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I got a s e xtant for $15!

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:28 pm
by tgentry
OK, so it's a miniature brass one with questionable optics and even more questionable accuracy. It's still a nice display piece with all the proper parts in the right places. I'm very impressed for the price.

If anyone is interested, they're on sale at Harbor Freight Tools. I have no connection to them other than being a (sometimes) satisfied customer.

BTW, a friend once told me that anything you buy at Harbor Freight will become a hammer eventually. :lol:

EE,
We can't say that word here? Really? When I type the item correctly it comes up as SPAM

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:18 pm
by EmergencyExit
Say what word ? I missed it.

BTW I'm told the same about HF stuff, but I do buy some of it anyway ! :wink:

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:22 pm
by tgentry
The word I had to add spaces too in the subject line. I would think we should be able to talk about a common navigation instrument.

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:27 pm
by EmergencyExit
Well it (the "don't" software) don't know better I guess - actually it doesn't know "words" per se but "strings of text". And those 3 in a row trigger the filter.

Being a good little member of the Chrysler Borg, you've managed to assimilate, adapt and make it work anyway !!

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:18 pm
by CaptainScott
Harbor Freight . . . . .

Their stuff is good generally for extremely limited use.
For example I bought car dollies there. Basically 4 scooters with 4 casters on each but the scooter part is curved to match the tires of a car. Excellent to put a car on and then roll the car side ways, forwards, backwards, etc. I rarely use them but when I do they work perfectly.

I also use a harbor freight electric hoist to raise a hard top off my convertible. I added a turning block that effectively doubles the lifting power but better yet halves the lifting speed. Works great.


Next example. I bought a ball joint splitter there for 8 bucks or so. Simple forked device. Put it in a ball joint in the suspension of a car and whack it with a hammer. Whoala! Splits the joint. I spent over an hour trying to split a joint on my car. The joint finally split however the tool broke in the process. I was less than pleased. I went and bought a Craftsman joint splitter for 30 or so bucks. Took 5 minuts each for the other 3 joints I had to split. I was so intrigued I studied the two tools. The cheapo and the expensive one. The workmanship on the cheapo was so bad that it could not slide nicely to give a nice even pressure when splitting the joint.

I will buy from harbior freight but I will be extremely selective as to what I buy. No more tools from there. Only one off items.

Take from that what you will.

Scott

Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:44 am
by al the pal

Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:44 am
by tgentry
I whole heartedly agree with Scott's assessment. I have bought a lot at HF over the years including an engine stand and a 4x8 trailer. Some is good, some is bad. If it's something that will be used a lot or needs to be accurate, I buy elsewhere. (except for the trailer which has been all over the country and is still going strong)

Caveat Emptor.

BTW, I bought that same "pickle fork" ball joint separator. It's a fine hammer/pry bar. :lol: