I wish I had a nickel back for every dollar I've spent at Harbor Freight. This video is spot on Jimmy.....all your suggestions are 100% on the money. And, yes, I would enjoy seeing the conversion of the fly swatter to a static grass applicator. Thanks again, for another great video !
they work very well I made one a couple years ago. Tons of videos on youtube showing the process. Just need a small metal strainer from a dollar store and an electric fly swatter
Exactly! I’ve gotten magnets, wire and spade connectors, third hand, dental picks, cutting mat, string of leds cheap in surplus, and lots more. I even got my compressor for my airbrush, name brand quality and the same one as that other hardware store sells at a higher price.
Aldi for tools is the absolute best description of Hobo Freight I've heard. Craft and hobby aisle at Dollar Tree as well for small clamps as well as other items including a scribing tool apparently for scrap booking but I found it works well and gives better control for scribing styrene sheet for scratch build projects also small packages of 5 minute epoxy and small 3 to a package super glue in hardware. Love those electric fly swatters. Had swarms of horse flies getting into the house this summer apparently through the fireplace some how and the damned things were expert at evading regular swatters so fittingly Aldi had them a while I'm sure they work fine on regular flies it only stunned the horse flies and had to let them ride the lightning til they started to smoke to make sure they wouldn't get back up again.
GREAT VIDEO JIMMY! this reminds me of the first time I came across your channel… you were talking about your dollar store finds. You really peaked my interest today! Happy Monday!
Great video. Have bought most of the things you suggest, especially the clamps. Love their cordless not-dremel. One more vote for the spastic grass applicator!
Hi Jimmy Love the video! I pretty much have everything you mentioned except the fly swatter. Yes I would like to see a video on how to make it work for static grass! Thanks again, Jim T.
I get ALOT of my tools at harbor freight, many people say that it is garbage but for what I do it is very good and reliable. And don't forget the hemostats.
I didn’t realize harbor freight was as popular, as in, big and so many places. I went there and found an air compressor for my air brush…which came with its own air brush…which is whatever. I guess I have a backup now.
We don't have Harbor Freight in Canada, but here on the west coast we have Lee Valley Tools and Princess Auto, between those two you can find a wide variety of wire, electrical connectors, small hand tools, power tools, etc., etc., enough to keep us model railroaders happily supplied with all the goodies we want.
Harbor Freight also has a nice set of micro drills. They're not marked as to what the exact diameters are, but by eyeballing them, you can get pretty close, and some of them go down as far as about a #87 bit. The nice thing about them is that the shank on them is 1/8", so if you're drilling plastic you can simply spin them with your fingers.
Harbor Freight is definitely one of my favorite places to shop and I get good buys all the time. Never thought about the smaller tools and gadgets, I was getting large items/tools for household work and building my layout. Thanks for the tips and I would like to see that conversion as well.
I would be quite interested in a vid that advises on what you can buy cheap and what to invest more money in. For example: I once bought a very cheap jig saw and I don't think that it was a very good use of money. I would love to learn how to avoid those mistakes and still save money where possible.
Great video. I have a HF near me and it's a great source for inexpensive stuff that does the job. I might not choose their cheapie power tools if I were in the construction business, but for occasional use I've never been disappointed. Just a note on that fly swatter - it's fantastic. You don't actually need two "swat" a fly - just need to touch it. One of the best "tools" I ever got there. :)
This came at a great time! I just acquired little tables to make/test out different modeling techniques. My husband and I already love harbor freight so this is another reason to go on a shopping trip 😂
I love going to Harbor Freight. Yes please static grass conversion would be great. I have most of that but will get the jewel hammer next. This week I picked up airbrush cleaning brushes because there are small holes that need cleaning and other brushes are to big. Also got the jewelers eye loop you can attach to your glasses to make things bigger. Thanks for all you do and share. GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖
I recently saw a garden railroad sawmill somebody built using a small saw blade from Harbor Freight, and it really looked the part! Channel was "The KitBashers".
I have followed your channel for some time now and this is the first comment I have made on it. Your videos are first-rate and quite easy to understand and have enjoyed every one I have viewed. I am very close to building an HO layout in my apt and having access to your knowledge is a godsend! With your vast knowledge of model railroading, I feel I can avoid a lot of newbie mistakes. And here is my vote for the static grass applicator video!
Oh yes, Harbor Freight is a great place. I have been using HF tools on my race cars, snowmobiles, cars/trucks for several years and over all that time have had only one failure: a small part of the plastic lever on the back of a ratchet head snapped off. Still usable, but they replaced it with no questions asked. And yes, I do buy many of my model RR tools there as well. That micro screwdriver set has paid for itself many times over. There is no shame in saving money (especially in today's world!) by shopping there. I look forward to the video on converting that flyswatter to a static grass applicator. Might be just the nudge I need to start experimenting with static grass.
Thanks for the tips on Harbor Freight. I would enjoy a tutorial to make a static grass applicator. Great video. Always appreciate your perspective in Model Railroading.
Extra long (11-12 inches) drill bits in 1/8 and 1/4 inch dia. along with most of the other items you mentioned. I use the long bits to drill through the multiple layers of foam and bench work for wiring buildings etc.
Based on the experience of some family members, Harbor Freight has generally lower quality for their goods, as demonstrated in the price. However, for model railroading, tools are not used intensively or frequently enough to where the quality limits matter as much. Not long ago, managed to pick up a decent airbrush there.
You didn't mention the coupons and other deals and weekend sales and specials at HF. Menards is another great place (if you have one close) for low price tools and layout building supplies
Yes Yes Yes on how to convert the fly swatter to a static grass applicator. 2ndly do you have nay experience with their 5-50 Watt soldering station? Like the channel, just getting back into Modeling after recent retirement.
Another item, not a tool, is the automotive wheel weights - I believe they are 1/4 oz stick on weights and are $10. Can be used to add weight to rolling stock - yes, even N-scale.
yeah sorry to say but you dont know how to apply grass. we at out club finally got the woodland scenics one, no need to improvise, you gotta cakculate the time it takes to make something improvised vs the time with propper tools, well we went with the propper tools cause its much better...also temu now, chea and the same thing, delivered to your door!
Whenever I say to my wife let’s go to HF, I get a big NO. She knows I go crazy buying stuff. I’ve seen videos converting the fly swatter to static grass applicator, it works fairly well. Just have to have patience.
Actually most tool brands are made in various Asian countries in the same factories. The reason Harbor Freight is cheaper is that it buys and sells factory direct from the same factories other brands use.
OBVIOUSLY we want a video for the static grass applicator!! 😂
I wish I had a nickel back for every dollar I've spent at Harbor Freight. This video is spot on Jimmy.....all your suggestions are 100% on the money. And, yes, I would enjoy seeing the conversion of the fly swatter to a static grass applicator. Thanks again, for another great video !
Great tips Jimmy! The fly swatter/static grass applicator idea is awesome. Let’s see it in action!
they work very well I made one a couple years ago. Tons of videos on youtube showing the process. Just need a small metal strainer from a dollar store and an electric fly swatter
😂 does Harbor Freight give you a discount? They should.
And yes, a video on the manufacture of static grass applicators would be nice.
In Canada our Harbour Freight is Princess Auto😊
Exactly! I’ve gotten magnets, wire and spade connectors, third hand, dental picks, cutting mat, string of leds cheap in surplus, and lots more. I even got my compressor for my airbrush, name brand quality and the same one as that other hardware store sells at a higher price.
Geez! A static grass applicator from a Habor Freight fly swatter! Sure bring it on!
Yes! Let's see that video on making a static grass applicator from the electric fly swatter.
great store. dont forget paint brushes for spreading glue
Aldi for tools is the absolute best description of Hobo Freight I've heard.
Craft and hobby aisle at Dollar Tree as well for small clamps as well as other items including a scribing tool apparently for scrap booking but I found it works well and gives better control for scribing styrene sheet for scratch build projects also small packages of 5 minute epoxy and small 3 to a package super glue in hardware.
Love those electric fly swatters. Had swarms of horse flies getting into the house this summer apparently through the fireplace some how and the damned things were expert at evading regular swatters so fittingly Aldi had them a while I'm sure they work fine on regular flies it only stunned the horse flies and had to let them ride the lightning til they started to smoke to make sure they wouldn't get back up again.
Yes, I would like to see your video on making the static grass applicator!
GREAT VIDEO JIMMY! this reminds me of the first time I came across your channel… you were talking about your dollar store finds. You really peaked my interest today! Happy Monday!
We were near Pinedale, WY with our RV this past July. The tennis racquet mosquito zapper was nothing less than a survival tool.
Great video. Have bought most of the things you suggest, especially the clamps. Love their cordless not-dremel. One more vote for the spastic grass applicator!
Hi Jimmy Love the video! I pretty much have everything you mentioned except the fly swatter. Yes I would like to see a video on how to make it work for static grass! Thanks again, Jim T.
And a vote for the blooper video from the DIY static grass applicator video!
I get ALOT of my tools at harbor freight, many people say that it is garbage but for what I do it is very good and reliable. And don't forget the hemostats.
The only place locally where I could buy suitcase connectors for layout wiring!
The "zap" noise from the flyswatter reminds me of the snare drum sound on a really primitive drum machine. :)
I didn’t realize harbor freight was as popular, as in, big and so many places. I went there and found an air compressor for my air brush…which came with its own air brush…which is whatever. I guess I have a backup now.
I think I have everyone of those tools...lol....yep Harbor freight is awesome
We don't have Harbor Freight in Canada, but here on the west coast we have Lee Valley Tools and Princess Auto, between those two you can find a wide variety of wire, electrical connectors, small hand tools, power tools, etc., etc., enough to keep us model railroaders happily supplied with all the goodies we want.
Harbor Freight also has a nice set of micro drills. They're not marked as to what the exact diameters are, but by eyeballing them, you can get pretty close, and some of them go down as far as about a #87 bit. The nice thing about them is that the shank on them is 1/8", so if you're drilling plastic you can simply spin them with your fingers.
They also have tiny drill bit sets, magnifying eyeglasses, and all sorts of other modeler friendly things. Great place to find things.
The freight!!! ❤ I got those lil clamps.
Harbor Freight is definitely one of my favorite places to shop and I get good buys all the time. Never thought about the smaller tools and gadgets, I was getting large items/tools for household work and building my layout. Thanks for the tips and I would like to see that conversion as well.
I have that exact same set of screwdrivers. Case was damaged when I bought it, but for as little as it cost me I won't complain too much about that.
I would be quite interested in a vid that advises on what you can buy cheap and what to invest more money in.
For example: I once bought a very cheap jig saw and I don't think that it was a very good use of money.
I would love to learn how to avoid those mistakes and still save money where possible.
Great video. I have a HF near me and it's a great source for inexpensive stuff that does the job. I might not choose their cheapie power tools if I were in the construction business, but for occasional use I've never been disappointed.
Just a note on that fly swatter - it's fantastic. You don't actually need two "swat" a fly - just need to touch it. One of the best "tools" I ever got there. :)
Bought many things at Harbor Freight. Most expensive was a tabletop drill press. Use it in my garage all the time. Thanks Jimmy.
This came at a great time! I just acquired little tables to make/test out different modeling techniques. My husband and I already love harbor freight so this is another reason to go on a shopping trip 😂
I'd love to see a DIY static grass applicator. I'll likely borrow one from a friend when I apply my grass but I love me some DIY projects!
I love going to Harbor Freight. Yes please static grass conversion would be great. I have most of that but will get the jewel hammer next. This week I picked up airbrush cleaning brushes because there are small holes that need cleaning and other brushes are to big. Also got the jewelers eye loop you can attach to your glasses to make things bigger. Thanks for all you do and share.
GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖
I recently saw a garden railroad sawmill somebody built using a small saw blade from Harbor Freight, and it really looked the part! Channel was "The KitBashers".
I have followed your channel for some time now and this is the first comment I have made on it. Your videos are first-rate and quite easy to understand and have enjoyed every one I have viewed. I am very close to building an HO layout in my apt and having access to your knowledge is a godsend! With your vast knowledge of model railroading, I feel I can avoid a lot of newbie mistakes. And here is my vote for the static grass applicator video!
Oh yes, Harbor Freight is a great place. I have been using HF tools on my race cars, snowmobiles, cars/trucks for several years and over all that time have had only one failure: a small part of the plastic lever on the back of a ratchet head snapped off. Still usable, but they replaced it with no questions asked.
And yes, I do buy many of my model RR tools there as well. That micro screwdriver set has paid for itself many times over. There is no shame in saving money (especially in today's world!) by shopping there. I look forward to the video on converting that flyswatter to a static grass applicator. Might be just the nudge I need to start experimenting with static grass.
Thanks for the tips on Harbor Freight. I would enjoy a tutorial to make a static grass applicator. Great video. Always appreciate your perspective in Model Railroading.
Add a vote for seeing the diy static grass applicator!
Yes on the static grass applicator.
I would enjoy seeing the conversion of the fly swatter to a static grass applicator,
Wow I didn’t know that you could get watch tools at HF? Cool beans!
I'd love to see the static grass applicator. Scaletrains locomotives aren't cheap.
Two other items HF has is a mini table saw and mini sander. Not 2 bucks, but great to have.
My static grass applicator is made from the electric fly swatter. It does works pretty good.
Extra long (11-12 inches) drill bits in 1/8 and 1/4 inch dia. along with most of the other items you mentioned. I use the long bits to drill through the multiple layers of foam and bench work for wiring buildings etc.
Definitely a static grass applicator video with the fly swatter
good idea to make a diy static grass apllicator. please make a tutorial
I buy the stick on wheel weights to add weight to my HO scale rolling stock.
Based on the experience of some family members, Harbor Freight has generally lower quality for their goods, as demonstrated in the price. However, for model railroading, tools are not used intensively or frequently enough to where the quality limits matter as much. Not long ago, managed to pick up a decent airbrush there.
Yes, a video would be great.
You didn't mention the coupons and other deals and weekend sales and specials at HF. Menards is another great place (if you have one close) for low price tools and layout building supplies
Where did you get the little gray trays on the facial board of your layout? They'd be great for switching cards.
Yes please do a tutorial on the static grass applicator.
the Japanese saw for I think $4.99 is great for cutting jobs, i've cut wood, foam and plastic with mine.
Yes Yes Yes on how to convert the fly swatter to a static grass applicator.
2ndly do you have nay experience with their 5-50 Watt soldering station?
Like the channel, just getting back into Modeling after recent retirement.
We want a video for the static grass applicator!
Another item, not a tool, is the automotive wheel weights - I believe they are 1/4 oz stick on weights and are $10. Can be used to add weight to rolling stock - yes, even N-scale.
Yes, we need that!!!
Yes please. To video of diy static grass applicator
Absolutely...video of a homemade static grass appacater..
Yes! DIY static grass applicator please
Great video, as usual. Sign me up for a video on the fly swatter/static grass applicator idea.
I would like to have more movement in trees and grass, is this possible?
Static grass applicator video please!! 😁🤩😍🥹
Show how to on static grass, thanks
Good video nice tools thanks lee
The wheel weights for weighting the train cars.
You forgot the small diamond files that work great for cleaning up flash on models
Just starting to work on my grandpa's model railroad, I was wondering how to completely restore old track.
Fly swatter to Static Applicator conversion yes please
yeah sorry to say but you dont know how to apply grass. we at out club finally got the woodland scenics one, no need to improvise, you gotta cakculate the time it takes to make something improvised vs the time with propper tools, well we went with the propper tools cause its much better...also temu now, chea and the same thing, delivered to your door!
Happy labor day 😊
Yes please I have that electronic fly sweater so please do.
yes, show us how to make a static grass applicator. ;0)
Yes I would like to see the static grass but it's no fair your wife let you go to harbor freight mine doesn't she says we spend too much there
Whenever I say to my wife let’s go to HF, I get a big NO. She knows I go crazy buying stuff. I’ve seen videos converting the fly swatter to static grass applicator, it works fairly well. Just have to have patience.
My only problem with Harbor Freight is that I never have enough money to get everything I want.
Item # 61526 High Speed Steel Micro Bit Set, several sizes of tiny drill bit I use in a pin vise
Hello
Was this a paid promotion? :0)
Have you asked yourself why the prices are so low? Heard its the China US store for very low wage worker made products US can't compete with....?
Actually most tool brands are made in various Asian countries in the same factories. The reason Harbor Freight is cheaper is that it buys and sells factory direct from the same factories other brands use.