Harbor Freight’s Hot for Teacher
In Thailand, students honor their teachers with extravagant flower arrangements and traditional dance performances. In South Korea, teachers get carnations from students and former students, alike. In Estonia-, where my dad's family comes from, the students give their teachers the day off and teach each other (I'm sure, given the chance, American kids would make every day Estonian Teachers Day).
But in the US we have no rituals or ceremonies for National Teacher Appreciation Day, and if you ask me, that stinks. Some of my teachers were my greatest cheerleaders, extended parents and even friends.
So, allow me to make a suggestion. Take a trip to Harbor Freight Tools and pick out something for your kid's teacher, letting them know how much you AND your kid really appreciate them. If the teacher's female, the 12" Revolving Four Tray Bin is the perfect choice. This fun, spinning bin gives plenty of storage without taking up much room, so it's perfect for a teacher with lots of doodads and limited space! Each tray contains divided storage spaces to hold stuff like scissors, paper clips, erasers, white-out bottles, etc. Or, if she's into doing crafts or scrapbooking in her spare time, she'll REALLY love it! The tray stands 18” high and features ball bearing glide and a tough black enamel finish. At just $19.99, you're not going to find a better gift for the money.
If you want to add a personal touch, try the idea posted by Jennifer Ciriano, where she wrapped magnetic tape around the sides and decorated it with buttons!
Or, check out Natasha Hensel's creative ideas, shared on her YouTube video:
Of course, that isn't to say your guy teachers wouldn't like the revolving bin, too. I mean, truth be told, it was originally made for the workshop, for nuts, bolts, washers, and other little parts and pieces. However, if yo'd rather have an alternative idea for "Mr. Whatshisface," then you can't go wrong with the Drillmaster 18V Cordless 3/8" Drill/Driver and Flashlight Kit-- now on sale for $19.99 when you use the coupon on THIS PAGE!
So, if you want to give a big "THANK YOU" to the teacher, say it with a revolving bin or cordless drill-flashlight combo from Harbor Freight. It's better than a hug, and your kid won't get sent home.
Not the Usual Daily Grind
At $21.99, you wouldn't expect much performance out of an angle grinder. Nowadays, 22 bucks barely covers two people at McDonald's... but a heavy-duty angle grinder? Next you're going to say I can make hundreds of thousands of dollars at home in my pajamas, or that there can never be too many PC "inspirational" quotes on Facebook.
But the truth is, the Chicago Electric Heavy-Duty 4-1/2" Angle Grinder DOES perform-- with a vengeance-- and can tackle tough metal cutting, shaping and slag removal-jobs with the efficiency of a grinder five times the cost. A valuable tool for the professional metal worker or hobbyist. That's not just me talking-- or the Harbor Freight marketing mucky mucks-- that's coming from the customers who bought it:
" Well worth the money, and a fraction of the cost of something similar from a box store... and CONSIDER getting an extra grinder. It's a hassle switching back and forth between wheels, and these are cheap enough you can have two on hand with different wheels. (And you'll *still* come in cheaper than getting one from a box store!)" goodeknight - Chesapeake, VA
"LET ME TELL YOU.... I have now owed this cheap-O thing for 2 months shy of 5 yrs, and besides fading from leaving out in the sun and some paint splatter, it's been going strong. Pretty much the same as day one. I still do the same things I did before as when I was using the Makita, however I have added using it for cutting bricks, and sanding custom formed concrete boulders adding sharp angles that I make for water features." Scott - Queen Creek, AZ
"This angle grinder is a great deal for the price, it works fine, put some quality grease in it and allow to cool properly, it will serve you well, its already paid for itself many times over." buffington - Redondo Beach, CA
"I started a car project that required paint stripping, approximately 3 coats of old paint required removal. I slapped a GatorGrit paint removal wheel on this cheap little grinder, and to my surprise, this thing kicks b***. I removed all the paint from my car in no time! If you get name brand grinder discs and paint removal wheels, the grinder rarely bogs down... it has handled everything I have thrown at it; tiles, metal, paint removal, blade sharpening, etc... Love it for the price, and will buy another when this one dies. So far it's still kicking!" Tony - Undisclosed
Check out the powerful, smooth-running Chicago Electric 4-1/2" angle grinder for yourself. At just $21.99 (or $17.59 with your Harbor Freight 20% Off Coupon!), it may turn out to be the best deal you ever made on a power tool.
The Legend of the Double Cut Saw… and How to Build a Grill Out of a 55-Gallon Drum
Billy Kulakowski was a mean griller, everybody in the cul-de-sac agreed. Every block party weekend, Billy was given a wide berth as he worked his magic on his meats and wood chips and butt rubs. When he was in the zone, Billy was like a wild-eyed chainsaw juggler jacked up on Pepsi Max. Head down in the smoke and sizzle, flipping tongs, spatulas, sauces, spices... his little water spray bottle keeping the furious flames at bay... no one dared approach him, not even to offer him a cold one. Story's told, one time somebody did, and there was an incident. Something about a misheard word, a scuffle and-- things getting out of hand like they oft times do-- an airborne super-duty wiener fork took out a bounce house. Three kids were never found. It took a while (a couple of months, I suspect), but the cul-de-sac moved on, and so did Billy's grilling.
Yeah, Billy Kulakowski was a mean griller. A man's man. Word had it, Kenny Rogers was even writing a song about him.
Then one day, a family of five bought the old Johnson split-level-- the Kleeburgs from Huntsville, Alabama. When the father, Joe Kleeburg, heard about the block party coming up, he peeled out of his driveway and some time later returned with three 55-gallon drums, some angle iron, mesh metal and a Chicago Electric 5" Double Cut Saw from Harbor Freight Tools. Ducking into his garage, he wasn't seen again for the rest of the week.
Nine o'clock the morning of the block party, everybody was setting up their usual station. Billy took his designated double-wide spot; 10 aluminum charcoal starters filled to the brim with cooking coals lined up on the sidewalk in front of him. No sign of the new neighbors. But then at 9:22, the Kleeburgs' 3-car garage came to life and the doors slowly rose...
Billy didn't have a chance. And, after considerable effort, Kenny Rogers managed to fit "Joe Kleeburg" into "Billy Kulakowski"... but, that's another story.
The Chicago Electric 5" Double Cut Saw cuts through plywood, sheet metal, galvanized pipe, flooring, plastic, paneling, Formica, and so much more, without burning, chipping or melting. Its portability makes it great for tight spots and on-the-fly work, and it'll save you hours from having to cut steel with a grinder. Packing a powerful 7.5 amp motor, this saw cuts forward or backward with the same power and precision-- with no kickback! And for just $59.99-- even less with your 20% off coupon!-- it'll be a lifesaver around the house and garage over and over, again.
Bare Bones Method of Building a Grill Out of a 55-Gallon Drum
Things You Will Need:
- 55-Gallon Drum
- Masking Tape
- Chicago Electric 5" Double Cut Saw
- Angle Iron
- Chicago Electric 170 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Welder
- Mesh Metal
- Metal Rod
- 1/2" Steel Box Tube
- Two Heavy-Duty Hinges
- Steel reinforcement plates
- 2x1" steel ro
- Find a 55 gallon drum. Sometimes you can avoid buying a new one by checking out Craigslist or other local classifieds, pet shops or weed n' feeds. Try to avoid one that housed toxic chemicals, but just to be sure, when you cut off the lid, build a large fire inside of it to thoroughly burn out any lingering harmful substances. Then, once cool, dump the ashes and give it one last thorough hosing.
- Next, you're going to want to divide the drum into quarters. Use the masking tape along the sides and ends of the barrel, make sure all the quarters are even. Lay the drum on its side and, using the double cut saw, carefully cut one of the quarters about 3 to 3/12" from the barrel's edges-- this is going to be the lid for the grill.
- Build a large fire inside of it to thoroughly burn out any lingering harmful substances. Then, once cool, dump the ashes and give it one last thorough hosing.
- Next, take some angle iron and weld a rectangular shape out of it. Then weld it into place in the middle of the drum. This will provide as a rest for the grill.
- Find a good mesh that can be used as the grill surface, preferably a heavier gauge metal, and one where the edges are flattened so there are no sharp points sticking up. This will also make it easier to scrub after grilling. Weld metal rod along all the edges, and add cross bars so the mesh will retain its strength and shape. Cut out a piece 1/8" smaller than the opening of
- Take two lengths of 1/2" box tube and make relief cuts every two inches so you can bend them to the shape of the barrel. Once you've got the shape you desire, weld the cuts smooth. This creates a sturdy cradle on which you'll be attaching the legs. Then weld the half moon shapes to the barrel.
- Attach hinges to the barrel and lid, and reinforce it with steel plates on the inside.
- Determine how high you want your grill to be (3-ft. is good) and accordingly cut the 2x1 into legs. Cut relief marks throughout the legs, too, to allow the grill to have a little bit of give. This will make the legs bend outward and, ultimately. give it more stability in the long run. Attach the legs and you have your very own, cheap and efficient 55-gal. drum grill.
Of course, you'll probably want to add handles, a couple of vents, a hole on the bottom for dripping. If you came this far, though, I trust you can take it from here.
Hammer Time
I'll admit, Harbor Freight forced me to adjust my philosophy on buying. For the longest time, I (and I'm sure I'm not alone) hung onto the credo, "You get what you pay for." That's why we lay down the heavy dinero for bigger name brand clothes, shoes, watches, mayonnaise, dining experiences, hotel rooms, guns and tools. Heaven forbid you cave to the temptation of saving some bread and end up with a dog of a purchase. More than a root canal, I hate when that happens. But, like I said, Harbor Freight Tools readjusted my mental state. I still look for the better guns and mayonnaise, but now when I look for a tool, I first go to the HFT website, check out my options, prices, ALWAYS the reviews, and more often than not I come away sold on something-- and I have yet to be disappointed with this formula.
Which brings me to the Chicago Electric 5.2 Amp 3-In-1 1" SDS Plus Rotary Hammer. A friend recently bought a house and considered renting a rotary hammer to rip up his concrete patio. The best price he could find locally was $48/day. As luck would have it, he mentioned the plan to me before he took the plunge, and I told him about Harbor Freight's SDS rotary hammer, priced $99.99 (even less with a coupon!). The beast will pound 2920 blows per minute through concrete, masonry, stone or pretty much any other hard, brittle material. Whether it's for drilling holes, chiseling or chipping, it won't let you down. Plus, the stop-hammer feature on this powerful SDS rotary hammer lets you drill precision holes in wood, too. I told him to check reviews on Google and on the HFT website to get an idea of what other owners of the rotary hammer thought. It was an easy sell:
"As a heavy/civil engineering construction inspector, I was on a job 3-4 years ago when the contractor showed up on site with a HF SDS unit (this was on a project with a contract north of $6 million). I made some sort of wise ass comment about the quality of his tools and he said, these things are great and if you drop them, so what? He drilled hundreds of holes 1/4-5/8" with that thing and it was still going. I went out and bought one as my roto-hammer was an old Milwaukee hex shaft with dull/broken obsolete bits. Damn thing has been great!" OldWino, GarageJournal.com
"I was apprehensive about buying this tool because of the low, low price compared to similar tools of different name brands prices. I called the rental store and they wanted $50.00 a day for rental, plus buying the bits. I drove to the store and bought this tool including all the bits for just a little more than the rental store was willing to rent for their tool for 1 day. I have used this tool for drilling, tearing out brick columns, taking up ceramic tile, spudding built-up rocks off the roof for flat roof repairs, and it has not let me down yet. I did purchase the 2-year warranty for just in case but have not had to use it yet. This tool has easily paid for itself." Valdosta Repair Man, HFT customer review
"My wife and I own an HVAC company . I have had one of these for at least 5 years and use it pretty regularly going through brick to run flue pipes and line sets for HVAC systems... I have a plumber buddy who has had to have his Bosch rebuilt twice in the time I have owned my HF and mine still works like it did the day I got it ." rickairmedic, GarageJournal.com
"This drill does it all. It is more like a home demolition hammer drill. It drills, it hammer/ drills, or it just hammers depending on how you set it up. Other posts talk about it being metric bits. I don't see the issue. Just like all drills there are thousands of bits. You can buy a any size standard "SDS Plus" (Shank Size) bit at any big box chain home improvement store or industrial supply store. You can by masonry chisels, dirt digging spades, bull nose chisels, along with any size drill bit you can think of. I have used mine around the house for many extreme projects. It has a built in grease cup which must be filled ever so often as part of maintenance. I service mine before ever use and it has not let me down. I also bought the extended warranty but have not used it yet. It could be broken if it was just thrown down, but they all can. I take care of my tools and they take care of me." Rider7767, HFT customer review
"Harbor Freight's SDS Rotary Hammer - I am handyman/audio video guy. I have used this to bust thru concrete walls to run cable, etc. It comes with bits and a chisel. Has already paid for itself in savings over the Bosch units I would rent. For my occasional use it is great. There is nothing quite like a hammer drill to make short work of drilling thru concrete, if you have ever tried even small holes (like ones for tapcons) with a regular drill, they are a major bear! This tool makes very short work out of it!" OKnewguy, TractorByte.com
Of course, my buddy bought the Chicago Electric rotary hammer with absolutely no regrets. He made short order of the old patio, and has since moved on to creating his dream backyard... well, his and his wife's dream backyard...
Drill, Baby, Drill! Yes, Dear.
If you have a honey in your life, chances are you wake up to a "honey-do list" every morning, too. Many's the Saturday I secretly wish the Mrs. didn't feel like overhauling the domestic decor or replacing hinges on doors which were perfectly fine standing at slight angles and only needing a teeny lift to open and close. Alas, such is the price of having a honey: you do.
That said, it's admittedly a much more pleasant experience with power tools-- especially cordless power tools. Take Harbor Freight's best-selling Drill Master 3/8" Cordless Drill/Driver with Keyless Chuck and 18V NiCd Battery. Just $19.99, it's the perfect size-- has got the perfect amount of power-- for taking care of the home. I use this drill for everything, including auger bits, spade bits, heavy drilling and driving tek screws. When I first started using it, I was so impressed I bought a second one just to keep another battery charged. I mean, when you think about it, with some of the big name brands a replacement battery can cost $40 or more. Me, I've got two complete drills and chargers, and I'm never out of power. The chuck is tight (no wobble), love the LED light, torque works well and the spindle is true. The electric brake is way helpful, too.
You're not going to find a better value for such a quality workhorse.
But here's a tip: Don't overcharge the battery. Charge it six hours and take it off the charger. The theory of letting the battery charge all the time so it's ready to go, is a fallacy and it kills the battery. Six hours, no more.
So here I go, hanging African masks and mounting curtain rod brackets, earthquake-proofing armoires and, yes, replacing hinges... happily, eagerly. After all, she WILL eventually run out of stuff to do. Right?
Reciprocate With Brute Force
You live long enough, you start building a list of stuff you've done that you never, ever want to do again. Like eat something on a dare that sounded gag-inducing before you even looked at it... because it also sounded fun. Or go on a blind date with someone you met on the Internet whose profile pictures consisted only of her cat, arched eyebrows and Sweet Polly Purebred from the Underdog cartoons. Or maybe (on a more relateable level) like spending an hour struggling with a hacksaw on pipe.
Well I can't help you with your bonehead dare acceptances or harikari methods of courtship, but I can tell you how you can affordably retire that hacksaw. Introducing the Chicago Electric 6 Amp Reciprocating Saw with Rotating Handle. Don't let the low $29.99 price fool you. This saw has a plethora of power to get the job done! It cuts like butter through tree roots, limbs and stumps, plastic and metal pipes, cast iron, deck planks-- nails and all!--and so much more.
A customer in the Southwest recently gave the Chicago Electric reciprocating saw a zumba workout and came away very happy:
"I've been using this saw for a few months now. I've used it for demo (cutting 2x4's with nails) and recently put it to the test by using it to cut an entire 30' tree down with the HF 9" pruning blades, which worked really well. The quick blade change is very nice and saves time. Overall, really good value in my opinion. Handle rotates completely through 180° with five positive stops at 0, 45° and 90° left, and 45° and 90° right for comfortable and controlled cutting from any angle." Gringo - Phoenix, AZ
Another guy who hails from the Beehive State had this to say:
"Used this tool to cut lattice for an inclined ramp at my parents house. It worked better than I could imagine. Made the job go extremely fast. I was worried about how I was going to get the job done quickly and having this tool made all the difference between a day job and a 3-day job. Highly Recommended!!!" Tim - Utah
And for having such a low price, the heavy-duty reciprocating saw's got a ton of great features:
- Powerful 6-amp motor with a variable speed trigger
- Handle rotates 180° with five positive stops
- Shoe plate pivots up to 30° for increased stability
- 1/2" twist-lock blade chuck for fast, easy blade changes
- Rubber grip for comfort and durability
- Variable speed trigger with switch lock-on button
I also definitely recommend you use the savings to stock up on extra special-use blades. Harbor Freight Tools stocks incredibly durable sets that require little investment and big performance: Warrior 5-Piece 6" Wood-Cutting Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blades, ideal for cutting nail-embedded wood; Warrior 5-Piece 6" General Purpose / Demolition Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blades, this blade can be used to cut a wide variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastic, pipe and drywall; Portland Saw 5-Piece 9" Wood Cutting Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blades, longer blades designed to accommodate a variety of wood-cutting operations; Portland Saw 2-Piece 8" Diamond Grit Reciprocating Saw Blades, for cutting into the hardest materials, including cast iron, clay pipe, brick and marble. Plus, many more in our stores and on our site.
A New Polisher Outshines the Competition
New Product Alert!
Always known for finding a great solution at a better price, Harbor Freight Tools recently introduced its new Chicago Electric Platinum 6" Variable Speed Polisher #69924. This dual-action, random-orbit dynamo delivers the same professional mirror finish as the machines used by car dealerships and detailers-- but at a fraction of what the competitors are asking for while on sale at $59.99!
The 6" Chicago Electric Platinum polisher has six variable speed settings, a two-position side handle for optimal control, a hook-and-loop pad attachment, and powers up to 6400 OPM for supreme performance. It includes a 6" backing pad, spindle wrench and carbon brushes.
To fully arm this bad boy for all contingencies, add a Warrior Compound/Cutting Foam Pad #60311 for applying polishing and rubbing compound for deep scratches, a Polishing Foam Pad #60309 for applying polishes and cleaners to remove swirls, marks and water spots, and a Finishing Foam Pad #60310 for the final step, applying waxes and sealants.
Destined to be a Harbor Freight Tools bestseller, the Chicago Electric Platinum 6" dual action polisher is already getting accolades from customers:
"This was nothing short of amazing. I have been buying harbor freight for a year now. I can't believe what I have been missing before! I was shopping for a good DA Polisher for about 3 months online and everywhere else. Out of nowhere I thought of Harbor Freight. I could not believe they had one. Unless you are willing to spend over $300 on a German-made polisher, this is the best money can buy, hands down!" NickyG- Scottsdale, AZ
"This tool is great-- especially for the price! Porter Cable has this same style of tool in their line up, but it's $129+ and the body is really big and not very comfortable to hold. I have pretty big hands and it's still big for me. This one has a much smaller gripping area that makes it easy to hold on to. It doesn't have forced rotation of the disc so it works more like a regular random orbit but it has a much larger orbit diameter so it cuts pretty fast when sanding. When using for polishing, it spins really nice and makes buffing out finishes really easy. I used it to restore the headlights on my car. Got some of that headlight restore compound and it worked great in conjunction with this tool and the buffing pads... Buy this tool!!!" Ronnie Ron- Seattle, WA
"This thing rocks! Polished my motorcycle and an acrylic aquarium... looks like glass!" Pleaser- Phoenix, AZ
"This thing took the water spots off of my truck, quick and in a hurry... this works just as good as the expensive ones for the fraction of the price!" Paul- DeRidder, LA
You don't have to do hard math in your head to realize you'll be saving $100's by staying away from the auto spas and getting professional swirl-free finishes on all your vehicles at home. Add the new heavy-duty Chicago Electric Platinum 6" variable-speed dual-action polisher to your tool arsenal while this low price holds!
The Multitasking Multifunction Tool
It was a really dumb procrastination. A broomstick, cut to be a patio sliding door jamb as an added security-- except it was about 1/2" too long, and for the longest time, just propped up at an angle. It was an eye sore, classic jerry-rigging in the spirit of the copper penny and chewing gum. I told my wife for weeks that I'd take care of it, but the thought of sawing that little stub off the end sounded like such a royal pain, I kept putting it off.
Of course I knew about the Chicago Electric multi-function tools. They're some of Harbor freight Tools' bestsellers and favorites in the toolhead community. It's just another thing I was putting off-- going out to get the tool. Ha!
There are different models to choose from, all with the same professional-quality performance:
Why buy several power tools when one incredible tool can tackle so many jobs by itself? The corded Chicago Electric Multifunction Single-Speed Power Tool is the basic weapon of choice for all the small-to-midsize cutting, scraping, sanding and sawing projects on your to-do list. This professional quality, yet very affordable, multifunction tool powers at 21,000 oscillations per minute, putting to put some real muscle into the tough jobs. The multi-tool easily cuts through cable, air ducts, downspouts, plasterboard and pipes... sands down cement, concrete, stone, plaster, tile adhesive, paint and wood . . . it can even saw through wood up to 2" thick! It’s the “go-to” tool for remodeling and repair jobs, as well as hobbies, tile, car repairs, even scraping freshly painted windows or old floor coverings!
For a little more money, you can get the same versatile tool with variable speeds-- raging from 10,000 to 20,000 oscillations per minute-- and including 4 multi-function attachments! The Chicago Electric Multifunction Power Tool, Variable Speed Oscillating features the same rugged die cast aluminum gear housing and sealed bearings, and with the variable power and included attachments, it becomes even more power tools-in-one!
Going forward, we move on to the Chicago Electric Cordless Oscillating Multifunction Tool. If there isn't a convenient plug around, or you just like the freedom of a cordless tool, this is the ticket. With speeds up to 15,000 oscillations per minute, this cordless tool is fast and tough enough to handle the difficult jobs as well as fine detail work. Like the others, it can cut through plastic, cable, air ducts, downspouts, plasterboard and pipes. Its unique spindle and blade arbor design positively locks the blade in 7 forward positions for added versatility. Attach the sanding pad and sand down cement, concrete, stone, plaster, wood, tile adhesive and paint. This cordless multifunction tool is ideal tool for home remodeling, auto repair and a whole lot of other jobs! Be sure to get a second battery you don't find yourself with downtime in the middle of a project.
Finally, we come to the Central Pneumatic Variable Speed Multifunction Air Model. Whether it's a tough job or detailed work, the variable speed multifunction air tool provides the solution. A great, little tool for the hard-to-get-into areas, it's ideal for cutting cabinets, underdoor frames, ABS pipe, for Terrazzo restoration & more. The multiple attachments make it easy to cut wood 3/8" deep... plastic, wallboard and more, scrape away linoleum, laminate and adhesives, remove grout, sand wood or metal-- the list goes on! The unique spindle and blade arbor design positively locks in 7 forward positions for added versatility. At 90 psi air pressure, it powers up to speeds of 17,000 OPM!
Whatever style you choose, you'll find your Chicago Electric multifunction tool to be an invaluable addition to your DIY arsenal. Also, be sure to check out the collection of available attachments to accommodate any and all your mutlitool needs.
Tools for a Good Marriage
Ah, young love. My 21-year-old nephew just got married last weekend to his girlfriend of 3 years. It was a nice affair: the cake was delicious, the decor tasteful, the gift tables stacked high with juicers, crock pots, cookware, towels, bedding, crepe makers, dishes, salad tongs, fondue pots-- the usual. My opinion, the kids are never going to use a lot of that stuff. It's a pity, they don't know what they really need. And let's face it, the bride put the registry together. No offense, she's not the one who'll be going to the hardware store a dozen time later on to get tools for putting the home together.
May I make a suggestion? The next wedding you attend for a young couple (or even a not-so-young couple), go rogue on the registry and give them a tool kit. For less than $100 with a coupon, you can put together a complete set that they'll use all the time, maybe even for the rest of their lives. At least longer than the kettle corn maker they got.
Here are some basic tools to throw in the kit. It'll make their lives a whole lot easier:
- Hammer - Nothing fancy, just a simple, sturdy claw hammer. This one from Pittsburgh has a shock-absorbent fiberglass handle that won't splinter or split.
- Screwdriver Set - As you know, if you don't have the correct-sized screwdriver, it can be a bad experience. It keeps slipping out of the slot, stripping the slot, etc. That's why getting a set of comprehensive slot and Phillips screwdrivers is the way to go-- and this 32-piece screwdriver set is perfect for whatever household job comes up.
- Wrench Set - Just as a screwdriver, you need just the right fitting wrench. That means you'll want both SAE and metric on hand. This low-price 22-piece combination wrench set accommodates the most widely-used sizes and comes with a handy rack for quick access.
- Tape Measure - When putting up pictures and wall decor, measuring for furniture space or executing most any home improvement, you've got to have a tape measure on hand. Like this 30-ft. one from Harbor Freight, they're cheap but they're invaluable!
- Level - Got to make sure the family portraits are up for when the relatives come over-- but you can't do it right without a level. At $6.00, the 9" Magnetic Torpedo Level will save you a lot of headache for vertical, horizontal and 45-degree leveling.
- Socket Set - A wrench set is great to have, but for some jobs a socket set is so much sweeter. Pittsburgh makes a good, long-lasting 64-piece set at a low price, which includes both SAE and metric, with 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive. It comes with a rugged custom carrying case for storage and transport.
- Screws, Nuts & Bolts - Hey, it's at least one less trip to the store, right? Probably a number of trips-- a 1,001-piece set with wood screws, sheet metal screws, nuts, bolts, washers, lock washers and cotter pins. Definitely worth the 12 bucks.
- Tool Box -You've got to get one-- the ready-made gift box that keeps on giving. The 20" Stainless Steel Toolbox from Storehouse is a Harbor Freight best buy, with a dent-proof, high-impact base, heavy-duty tray and strong rubber-grip handle. With a full-length piano hinge, two sturdy latches and a brushed steel finish, this toolbox is built to last.
- Cordless Drill - OK, so this isn't going into the toolbox, but it certainly completes the set. If there's any power tool the new couple's going to need, it's a cordless drill, and the low-cost Drill Master 18 Volt Cordless 3/8" Drill With Keyless Chuck is a rugged, reliable addition to the arsenal.
So, when the top tier of the cake disappears in the freezer under some ground chuck, all the returns and re-gifting's been done and those crazy kids go one with their lives, they'll remember you every time there's an outlet plate to replace or a bicycle to build, an armoire to secure to a wall or a tiki mask to hang in the bathroom... the wedding guest who had the good sense to ignore their registry.
Essential Tools for Your First Apartment
It’s June-- and as with every June, a new herd of college grads is cut loose into the world. This means new apartments, new (or new old) furniture, new roomies, and a whole slew of new domestic responsibilities. Something every grad should consider getting is a decent tool set. Yes, you’ll probably have a landlord that takes care of that kind of stuff. But landlords are not your parents and they sure won’t always be around when you need them. Sometimes you’ll have to take care of things yourself –and wouldn’t it be great if you could? That’s where Harbor Freight Tools comes in.
Here’s a list of just the most essential tools you’ll be wanting:
Design - Decorating is the most likely thing you'll be doing on your own. Here are some tools that’ll help with that:
- tape measure
- angle square
- construction line
- utility knife
- carpenter’s pencil
- hammer
- level
- painters tape
- stud finder
- staple guns
Plumbing - this should really be left to the professionals, but sometimes things happen and help is nowhere to be found. When you have nowhere to turn these items can help prevent a disaster.
All Around Necessities - some tools are just plain useful to have around. You never know when you may need to screw a doorknob back on or put together a new piece of furniture.
- screwdrivers
- socket set
- allen wrenches
- impact driver
- cordless power drill
- multifuntion power tool
- small hacksaw
- needlenose pliers
- flashlight
- sanding block
Lastly, you'll need a nice toolbox or tool bag to store the stuff in so you can find them when you need them!
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