Braineack

iTrader: (62)

walmart sells really cheap, thick gauge extension cords. Way cheaper than anywhere else, including HF.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

If you're gonna use an extension cord for something that says to not put on an extension cord, use the shortest and fattest one you can find.

phillyb

iTrader: (8)

so the voltage rating of the cord coupled with the voltage rating of the ac fuse doesn't matter?

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

If your ac was really 220v it wouldnt have plugged into a 110v extension cord, or worked.

phillyb

iTrader: (8)

that's what i thought too...
definitely all 110 plugs.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Way too long an extension, plus probably too small (diameter) wise as well. Get the largest rated size they carry, and as short as you can yet still reach.

I just bought one for my camper. Thicker ones are double the price of the "regular" size, but will carry the load without overheating.

phillyb

iTrader: (8)

oh yeah! heat!
the cord was hot as ****. haha

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Extension cords typically have current ratings (amps) printed on them, or on the packaging they came in.

The current rating of the extension cord is a function of its length relative to the thickness of the conductors inside it.

The cord should be selected based on the current rating of the device being plugged into it. A load pulling 10 amps would therefore require a cord rated for no less than that, and preferably one with a higher rating.

100 feet of 16ga cord is extremely under-rated for a large window A/C unit, which will typically pull 12-15A. I would recommend 12 or 14ga, and FAR shorter.


Also, as an aside: Fuses (and circuit breakers) do typically have voltage ratings, however this is irrelevant for our purposes. The voltage rating merely denotes the highest voltage which the fuse / breaker may safely be used to control. So a breaker / fuse rated for 250 Volts (a common rating) may be safely used with EITHER a 120v or a 240v circuit. This rating tells you nothing about the actual voltage or current on the circuit, which is what matters.

phillyb

iTrader: (8)

thanks joe!

2ndGearRubber

1/4 drive, inch/pound, torque wrench. I also have the 3/8 and 1/2 drive foot/lb versions. - 5/5

They're very easy to use, and consistent. I had the 1/2 drive one checked on the snap-on truck (probably the cheapest tool ever to set foot in that truck ), and tested within 2% from 100lbs, repeated 3 times. That's damn good for a mechanical torque wrench, that's sold for $9.99 (on sale)




Right angle die-grinder - 5/5

It's a little ******* beast. Polished 4 full size service lifts, that had 26 years of yearly rattle can/house paint on them. Never missed a beat, and I use it every day. Only $15, super win.




Hook/Pick set - 4.5/5

Great for pulling gaskets, hoses, and general poking of stuff. I only deduct .5 because a broke 2 pulling out the crank seal on the 94. Brought them back, got a new set, winning resumed. I used them daily for more than a year before that. They cost less than $2.





Long wrench set - 4.5/5


Great for alignments. Very well made, I spread the 22mm a hair after over a year of daily alignments. I've used a cheater bar on them as well. Returned them (actually forgot the 14mm), got a new set. .5 dip, for one wrench spreading less than 1mm, after a year in shop use, and being abused. They do skip out on the 16 and 18, but I picked those up from matco. $25ish, lots of win here.



(continued)

2ndGearRubber

Impact sockets, deep well, 1/2 drive. 5/5


Really good buy, for $28. Very strong, I've hammered lug nuts out of them with a hammer, no chips. Goes up to 32mm, and also has some small sizes, like 14 (Honda Odyssey rear upper shock mount). A must have for suspension work.





Pry bar set, 8' 12' 18' 24' - 5/5

Very sturdy, the small ones are good for pulling brakes apart. Spreading calipers, popping out pads, etc. The bigger ones are great for prying on control arms. Would be nice to have striking caps on the ends though.





3 level cart. 5/5


Just assembled it. Lock washers on ever bolt, good paint, smooth casters.

curly

iTrader: (25)

FYI my buddy had that torque wrench. Only went up to 80 ft/lbs, and he only used it for lugs, so that was a little sketchy. And after a season of torquing lugs, it started "free wheeling" every few times, leading to a number of bloody knuckles and a returned wrench.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Which one? the 1/2 one that goes on sale for 10 bucks all the time goes up to 150. I have 2 and abuse the **** out of both of them because they just get used for lugs. I avoided the other ones because I've heard they're **** and if I need more accuracy than what a lug nut needs I want a bending beam torque wrench anyways.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I couldn't find the deep well metric socket set locally, I ended up with the normal depth, but so far so good. And they were only like $15.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

I have had a set of HF deep metric impact sockets. I have actually broken a few. I believe the 17mm and 14mm cracked after a few years of use. I have just ran up to sears and gotten craftman replacements for the ones that have cracked. For the price point I would recommend them, but just know that you might eventually need to replace them

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

The only thing I didn't like about them is the weird black powder/coating on them that feels awful to the touch (like newsprint) and gets all over your hands.

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

For the price tag i'd say you'll get ur moneys worth vs how many break.

Brain, i believe its made for gloves so they dont slip.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I could see that. I just cant stand the texture...but I always wear gloves when working anyways.

I know these aren't from HF, but these are the best disposable work gloves you can get:

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

We should start a thread dedicated to these ******* gloves. I can never find ones that work. I just go bare back and then use GOOP to clean off, unless I'm rebuilding a diff or something like that.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

these gloves are really thick and don't tear unless they get caught in a drill or something and even when they do, they don't completely fail, they hold up.

They have a texture palm area which makes gripping tools better.

and as you can see on thw box picture, they have about 3-4" of extra material that covers your wrists/forearms. If you wear long sleeves you can put them over your collars and clean your arms completely clean.

I dont buy anything else; it's always a dissapointment.