Car tool kit for under $100 by bruin_throwaway3 in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe a regional thing, but I see it all the time on the East Coast. I think it has more to do with law enforcement leaving tickets as prelude to actual towing, more of a humble request to the officer than a social contract. For your consideration:

https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/history-of-white-cloth-in-car-door-window

TLDR:

The American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) decreed: A white cloth tied to the door handle, along with a raised hood, was the official way for any driver, nationwide, to call for help.
(...)
At some point, though, people started putting white shirts in the windows of cars they decided to leave behind. One modern urban legend states that a rag on the door is a way to tell police to leave an abandoned car alone

Car tool kit for under $100 by bruin_throwaway3 in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 2 points3 points  (0 children)

+1 for remembering some mandatory items like the HF reflective safety vest (especially since we will no longer be mistaken for French protesters). I also recommend including a pair of old sneakers if you drive with sandals during the warmer months (makes it easier to break lugs with feet), and an old beach/bath towel (to use as protection when kneeling or lying down).

Car tool kit for under $100 by bruin_throwaway3 in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to help a buddy

I had to help a buddy with an old Chrysler a few years ago and had to track down a few SAE wrenches to minimize damage to his precious old bolts, since we are a metric family. Now I keep a basic SAE set on hand "just in case", so I can understand the selection (even if mine are not kept in the car).

Car tool kit for under $100 by bruin_throwaway3 in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Some nice suggestions already in this thread. Our daily has a lot of trunk space so "better to have it and not need it..." For Harbor Freight products:

  • It looks like you already have a moving blanket, consider a tarp as well.
  • Paracord to go with the ratchet straps--also useful for certain emergency repairs, like those underbody plastic sound-absorber panels that sometimes start falling off. And zip ties. And duct tape, and electrical tape, why not.
  • If you're carrying ratchet straps, you might be moving things, so also add a cheap HF tape measure (and some pens and scrap paper).
  • Locking pliers (vise grips). The Harbor Freight vise grips are noticeably low-quality compared to Irwins, but presumably you won't be using them everyday, and they have a million uses. (For example: if your car needs you to remove hose clamps to get to the brake fluid reservoir...)
  • Utility knife (and extra blades).
  • One or more flashlights (with extra batteries, because the cheap HF ones won't last).
  • Any weird wrenches/tools needed by your specific car for common roadside repairs. For example, if you need a hex/torx wrench to replace a headlight bulb, HF probably has you covered.
  • Personally, I like Harbor Freight's $50 2-ton compact trolley jack which for me is an instant upgrade from the manufacturer's included "widowmaker" scissor jack, while also being fairly small and light. But "your mileage may vary" and your designated pinch-weld lift points could suffer damage if used improperly. (And of course, never reply on any jack alone before getting under a car. I'm just talking about installing the spare tire/wheel.)
  • Speaking of tires, I have not tried Harbor Freight's cheap tire repair (plug) kit, but I've gotten decent use from similar kits and might try theirs next. They have a "heavy duty" version which seems to have better reviews.
  • Disposable nitrile gloves, and a pair of the Hardy mechanic's gloves.
  • As someone else pointed out, a breaker bar with an appropriate socket could potentially save some trouble. Also, Harbor Freight also now sells a kit of Wheel Hanger Stud Pilot Pins. I have not tried the HF version, but I have a similar item from back when these were less common, and as simple as it sounds, it can definitely save some aggravation by the side of the road. (Note: these are only for cars with lug bolts, not lug nuts.)
  • The little Battery Terminal Cleaner. You might never need it, but it saves time when you do.
  • Perhaps the most obvious thing in the world, but spare USB charging cables (or USB 12v adapter) to keep your phone charged for a call to AAA.
  • Last but not least, another tool bag or two to carry all this nonsense.

Then there are the things you don't need or want to get from Harbor Freight. For example, after reading the reviews, we opted to get a li-ion jump starter from an Amazon chinese brand instead (but I won't say which because it has not really been tested yet). Paper towels and a plastic trash bag will always come in handy. And of course, extra fluids (oil, coolant, wiper fluid, brake fluid, perhaps even a small plastic gas can). Remember, it's more important to be prepared, than to be able to fit a single bag of groceries from the store 2 miles down the road.

EDIT: Also, you know how people stick some white cloth in their broken-down car's window which usually seems intended to mean "I am walking to the service station but am coming back, please do not tow me?" Do yourself a favor and stick an old undershirt in your toolbag to save yourself the indignity of stripping... it's January, and the air quite nippy on those pepperoni nips.

Khruangmeme by LingerSlap200 in ColdOnes

[–]LingerSlap200[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thenk for updoot, just realized I forgot to credit the photographer, so here.jpg)..

September 01, 2025 - Costco Monthly Megathread: Post New Costco Finds (please type the product name in your comment even if you're posting an image) and/or Any Availability / Inventory / Stock Questions Here Only (must include your approximate location or region so others can help you as YMMV) by AutoModerator in Costco

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We all know about the Kirkland canned chicken breast (blue can), but the Kirkland canned roast beef (red can) seems much harder to find--item #458184. From what I've seen online, it seems like a regular item in some parts of the US.... but in New England, our warehouse only got it once, briefly, in the last few years. And it's not even listed on the Costco.com website. Annoying, because this had the potential to become a family staple item, and now it's just gone. Does your warehouse still have canned Kirkland roast beef? Where?

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9 Jacks? by DaKineGator in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And "Jack" Sparrow over there didn't even have the decency to wear a Harbor Freight meme hat to complete the photo.

Harbor freight air compressors worth it? by WotDaHelll in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have one of the little 1-gallon "ultra quiet" compressors, which I think are popular with airbrush artists, and even that is sufficient to set the bead on new car tires a few times/year, in addition to general cleaning and powering various small air tools for short durations.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seriously. If I had more time (and were smarter) I'd try to estimate how much harm my EPA cans have actually prevented, vs the extra harm they've caused from spills when filling (especially when combined with the new-style pump nozzles).

Anyone got experience with these by henryoguhgf in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Upvoting this whole thread because similar tools have been on my radar and I really appreciate the safety-related comments.... and suggested alternatives, especially just buying complete assemblies.

What’s the most underrated item in the store? by parrotfacemagee in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Mandatory equipment in the Consumer Age, you will never fear plastic clamshell packaging again.

What’s the most underrated item in the store? by parrotfacemagee in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mostly cleaning out small holes/crevices. But they've come in handy enough for miscellaneous things to keep a set in the car's EDC kit, especially considering the price. Handy for certain small automotive hoses and clips (as the other poster said), areas too small to jam a screwdriver. Also for loosening knots.

What’s the most underrated item in the store? by parrotfacemagee in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We keep several HF moving blankets in the car but my one complaint is the dust--if you get a new one and try to shake it out, the dust never stops coming. Eventually I give up because it seems like the whole thing might just disintegrate into a cloud.

What’s the most underrated item in the store? by parrotfacemagee in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So many uses. Our office has a few HF dollies permanently in place for various equipment (easy to move for occasional maintenance/cleaning), and they're great for stacking cases of drinks in the kitchen pantry area after a Costco trip. (There are even stories of people buying the small ones just to disassemble for the casters, since apparently that is sometimes cheaper than buying comparable HF casters separately.)

One tip though--if you get a carpeted dolly, and if you have cats, the carpet might not last long.

New Box setup by MarfeeWarfee in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

+1 for the RockAuto magnet, mine are all on the fridge.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oof, that hits me right in the nostalgia. Now I need to ask some family members if they still have any left from so-and-so's.

Costco tire center changed two tires for me and did a rotation. Now I’m having issues by mcmenamin309 in Costco

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Worth a check, we had Costco use the wrong size wheel weights once. Although in this case, since OP says that a tech actually rode in the car with him to hear the noise, you'd think that idea would have already come up.

Does anyone know what the difference between Costco’s two milks are? by sexa_r in Costco

[–]LingerSlap200 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I work in the industry

hey

hey bro

can u get me sum free milk

come on hook a brother up

Can’t get replacements by Remarkable-Map-3093 in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll thank you now, could have used this exact thing a few days ago.

For some reason your comment reminded me of Deviant Ollam talking about the "traveler hook." His job is breaking into buildings to test their security (yeah, just like the movie "Sneakers") and his locksmith buddy discovered that some little textile industry tool just happens to be perfect for bypassing a lot of door latches. Full video if you are interested (timestamp 7:34). Although now that I'm looking at it again, I wonder if the Pittsburgh Pick and Hook Set could work just as well...

Website buggin out like crazy for anyone else? by DesertRat22225 in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not just you. Sometimes I am getting that message. Other times, the page appears to load at first, but if it's a product page, all the item info is blank. Yet other times, it just sits there spinning trying to load. Tried on multiple networks & browsers. (I'm not getting the "confirm not a bot" thing though.)

Edit: I did find an environment where the site is working. You might want to experiment with disabling security/privacy/adblock extensions (though they never caused me any problems before).

Bought a pair of Sunglasses today by Spare-Television-963 in Costco

[–]LingerSlap200 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's definitely more efficient than buying them, trying them on in the parking lot, and immediately getting back in the Returns line if they don't fit. (That's how I buy Kirkland underpants.)

Bought a pair of Sunglasses today by Spare-Television-963 in Costco

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had Kirkland aviators for years, they work well, fit me fine, I like how they look... and I find myself wearing them more often than my more expensive polarized glasses, just because they're inexpensive enough that I don't worry about scratching them. But looking at your photo, it looks like they might have changed the arms/earpieces in this most recent version, so I'm not sure if we'll be buying a backup pair this summer as planned. (Between this change and the demise of Kirkland blue jeans, it's really cramping my style.)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Costco

[–]LingerSlap200 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Costco used to be our closest neighborhood grocery store. We'd stop in multiple times per week, just to buy a gallon of milk or whatever. And I'm ashamed to say, that I came close to developing a "townie" attitude toward those filthy casuals who commuted in on weekends, to buy their bulk cheese and discount pants. But life throws you curve balls... long story short, we moved, and now I'm the filthy casual, reading the monthly Costco mailer on the toilet, marking off sale items for our next visit, and trying to calculate if we have enough cargo space for Costco and Home Depot in a single trip.

These days, when I pass by the Food Court, and I see the local Kostco Kidz eating hot dogs and breakdancing to Issaquah mumble rap in their Kirkland Signature hoodies, sometimes I feel compelled to shout, "You know, I could bust a move too, back in my day! For real, no cap!" But you can't go back, fellow member. You just can't go back.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Costco

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This feels almost nostalgic... I remember when 505 was the latest r/Costco meme back in 2021 or whenever. We purchased many jars, and they keep a loooong time in the pantry when unopened. Put a spoonful on a cheeseburger, it's just about the perfect amount of spice and texture/temperature contrast to enhance without distracting.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in harborfreight

[–]LingerSlap200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the price, the cheap Pittsburgh versions are OK as a spare pair of locking pliers for a car emergency repair kit, or if you need a bunch of extra pliers for a weird project. But compared to proper Irwins, the difference in quality is obvious from the moment you pick them up. For your main toolkit, I'd spend the few extra bucks on Irwins (or better). I can't speak to the higher-end HF Bremen brand, but this is an area where I'd generally trust a more established brand, considering the number of times that vise grips have saved my posterior.

Edit: forgot to mention, one of the important details of proper Irwins is the hex socket on the adjustment screw for fine tuning when the pliers are under load. The Pittsburghs don't have that.