Harbour Freight

[ZX11D]

The Danvers store has become a favorite destination for me on my days off. I just love this place. I was there today and got a flyer for the month of May. Great stuff on sale and if you don`t already have them they will have a 9 pc Metric Hex Socket set for only 9.99 next month. If you ride a metric bike this is a must have.

[catamount]

Don't get me wrong, I have a few things from HF but I'm certainly not proud of any of it. Lots of it is already at the landfill.


I only buy stuff from there that I can afford to have break on me while I'm in the middle of a job.


"When you buy quality it only hurts once"

[Chippertheripper]

Don't get me wrong, I have a few things from HF but I'm certainly not proud of them.


I only buy stuff from there that I can afford to have break on me while I'm in the middle of a job.

This. Or stuff I only use once in a great while. (except my trailer)

[R7]

It's like the tool department at wallmart. No thanks, I like the skin on my knuckles!
I've never been to a HF and never plan to go

[ZX11D]

Don`t get me wrong guys. The bulk of my tools are Craftsman and Snapon and I`ve had most of them forever. The hand tools at HF (Pittsburg) are pretty much the same quality as Stanley (Walmart),Rigid (HomeDepot), Cobalt (Lowes),etc. Pittsburg tools are not trade quality like Craftsman ,Snapon etc. but in a situation like tightening loose hex bolts the bolts will strip out long before l the tool fails.

[Eddie]

Here the thing...you can purchase tools at Harbour Freight at a fraction of the cost of similar ones at Sears. I guess that if you are a do it yourself type of guy, as I am, Harbour Freight is great from a cost/benefit perspective. If you are a professional, then you might consider some high end stuff from Sears or Lowes.

As for me, I just got a membership at Harbor Freight.

[NobodySpecific]

I just placed my first ever order with Harbor Freight, and it was mostly tools that I wish I had once in awhile (a plier set, some feeler gauges, digital caliper) and a cheap air compressor (3 gallon for $50) that I plan to replace when I have more room and more money. I also picked up a really cheap rotary tool set (the tool and a bunch of different cutting/grinding wheels) for $8. Even if I only use it 5 times I can't argue for that price. I had a coupon for everything so I saved more than $20 (on a ~$100 order) off the already pretty low prices. I don't have high expectations, but I don't have a lot of tools so it helps to at least get a bigger base. None of these were tools that I will be using a lot, so why not?

[catamount]

If you are a professional, then you might consider some high end stuff from Sears or Lowes.

I don't think any pro wrenchers are buying their tools at Lowes or Sears! The pros buy from the Snap-On, Mac, Matco guy who shows up in a truck at their shop and extends them a line of credit. I don't think many pros turn "Kobalt" wrenches.


I agree that HF is useful for those random tools that you won't use a lot. I just ordered a bearing extractor from them last week. Price of a German, quality unit? $400. HF chinese price? $100.

I used to buy the cheapest tools when I was younger. It did not pay off, I just ended up having to spend the money twice. I also realized, through garagejournal.com, that there are many diamonds in the rough. Autozone, for instance, has some inexpensive ratchets that rival the big name brands. Craftsman has never let me down. I treasure the few Snap-On and Mac wrenches I've found at yard sales.

Anyway, Harbor Freight has a place but I prefer to shop elsewhere when possible.

This forum pwns me:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

[Expat]

Don`t get me wrong guys. The bulk of my tools are Craftsman and Snapon and I`ve had most of them forever. The hand tools at HF (Pittsburg) are pretty much the same quality as Stanley (Walmart),Rigid (HomeDepot), Cobalt (Lowes),etc. Pittsburg tools are not trade quality like Craftsman ,Snapon etc. but in a situation like tightening loose hex bolts the bolts will strip out long before l the tool fails.

Hmmm, I have a 12mm combination wrench which failed on BOTH ends from HF, it was new and unused, I got a set for my son for his first wrench set. After it broke, I went to my toolbox and used my 30 year old wrench which was not an expensive one by any means, the nut was tight but it did the job without failure!
I would rate their tools as much lower quality than the others you mention, after the failure you could see a very coarse grain stucture in the steel, indicative of a low grade carbon steel.
That said, it is a candy shop for the guys! I am seriously contemplating getting their bike lift but waiting for a good sale deal!!

[caddydaddy]

I'm not impressed with HF tools either, and I use caution with what I buy there. I've had my Craftsman tools for almost 20 years and only had to return a malfunctioning ratchet twice! I used to wrench a lot on cars, so my tools get used hard.
I definitely wouldn't buy something like an air compressor or power tools there! Buyer beware!

[Danz19899]

HF does have some great deals tho. They have a rear stand for $30 that i've used a tone , never failed and very stable. Also love their chain breaker, used it probably a dozen times with no issues at all.

But a lot of there stuff is junk. even for a DIY just go craftsmen spend the extra, save you some frustration

I'm a mechanic . . only tools in my box are Snap on, Mac, and craftsman(cause I can't afford snap on ones yet).

[Garandman]

It's like the tool department at wallmart. No thanks, I like the skin on my knuckles!
I've never been to a HF and never plan to go

Just how complicated do you think it is to forge a wrench?

I have a set of metric combination wrenches made in India and purchased at KMart for a few dollars in the 70's. They've been used hundreds of times and are now mixed in with my US made Craftsman and Stanley wrenches.

There are several nuts I couldn't get off the V-Strom because the Craftsman 12 pt sockets I had wouldn't move them. For the price of one large Craftsman socket bought a whole set of six point HF sockets. Probably use them 3-4 times a year for four years so far, and they've worked fine. In fact, the laser-etched #'s on the side are much easier to read than the Craftsman set I have.

Not a big fan and wouldn't buy most power tools there but their hand tools have worked just fine for me.

[catamount]

Just how complicated do you think it is to forge a wrench?me.

You do realize that the steel someone is using in China may be different than the steel someone is using in Taiwan, Germany, USA... right?

Buying cheap tools is a false economy. And I own some cheap tools. But I regret them every time I pick them up or throw them out (as they break).



http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...ex-key-set.htm

[csmutty]

HF stuff is hit or miss. Before I buy something from them I usually read the reviews pretty thoroughly. I have a chain breaker, parts washer, swingarm spools, feeler gauges, brushes, etc that work great for what I use them for.

[Eddie]

Fine. I have no idea where the pros purchase their tools. Afterall, besides changing the oil or working on my bodywork I really do not do that much mechanical work - I tend to leave it to those who understand what they are doing who have the right tools.

I will admint tough, that the HF stuff seems to be of lower grade. I did purchase my trailer there ( which I am hoping was a pretty good purchase) and managed to pick up a couple of odd small things when I was there. I'd certainly love to have a garage full of top notch stuff, however, before I replace my driveway and the roof, paint the exterior of my house I can't seem to justify paying upwards of $400 to start to fill up my garage.

I don't think any pro wrenchers are buying their tools at Lowes or Sears! The pros buy from the Snap-On, Mac, Matco guy who shows up in a truck at their shop and extends them a line of credit. I don't think many pros turn "Kobalt" wrenches.


I agree that HF is useful for those random tools that you won't use a lot. I just ordered a bearing extractor from them last week. Price of a German, quality unit? $400. HF chinese price? $100.

I used to buy the cheapest tools when I was younger. It did not pay off, I just ended up having to spend the money twice. I also realized, through garagejournal.com, that there are many diamonds in the rough. Autozone, for instance, has some inexpensive ratchets that rival the big name brands. Craftsman has never let me down. I treasure the few Snap-On and Mac wrenches I've found at yard sales.

Anyway, Harbor Freight has a place but I prefer to shop elsewhere when possible.

This forum pwns me:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

[Palm Bomb]

my "track box" is my tool set for the track...pretty much everything in there is from HF. why? it was cheap, it works for what I need it to, I don't care if something gets lost/not returned, and if shit gets stolen i'm not really that upset.

don't try stealing it from me though....i subscribe to cutting off hands...just saying

[R7]

Just how complicated do you think it is to forge a wrench?

They may be able to forge them and make them look all pretty, but the metals used are garbage.

[RandyO]

Pittsburg tools are not trade quality like Craftsman ,Snapon etc..

be careful what you say about Craftsman, they make both consumer and professional grade tools, I wouldn't compare Craftsman to Snapon unless yer comparing their professional grade stuff, even though both grades carry the same warranty


and just cause something is from China, doesn't mean it's crap (doesn't mean it's good either)

[BluGixxer]

I have quite a selection of H/F tools , where I save. Is the special tools that you don't use on a regular basis, like extra extra long needle nose pliers with 45 and 90 degree bend at the tip , but it doesn't take much to twist them to were the tip doesn't align . You have to watch all of there piers , even the "vise grip " type , not tight , they go from sisde t side.
And although the just recently changed ther look with sockets and wrenches ,they are better , be careful , open end wrenches spread , box end and sockets including 6 point are not always the correct size, off by a little bit , just enough to make your life miserable and round off an important bolt.
Have had good luck with electric stuff ,12" compound mitre, 14" metel chopsaw, and a variaty of 4 and 4.5 hand grinders. All of which you need to treat lightly , most recent was a 6.2 amp 4.5" hand grinder w/paddle switch , I love it , $23.00w/coupon , and a small 10 gal 5hp compressor ,$ 67.00 w/coupon, I treat it like a portable air tank and that's all, its not big enough to run air toools more than a spurt.

[crowspeed07]

There hand tools do come with a lifetime warranty, so for the person who isn't using these tools for more than an occasional wrenching they aren't that bad of a choice.

[ZX11D]

be careful what you say about Craftsman, they make both consumer and professional grade tools, I wouldn't compare Craftsman to Snapon unless yer comparing their professional grade stuff, even though both grades carry the same warranty


and just cause something is from China, doesn't mean it's crap (doesn't mean it's good either)

Thats something I wasn`t aware of. I bet I have some of both in my collection. I started back in the 70`s with mostly SAE automotive stuff and recently started wrenching with Metric sizes on bikes and cars. HF stuff has kinda filled the gap for me with that.

[orion899]

bought a framing nailer, didn't last one small project without failure, usually I don't mind their cheap tools like a $15 grinder but the nailer was about $80

[mikeb]

your all fuck'in tool snobs. unless you make your living behind tools the stuff they sell does the job. i refuse to pay top dollar for things i use once in awhile. if you want to stroke your ego about how much you paid for your snap-on tap and die set you used once in three years go right ahead. i'll send the extra coin on gas.

btw craftsman makes some kick ass stuff. i walk around there tool section with a hard on.

[catamount]

your all fuck'in tool snobs. unless you make your living behind tools the stuff they sell does the job. i refuse to pay top dollar for things i use once in awhile. if you want to stroke your ego about how much you paid for your snap-on tap and die set you used once in three years go right ahead. i'll send the extra coin on gas.

btw craftsman makes some kick ass stuff. i walk around there tool section with a hard on.

Wow.

[R7]

i'll send the extra coin on gas.

Yep, that you will.....when you're in the middle of a project and a tool breaks and you have to drive around searching for a tool to complete your project

Craftsman is good, but far from top of the line IMO. I havn't been left unable to complete a project yet with them though. If you wait for a sale, you can get good deals on their tool kits.