Thanks Tabby. Glad to still be here!

Speaking of clamps, Wal Mart was or is selling bags of spring clamps that come in various sizes. I think they are from China. They are black plastic, and have orange swivel pads at the business end.

Beware of these things! I have had several of them break after they have been clamping something for awhile. They break with force and send parts flying. Fortunately, I have been across the room at the closest, and out of the room most of the time. But I suspect they could easily hurt someone.

I think I have two or three of those kind of clamps left over from an 8-pack. The rest did break to pieces. In some cases, quite spectacularly while I was holding them. (Safety glasses. Always a good thing.)

Stick with steel spring clamps unless you have no alternative.

Most of the items that I have bought at HF have surprised me in how well they have worked. I purchase mainly smaller items from them, ranging from hand tools (beware of the hammers, the handles are set in with epoxy!) to hand held power tools (Chicago Electric tools have held up remarkably well). Jorgenson clamps from HF work well, but I was wholly unimpressed with the calking gun styled clamp whose plastic clap faces broke off on the second or third use. The "quick grip" styled clamps left me irritated when they would not tighten down. Their spring clamps (the metal ones) are a great buy.

I have also bought a pressure pot for sandblasting from them that has worked a charm. One day I may be able to afford a large compressor so that I can move the sandblasting to my shop. Their cement mixer has also held up well. My brother bought a metal lathe from them, but I do not know if he has ever unpacked it. That is a strange concept to me, buying a tool and not immediately using it...

Assuredly a store where the phrase "buyer beware" applies.

Harbor Freight:

I have all 5 of the cases you see among this page and so do most of the Magicians here in Tucson, AZ.

The Various Aluminium Cases are great quality and the price is right.

Wife says what do you need that case for? I say honey, you can never have enough cases.

At first glance, while half asleep... I am proud to admit I looked at that and thought "now that is a heavy duty pasta maker"... I must be hungry XD



Seriously though, I am more of the mindset of "if you are going to buy a tool, buy quality and cry once." It is much better than buying a tool that will break or cause injury. I have tried my fair share of cheap tools, HF and "big auction site", and after a particular incident where they wired it with the live wire going to the case of the device I always check!

On the other hand, buying used (not abused) tools can be a wonderful deal. Often times some of those old tools were built to last and if they were taken care of they may require a little bit of TLC. I browse pawn shops and over the years have learned how to wheel and deal with the best of them. You just have to know what you need, what you want, and how to reconcile the difference

Sorry, going back to bed... was up all night and rambling now...

Cheers!
Zzz Zzz

I have a 12" shear, rescued from the dumpster of a trophy shop that was connected to a magic shop where I worked. It had a broken part that I've been able to cobble a repair on and have used it now for close to 30 years. I wish I had one that would cut up to 24".

I have a 12" slip roll from HF. Not bad, but also limited by its size.

I have an 18" bending brake, also HF. It works, but what a pain in the butt. The lock down plate has to be clamped with C clamps.

Regarding a bending brake, 18" is more than enough for anything I make, but I would love to have a finger brake for making tight compound bends for things like die box shells.

That would make a dandy pasta maker. You could use the C clamp to form some macaroni noodles.

The silver one, *is* a pasta maker XD. Tho that type does not do macaroni. I do have a wonderful philips pasta maker that makes great noodles, in fact since I purchased it we have not purchased dried pasta. The couple times I have tried to sneak on what was left of the dried pasta from the pantry, everyone says it tastes bland .



I know, it is not HF, but it was worth every penny

I have been watching this guy for years but ... here ya go

BOLTR: Snap-On vs. Harbor Freight Impact Wrench

https://youtu.be/WG8KU_ln77k

His vijayoes are skookum as frig!

In case it helps anyone, here's a link to a fantastic aluminum case to organize your stuff: https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-6-......271.html . I purchased two last weekend, and they're unbeatable for $29.99. Notably, they're the perfect depth for a vertical deck of cards.

Harbor Freight has a 20% coupon on their home page for August 11-13, 2017, along with a free flashlight, batteries, and microfiber cloths:
https://www.harborfreight.com/

I still stand behind Harbor freight. I live a mile or so from one. I have purchased many items there and NEVER had one fail to perform as expected.

With all the tools he can buy at Canadian Tire, how could they not be? Arduino versus Evil....AvE

I think the bottom line on Harbor Freight is that quality is variable. They have some good products and great deals, and they have some not so great products.
If you are contemplating a significant purchase, it is best to find online reviews of the product from actual owners.

My HF radial arm saw has held up well, after three years of use. It's quite nice for cutting molding if you need to make picture frames or frame up square bases for props. I used it for 5" floor molding throughout the house, too.

The weekly 20% off and free item coupons come to use in the weekly grocery ads. Their official mailers don't include a 20% off coupon, but their email list does have the free items quite often.

Had to go to harbor HF yesterday. Yes had to go they sell one item I am dependent on. I hate going there, always crowded and the line to pay backed up with people with the free flashlight coupon or whatever giveaway they have going. Noticed they had developed a new way to market their substandard power tools. Saw lots of red and black styled to look just like Milwaukee tools. Even had a chain saw that at first look was Poulan brand at a very low price. A second look revealed that the brand was Portlan. I don't really appreciate this type of deceptive marketing. It getting harder and harder to find top notch quality tools. Im afraid that these knock off tools will further fuel the race to the bottom.

Harbor freight by me is a bit of a dice roll....place always stinks of cheap plastic, and the lines can be a bit long, BUT they do have cheap stuff. As stated before, if you're in need of DISPOSABLE tools, this is the place to go. If you want quality, look elsewhere.