For The Guy Who Has Everything: A Place to Put It!
You may know someone who has every tool known to man (including some old, scary things you can't identify). Venturing into their garage is like stumbling into a flea market-- their workbench, walls and drawers all cluttered with hardware-- and they spend about as much time looking for tools as they do using them. OK, I wasn't going to say it, but... yeah, I'm talking about you. It's time to end the madness!
When toofun (forum handle) decided he had outgrown his old tool cabinet, he shared his journey for a trade-up with fellow Pro-Touring.com members:
"So I have outgrown my start-up Craftsman 26-inch double-tiered toolbox and need to get something else for my HOME GARAGE-- Snap On, Husky, Matco, Cornwell, etc... all HUGE money. And then I came across the 44-inch wide multi-drawered U.S. General tool box from Harbor Freight. I know it is not professional garage mechanic quality like Snap On, but COME ON. When I saw this in person, I was very impressed with it. For the two top and bottom "middle parts" pictured below, 21 drawers and it runs $689-- that's less than HALF all the big name brands charge for a similar set-up. Anyone have one they care to comment on? They also sell the add-ons and I am considering buying the side drawer add-on for another $200 so in total I would have 28 drawers all for $889??? Am I missing something here?"
No, toofun, you're not missing a thing. In fact, you could get the entire ensemble pictured above, out-the-door (tax included), for under $1,200! I challenge any competitor to offer as much-- with the same high quality-- at such a low price.
Here's a breakdown of the individual pieces:
- 44" 13-Drawer Roller Cabinet (#68784)
- Red Roller Cabinet Top Chest (#68787)
- 7 Drawer Red End Cabinet (#68785)
- 42" End Cabinet (#68991)
It wasn't hard for toofun to make his decision:
"Yeah, on my way to buy one for sure today! Can't beat the price and Harbor Freight is killer in the deals department. I also like the fact that they have just about everything put together and set up for customers to touch and feel. The drawers really do slide in and out with ease. I have a Craftsman box right now and I would say they slide in and out better than those do. I also saw a video on YouTube of a guy STANDING on the top drawer of the lower cabinet with the drawer full of tools! Not crazy enough to do that but I though it made a good point, even though I probably would have chosen a different way to show it!"
In the end, toofun did go for all the three pieces he had been considering: the 44" 13-drawer tool cabinet, the top chest and the 7-drawer end cabinet. To say he was happy with the shopping experience would be an extreme understatement:
"Well, picked up the top, bottom and side pieces today. Worked out a deal with the store and got an even better deal-- PLUS, they signed me up for the Customer Rewards, or-something-like-that (Inside Track, heh-heh...) program. Basically you get coupons every week that are discounted even lower than the regular coupons they send out to the regular mailings. The discounts are on average about 10%-15% lower than what they offer the general public, so it really adds up if you buy a lot of tools. Also, I was worried about the (upcoming) sale and they said that within 45 days if I see a better price than what I got it for, to bring in my slip and they would give me the difference back! MAN, I LOVE HARBOR FREIGHT. Always liked their online store, but now that there is a physical location 2 miles from my house, it's like going into a strip joint to see what's new! LOL! "
I couldn't have said it better. When it comes to tool storage and organization, there isn't a better deal out there than the heavy-duty, industrial-quality US General series, exclusively at Harbor Freight! Come into the store like toofun did, and try the cabinets out yourself-- and don't forget the countless other deals throughout the store. You'll love the place, too!
October Specials are Going, Going ….
Here comes Halloween, which means October is almost over and so are our October specials. After tomorrow, October 31st, these deals will be gone, so don't wait!
Harbor Freight for Halloween!
In the "Thinking Outside of the Box" category, Jennifer B. of Wilmington, NC wins for ingenuity and getting into the Halloween spirit. Recently, she purchased a Drill Master 80 Piece Rotary Tool Kit to carve her jack-o-lantern, and while this picture only shows a "pumpkin in progress", it's so amazing right now, we can tell it's going to be epic when it's done (beware pumpkin-kicking punks, Jen)!
It's not too late to follow Jennifer's example-- run down to your local Harbor Freight and pick up your rotary tool kit today! Imagine the works of art you could make out of squash-genus vegetables. Not just for pumpkins, though, this awesome tool is great for cutting, grinding, polishing, sharpening, engraving and drilling for all kinds of crafts and hobbies. Works on metal, wood, rock, plastic... and your dog's toenails. Seriously!
And at such a low price, it's just downright SCARY to pass such a deal up!
Hot on the Press
The Central Hydraulics 20-Ton Shop Press is a sweet addition to both the home shop and professional auto garage-- and one of the best investments you can make if you restore, rebuild or all-around wrench on cars and trucks. It can press bearings and U-joints on and off like butter, come in handy for doing gear installs, press axles out of rims, and bushings from axles (to name just a few applications). If you work on cars or trucks occasionally, as I do, the money is well invested.
The 20-ton shop press can also be used for electric motor and armature repair, installation and removal of pressure-fitted parts and bending or straightening metal.
And not the least of it, it looks great in the garage and fits in easily!
But, as I like to tell people with any of the Harbor Freight Tools products, don't take my word for it. Check out the customer reviews-- they can sometimes give far more insight than a blog article. Here are a couple testimonials I plucked from the product page:
"This thing is awesome. It took about 3 minutes to set up, because it's all welded together already. I was toying around with it moments later. I also bought the bushing/bearing set (#38145, ~$17), as well as the front wheel drive lock-nut socket set (#66988, ~$55) and press dies. In the first 30 minutes I owned it, I had pressed out 4 bushings for a car that would've cost me at least $60 from a shop. That following weekend, I did 2 complete suspension overhauls, pressing out/in 10 more bushings without breaking a sweat. This machine is a workhorse, and getting to know it and use it properly is tricky, but very easy. You just have to go slow. I would also highly recommend only using this with 2 people. This thing was a great value. It was on sale when I bought it, plus 20% off made it under $160. I paid it off in the money I saved in just the first weekend, not to mention how handy it was to fix a screwdriver I bent, just because I could! If you're any kind of an automotive/tool guy, this is one to add to your collection. The possibilities are endless." John the Car Guy - Portland, OR
"I bought this press in the late 80's and it still works as good as it did when new... I have straightened motorcycle forks, ATV rear axles, and have done motorcycle crankshaft work. The list goes on and on. Worth every penny!" Brian F.
Apply tremendous pressure on parts, metals and machinery with just a little effort, for all sorts of applications. It won't take long for the Central Pneumatic 20-ton shop press to pay for itself over and over, again.
The One Thing
Curly: Do you know what the secret of life is?
(holds up one finger) This.
Mitch: Your finger?
Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean (squat).
City Slickers, 1991
As you may or may not be aware, we've been following the restoration of a '67 Firebird where only Harbor Freight Tools are being employed, and are documenting it in a video series. While I've been editing footage for the blog, I couldn't help but notice that the Pittsburgh Pro 1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench was used throughout the project. In fact, in the sixth installment, where the engine gets rebuilt, this tool was the star of the show-- doing about 80% of the work!
Don't let the price fool you. The reversible 1/2" torque wrench is up to the task, whether you're a weekend warrior or professional practitioner, in the home or under the hood. And as a friend pointed out to me, it's the primo tool to keep in the car as a lug wrench. Accurate to within plus-or-minus 4%, the Pittsburgh torque wrench features a click-stop design with a range of 20-150 ft. lbs. It also comes with a heavy-duty cam and pawl mechanism that delivers the necessary precision required for jobs that require specificity. It's the go-to tool for engines, suspension and a long list of projects.
So, when you're looking to start or fortify your auto and/or shop tool arsenal. just remember One Thing:
The Pittsburgh Pro 1/2" drive click-stop torque wrench.
OC Weekly: Best Hardware Store 2012 – Harbor Freight Tools!
OC Weekly, a news publication with a readership of around a quarter-million in Orange County and Long Beach, California, just released their annual Best of 2012 issue, covering the best and brightest of local restaurants, galleries, local bands and more. This year, under of the category of Best Hardware Store, Harbor Freight Tools was the recognized favorite:
"Whenever a business advertises its opening year, it's usually a good sign. Harbor Freight Tools has been selling to your granddaddy since 1977. The company began as a mail-order catalog and has since grown into a significant hardware retailer, with stores all over the U.S. Yet it's not this charming attainment of the good ol' American dream that makes Harbor Freight the best—it's that it feels like a neighborhood store right off Main Street. It's small enough to be manageable, but established enough to carry almost everything you need at ridiculously low prices. Need welding tools, miniature drill bits, bandsaws, jigsaws, lawn gnomes or something you never thought you needed with the American flag on it? Harbor Freight stocks it all."
Thanks to OC Weekly and all the good people of Orange County and Long Beach who have done business with Harbor Freight!
Carrying
Last Fathers Day, I bought myself an old '72 GMC long bed pickup. A friend of mine who runs an auto parts store told me one of his regular customers-- the original owner-- had to sell it because he couldn't drive anymore. The truck was in great shape; perfect body, clean interior, bulletproof 402 cu. in. V8 with a Turbo 400 transmission. It's my "man cave on wheels." I put in a new stereo, gutted a dead CB radio that came with it and now hide a small .38 in it when driving cross-country. I also added a cooler with a cup holder lid as kind of a "center console." However, the vehiclewas still missing the one thing every pre-computer-age car has got to have-- a tool kit. Nothing super fancy, just something reliable and sturdy enough to deal with the off-chance mechanical mishap. So, the next time Harbor Freight had a coupon sale, I picked one up:
The Pittsburgh 105 Piece Tool Kit With 4-Drawer Chest goes above-and-beyond any other basic tool kit, for the home, auto and for the price. A dramatically thorough collection of sockets, bits, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hex keys, utility knife and more, the only things I had to add to complete the package were duct tape, galvanized wire and fuses. It also comes with a sturdy 4-drawer case, which is extremely convenient... for anyone else. I threw all my tools in a canvas bag which I tucked under the bench seat.
A lesser-known bonus: Harbor Freight Tools guarantees their hand tools for life! So if you're the kinda guy that needs reassurance, there ya go.
’67 Firebird Restoration Project: Part 6 – Engine Rebuild
We're now up to the sixth installment of the Harbor Freight Tools 1967 Firebird Restoration Project.
Recapping -- HFT invited former Rod & Custom editor, Jeff Tann, to restore a First Generation Firebird using only products from Harbor Freight Tools. The car is all original with a 400/325-hp V8 engine, so he's approaching the project from scratch.
- In Part 1, we were given a tour of the original vehicle, inside and out, and presented Jeff's challenge.
- In Part 2, we followed the body-dismantling process and introduced the U.S. General 700 lb. Capacity 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Cart, which housed the Pittsburgh Professional 301-Piece Mechanic's Tool Kit. Also in this segment, we saw how Jeff made quick business of the job with a Central Pneumatic 3/8" Professional Air Ratchet and 1/4" Mini Air Ratchet Wrench.
- In Part 3, Jeff lifted the engine using a 1-Ton Capacity Foldable Shop Crane and then removed the tranny from it with a Central Pneumatic 1/2" Twin Hammer Air Impact Wrench before he mounted it on the Central Machinery 1000 Lb. Engine Stand, and proceeded to take it apart.
- Part 4 took us to the exciting first step of transformation-- sanding and priming the car. For the stripping, Jeff used a Central Pneumatic 6" Dual Action Air Sander and the Jitterbug Orbital Air Sander. He then laid down the primer like a rock star, using the Central Pneumatic Professional HVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun.
- In Part 5, which involves the pressure-washing, sandblasting and undercoating of the Firebird. Using a Pacific Hydrostar 4 HP 2000 PSI Gas Pressure Washer and a generous amount of heavy-duty degreaser, he heavily coated the underbody to break down over 45 years of grease, oil and dirt, and then washed it off with water using a high-pressure nozzle. Once the underbody was scrubbed clean, he sandblasted the rust spots with a Central Pneumatic Portable Abrasive Blaster Kit, using highly efficient Medium Grade Armex Soda Blast Media and, as a finishing touch, covered the surface with Rustoleum Professional Undercoating Spray.
Now in Part 6, we come to the meatiest phase of the Firebird restoration to date-- the engine rebuild. The Pittsburgh Professional 1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench is pretty much the star of the show, a multipurpose tool utilized throughout the footage. That said, check out the great details and tips employed in this installment. Chances are you'll see a thing or two you'd like to adopt for your next project.
Whatever your labor of love, if it has to do with tools, Harbor Freight Tools has got what you need-- and sends you home with extra cash in your pocket!
Enjoy-- and stay tuned! There's still tons more to come!
Boy Scout Does His Eagle Project the Harbor Freight Way
Boy Scout Jack Rickelmann of Westlake Village, CA needed to perform a community service project to qualify for his Eagle Scout Award, so when an opportunity came to restore three benches and build planters for St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church's preschool, Koble’s Korner, he jumped on it.
As required of the Eagle process, Jack managed the entire project. The first thing he did was employ the help of some fellow scouts and adults, after which he approached Harbor Freight Tools, asking if they would contribute products and supplies for the venture.
The benches were sorely weather-beaten...
...so Jack had his crew disassemble, sand and stain them. The metal parts were prepared using wire brushes (#40401) and spray painted black using precision can guns (#94815).
The finished benches looked like new!
The planters were to be used by the preschool students to plant flowers and vegetables for educational purposes.
The wood planters were stained with paint rollers (#90182) and brushes (#4183) provided by HFT, which gave them a smooth finish.
The assembly was coordinated by Jack as the units were screwed together with guidance from the adults using power drills.
Jack presents a finished planter
One requirement the school principal had was mobility to move the planters so all children could have access. Jack used two 3" Cast Iron/Molded Rubber Swivel Casters and two 3" Cast Iron/Molded Rubber Stationary Casters on each planter. The sturdy construction of the casters provided by Harbor Freight allowed a fully-loaded planter to move around easily.
Other Harbor Freight Tools items used for Jack's project included: 100-pack 5 Mil Powder-Free Nitrile Gloves, 50-pack Dust And Particle Masks, and 3-pack 9" Paint Roller Covers.
Thanks to the enthusiastic help and quality tools and supplies, Jack was able to complete his project ahead of schedule!
The principal was extremely jazzed about the planters and benches. Classes had just started and she couldn’t wait to put them to use. Jack's remaining project funds were given to the school to purchase flower and vegetable seeds for the planters. All in all, the activity was a resounding success!
If there's a project you need to do, be it for the Scouts, your church, school, community, or for a particular fundraiser, remember Harbor Freight Tools for your tools and supplies-- HFT will keep you on track and under budget!
Grand Opening in Richmond, VA and La Mirada, CA!
October 18, 2012-- Harbor Freight Tools has been opening new stores across the country with unprecedented frequency, especially in such tough economic times, and there's no slowing down in sight! Last Wednesday, October 17, at 8:00 a.m., the doors opened wide at the two newest Harbor Freight Tools-- this time in Richmond, VA and La Mirada, CA.
The Richmond store, located at 8093 West Broad Street (Westland Shopping Center), had a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:00 am, hosted by the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
“Harbor Freight Tools is a valuable new member of the Greater Richmond Chamber and of the Richmond Region. We are pleased to welcome them to our community and look forward to promoting their success,” says Kim Scheeler, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber. “We look forward to a long and exciting working relationship with one of the nation’s largest tool and equipment retailers."
The La Mirada store, located at 14345 Firestone Blvd., also featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:00 am, hosted by the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce.
"Harbor Freight Tools is a valued member of our Chamber and we are proud to welcome them as they open their newest location in La Mirada," states Dustin L Dahl, President of the Chamber of Commerce. "We look forward to supporting them as they integrate and grow into one of the many successful companies thriving in the La Mirada community."
The exciting grand opening celebrations are featuring huge discounts at up to 80% off. Come browse the enormous selection of quality tools and hardware, take advantage of the incredible specials, or just come by and say "hello!"
Store hours are MON-SAT 8:00AM-9:00PM and SUN 9:00AM-6:00PM.
Come on by!
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