Harbor Freight - Favorite Purchases

[dougass]

Did I miss this topic somewhere? if not...

What are your favorite Harbor Freight purchases?

I have a range of tools, from your $$$ Snap-On and Mac to the one-time use items from Harbor Freight and Advanced Auto. I believe there is a time to spend the money, and a time that the cheap stuff does the job.

First on my HF list:

DOLLIES.
These are CHEAP and GREAT. I got 2 sizes and they handled my engine and trans without issue.
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'91 GL - 2.1 automatic named Klaus for weekend adventures.

#klausvan & @thisisklausvan

[sped372]

I'm very happy with the large rolling US General toolbox. Have had it a few years now - lots of space and plenty well-built for the home mechanic. Even used pro boxes are just too spendy for me.

HF on the right, "old" Waterloo upright on the left. HF is much nicer than the Waterloo.
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1971 Karmann Ghia - 1600 DP
1984 Westfalia - 1.9 WBX

[shagginwagon83]

20ish ton press has helped me quite a bit.
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[joetiger]

Low-lift transmission jack...Cheap, durable, and very useful.

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycl...61232.html
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[Zeitgeist 13]

I've had to replace two casters on my HF trans jack when they snapped right in half.

My favorite of their tools is the 1/2" socket wrench with extending/collapsing handle. I use it all the time.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[joetiger]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I have a lot of uneven surfaces on my shop floor and driveway, but the junction between the threaded post and the caster carrier is also a weak link.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[joetiger]

[robbiecanter]

Hands down the best tool I've bought period. It makes pulling and installing be engines a breeze.
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52' Split
64' Bug-turbo
68' Notch
84' westfalia 1.8t
87' 4runner
91' 2.9 vr6 coupe

[fleetwood41]

No photos handy but the Midwest Can Company Jerry Cans are a perfect fit for the RMW swing-away folding shelf.

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-gallon-jerry-can-99551.html

For the price, they function just fine for me.
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1987 2WD w/ 2.5 Subi & Poptop Conversion

[jimf909]

[mikemtnbike]

I really like my HF version of a Fein multimaster. Cheap, functional, and so far so good on durability. Really does - per djkeev- a great job on seam clean up and has lots of other uses.

Ratcheting wrenches too. I've bought much nicer ones now for home use and the HF ones are in my van tool box. Might never have tried them without the low entry.

Also, jim, you're not the only one. I have tools in my carport (secured), van, basement workshop, and an upstairs toolbox of the basics. Most of these, however, are things I inherited from my grandfather and a neighbor who taught me a lot a long time ago. Doesn't really feel like an extravagance.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[raoul mitgong]

25" breaker bar with a 19mm socket. Got one in both my vans instead of that crappy stubby stock tire wrench tool.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-25-in-breaker-bar-60819.html

I use their 3-in-1 battery jumper pack all the time too. Friends charge there devices on it at campsites, I've jumped employee's, stranger's, and my own vehicles with it. Much easier than trying to get two cars close enough for cables. I have also used it to supplement the Westy "house" battery when the Espar shut down due to low voltage overnight. (Yeah, I need more permanent aux capacity)
-d
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84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim))

[Vanagon Nut]

I like this thread!

Any time I'm in the US, I always stop in at HF.

I'm sure there's other tools I bought that are favourite but one useful "tool" that I recall were some D clips. Small and useful for keeping closed end wrenches on.

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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[Tobias Duncan]

I think they have a tow bar that is easily modified for towing vanagons.
Not that you would ever need to do such a thing...

[dkoesyncro]

Ooh ooh, I was lusting over some Chuck boxes (overland camp/kitchen design) but simply couldn't justify the cost. I was looking at the tool boxes and found one that will easily modify to fit our needs. I purchased it for $80 normally $150 compared to $400+ for the flashy ones.

I will post up a build when I do, it's a great fit for us weekend warrior tin top guy's.

[WestyBob]

I have almost everything everyone has mentioned so far plus quilts -- I have bought a lot of inexpensive mover's quilts for various uses.

But probably my most HP-favorite of higher quality was an aluminum floor jack - very light weight, can easily lift a vanagon to rotate wheels/tires or set on jack stands (I have their large jack stands too).

What I caution about is some of their electronics -- the motors that drive drills and saws and etc. can burn out. But if you take it back to them right away they've always given me a replacement free.

[MsTaboo]

HF is good for basic durable goods, but their electrical stuff (Chicago Tools,etc) are junk as are most of their abrasive goods. Cheap ass sandpaper, grinding wheels, etc.

My most useful purchases:
Engine hoist
Floor stand hydraulic press
Various weird pilers, clip removers, etc.
Nitrile gloves
HD vice

The nice thing about HF is their stuff is cheap enough that even if it breaks after awhile you can get the job done. Fine for DIY, not so much for pros.
Double check the welds on any safety related goods.
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[RichBenn]

[Cowboy67801]

Harbor Freight sells a round chair on wheels made by Pittsburg.
It raises up or down for perfect height with tool storage underneath.
$20 great for working on back of car or changing tires...