Ideas for stuff From Harbor Freight
 

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I was trying to remember stuff people on this list scored at Harbor Freight when I was there the other day.

I bought a few things.

The top forceps was bought online for 3x ,at least, the cost at HF. It was $4 there. It works great as a tube turner.

The magnets cost $5 at Joann's for four of them. I bought ten for $2.00. They work great for holding back your drapes. In my house there is metal window casing, so they stick right to the wall. I put some in my luggage to hold the drapes shut when traveling. In any case they are very strong and go right through anything. You can use them for a design wall, or make a eyeglass holder (reading glasses anyone?) for your sunglasses while you're shopping. I saw a guy try to sell something like that on SharkTank. Just sew a square of fabric with a loop and another square to go inside your shirt and put the magnets inside. They would work sewn into Bowtucks purse for a closure, etc.

The little laser light intrigued me, as I've read about how some of the DSM's have a laser to direct your path. I plan to mount it on my sewing machine somehow. I bought a magnetic mount (have to laugh here, it is under the other magnets, kind of got lost in the picture) that I may be able to use if I can keep it away from the computer in my machine. If not, I can mount it in a block of wood and use it to see if my quilt lines are straight. I looked for a laser level but they only had huge construction ones.

I think the little 6" utility shears have nothing to do with sewing, I think they would work great for chopping herbs. $2! Still amazed at their prices.

The final item, digital calipers, is very cool. Measures inside or outside of your lines. Now for sure you'll know if the piece is the right size! It was $10. It has a lifetime guarantee. Pittsburg stuff all does. It is easy to use, and it's always fun to have more toys, right?

Great finds!!

Awesome finds! I really need to go check out the Harbor Freight in our area.

They also have the telescoping magnet. when closed is same size as a pen and telescopes out several inches and is great for picking up the constantly falling pins. My grandson loves to pick up the pins in my studio. They have several styles available. Also the rug cutting blades fit in the rotary cutter and are much less expensive.

cool..next time I go see my mother I am going to visit HF.

The surgical clamp (forceps) is a great idea for turning tubes for cording, etc! Thanks for sharing...

Another great item that they have is the magnetic bowl. They have 2 sizes. I keep my hair clips in mine that I use to hold my binding instead of pins.

A dear friend sent me a neat mirrored magnet on a wristband secured by Velcro. It sure comes in handy when it comes to pinning or unpinning a quilt sandwich onto the longarm frame. Items I have bought from HF include the magnetic bowl, a tool case for hauling the sewing machine, etc. to classes or meetings and long narrow magnets (for attaching to the wall to hold tools) which holds down the floating quilt top onto the metal rail in front of the quilting machine.

They also sell metal magnetic bowls (about $2 on sale), they're used for nuts and bolts. I use them for straight pins. Joann's and quilt shops sell plastic magnetic bowls for about $8 - $10.

I would be very careful using those magnets near a computerized machine. We were warned of this many years ago but did see it mentioned recently somewhere. National Cash Register person told us to keep our phone away from cash registers where I worked. I always err on side of caution when it come to my machines. Just a tho't.

The surgical clamps are nice when you have to pull a hard to reach thread out of the bowels of a sewing machine.

DH and I go into HF almost every time we are in the town that we go to to the Drs. and shopping- This is a great place to find Father's Day and B-Day gifts for DH. Lots of neat stuff for ladies too.If you pick up a catalog flyer there, you will get one in the mail on a regular basis if you have the clerk at the register scan the bar on it. I also get emails of specials because I purchased blades for my rotary cutter on line when the store was out. This really doesn't have anything to do with quilting - mainly because they are too heavy to work with, but they carry some awesome $1.99 gloves that are just great for gardening, or working with something you need to help lift etc. (with DH) These gloves have a yellow palm and hand grip.

i also bought item from harbor-freight...but did not like the blades...i loved the metal carpenters tape...i really liked the price...we made many snap happy bags out of them...which our guild sold at our craft sale..the pattern is called Snap Happy...from my heart to yours

This is my first post. I love going to Harbor Freight! I buy carpet cutting replacement blades for my rotary cutter. I know some don't think they are as good, as brand name blades, but they work for me. I think I have only thrown a couple of way because they didn't seem quite right. You get 2 in a pkg, for about $1.39, cheaper when on sale and with a coupon. I use the surgical clamps, when hand quilting, to pull the needle when I just can't seem to grasp the needle. Now I need to look for those magnets.

I love the tip with magnets as tie-backs for drapes! Thanks....

I am with you about magnets and computerized machines. Luckily, my quilting machine is a Bailey, and there are no elelctronic or computer parts involved. So I can use those long narrow magnets for holding down a floating quilt top on a metal frame. Especially when I have to go back and quilt a missed spot after the quilt was taken off the frame:eek::rolleyes:

My DH and I were at HF last weekend and I bought more than he did. I got replacement blades for my cutter, dental type picks, and a blade cutter to cut the back of my embroidery to make fringe. I had to keep telling myself, "think outside the box" so I would think of other uses. I also have the magnatic bowl. Fun place

Great ideas!! Please tell me what a "DSM" is?

Domestic Sewing Machine, I believe!

I shop HF about every other month. they always have something I need to replenish.

As with Sophie2 - - I mentally psych myself before entering the store - - "think outside the box!" :-)

Marysewfun

I keep stocked up on cutting blades,shears and any other items I find while shopping there. The big clamps for holding my quilt together when sandwiching it. Also the magnet tool bowl works great to hold pens &etc. cheaper that the fabric store one.

Magnetic closures on handbags are a problem for me. They sometimes zap your credit cards.

I already had the magnetic bowls, some metal rulers and a long handled grabber thing-a-ma-jig for reaching stuff that falls under my sewing counter in the back. I got that last time I went. I agree about keeping magnets away from computers! I quit using their rotary blades after the last batch was not very good quality, but I've read sometimes they're great and other times not so great.

Great ideas!! Please tell me what a "DSM" is?
I think it stands for Domestic Sewing Machine, it's what people on this board call regular sewing machines as compared to free arm quilting machines -- I think.

Oh my I really love HF. I use their blades all the time. Even if I have to throw one away once in a blue moon they end of being way cheaper. I also bought suction handles to use on rulers. If you get their ads they also have coupons for a free item with purchase. I've gotten gloves, tape measures, screwdriver sets, scissors, and I can't remember what else!

I use the 18" magnetic holders to float my quilts on my Innova. I will have to try the forceps. I also bought the little airbrush set (still need to try it for my machine). I also bought the flexies to use to help secure cords on my LA.

I think Harbor Freight should have a "Quilting Section" in their stores. Wouldn't that be fun!

I love Harbor Freight. I don't get there very often. It isn't that far just somewhere I never drive past. I will have to try to go this weekend.

Hi, I'm new to the board; this is my first post! I love the hints for tools from HF, as they are very, very close to my house. I'll have to go check them out.

I'll try to post a brief bio and build my profile....soon! Theresa

I bought some "carpet cutter" blades from Harbor freight, and they worked worse than the sewing store blade that was going bad, that I was trying to replace.

Would the magnetic laser light be harmful to the electronics in the sewing machine?

welcome to QB quiltergal!

btw LaurieJo the suction cups on those holders wear out after a while and it will not stick. They work for a whle though.

Next time you order consider these items: wall mounted magnetic strip (for tools, but it works for scissors, rotary cutters, etc.); right angle screw driver (gets at the screws for the plates much more easily than those stubby screw drivers included as a tool with most machines); squeeze clamps (for prepping a quilt sandwich for pinning); magnetic dishes (for collecting/keeping screws from getting lost).

Someone mentioned HT having a 'Quilting Section" NoNoNoNo, If they did that the price would go up or they would discontinue some of the stuff!!! The garden shops quit making white weed fabric, now only green or black . I used to use that for embroidery stabilizer which was way cheaper than the stuff from the sewing stores!! LOL

I think they'd up the prices if they knew quilters like them

I love their magnetic bowls, I even took one to work for our paper clips. There magnetic wand I really like. I always buy their stuff . My husband not so much. LOL

If HF had a "quilting" section, the prices would automatically triple, so let's keep it "our little secret."

I would think the forceps would be a good idea for holding small pieces of applique that need to be pressed. No more burnt fingers.

I really like that idea!