mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

That's the trick with HF tools -- the tools themselves are fine, but the consumable media sucks. Buy legit cutoff wheels or sanding discs or whatever.

3rdCarMX5

iTrader: (1)

The air die grinder is pretty hit or miss, very loud and uses a ton of air. I finally gave up and got an IR max. Thing is so much better, as it should be for the price. I had to rebuild my HF one after light use, the cotter pin sheared off the drive gear.

2manyhobyz

iTrader: (4)

[QUOTE=Alternative;1295954]Review?

3 in. Heavy Duty Electric Cut-Off Tool

Get the regular die grinder that uses 1/4" bits. Then you can use cut off/grinding disks. I have literately ground pounds of metal over the years. Replaced the cord, screws holding the case pulled out, held together with strapping tape. It's the Terminator cause I haven't been able to kill it yet.

Alternative

I have one of the super cheap HF grinders, its sooooo loud.

Erat

iTrader: (5)

The only quiet angle grinder I've found is a Makita unit.

viperormiata

iTrader: (24)

I'm looking to pick up a digital torque wrench. Any good HF options or is it worth it to drop skrilla on the Snap On?

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Why does it have to be digital? I have been very happy with my HF torque wrenches. My favorite thing about them is that they are cheap enough that I don't worry if friends **** up and don't set them back to zero when they are done.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

I have hf click type for day to day stuff. And 3 beam type for important things

viperormiata

iTrader: (24)

I just wanted one. Never had a nice torque wrench and digital seems easier.

asmasm

iTrader: (1)

833 lb. Capacity 2 in. x 20 ft. Ratcheting Tie Down item#62364:

These are terrible. They bunch up on themselves really easily and one of of the belts wore a big hole on the 2 mile trip to bring home an engine.

hi_im_sean

iTrader: (3)

My friend has one of those fancy snap-on digital ones that beep and vibrate. I think the vibrate part would really engage this crowd... anyway, once you use one you don't want to go back to a clicker, they spoil you.

Did I mention it vibrates?

Schuyler

iTrader: (1)

Craigslist is a great place to buy tools.

I bought my MAC Tools Torque Wrench from some guy for like $40. Thing was pretty much brand new.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Coupon for 3 ton low pro jack. $80 right now. 1.5 ton aluminum is 60. Perfect shop/travel combination IMO.

good2go

iTrader: (2)

For those pinching pennies, the latest catalog they sent me has a coupon for them at $78.38.


On another note, where does everybody get their tap and die sets? My 1st inclination is that they are a precision tool set, and thus, should be bought from a legitimate tool and die manufacturer. However, I am cheap and don't want to spend hundreds on a basic set.

Has anybody got any feedback on HF's sets?
45 Pc Titanium Nitride Coated Alloy Steel Metric Tap & Die Set

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Yeah that. I just rounded to 80.

Are there any reasonably priced metric rivnut tools out there? I keep finding $100 sets.

Thinking about taking a chance on this and seeing if it will fit in my harbor freight tool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6mm-NUTSERTS...-/130919391294

midpack

iTrader: (3)

I have this tap & die set: SAE / Metric Tap and Die Set - 60 Piece, Alloy Steel

I don't remember what exactly I bought it for, but it's only been used a few times and has not broken yet. Handles are very cheaply made otherwise seems decent for the price.

Monk

iTrader: (3)

I have that same one. The assortment is very nice, but I have broken a small tap with very little effort.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

I have the HF tap and die set, but have only used it once or twice. It worked for what I used it for with no problem. I have never had any other tap and die sets to compare it to, so I can't really say how good quality wise it is.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

I used to have that same 60 pc tap & die set as well.

Used it infrequently, but I never broke a tap from it. They seem to perhaps be made from a slightly softer material than higher-quality taps.

vehicular

iTrader: (3)

I typically purchase high quality taps one at a time as I need them. Grainger, McMaster, etc keep them in stock if you have one close, or can get you one overnight for reasonable money. For all the taps/ dies I've ever bought, I don't think I've spent more than $100 and will probably never have to replace one. Worth it, IMO.