Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[theboman]

I have a few things...

On CHEAP tools.

By brother used to frequent auto salvage yards often for parts. He's got a shop of Snap On, Craftsman, MAC, etc tools. To the junk yard it was really cheap tools...he has a box of them too. He said if he loses one, big deal he grabs another... they are disposable.

Big ol' chain for about $20. It's a chain... Works like a chain should.
6 ton hydraulic jack, works great.
$20 paint gun painted about 14 window shutters in record time!
A few other odd ball things too have worked great too.

 

[Skyco]

I own many Craftsman hand tools also, always been pleased. I also own many HF hand tools and really have been rarely disappointed in them.
I'm a little disorganised and keep tools in about 5 different places. My truck, my garage, my shop, my toy hauler and my distant property.
Rather than trying to haul everything all over the place I simply leave common tools in each place. I wouldn't want to spend the money to buy high end stuff 5 times.

 

[bprice0011]

support china some more, but i will stick to american made tools myself

 

[IslandTractor]

support china some more, but i will stick to american made tools myself

Good luck finding any that are appropriate for home use. Snap on and its competitors produce fine tools but unless you make your living with them they fit into the category of garage jewelry. Too rich for my taste and wallet. I wish there were an intermediate priced product made in the USA and maybe someday there will be again but for now I am stuck buying reasonably priced tools made overseas.

 

[carpenter383]

I have mostly craftsman tools, I have had good luck with them, they are more expensive than china stuff, but cheaper than mac or snap-on. The thing I like is if I do happen to break one it's no big deal I just take it to sears or k-mart and they give me a new one. Other cheaper brand tools with a lifetime warrany make you mail the broken tool in and you wait forever to get the new one back.

 

[radioman]

I bought the electric metal engraver. at first I thought it was a dud - the metal plunger part wouldn't vibrate like it should and i could hear a hum from motor. I played with the adjustment knob several times in al the way an dout all the way and pulled and pushed on the plunger. I finally got it to work like it should.

 

[Travelover]

I bought the electric metal engraver. at first I thought it was a dud - the metal plunger part wouldn't vibrate like it should and i could hear a hum from motor. I played with the adjustment knob several times in al the way an dout all the way and pulled and pushed on the plunger. I finally got it to work like it should.

That's the fun of HF merchandise, it is mostly done. The buyer gets to complete the last few details.

 

[Bedlam]

So right Travelover,

I got one of those supports for under cabinets when you put them up and the threaded part had no threads. Had to weld a nut onto it to make it work.

 

[Skyco]

I have mostly craftsman tools, I have had good luck with them, they are more expensive than china stuff, but cheaper than mac or snap-on. The thing I like is if I do happen to break one it's no big deal I just take it to sears or k-mart and they give me a new one. Other cheaper brand tools with a lifetime warrany make you mail the broken tool in and you wait forever to get the new one back.

HF will also replace any hand tool on the spot in the store...

 

[Dargo]

HF will also replace any hand tool on the spot in the store...

My issue with that is that most are not worth the trouble to take back to replace with another defective or inferior tool. To me, if it breaks the very first time I use it, I really don't want another to just break again. I couldn't tell you how many "Pittsburgh" hand tools I've broken the first time I've used them and just pitched. I figure for an 'emergency' tool kit to carry on a Jet Ski or something where it may get dropped in the river or lost, they'd be better than nothing but I can't see stocking my took kit with them.

 

[TexJer]

Does anyone who depends on tools everyday all day long shop at Harbor Freight?

jmf

In a sense, yes, but I'll "qualify" that statement. I'm a machinist by trade, but woodworking and gardening are my passions.

We've found in the machine shop (aircraft framework parts) that the HF 1" dial indicators and mag bases work just as well as Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, etc. AND for a fraction of the cost. You drop one of the HF units 10' it breaks, you chunk it and grab another one. Do that with one of your "good" ones and you cry. Same goes with the 6" dial calipers. We avoid Made In China micrometers like the plague though!! They're just as accurate but they laser etch the numbers on the barrel vs. engraving like Starrett, Mitutoyo, Brown & Sharpe, etc do. That makes them harder to read.

In my (hobby) woodshop at home I'll buy some HF stuff to use, but as a rule I TRY to stay away from anything electrified. One exception was my 27 gal upright air compressor. I paid $135 for it about 4 yrs ago. Doesn't have the capacity I'd like and takes forever to pump up, but for my brad nailers (Porter Cable) and HVLP spray gun (HF), and to air up the occasional tire it works great.

Speaking of the HVLP paint gun, that's one of HF's gems. I THINK the model number is 4390.

I don't really enjoy doing mechanic work that much. Some of my tools are Craftsman and some are HF. Both get the job done. IF I was doing mechanical work for a living I'm sure I'd buy better tools than HF, but no more than I do, or better yet WANT to do, the HF work fine.

HF has some gems and it has some stinkers too, but then so do other retailers. Some people think that by paying top dollar for top quality will make them a better mechanic, machinist, woodworker, etc. You have to realize that sometimes when something goes awry it might've been the Indian and NOT the arrow.......if that makes sense.

JMHO and I'll get off my soapbox now

 

[Iplayfarmer]

My issue with that is that most are not worth the trouble to take back to replace with another defective or inferior tool. To me, if it breaks the very first time I use it, I really don't want another to just break again. I couldn't tell you how many "Pittsburgh" hand tools I've broken the first time I've used them and just pitched. I figure for an 'emergency' tool kit to carry on a Jet Ski or something where it may get dropped in the river or lost, they'd be better than nothing but I can't see stocking my took kit with them.

You apparently go to Harbor Freight often since you have so many Harbor Freight tools that are just plain junk.

Make a pile of the broken ones, and the next time that you go, take them with you.

Problem solved.

 

[Skyco]

I really can't understand how Dargo breaks so much HF stuff. I don't think I've ever broken ANY HF tool when using it properly. There is an HF a mile from my office so it is no hardship for me to return/exchange something. Only thing I recall ever breaking was a plastic screw clamp. I tightened it too much and it snapped, they replaced it without so much as a nanaseconds hesitation though.
I do have a problem with their jiggler siphon things though, the ball is a little small and sometimes sticks in the necked down copper section.

 

[IslandTractor]

I really can't understand how Dargo breaks so much HF stuff.

#1 It is his hobby
#2 If he doesn't break HF stuff then his father won't know what to give him for Christmas next year
#3 It's better than beating on his loved ones
#4 Dargo = Thor

 

[Skyco]

I was just looking at photoshopping the HF ad where they proclaim "Ten Million Satisfied Customers" by adding "but then there is Dargo"

 

[Travelover]

I was just looking at photoshopping the HF ad where they proclaim "Ten Million Satisfied Customers" by adding "but then there is Dargo"

Some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope.

 

[IslandTractor]

Some people would complain if you hung then with a new rope.

I happen to agree with most of Dargo's opinions and assessments of HF tools. I just don't share his obsession.

 

[copefarms]

I didnt think harbor freight made anything from China that didnt suck.
I thought that was the whole point. Buy things that suck from China cheap so you dont have to pay more for American made brands that may or may not suck.
Buy harbor freight support communism LOL
just my two cents worth

 

[TexJer]

Buy harbor freight support communism LOL
just my two cents worth

IF that weren't so true it would be funny. Not to get political here, but we are funding a million man army over there............ I hate buying Made in China, but dang it's hard not to these days. Example: a friend of mine got caught up in the Amway pyramid a few years back. He ordered this high dollar Christmas tree and it was nice........but remember Amway...... THE AMERICAN WAY??? Dang tree was made in China!!!!

 

[patrick_g]

support china some more, but i will stick to american made tools myself

I like American made tools BUT... sometimes it is difficult to find something in DIY/home shop category. My DeWalt 13 inch planer is made in China as is my DeWalt impact drivers, drills, recip saw, skill saw etc. ALL CHINESE

I didn't know they were from China when I bought them. It is just hard to find cordless tools and shop tools not made overseas. Names like De Walt (De Wart?), Delta and Porter Cable do not mean MADE IN AMERICA.

You may be able to buy an American made socket set but where do you find American made wood working machines sized, much less priced, for the hobbyist/ homeowner/DIY venue?

Maybe I am ill or underinformed, after all I bought a 1 ton Dodge/Cumins truck thinking I was buying American and got a truck made in Mexico but I can't find American made tools in whole categories.

Pat