Harbor Freight Movers Blankets Have You Covered
Moving is tough. And not just because you’ve got to change your address, forward your mail, find new local restaurants and get your cable/internet hooked back up. You’ve also got to get your furniture safely moved without damaging or scratching any of it. When securing furniture (or anything you’re transporting for that matter) mover’s blankets are crucial. And at Harbor Freight Tools, we’ve got a few different types to choose from which can be useful for a variety of jobs and tasks. Here’s a quick look at our selection of mover’s blankets and what sets them apart from each other.
First of all, while these blankets are often called mover’s blankets or furniture pads, the usefulness of these items extends far beyond just moving furniture. Obviously, the main use for mover’s blankets is protecting your furniture or other items when using ratchet straps, tie downs or winch straps. The pads keep your cargo from being broken or scratched and otherwise just give you some peace of mind when you’re driving that U-Haul and trying to make it through traffic with no rear-view mirror. Unlike paper pads, mover’s blankets won’t tear during transport and can be used again and again.
The largest furniture pads you can get at Harbor Freight are 72” x 80”. Great for securing and protecting larger items, these blankets are also ideal for deadening noise while recording audio. If you’re recording a song, for example, hanging some of these blankets on the walls will greatly improve acoustics, making your recording clearer. Also, these pads can adequately silence camera noise when recording on film. These big blankets are made of a cotton/poly blend with reinforced stitching to maintain strength and longevity for repeated use, also making them good for lying on when working under vehicles. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, we’ve got that too. The 60” x 72”, 40” x 72” and 36” x 40” mover’s blankets are equally durable with strong double stitched poly and non-woven fabric.
Aside from these general purpose mover’s blankets, you could also opt for the camouflage blankets. Useful for the same tasks as the other blankets, these are also perfect accessories for hunting or covering tools and other items you don’t want to draw any extra attention to. The camo blankets come in two designs, one the traditional dark green and the other a light green and beige for dustier areas. Either way, these camouflage mover’s blankets offer great protection and concealment for a variety of items.
As you can see, even if you aren’t in the process of moving, these mover’s blankets have a multitude of uses around the home and garage that will make them well worth the money, especially considering they only cost between $6.99 and $9.99 each. Even if you only use these blankets just as blankets for spreading out and having a picnic in the park or laying out in the sun, these blankets hold up to repeated use and wear and tear. Luckily, they come without any wear and tear on your wallet. So whether you’re moving, about to move or have no intentions of moving anytime soon, these blankets are still versatile items to keep handy!
Shower Valve Socket Wrench Set: DIY Leak Repair
Well, it’s almost the end of April and you know what that means. April showers are all around us. And speaking of showers, why not keep yours in top condition with the handy Shower Valve Socket Set from Harbor Freight Tools? With this outstanding wrench set, you can save money by handling repairs on your own without having to pay for a professional plumber. Best of all, this useful item is just $9.99!
Now, it’s not like you’re going to need to use this wrench set very often. Unlike most tools, the Shower Valve Socket Set serves the very specific purpose of removing fittings and nuts from showers and tubs. But, if you discover that you have a leak, isn’t it comforting to know that you can potentially take care of this problem on your own? Yeah, I know, getting behind the faucet can seem a little intimidating but once you understand what’s involved, you’ll be amazed at how simple it can be.
Most faucet plates come right off with the use of an everyday screwdriver. At the most, you may need to pry off a cover to get at the screw but most designs have the screws right in the open so there’s no screwing around. After you have the faucet handle removed, you’ve reached the point where most home owners would be stymied. But, lucky you, you’ve got the Shower Valve Socket Set from Harbor Freight. Using one of the five double-sided sockets and the included turning bar, removing the valve stem is a piece of cake.
From there, the cause of your leak could be a couple of things. Maybe a damaged washer that needs to be replaced or even a worn stem valve. But the hardest part of removing the valve is already taken care of and you can get to the root of the problem often with no further assistance. This shower valve socket wrench set is extra-long to reach deep and get to those hard-to-reach valve stems, fittings and nuts and accommodates most jobs. Plus, with a zinc-plated steel construction, these suckers are built to last. For the do-it-yourselfers out there, this tool is a must-have!
So while you can’t control the precipitation outside, you can be in full control of your bathtub or shower with this great set. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a damaged part that needs replacing or even if you’re just installing something new, the Shower Valve Wrench Socket Set pays for itself with a single use! And don’t forget, if you include a Harbor Freight 20% Off coupon, you save even more!
Building the Ultimate Greenhouse
Congratulations on purchasing your new One Stop Gardens 10’ x 12’ Greenhouse! Growing vegetables, cultivating flowers or starting your botany experiment is now close at hand but did you know that you can get even more out of your greenhouse with some extra time, materials and patience? I recently came across a great article that highlights a few ways to expand your greenhouse in ways that you might not otherwise think of at http://hfgh10x12.blogspot.com/2007/08/this-is-greenhouse-we-bought-link-it.html. Let’s take a look at how you can take your greenhouse to the next level with just a few adjustments.
The greenhouse kit comes with a steel base that you would generally just place on the ground. The author of this article explains how to add some extra stability to your greenhouse in order to resist any weather conditions you may encounter like strong winds and heavy rain. “The popular solution is to build a wooden foundation, anchor it into the ground somehow, and mount the steel base on top,” she says. “Everyone finds their own way to do this, but most use at least 4 x 4 sized timbers for the base.”
You’ll also want to add a couple of diagonal beams at each corner before mounting the greenhouse base itself. With your greenhouse secured to a foundation, you can keep the base square and tight for years to come. And once you’ve got the steel base mounted to the wooden foundation, just apply some clear silicone caulk between the wood and the base to keep rain water from seeping in. In order to maintain the integrity of you greenhouse, you’ll need to plan for all types of unforeseen weather and environmental conditions. You can choose from a few different caulks on Harbor Freight’s website too, from Painter’s Acrylic Latex Caulk to Acrylic Latex Caulk plus Silicone.
Now you’re ready to start putting up the walls of your greenhouse. The article has a little tip to keep your frame and posts straight during construction as well. “As you put the corner posts up, temporarily attach the [included] diagonal braces for stability.” You’ll have to remove them before moving on to the next step but this way you can work with a bit more peace of mind and keep the aluminum frame straight and accurate until you add the vertical wall studs. It’s a good idea to check that the base is still square before moving on and make any necessary adjustments. It’s much easier to make minor adjustments as you go rather than a big one later.
Once you’ve got the greenhouse frame constructed, there are a few things you can do to upgrade it for stability in windier areas. The article advises to add horizontal braces at the tops of the walls to prevent the side walls from pulling away from each other. You can do the same for the front and back walls. Just attach a solid piece of material all the way across each wall to reinforce the structure and keep the elements from potentially warping the frame. The author explains how you can also keep the steel base from flexing: “This can be done by bolting small plates of some type to the top and bottom lip of the base at regular intervals, or by covering the inside of the base entirely with wood that's also attached to the top and bottom lip of the base.”
It’s also easy at this point to add insulation to your frame, she continues. “We used ¾” thick expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) insulation, cut into strips about 4 ¼” wide. We also stuffed some foam sill insulation in there first to remove as many air pockets as possible.” You can protect that insulation and further reinforce the base by attaching boards with screws to the top and bottom lips of the base. As the author says, “Now the base is insulated and stiffened by the attached board...and it looks a little dressier, too.”
Well, at this point, you’ve got yourself an extra strong frame of a greenhouse and you’re ready to move on to inserting the panels. The author of the article sealed the ends of each panel with aluminum tape to help keep dirt, condensation and bugs out. “I bought one roll of 1 ½” wide aluminum tape (not duct tape) and cut it into thirds, so I only have a small taped rim visible on the panels. On the bottom edge, it’s apparently good to have small holes in the tape to allow moisture to escape. You can buy special breathable tape from greenhouse supply websites for this purpose, but others have mentioned using a large pin to poke holes in the tape in each chamber on the bottom edge of each panel.”
How about weather stripping? Well, the author has a suggestion for that as well. “Instead of caulk, I used 3/16” thick closed cell foam weather stripping in each panel opening. Closed cell foam is waterproof so rain can’t soak in.” The larger gaps on the tops and bottoms of each panel are also mentioned. “I found some packages of ¾” wide weather stripping. I used that, cutting each strip in half with scissors, so it was 3/8” wide. It worked fine and turned out to be a soft gray color that was hardly visible under the panels after installation.”
Okay! So now that you’ve gotten your greenhouse constructed and ready to withstand those heavy winds, you’re ready to add even more awesomeness! That’s right, there’s still more you can do to enhance the greenhouse to make it more attractive and convenient. The author added long benches to each side of her greenhouse along with several peninsula-style benches. “Each long side bench is supported by two pressure-treated 4x4s, buried 24" deep and set in concrete. [Then] two horizontal Douglas Fir 4x4's were clamped to either side of the two pressure treated posts. The horizontal 4x4’s were attached by using a 12" long 3/8" drill bit to drill a hole through all three 4x4's. A length of 3/8" all-threads rod was inserted in the hole and capped on each end with a washer and nut.” This addition will provide plenty of shelving space plus ample free space underneath for tools, equipment and supplies.
If you want to get really fancy, the author even added a sink to her greenhouse and explains how it can be used for added benefit. “The sink drain isn’t connected to our house plumbing. It drains into a gravel pit we dug in the floor, and the soil beneath the gravel is the coarse sand of our yard. Another option for the future would be to route the drain water through the wall of the greenhouse and outdoors to water a planting bed.”
Still want more enhancements to your bodacious greenhouse? The author of this article really decked hers out to include some pretty cool additions to improve functionality. She added electrical outlets with plastic covers to keep out moisture, Aluminet shade cloth screen panels to keep temperatures down and even an exhaust fan as a way to let air out. These are obviously more advanced enhancements but the possibilities are there for those willing to put in some extra work. And for those hoping to use their greenhouse continuously, they can be a real help, as the author states, “Without this fan I wouldn't be able to keep plants in the greenhouse year round...our summers would be far too hot. With this fan in place, as well as some additional small fans for HAF (Horizontal Air Flow) and generous amounts of shade cloth, I'll have a fighting chance.”
As you can see, getting your Harbor Freight greenhouse built is only the beginning of your journey and you’re limited only by your imagination! I don’t know about you but I would love to have benches, a sink, air conditioning and weather stripping in my little home garden. For anyone who wants to get serious about their plants and flowers without spending serious money, this is the way to do it.
4 Tips On How to Shop at Harbor Freight
Harbor Freight's a favorite toy store for mechanics, carpenters, electricians, contractors, builders, DIYers, preppers, hobbyists, welding artisans, etc. Really, anyone who needs a tool for something, or just likes putzing around the workbench, will jump at any excuse to visit Harbor Freight. If you are one of the dwindling numbers who don't know about Harbor Freight-- stay away!! Seriously, it's the Hotel California of man stores-- you can check out anytime you like, but...
A lot of time (well, most of the time for some of us...), "need" has very little to do with shopping at HFT. Oh sure, you might go in for a great deal on a miter saw, but you''ll leave with gloves, small flashlights, an electric bug zapper, a pile of tarps, a wrench set, a headlamp, a machete and a winch, as well. It's like the old "Weed n' Feed" your grampa used to like to wander around. The discounts-- not to mention the plethora of odds and ends all over the place-- are just too irresistible. Best take your purchases home and sequestered in the garage when the wife is out doing her hair.
There is an art to shopping at Harbor Freight-- nay, a strategy-- that ensures you get the most satisfaction out of the experience. To illustrate, I've laid it out in four steps:
1. Stay on Top of the Deals:
Knowledge is power, and staying aware of what sales are out there is pure dynamite. There are a number of ways to do this:
- The Website - On any given day, there are a slew of deals being offered on Harbor Freight's Homepage. Also, the Tab Coupons page, the Super Coupons page, the Clearance page, and the Weekly Flyer.
- Sign up for the mail-in flyer. This is oft times better than the online flyer because it's portable and, laying around, it's a reminder to get while the gettin's good.
- Get on the Harbor Freight email list for exclusive Preferred Customer offers-- so quick and easy, you'll swear you're doing something immoral, illegal or fattening.
2. Clip the Coupon!
If you're like me, many's the time you realize you left the coupon on the kitchen counter, right as you pull into the store parking lot. I live 30 miles away from the nearest Harbor Freight, you think I want to do that trip again? I usually curse myself and pay the regular low price instead of the LOW, low price. Just this once, I'm going to recommend to everyone to get in touch with your feminine side and clip the damn thing-- put it in your wallet. That goes double for the 20% coupons, just keep collecting them and toss them when they expire. After all, isn't that the point? A Harbor Freight shopper without a coupon is like going dutch on a date. I mean, seriously?
3. Inside Track Club
Think you know all there is to know about the discounts, deals and sales at Harbor Freight Tools? Think again. For just $29.99 a year, you can be a member of the Inside Track Club. So what, you say? How about exclusive email offers nobody else gets? How about access to the famed Harbor Freight Parking Lot Sales one whole hour before anyone else is allowed on the lot? Or, deep discount mail-in offers your friends and neighbors will never see? Put it this way: You can take the wife out to Applebee's this Friday, or use that money on the best deals Harbor Freight Tools will be offering all year round. Take your time...
4. Read the Reviews
Hopefully I'm preaching to the choir here. The best way to ensure an informed purchase is to read the reviews left by previous buyers. I value them more than the so-called experts who review for a living 'cause it's "power by numbers." If 95 out of 100 people love the product, chances are pretty good I will, too. If that means it's getting a different model than previously intended, so be it. But, that's me.
There's a reason why guys love to shop at Harbor Freight, and if you're getting ready to go for the first time, I envy you the joy and wonderment you'll be experiencing. Follow these four tips and you'll come away happy and fulfilled, and no one will call you a boy anymore.
Well, two out the three of those things, for sure.
What About Harbor Freight? An Introduction
I had no idea what kind of following Harbor Freight Tools had when I joined the company. Now whenever I mention where I work, though, I hear, "I LOVE Harbor Freight!" Always with a big grin, as if they're happily admitting a guilty pleasure-- like watching the Ice Road Truckers marathon, or when the family goes on a trip and leaves them behind. It didn't take long surfing the Internet to see just how widespread the love really is-- way beyond the weekend tinkerers or 'burb Dads with their "honey-do-ready" toolboxes. I quickly found a slew of niche websites whose members rely on HFT's low priced, hard-to-find and odd hardware-- not to mention the huge selection of essential tools and supplies. Numbered among these groups are survivalists and emergency preppers, solar energy enthusiasts, BBQ trailer builders, teardrop trailer builders, Pinterest crafters, RC model builders, paranormal investigators, AR builders, go kart hobbyists... as well as your garden variety woodworkers, welders, car restorers, four-wheelers, motorcycle wrenchers, compulsive DIYers and all manner of tool-wielding madmen building better mousetraps.
In all of these blogs and forums the question inevitably always comes up: "I need to get a _____________.What about Harbor Freight?" Someone informs their group about a proud purchase they made of a tool cabinet, a winch or an abrasive blaster. Another member posts a photo of their latest DIY project (like the one above). A full-blown discussion ensues, more photos and links are posted, and ultimately others get inspired to "go and do likewise." These sites also serve as war drums for whatever Harbor Freight Tools sale or coupon comes out and, truth be told, they spread the store's advertising as much as the store itself.
It struck me that Harbor Freight Tools' fan base, all spread out across the Internet, is like a big, open secret-- each niche group sequestered from the others, each possessing information the others could use. Wouldn't it be great if they could all come together to one forum, to exchange questions, views, projects, etc.? Dare to dream.
In the meantime, we'll be looking at these niche groups and websites. What is it they get at Harbor Freight? What do they do with the products? What, if any, innovations have sprung from their purchases? The first group we'll start with-- the Survivalists-- will be explored next week.
Stay tuned!
Why Our Propane Torch is a Hot Item
With this propane torch weeds, ice, tree stumps and more are burned away in a hurry
Our customers are fired up about this small propane torch (SKU: 91033) from Harbor Freight which makes melting ice, burning leaves and softening paint easy and safe! Other propane torches sell for up to three times more than what you’ll pay for this one at Harbor Freight. And you still get the same high quality you’ve come to expect!
With this tool you can propane torch weeds, melt ice, thaw metal pipes and more. Burn away weeds in a hurry with temperatures over 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. The torch attaches to a standard 20 lb. propane tank and features a turbo blast trigger for maximum flame.
Some Propane Torch Tips:
- Never store or use propane indoors
- Use a long-handled lighter to ignite
- Always utilize eye protection and leather gloves when operating the torch
- Always have a fire extinguisher nearby when using propane torches
Whether you’re in the market for a propane weed torch, a torch for removing paint from non-flammable surfaces or a general purpose propane torch for many other applications. Get this Propane Torch while it’s hot!
Tool Review: Harbor Freight’s Digital Inspection Camera
I went into my local Harbor Freight Tools store and picked up a Digital Inspection Camera with 2.4" Color LCD Monitor. It takes 4 AA batteries (not included), so I picked up a 24 pack of AA batteries from Harbor Freight as well for under $6 bucks – great price and now I have back up batteries! Some online recon revealed that competitive brands of inspection cameras with monitors were exorbitantly higher priced than the Harbor Freight version at under a $120. Would the Digital Inspection Camera from Harbor Freight deliver on its claims? That was my mission and I chose to accept it--fortunately, the Camera did not self destruct in five seconds.
Make easy visual inspections even in hard-to-reach places
The packaging claimed that with this device, I could "make easy visual inspections, even in hard-to-reach places." I couldn't count the number of times I'd dropped hardware into the abyss of heavy machinery or needed to inspect behind a wall before drilling into it. And then there's dropping keys that somehow get kicked under a shelving unit with 40 metric tons of equipment on it. Hopefully, the Digital Inspection Camera could help remedy these types of situations.
The light at the end of the camera provides the 4 ft. night vision as described previously and also illuminates the tight spaces you're in, which are usually dark. This became especially useful as I soon discovered.
The monitor is amply sized at 2.4" and provided easy viewing but to document my adventure, I utilized another useful feature of the device. With the included video cable, I was able to plug the device into the video-in port on my wide screen TV. Then I practically had theater viewing.
With the included video cable, I was able to plug the camera into my wide screen TV
Once you start using the Digital Inspection Camera with 2.4" Color LCD Monitor, you'll never know how you lived without it! The device is easy to assemble and operate. The lighted camera integrated into the end of a three foot flex hose provides excellent maneuverability in hard-to-reach areas, and the monitor picture is clear and detailed. The attachments are extremely useful! The hook is ideal for locating/feeding wires behind walls or behind equipment. The magnet is effective in picking up fallen hardware and even small tools. The angled mirror allows you to view underneath places where you would not be able to bend the flex hose.
From plumbing and electrical work to retrieving lost items and viewing places that are otherwise inconvenient or inaccessible to reach, you owe it yourself to get the Digital Inspection Camera with 2.4" Color LCD Monitor.
Harbor Freight Has a Bearing Puller You Can Depend on
When removing those tricky pilot bearings, you need a bearing puller you can really depend on
When you need to change an internal set of bearings, there’s no need to pay someone else to do this job for you. Instead, pick up a Slide Hammer and Bearing Puller Set from Harbor Freight (SKU 95987). This internal puller can turn hours of tedious work into an easy task that only takes a few seconds. With a little practice, using a slide hammer and bearing puller will become second nature. Let’s take a look at why this is the right internal puller to help you get the job done:
A Tool that Truly Pays for Itself
A typical bearing job at an auto repair shop generally costs much more, and you may need to replace these items several times if you like to keep your favorite truck for years on end. Almost every type of small engine includes one or more pilot bearings.
The Versatility of the Harbor Freight Slide Hammer and Bearing Puller Set
Once you’ve added the Slide Hammer and Bearing Puller Set to your arsenal of tools, there’s virtually no limit to what you can do. To see just how versatile this tool actually can be, take a look at this list of projects homeowners just like you have taken on with this internal puller:
- Replace wheel bearings in a vintage motorcycle
- Rebuild the water pump on a snowmobile
- Replace the gimble bearings in a motor boat
- Complete a rear-axle bearing job on a 4WD truck
Whether you enjoy browsing through the interesting selections that fill the shelves at your local Harbor Freight outlet or you prefer to do your shopping online, take a look at this Slide Hammer and Bearing Puller Set. This tool is a must-have for most types of engine or wheel repair. Why not pick up one today to make sure it’s ready and waiting for your next big project? Or check out this 3-Jaw Pilot Bearing Puller, which removes sleeve-type bearings between 3/4" and 1-1/2" (19mm - 38mm) inside diameter quickly and easily.
Save 35% on this Deluxe Airbrush Kit
This week we're highlighting this Deluxe Airbrush Kit from Central Pneumatic (SKU 95810), which is now only $12.99 until October 31 when you use the coupon code below.
This professional quality chrome-plated brass airbrush with anodized aluminum needle cover has the following features:
- Airbrush, jar, metal cup and case
- Designed for general purpose use
- Slim, comfortable grip
- Easy-to-clean anodized aluminum housing
- 30 PSI continuous working pressure
- Adjustable air flow control
- Comes with 22 cc glass jar, 5 cc metal cup, storage case, metal hanger
So use code 91325269 when you check out with this deluxe airbrush kit in your online cart or just click on the coupon below in order to get 35% off this item from the Harbor Freight website! This offer lasts through October 31, 2011.*
*Online quantity limit: 1. For other limitations, please see coupon below.
Save 37% on this Air Punch Flange Tool
This week we're highlighting the Air Punch Flange Tool from Central Pneumatic (SKU 1110), which is now only $24.99 until October 24.
This useful flange tool can cut fabrication time in half. It also has:
- a heavy duty head that rotates 360° to easily crimp flanges or lap joint sheets and pipes
- the ability to punch accurate 3/16" holes for fasteners or welding
- 16 gauge steel capacity
So use code 22979524 when you check out with the air punch flange tool in your online cart or just click on the coupon below. You will get 37% off this item* from the Harbor Freight website! This offer lasts through October 24, 2011.
*Online quantity limit: 1. For other limitations, please see coupon below.
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