[PanzerPuff]

In the old HF days. They did carry Devilbiss Compressors that were made in the USA-All American parts. Those just last and last and last.. I got me one of those 15 years ago(from HF). Sears did sell that same models too as in the 80's I painted cars with the one my father bought, and my father still has it, and it works just fine too...
Their stuff is great..
Martin

Hey Martin, I have a Devilbiss paint gun, not the compressor, but that was one fine quality sprayer, as you say it lasts and lasts. I got it from Sears almost four decades ago! I painted several cars and motorcycles with that gun, it always resulted in a finish worth showing. People would ask where I did my paint, and thought I was kidding when I said in my driveway.

 

[JN74SL]

I have an electric winch that I need to install to use for pulling the tops. I was going to mount it on a trolley but can save a lot of room by mounting it directly to a brace on the ceiling. I don't like the idea of having it suspended anyway, we keep the tops on rolling dollies. I may build high shelves for them since I now know that they're pretty stable when stored flat.

I was thinking of an electric winch mounted to a post in the OBX house with a couple pulleys to get the hook to where I want it to take off the top down there. I like the idea of just suspending it .
for my chain hoist I used two heavy duty 3/8 inch ring bolts into the ceiling stud then a 3/8 inch bolt through them to hook the hoist to. Has worked like a charm for a few years now...

 

[Neelyrc]

I used a simple and very cheap HF hand winch (slow and easy) mounted out of the way on the wall long with a couple of pulleys. Saves head room in the garage. I use the same rig for the 107 and the 113.

 

[PanzerPuff]

HF electric is what I use.

 

[Its Her Car]

PanzerPuff, can you send a couple of pics of the bracketry you built? That looks like it treats everything nicely!

 

[PanzerPuff]

PanzerPuff, can you send a couple of pics of the bracketry you built? That looks like it treats everything nicely!

If you search this board you will find the pics you seek. I would post the link from a search here, but I find it easier to just post the pics just like you found it easier to just ask for them.

 

[Jyuma]

I get on one side of the car and my son gets on the other side. We disconnect the locking mechanisms, lift the top off, stand the top up in it's rack and roll it into a corner of the garage. Reverse the procedure to reinstall.

No winches... no bracketry... nothing hanging overhead. I do have to supply my son with a place to live and food to eat though. Hmm, what were those dimensions again? :laugh

 

[Its Her Car]

PanzerPuff, thanks!!!
It looks like all the lifting/contact point is the "T" piece across the trip at the top of the back window. Is that correct?

 

[PanzerPuff]

PanzerPuff, thanks!!!
It looks like all the lifting/contact point is the "T" piece across the trip at the top of the back window. Is that correct?

No, the T piece only shares the weight and stabilizes the top. I think most of the lifting is by the two white PVC tubes. Those are located ahead of the center of gravity of the hardtop, so the remaining lift is on the wooden T. Everything metal has grey felt weather stripping material on it for scratch resistance. I used two pulleys not one as it doubles the capacity of the hoist and does not allow the top to pivot.

 

[Its Her Car]

Excellent, thanks! I really like yours because of the two lift points which makes it so much more stable than a single where the top is allowed to spin. I think I'll add some foam pipe insulation on the PVC pipes for peace of mind.
I've looked at a lot of others that use straps, etc. on the outside, I really like yours because it can be completely connected without the need to unlatch the connecting points to allow hooks to access the lower edges.
Thanks for your help and the photos, much appreciated!
Now I just gotta build it...

 

[PanzerPuff]

The Harbor Freight 25% Coupon is infrequent. Time to get something big.

 

[cwmoser]

Interesting you posted this. Today I plan on going to HF and use the phone App HFCoupons and see if it works.

 

[Its Her Car]

I just got a friends and family coupon, 25% off, online or in store. Online Coupon Code is 23865527, same as the barcode. Good through the 6th.

 

[frazierfrazier]

If I wasn't such a make-do-with-what-i-have type, i'd be all over this!

Some things I would recommend NOT buying from HF:
-any of their welders and associated equipment
-fuel pressure testing kits
-cutting discs for small rotary tools

Things I've enjoyed for years:
-hydraulic floor jacks
-aluminum jack stands
-ratchets and metric sockets (really impressed by the quality of the "pittsburgh" line)

Dubious, but have served me well:
-vices
-house brand power tools

 

[PanzerPuff]

Interesting you posted this. Today I plan on going to HF and use the phone App HFCoupons and see if it works.

Carl, did it work? The posted coupon is not good until tomorrow.

 

[PanzerPuff]

If I wasn't such a make-do-with-what-i-have type, i'd be all over this!

Some things I would recommend NOT buying from HF:
-any of their welders and associated equipment
-fuel pressure testing kits
-cutting discs for small rotary tools

Things I've enjoyed for years:
-hydraulic floor jacks
-aluminum jack stands
-ratchets and metric sockets (really impressed by the quality of the "pittsburgh" line)

Dubious, but have served me well:
-vices
-house brand power tools

Interesting list Frazier! I had good luck with my HF fuel pressure testing kit. I avoided their 6 ton jack stand (not aluminum) because the jackstand release handle will allow the jack to drop to the lowest setting even with the full weight of a car on it... surprised there were no recalls. I agree on the floor jacks now 15+ years old. Their 5 inch bench vice is pretty durable. I might get some Pittsburg sockets to fill the gaps in my collection.

IMHO one of their best items is the 5000 lumen hanging shop light for $18. That single tube is twice as bright as my two-tube fixtures, and the LED requires no warm-up in my frozen garage. I now have five of them.

 

[cwmoser]

Carl, did it work? The posted coupon is not good until tomorrow.

Yes it did.
I have a lot of tools but I still like to browse through HF while the wifey is doing her thing somewhere else.

I got x3 of those Magnetic dishes at 63 cents, x3 AAA batteries 24pack at $1.39, oil funnel set at 79 cents and a few other things. I used the HF App on my Smartphone whose coupons are most good thru 12/31/2020. Just showed the coupon on my phone to cashier.

 

[cwmoser]

If I wasn't such a make-do-with-what-i-have type, i'd be all over this!

Some things I would recommend NOT buying from HF:
-any of their welders and associated equipment
-fuel pressure testing kits
-cutting discs for small rotary tools

Things I've enjoyed for years:
-hydraulic floor jacks
-aluminum jack stands
-ratchets and metric sockets (really impressed by the quality of the "pittsburgh" line)

Dubious, but have served me well:
-vices
-house brand power tools

Yes I do like the HF Pittsburgh ratchets, sockets, extensions, wrenches, etc.
Also use Jackstands, Floor Jacks, and Engine Hoist.
Include Allen, Ball, and Torx tools.
Tie Rod tools and grinders are good enough for my seldom use.
The Tool Chests really look nice but I already have four old Craftsmans.
There are still a lot of other cheap quality inexpensive tools that have served me well.
I've concentrated on Ryobi 18v battery tools.

 

[frazierfrazier]

I also have those 5K lumen LED shop lights in my shed. BUT, I purchased mine from Wal-Mart, sold under the brand "Hyper Tough". It was just under $19.

My absolute favorite HF purchase was this canvas tote at $10. Sold as a "riggers bag". Can't sing enough praise for this thing, I have probably used it every day for 5+ years!