Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Rock Crawler]

Do any of you guys believe in using the inside track at the cost of $30 per year?

 

[frugalangler]

I was a member a while back, but really didn't see a whole lot of benefit, but someone that buys a whole lot more may. Of late, the discount coupons seem to cover what I've needed - I'm not a big believer in pay to save offerings.

 

[fried1765]

Do any of you guys believe in using the inside track at the cost of $30 per year?

I just signed up for the "Inside Track Club"
If you do it on line it is $29.95, but you get a $10 in store voucher, so net total is $19.95.
I was planning to buy a Vulcan MigMax 215 welder, from HF, and thought it would help.
It didn't,.... but maybe over the next 12 months it will still prove to be worth $20.

I liked the idea of the ... "1 Year Risk Free Trial - Money Back Guarantee".... on the Vulcan, and the inverter style (light wt.), but I was concerned about Vulcan product support over time.
I have a new Everlast Power I-Mig 140e (120V), which I now may sell, so I decided on a new Hobart Handler 190 (240V)
The Hobart is much heavier (weighs 68lbs.) but has been around forever, and product support is Miller/Hobart.

 

[California]

Do any of you guys believe in using the inside track at the cost of $30 per year?

First year I did better than breakeven, but I had signed up to buy one specific item. I saved a few $. The rest of that year the narrow range of things offered wasn't a close match to much that I needed. I may have saved a few $ compared to using coupons. But it makes more sense to buy stuff when you need it, rather than buy now at limited-time ITC price to save $2 now on something you will need someday.

A 36 inch aluminum pipe wrench that I bought for future use was the only significant savings after that initial item, a few $ saved. Come to think of it I later broke 4" off the end of its handle using a cheater pipe on it, and the next one I bought was beefier. Maybe the ITC Special Price was a closeout of that batch.

I signed up for a second year but let the 30 day $10 coupon expire before I needed anything. Minor savings on other items didn't make back the $30 I paid for ITC. Then the $375 6 hp shredder was in ITC and I needed one. When I compared a 20% coupon to ITC 'special' price, the coupon was cheaper so I used that instead, saved $15 below ITC price.

Summary: ITC makes sense for a contractor buying tools for a crew, or maybe for the new farm owner buying lots of stuff the first year. In contrast someone making occasional additions to their tools won't save enough to be worth the nuisance of ITC limited time offers never matching the times you need the tool. Coupons are better and overall cost will be about the same. The way to use ITC is ask the cashier to show you the ITC pages in the monthly mailing and don't join until you find something listed that makes sense to buy at ITC price that will break even on the $30 cost.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I have used the Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, 20 percent off coupons, No Purchase Required coupons, toolbox coupons page over my last 3 visits and picked up the 3/8" x 14' chain for $19.95 each. That's a really good deal. I had a 3/8" x 8' chain and hold made up from Tractor Supply a couple months ago for around $35... So the same rated chain and almost twice the length from HF is almost half the cost with that current coupon. Great log skidding chain and I'll also make up 4 corner chains for binding the tractor to the trailer. I welded 3/8" chain hooks to the tractor so it be really fast and easy to attach and I don't have to scratch paint to bind it down.

I went and exchanged the exploded (immediately observed factory defect) Diablo 1/2" x 50' air line today and installed it. So I now have the HF high flow 3/8" airline quick disconnects and the matching male fittings on all of my tools, so I'm fully outfitted with the highest flow reasonably possible. That should make my Earthquake XT impact run in beast mode.

I've had a fair amount of luck with HF. I stay away from that Chicago electric stuff, I've tried 2 electric power tools from that line and both failed very quickly.

The telescoping ratchets are great, I use them over my snap on. The tarps... Not really worth it. Even the best ones they carry seem to tear really easy. I've found a tarp line on Amazon that is much stronger and longer lasting, and yet it's reasonable priced. Link : Grizzly Tarps 12 x 16 Feet Silver Heavy Duty Multi Purpose Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 10 Mil Thick 14 x 14 Weave Grizzly Tarps 12 x 16 Feet Silver Heavy Duty Multi Purpose Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 1 Mil Thick 14 x 14 Weave - - Amazon.com

I also bought the largest bolt on D-RINGS that HF has in the towing section and welded them all around the perimeter of my trailer. They are great for $5.

I've had the Pittsburgh Tools 1/2" metric and standard impact sockets for at least 15 years now and never broke one, that's a killer deal. I also have same brand of 1/2" wobble extensions, they are good to go.

 

[crazyal]

I don't know about the ITC but their normal coupons seam to just rotate monthly. Rarely do I see a coupon for something new. For example if you need a 6.5hp gas engine you can be sure that a coupon for it is either in the current flier or will be in next month's flier. But if you want the 6x9 combination disc/ belt sander you'll most likely need to use a 20% off coupon. If the same holds true for the ITC then I would take a look at past month's coupons to see if there's anything in them that you would want. I don't have it (I'm sure someone else could post it) but there's a web site that has all the current fliers as well as past fliers. If nothing else HF is predictable.

 

[California]

I didn't see ITC rotating items as often as the ordinary coupons. Something might appear a second time in a year. There was more variety - of stuff I don't need.

 

[Jim Nelson]

It seems to me that when they first started the ITC they included a lot more items but now it's few and far between. Every now and then there is something interesting but for me the coupons are the better deal.

 

[KubotainNH]

I have used the Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, 20 percent off coupons, No Purchase Required coupons, toolbox coupons page over my last 3 visits and picked up the 3/8" x 14' chain for $19.95 each. That's a really good deal. I had a 3/8" x 8' chain and hold made up from Tractor Supply a couple months ago for around $35... So the same rated chain and almost twice the length from HF is almost half the cost with that current coupon. Great log skidding chain and I'll also make up 4 corner chains for binding the tractor to the trailer. I welded 3/8" chain hooks to the tractor so it be really fast and easy to attach and I don't have to scratch paint to bind it down.

I went and exchanged the exploded (immediately observed factory defect) Diablo 1/2" x 50' air line today and installed it. So I now have the HF high flow 3/8" airline quick disconnects and the matching male fittings on all of my tools, so I'm fully outfitted with the highest flow reasonably possible. That should make my Earthquake XT impact run in beast mode.

I bought the that chain as a gift for my son, it fits nicely in the plastic ammo can (I read about that here). The plastic bag the chain comes in is quite string, I think that now has a set of jumper cables in it.

Keep us posted on the new high flow air fittings. I'm thinking of upgrading mine to those and would like to know how they fair.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I've only had them a week, so it's going take a decade to determine long term reliability. But for now they connect firmly and do not leak at all. My 20 year old Napa 1/4" ones all leaked some, but not enough for me to care since I have a 80 gallon tank and 17 CFM @ 90 compressor. It's big enough and fast enough that you don't need to be worried about a little hiss coming from a connector.

So far, first impression..... They appear to be legit. And they are big enough that you can almost shove your jimmy I'm there! Big!

 

[KubotainNH]

I've only had them a week, so it's going take a decade to determine long term reliability. But for now they connect firmly and do not leak at all. My 20 year old Napa 1/4" ones all leaked some, but not enough for me to care since I have a 80 gallon tank and 17 CFM @ 90 compressor. It's big enough and fast enough that you don't need to be worried about a little hiss coming from a connector.

So far, first impression..... They appear to be legit. And they are big enough that you can almost shove your jimmy I'm there! Big!

Ha ha, I'm curious if you see more power from the tools. It's HF, long term is iffy.

 

[modaddysdotcom]

I love handing my harbor freight tools to family and friends welcome to borrow them but won’t return them. I always keep my quality tools for myself!

 

[California]

Keep us posted on the new high flow air fittings. I'm thinking of upgrading mine to those and would like to know how they fair.

I had one female fitting on the end of an air hose that wouldn't seal after I took of an air chuck that had been on it for months. Aside from that, no leaks, no problems.

Oh one other issue - it is nearly impossible to engage them under pressure. You can do it, but its a lot easier if you bleed off the air pressure first.

As for more air - the $20 HF impact wrench used air like crazy. My 10 gallon compressor would start after a couple of lug nuts. I felt the larger fittings delivered more air and improved that tool's torque. Later I tossed that and got the $75 Earthquake that needs a lot less air. I'm not sure the big fittings do anything for it.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Harbor Freight seems to be upping their game. Lots of better looking tools at higher prices that look pretty good, but by the time you add extended warranty(reg. 90 day is scary), they are close to the big names.

 

[fried1765]

Harbor Freight seems to be upping their game. Lots of better looking tools at higher prices that look pretty good, but by the time you add extended warranty(reg. 90 day is scary), they are close to the big names.

AGREED....but.....?????
For the past two+ weeks I have been considering the HF Vulcan MigMax 215 welder.
HF is offering a ONE YEAR satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back, on Vulcan welders.
I was tempted, because the Vulcan is an inverter welder, and light weight at 44 lbs.
I chickened out on the Vulcan though.
Vulcan cost would have been $629 on sale, including tax.
But what would happen when the Vulcan was more than a year old, and crapped out?
I know I could buy a HF extended warranty, but that is not cheap either.
I decided the Vulcan was still a bit too risky for my $629!

I instead found an incredible deal on a Hobart Handler 190 (240V), including the aluminum spool gun (which I may never use).
The Hobart Handler 190 is WAY heavier at 68 lbs. The Hobart is a transformer type welder, and it is assembled in the USA (parts from China? - Mexico?))
I absolutely KNOW that I can count on Miller/Hobart for product support with a simple phone call.
I DO NOT like the 68 lb. weight at all though!!!
I also have an Everlast Power I-Mig 140e, that is wonderfully light at 35 lbs., but it is a 120V machine.
Can't wait to try out my new Hobart Handler 190!

 

[millsan1]

Well, I just had a garage fire. All is OK, none one hurt, house OK, but all my tools destroyed.

The funny thing is, my tools are either Craftsman, S&K or Pittsburgh.

The chrome burned off my Craftsman and S&K stuff, and they are rusted and shot. My Pittsburgh stuff fared much better and some look like you could wipe them off and use them.

The temper is gone in everything, so kind of irrelevant, but I thought it noteworthy that the HF tools held up to 1400+ (I know it got this hot because a bunch of large aluminum items melted) degree temps and two name brands didn't.

 

[dragoneggs]

Well, I just had a garage fire. All is OK, none one hurt, house OK, but all my tools destroyed.

The funny thing is, my tools are either Craftsman, S&K or Pittsburgh.

The chrome burned off my Craftsman and S&K stuff, and they are rusted and shot. My Pittsburgh stuff fared much better and some look like you could wipe them off and use them.

The temper is gone in everything, so kind of irrelevant, but I thought it noteworthy that the HF tools held up to 1400+ (I know it got this hot because a bunch of large aluminum items melted) degree temps and two name brands didn't.

Holy crap! Sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine losing my shop tools... so many built up over the years and not inventoried. I really need to do that! A fire would devastate me.

 

[fried1765]

Holy crap! Sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine losing my shop tools... so many built up over the years and not inventoried. I really need to do that! A fire would devastate me.

Pictures...Pictures....Pictures
Open every storage cabinet before you start.
I had a major house/ garage fire many years ago, and did not have nearly enough pictures.
After the fire I kept a notebook beside the bed, and one down in the living room too.
Every time I thought of something, I wrote it down.
The insurance company kept pressuring me for a final list.
I waited more than 9 months before I gave it to them.
Kept remembering stuff that had been lost.

 

[California]

And repeating advice I saw elsewhere online - don't report loss in generic terms. That claims analyst posted that the insurance industry has master lists of the cheapest versions of anything. His example was claiming 'coffeemaker' will get you the depreciated value, what you would pay at Goodwill, for a used Mr Coffee that had cost $8.99 new at Walmart.

Say the actual trade name and model or if you don't have that then something like 'Braun coffeemaker, the one with a blue stripe'. That will get you the same model you lost, not a cheap 'equivalent' that is the default when the claim lacks specifics.

The difference can easily be thousands of $ across the entire loss.

Good luck with this.

 

[Oldpath05]

Garage fire, yup I know what your going through. My shop was lost to fire 5 years ago this coming March, I figure total loss was 35k, insurance covered 22k. Contact you insurance Co. soon if you haven't done it already.

I had a big set of HSS HF tap&die SAE&MM set bought in the late 90s, I could tell they was of good quality by feeling the sharpness on the taps, my replacement set I bought from HF is titanium coated, the sharpness is not like the previous set, I wont by anymore titanium coated crap again.