[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Harbor Freight Tools? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/22/2005 7:05:54 PM EDT
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I came across a website for Harbor Freight Tools the other day, and was surprised at how low the prices are on most of their tools. Most of their stuff is less than half of what comparable Craftsman tools cost. Are their tools any good? Or am I better off spending more money and getting Craftsman? |
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Almost everything sold by harbor freight is straight from china. I'm not saying this is bad, but the quality of the tools does vary alot. It would be better to inspect before you buy. I prefer craftsman handtools because I'm a mechanic and I break and wear them out on a regular basis. I only pay once and use them for a lifetime! This really depends on how you use your tools, chinese may last a lifetime for some folks. |
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There is nothing worse than not having the right tool for the job at hand. Yes there is, it is having what you think is the right tool, only to have it break under pressure. When thinking Harbor Freight, I suggest you calculate the cost, and shipping/tax, take that $ and simply flush it down the toilet. Really. You will be out the same amount of $, but won't have to deal with thinking you have the required tool, but then realizing you have a weak pot-metal immitation of the required tool. A tool you can't trust is just as bad whether the tool is a socket or the tool is a carry weapon. As always, YMMV. DanM |
When I'm working with my brothers 1970, I always break sockets on rusted bolts. Just send them to Craftsman fro new ones. 
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HF Tool stores can be found in most major cities in SoCal. Almost 100% Chinese made stuff. All pretty cheap and definitely not for the professional. (mechanic or even serious hobbiest). I have no problem with keeping chicom tools in an emergency road kit 'cause they're almost 100% reliable for at least 10 times use or less as long as extreme torque/pressure isn't being exerted on them. They make great throw away tools and are much cheaper than quality expensive tools. Good uses for them? Road side repairs, trips to the junkyard/wrecking yard, loaning to deadbeat friends/relatives/neighbors who never return tools, modifying for special purposes, etc. Cheap tools are great for these circumstances 'cause it's better to lose a $2 dollar chicom wrench than a $22 Snap On wrench. A professional buys quality tools for his profession or working on his pride and joy. |
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I have found the harbor freight tools perfect for working on my Vulcan arms (with original preban Hesse receiver) AR. Actually, in all seriousness, I think this is a fair comparision: Harbor freight is to craftsman as hesse is to bushmaster. There is nothing wrong with buying cheap AR parts, as long as you realize what you are getting, and are willing to sacrifice some reliability or longevity for saving some money, and HF tools are the same way. I am about to replace the clutch/flywheel in my truck, and am ordering a transmission jack attachment from HF to do it with. It costs $50, and I will probably use it only two or three times, but it will save me the $500 it would cost to have someone else do the job. |
| I usually buy Craftsman but Harbor Freight and Northern Tools have some stuff you won't find anywhere else. I bought a big blue tarp for instance I use to spread out on my range to catch all the brass. Some stuff doesn't last all that long or worthy of buying domestic anyhow, cheap stuff like oil funnels, gas cans and such |
Good point. |
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Harbor Freight sells cheap Chinese made crap that used to be cheap USA made crap. It's made on the same machines that used to be in the industrial heartland of the US before the EPA or OSHA (or both) proclaimed them to be harmful to the enviroment or the worker (or both). American companies either moved their manufacturing facilities and equipment to China or sold them outright to China. |
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Sorry to rain on your parade here but I buy a bunch of 100% AMERICAN made TOOLS @ HF. Bought both Eklind Tool and Bondus Allen wrenches, Channel lock Plier sets, and Crescent tools. These tools were 5% cheaper than thru my normal supplier and would not require additional shipping charges since I was buying at a store front location. I bought a cheap air compressor for home use, but otherwise would not invest in there power tools. I also buy lots of Amflo air fitting there. ( not the cheap chicom brass crap ) There is good value to be found if you want to take time to wade thru the rest of the crap. |
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Nothing more to add that hasn't been said... I go to the store once in a while to buy mostly disposable brushes, zip ties, and similar throw away items. I have two dead blow hammers that I use for furniture assembly and a detail HVLP spray gun - those are the only tools I bought from them. Haven't had any problems so far with anything I've bought. |
Yep, I use HF for big stuff that will save a lot of bucks up front (compressor, shop crane, sandblasting cabinet, etc). For tools I use on a more regular basis (wrenches, etc), I go to a more reputable source. |
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I've got a mini mill, that, while not being a harbor freight model, came from the same factory in china, is virtually identical to, and pretty much every part is interchangle with, the harbor freight model. It has a few quirks, and I definitly wouldn't plan on using it to make a living (mostly because its WAY too small for production work). But overall, I've been VERY happy with it. But most of their stuff looks like junk, even in the little pictures. |
Harbor Freight is a great affordable source for odd tools you'd only use once a year, or for good bargains on fungible goods like abrasives, blades, etc. |
Cheaper to buy another than pay for their extended warranty.
a note on air tools - Northern and Craftsman use the same manufacturer on some of their products (they look amost identical) but just because they use the same mfgr, and they look alike, does not mean they are the same inside |
+1, I heard a Trucker bitching about hauling Diehard Batteries. He said they are much heavier than regular batteries. To get a cheap price you have to cut cost somewhere. Please BUY AMERICAN! We (As Americans) can't survive this trend. |