Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[sixdogs]

When I didn't know any better, shipping was fine. Now that a store is nearby, I didn't know what I was missing. I can pick my own tools with tight handles, etc. and reject the individual items that looked suspicious. Remember, HF is like a box of chocolates and returning something cr@ppy probably impossible. I would never buy a toolbox mail order because they are not packaged all that well.

 

[Scrambler82]

I have ordered from their web site in the past but it was a while back and I have ordered from their catalog before too. both with the same results… got what I ordered !
I now live close to one of their warehouses, makes things a lot easier when I want something from them.

 

[prichard]

Thanks all. With west coast shipping I'll probably get to the store sooner. Shipping cost wasn't bad though. I'm really spoiled be amazon 2 day shipping

 

[California]

HF's HQ is 50 miles NW of Los Angeles and I think everything ships from there. Pacific time zone, so an order might go out the same day you order it.

A UPS map of delivery time from LA should be accurate for HF assuming they ship timely. I've only ordered a couple of minor items and that was quick to Northern California, 475 miles.


However - One thing I ordered was the add-on top connector for the quick hitch. This part is clearly designed to withstand 40 horsepower tugging on an implement behind the tractor. The packing was comical - an object the size of a softball, near indestructible. Carefully wrapped, then in a cubic foot of plastic peanuts. To shelter it from what ????

They must have had some really bad experiences with UPS. :laughing:

 

[PhysAssist]

I posted this grinder once before but it is so darn good I have to post it again. I got it in the first place thinking it might be OK for kitchen knife sharpening. And it is. But it can also do heavier work. I rounded off all the corners on these brackets very quick and easy, using a zirconia belt. It is quiet and smooth, never gets out of adjustment. For about $45 it is just unbeatable.

Which is that? I don't recall seeing your post, so could you repost the source for it, I don't think it came up when I searched HF for belt sanders, unless it's this one: 1 in. x 3 in. Belt Sander

If it is that one, did you discuss why you largely diassembled it?

Sorr if they are st-st-stoopid questions, but inquiring minds want to know.

 

[PhysAssist]

When I didn't know any better, shipping was fine. Now that a store is nearby, I didn't know what I was missing. I can pick my own tools with tight handles, etc. and reject the individual items that looked suspicious. Remember, HF is like a box of chocolates and returning something cr@ppy probably impossible. I would never buy a toolbox mail order because they are not packaged all that well.

I also open any questionable boxes to make sure that any visible damage hasn't reached the merch or that the parts bags haven't fallen out.

I bought one of their portable band saws that I found there (in an intact box) on clearance (something you can only find in your local HF Emporium) for $79.99 (clearanced to $98.99, and 20% off that).

Hopefully with only minor tweaks/modifications, it will be serviceable.

Any suggestions as to what will best improve its performance (besides any other make of blade than HF- that I already knew).

I have been scoping out blade sources, amd so far Amazon has the best prices, mostly on well-reviewed DeWalt 3-packs for somewhere between $16 & 24.

Has anyone found them for better prices elsewhere?

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[dragoneggs]

I also open any questionable boxes to make sure that any visible damage hasn't reached the merch or that the parts bags haven't fallen out.

I bought one of their portable band saws that I found there (in an intact box) on clearance (something you can only find in your local HF Emporium) for $79.99 (clearanced to $98.99, and 20% off that).

Hopefully with only minor tweaks/modifications, it will be serviceable.

Any suggestions as to what will best improve its performance (besides any other make of blade than HF- that I already knew).

I have been scoping out blade sources, amd so far Amazon has the best prices, mostly on well-reviewed DeWalt 3-packs for somewhere between $16 & 24.

Has anyone found them for better prices elsewhere?

Thanks,
Thomas

I've learned my lesson at HF... definitely check the box for major box damage, etc. Unfortunately I seem to notice while loading into the back of my pickup and then go back and make the exchange. Better than a 50mi RT drive back though! Seems a fair bunch get gouged before they reach the shelves. They don't mind you opening up to inspect... I just have to get used to that on the bigger boxes that don't have the best of packaging.

 

[PhysAssist]

HF's HQ is 50 miles NW of Los Angeles and I think everything ships from there. Pacific time zone, so an order might go out the same day you order it.

A UPS map of delivery time from LA should be accurate for HF assuming they ship timely. I've only ordered a couple of minor items and that was quick to Northern California, 475 miles.


However - One thing I ordered was the add-on top connector for the quick hitch. This part is clearly designed to withstand 40 horsepower tugging on an implement behind the tractor. The packing was comical - an object the size of a softball, near indestructible. Carefully wrapped, then in a cubic foot of plastic peanuts. To shelter it from what ????

They must have had some really bad experiences with UPS. :laughing:

They are strangely schizo about the packing- when I have ordered things as you did, the heavy, sturdy, solid steel or otherwise robust, mostly unbreakable items, they arrive as you describe, but electronics or other less durable, easily breakable items came loosely packed without significant padding.

I wondered if they had complaints of their less well-padded heavy duty items destroying other people's delicate or fragile things, and as a result overpad them.

 

[California]

I wondered if they had complaints of their less well-padded heavy duty items destroying other people's delicate or fragile things

Possible. When I sold stuff on Ebay I took a big heavy multi-drive tape backup 'library' to UPS during Christmas rush. Clerk said great, we need heavy packages like that in the mix ... to send down the spiral chutes when they get jammed with all the little piddley stuff!

I hope I didn't ruin some kid's Christmas. :yell:

 

[DFB]

Years ago I bought the smaller 6x8 greenhouse ordered it online and had it shipped as that was pretty much the only option at the time. It came truck freight and was damaged when I opened the box. Several of the longest aluminum pieces were bent and the corners crushed on a lot of the longer polycarbonate panels. They wanted it returned first before they would ship a replacement. This all would have been about a months worth of lost time for me so I just ordered second one (that got delivered quicker it was better but not perfect either) then I took the best parts from both to assemble it and threw al the leftovers in box shipped it back and got my refund credit.

I just got another one but at the store this time. It was worth the trip. I didn't actually open there though I was tempted but the box looked undamaged, and everything was ok.

I put most of it together yesterday it rained all day so I assembled it in the garage.

The instructions are pretty bad like everyone says but I was familiar with it anyways. And the foundation layout measurements they give are wrong (there are several videos online about that too) so now I have go back to slightly modify the box frame I had prebuilt and set a couple of days ago. :confused2: