Do Your Own Diagnostics BEFORE You Take The Vehicle In There’s a growing popularity these days for DIY OBD-II (, the diagnostic and reporting tech used in most vehicles 1996 and newer) scanners you can use to diagnose your own car issues. When the “Check Engine” light comes on– or your car starts beeping and/or flashing like the dickens– more often than not there’s an OBD code associated with it. The OBD-II scanners read those codes and beeps, and convert them into plain language so you can understand what’s wrong with the car. Many of them let you do your own health checks on your car, and others will even record data while you drive and help you figure out if there’s a problem before it becomes a serious issue. So, with the effort of a short learning curve, you can be diagnosing your cars for problems early and save mucho dinero. Something to keep in mind is that there are two types of OBD II diagnostic trouble codes: generic “P0” codes and enhanced “P1” codes.

All 1996+ vehicles use the same basic definitions for the generic codes, but the enhanced codes are vehicle-specific and could very well change from one model year to another. So it’ll likely be out of date by the next model year and have to be updated or replaced. What’s more, some types of faults will set a P1 code but not set a P0 code. That’s why you need a tool that can read both types of codes, not just the generic ones. There are several OBD-II scanners available at which provide varying features, including multilingual language (English, Spanish, French). One of the more popular, the, can also read the special diagnostics software for antilock brake systems (on most post-’96 vehicles), as well as the generic and model-specific codes– and other troubleshooting features– making this a great addition to the garage.

This one can diagnose most of the issues you’ll experience. For those who want to cover all contingencies, the is the Swiss army knife of home automotive diagnostic tools. Developed by a team of the best engineers and technicians in the industry, the DS708 is a state-of-art vehicle diagnostic system that delivers a more accurate, stable, comprehensive, easier and faster diagnosis and provides incredibly high performance for the DIYer. This tool offers home workshops and auto technicians an OE-level diagnostic solution rarely seen outside a high-tech professional shop. Not only does it read all 5 OBD-II protocols and all 10 test modes, it can be used wirelessly with connectivity throughout your shop.

But, like I said, it IS a Swiss army knife, so it’s worth checking around automotive websites and see if this is the ticket or overkill. There are a number of other OBD-II scanner models at Harbor Freight, all at great prices for the features they offer. Take the time to review each one, including reviews and even Google other sites for what they have to say about them. HFT is sure to have the right scanner for you. Filed Under:,,, Tagged With:, June 15, 2015. When you think of the best parts of your childhood, Dad is indelibly among them.

I got this scanner from ebay rather than Harbor Freight because they tried to sell me a different model than the 60693. It was model # 62119 they were pushing at me, which I knew there was no way to update it. The model # 60693 was difficult to update and I ended up having to reset it, but all is well now. Once I figured out.

The smell of his after shave and brush of his stubble. The excitement of his coming home and throwing you in the air. The weird songs he chose to sing along to when driving or working in the garage ( “Love is a burning thing“).

Yup, Dad is a large part of our favorite memories, so of course we somehow want to convey that to him come Father’s Day. And since he still likes to tinker in his garage, work on his car and stay busy, here are ten excellent suggestions from on what to get him. • This best-selling 3-ton low-profile steel jack can fit in small spaces and lift big things– and it makes the job easier, ’cause it gets the vehicle up, fast and high. Embodied with strength and durability, the heavy-duty jack rolls and maneuvers easily on concrete with its wide steel wheels, and is long enough to get way under the vehicle. A winner for anyone looking for a “heavy” jack! • For the man who has everything something to put it in! Finally, Dad can consolidate his multiple toolboxes into this one durable, spacious cabinet. Made of heavy-duty industrial-strength steel, this baby can hold over 2,500 lbs.

Of tools and roll around the garage to assist him with whatever job he’s got cooking. You’d spend hundreds more elsewhere to get the same lifelong service this favorite tool cabinet will provide. • If Dad’s the kind of guy who boldly goes where no man (in their right mind) has gone before, then our Badlands 12K electric winch is the ticket.

Built to be tortured and come back for more, this winch will emancipate stuck vehicles, haul downed trees and load boats. Throw in the Wireless Winch Remote #61474 and Dad can Snapchat his adventures while the winch does all the work! • If you’ve noticed that, from time to time, Dad’s been in need of a welder– or if he’s expressed interest to get into welding– here is the perfect unit to get him equipped, With our best-selling 90 amp flux core welder, you get the functionality of a MIG welder without the hassle of gas. Set-up and operation are way easy, and the performance is awesome! Dad will find out soon enough how invaluable this welder is, for small repairs and in the garage. Pick up one of our Auto-Darkening Helmets #61611 while you’re at it.

• While the old man’s still got plenty of hot air to spare, why not make life easier for him by having one of these handy, reliable units in the garage? This 3-gallon oilless air compressor is a mighty mite for inflation, stapling, nailing, sanding, buffing, spray painting and all kinds of small pneumatic projects around the house. It takes very little space and tucks out of the way until it’s needed again. A nice addition in any home, shop or garage.

• With the ability to set up in 23 different configurations, our multi-task ladder will perform for Dad like a boss, whatever his chore. Made of super-strong aircraft-grade aluminum, this unit can transform into 4 kinds of step ladders, 6 kinds of stair ladders, 7 types of extension ladders, 2 kinds of scaffold trestles and 4 sizes of storage ladder. We wouldn’t be surprised if it’ll make him a sandwich, but don’t quote us. As the title suggests, our multi-task ladder stretches out to 17 ft. And can easily sustain 300 lbs. Lego Mindstorm Nxt 2.0 Cd Download more.

And, it sells for much less than the leading competitors! (*in stores only) • This 10″ sliding compound miter saw will easily make a home in your Dad’s shop. For it’s size and price, he will be pleasantly surprised at how big a cut it makes. Great for plywood, baseboards, trim, molding, flooring– and with the switch of a blade, can also cut masonry and metal.

With its robust 15 amp motor this power saw delivers precision cross, bevel and miter cuts. A great deal and a handy addition for Dad. • Here’s the tool Dad will grab whenever he announces, “Stand back, Junior, and prepare to be dazzled!” Our 6″ reciprocating saw is a top-rated workhorse that cuts through heavy lumber, nails, siding, branches and roots, exhaust pipe, etc., like butter.

This is the go-to tool for remodeling kitchens, tearing down porches and removing a door or window. One of the features he’ll really like is how he can control direction, making it easy to get around tricky areas. The reciprocating saw could easily become his favorite tool in the garage.

• If Dad’s a “Wild Hog,” here’s the item on the type of every rider’s wish list. With our motorcycle lift, he can wrench and clean his bike with ease, saving his back and knees, and making it a lot less effort to get up for another tool.

With just a pump of the foot, he can lift his bike to a comfortable level, safe and secure on the stand. This motorcycle life is strong, rugged and could easily be employed for commercial use. Throw in a couple of our Magnetic Bowls, and the old man will be in hog heaven!

• Speaking of wrenching, may we suggest Harbor Freight’s most complete, end-all mechanic’s tool kit. At a fraction of the cost competitors’ similar sets, this professional mechanic’s tool set contains a comprehensive collection of the most-used automotive and mechanic’s tools in both SAE and metric sizes. It’s got everything organized and clearly labeled so he won’t waste time zeroing in on the right tool or right size. Dad will not only be excited about the performance of these tools, he’ll be happy to see how many different kinds are all together in one box.

As one customer put it, “Hands down, the best tool set for the money!” Whatever you think your dad might like, chances are good you’ll find it at — and because of the low prices there, you’ll be able to get something really nice and look like a champ (not that you’ll ever be the champ Dad is). Filed Under:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Tagged With:,,,,,,,,,,,,, January 5, 2015. Whether you need a general shop crane or an engine hoist for your garage, the gives you the power and convenience you need in a lifting tool. Easily adjustable, smoothly maneuverable, and a breeze to use, this shop crane from Harbor Freight Tools is a must-have for anyone lifting heavy equipment up to 2,000 lbs.

Even if you pride yourself on your own personal strength and powerlifting abilities, no one will think less of you for having a reliable lifting tool for some occasional assistance. In fact, people will be impressed at your foresight and humility. Not to mention, your impressive frugality for spending just $179.99 on an item that retails for double that elsewhere! When it’s in use, this shop crane is the center of attention in any shop or garage, handling the heavy lifting with ease.

Smooth-rolling double bearing casters let you get the tool into the best location for the job, no matter if it’s in the shop, the driveway, or the backyard. And when the job is done, the crane folds away for even easier storage so it’s out of the way until you need it again. But, we won’t judge you for wanting to leave this awesome shop crane out in the open, just so the neighbors can see it. “I picked this up with an amazing price to pull the engine out of my MGB.

I took it home in two boxes and put it together in less than an hour. I added a bit of extra jack oil and bled it as directed in the instructions, not sure if that was needed or not. In any case, the ram worked very well and held the engine up overnight when I needed to interrupt the project. Due to the position of the engine in the car, I needed to set the crane up at the longer, 1/4 ton position. No problems lifting the near 500lb engine and transmission combo out of the car.

The legs squeezed between the front wheels and under the front spoiler, even with the rear end jacked up. I’m also very happy with how tightly this crane folds up and out of the way. It’s not a tool I’ll use every day, so it’s nice that it is easy to store without taking up too much space. This is a great product that does what it’s supposed to do at a great price!” – by Brian from Colorado Amazing price + No problems = Very happy.

Well put, Brian. “I bought this because I had 5 very large bushes to remove from my property that were in a tight spot. I used this and Item#44847 to pop them right out of the ground after seeing a video of it online. Worked like a charm and in about 2 hours I had them all out I was covered head to toe in dirt but it was well worth it!” – by Troyallen from Chicago, IL That’s right. This crane isn’t just for lifting engines. There is a wide array of lifting, hoisting, and pulling jobs this crane can handle safely and efficiently. With an included ram, chain, and hook, you’ll have everything you need to get started on your own lifting jobs right away.

And with this awesome item from, you’ll be finished just as fast! Filed Under:,,,,, Tagged With:,,,,,,,,,, December 8, 2014. For many people, visiting the family for the holidays doesn’t involve hooking up a trailer and hauling it across the state. But for some, the trailer is an essential piece of the road trip and so is all of the cargo it’s carrying. Whether it’s presents for your relatives or a new piece of machinery for the farm, you want to protect both your trailer and its contents, especially during colder weather when the ground isn’t so stable.

One tool that will help you accomplish this is the, available from. Not only is it fun to say its name, but the Swing-Back Trailer Jack also won’t set you back too much with a lightweight $24.99 price tag. The Swing-Back Trailer Jack mounts easily to the tongue of your trailer and provides support up to 1,000 pounds when parked.

With this handy item attached to your trailer, it will stay stabilized and level until you’re ready to head back out. And when you are, the jack folds conveniently away during transport.

And when you get to your destination, the jack easily adjusts to fit the terrain, so your trailer is level even when the landscape isn’t. “This is one tough trailer jack. I bought mine over 8 years ago. This jack started out on a HFT folding trailer that was in a bad accident after I bought it.

I got hit from behind by a car doing about 70 MPH. The trailer was destroyed, but the 2 motorcycles it was carrying were not harmed.

And yes, the trailer jack was unscathed. Still using the jack today on a trailer with a built-in ramp. Still works great!” – by hsi88 from Waynesboro, PA “I bought this about 6 months ago and it has saved my back from breaking.

I have an 8 foot trailer that I keep my two four wheelers on at all times with the jack holding the trailer as well as the four wheelers. So all I have to do is hitch and go, or if I want to move the trailer around without having to hitch it to the back of the truck, I can do that too. I can even move the trailer around the grass (with-out the four wheelers of course).

I’m going back to HF to get another one for my other trailer.” – by MACKLPP from Lancaster, PA “I have abused this jack daily for over 2 years now and it still hasn’t broken. Very sturdy unit. I’m buying another one for a second trailer.” – by Adam from Parts Unknown One thing that each of these reviews mention is how tough this trailer jack is. Sturdy and convenient, the Swing-Back Trailer Jack saves time and stress after you’ve been on the road for hours or even a few minutes. Because when you’re ready to secure your trailer, you want to do it with the least hassle possible.

And that’s exactly what this great Trailer Jack provides: Hassle-free stability for your trailer and protection of your cargo. Filed Under:,, Tagged With:,,,, December 2, 2014. You’ll never be caught dead with the from. Or at least your vehicle won’t be. With this handy piece of equipment in your car or truck, you’ll never be stranded with a dead battery again! The unit contains a high-output, sealed battery that can easily jump start any weak or dead 12 volt battery and help you get out of a tough situation. Especially with the weather getting colder in the winter months, this little power supply can be a real life-saver.

The best part about this 3-in-1 jump starter is that no other vehicle is necessary to get out of a jam. If you’re on the side of the road at night or an unfamiliar road, you won’t always have the opportunity to flag someone down for help.

This way, you won’t have to worry because the jump starter and power supply always has you covered. With a cool price tag of just $39.99 and up to 20 hours of 12 volt power on a single charge, this unit is a no-brainer for any motorist.

“I bought one, thought I would never use it. But the jump starter has come in handy many times. More than worth what Harbor Freight sells them for.

Small enough to keep in your vehicle. Easy to use.” – by Tom B from Eock Spring “Got this for Xmas and used it for the first time last week after my battery didn’t have enough charge to start with the bitter below zero temps. Hooked it up, turned it on, waited a few seconds then started it. Worked first time and it still holds a full charge after one use!” – by jeepcountry from Traverse City, MI “Bought it on sale New Year’s Day. Used it today for the first time on a work truck (in minus 7 degrees weather). It would turn but would not start and ended up eating the battery power.

Used this charger and it worked great. Although it took 1/2 hour for the truck to eventually “fire”, it kept the battery charged right up. VERY impressed with it.” – by Jim from Forest City, PA This helpful power supply and jump starter features industrial booster cables with heavy duty alligator clips that attach to any car’s battery for easy use as well as a built-in 3.6 watt work light for illumination around your car or in your work area.

Whether you pick one up for yourself or as a gift for this holiday season, the 3-in-1 Jump Starter and Power Pack is a fantastic item for your car that will easily take care of weak or dead batteries. Filed Under:,,,,, Tagged With:,,,,,, November 26, 2014. As well as you know your friends and family, it’s not always easy to shop for them during the holidays! That’s why is here to help pick through the clutter and find that perfect present.

We know that there are all sorts of tool types out there and for those who would rather look under the hood than under the Christmas tree, a special surprise could be the very thing that makes their holiday season the best ever! So we’ve compiled a handy list of the best automotive gifts to pick up for the auto enthusiast in your life. No matter what your price range might be, we have a great selection of tools and accessories that will fit your budget. Under $20 – $19.99 Don’t be alarmed if you have no idea what this tool does. The car buff you’re buying it for will know.

And they’ll be impressed at your auto tool knowledge as well. But your secret gift selection process is safe with us. However, in case you get asked, this handy float charger essentially keeps truck or car batteries fully charged even during long storage periods. Easily attached to the vehicle’s battery, the float charger maintains a full charge so that when the vehicle is started up again, the battery still works like new! – $19.99 That’s right. Booster cables. Jumper cables.

Whatever you want to call them, these automotive mainstays are essential to any car owner, let alone mechanics and gearheads. And a set of cables from Harbor Freight aren’t just affordable but reliable as well.

Jumper cables are designed to get you out of a jam and when you need a jump, you need cables that you can rely on to get you down the road for repairs. By hooking up your car buff relative with these booster cables, you’ll ensure that they are never stranded with a dead battery. Under $50 – $34.99 If there’s one place that automotive enthusiasts love to be, it’s under the hood of a car, checking things out. But in order to check things out, you have to be able to see!

Even the most savvy mechanics can’t make their way around an engine in the dark so why not help your relative or friend shed some light on the situation with a 120 LED Rechargeable Under Hood Work Light? With its rechargeable Lithium ion battery, this really is a gift that keeps on giving since it can be used over and over for a vast range of automotive projects! Featuring two brightness settings, this shatterproof work light is easily adjustable to fit the task at hand. – $39.99 A ramp set might seem like a fairly unimpressive gift choice but these are incredibly versatile to anyone working with vehicles.

These ramps don’t just make it easy to lift trucks, cars, and other vehicles up to 6,500 pounds for general maintenance, but they’re also helpful for handling oil changes and car repairs from the comfort of your own home or garage. If you want to ramp up your gift giving this holiday season, try picking up a pair of these solid steel automotive ramps. Under $100 – $99.99 This highly versatile and helpful automotive accessory is a must-have for anyone working under a vehicle (or with home appliances, inside electrical equipment, and more!).

This rechargeable inspection camera allows you to get into tight spaces and recesses like engine bays or air conditioning units and other appliances for maintenance and repair. The camera features a high resolution lens for clear visibility and a zoom function to get an even closer look. You can even hook the inspection camera up to your laptop or home computer for review. – $92.99 If you’re going to work on vehicles, it’s often necessary to raise the vehicle for repairs or maintenance underneath. Of course, the perfect automotive tool for this task is a Floor Jack. But what if you’re working on cars with a low profile? In that case, the 3 Ton Low Profile Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump handles the job perfectly, complete with Rapid Pump technology that allows for quick lifting and easy lowering of vehicles.

The low profile aspect won’t always be necessary but whoever you plan on gifting this floor jack to will certainly appreciate the extra feature that is sure to come in handy several times over. Over $100 – $110.00 Now we’re getting to higher end items that are great if you want to really impress the automotive fan in your family. This advanced OBD & CAN Code Reader is an excellent choice for mechanics and anyone who needs to diagnose engine issues in vehicles.

The scan tool makes it easy to read troubleshooting codes and get to the bottom of automotive problems quickly. Plus, the code reader is just the right size for stocking stuffing!

– $159.99 This is a fantastic item not just for the automotive enthusiasts out there but anyone who works in a shop or tinkers in a garage. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart is ideal for lifting and raising work pieces up to 500 pounds, taking the “heavy” out of heavy lifting. And the best feature on this convenient table cart is the foot pedal.

This make it both easy to lift the table cart while also keeping your hands free for positioning or supporting a cumbersome work piece as it’s lifted. Whether it’s an engine or your next metalworking project, the hydraulic table cart takes it to the next level.

Hopefully this gives you a good idea of the range of automotive products available at Harbor Freight Tools as well as several good ideas on what to get your car-loving friends and relatives! Whether you’re looking for something small and thoughtful or a special gift that will stand out from the rest, you can find it all at your local HFT. If this still doesn’t help you figure out the perfect gift, keep in mind that a Harbor Freight gift card is always in season! Filed Under:,,,,,,,, Tagged With:,,,,,,,, October 20, 2014. There’s a measuring tool for just about everything and has them all! If you’ve ever needed to measure small distances between two work pieces then you will appreciate this tool accessory that you may have never even heard of. The is designed specifically for this purpose and is used frequently by engineers to measure the clearance between two parts.

But while machinists and engineers may love it, this versatile set of measuring blades is well-suited for assisting you in a variety of projects! A feeler gauge set consists of several blades of various thicknesses with measurements marked on each piece. While these thin “blades” do not include any sharp edges, they are designed to be slid into gaps to see exactly how wide they are.

Obviously, this is used for smaller openings that can be difficult to measure accurately. With the feeler gauge set, you can just simply slide in the blades one at a time until you find the exact width of the gap. Then, you can continue on with your project, confident that your measurements are precise. Whether you’re using the set to measure valve tolerances, bolt gaps, or to make other critical measurements, the 32 Piece Feeler Gauge Set will feel things out for you to an exact degree!

And for just $3.99 for the entire set, you’ll feel just fine adding this measuring tool set to your workspace. “I bought this feeler gauge set to measure the bolt gap on my PTR-91 (G3 pattern) rifle. I measured each of the plates with my digital calipers and they are 100% accurate measurements at least down to a ten-thousandth of an inch. They are accurate enough for firearms work, so they are accurate enough for nearly anything. I’m glad I saved the money getting this set rather than going and buying one for three times the cost at the auto parts store.” – by Pazuzu from TX “These are great gauges.

They come with a lot of thicknesses and I have yet to run into one it does not have. Some of the other ones I’ve used don’t get small enough for my motorcycle’s valves (.002 inch) but these do. It does come with a very light coating of a thin oil most likely for an anti-rust coating or to help with moving the arms. If it annoys anyone, it is very easily wiped off.” – by ct from CT These steel blades are a great addition to any work space and feature both Metric and SAE measurements. And they come in a convenient, compact size that fits easily into your pocket or any tool bag. List this Feeler Gauge Set from Harbor Freight Tools under items you might not use often but can be a life-saver when you really need it! Filed Under:,,, Tagged With:,,,,,, September 17, 2014.

Everyone’s got their favorite tool or accessory that they got from Harbor Freight Tools. Even if nothing else in the store tickles their fancy, there’s that one thing they either love to own, or dream of getting someday. Actually, it’s more like 20 or 30 things, but for the sake of this post, here are 10 of the Customers’ Favorite Tools from Harbor Freight: 1. 3-Ton Low Profile Steel Heavy-Duty Floor Jack #61282 You won’t find another deal like this classic workhorse– for the price, this baby can’t be beat! Tired of paying someone else to do your tires, brakes and rotors? The almost immediately pays for itself. It rolls smoothly on the garage floor, fits under the low, low show cars, lifts to almost two feet and lowers with ease.

Plus, the floor jack’s dual-piston Rapid Pump technology lifts most work loads in just 3-1/2 pumps. Sells for $92.99, but you can usually find a coupon or sale on the 3-ton steel jack for even less. Read the customer reviews and you’ll be a believer, too! 13-Drawer 44″ Roller Cabinet #68784 Ask anyone and they’ll tell you, this is a real nice box.

For all the sizes and types of tool chests Harbor Freight has, the is the darling of the bunch. Sizable and sturdy enough to handle a slew of tools, yet easy to roll around the shop floor– not to mention smoothly opens and closes the drawers on ball bearing sliders– the 13-drawer tool cabinet hits the sweet spot like no other. Priced at a doable $389.99 (and that’s when it’s NOT on sale!), it’s built with the same industrial quality as other brands that go for 4-5 times as much. Comes in a glossy powder-coated red finish, guaranteed to snazz up the garage and turn the neighbors green. 12-inch Double-Bevel Miter Saw with Laser #69684 “Pleasantly surprised,” “Nice handling,” and “Holy crap, that’s sweet!” come to mind when operating the. At $199.99, it handily surpasses all expectations with its smooth, clean cuts and precision accuracy– at a fraction of the cost you’d pay elsewhere. It cuts through lumber like butter, and will even go through old oak without chipping.

And powered with an ample 15 amp motor, the 12″ miter saw will tackle any house job you’ve got to throw at it. 90-Amp Flux Welder #61849 Welding continues to be a growing hobby in this country, and the “5-star”-rated has been a wildly popular choice for beginners to get their feet wet.

Extremely easy to start and practice with, the 90 amp welder doesn’t require gas to operate and needs only 120 volts. Great for 18 ga.- 5/16″ steel and stainless steel, it’s a great go-to tool for vehicle repairs, creating shelving brackets, making a welding cart and other structural components, trailer hitches, small welding repairs and cleaning jobs If you’re a newbie, or just looking to do small jobs around the property, or if you’ve ever considered trying your hand at welding, this wire-feed welder is the ticket!

Goes for $111.99, but like the other Harbor Freight favorites, a coupon or sale is always around to seal the deal. 8750/7000W 13 HP Generator #68530 Predator generators have built a rock-solid reputation for quality, price and staying-power, and the EPA-certified has literally been a light in the storm for so many power-deprived families and preppers. This generator, hands-down, is the best buy for your buck. While the rest of the neighborhood struggles in darkness, this bad boy will keep the lights on, as well as the fridge, central air, big screen TV, electric water heater, etc. When you consider the motel and fast food costs you’ll be saving– or the comfort of sleeping in your own bed, cooking your own food and getting the hot showers you so love, without a hitch the $599.99 investment is a sweet price point. But don’t believe me.

Check out the! Ratcheting Tie Down Set #61524 Whether you’re moving furniture, securing a kayak to your trailer, strapping gear on the roof rails, hauling timber, holding a garden tractor or ATV on the truck bed, or keeping your tool box from rattling around the back of your Jeep, these are the greatest invention since sliced rope. Easily adjustable to secure loads to truck beds, roof racks and trailers, their ratchet handles make it a snap to adjust strap length and pull tight. The tie downs’ vinyl-coated S-hooks also prevent scratching on painted surfaces. At $13.99, these weather-resistant straps are an extremely popular “no-brainer add-on” for customers who come to Harbor Freight with other purchases in mind. Mini Moving Dolly #61899 Move 1,000 pounds for $11.99? That’s what we’re sayin’ cheaper than buying your buddies pizza and beer to help you move the stuff.

Is it any wonder why the is on Harbor Freight’s Top 10 Favorite list? Save your back as you move stacks of loaded boxes, heavy machinery, engine blocks and transmissions, or furniture when the wife’s got a hankering to redecorate. The carpeted surfaces protect furniture finishes and the hard-rubber swivel casters won’t mar your floors. Did I already mention, they’re $11.99? 8-Channel Surveillance DVR with 4 Cameras #61229 A great addition for home protection, the installs easily and can be set up to monitor on your computer or smartphone, so you can keep an eye on things while you’re away!

Each camera offers a wide view span with a high resolution, so you can spread them over the areas you want observed and glimpse the four shots simultaneously. It even comes with night vision to keep you apprised of any nefarious nocturnal characters that venture onto your property (imagine your neighbors’ surprise when they see their kid up to no good on Facebook).

The 8-Channel Surveillance DVR set sells for $299.99, and you can often find it on sale or a coupon. You can also use the. Hey, where else can you get a room with a view at such a low price? 3-Gallon 100 PSI Oilless Air Compressor #61615 If you’re looking for a small air compressor to keep in the garage for filling tires and balls, or maybe using with a blow gun, airbrush, brad nailer or other small jobs, the is just the ticket. For an airy $59.99, this little gem is there to save your family bike trip, keep the bounce in your game and help put up the trim and Christmas lights.

The fact that it’s “oilless” means less maintenance for you, and the “pancake” low-profile shape means you’ll save garage space and easy portability to wherever the air compressor is needed. How’s that for a breath of fresh air? 10. 12,000 lb. Off-Road Vehicle Electric Winch #61256 Finally, the top ten list rounds out with the uber-popular. Smell the mud, don’t get stuck in it! This off-road winch is a veritable lifesaver in the swamp, snow, ice and that black, slimy, stinky stuff that they don’t have a name for.

Awesome for trucks, ATVs, Jeeps and other 4-wheelers even great for uprooting trees. It also comes with an incredibly handy remote for easy operation. Don’t be the bud who needs his bacon saved– save your buds’ bacon with the Badland 12K winch! So, there you have it– the legendary favorites of the Harbor Freight Tools catalog. Chances are you already have one of them. Chances are even better that you’ve got a mind to go buy one (or four) real soon!

Filed Under:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Tagged With:,,,,,,,,,,, July 14, 2014. Whether you’re a professional mechanic or an at-home auto enthusiast, you know how important it is to keep things clean and organized. At least as much as possible anyway.

And when you’re working under the hood, things can get messy. That’s why Harbor Freight Tools has you (and your fender) covered with the heavy duty Fender Cover Work Mat.

With this handy accessory draped over your fender and work area, you’ll not only keep grease and oil off your vehicle but scratches too. And at just $9.99 each, you won’t be spending a lot of scratch to get it! This tough, durable mat fits right over your fender and stays put for as long as you need it to with four covered magnets. And the vinyl surface is simple to clean and wipe so there’s no lingering mess. The underside is made of nylon to improve longevity and makes this excellent fender cover mat a must-have accessory for any auto worker! Just see what one satisfied customer has to say: “If you do any under hood work on cars or trucks this is a lifesaver. Stop from accidental scratches or spilling chemicals (like brake fluid or coolant) on the finish of your car or truck while working on them to save money.

Plus, with this cover you won’t scratch the car with your belt buckle or tools that drop. Work better with more confidence w/o worrying about the finish of the car.” – by Big Bad Dad from Bellingham, WA Obviously Big Bad Dad loves his cars. And for anyone else who loves cars, you want to keep them damage free and clean, even while you’re repairing them.

So don’t leave the smoothness of your car’s finish up to chance! Pick up a Fender Cover Work Mat from Harbor Freight and keep your work area clean! Filed Under:,,,, Tagged With:,,,,,,, June 23, 2014. Remember back, driving your parents’ station wagon or sensible Buick, dreaming of the cool wheels beyond your reach? Cherry Bomb and header and 4-barrel carb were part of our vernacular, just not part of our lives. It’s funny how, now as we get older, we can do all the cool stuff we wanted to do when we were punk teenagers. We were car crazy, man, and many’s the time I envied the guys in the neighborhood who were out on their front lawns, working on their Dodge Challengers or GTO “Goats”— —not just because they HAD them (which would have been enough), but because they WORKED on them.

They probably borrowed their dads’ tools, saved up working shit jobs to get parts and supplies, and spent Satyurdays doing whatever it took to keep their wheels “cherry.” Nowadays, though, when you hear (and feel) a carb-powered 426 Hemi thundering down the road, it’s a geezer you’re more likely to see behind the wheel than a punk. And chances are, that geezer is one of us. Classic car restoration is more popular than ever, and with the help of online parts stores, chat forums and YouTube videos, guys who thought they’d never get to rebuild their favorite classic rides are now living the dream– in their garages (and on their lawns), doing just that. If you’ve decided to restore a vehicle yourself, I salute you. Not only will you save thousands of dollars, you’ll be embarking on a long, challenging– even therapeutic– journey that will reap rewards for years to come. But before we start doing that victory lap, to “Eye of the Tiger,” let me suggest some basic tools you’ll want right out of the gate to make the dream a reality (unless, of course, you like repeatedly going back & forth to the store when you’re in the middle of doing something): The Must-Have Tool The will quickly become your best friend over the course of your restoration. It’s the first thing you’ll need for your arsenal. Between the, and, you’ll get a lot of use out of it and, believe me, you’ll thank yourself every time you facea big chore that you don’t have to do manually.

It needs to have a decent enough CFM—at least 5-6 CFM per minute at 90 psi– so that the long bursts of sanding, buffing or cutting won’t wear too hard on the compressor. You could get the job done with a, but if you can swing it, go for a, with power to spare. By the way, the Die Grinder is great for polishing the inside of the head ports, cleaning up metal and using with a cut-off wheel to repair panels. Air power, man it’s a bacon-saver. Engine Work A will help diagnose vital motor issues, such as worn piston rings, burnt valves and bad head gaskets. This is a great first tool to use when you get your new project car home. You can even take it with you to test a car before you buy it! While it’s not vital for the project, you may want to consider picking up a “cherry-picker”, especially if you’re planning to restore more than one vehicle.

A good should be sufficient, and will more than pay for itself in the long run. Most likely, you should have the cylinders re-bored. A cylinder bore gauge is needed to check for taper, out-of-round and oversize on the cylinders if you are rebuilding the motor yourself. Any critical wear on the cylinder can be reached with this gauge. An will de-glaze the cylinder walls and give them a nice, smooth finish.

Next, you’ll want a to remove the valves for a rebuild. Also a cheap valve lapping tool, with grinding compound, helps reseat the valves. Will help you remove and replace the rings on the pistons without breaking them. A is needed for the installation of the pistons.

Also, a piston groove cleaner will remove the carbon crud from the piston grooves. A is used to measure run-out on things like the flywheel, and endplay on the crankshaft.

While there are various types of mounts, including magnetic base and screw mounts, I recommend the clamping mount because it’s faster and easier to work with. Next, a is necessary for removing stripped, rusted and otherwise stubborn head studs, as well as exhaust & intake manifold studs.

Another tool you cannot live without is the —two, actually. Get both a and for your tool cabinet. These are essential to torque all your bolts to factory specs. Have a complete on hand, preferably with both SAE & metric. You’ll find this invaluable for cleaning up old bolts and restoring rusted holes. A good is needed to precisely measure anything.

You won’t get through a restoration job without it. Why a MIG welder, as opposed to another type? Well, for starters, if you’re new to this kind of project, the MIG is the easiest to learn. Also, they work with the most common types of metals, overhead welding is easier, and the MIG welder works fast. You’ll also want a, otherwise known as a “Body & Fender Set.” These tools go a long way in repairing and straightening steel panels, and all-around custom fab work. This one, made by Pittsburgh, probably has the best price you’re going to find, and one look at the customer reviews should convince you there’s no need to keep looking.

A is essential to make quick, clean work out of drilling large diameter holes for auto-body jobs such as installing chrome trim, and for firewall holes. A works great in restoration projects and does just what its name implies.

Also, a is great for softening and shaping metal. As you work on your project, you’ll find a and are extremely helpful in the auto restoration process. Plus, a on the grinder is a must and makes cleaning up parts quick and simple. Additional Work Make sure you include various, a and b rake flare tool. Finally, get a,,,, and a, and you’ll be equipped to tackle most everything involved in your car restoration, as well as many other future projects. Of course, you’ll inevitably be needing cleaners, sealants, lubricants and the odd part along the way, but consider yourself the proud owner of an equipped auto restoration garage. Now, get out there and make that Gremlin Funny Car a reality!

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