As far back as I can remember I've always loved working on mechanical things and having the right tools to do it with. At a little over 4 years old, one of the presents I really wanted for Christmas in 1956 was a Handy Andy toolset. The toy toolset soon gave way to owning the real thing as soon I got my first bicycle, a 24-inch Rollfast that was made in England. The first thing I did to the Rollfast was to pull the fenders off, and throw on a set of ape-hangers with a stretched gooseneck that put the handgrips way above my head. My dad told me at the time it probably was a mistake, but he didn't stop me, he always seemed to let me find things out for myself. When it came to tools the old man was real picky to the point we always washed everything in mineral spirits (paint thinner) before we could put them back in the toolbox. He taught me to buy the best tools I could afford, and to always take care of them. In 1969 when I decided to pull my '47 Chevy panel down to the bare frame there were a lot of new tools that I needed to go out and buy. With my budget the Snap-on name wasn't even in the hat, I took a trip to Sears in El Monte, California, and bought as many Craftsman handtools as I could afford. To my disappointment I discovered to be able to purchase a new Craftsman bench grinder or drill press even Sears' prices were out of my league. Shortly afterwards I spotted an advertisement for a new Harbor Freight store that had just opened in my neighborhood with ridiculously low prices offered for some of the equipment I needed. Some of the Harbor Freight tools I bought in '69 never lived to see 1970, and then some I still have today. At the time I bought Harbor Freight tools my hopes were they would last long enough to earn enough money to save up and buy a better known brand. In my wildest dreams I never thought I would still be using some of them in the 21st century.
I bought Harbor Freight's...
I bought Harbor Freight's 110-lb anvil because I like things that are made in Russia. When it went on sale I couldn't resist the fact it is made of cast steel and not crummy cast-iron like the inferior made Chinese anvils. If I ever get serious about using it, I'll dress the horn (beak) off with a body grinder, until it has a nice shape like an anvil costing a whole lot more money.
Another product from the former...
Another product from the former Soviet Union, I had to have Harbor Freight's item number 40089 buffer stand made in the Ukraine...
...This thing has three times...
...This thing has three times the wall thickness of anything else made out of steel on the market today. The green paint had runs in it, and the holes didn't quite line up, and man, is it ever heavy!
Always look on Harbor Freight's...
Always look on Harbor Freight's website for sales. This 36127 grinder buffer mounted on the Ukrainian stand has been superseded since I bought it for around half price, but it still works like a champ.
I bought this drill press...
I bought this drill press vice from Harbor Freight in 1983 for around $15. In 2009 one can still buy one from Harbor Freight for around $15. Try buying a new Buick at a 1983 price.
The key to air-tool longevity...
The key to air-tool longevity is moisture (water) free air lines and lubricating oil. Oil daily means to oil the tool before it is used each time. I like using Royal Purple multi-viscosity motor oil, or Maxifilm.
This type of pneumatic body...
This type of pneumatic body saw first appeared on the market in the early '90s for around $60. I bought this one in 2006 on sale from Harbor Freight for $15. At those kind of prices you only need to use the thing once and it's paid for itself.
I bought this drill press...
I bought this drill press in 1982. The chuck had to be changed in '83, and a collar broke, so I had to make another one, but it still bores holes like crazy, and I've never changed the V-belts.
My larger die-grinder (above)...
My larger die-grinder (above) was purchased at Harbor Freight in 1977 for $15 and thanks to religious application of premium lubricating oils still works like a champ. Notice its smaller exact duplicate is a Harbor Freight model I bought in 2008 on sale for $15, and I'll bet the little bugger outlives me.
Harbor Freight is a great...
Harbor Freight is a great place to find handy goodies most other stores do not stock. For less than $50 Harbor Freight item 39152 converts a garden variety 2 1/4 -ton floor jack into a fully-functioning automatic transmission jack.
The beauty of Harbor Freight...
The beauty of Harbor Freight tools is their extremely low price allows beginners to purchase something such as this Harbor Freight English Wheel and see if they can learn how to master one.
This photo was taken at the...
This photo was taken at the Orange, CA, Harbor Freight store. I've been dreaming of getting an aluminum floor jack ever since the little "red guy" died. Notice there's a little red trolley jack on the extreme right.
As I remember, the "trolley...
As I remember, the "trolley jack" was originally an English design and started appearing in Harbor Freight stores as a Taiwanese copy in the mid '70s. I bought this one in '75 for $35 and it lasted until June 24, 2008. Through the years I've seen them on sale at Harbor Freight for as low as $15.
Under the Hydraulics banner...
Under the Hydraulics banner is where you can find the real specialized equipment at Harbor Freight. Check out the 1-ton telescoping Gantry crane or the cherry pickers and you'll see what I mean.
If you think you might like...
If you think you might like to try your hand at forming (shaping) sheetmetal a Planishing hammer is easier to get the hang of than using an English Wheel. The 94847 Harbor Freight pneumatic planishing hammer sells for less than $100; the stand is another $30.