Harbor Freight: 5 Things to NEVER Buy

[@Tom-hz9oc]

I’ve gone through 2 of the 6”x48” belt sanders with the 9” disc. The first one the drive pulley broke after a month and you can’t just get a new pulley. The second one never worked properly. It hesitated when you turned it on. The start/run capacitor had gotten damaged. And yes, I had to put both of them together. I now have a 4” belt sander.

[@wdtaut5650]

The damaged calculators is on you. I have yet to see any brand of dry cell that won't leak when discharged ('dead'). HF may be more susceptible than most, but any may leak. It is up to the user (or responsible adult) to check them and remove them from any device you don't want damaged.

[@Jkcreswell]

Agreed. I learned the hard way. Now anytime I know I won't be using something for a while, I always take out the battery.

[@klugermann5806]

Plug into a "timer" and well....

[@Tom-hz9oc]

For sandpaper I go to Combat Abrasives. The sheets are great and a 50 pack is the same as a 5 pack at Harbor Freight.

[@DavidRavenMoon]

That Drill Master drill… I have one. Even with two thumbs it’s hard to tighten that chuck so it doesn’t slip. And after having the drill in storage for a while the battery won’t charge at all now. And a new battery is almost the price of the drill! Let’s assume it’s a better battery. Lol Oh yeah, those AA batteries. They last like a week.

[@RockThisTown2000]

Great video . . thanks for the tips. I bought an angle grinder on sale & w/a coupon at HF for $9.99 (reg $14.99) and so far, so good. I use it mostly to sharpen my lawnmower blade about every other time I mow & omgosh, what a difference, my yard looks great right after mowing. A sharp mower blade makes a yuuuge difference! Glad to hear the thumb is doing well! ❤️

[@AButterflyHouse]

Good to know!! I honestly wish I bought my angle grinder from Harbor Freight - I bought a Ryobi a few years ago for a project, and haven't used it since. Should have saved my money and gone with HF.

[@edgarpryor3233]

I've never had HF batteries leak, but they don't seem to last as long as name brand. The type of sander made more of a difference than the brand, the round type is far superior. The multi meter is a fair deal at free, I have a couple of those in places were I might, someday, have a need for one.

[@boppzboppz]

I bought the same drill at Harbor Freight. Its been a good drill for me. Maybe you got a bad one.

[@christophermahon1851]

I got screwed by those batteries, too. They have a different brand now, too, but I won't go near them. I also have several of those multimeters in a box. I'm hoping, someday, to scavenge parts from them for a time machine or something.

[@AButterflyHouse]

Yeah, never touching HF batteries again.

[@skunked42]

NEVER USE A CHEAP METER, they can be overly exciting...only use a 6 dollar meter for 1.5 batteries. Fluke makes a nice 50 buck meter that will do all most folks will ever need. AND it wont kill you.

[@kolesplace]

Hey I'm curious if any of those multimeters give the same readings? Being that cheap (or free) I can't imagine any accuracy in those 😂

[@christophermahon1851]

@@kolesplace I only used them for household voltage. They worked okay for that.

[@skunked42]

@@christophermahon1851 EEVlog has a great DMM teardown on cheapo meters. I use DMM daily for up to 220VAC ( Which you do have in your house) and would NEVER use a cheapo meter for above maybe 12VDC. With a bunch of safe DMM under $50 it's just not worth it. If all you are doing is checking an outlet get one of the plug in GFCI testers. Inexpensive and worth it.

[@conniel.4601]

Helpful info, thanks.

[@radicalrick9587]

*_I use to pick up a free flashlight or battery pack every single time I went to HF. I'd buy a cheapo 49¢ knife box cutter(if I wasn't buying anything else that day), that's always sitting at the checkout counters, just to get the free flashlight or batteries that use to be free if you purchase anything._*

[@mjcechman]

I used to buy 45 rotary carpet blades for cutting fabric . Quality got bad & they don’t cut fabric! Not sure how the carpet thing is going

[@coolnegative]

Great video, and great video! Thanx sweet lady! Blessings!

[@kolesplace]

The worst part (for me) about going to Harbor Freight is checking out at the register. Mc Donalds finally stopped asking if I wanted an apple pie every time I went to their place so why can't Harbor Freight stop bugging me to buy into their membership program every time I go to leave?

[@MRrwmac]

I shop there also. Not for everything, but for some stuff. How’s the thumb doing? Every day a little bit better I hope!!

[@AButterflyHouse]

Yes! Thumb is getting better, and the doctor is optimistic I won't need another surgery!

[@MRrwmac]

@@AButterflyHouse Please keep us updated on each video you produce. Thanks.

[@rockymountainhigh7593]

I like the higher priced aaa batteries. Those yellow ones are garbage but the highest price ones are great. Never had a problem.

[@funk7875]

I stay away from anything with a cord. I do have an angle grinder that is staying together so far. Air tools seem to be ok.

[@villageidiot8718]

The batteries are actually a good deal. The problem was probably that the kids drained them completely dead. Energizer and Duracell will leak if abused, as well. I miss the coupons and free stuff too.

[@cbmech2563]

I've had Duracell batteries leak t7

[@PRR5406]

You nailed it! Actually, the multimeters are okay. The batteries are crappola. The sandpaper sheets are absolute trash!

[@mitch5077]

Hi Lindsay, I'm curious about your thumb healing? Did it take or did you lose it?.

[@AButterflyHouse]

It's doing well! My doctor was optimistic at my last appointment that the bone might fuse on its own, and I won't have to have surgery, which lowers the future loss risk significantly!

[@mitch5077]

@@AButterflyHouse Oh Thank God in heaven, I haven't seen you for awhile and was thinking, I hope that's not a prosthetic. Well... No more Hitch Hiking Lady for you! 🤣 God Bless

[@bobbyadamo152]

How'd ya loose your thumb ?

[@JohnS-hp2xu]

The batteries are not a uniform size either. I’ve had AA, AAA, C, 9 volt, and D batteries that were either not long enough to contact, to long to fit, or were to large or small in diameter all in the same package. The Harbor Freight batteries are even sometime dead or almost dead out of the package. Stay away from them!

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

I have one of these and the battery lasts forever. I've left it on charge for up to a week and it was fine. Maybe I just got lucky I dunno

[@finallyfriday.]

Decent video.

[@daubendiek]

You don't like the drill because it uses NiCad batteries? First, their batteries last about as long as Dewalt, or any other. If you can't remember to unplug your battery from the charger.. how about putting your charger on a timer.. As for the chuck... don't cut your thumb off. oh and no mater who's power tool you buy ALWAYS buy an extra battery As to their batteries.. they don't leak any more than any other brand. If you leave a battery in a device and don't use it for months it WILL leak. Every device draws a minuscule amount from the battery when off and the complete discharging and constant draw is what causes them to leak.

[@texasred2702]

Best deal: their pole chainsaw. 80 bucks and it takes the place of a full sized chainsaw. I've abused the crap out of mine and it just keeps on going.

[@jerryhermann7233]

Ive had nothing but sucess with there alkiline batteries

[@philochristos]

Also, don't buy drill bits at Harbor Freight.

[@cbmech2563]

Everything you bought was in the "good enough " category. Spend a little more and buy in the better/ best category and 95% of your issues will go away.

[@themeat5053]

In the shop barefooted? Trying to make the toes match the thumb? Be careful.

[@j73stuart]

The 1/4 sheet palm sander is horrible, ut not as the 3 piece rasp set( sku 33865)! Seriously this is a never buy.

[@cdawg9149]

I just bot a demo hammer. Probably the worst thing Ive ever done. We will see. Hope your thumb heals

[@Floatflyer1]

Some good info but pretty annoying to have to listen to.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

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