Projects Shout out for HF sanding discs

Not sure if this has been covered before, but thought I'd let ya'll know.

Few weeks ago while the "purple gun" was on sale, I also picked up a roll of 220 for my DA...now the last time I bought self sticking discs, was a loooooong time ago, and as you unrolled them, you just stuck them on the pad and went after things...well late this afternoon I needed to get the kids car ready to spray tomorrow, and pulled out the roll of HF 220 discs, think they were about 10 bucks for 50?...dunno, maybe whatever...so I opened the roll, and unlike the past-notice time frame-, each one has a backing on it that you have to peel off...now this may be the norm nowdays, but means with the inexpensive overseas stuff, no more having to worry about a disc going to hell with dirt/dust while they're sitting in the shop.

If you're a miser like me, when I got done with them, I just stuck them back on their little pad thing (can always use the most worn out one for something), and put them away.

Hey, price is right, good product.

Will find out about the purple gun tomorrow.

 

Clean the gun well, before you use it!

 

I use a lot of HF disc rolls . I have a store 10 minutes from my house. Right across the street from my paint supplier.

 

If you aren't a professional builder then HF has some stuff that works well for your needed purpose. They don't last as long as the nice tools but if you only need it for one or two times and then won't be needing it again, it works out well. I have had one of the air powered die grinders for years and use it a lot. I thought it would have worn out by now, but still going.
I buy the sanding discs too. They work for me too. I think all sanding paraphernalia is made in China now so HF is as good as any.

 

I've read that as well, letting the car air-dry right now and going to start on the gun in a bit.

Nothing like another driveway matte black paint job!

 

Yeah,their tools suck but sandpaper is OK.

This 3 in 1 tool didn't last as long as it took to build the stand it sat on. HRP

 

Mine did the same thing (although not right away, I had to abuse it), I built some new arms out of 1/2" steel bar and it's worked fine ever since....

HF quality can be all over the map, personally I've had very uneven luck with their sandpaper products. I've also got one of their 6X48 belt sanders, the HF belts didn't last worth a damn, I now buy those from Keen abrasive. But their 14" chop saw cut-off wheels are as good or better than some of the 'name brands' at a fraction of the price.

 

I buy there air grinders electric 4 1/2 angle grinders.Some stuff is OK.

 

I like the little flash lights they have at the counter. Hey! $1.99? How do you NOT grab one?

 

Look in Hot Rod or other car magazines, there is a coupon for those flash lights are free with purchase of an item.
I buy a lot of the 2 inch chip brushes. When on special about $10 for a carton of 24? I never clean a paint brush, just use and throw away. I usually am not looking for the super finish of a quality brush.

 

Gotta luv the flash lights.

 

I have not had very good luck with bargain/no name sandpaper. Takes 3 times as much to do the same work as the good stuff. So not really a bargain......
I still might try the HF stuff just to see tho.

 

They have really good stainless scissors for $1.99 . I use for cutting patterns out for metal repair and other things. The wife has 2 pairs in the kitchen, make that one I stole one of them the other day.

 

I never tried the HF sanding disks, but their belt sander belts are crappy. I can use one Norton belt to 5 belts from HF.

 

Did you guys know that HF is now employee owned ? Got that from the manager here in Oregon.

 

Dummy!!!!, come in with the flyer, buy something...you get the Flashlight for free...or a tape...something else too...I forget.

 

Well, here;s the deal, take it for what it's worth...my kids car is OT, but had been taken down to prep with 120....I wanted it a bit smoother...shooting matte black,,,so picked up their 220....used two discs to cover the car, and sprayed it today...fine for what we wanted...oh, prayed it with their Purple gun....man, reminds me of the Sharpe I let some one borrow and never got back!

All good you didn't have luck with the cheap stuff, I respect that...but I've had good luck with it

 

I have a lot of there stuff some of its good and some so so. I'm just a hobbyist, not trying to earn a living with it. For the most part I'm a big fan. I pretty sure if you buy something and it breaks you can bring it back and get another. I have some high doller tools too but if it's something you only use once and a while I think there great.

Sent from my SM-G920V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I don't know if it is the same everywhere, but the one local to me has pretty low quality employees, most have skinned knuckles from dragging them on the floor.
I used to buy their cheap angle grinders, but was burning them up about 4 a year, went out and bought a Bosch for $100 and it has lasted 2 years. 8 X $20 vs $100, which is cheaper? I'm not a big fan of HF!

 

On the electric angle grinders, they have about 3 different brand names, and the lowest price one isn't worth bringing home if it was free, it's the "Drillmaster" brand name. The others are slightly more expensive but are far better quality and durability. The better ones are branded Chicago Electric IIRC.
At one time I had a sideline business repairing boat props and this involves straightening, welding up damaged places, and then grinding back to shape. Used the HF grinders and got good service out of them. The name brands like Milwaukee? Also made in China and about 4 times the price.

 

Milwaukee didn't used to be made in China, but even so, when the switches failed (and they'd go bad often enough) the replacement switch cost more than a new HF unit. The big 7" units were bulletproof, the 4/5" not so much.

 

Here is another suggestion for H F tools. Open up the gear unit & put some grease or what ever lube it needs. I have opened up every drill ,grinder & sander & put grease in them. You'll be surprised how much better they run.

 

I can say I've had more luck than not with HF stuff. Ya just have to be a little selective, read reviews. My two home runs for the $$ are:
The purple paint gun@ $9.99
Shot primer slick as can be on the truck bed I did a while back.
Earthquake XT half-inch impact @ $129
A beast for cheap. When the cheaper Kobalt I have took a shit, I replaced it with this.
A truck shop I deliver to recommended it, uses them along with their Snap-on's & Matco's.
Priced 4 to 1, they're actually pretty durable in a heavy shop use. When they finally shit, chuck 'em.

 

My 7500 watt Harbor Freight generator powered my shop for a year until I could afford to get it wired. It ran 6 to 8 hours per day 5 days a week . running my welder and air compressor. Now it is going to help power my house and my neighbors when hurricane Irma knocks the power out. Harbor Freight has done o.k. by me.

 

I use the cheap 4 1/2 grinders and usually have several on hand when one breaks. I consider them throw away tools and some last a few months and have had some last over a year. I best item that I use is the 4 1/2 cut off wheels. I just got done cutting some 8" square tubing 1/4 " wall and they lasted as long as the expensive cutoff disc's .

 

Regarding grinders, I have 4 of theirs, one with a grinding stone, one a wire brush, another with a flapdisc, don't recall what the other has...just makes it easier to pick up one, than change the stone/etc, out.

BTW, the purple gun worked out just fine yesterday on my kids car.

 

That's a bummer.

 

I never buy their crap and I think calling their stuff crap is a compliment. In fact I think a piece of crap might take offense at me calling H-F's stuff crap.
H-F to me stands for "harbor Fright".

 

Their cutting wheels, I use 7 in, 1/16, are better than anything I found. The impacts, as was said are better than snap on. They've come out with a new 4 1/2 in grinder. I think it was $39.95, got an email on it the other day.

 

Free flashlight, magnetic tray, OHM meter, microfiber towels, all with a purchase.
I get something every time. Sometimes I go in twice.
Their stuff is what it is. I have a junk yard bag full of their stuff. If I leave one on the fender, I'm not sad like I would be if I left a Williams or Snap-on.
The electric impact has done me well.