Just an FYI for those of you that shop at harbor freight..

[poriggity]

This is somewhat recovery/survival related.. Take a look at the coupons on Harbor Freight's website... 5 pairs of leather "work gloves" or a hatchet for $5.99 each... For the price, it's hard to go wrong..

Just a thought.. there's also a come along coupon in there, along with some screwdriver kits as well.. Personally, I love harbor freight.. yes, the quality is not always top notch, but it's so cheap, I can use it till it breaks, then buy another one.
Scott

 

[off-roader]

This is somewhat recovery/survival related.. Take a look at the coupons on Harbor Freight's website... 5 pairs of leather "work gloves" or a hatchet for $5.99 each... For the price, it's hard to go wrong..

Just a thought.. there's also a come along coupon in there, along with some screwdriver kits as well.. Personally, I love harbor freight.. yes, the quality is not always top notch, but it's so cheap, I can use it till it breaks, then buy another one.
Scott

I'm not so sure about using their recovery equipment (come along... no thanks) but their tools are ok for most basic needs.

 

[mudbutt]

And China thanks you.....

 

[poriggity]

meh... I've used the come alongs from there numerous times with no problems.. And yes, I know it's mostly china stuff.. but dang.. for the price... It's hard to argue with. Like I said, it breaks, and you throw it out.

 

[Eventhough]

I use their gloves. The price makes them disposable.

I dont use their recovery equipment. If a piece breaks under load you likely won't have a backup and you could break.

They do often have 20% off coupons in random magazines too. Oh, and their magnetic bowls simply rock. Their dark blue latex/nitrile gloves are my favorite work gloves. Cheap shop towels too. Haven't had much luck with their cheap flashlights.

 

[Errant]

I like their cheap leather work gloves, too. Heck, they even hold up in the washing machine a few times

 

[Eventhough]

I never though about washing them - probably bc my wife would kill me.

Does it make the leather any more supple?

 

[Errant]

I never though about washing them - probably bc my wife would kill me.

Does it make the leather any more supple?

Yes, it does. Throw them in with your shop rags and stuff, not the regular laundry (to avoid being killed by the wife).

 

[kjp1969]

I have a HF tow strap that I keep for situations where I don't want to thrash my nice Expedition Exchange stretch strap. On a couple of occasions I've pulled someone down a flat, level road and didn't really trust them to keep the strap taught and off the ground. Probably any old knotted rope would have been strong enough, and a $17 strap fit the bill. I sure wouldn't use it in any critical situation, though.

 

[Eventhough]

Yes, it does. Throw them in with your shop rags and stuff, not the regular laundry (to avoid being killed by the wife).

I'd still be dead. My wife is VERY understanding and supportive of my hobbies (read: addictions to overland travel) - but I am pretty much kept away from the laundry b/c I have a history of messing it up. I'm OK with that though I guess. She does get to deal with some nasty clothes from long off road trips though!

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread!

I do love to stroll through Harbor Freight when I'm near one. I usually grab a few things that I just can't pass up. It is amazing when you can fill a hand cart up for $20 with smalls.

 

[TurboChris]

Good luck living here and not ever buying anything made in china....

And China thanks you.....

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I am tossing around the idea of adding there 99.00 solar panel to my trailer.. or getting the 129.00 generator. Evidently the little 2 stroke 1kw generator is a little work horse once you put in a better spark plug and clean out the gas tank.

 

[Toyotero]

Haven't had much luck with their cheap flashlights.

I've had a lot of luck with these... for the price they are hard to beat. :-D

 

[Wyowanderer]

I'm not so sure about using their recovery equipment (come along... no thanks) but their tools are ok for most basic needs.

When I'm in the middle of nowhere, a broken tool can be a disaster.
I bought a set of Snap On screwdrivers nearly thirty years ago, and I'm still using them. Waaaaay cheaper than replacing junk tools.
And, naturally, they were made in the USA.
I try hard to stay out of HF and spend my dollars in places where quality is sold.
To each their own, though.

 

[Herbie]

My general rule for Harbor Freight is to never buy anything from them where failure of said item could result in serious injury or death.

$4 tool bag or $5 wrench roll? Why not?

Cheap wrenches? Sure, I'll risk barked knuckles.

Special-use air tools? Heck yes. The cheap pneumatic riveter I bought last summer made the difference between making my pop-top transplant possible or just crying about how much my hands and wrists hurt after driving 200+ rivets. (I have a previous RSI and have trouble operating a regular pop-riveter more than once or twice.) Even if it dies the next time I use it, it was worth the investment just for that one project.

Spring compressor? No.

Jackstands? Hell no.