From: kroth@sunshine.Kodak.COM (David Kroth)
Newsgroups: rec.woodworking,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Harbor Freight and Salvage
Date: 17 Aug 92 15:12:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: kodak.1992Aug17.151245.17795
Distribution: usa
Organization: Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY



Recently somebody asked about Harbor Freight tools in rec.woodworking.
Their name has come up repeatedly from time to time on both
rec.woodworking and rec.autos.tech (when I used to have time to read it).
I recently bought some stuff from them and I thought I's pass along my
experience and perceptions.

I recently bought a used truck that needs some paint work.  I have
painted vehicles before using my dad's 30 year old Craftsman paint
gun.  I have wanted to get a new gun for some time but until I got
the truck, the gun remained on the "to buy" list.  Also on that list
was a small touch up gun for taking care of those smaller jobs without
all the fuss and muss of the full size unit.  Harbor Freight
advertises a small touch up gun for about $27.  I thought I might
be interested.

Between my beater cars, my parents cars and my girlfriend's car, it
seems as though I am always doing exhaust work (yuck).  I got a tip
from a friend that an air powered cutoff tool is handy for cutting
up exhaust parts.  I have a torch, but I'm always worried about starting
a fire when I use it in close quarters and anywhere near gas tanks.
Harbor Freight has several air powered die grinders including a specially
designed cutoff tool.  They also have what they call an "in-line air
drill" which is basically a die grinder with a 3/8" drill chuck on it.
After looking at the Craftsman (boo, hiss...) and Ingersol Rand (both of
which I happen to own in other air tools), I decided to try the Centeral
Pneumatic air drill.  I figured the 3/8" chuck would provide versatility
so I could use the device for more than just a cutoff tool.  It was
also the only ones with this specific type of tool.  In general, they
were also about half the price of IR or Craftsman (~$30 vs. ~$60).

So my shopping list consisted of two major items: the touch-up spray
gun, and the in-line air drill.

As it happened, a co-worker of mine has the touch-up paint gun and
was willing to let me try it out before I bought my own.  I did so
and found that it performed satisfactorilly (sp?).  Craftsman and
DeVillBiss both make touch-up guns but I have not tried either one.
They run about $100 each.  Two complaints about the Harbor Freight
touch-up gun: 
  1) The capacity is small.  I actually found it more difficult to 
     keep mixing paint for the 10 - 12 oz cup.  In retrospect, for
     the job I was doing, I should have used my full-size gun.  The
     guy I borrowed if from also said the capacity was low.  He uses
     it to paint motorcycles.
  2) It was messy compared to my old Craftsman gun.  The cup leaked
     a few times and there was a breather hole that spit paint out
     a couple of times too.
I decided not to buy the gun.  I am planning on getting a pro model,
full size gun in the future (back on the "to buy" list).

Anyway, I went ahead and bought the air drill, got it in the mail and
finally tried it this past weekend.  Somewhat to my surprise, it ran
smoothly and had plenty of torque.  Its not half as loud as my IR
ratchet.  It eats air.  My 5hp, 60gal compressor was working to keep
up with it.  The drill was worth the $30.

Part of the deal I got from Harbor Freight with my order was free
shipping (total over $50) and a special 40pc socket set for just
$0.01 (yes, one cent US currency. Says so right on the invoice).
I figured it was worth the penny just to see what they would send
me.  Well there are 40 pieces in the set.  Its not made in Japan.
Its not even made in Taiwan.  The set was made in Sri Lanka of all
places.  The ratchet only works in one direction.  I though about
sending it back and getting a replacement, but then I decided it
was not worth the effort.  I will save it till Halloween and use
the sockets as projectiles and throw them at the kids who steal
my pumpkins every year.  I'm sure they are not nearly as good as
my Snap-On or Craftsman (hack, hurl...) socket sets.

Dave Kroth
kroth@acadia.kodak.com
Newsgroups: rec.woodworking