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The tractor supply cans anti spill are actually not too shitty. I bought a 1 gallon for for 2 smoke oil. My other anit spill cans I bought water spout kits on ebay for like $9 per 2 pack. So $18 for a 5 gallon can at home depot + $4.50 for a no bullshit jug and a 1/2" drill bit to drill the hole for the vent sounds a lot cheaper than $40 racing jugs.
I took their torque wrench (the big boy) and compared it to our gazillion dollar aerospace wrenches that are calibrated on a schedule. Guess what, identical.
Our ChampCar team uses these red jugs from Jegs. The cap has a standard pipe thread so you can get hose and adapters from Lowe's/Home Depot. $20 a jug plus a couple bucks in whatever adapter you want. https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performa...80211/10002/-1
Just a heads up, if anyone got in on the Harbor Freight class action suit where they settled on refunding the "you saved" dollar amounts, I got my two gift cards worth $315 in the mail today! It came in a pretty discreet white envelope, so don't toss them in the trash with your junk mail, because they will not reissue them.
I feel like I robbed Harbor Freight today. Grab another beer because this takes a few minutes to explain.
I have (had) a Vulcan ProTIG165, which is a solid welder. I'm generally quite stoked about it, and I picked the thing up for $580 with a coupon. What I'm less stoked about is TIG welding out of position for general fabrication, so I wanted to get a MIG welder as well. HF's Vulcan Omnipro 220 seems like a pretty badass option with both MIG and TIG action. Problem is, it doesn't come with a TIG setup, so the $949 price becomes $1200+ once you add the torch and pedal, plus a regulator for the second bottle of gas and other bits and pieces. Still, I figured that was better value than buying a second welder if I could trade in my current unit. I popped my head into HF a week or so ago and asked about the details on the 12-month money back guarantee that comes with the Vulcan line or welders, specifically whether I could trade up. I was told yes.
So, today I roll into HF today with a $849 coupon in hand for the omnipro 220, expecting to shell out big time once I had a full basket of all the stuff I needed. I talk to a not particularly inspired looking busybody and explained my conundrum vis-a-vis the torch and pedal. He said, to my astonishment, that I could just trade in the main unit without the accessories. I was back in the store 30 seconds later with the unit in hand, and the accessories safely locked away in my trunk (TIG torch, pedal, air gauge and regulator, power plug, ground wire and a couple other odds and ends). I roll up to the counter and ask to do an exchange. The manager doesn't look twice at the fact that it's missing all the things, and proceeds to process the exchange. In doing so, she credited me for the now-current full price of the ProTIG165 ($679), and then charges me for the discounted price for the omni pro. I paid about $185 for the upgrade, making my omnipro with full TIG setup just $800 including tax.
Thumbs up for the Bauer portaband. I've been using one with the SWAG offroad stand for building my new set of headers for the SB2.2. It works every bit as well as the Dewalt I used to do, and only shows any sign of slowing down if you really dig the material into it instead of letting it do the cut. I'm even using their brand of blade with the fine tooth count, and it's showing no signs of dulling yet.
Thumbs up for the Bauer portaband. I've been using one with the SWAG offroad stand for building my new set of headers for the SB2.2. It works every bit as well as the Dewalt I used to do, and only shows any sign of slowing down if you really dig the material into it instead of letting it do the cut. I'm even using their brand of blade with the fine tooth count, and it's showing no signs of dulling yet.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this!!!
I have the Bauer bandsaw, and like it a lot, but cutting by hand sucks! I had completely forgotten about SWAG until you posted. He makes some great stuff!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this!!!
I have the Bauer bandsaw, and like it a lot, but cutting by hand sucks! I had completely forgotten about SWAG until you posted. He makes some great stuff!
It's one of the few tools in my garage I'm kicking myself for not buying sooner.
Make sure you check the envelope thoroughly if you receive a settlement.
Apparently, the maximum they will load on a single gift card is $250.
My total came out to the price of a migmax 215, (with coupon, after tax) almost to the penny.
Seemed like fate, so now I have a nice new mig welder.
My old HF welding mask started flaking out on me (red one that auto-darkens). It was ok when I was broke.
I saw that they had this new mask for $150 and eligible for a coupon, so I figured I would give it a shot. It is awesome. Super clear and a nice shade color and range. The big view area is nice, but the biggest benefit is the amount of detail you can pick up in the tig puddle. Made me a better welder just putting it on. Super adjustable and comfortable. Wore it for a few hours today. Only annoying thing was that with the big view, my nose and mouth were really close to the mask and I could see it fogging up on a cold day.
Also the new vulcan defender tig gloves are amazing for $10. They fit really well and offer decent protection. I had to remind myself to take them off before moving on to other stuff around the shop.
It appears that also applies to most of the other brands that are typically excluded from the 20% off coupons, including their welders. I'm going to try to get a price adjustment this week.
My old HF welding mask started flaking out on me (red one that auto-darkens). It was ok when I was broke.
I saw that they had this new mask for $150 and eligible for a coupon, so I figured I would give it a shot. It is awesome. Super clear and a nice shade color and range. The big view area is nice, but the biggest benefit is the amount of detail you can pick up in the tig puddle. Made me a better welder just putting it on. Super adjustable and comfortable. Wore it for a few hours today. Only annoying thing was that with the big view, my nose and mouth were really close to the mask and I could see it fogging up on a cold day.
Also the new vulcan defender tig gloves are amazing for $10. They fit really well and offer decent protection. I had to remind myself to take them off before moving on to other stuff around the shop.
I have a hard time dropping $150 on a HF welding mask. I have used the cheaper $40-$50 for years without issue. Then I upgraded to a nicer Lincoln helmet. The price difference between the HF and what I paid for the Lincoln makes me willing to spend a little bit more.
Saying that. One day I would like to pick up on of the Vulcan welders. I think those are probably a good value.
05-13-2018, 07:49 PM
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