Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

Not too long ago, I had the third of three Ryobi batteries fail just after the three year warranty expired. I called them to check on options, explained what happened, provided the proof of purchase and they offered to replace it under warranty knowing it was expired.

What happened to the batteries? My old Ryobi nicads wore out as all nicads do, but I've lost only one of five Li-Ions and that one was my fault. I didn't realize the jigsaw's LED stays on when the trigger isn't pulled, and ran that battery to zero when I put the saw away without noticing the light was on. The four remaining batteries - 3 small and one double-size - seem nearly good as new.

 

[Diggin It]

They just quit taking a charge. One would show it was charged when inserted in the charge and tested, but wouldn't run any tools. Another would show a fault (slow red) when put in any charger.

 

[newbury]

Something new! A lefthanded chainsaw !

Also comes in right handed

 

[dragoneggs]

Also comes in right handed

Jeez... now I have to pay attention to that option. :laughing: Never heard of left handed chainsaws but it makes sense I suppose.

 

[Rock Crawler]

That I would never do. I consider much of their stuff to be throwaway. I get a couple of years use, toss it and go buy another. I would not defraud them. That's why prices are higher than they need to be in so many places.

Not too long ago, I had the third of three Ryobi batteries fail just after the three year warranty expired. I called them to check on options, explained what happened, provided the proof of purchase and they offered to replace it under warranty knowing it was expired.

It was actually an employee in management that told me that this is a common practice and one that he recommends. The cost of the warranty is actually higher than the actual cost of the entire tool to HF. So your not actually hurting the bottom line, and your a happy customer who is eager to come back and buy more products.

As the 2019 unfolds the Bauer line is going to explode and completely replace the Chicago line. To a lesser degree, the Hercules line is going to increase over the next year. I do plan to stick with the Hercules line and as new tools release, I'll buy them. That will allow me to maintain solidarity of battery styles.

Harbor Freight wants to fill the void created by the failure of Sears. They want to be the every man's tool store. I'm buying the highest end of the HF every man tools.

 

[John_Mc]

Something new! A lefthanded chainsaw !

I suspect they just flipped the picture of a regular right-handed one. Look at the rest of the pictures in that link.

 

[bcp]

I suspect they just flipped the picture of a regular right-handed one. Look at the rest of the pictures in that link.

So they just flipped the image of a dnaltroP saw?



Bruce

 

[John_Mc]

So they just flipped the image of a dnaltroP saw?



Bruce

You got me there. Hard to believe someone would go to the effort of flipping the image, and then reversing the print to make it read correctly. Still, look at all of the others photos (which also show it with something real in the background).

I'll tell you what: order one. If it comes in as a left-handed saw, I'll pay you the $50 it cost you and you can keep the saw. I haven't figured out what I want if I'm correct, and it's a right-handed saw. I have absolutely zero interest in owning one.

 

[Travelover]

Also comes in right handed...

I've been buying left handed screwdrivers there for years.

 

[dragoneggs]

I've been buying left handed screwdrivers there for years.

That's my problem!

 

[California]

I suspect they just flipped the picture of a regular right-handed one.

I expect that's what it is, an over enthusiastic brand manager playing with Photoshop, copying in the non-reversed Portland text on to a reversed product photo.

I first saw the left handed photo in the 'Black Friday Preview' with two product numbers, 64497 and 64498, but only the 97 appears if you search HF on 64498.

Then it gets weird. I brought up the Owner's Manual for 64498. It differs from the 64497: page 8 has a Certification next to the product specs: intertek 3123921. A Google search on that (pdf download) shows this Certification # is valid but it applies to a 'horizontal axis small wind turbine'.

Ok, enough HF weirdness for today.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I've been buying left handed screwdrivers there for years.

Are those those old left handed monkey wrenches?

Ron

 

[Travelover]

Are those those old left handed monkey wrenches?

Ron

I think all monkeys are right handed.

 

[fried1765]

I think all monkeys are right handed.

Not sure that albino Monkeys are right handed.

 

[Oaktree]

It was actually an employee in management that told me that this is a common practice and one that he recommends. The cost of the warranty is actually higher than the actual cost of the entire tool to HF. So your not actually hurting the bottom line, and your a happy customer who is eager to come back and buy more products.

Still sounds kind of dishonest to me. I consider warranty replacement to be something done if a product is defective, not just because the customer wants a free new one.

As the 2019 unfolds the Bauer line is going to explode and completely replace the Chicago line. To a lesser degree, the Hercules line is going to increase over the next year. I do plan to stick with the Hercules line and as new tools release, I'll buy them. That will allow me to maintain solidarity of battery styles.

Harbor Freight wants to fill the void created by the failure of Sears. They want to be the every man's tool store. I'm buying the highest end of the HF every man tools.

If that's their plan, they have an uphill battle. Craftsman tools were known for quality and a good warranty (on hand tools) from day one while HF's rep is for cheap throwaway tools. I'm sure they're trying to change that image, but IMHO the jury is still out.
Also, in Sears' heyday there weren't many other options for a good selection of decent-quality tools, now they're everywhere from chain auto parts stores to big box home centers (Lowes, HD, etc.)

Am I the only one who finds their new product lines a bit confusing? Why so many new lines, and which is which?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I've been buying left handed screwdrivers there for years.

Ever notice that many crescent wrenches are metric on one side and standard on the other. Seriously.

 

[D2Cat]

Ever notice that many crescent wrenches are metric on one side and standard on the other. Seriously.

Crescent is the brand. You're speaking of "open end adjustable wrench" in generalities.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Crescent is the brand. You're speaking of "open end adjustable wrench" in generalities.

yes, and I've been guilty of drinking a "coke" that wasn't actually a coca cola too.

 

[D2Cat]

And a Skill Saw that may have been a different brand of circular saw.

 

[4570Man]

Ever notice that many crescent wrenches are metric on one side and standard on the other. Seriously.

Klein adjustable wrenches are the best I’ve found and somewhat affordable. Has anyone found something better?