Rate the Harbor Freight Tools Thread- Pass or Fail?

[middle.road]

This is off topic for this thread, so I'll mention it here and start a new thread with the details. Randy Richard has a YouTube channel, and one of his videos is how he made a DIY tumbler out of a standard 5 gallon bucket and some other stuff he had laying around. I thought of it when I saw _Dan's post above.

Well drat, don't it figure? That would have saved a few bucks.
I should have looked harder for a DIY solution.

 

[darkzero]

So, I picked up one of their Tumblers to attempt to rescue some Hendey #6 collets I scored.
Soaked them in vinegar for 36 hours or so then tumbled them with crushed walnut shells.
Worked out pretty well considering how rough they were.
I did modify it and added a high velocity 80mm computer fan to the bottom. Keeps this sucker nice and cool.
I have a bar clamped down across the top instead of the cover so that I can view the 'action'.
We'll have to see how long the fan lasts with all the dust.
Then this past week I picked up some of the 'Rust Removal' media and started tossing in every rusty tool laying around...
Works real well. I also sawed up some wood cubes and tossed those in an attempt to increase the media volume.
A single 5.2lb jug didn't quite fill it up enough.
The parts on the Granite were in for ~5 hours.
Had to move the setup out to the shed, I had it outside the shop and the noise with using the RR media was driving me crazy.
Need to start planning ahead for 'Bowl' replacement I'll wager...

Nice. Does the little HF one run that hot?

I have this same one as well as another US made one in the same size. I've only used rouge impregnated walnut or corn cob. I only run really small lightweight parts in them but still I added more weight to the offset weight that's attached to the motor to give them more vibratory action. I have never ran mine more than 12 hrs though & didn't notice them getting that hot. I haven't worn out a bowl with the media I use but I did purchase a spare bowl from HF so I can just switch the bowl filled with different media instead of having to change out the media.

I also have the larger HF one. This one I use a mixture of ceramic cylinders & triangles or plastic pyramids. I use this one with larger parts & wet. The large one works really well as is & is worth the money. They have gone up in price over the years & I used a 25% coupon but if I had to I would still buy it again today.

 

[middle.road]

This little 5lb version runs very hot 'out of the box'. After just 1-1/2 hours or so, too hot to touch.
There were only (3) 1/4" thick rubber feet on the the bottom, then the disc with a screen guard in it.
I ran across some reviews of older models where folks mention that it had a fan on it.
I would have loved to get the 18lb model, but @$170.00 even with the 20% off, it wasn't feasible at this time.
Haven't been able to find a source for a replacement bowl yet. Doesn't appear that HF carries them any longer...

 

[Winegrower]

It seems HF makes occasional product improvements, so an update might be of interest. Recently I got the 20 ton press, and found it a real bargain. It was well made, everything fit and aligned without drilling or filing, and had steel press plates, better than the previous cast iron that will crack when least apppreciated. There are a few user mods that are well documented that improve it more, so check YouTube.

I also got the 2 ton engine hoist. This is surprisingly good! The legs fold up easily and lock in place with the samp pin that holds them down, and this allows easy deployment and small footprint storage. I have seen an earlier model where the legs need to be slid into tubes...much more stooping and grunting needed. Also, all wheels are casters, so fine positioning with a load is way easier.

I used the engine hoist to pick up and move my 2500 pound Takisawa lathe over not the smoothest concrete. Was well within the hoist capabilities.

 

[C-Bag]

I've had my HF electric long nose die grinder for at least 10yrs now and it's gotten a ton of use. It quit a month or so back and it turned out it was the brushes. I knew it came with spares but it took me over an hour of digging to find them. Popped them in and off it went and was able to complete the project!

I looked online and they only show one long nose now and the two are different and the same with the brushes. I called their repair facility and they swear they still carry the old one and had brushes for it. So I ordered two set, $8 ea and free shipping! They finally showed up and there was two packages each pack had THREE brushes in it!?!?! So I checked them and they are the correct brush so really they sent me 3 sets for the price of two. Who knows if I'll remember that I have them and where they are by the time they wear out!

 

[roadie33]

I have a clear container I labeled Brushes and throw all of them in it. So long as I remember where i put it I am good for years.
Since every tool I get from HF comes with a spare, I have probably 20 or more in there.

 

[middle.road]

So far the tumbler is holding up well. Have been running a ton of items through it. I believe the cooling fan it helping in that regard.
I rigged up a clamp bar in place of the lid so that I could 'dangle' pliers and such into the bowl.
I'm on my third bottle of green bits.
If HF comes up with another 30% coupon I may just go after the larger tumbler... (don't I wish...)
...

 

[Firstgear]

So far the tumbler is holding up well. Have been running a ton of items through it. I believe the cooling fan it helping in that regard.
I rigged up a clamp bar in place of the lid so that I could 'dangle' pliers and such into the bowl.
I'm on my third bottle of green bits.
If HF comes up with another 30% coupon I may just go after the larger tumbler... (don't I wish...)
View attachment 307160...View attachment 307162

Some of the people that make their own tumblers use kitty litter. I haven’t tried it yet but did buy some to try.

 

[middle.road]

Some of the people that make their own tumblers use kitty litter. I haven’t tried it yet but did buy some to try.

Tried that when I first got it. Dusty mess, may have to try another brand besides 'estate sale finds'.
Picked up some crushed walnut shells at the pet supply shop and it worked nice on some brass.
Been mostly doing rusty items (-=- LINK -=-)
Need to clean out the bowl before I switch to another media. The Green Bits break down to gray matter, of course cause I've been adding a dash of water to them.

 

[Firstgear]

Tried that when I first got it. Dusty mess, may have to try another brand besides 'estate sale finds'.
Picked up some crushed walnut shells at the pet supply shop and it worked nice on some brass.
Been mostly doing rusty items (-=- LINK -=-)
Need to clean out the bowl before I switch to another media. The Green Bits break down to gray matter, of course cause I've been adding a dash of water to them.

Why add the water? What does that do?