Tools for the aspiring saw builder

[Four Paws]

Just picked up the Sunday paper and saw these items in the Harbor Freight circular.



If a guy is looking to take the plunge and progress to advanced porting/machine work and saw restoration, these provide a good option without breaking the bank.

I have a nice Skat-Blast cabinet that I hunted on Craigslist, and an old Craftsman badged Atlas 618 that my buddy bought for me at an auction. Both are invaluable to refurbishing and modifying saws, and handy for lots of other stuff!

 

[jake wells]

a big friggin hammer to.

 

[exSW]

I'd like to hear more about that lathe.

 

[Crzybowhntr]

I'd like to hear more about that lathe.

It spins stuff in circles.

 

[exSW]

It spins stuff in circles.

You better watch it Mountaineer or I'll start using big words.
Like Concentric and elliptical and motherfiretrucker when I can't get it either of the first two.

 

[Crzybowhntr]

Here we go. Don't make me take off my shoes to count the ways I can bash either Pitt or PSU. Lol

 

[Four Paws]

I'd like to hear more about that lathe.

I don't know much about it. I know there is a forum dedicated specifically to them. I know that the price is attractive to someone wanting to try their hand at hobby machining. I know that Bradley on another site bought one and had a thread documenting his setup and use. I know you could turn cylinder bases, make 2-piece heads and do a bunch of other handiwork with it.

 

[exSW]

Here we go. Don't make me take off my shoes to count the ways I can bash either Pitt or PSU. Lol

Big Orange and don't you fergit it! Sister went to Pitt,son went to Penn State,other sister.....








WVU!

 

[mdavlee]

That lathe is big enough to turn a few cylinders. I think Randy used one very similar for several years.

 

[tree monkey]

to small. I wouldn't buy anything smaller then 10x20

 

[dall]

Big Orange and don't you fergit it! Sister went to Pitt,son went to Penn State,other sister.....








WVU!

so one smart one in the family ? the other sister lol

 

[Deets066]

If you get a cheap blast cabinet that's fine, but don't skimp on the media

 

[Bob95065]

I got the same boast cabinet for free on Craigslist. I bought media and new tips for the gun at a Tractor Supply. I got a lot of use out of it and am happy with it for what I paid.

 

[Wagnerwerks]

Thats all id pay for it. I have one too... The blast gun sucks and is is very cheap..... The lathe isnt bad but they have plastic gears that strip out with heavy use.

My 2 cents..

 

[Bob95065]

Thats all id pay for it. I have one too... The blast gun sucks and is is very cheap..... The lathe isnt bad but they have plastic gears that strip out with heavy use.

My 2 cents..

I should explain my post.

My approach to Harbor Freight tools are they are disposable after one or two uses -especially if they require any external power. Any use beyond that is a bonus.

If I want a tool for the long haul I'll go elsewhere. If I want a cheap tool for one or two uses and I feel that HF is priced appropriately that's where I'll go.

BTW they will honor their online prices which are typically lower than store prices. Bring a smartphone if you go. They will take their 20% coupon on top of the online price too.

I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins diesel truck. It came with crappy unit bearings in the front axle that separated on me while driving mountain roads - winding roads with switchbacks and cliffs where I could have lost control and got really hurt. I bought used parts to convert it to a normal 4x4 with a floating hub. To get the cost down I bought the parts on the east coast and had them shipped here for about 1/4 the cost. The parts looked like they were dredged up from the bottom of the Atlantic. That's why I got the sandblast cabinet. I found it on Craigslist for free. It was like new when I got it but the tips were missing. I really didn't intend to use it much after the truck parts and I got it for free so I wasn't concerned that it came from HF.

If I were to have a need to sandblast a lot of parts I would look for a better unit. If you have a limited need this one will work.

You may be better off looking for quality used tools rather than buying HF tools if using them to repair or restore chainsaws is something you want to do for a while. I am also a woodworker and like the guys say on the boards I frequent, "You only cry once when you buy the best."

 

[Wagnerwerks]

I actually buy a bunch of hf tools. Most ive been happy with because i research the crap out of them. I have the blaster and my uncle has the lathe.

I totally understand your post. I meant no dis. Id have bought it for free too! I also know all abput east coast rust.

 

[Bob95065]

No offense taken. I'm glad you commented. It encouraged me to explain my post.

I had a friend that made an adapter that threaded on a vice grip one one end and a HF slide hammer on the other. It was an indispensable tool for pulling odd-shaped parts. I used it to remove the sproil pins from the clutch driver on my Cub Cadet garden tractor. After that experience I had to have one so I made my own. The first time I used that crappy HF slide hammer the rod broke. It is no fun when a slide hammer brakes and you don't expect it. There was a void in the metal that caused a weak area that failed.

I grew up in South Chicago and spent some time in New Jersey. I know about rust too. It is a pleasure to work on cars in California cpmpared to other places I've lived.

 

[wcorey]

Another thing on those HF blasting cabs is the gloves are really thin and look like they'd fall apart quickly...

 

[Wagnerwerks]

Another thing on those HF blasting cabs is the gloves are really thin and look like they'd fall apart quickly...

They do.

 

[Bob95065]

Another thing on those HF blasting cabs is the gloves are really thin and look like they'd fall apart quickly...

I had my wife resew mine when the stitching failed. I forgot about that.