should be more than adequate for most peoples needs. I'd definitely recommend either and quite a few other tools found at Harbor Freight. Granted, some can be suspect but I think they get far too bad of a rap overall and have tools I bought there and have put through some serious work and stress and have to admit that many of them are still going strong! HFT is definitely a top spot for the DIYer and person who needs a specific tool for the weekend project!
I have 2 of their dust collectors in my shop, the "big" $180 one that I upgraded with a Wynn filter, and a smaller one that I vent to the outside. I also have a bunch of the f style clamps, the bench top 12 speed drill press, the 1" belt sander, the saw blade sharpening tool, and the 6" grinder. All have given me years of service.
harbor freight is good i have allot of their machines and clamps and pin nailer a 12 inch disk sander the one inch sander and many more items the magbet bar is great to put screwdrivers and bits on so allot of good stuff there
And as always, their brands are terrific for first-time purchase of a new power tool. You don't know how much you'll need it, and you don't know what you'll eventually want from it. I had a $20 HF reciprocating saw that lasted me for a decade, and when it finally gave up the ghost, I knew exactly what to look for in the high-end replacement.
I've been looking at woodworking as a hobby for the past year and it's great to find videos like this where I can find some great advice on where cheap is good and when buy once, cry once is best. Thanks!
Another tip, don't buy new specially if you are hobbyist. I know it's like a Christmas present you want new but used tools work the same. Some people use tools once or twice then sell them.
I have their F clamps. I use 'em when I'm not doing anything critical but the Irwin clamps, whatever they cost, are so much superior that you really need 3 or 4 in the sizes that are important to you.
ABSOLUTELY! I buy one every time I'm there because they're cheap, work well, and you NEVER have enough clamps. I will say this though, buy the blue handle not the black handle ones
Harbor Freight sells a T-handle tap ratcheting wrench. I bought one back when i was working in a hydraulic fabrication shop. Everything we made was custom. It was not uncommon to have to tap threads in 1/2 and 5/8 plate metal 25 or more tines a day. That ratcheting tap could not be destroyed. You could break a tap off in the hole but that tool never gave out. There are other things form harbor freight that were equally awsome. Some other things like their red and black pnumatic die grinder was awsome for the price. It has a dial at the base to regulate air flow. Most other die grinders must be controlled by airflow to the tool. Guys who had ingersols were borrowing my HF die grinder all the time. Hand tools....ratchets and sockets were well worth what they cost...on and on. What i am hearing of the bauer tools is that they are worth the price HF is asking on them. HF has alot to offer. Its not all junk. Those Bremen wood clamps are good clamps. They're close to the Irwins and DeWalts at a lower price. C clamps....casters for workbenches....there's alot of good stuff there!!!
The 1" sander is absolutely the best thing ! I lost all my tools in a flood, but when shopping one day at HFT, I walked by this 1" belt sander and it said it was on close out. WOW ! I bought mine with a coupon on closeout for $29 dollars ! I love this thing. It sands wood, and metal easily. I've learned that having a stationary sander like this, is great for lots of projects. And this is so small, I can pick it up and take it other places, like my shed to sharpen mower blades. It just works ! Extra belts are low priced to. 😀
I have an old, hand held drill press. As a kid (1970's) I can remember it being setup with a B&D drill ready to go. When my father gave me the press, the old drill had been taken out of it. One $20 HB drill and the press is back in business. HB might not have the best tools, but sometimes they fill a roll as good as just about anything else out there.
I picked up a Portland brand electric pole saw, on a black Friday deal, for about $35. I've used it to remove 3 large trees and keep the rest of the trees in my yard trimmed up. Still runs as good as the day I bought.
Mine lasted some 8 years and only died because I put a 16" bar on it and cut a number of 12 inch diameter limps in 2 foot sections until I over heated it after a hour of constant use (my fault, not the product). I'd recommend the pole saw, it's tough and durable. I extended the reach by clamping 12 feet of chain link top rail to the fiberglass shaft using some double 1 5/8 gate extenders, used their wire ties to hold the trigger and had my wife controlling power on demand while I was in the tree. Granted it's a little heavy with the added 12 feet if you tried to hold it straight out or horizontal, but with a good vertical angle you can reach high up a tree. I dropped a 40 foot tree with it.
I’m a contractor and I pick a few things up from there from time to time. I appreciate your video and might have to check a few items out because of this video.
Thanks for the video! I'm going to look for those countersink bits! I am a Luthier and string instrument repairman. I have a Harbor Freight band saw, that I have used for everything from intricate cuts to resawing. I upgraded it with cool blocks, and a Kreg fence, and it never fails to work great. I was going to buy one at the local Sears- but it was well over 400 bucks and made in China. I paid $219.00 for mine, also obviously made in China.. a while ago now. I have a number of power tools from them as well, a heavy duty corded drill with tons of torque, a small rechargable drill, a jigsaw, heat gun, and many smaller things like a couple of dial calipers and screwdriver sets. Overall, HF tools have improved in quality over the years. I have a LOT of HF clamps, and really, no one has better prices on a wide variety of clamps- and as you know, there's some things you can never have too many of- clamps being one of them.
I needed a 10 inch compounding mitre saw for a few home projects and bought the harbor freight brand and put a better blade on it and it has been great
Their step drill bits is something worth the cost and yet not too expensive. I’ve used the same two (that come in a set) for 3 years now, 90% of the time drilling mild steel, and they’re still going strong.
I've found these to be a good deal as well, I have both sizes and used them on plexiglass with great success as well as thin cabinet metal that would normally crab with an ordinary bit. I've drilled half inch steel with them as well and have yet to have one crab the material. They work well to de-bur a hold as well making a chamfer on the edge when it just touches the next drill step. When drilling plexiglass I still like to use a scrap board and clamp to avoid cracking, but have gotten away with out it using the step bits and a little water to keep the plexiglass cool.
I love this i have a small business woodworking shop and I find that HF is great to get started yeah the tools don't last forever but they are great to get started and buy you time till you can upgrade and there are some great gems there and I know that I have a lot of stuff that I use on a regular basis from HF. Keep up the great work new sub!
As a woman and a new DIY homeowner, I quickly learned I would need many tools. I was on commercial job sites often and when I asked any construction workers about HF - they all sang only praises. They all agreed most of the power tools would not hold up long term for their needs, but as stolen tools are a constant hassle on job sites, they loved being able to grab something inexpensive to suit their needs until they could afford a proper replacement. They also liked being able to take something cheaper to problematic job sites. All assured me purchasing there for my own needs made sense and if I found I needed something better, I could make that decision later. This approach has suited me well over the last 25 years.
I have a set of HF wood turning chisels, the less expensive ones, and I've turned plenty of wood using them without ANY problems. Also, their poly handled wood chisels will surprise you. Whenever I get a set of wood chisels the first thing I do is look for spooning in the flat. I did this with the HF chisels and was VERY surprised to find the flat was, indeed, very flat. In fact after coloring then sanding to spot the spooning, ALL the marker came off evenly..
Was at HF today and got a few odds and ends. I like their sanding siscs for my random orbital sander. I have a bunch of the 4' LED shop lights in my shop, 5000 lumens so nice and bright. The switch is prone to breaking but easily replaced with a toggle switch. Have two of the roller stools. C clamps, good and cheap. Heard the F clamps were good so got a few today. I use the 7 mil gloves for paint/staining and they last multiple sessions. Dead blow hammers are good.
I have found the gray HF "quick grip" type clamps have more flex than the name brand "quick grip" and have been frustrated with them not having the same holding power due to that extra flex. I do like the easy of turning them into push clamps and tend to leave the HF in that use model. I've also had the HF version release not to function correctly at times. I prefer the quick grip or craftsman versions on those.
For me, the number one item to buy from Harbor Freight is their 1,000 lb. capacity Hydraulic Lift Table. At its highest setting, it is even with the tailgate of my full-size pickup truck. It makes unloading heavy, bulky items much easier. I also use it as an out feed table for my table saw or as an extension of my work bench. I use it to move my lathe. Originally, I bought it because it was cheaper than lift-gate service for a delivery I was expecting. Since then, I've found so many uses for it I'm not sure how I got along with out it. Second on the list is Harbor Freight's line of Fortress air compressors. These are high quality air compressors that cost a lot less than others of similar quality.
The 1” belt sander is THE BOMB! get an jig for sharpening knives and chisels (Amazon), soeme belts 80-1000 grit, and a leather strop belt, and you CANT BE STOPPED! There is nothing you can’t sharpen…💥👍🎉
I love the hook, I have several. I hang my ladders, cords, even my weed eaters from them. They have the Atlas and Hercules Brands now, I bought an Atlas Pole saw, and its a beast its even cordless. spent a good 6hrs cutting limbs up to 6 inches thick on one battery.
Harbour freight will always be important because it fixes the American challenge not all can afford quality and high price but beginner to life as a measure of approach, I salute them.
Great tips. There are plenty of other things that are great there too. I have a Central Machinery combo 4x36" belt/6" disc sander and it's never met me down. I also have one of the 8 inch drill presses which is also great. Full disclosure, I bought both used for a total of $80 and they worked perfect. Their sandpaper is also pretty good, especially the metal sandpaper. Things like heat shrink tubing, electrical tape and O rings are a no brainer too. For the price, their drill bits are not bad. You can buy a new set for a job and either sharpen them or buy more. They're that cheap. I have good bits but when I think I might break one, I read for Drill Master bits because I do not care. I'll save my DeWalt and Woodriver bits because they're great but they're expensive. Hot tip, those counter sink bits work great on aluminum too.
I bought their clamps there almost 2 years ago and they're still going strong. Not a single one broke so far. Also, I needed an inexpensive router as my second one. I got one for about 35 bucks. Works great.
The 1x30" belt sander is great for occasional knife grinding and repair and sharpening, if you feel confident enough to freehand on a belt grinder, and if you load it with 3M silicon carbide grinding belts in progressive grits. (These are much finer than typical aluminum oxide wood sanding belts.)
This is a great list. I have many HF buys in my shop. By far my most used items are my various clamps. I have a variety of F clamps and bar clamps. I have to be super frugal and for what they do I find these clamps to be completely adequate. I also like my pocket hole jig with the exception that it has zero dust collection. But as far as pocket holes go...it does a pretty nice job.
I bought my first clamps from HB as well! They worked for what I needed for sure. I’ve since upgraded but that doesn’t mean the old ones weren’t useful!
When I needed a new sliding miter saw, I went with the Harbor Freight Hercules with all the features of the top of the line DeWalt, but at half the price. Dead accurate out of the box: I’m very happy with it.
I own a woodworking business and I swear by the Hercules saw!! I absolutely love it and it was half the price of the DeWalt saw! It's also good to know that I am typically a DeWalt guy, but I couldn't pass up this deal especially with their warranty
I do detail and finish and the Hercules saw really performs consistently, put a good blade on and it will run as good as DeWalt hands down. Get the warranty, just worth it if anything goes wrong, bring it in and get a new machine. Masked perfect business sense!
@@TheReformationWoodshop The Hercules 12” sliding miter saw at Harbor freight, is made in Taiwan. I’ve owned it for a year now and find it extremely accurate and is very well made, in my opinion.
Got the 1" strip sander/disk sander for dirt cheap. Got a high quality pack of super fine abrasive belts from Amazon, again for cheap. That's how I sharpen my knives, etc. Super sharp very quickly. Love it.
I love the belt sander personally. I use it all the time for so many things like profiling a knife or tool I am making or restoring. Their angle grinders aren't great by any stretch of the imagination but they work very well. At the price they charge, you can look at them as a consumable. I have been pleasantly surprised by how long they actually keep going!
But they lack power, are only good for light duty grinding. My dewalt for 100 bucks has a 13vamp motor. I can lean on it and the motor doesnt even slow down. Massive amounts of material can be removed quickly and its over 10 years old. Harbor freight angle grinder will never perform like that.
I went there this morning great deals for tools I might use every now and then... but need at those moments of need! Good Video... funny I looked at that sander... good to know!
I have a HF chain saw sharpener. Paid $49 on sale. I’ve sharpened chains maybe forty times. At $8-10 per sharpening at the hardware store I’ve saved a ton. Plus, it only takes about ten minutes rather than multiple trips into town and waiting 7-10 days. It’s Not heavy duty commercial grade, but great for a home owner, Farmer, etc.
Another thing to get at Harbor Freight is wheels. Not the kind you need for moving things that way a TON, or go on a highway, but casters, carts and wheelbarrows. If you are not loading them to the max, they were really well.
Good information! I get my toggle clamps from Menards. Currently they are $.50 CHEAPER than HF. I also get most of my consumables at HF, great savings!
I’m a Pro tradesman and I admit that there is a place and time that Harbor Freight tools fill the bill. Trick is to have a keen eye for what is a gimmicky knockoff and what is an actual serviceable tool. I used to avoid anything that had a electric motor, but HF has really made a big stride forward in recent years in some of their power tools. The Bauer brand stuff is actually pretty good stuff. Case in point my brother bought their surface planer (Bauer) a few years back it has performed flawlessly even on 1000’s of feet of hardwoods.
I don't see many women like myself going into harbor freight. They usually sit in the car or truck. Ladies I'm here to tell you, there is plenty of things in there for you. If you like solar lights, solar rope lights and other solar lights, go in there and get them. Also they sell rechargeable batteries for those lights. There are other things in there, garden things, rakes green houses, tarps, tie downs and my personal favorite, zip ties, Bungie cords and tie downs. I'm 68, married female and many a time I like to just roam around in the store but I never leave empty handed. The last thing I got was a hammock, made of parachute material and can hold up too 500lbs. It has nice straps to wrap around trees and clips that makes it simple to hang. I would love to see more women in there next time I go.
Peg board hooks are a deal too. Zip ties too. I’ve bought more than a few and never had an issue. Heat shrink tubing, and they have a trailer kit my buddy bought that is super nice. the 4x$15 orange ratchet straps-I used these for years when hauling fine furniture up and down the east coast. If they hold a 15k Black Walnut Amoire securely in a box truck going over the Cross Bronx, they’ll do well for most things you need within its scope.
I get all kinds of clamps at Harbor Freight. Spring clamps especially. The ratchetting bar clamps I found just break if you tighten them too much, but they're also super cheap, so you can buy twice as many and just deal with the losses.
I also forgot the 4.5" angle grinders pick em up at a parking lot sale for $10 ive got a dozen of em all setup with a different wheel including the harbor freight chainsaw disc which scares the hell out of me but the lower power means better control which is essential when sanding, buffing, wire wheeling or using the chainsaw disc ... I don't remember which one but i think the top switch comes with extra brushes for the motor as well and only buy 1 warranty for multiple grinders they dont have individual serial numbers so if you burn one up go get it replaced its worth it to buy a grinder a year just to have that warranty refresh
The countersinks you showed are also fantastic on aluminum if you predrill the hole first. I use them everyday at work. They cut thru sheet aluminum flat bar and 6061 like butter.
I got my oscillating multitool from them and it’s been the best corded tool ever. I don’t use it a lot, but each time I do, it pays for itself. Same for my 4” right angle grinder. I paid $10 for it at their sidewalk sale and it’s been a trooper. If you know what to look for, you can find great stuff there.
I have been shopping at Harbor Freight since they were mainly a catalog contractor supply. I haven't bought their more expensive products like a table saw or miter saw (I haven't needed to buy one) but 95% of their products have did the job well enough for me including sockets, ratchets (I had one bad ratchet out of about seven, they replaced it), breaker bars (one broke abusing it, they replaced it no questions asked) and titanium coated drill bits (work fine in wood and 16 gauge metal). Especially for something you likely only need occasionally like a 1/2 inch drill why pay twice the price at Lowe's or Home Depot (before they started eliminating the Chicago Electric line the competition was three times the price). Their Warrior 18 volt cordless drill is great for the price, I have had mine since November and use it several times per month. My brother just used it to drill 3/16 inch holes in concrete and it worked fine. I have a couple of the old Drillmaster cordless drills and at least five of the battery packs for them (I had one of the battery packs apart, they will also be easy to refurbish now that HF doesn't sell them anymore), they will do 85% of jobs and were well worth the $16 that they used to sell for but the Warrior is a much more powerful drill.
That green framed belt grinder is on its second year of grinding bone and steel. But, I gotta say Harbor Freight is where I go for clamps! Bar clamps, C clamps, spring loaded clamps! It's amazing what you can do with enough of them, and they're economical at HB.
Harbor Freight Rocks!!! And the sales unbelievable, granted power tools are a bit like he has claimed in video. However; if it's a power tool you use from time to time or you need one quick & cheap they work, a bit noisier than most but yeah if your not using it every day it's worth it because it will last if your gentle lol awesome video dig the sander. I saw they have a lot of wood working machines like laves and miniature build yourself kits for kids or me, like table saw, router tables. Which to me as being kinda new to all this it's perfect and fun and fun for my son but really gives those guys who lack vision atleast an idea of where to start when jumping into a project like building real table saws, band saw, router tables whatever. Love Harbor Freight clamps clamps clamps clamps wood glue wood glue wood glue clamps and more glue and another clamp. Maybe one more for the road. Love Harbor Freight!great video
I'd add their 6 In. Fractional Dial Caliper if you work in imperial, not metric. It directly reads to 1/64", and it is easy to read 1/128". Not nearly as accurate as a metalworking dial or electronic caliper, but great for woodworking. If your tools are calibrated in fractional imperial increments this is a great tool.
I used to be a sub for a limey creator. He claimed that a Stanley utility knife was not accurate enough for wood working. Heck my wood moves on its own more than the knife blade thickness.
I love Harbor Freight. Friend of mine gave me some tools he no longer used, one was a drill from them, however he no longer had the charger. Went there to get a charger, they don't sell the drill anymore. So, manager Chris traded in MY drill for the new one, which just happened to be on sale. SWEET!! Got a brand new drill, with charger and 3 year warranty for under $15!!! Oh, also got a pack of bits for my "dremel" for $6.99, it was a 20 pack I think.
I bought my bench vise from Harbor Freight. I also purchased my large dust collection machine from them. They both work great. Oh Yeah also as a shed builder their nail prices for framing nails can't be beat.
I have been going to get one of those belt sanders for awhile, but it seems like they are very popular since they have been out the last few times I have gone into HF to get one.
Regarding metal items you mentioned. It really all depends on how frequently you plan to use them. If you work in a shop where you are making your living off these tools, buy quality. If the tool is something you might use once a year, buy harbor freight. I bought their cheap bit set (in the red case) years ago and still use those bits on the occasion I need a weird security bit. Super happy with that purchase.
I've had good luck with the 29 piece titanium drill bits at HF. I catch them on coupon sale for $9.99 to $14.99 a set. I've had them out perform some 1/2 metal bits from the big box stores that cost me 12 - 14 dollars each (more than the whole set of 29 at HF). I recall some independent study ranked them in the top 3 or 5 when testing some 20 drill bits bands but I don't recall the link. I do use oil when drilling metal and don't run them at high speed. I burned up a number of bits once at a job site that had a drill press running too high a speed - the big box stored burned up on the first pass, and HF stood up for a number of passes before the titanium gave out (again this was running both too fast and heating them up).
For the work I do, I'm not making kitchen cabinets, I grab a couple wood clamps almost every time I stop there. They're about 1/4 the price and work fine for my work, and you can never have enough clamps.
Harbor Freight has come a long way. DOn't have to think of everything as throwaway, you can actually get some quality if you are careful. Be a little careful on some of the small things, most are cheaper than the big stores, but don't assume, there are exceptions. Have to say, I REALLY like my Hercules 12 inch mitre saw, broke down and got if when my old, smaller craftsman bit the dust. Price/quality comparisons, bit the bullet on the Hercules, am extremely happy with the purchase, saved a boatload over a DeWalt and in my opinion, equal quality.
Their 18 guage brad/stapler is also well worth the $19 I paid for it. Hell, at that price, if I bought a new one for each job, then it would still be worth it.
F clamps should have been on this list. I have tons of them, and yes, every once in awhile one of the ones you buy are junk. But consider the price. I have both the 12 speed drill press and a vertical belt sander that have both served me well for over 20 years each. Like he says, generally don't buy power tools from HF unless you plan to have them fail. I bought a corded drill that didn't have enough torque to send a 1/8th inch drill through a pine 2x4.
The second installment of this series is out now! View it here: ua-cam.com/video/Hoc0KVGIaoc/v-deo.html
Hey not to be that guy but idk how long it's been since you gave anything in there line up a shot but I have several Bauer tools tool boxes I even have the five drawer us general tool box I know there not going to run a thousand cuts an hour but I've literally never had any issue with the tools I have alot of hf stuf not saying you have to but maybe give some of there stuff another go
Lastly let me tell you about a miter saw I got from them I had to pick Up three cause the first two were just made incorrectly by the factory's the one I'm on now haven't had anything go wrong and it rips just like the best of them
I can't be the only one using their clamps. AMAZING for the price imo.
mmm, clamps !! mwa ha ha
I really appreciated your video considering how many snub their nose at Harbor Freight. Now, I’m not saying everything is worthy but things you don’t use on a frequent basis or use frequently like the consumables you pointed out are perfect reasons for going there. I would also enjoy other videos on what not to buy at high end stores or not worth paying the extra money.. meaning you’re paying for the name more than anything. Helps newbies like myself.
Thanks for the comment! I definitely don’t think name brand is all that matters!
I use my garage as my wood shop. Space is always a premium. I drew up elaborate plans to build a storage shed. My wife is an engineer. I showed her my elaborate plan with great pride. She opened her phone. She had a plan for a 10 X 17 shed for $179.. it was the Harbor freight 10 X 17 tent carport.. it was an epiphany. I put the tent up in a few hours. I put it on a floor from free decking boards I had. I live in Indiana it snows, high winds, it has not shown any wear after 5 years. I recommend this.
I've gotten a lot of great stuff at harbor freight, love all my cordless Bauer tools and Pittsburgh pro mechanics tools, I have had good luck with Chicago electric tools as well, the circular saw,jig saw and reciprocating saw work great,had them for a couple of years now and their doing great 👍
I bought a compound miter saw 20 years ago at HF - still working great .. and let me tell you i have abused the crap out of this thing..
High Agrrement! I have been seletively buying at Harbor Freight for nearly 15 years. When we moved to our current location, I was bummed besuse rhe closest HF locations were over 20 miles away. I kept mentioning that whenever I was in, and now there is a new store only 5 miles away! Probably just coincidence. I agree with you on getting consumables there - I do that and have not been disappointed. I have also purchased a number of select mechanic's tools there, and air hoses, ang again I'm satisfied with them - but also, I'm retired from paid work. A recent find was a small folding step-stool for only a few dollars. It holds 300 pouns (safe for me) and folds to a small flat pack easy to slip into a tiny space. I have one in each car, one in the workshop and a couple in the house. I use a number of the cargo straps to bind my stickered lumber - but not for actual cargo on an actual vehicle. Bungee cords and tarps are always useful, and at prices low en ough tha I treat them as a consumable as well. (A few months ago I was at a deep-discount chain store (no name, to protect the guilty, but the name starts with "O") & saw a woman puzzling over their selection of flimsy "tarps". After asking if I could help, I quietly tolder that if she went two stores down to Harbor Freight, she would find much better quality ones, in more sizes, and for LOWER prices. All true! I did look at some HF routers a while ago, and was NOT impressed. Among other things, I could not find any with 1/2" collets, there were a few for 3/8" collets. Three-eights inch??? I only know of one US manufacturer that makes bits in that size, and only a few of them. Luckily, Woodcraft recently had a Skil router set on sale that uses both 1/4 and 1/2 collets, so that need is solved. Like you, I have no problem suggesting Harbor Freight for a lot of things useful in the woodworking shop.
I have purchased boxes of their "chip brushes" in 1 inch and 2 inch sizes. Ideal for finish application followed by disposal. I also bought a dial indicator and magnetic base to set the table of my table saw to parallel. There are a lot of good items there!
The chip brushes are a good grab every time you go in.
I cannot say enough about their dust collector. Its knocked my dust issues back 95%. I also recommend their drum sander
How big of a drum sander do they have at HF?
do you have a link or part number for the drum sander? I didnt know they had one
Bill is likely talking about 58546 or 56870
Edit: to clarify I have neither ...
Not sure if it's the same one Bill is referring to but the Disc Sander I have from Harbor Freight is a combination 9 inch Disc Sander and 6 inch x 48 inch Belt Sander and this thing has OUTLASTED the previous two that I had! I think I paid about $250 for it and that INCLUDED a friggin floor stand and that was far cheaper than anything close. I figured I'd bite the bullet due to time and availability issues, and this thing has far exceeded my greatest expectations for it and then some! There is a more practical and less expensive alternative for the hobbyist or DIYer, it's a bench top model with a 4 in. x 36 in. belt sander and a 6 in. disc sander for around $60 - $70 that should be more than adequate for most peoples needs. I'd definitely recommend either and quite a few other tools found at Harbor Freight. Granted, some can be suspect but I think they get far too bad of a rap overall and have tools I bought there and have put through some serious work and stress and have to admit that many of them are still going strong! HFT is definitely a top spot for the DIYer and person who needs a specific tool for the weekend project!
I have 2 of their dust collectors in my shop, the "big" $180 one that I upgraded with a Wynn filter, and a smaller one that I vent to the outside. I also have a bunch of the f style clamps, the bench top 12 speed drill press, the 1" belt sander, the saw blade sharpening tool, and the 6" grinder. All have given me years of service.
I’ve heard good things about HF’s dust collectors; I will have to try one out.
Yeah, I really like my 2hp Dust Collector.
The comment I didn't know I needed!!!!
harbor freight is good i have allot of their machines and clamps and pin nailer a 12 inch disk sander the one inch sander and many more items the magbet bar is great to put screwdrivers and bits on so allot of good stuff there
I love their screwdrivers. The blue handled ones just feel good in my hands.
I love my central machinery lathe. Got it as a Christmas gift a couple years ago and it’s great.
And as always, their brands are terrific for first-time purchase of a new power tool. You don't know how much you'll need it, and you don't know what you'll eventually want from it. I had a $20 HF reciprocating saw that lasted me for a decade, and when it finally gave up the ghost, I knew exactly what to look for in the high-end replacement.
This is a good take. I’ve heard it from several folks. 👍🏻
I've been looking at woodworking as a hobby for the past year and it's great to find videos like this where I can find some great advice on where cheap is good and when buy once, cry once is best. Thanks!
No problem Matthew! Good luck to ya!
Another tip, don't buy new specially if you are hobbyist. I know it's like a Christmas present you want new but used tools work the same. Some people use tools once or twice then sell them.
Great video, but totally missed their F-Clamps, price is 100 times better than anyplace else and they work well.
I have their F clamps. I use 'em when I'm not doing anything critical but the Irwin clamps, whatever they cost, are so much superior that you really need 3 or 4 in the sizes that are important to you.
@@jjhpor I’m talking about the ones with screw down tightening, not the trigger clamps like the Erwin’s.
Clamps will be addressed in a follow up video. They’re definitely worth talking about. 👍🏻
ABSOLUTELY! I buy one every time I'm there because they're cheap, work well, and you NEVER have enough clamps. I will say this though, buy the blue handle not the black handle ones
I like them better than the Irwin ones which always break on me. Apparently if you take the pads off you can use them for welding part holding too
Perfect analogy to the Dollar Store assessment. You have to pick and choose Wisely what to purchase. I use them as the disposal tool store.
new sub here! I agree with the belt sander. I have lost some of the plastic stuff but it keeps on humming.
Harbor Freight sells a T-handle tap ratcheting wrench. I bought one back when i was working in a hydraulic fabrication shop. Everything we made was custom. It was not uncommon to have to tap threads in 1/2 and 5/8 plate metal 25 or more tines a day. That ratcheting tap could not be destroyed. You could break a tap off in the hole but that tool never gave out. There are other things form harbor freight that were equally awsome. Some other things like their red and black pnumatic die grinder was awsome for the price. It has a dial at the base to regulate air flow. Most other die grinders must be controlled by airflow to the tool. Guys who had ingersols were borrowing my HF die grinder all the time. Hand tools....ratchets and sockets were well worth what they cost...on and on.
What i am hearing of the bauer tools is that they are worth the price HF is asking on them. HF has alot to offer. Its not all junk. Those Bremen wood clamps are good clamps. They're close to the Irwins and DeWalts at a lower price. C clamps....casters for workbenches....there's alot of good stuff there!!!
The 1" sander is absolutely the best thing ! I lost all my tools in a flood, but when shopping one day at HFT, I walked by this 1" belt sander and it said it was on close out. WOW ! I bought mine with a coupon on closeout for $29 dollars ! I love this thing. It sands wood, and metal easily. I've learned that having a stationary sander like this, is great for lots of projects. And this is so small, I can pick it up and take it other places, like my shed to sharpen mower blades. It just works ! Extra belts are low priced to. 😀
I have an old, hand held drill press. As a kid (1970's) I can remember it being setup with a B&D drill ready to go. When my father gave me the press, the old drill had been taken out of it. One $20 HB drill and the press is back in business.
HB might not have the best tools, but sometimes they fill a roll as good as just about anything else out there.
I picked up a Portland brand electric pole saw, on a black Friday deal, for about $35. I've used it to remove 3 large trees and keep the rest of the trees in my yard trimmed up. Still runs as good as the day I bought.
I bought a pole saw there. Great saw. My neighbor borrowed it and likes it better than his more expensive one.
Mine lasted some 8 years and only died because I put a 16" bar on it and cut a number of 12 inch diameter limps in 2 foot sections until I over heated it after a hour of constant use (my fault, not the product). I'd recommend the pole saw, it's tough and durable. I extended the reach by clamping 12 feet of chain link top rail to the fiberglass shaft using some double 1 5/8 gate extenders, used their wire ties to hold the trigger and had my wife controlling power on demand while I was in the tree. Granted it's a little heavy with the added 12 feet if you tried to hold it straight out or horizontal, but with a good vertical angle you can reach high up a tree. I dropped a 40 foot tree with it.
Good tips, thanks. I bought a belt sander at HF for $39, and it is fantastic!!! Figured I would give it a try, since it was so cheap, glad I did.
I agree with your list. Especially the clamps. I have several of them.
I’m a contractor and I pick a few things up from there from time to time. I appreciate your video and might have to check a few items out because of this video.
Thanks for the heads up, I just got a miter saw from them and worked wonders
Thanks for the video! I'm going to look for those countersink bits! I am a Luthier and string instrument repairman. I have a Harbor Freight band saw, that I have used for everything from intricate cuts to resawing. I upgraded it with cool blocks, and a Kreg fence, and it never fails to work great. I was going to buy one at the local Sears- but it was well over 400 bucks and made in China. I paid $219.00 for mine, also obviously made in China.. a while ago now. I have a number of power tools from them as well, a heavy duty corded drill with tons of torque, a small rechargable drill, a jigsaw, heat gun, and many smaller things like a couple of dial calipers and screwdriver sets. Overall, HF tools have improved in quality over the years. I have a LOT of HF clamps, and really, no one has better prices on a wide variety of clamps- and as you know, there's some things you can never have too many of- clamps being one of them.
I needed a 10 inch compounding mitre saw for a few home projects and bought the harbor freight brand and put a better blade on it and it has been great
Yeah my chicago electric 10 miter saw is still going strong. Got it for $74 on a coupon. I like that saw for what ot is....😁👍
I bought their 12 inch disc sander for one job 3 years ago and after many jobs later it is still running like a champ, very impressed with it
Sound like it paid for itself.
I am a Woodturner and use the angle drill to sand bowls with great results.
Harbor Freight kicks ass. It's like a tool rental!
Their step drill bits is something worth the cost and yet not too expensive. I’ve used the same two (that come in a set) for 3 years now, 90% of the time drilling mild steel, and they’re still going strong.
🧐🧐 I’ll have to check them out!
I've found these to be a good deal as well, I have both sizes and used them on plexiglass with great success as well as thin cabinet metal that would normally crab with an ordinary bit. I've drilled half inch steel with them as well and have yet to have one crab the material. They work well to de-bur a hold as well making a chamfer on the edge when it just touches the next drill step. When drilling plexiglass I still like to use a scrap board and clamp to avoid cracking, but have gotten away with out it using the step bits and a little water to keep the plexiglass cool.
I agree on the sander especially. I had one for years. Even used them with metal oxide belts for sharpening machetes.
Definitely my favorite tool from there!
After seeing the title I thought if he doesn’t say gloves this video is worthless. Bam, first one out of the box. Well done 👍
Great minds think alike 💪🏻
that 1x30 is a beast.
i got there thikness planer and 10 inch bauer miter saw ,bauer glue gun , hercules table saw been pretty happy with them all
You’re a brave soul. Most people stay away from the big stuff. Good to hear it’s worked out for ya!
I appreciate the perspective. I have items from HF that I like and others I wouldn't buy again. I look forward to more videos.
This is 1 of 5 that have been released 😈
That one inch sander is the best. I've had mine for years now.
My favorite find so far!
I have the three piece countersink bits and they work great.
They really do!
I love this i have a small business woodworking shop and I find that HF is great to get started yeah the tools don't last forever but they are great to get started and buy you time till you can upgrade and there are some great gems there and I know that I have a lot of stuff that I use on a regular basis from HF. Keep up the great work new sub!
Appreciate it! Glad to have you.
As a woman and a new DIY homeowner, I quickly learned I would need many tools. I was on commercial job sites often and when I asked any construction workers about HF - they all sang only praises. They all agreed most of the power tools would not hold up long term for their needs, but as stolen tools are a constant hassle on job sites, they loved being able to grab something inexpensive to suit their needs until they could afford a proper replacement. They also liked being able to take something cheaper to problematic job sites. All assured me purchasing there for my own needs made sense and if I found I needed something better, I could make that decision later. This approach has suited me well over the last 25 years.
Step bits for drilling sheet metal and the (used to be free) 4inch magnetic trays. I also have the Daytona 3 ton jack and love it.
Next time I go to HF I'm grabbing some of those. They've been mentioned too frequently not to check them out!
That disc sander that as sitting right next to the belt sander at Harbor Freight should also be on this list. It's super quality for the money.
They actually have a combo of both I saw today that peaked my interest. 👀
I have the HF 16" drill press, no complaints and no problems!!!!
I have a set of HF wood turning chisels, the less expensive ones, and I've turned plenty of wood using them without ANY problems. Also, their poly handled wood chisels will surprise you. Whenever I get a set of wood chisels the first thing I do is look for spooning in the flat. I did this with the HF chisels and was VERY surprised to find the flat was, indeed, very flat. In fact after coloring then sanding to spot the spooning, ALL the marker came off evenly..
I have the wooden handle set. No gripes from me. Welll you might not want to use them as pry bars.
@@brucewelty7684 lol!😁👍
Was at HF today and got a few odds and ends. I like their sanding siscs for my random orbital sander. I have a bunch of the 4' LED shop lights in my shop, 5000 lumens so nice and bright. The switch is prone to breaking but easily replaced with a toggle switch. Have two of the roller stools. C clamps, good and cheap. Heard the F clamps were good so got a few today. I use the 7 mil gloves for paint/staining and they last multiple sessions. Dead blow hammers are good.
I have found the gray HF "quick grip" type clamps have more flex than the name brand "quick grip" and have been frustrated with them not having the same holding power due to that extra flex. I do like the easy of turning them into push clamps and tend to leave the HF in that use model. I've also had the HF version release not to function correctly at times. I prefer the quick grip or craftsman versions on those.
For me, the number one item to buy from Harbor Freight is their 1,000 lb. capacity Hydraulic Lift Table. At its highest setting, it is even with the tailgate of my full-size pickup truck. It makes unloading heavy, bulky items much easier. I also use it as an out feed table for my table saw or as an extension of my work bench. I use it to move my lathe. Originally, I bought it because it was cheaper than lift-gate service for a delivery I was expecting. Since then, I've found so many uses for it I'm not sure how I got along with out it.
Second on the list is Harbor Freight's line of Fortress air compressors. These are high quality air compressors that cost a lot less than others of similar quality.
Good insight! Thanks!
I work there and those tables are a life saver
The 1” belt sander is THE BOMB! get an jig for sharpening knives and chisels (Amazon), soeme belts 80-1000 grit, and a leather strop belt, and you CANT BE STOPPED! There is nothing you can’t sharpen…💥👍🎉
Right?!? I think that’s probably the best thing they offer!
Really good vid. Throw in other consumables like tape, zip ties, heat shrink tubes etc. thanks for posting. Subbed.
Good to have you Ted!
I love the hook, I have several. I hang my ladders, cords, even my weed eaters from them. They have the Atlas and Hercules Brands now, I bought an Atlas Pole saw, and its a beast its even cordless. spent a good 6hrs cutting limbs up to 6 inches thick on one battery.
You have earned a subscriber. Great stuff bro.
Great video!! Yeah I need some clamps, thanks again!!
Harbour freight will always be important because it fixes the American challenge not all can afford quality and high price but beginner to life as a measure of approach, I salute them.
Great tips. There are plenty of other things that are great there too. I have a Central Machinery combo 4x36" belt/6" disc sander and it's never met me down. I also have one of the 8 inch drill presses which is also great. Full disclosure, I bought both used for a total of $80 and they worked perfect. Their sandpaper is also pretty good, especially the metal sandpaper. Things like heat shrink tubing, electrical tape and O rings are a no brainer too. For the price, their drill bits are not bad. You can buy a new set for a job and either sharpen them or buy more. They're that cheap. I have good bits but when I think I might break one, I read for Drill Master bits because I do not care. I'll save my DeWalt and Woodriver bits because they're great but they're expensive.
Hot tip, those counter sink bits work great on aluminum too.
The 8" drill press really? I've seen them there but I was too reluctant to try one without hearing a first hand review. I think 8 may just get one 🤔
I bought their clamps there almost 2 years ago and they're still going strong. Not a single one broke so far. Also, I needed an inexpensive router as my second one. I got one for about 35 bucks. Works great.
$35 is a great deal.
The 1x30" belt sander is great for occasional knife grinding and repair and sharpening, if you feel confident enough to freehand on a belt grinder, and if you load it with 3M silicon carbide grinding belts in progressive grits. (These are much finer than typical aluminum oxide wood sanding belts.)
I like their anti-fatigue mats & moving blankets.
You read my mind.
This is a great list. I have many HF buys in my shop. By far my most used items are my various clamps. I have a variety of F clamps and bar clamps. I have to be super frugal and for what they do I find these clamps to be completely adequate. I also like my pocket hole jig with the exception that it has zero dust collection. But as far as pocket holes go...it does a pretty nice job.
I bought my first clamps from HB as well! They worked for what I needed for sure. I’ve since upgraded but that doesn’t mean the old ones weren’t useful!
I bought the 1x30" belt sander and he's right you'll use that for so many things. It works great for me making pipes and knife handles especially
Thanks for the confirmation 🙌🏼
i have a harbor freight trim router that i have used and abused for 6 years .. still going strong. i caught it on sale for 20.00. actually bought 2.
When I needed a new sliding miter saw, I went with the Harbor Freight Hercules with all the features of the top of the line DeWalt, but at half the price. Dead accurate out of the box: I’m very happy with it.
I used to have the miter saw they sold before they came out with the Hercules line. It was a piece of junk 😂
@@TheReformationWoodshop yeah, that one looked like crap. But they are making a serious effort with the Hercules line.
I own a woodworking business and I swear by the Hercules saw!! I absolutely love it and it was half the price of the DeWalt saw! It's also good to know that I am typically a DeWalt guy, but I couldn't pass up this deal especially with their warranty
I do detail and finish and the Hercules saw really performs consistently, put a good blade on and it will run as good as DeWalt hands down. Get the warranty, just worth it if anything goes wrong, bring it in and get a new machine. Masked perfect business sense!
@@TheReformationWoodshop The Hercules 12” sliding miter saw at Harbor freight, is made in Taiwan. I’ve owned it for a year now and find it extremely accurate and is very well made, in my opinion.
Got the 1" strip sander/disk sander for dirt cheap. Got a high quality pack of super fine abrasive belts from Amazon, again for cheap. That's how I sharpen my knives, etc. Super sharp very quickly. Love it.
Good to hear 🙌🏼
I love the belt sander personally. I use it all the time for so many things like profiling a knife or tool I am making or restoring. Their angle grinders aren't great by any stretch of the imagination but they work very well. At the price they charge, you can look at them as a consumable. I have been pleasantly surprised by how long they actually keep going!
But they lack power, are only good for light duty grinding. My dewalt for 100 bucks has a 13vamp motor. I can lean on it and the motor doesnt even slow down. Massive amounts of material can be removed quickly and its over 10 years old. Harbor freight angle grinder will never perform like that.
@@kwacz Great point. The HF ones can't keep up if you really need to hog off material.
I went there this morning great deals for tools I might use every now and then... but need at those moments of need! Good Video... funny I looked at that sander... good to know!
The sander is worth every penny!
I have a HF chain saw sharpener. Paid $49 on sale. I’ve sharpened chains maybe forty times. At $8-10 per sharpening at the hardware store I’ve saved a ton. Plus, it only takes about ten minutes rather than multiple trips into town and waiting 7-10 days. It’s Not heavy duty commercial grade, but great for a home owner, Farmer, etc.
Another thing to get at Harbor Freight is wheels.
Not the kind you need for moving things that way a TON, or go on a highway, but casters, carts and wheelbarrows.
If you are not loading them to the max, they were really well.
Watch my second video! You’re right on the money!
I was going to say the same thing!
Good information! I get my toggle clamps from Menards. Currently they are $.50 CHEAPER than HF. I also get most of my consumables at HF, great savings!
I’m a Pro tradesman and I admit that there is a place and time that Harbor Freight tools fill the bill. Trick is to have a keen eye for what is a gimmicky knockoff and what is an actual serviceable tool. I used to avoid anything that had a electric motor, but HF has really made a big stride forward in recent years in some of their power tools. The Bauer brand stuff is actually pretty good stuff. Case in point my brother bought their surface planer (Bauer) a few years back it has performed flawlessly even on 1000’s of feet of hardwoods.
Their dust collectors are the best beating out other name-brand competitors!!
That’s a bold statement Marc!
I don't see many women like myself going into harbor freight. They usually sit in the car or truck. Ladies I'm here to tell you, there is plenty of things in there for you. If you like solar lights, solar rope lights and other solar lights, go in there and get them. Also they sell rechargeable batteries for those lights. There are other things in there, garden things, rakes green houses, tarps, tie downs and my personal favorite, zip ties, Bungie cords and tie downs. I'm 68, married female and many a time I like to just roam around in the store but I never leave empty handed. The last thing I got was a hammock, made of parachute material and can hold up too 500lbs. It has nice straps to wrap around trees and clips that makes it simple to hang. I would love to see more women in there next time I go.
Preach it 🙌🏼
Peg board hooks are a deal too. Zip ties too. I’ve bought more than a few and never had an issue. Heat shrink tubing, and they have a trailer kit my buddy bought that is super nice.
the 4x$15 orange ratchet straps-I used these for years when hauling fine furniture up and down the east coast. If they hold a 15k Black Walnut Amoire securely in a box truck going over the Cross Bronx, they’ll do well for most things you need within its scope.
I get all kinds of clamps at Harbor Freight. Spring clamps especially. The ratchetting bar clamps I found just break if you tighten them too much, but they're also super cheap, so you can buy twice as many and just deal with the losses.
I also forgot the 4.5" angle grinders pick em up at a parking lot sale for $10 ive got a dozen of em all setup with a different wheel including the harbor freight chainsaw disc which scares the hell out of me but the lower power means better control which is essential when sanding, buffing, wire wheeling or using the chainsaw disc ... I don't remember which one but i think the top switch comes with extra brushes for the motor as well and only buy 1 warranty for multiple grinders they dont have individual serial numbers so if you burn one up go get it replaced its worth it to buy a grinder a year just to have that warranty refresh
Ok…. Wait… they sell a chainsaw disc?!? I thought those were only on Amazon 😮 I’m gonna have to get one!
I use them for Tarps, Bungee cords, Sandpaper & Rope. The hand truck isn't bad and also their dolly's
The countersinks you showed are also fantastic on aluminum if you predrill the hole first. I use them everyday at work. They cut thru sheet aluminum flat bar and 6061 like butter.
Someone else mentioned this as well except he was a hater who said I should ONLY use them for metal 😂
I got my oscillating multitool from them and it’s been the best corded tool ever. I don’t use it a lot, but each time I do, it pays for itself.
Same for my 4” right angle grinder. I paid $10 for it at their sidewalk sale and it’s been a trooper.
If you know what to look for, you can find great stuff there.
Got the orbital tool also. But had to go out and get a new better quality blade
They have a really good quality 6" F clamps on the cheap. I bought a pair and use it daily.
I have been shopping at Harbor Freight since they were mainly a catalog contractor supply. I haven't bought their more expensive products like a table saw or miter saw (I haven't needed to buy one) but 95% of their products have did the job well enough for me including sockets, ratchets (I had one bad ratchet out of about seven, they replaced it), breaker bars (one broke abusing it, they replaced it no questions asked) and titanium coated drill bits (work fine in wood and 16 gauge metal). Especially for something you likely only need occasionally like a 1/2 inch drill why pay twice the price at Lowe's or Home Depot (before they started eliminating the Chicago Electric line the competition was three times the price). Their Warrior 18 volt cordless drill is great for the price, I have had mine since November and use it several times per month. My brother just used it to drill 3/16 inch holes in concrete and it worked fine. I have a couple of the old Drillmaster cordless drills and at least five of the battery packs for them (I had one of the battery packs apart, they will also be easy to refurbish now that HF doesn't sell them anymore), they will do 85% of jobs and were well worth the $16 that they used to sell for but the Warrior is a much more powerful drill.
That green framed belt grinder is on its second year of grinding bone and steel. But, I gotta say Harbor Freight is where I go for clamps! Bar clamps, C clamps, spring loaded clamps! It's amazing what you can do with enough of them, and they're economical at HB.
Check out their router guide bushings. They are made of brass and work great. Had my set for years!
👀👀 I’ll have to go grab some and add them to the next video!
Harbor Freight Rocks!!! And the sales unbelievable, granted power tools are a bit like he has claimed in video. However; if it's a power tool you use from time to time or you need one quick & cheap they work, a bit noisier than most but yeah if your not using it every day it's worth it because it will last if your gentle lol awesome video dig the sander. I saw they have a lot of wood working machines like laves and miniature build yourself kits for kids or me, like table saw, router tables. Which to me as being kinda new to all this it's perfect and fun and fun for my son but really gives those guys who lack vision atleast an idea of where to start when jumping into a project like building real table saws, band saw, router tables whatever. Love Harbor Freight clamps clamps clamps clamps wood glue wood glue wood glue clamps and more glue and another clamp. Maybe one more for the road. Love Harbor Freight!great video
I'd add their 6 In. Fractional Dial Caliper if you work in imperial, not metric. It directly reads to 1/64", and it is easy to read 1/128". Not nearly as accurate as a metalworking dial or electronic caliper, but great for woodworking. If your tools are calibrated in fractional imperial increments this is a great tool.
I used to be a sub for a limey creator. He claimed that a Stanley utility knife was not accurate enough for wood working. Heck my wood moves on its own more than the knife blade thickness.
Agreed on all the items. For sure the paint brushes. Learned that while repainting my house.
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
I love Harbor Freight. Friend of mine gave me some tools he no longer used, one was a drill from them, however he no longer had the charger. Went there to get a charger, they don't sell the drill anymore. So, manager Chris traded in MY drill for the new one, which just happened to be on sale. SWEET!! Got a brand new drill, with charger and 3 year warranty for under $15!!! Oh, also got a pack of bits for my "dremel" for $6.99, it was a 20 pack I think.
I saw dremel attachments the other day! Pretty good find.
Great video I love harbor freight I was thinking about buying a tool box
Excellent video! My shop is being built right now and this was helpful.
Thank you! Good luck and hope you get a huge shop 💪🏻
My wife and I are starting to build our shop. We are going to use Harbor Freight to start. Quantity to start. Quality to finish.
Ain’t nothing wrong with that. Just like everything in life, ya gotta build up to it.
I bought my bench vise from Harbor Freight. I also purchased my large dust collection machine from them. They both work great. Oh Yeah also as a shed builder their nail prices for framing nails can't be beat.
The nails are definitely a good idea!
Good video, those hooks are awesome! I highly recommend their Hercules power tool line, just wait for a coupon though!
👍🏻👍🏻
I have been going to get one of those belt sanders for awhile, but it seems like they are very popular since they have been out the last few times I have gone into HF to get one.
I had the same issue whenever I was looking for one. I think you can order one too the store and have them call you whenever it arrives.
Regarding metal items you mentioned. It really all depends on how frequently you plan to use them. If you work in a shop where you are making your living off these tools, buy quality. If the tool is something you might use once a year, buy harbor freight. I bought their cheap bit set (in the red case) years ago and still use those bits on the occasion I need a weird security bit. Super happy with that purchase.
I’ll probably never buy expensive bits… I loose them all the time and would just be throwing my money out the window 😂
I've had good luck with the 29 piece titanium drill bits at HF. I catch them on coupon sale for $9.99 to $14.99 a set. I've had them out perform some 1/2 metal bits from the big box stores that cost me 12 - 14 dollars each (more than the whole set of 29 at HF). I recall some independent study ranked them in the top 3 or 5 when testing some 20 drill bits bands but I don't recall the link. I do use oil when drilling metal and don't run them at high speed. I burned up a number of bits once at a job site that had a drill press running too high a speed - the big box stored burned up on the first pass, and HF stood up for a number of passes before the titanium gave out (again this was running both too fast and heating them up).
For the work I do, I'm not making kitchen cabinets, I grab a couple wood clamps almost every time I stop there. They're about 1/4 the price and work fine for my work, and you can never have enough clamps.
Thanks for the information!
I bought a angle grinder for every disk/wire brush/flap disk. Saves time on switching out disks. At 14$ they work flawlessly
To clean the Sander belt use a n eraser!! Run it against the face of the grit an it clears the wood debris
Harbor Freight has come a long way. DOn't have to think of everything as throwaway, you can actually get some quality if you are careful. Be a little careful on some of the small things, most are cheaper than the big stores, but don't assume, there are exceptions. Have to say, I REALLY like my Hercules 12 inch mitre saw, broke down and got if when my old, smaller craftsman bit the dust. Price/quality comparisons, bit the bullet on the Hercules, am extremely happy with the purchase, saved a boatload over a DeWalt and in my opinion, equal quality.
If HF ever decides to source tools and other wood working products which are not made in the PRC , I will consider shopping there.
I have their 23 gauge pin nailer and it's great.
That's good to know! I just bought this last week
Their 18 guage brad/stapler is also well worth the $19 I paid for it. Hell, at that price, if I bought a new one for each job, then it would still be worth it.
I’ve had my $89.99 10 gallon compressor for at least 12 years and still going strong!
I have that sander and It's usable if one doesn't lean to much into it. But the motor could be much stronger. I will be upgrading
F clamps should have been on this list. I have tons of them, and yes, every once in awhile one of the ones you buy are junk. But consider the price.
I have both the 12 speed drill press and a vertical belt sander that have both served me well for over 20 years each. Like he says, generally don't buy power tools from HF unless you plan to have them fail. I bought a corded drill that didn't have enough torque to send a 1/8th inch drill through a pine 2x4.