harbor freight tools that don't suck

**64volks33** · April 21st, 2012, 09:16

I have a bunch of there air tools set up, so no need to change out tooling each time. The best part If it breaks, oh well 9.99 replaces it.....

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**64volks33** · April 21st, 2012, 09:22

I have a bunch of there air tools set up with different tooling so I dont have to change them out each time and if one breaks oh well, 9.99 replaces it.....

**CraigMT** · April 25th, 2012, 01:16

I keep a separate tool bag in my tow rig full of cheap/H.F. tools. Inevitably someone I don't know (or hardly know) needs to borrow some tool and I just point them at that bag.

Friends and people I know can borrow the good stuff...

Now that being said, I was racing B.O.R.E. Class 8 in Jackpot NV years ago and someone I didn't know asked to borrow my new Leatherman tool while I was in Tech. Sure, no problem... Like an hour later I realized I never got it back and just wrote it off. Around 7pm this total stranger walks up and says 'Here's your Leatherman that Bill/Joe/Bob borrowed earlier!'

Good folks at that race!!!

**mojavesmostwanted** · April 25th, 2012, 06:24

Anybody use there bead roller? Im thinking g about picking one up today or tomorrow for a project im working on. Gonna be useing it on some .063 5052 aluminum mostly.

**SpareChangeRacng** · April 25th, 2012, 08:51

the bead roller should be good with the thin, soft aluminum. For anything bigger you might want to reinforce the thing a bit as they do flex. If you do a google search on this there are all sorts of write ups on the HAMB, and Pirate4x4.

Overall the rollers are worth it if you spend a little time reinforcing them. Especially if you get them when they go on sale!

**mojavesmostwanted** · April 25th, 2012, 09:44

Ya its on sale right now. I was thinking about making a deeper frame for it out of 1/4" plate and some good. Heat treated 4140 shafts on it and an electric motor and it will be just like the muffler bros bead roller. I think im gonna pick it up on my way home tonight

**SpareChangeRacng** · April 25th, 2012, 09:49

if you got the 4140 I say go for it. On the 1/4" body it still may flex a bit depending on what you try to roll in it. I'd say use box or tube.

If you're going to go through the work of doing the new body & shafts you might as well just make one from scratch & buy the dies/rolls you want for it on eBay. There's a guy there who makes some cool rolls for the things. Or you can make them yourself if you're a halfway decent machinist.

Here's a a couple pics I have saved of a home made roller & then a guy reinforcing the HF one.

**mojavesmostwanted** · April 25th, 2012, 10:08

Ya it would be just like that. It would have two side plates and some 2" strips to connect the sides and all the works would be inside I don't think it would flex much. We will see what happens. Thanks for your input

**200MPHTape** · April 25th, 2012, 16:40

I have the roller, I don't use it much, when I do I clamp a 3"x1/2" angle iron on the thing just before where ever the edge of my roll is, then put it in the vise. I plan on putting a wheel on it insted of the handle, it always wants to drop and F up your piece.

**Sparky** · April 26th, 2012, 09:20

Their 3/4" drive stuff has worked great for all the big nuts and bolts on the racer. I also got one of their small 3 gallon pancake air compressors that I keep handy for the kids bikes, lawn tractor, etc... so we don't have to go to the garage every time we need to air something up. It is also small enough that I can throw it in the truck and haul it to races.