My Go Tos (and dont's) at Harbor Freight as a Woodworker. This Week In this video I go over what i get and would not recommend getting from Harbor Freight as a wood worker.
New sub to your channel. Love the content so far! Your 2x4 nightstand video is what made me come back. Those are the type of videos I enjoy. Easy to follow but would like a cut list for the projects if possible. Bet you would get a lot more hits with it being easier to recreate your projects. Please do more of the 2x4 projects. Inexpensive projects are in right now. Also, maybe some fence picket projects as the materials are super cheap right now. I think you will fill an area that is not on here.
Appreciate the comment, suggestions and sub. Fence pickets are great! I will mustar up something with them as well. Have you seen my video of the planter box I built? Those were with fence pickets. I will keep the cut list in mind for future vids.
The Harbor Freight wood chisels are incredibly variable in hardness. I bought a set probably 15 years ago and some could not be sharpened because they were so soft. I'd been watching a few different video's during lockdown in 2020 so just heated the cutting ends to dull red with a propane torch and quenched in old engine oil (bit stinky so do it outside) Now they hold an edge real well and are nicer to use than some of the 10x more expensive chisels I have which don't have wood handles
I’ve been using the Banks air nailers, Bremen squeeze clamps, super glue, things like that from HF. Also the brass hammer and the hammer with plastic ends work great for me.
You can harden the chisel tips with a blow torch and they'll hold a razor sharp edge much better! Get the tip cherry red and quench in oil (or water if you must).
For the HF pipe clamps, don't get the 1/2 pipe clamps end of story. The 3/4 ones are significantly better, the biggest thing to look at it the holding mechanism, in the one you showed, it's the older cheep style (the same as the 1/2 clamps have) the newer 3/4 and 3/4 with base use the same hold as the name brand pipe clamps and are just fine
In the past couple of months I have noticed not a few but a LOT of WW on YT giving kudos to other YTers for their good ideas and telling me to go visit the other guy's website. Nice to see us all playing nice. Proud to be a member of the YT WW community.
I found and subscribed to your channel because of that video. I'd like to see more content like that. I've hardly done any woodworking and have limited tools, so those types of projects are right up my alley.
I pretty much buy basically the same things you do, but also love their moving blankets for all kinds of projects. They keep the wood from getting all beat up, and after they are all full of stain, and pretty worn out, you just throw them away. Another product to watch out for, especially when they go on sale is the Bauer tool bags. They are extremely well made, and the 24" has a ton of space in it. I love having tool bags for organization. For example I keep all my Micro-jig clamps and accessories in one bag, so when I need them, I know exactly where they are at.
I use HF quite a bit, including for tools. I usually buy "one time use tools" if they last more than one time so much the better. If I find I'm using them more often and the break, then I would go and buy the higher priced replacement from somewhere else. I have yet to have any tool I buy from HF to fail. I also buy the expendables you were showing in this video.
A 2x and 1x would be a neat series for sure, also pallet wood ideas. I know there are tons of plans out there already but its much easier to see it in a video format for sure.
As my kids got their first cars I got them HF tools with the understanding that when a tool broke it was replaced by a better quality one. So from day one they had a full set of tools but eventually the ones they actually used/needed replaced by quality
I picked up most of the low level corded tools (jig, circular, resip, and buscit jointers) I don't was them often but when I do, they work great! I don't expect them to last a lifetime but they are nice to have when I need them. I have everything in a name brand battery power so it's not often I have to use the HF
The $5 oscillator is my favorite tool ever lol. It’s much louder than the high end brands and it can’t run for more than a few minutes straight without getting warm in your hand. But it works great, has lasted me for years through several projects, and only cost me $5! I can’t complain!
Some things to consider at Harbor Freight: * Hydraulic Lift Table -- It comes in two capacities. I have the 1,000 lb capacity table and recommend it over the smaller 500 lb table. I got it because I was getting a new lathe (over 700 lbs of weight) and thought it would assist with assembly. It worked great for that, but I've found so many additional uses. It's an extension for my work bench, an out feed table for the table saw, scaffolding for installing lights, etc. It lifts up to the level of my pickup's tailgate, so it's great at moving items from my truck to my shop. * Air compressors -- I've had two of their 'good level' 10-gallon hotdog style compressors. Each last about 10 years and were great for inflating tires and blowing things off in the shop. I recently upgraded to their 27 gallon Fortress (best level) compressor. I love it. * Pneumatic tools -- I have several pneumatic tools from Harbor Freight and all have performed well. My new compressor is large enough to run small sanders and die grinders, which I occasionaly use in my woodworking. In addition, I have a few nail and staple guns, which also work well. These tools may lack some of the creature comforts of more expensive brands, but I don't use them a lot. When I do, they meet my needs. * Hercules branded tools -- Harbor Freight's Hercules brand tools are worth a look. Some are better than what's available from DeWalt (until the next iteration of DeWalt's version). That's true of both the corded and cordless Hercules tools.
HF ball-peen hammers have been great too & about half price of the 3 big box stores in my area. DeWalt is the most over rated power tool brand on the market. Living off multi-million dollar marketing campaigns and our grandfathers experience from the late 80s. I would rather buy Ryobi brushless than most DeWalt cordless tools at this point.
I have the 1000# Hydraulic lift table also. It matches my pickup tailgate so it makes unloading heavy items a lot easier and safer. It can double as an adjustable height workbench for assembling things and then lowers close to the ground when they are done. I wish I had purchased it years ago.
I make a lot of smallish apothecary cabinets and glue up a lot of panels out of 1/2- or 1/4-inch stock - usually no larger than a foot wide by 2 feet long. The flimsy aluminum bar clamps have been my friend. The light weight is helpful. And I don't need lots of pressure. I have a dozen 2-footers and a handful of 3-footers. None of them have failed me when used in the manner I've described. But when glueing thick stock panels like table tops... well, they suck.
I also came to your channel because of the 2x night stand. That rustic farmy look is in plus it looked fun to make. I'm planing on putting a spin on it though and do the top in maple with a clear finish but leave the rest distressed pine. I think they will look good and appeal to folks that are into the modern -rustic fusion look. I also own all the clamps you reviewed and generally agree but I do like the 12" bar clamps you just have to work within their limits. The flimsy aluminum clamps actually have worked pretty well for me. I used them to build my work bench. The bremmen clamps are pretty nice I have 5 of the 48" that I use for glue ups on large panels as well as interior gates & doors. Also another thing I buy from harbor freight is the plastic digital caliper for like 10 buck or whatever they are now. I've owned a few of them and they are reliable and accurate. They only go out to hundredths but thats plenty for a woodworker. Once you own them you'll be reaching for them a lot. Cool channel keep the fun projects coming.
I'm one of the ones who saw that 2x4 vid and subscribed. Enjoyed the Festool video and will soon purchase a domino and dust extractor. Like you, I'm into the Milwaukee line but that domino is a no brainer for ease of use and what it can do. Looking forward to getting some projects moving forward.
I like harbor freights bar clamps. For what they cost they work good. I have bought router bits from there to try out and see if I would use them. I buy some tools from there just to try them out to see if I would use them.
Thanks for the video. I don’t buy a lot of tools from Harbor Freight, but they definitely have their place; I recently bought moving pads on sale for $6.99. I didn’t know about the Shop Towels bucket - I will definitely pick up a couple. And I love the Vortex Optics hat. 👍🏼
Also a new sub here. Like others have commented the 2x4 night stand is what made me look and sub to your channel. I am a basically a beginner to wood working. I have built other stuff before though. I guess I like the idea of easier or inexpensive projects that involve regular dimensional lumber or even pallet lumber. In my work I get parts on small pallets all the time and all are new one time use pallets that most guys throw in the dumpster at work when finished. Most of these have gorgeous hardwoods. Seems a bit of a waste. If nothing else I bring them home and cut them up to burn in my fireplace. I agree for the most part on the Harbor Freight stuff. I am a field service tech for Caterpillar and a lot of my co workers have expensive tools. I have cheaper tools and get by just fine doing what I do. I for the most part have converted from air tools the Milwaukee tools. I do have a corded HF 4" angle grinder that I've had for 15 years that I use daily. Cutting steel or grinding I have had it so hot that it was dragging. I let it cool and all was good. I bought 2 that day day 15 years ago cause I knew it wouldn't last. The other is still brand new in the box never used cause the first one is still going after 15 years. Some tools at HF you just know to stay away from though!
I bought Icon wrenches from Harbor Freight and they are actually really good. Also, I bought a kit to bleed brakes from there and it was total trash. Though, it was the cheapest kit they had and they do offer kits that look quite a bit better. Finally, my sons a welder, so we picked up a Vulcan 220 welder. It's their highest end welder and it's actually really nice.
Very good video and I'm sure there are many other disposable items worth getting at HF. I buy my moving blankets and tarps there as go through these frequently. One funny thing about the "don't buy tools there" is that I bought an 18 ga pin nailer there in about 2001 or 2002 with a little pancake compressor. I used this nailer for 20 years until it finally blew up this winter but the compressor is still going, but way too loud to use. I probably paid $30 for it. But I haven't bought tools there for a very long time - I stick with Milwaulkie, Makita and Dewalt for powertools
100% agree with you on those cheap chisels. Great buy for a first set! I know I needed to practice my sharpening, and these give me lots of practice! When they are properly sharpened they work great for just long enough to do a project and then remind me to get some more practice in on sharpening haha! I plan to get a nicer set eventually, and then I have a decent set of beaters, just like you said.
I keep telling myself "I'll eventually get a nicer set" and have been saying that for years now haha. I brush these up on the sharpening stone and they work just fine for me. Idk at this point I just don't see the point of buying expensive Chisels. Lol
"buy cheap replace expensive" is the saying i like to go by. getting started in the hobby getting tools there helped me know what is used the most instead of buying really expensive things that never get used from the box stores or Rockler.
A few people have mentioned that in the comments of this video. I think that is a great idea. Figure out what you use most and invest more money in those tools.
Your previous video where you built the 2x4 night stands is where i decided to subcribe and hit little bell. Very impressive and the most informative video.
I have had great luck with their 8 gallon air compressor and air tools. Clamps are solid as well. Steer clear of the really cheap power tools (drill master I think?) but the Chicago electric ones aren't terrible.
Squeeze clamps IMO are a waste of time & money. I use F & bar clamps as others have stated too. I have one of those cheap pull saw's you have as well, it's done me very well for the last year or so, worth the money. I've been thinking of the same welder, for similar reasons as yours. I'm legally blind, used to do a ton of metal work back in the day, I'd be shocked if I can run a straight bead. ;) Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it and subscribed. -Bryan
Good stuff, i need that dust brush and the bucket of towels! I have many bauer power tools. No complaints. I had the old dewalt 18v line. I couldn't afford to replace everything so i gave bauer a try. Ive been really impressed. I would have gone with the Hercules line but bauer line had way more tool options at the time.
Dust brush and shop towel buckets are for sure at the top of the list! Good to hear on the Bauer brand! I also have heard good things about that Hercules line as well.
Check out Paul Sellers' video on how to improve your flimsy bar clamp. Adding a wood core improves it dramatically. I agree they are flimsy as bought but with just a little file work and scrap wood they become winners.
The Hercules line up is now up there with Milwaukee and DeWalt. They also now come with a 5 YT warranty on the tool and 3 yr warranty on the battery. The Bremen clamps have been reviewed as being as good as Bessey clamps. The best part about the Pittsburg brand is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. The Doyle brand they carry is very nice as well. Any of the other tools like hand planes and chisels, they are great in the fact that you can learn to use them and tear them up. Then you can get the good ones once you’ve learned the do’s and don’ts. That’s my personal opinion. Great video but they are coming up in the world.
Appreciate the video and the channel but I’ve had different experiences with many of these devices, specifically the various clamps, and all works great for me including seven sets of the pipe clamps. I will just tell folks to try out this stuff by yourself and your experience may vary. I have about a dozen and a half of the Irwin style black plastic clamps, and I’ve never had one fail from a drop or otherwise.
I used those squeeze clamps a very long time ago. I'm talking like over 10 years ago haha. Multiple people have commented that they are much better now. I will have to pick some up. Thanks for the comment.
People need to learn basic shop skills. It's easy but people are not confident. Great tips and setup here. I'm working on my shop setup. What do you do for storing your small pieces of leftover wood, and longer pieces? Overhead, wall rack, vertical?
In regards to the end ball on the aluminum clamps, when you purchase one, first remove the end balls and apply red loctite. It might help keep the balls.
@Brady Hommel Woodworks In my store, they are towards the back on the far left of the store near the sandpaper. They are about 1' long and yellow. The last time I bought one, it was around $7. I go through about 1 a year.
If you haven't tried Diablo Sandnet sandpaper you should give it a go, there's no turning back after that. I use old sanding sponges as a sanding block which allow sandpaper to conform to any surface and the angled sponges allow sanding in tight areas.
yoooo dope videos just subscribed love the break down in your woodworking videos. What hat is that its a dope hat bro. Also in your three 2x4s video you use a paint sprayer to put on the poly what kind of sprayer is that?
Their mini lathe is good. It was my first one and the only thing I didn't like is to change the speed you had to change the belt. That's a pain. I now have a Jet midi lathe. I kept the HF mini and keep it for drilling pen blanks. Works great! Enjoyed your video very much. Thanks!
Good to know! I've always wanted to get in to and test out some turning and lather work. Maybe that's a cheap way to get in to it and try it out. Thanks for sharing!
Unfortunately a lot of people out there still believe HF is still only Chicago Electric. I work daily in a personal woodshop and I've moved from my decade old DeWalt stuff to Hercules as needed. I have the Hercules table saw, sliding miter saw, and now the planer. They're as good or better than the DeWalt stuff I used to have and lower priced.
Wow that's great! And good news for us keeping the brand competitive in pricing. You are not the only person that has said good things about that Hercules line. I'll definitely have to check out some of that stuff. Thanks for sharing
thats silly man just grab some wood or metal and go for it youll learn. A tip: the harder a material the lower the rpm. Pine: max rpm. Steel: slow as you xan go and use oil or cutting fluid. Also no drill makes round holes..their arbors and chucks just arent high precision
Agreed on the Bremen - and yes the Harbor Freight squeeze clamps are clown shoes and useless. I do have a pair of Dewalt squeeze clamps from the 80's that are pretty stout.
You know, I looked at them when I got home from work, after I made this comment. I always thought they were Dewalt because they were yellow. But, they are Quick Grip by Vice Grip. All metal except for the trigger, so they have to be old.
I've got 3 HF air nailers and they've all shot thousands of brads for years without a problem. I also have their cheap sprayer and I use it for water based finishes. Love those as well.
Maybe they have improved them since I bought those. I bought those ones years and years ago. I will check them out next time I go. And yes the irwins I have used in the past were absolutely horrible. Lol
Harbor Freight is like Princess auto here in Canada. Never buy tools at Princess Auto. However; like you say, shop towels and paint brushes. knock yourself out.
At one time I built my everything in my home from box store wood and glue. I lost it during a divorce and wished I had made videos of myself making it because I could have monetized my work that way. I made dressers beds night stands my kids first beds kitchen table and TV stand all solid real wood. Made in a tiny shed and painted and stained on my large patio
i bought my first sander there for like $16 and used it until it died. then i could justify a $60 one. used that until it died and justified a $600 f*stool sander.
Lol. Similar scenario. Except non of mine died. I just kept upgrading till I was happy with one. Ryobi to Dewalt, Dewalt to Bosch, Bosch to Festool. Guess we ended up at the same one. Love my Festool Sander!
I don't really agree that you can't get good power tools there. The best example is the Bauer orbital sander. You can get one for $20 quite often and I've used the hell out of one for two years. You can also get great air nailers there. Truth is, there are a lot of good power tools there now a days, but the price is creeping to the point they are "dirt cheap" tools anymore.
Contrary to common intelligence I bought a HF drill press nearly 30 years ago. I, too, am a woodworker. I drill metal only on very rare occasions. I have drilled thousands of holes in wood over the last three decades. This 13-speed, floor drill press has done it all very well. Enough power to drill a 2" Forstner bit hole through a 4X4 with no power issue. The machine is not highest quality, of course, but for woodworking it is ok. I built a wooden table with a fence for it many years ago. The only issue has been that I had to do some engineering to get the table level, but otherwise it has been adequate for my use. It is well worn now. I am looking at purchasing a new drill press and there is no source that comes within even the range of cost. I am over 70 and hate to spend much money on quality tools, but another drill press from HF should provide me with the quality I need for my limited lifetime. I just thought I would pass on my views and experience. You are doing very well with your videos and I think many will gain from your shared knowledge. Good luck.
Everyone who shops HF is quick to tout their ease of replacing broken tools...I've found it to be much more efficient to spend a little more and not have to return broken tools, especially if it breaks when I need it most. HF ball-peen hammers have been great though!
I also subscribed due to your night stand tables :) I just finished a kitchen island and besides an electrical saw, all I used to make fine cuts was a japanese saw, those are great for accurate fine cuts.
When I heard you say you were doing beginners woodworking videos, I subscribed. I'm a Welder by trade but am looking to expand my skill set. I personally love the icon tools from them. Expensive, but they are solid. The pittsburgh crescent wrench is also very good for what I use them for.
Oh yeah, when I was new to woodworking, some of my initial buys were HF tools. I bought a circular saw, a jigsaw, a small grinder and a few other things. Here is why I keep them. When someone wants to borrow a tool, that is what they can use. They still work and will get the job done. I wouldn't be able to sleep if I lent someone my Makita circular saw, or my DeWalt jigsaw or my Bosch router, that just isn't going to happen. Ha. Sure beats hurting someone's feelings and telling them no.
Love harbor freight. I burn up thier belt sanders and other tools - trash them and go buy another, burn it up - go buy another. For the price it doesn't hurt at all when the same tool from another company is 4 - 6 - 10 times more. Stay away from tools with a lot of intricate moving parts like thier copy of roofing nailer - hard use - something will break. Mitre saws ect where you need 32nd", 64th" measures of accuracy - you may not get it. Sometimes you do get what you pay for. If it's a grinder oh yeah get some. Love harbor freight - my drill press does a whole lot more than make holes in stuff ie sanding disks, diamond bits, sanding drums, polishing wheels, buffing pads, hook and loop scotch Brite removes rust on and on.
I've had the HF quick clamps for years and they do everything I ask them to from holding something so I can screw it together, to the occasional glue up. Different strokes for different folks I guess on that one
Disposables are great to get a HF but seldom use power tools are good also. I have a hand held planer that I’ve used once in 3 years. Hate to have spent the money on a Dewalt .
A sleeper tool I bought recently to replace my regular Dremel tool was their $30 rotary tool set. Exact same tool as Dremel’s $100 set, even comes with similar attachments. I bought the cheap polishing wheels and compound to polish my guitar frets and I feel like it worked better than the Dremel. I now keep it in the studio for all my guitar work. And I second those cheap brushes, I bought a bunch just to have around the house. Thanks for the content. I’m subbed now.
Thanks for sharing! I'm definetly looking in to that rotary tool next time I go! I feel I woild definetly have some uses for that. What brand did you go with? It is corded or battery?
@@BradyHommel brand is Chicago Electric. It’s their variable speed corded model. Same thing as Dremel’s $100 kit you can buy anywhere. Comes with a bunch of attachments also. It’s awesome.
Yup - got four of them - less bit changes, and it's nice to set one down and be using the next Dremel before the motor on the first one is done spinning - you git er dones know what I'm puttin' down .Plus the kits for $9.99 to 19.99 with ex amounts of bits - I've gone through 7 or 10 ok I lost count of how many I've used up. When I burn up a Dremel it's no biggie. I replace them next trip to hf. Love the work - it's what I do. Hf saves me a fortune and made having many more capabilities a reality. Remember when you had to save up and pick and choose carefully which tool you bought next because that tool was 3 - $500 ? Now it's a lot easier. If I get a cheaper tool that doesn't cut it - ok I'll get the Milwaukee, Bosch, grizzly ect. But first I'll try that $40 file band saw that keeps on kicking ass years later, or that $40 grinder that is still getting it done 6yrs later - come on - the savings are unreal. In have my share of broken cheap crap too, got a pile of it, but, I got what I paid for. Mostly I'm way, way ahead. Sand paper on clearance - I clear it out every time I go. Just that alone has covered my broken pile of crapolla. Back to work - good luck !
I can’t even count how many different ways I’ve used my Erwin squeeze clamps for totally non woodworking tasks and sometimes you just need an extra hand in the shop, but for most glue ups I use f-style and bessy bar clamps 👍
You should’ve bought the 3/4” Pittsburgh pony style pipe clamp which they do sell and it’s a lot better than a 1/2” pipe clamp. I have two of the Pittsburgh 3/4”in pony style pipe clamps, and they work very well. Also, the Irwin pony style pipe clamps that they sell at Lowe’s are very well made too the Irwin pony style pipe clamp is about $14, as to where the Pittsburgh 3/4 inch pony style pipe clamp is about $10 both are cheaper than the BESSEY which I also have one. BESSEY with the galvanized pipe is about $42.97, the Irwin is $35.98 with the galvanized pipe, and the 3/4 inch Pittsburgh is $31.00 with the galvanized pipe. So you’re paying an extra and $11 for basically the same thing with just matte paint. Maybe there is a higher quality steel in the BESSEY, but it’s the exact same pony design, and I don’t see much change.
The original "pipe" clamp is "Pony", Bessey is now "the brand". For me I like their wood drill bits the 29 piece kits seem to work well? I also have a drill Dr. so. Their Bauer products seem to be doing well. I bought a 4 pack of 1/8" metal drill bits (Bauer) $8 for installing door hardware on metal doors , was surprised they got the project I was on completed and I'm able to dress them up for the next job.
