HF 3 day sale?

[Flatsbroke]

Are the HF parking lot sales any good? I have one around the block from my office and needed another heat gun.

Do they have much more on sale than the coupons they advertise? All "good" quality or is it the returns?

 

[allinon72]

There are about 15 items at HF which can be considered "good" quality

 

[CJM8515]

There are about 15 items at HF which can be considered "good" quality

I beg to differ, got more than a few items from them including the 44" toolbox and Im quite happy. Is everything great, nope some of it is junk and some of its good if not great. But buying stuff from sears or home depot aint much better in some cases too!

 

[cdestuck]

I've never recall seeing anything to much at those sales tht aren't put on sale through out their regular sales. And I have to disagree with above. I'm a big tool nut and don't mind spending for a name brand tool. But there are quite a few things they sell that I'm not afraid to buy

 

[fitz11]

There is very little that is cheaper than using a normal coupon.

 

[efncrx]

the parking lot sales are worthless.

No better deals than any other day of the year, just clip a 20% coupon and buy what you need when it is convenient.

Good tools worth buying at HF:

-shrink tube assortment
-cheap dead blow hammers
-Large 44" toolbox (others as well im sure)
-jack stands
-$1 magnetic parts trays
-24" 1/2drive breaker bar
-2ton high lift jack <---- find a better 2ton floor jack that lifts 24" for $130 with a warrenty!!!!!

this is just a few useful things ive found probably loads more.

 

[nicksnothereman]

There are about 15 items at HF which can be considered "good" quality

Jimmies rustled!

They got lots of good stuff man. Not the retaining ring pliers though but those low end head swap deals seem to all ****.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I been looking at the 5 drawer red tool cart. Thier tool storage stuff are just as good as box stores and even truck brands,As almost all are made in China nowadays. They have plenty of good stuff there. As for the 20% coupons you can't use or combine it with advertised stuff or inside track club. Bummer. The parking lot sales are a good especially on the third day as lots of markdowns. Fun to just go and look around.



I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman won't give me no credit

 

[sidwin]

my favorite thing from hf is the wrenches since they have 72 teeth. i use the 3/8 with 1/4 extension one a lot. probably my favorite one since i can get more torque when i need it. i have the side box added to the red roll around. pretty much perfect for all the things i use it for. i also like their impact sockets. lifetime warranty and best bang for the buck when it comes to impact sockets. also good deal is the micrometer. $8 for a digital micrometer is nuts. their socket organizer is ok too.

 

[bad_idea]

Consumables. That is what makes HF great. Nitrile gloves, chip brushes, etc.

 

[Super Mech]

my favorite thing from hf is the wrenches since they have 72 teeth. i use the 3/8 with 1/4 extension one a lot. probably my favorite one since i can get more torque when i need it. i have the side box added to the red roll around. pretty much perfect for all the things i use it for. i also like their impact sockets. lifetime warranty and best bang for the buck when it comes to impact sockets. also good deal is the micrometer. $8 for a digital micrometer is nuts. their socket organizer is ok too.

Any pictures of that side box add on? I'd like to do that to mine!

 

[FriendOfYours]

They bring out the used boxes on parking lot days

 

[sidwin]

Any pictures of that side box add on? I'd like to do that to mine!

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-7-drawer-glossy-red-end-cabinet-for-roller-tool-chest-68785.html

all i had to do was dremel .5 on an inch of one corner and it fits fine. becareful when you try to roll it round because is very heavy on one side. I thought about adding a second one but haven't really found the need.

 

[sidwin]

Consumables. That is what makes HF great. Nitrile gloves, chip brushes, etc.

i love the step drill bits. perfect cut round wholes. i used it to cut my maxjax. you go buy that at homedepot and see how much one of those cost. the other good thing are adapters for hand tools. Breaker bars, torque wrenches, etc. we calilbrate my torque bar at my buddy's lab and it was still +-2 lbs accurate. man i can go on and on

now what not to buy... impacts... if you do buy a name brand like IR. stay away from central pneu. Impact sockets good... impact drivers bad

 

[aka rotten]

Only thing I,ve ever bought there was there C.P.2 in 1 18 air nailer / stapler. Dont use it professionally, built about 40 birdhouses with it few days ago. Lot faster then nailing, and no problems with it.

 

[sidwin]

Only thing I,ve ever bought there was there C.P.2 in 1 18 air nailer / stapler. Dont use it professionally, built about 40 birdhouses with it few days ago. Lot faster then nailing, and no problems with it.

i was referring to impact series from CP.

i have the same air crown nailer and it is pretty cool.

 

[Zeke]

There is very little that is cheaper than using a normal coupon.

Especially a 25% off one.

 

[T-Mac]

I can remember growing up when everything from japan was called junk and now most of it is good quality stuff-wonder how long it will take Chinese stuff to get to that level if it ever does.I have bought a lot of things at HF I am happy with and an equal amount I am not.

 

[rice rocket]

Consumables. That is what makes HF great. Nitrile gloves, chip brushes, etc.

Nitrile gloves are actually cheaper at Zoro by a buck or two a pack. They also have 20-30% off pretty often, so if you're stocking up, it's better to get 'em there.

I've never shopped their chip brushes though.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Ignoring all the comments above, I would say the best way to find out is GO THERE. See for yourself. You may find something of interest.

I have found that any single particular item tends to go on sale every three months. Don't worry about missing a sale- it will be back again. The base items are always there, and if you're looking for something special, keep an eye out. The sale items are the same at every store, but the clearance stock and return items vary greatly by store. Yes, consumables are usually on sale, so it's a good time to stock up on zip ties, electrical tape, epoxy, etc.

Going to HF means preparing yourself accordingly. I keep a file folder in my vehicle that has the monthly ad, weekly ad printed out if there is anything of interest, and several current magazines- Hot Rodder, Family Handmyman, Car Craft, etc. Why? Because the ads in those prices are often even *lower* than the Inside Track club member prices. That's also where you'll find the best general discount coupons. Your weekly grocery bulk mailer or AdPro bundle will also have small HF Coupons worth having handy. That's where the free flashlight, blue puck light, part trays, and DVM meters show up.

I plan to go this afternoon.

 

[mtmgtz]

I can remember growing up when everything from japan was called junk and now most of it is good quality stuff-wonder how long it will take Chinese stuff to get to that level if it ever does.I have bought a lot of things at HF I am happy with and an equal amount I am not.

Since when have Japanese products really been junk? Several Japanese companies have been making quality stuff since at least World War II. Taiwan, Thailand, China, yea some junk there. Some people just have a stigma since it's not "Made in USA." A lot of that has changed as people realize they're not going to pay twice as much for something that may work almost as well as a domestic product.

 

[KristianS]

I was planning on going too but it seems like all the essentials like storage, workbenches etc are all most likely cheaper with a 20%-25% coupon (and no lines) I'll go anyways for the heck of it.

 

[JABgj]

Are the HF parking lot sales any good? I have one around the block from my office and needed another heat gun.

Do they have much more on sale than the coupons they advertise? All "good" quality or is it the returns?

Heat gun? What could possibly go wrong? I have had mixed results with things you plug in from HF. Some are OK, some not so much. I do like the disposable
angle grinders. One thing about HF if you try it and it *****, take it back. I have never had a problem with a return. Go check it out. You need 20 lbs. of zip-ties.

 

[Zeke]

The zip ties won't hold a trash bag.

 

[Flatsbroke]

I've used their heat guns for several years as have many friends without a problem

 

[holdover]

"Good tools worth buying at HF:

-shrink tube assortment
-cheap dead blow hammers
-Large 44" toolbox (others as well im sure)
-jack stands
-$1 magnetic parts trays
-24" 1/2drive breaker bar
-2ton high lift jack <---- find a better 2ton floor jack that lifts 24" for $130 with a warrenty!!!!!"

I would add their 1/2" torque wrench on sale for 9.99 with coupon. Every vehicle I own has one to tighten lug nuts in case of a flat tire. A few years back hotrod or carcraft compared torque wrenches the HF one was within 2% of dialed torque not bad. I have a sears, SO and a dozen HF ones not afraid to use the HF one for anything.

the heat guns are great, mine is over 5 yrs old.

Also have one of their $9.99 4" angle grinders and punish it way beyond what it is suppose to do. Been using it for about 5 yrs and have had it so hot you can hardly hold it, let it cool and it works great again.

some of their items aren't worth having, BUT as stated if you are not happy with it bring it back.

they are not Snap-on or the other great tools, but some will do the job just fine.

your mileage may vary..

 

[wildbill23c]

Jimmies rustled!

They got lots of good stuff man. Not the retaining ring pliers though but those low end head swap deals seem to all ****.

Hey them damn retaining ring pliers are great....great for shooting retaining rings across your shop .

 

[wildbill23c]

"Good tools worth buying at HF:

-shrink tube assortment
-cheap dead blow hammers
-Large 44" toolbox (others as well im sure)
-jack stands
-$1 magnetic parts trays
-24" 1/2drive breaker bar
-2ton high lift jack <---- find a better 2ton floor jack that lifts 24" for $130 with a warrenty!!!!!"

I would add their 1/2" torque wrench on sale for 9.99 with coupon. Every vehicle I own has one to tighten lug nuts in case of a flat tire. A few years back hotrod or carcraft compared torque wrenches the HF one was within 2% of dialed torque not bad. I have a sears, SO and a dozen HF ones not afraid to use the HF one for anything.

the heat guns are great, mine is over 5 yrs old.

Also have one of their $9.99 4" angle grinders and punish it way beyond what it is suppose to do. Been using it for about 5 yrs and have had it so hot you can hardly hold it, let it cool and it works great again.

some of their items aren't worth having, BUT as stated if you are not happy with it bring it back.

they are not Snap-on or the other great tools, but some will do the job just fine.

your mileage may vary..

I have the 1/2" torque wrench, and it works great, far better than I anticipated being as cheap as it was, and being from HF.

I also have one of the 4" angle grinders, dang thing is at least 8 years old might be older, it was actually the first thing I ever bought from HF, and it works great.

I have a couple of the end wrench sets and they seem to work pretty well. I have the 61pc (I think that's what it is anyhow, can't remember for sure) socket set and it works great, also has a lifetime warranty so...you really can't go wrong there.

I've picked up several other items as well, one being the 8" x 12" variable speed mini-lathe last year, and it works great for turning pens.

I have 2 of the large dust collectors and have no clue how well they work, bought them 6 years ago and never got my shop floor installed (no money) so they are still in the boxes . At this point I'll probably never know how well they work, they're quickly getting shoved closer to the scrap metal pile.

 

[Cruster]

I used to avoid HF like the plague.....cheap chinese $hxt. Now if you look at most of the car parts stores, big box, etc - it all comes from there anyway except the most outrageously priced stuff. Lucky to get something from Japan or even Taiwan - they're outsourcing to china as well. Course you all know all of that.

that being said, there are some HF things that are bearable, just gotta be choosy

 

[American]

Picking up two 44" boxes for $359 and a motorcycle lift table for$299 tomorrow...who knows what else.

 

[wildbill23c]

Picking up two 44" boxes for $359 and a motorcycle lift table for$299 tomorrow...who knows what else.

I have the 44" rolling tool chest as well as the top chest. I've had them for probably 10 years now, they've always sat outside on my carport as I don't have anywhere else to put them, and they've held up extremely well. I still have 2 empty drawers, well ok mainly because 5 years ago when I lost my job I needed money so many of my tools were sold.

 

[188slo50]

^^^^ what he said. Get the warranty and use it, I got a pressure I return every 2 yrs for a new one than pay $60 for new warranty and start all over. Have had a new pressure washer every 2 yrs for the past 5 and worth every penny.

 

[ScottsGT]

I just picked up the low profile 3 ton jack today. Priced at $78 this weekend and I got the 1 year warranty for an extra $20
Also got the forstner bits for some wood working projects I want to get done soon. Not on sale, but I used the 20% off coupon for that one.
Oh, also had the coupon for the free cheap screwdrivers so the wife can have her own set of chisels!

 

[American]

I have a 10' section of crappy cabinets in my new shop that is coming out and building out a maple work top then be able to roll out the boxes when I need them.

I wish HF made some matching wall cabinets I could hang. Anyway, heading over to HF Sunday for the boxes and cycle lift table.

 

[sracer99]

On the recommendation of a pro that uses it a lot more than I do, bought their 1/2" hurricane air impact: http://http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html
I've had it a couple years, not a heavy user, but it works great. I threw out 2 CP brand ones after getting this one.

 

[American]

Uh oh.. we crashed HF's website.

Just kidding.. you have a double http in your link.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html

Pretty good deal on the Retractable Hose Reel too:

http://www.harborfreight.com/50-ft-...ose-reel-with-3-8-eighth-inch-hose-93897.html

 

[chicken89]

i am not the tool aficionado as most people are here. i go there because i am still learning what tools do and which ones i need/want. i bought quite a few tools there for a specific project, and haven't used since then. some i have used a lot and waiting for them to die to have an excuse to get a better one (e.g. nail gun, my HF one died couple weeks ago, had it for 6 years). with the exception of a few hammers and circular saws i got at garage sales, and my air compressor, i believe all my tools are from HF.
other than hammers, screwdrivers and sockets/wrenches, i don't use many tools. no need to spend crazy money i don't have, on tools i don't use much. HF is a perfect place for me. but like said above, use the coupons, if you don't think you will use the tool much, get it at HF, if it will be a high usage tool, go some where else.

as for the OPs question about the 3 day sale. i've never bought anything then. my HF is too far away, and the prices during the sale are not good enough to justify the drive.

 

[188slo50]

Pretty good deal on the Retractable Hose Reel too:

http://www.harborfreight.com/50-ft-...ose-reel-with-3-8-eighth-inch-hose-93897.html

Go to TSC this Labor Day weekend and get it $10 cheaper.

 

[American]

Go to TSC this Labor Day weekend and get it $10 cheaper.

I'm not seeing it. Link?

 

[Viper98912]

I went tonight. Didn't pick anything up, but I did have my eye on the 3 ton low profile steel jack for $77. That's a great deal....