My Harbor Freight Investment

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Thanks man; appreciate it.

Jim1987, you post too much.

John, I think about how much those tools helped you advance. You'd still be in debt up to your eyeballs if you pulled the trigger on truck brand stuff at the time you loaded up on HF. That right there is support/justification enough.

 

[Givl Reggin]

If I told my wife I spent $300+ on a set of wrenches, I think she would slice my manhood off and put it in a blender

My wife has no clue what tools cost. I could tell her a set of Snap-On wrenches were $3,000 and she'd think that was completely reasonable.

Likewise I have no idea what those Chanel/Gucci/Louis Vuitton handbags or the boxes and boxes of Jimmy Choo and Fendi shoes she has in the closet cost (yeah, I could look it up, but why when I can speculate!). Sometimes ignorance is bliss!

The real difference is that next year at this time I'll still have the $3,000 wrenches, while those handbags and shoes wind up in the goodwill box because they're no longer the 'right' color or the style isn't 'in-fashion' anymore.

 

[Exceller8]

The bottom line is that tools are for getting a job done. How you go about doing it is up to you.

 

[ohblondi]

John I realize you are a busy man, but it would be cool if you could do another youtube video talking about your "new" tools and how the new shop is is treating you. Read the entire thread not to long ago, and its great to see a business owner like you start from scratch and work your way up. Best of luck to you

 

[Tool504]

John I realize you are a busy man, but it would be cool if you could do another youtube video talking about your "new" tools and how the new shop is is treating you. Read the entire thread not to long ago, and its great to see a business owner like you start from scratch and work your way up. Best of luck to you

John, I've read this entire thread. I've also watched all of your vids on youtube and as stated above, I think it would be cool if you could give us an update video if you can find the time. I think it's awesome how you came from all HF to that killer Mac box and tools (I'm a Mac fan myself) all while successfully operating and apparently growing your own shop. Hope to see an update soon. Best wishes.

 

[Agtech]

Hey John. Great thread! Read it all and watched the videos. Now that you have had the Macsimizer a while, is there anything about the box you would change? Anything you aren't happy with? Just curious. Great box!

 

[fireeqpsrv]

John Just found this thread last night and love what all you have discussed and Watched you vids also. I think you are doing great with what you did. You started off with what you could afford and I see that you upgraded later as funds allowed.

 

[Askme42]

My wife has no clue what tools cost. I could tell her a set of Snap-On wrenches were $3,000 and she'd think that was completely reasonable.

Likewise I have no idea what those Chanel/Gucci/Louis Vuitton handbags or the boxes and boxes of Jimmy Choo and Fendi shoes she has in the closet cost (yeah, I could look it up, but why when I can speculate!). Sometimes ignorance is bliss!

The real difference is that next year at this time I'll still have the $3,000 wrenches, while those handbags and shoes wind up in the goodwill box because they're no longer the 'right' color or the style isn't 'in-fashion' anymore.

She gives 4 thousand dollar purses to goodwill?

Go ahead and throw some of that money my way.

 

[stikman56]

My only problem were the AC gauges, but thats been corrected "stated above."

I use the compression tester, leak down tester, and vacuum gauges a lot. they work great with no issues.

I did warranty some items, but not because they broke, because they got too dirty and I could not clean them. LOL... I know, but I very obsessed with appearance "border line OCD; maybe full blown, lol." I clean my tools after ever use, and make sure to use clean gloves, when using rubber handled items. I know; I need help.LOL

Only issue I saw with the guages in our shop was the knobs break easily. I own a lot of HF stuff myself used it in a shop environment.

List of Garbage tools I have found:
Locking pliers
Snap ring pliers
Impact swivels
Not fond of their wrenches at all
low dollar ohmmeter
Most of their air tools( The Earthquake line and the Green 3/4" Impact wrench is exempt from that)

All else that I have has been fantastic,held up to hard use.

 

[stikman56]

If you bought all of these equivalents off the tool trucks new, you'd probably be looking at $30,000-$40,000, and you'd be up to your eyeballs in debt.

I'm willing to bet his "crappy" tools haven't kept him from doing his job, and he'll actually get to make money being a mechanic instead of just owing money to the company store.

That's exactly it. A good mechanic can still do it well with the lower dollar tools.

 

[OxJaw]

John I realize you are a busy man, but it would be cool if you could do another youtube video talking about your "new" tools and how the new shop is is treating you. Read the entire thread not to long ago, and its great to see a business owner like you start from scratch and work your way up. Best of luck to you

John, I've read this entire thread. I've also watched all of your vids on youtube and as stated above, I think it would be cool if you could give us an update video if you can find the time. I think it's awesome how you came from all HF to that killer Mac box and tools (I'm a Mac fan myself) all while successfully operating and apparently growing your own shop. Hope to see an update soon. Best wishes.

Here's his youtube channel, he has a few videos of his MAC box on there.

 

[David W]

I don't want to be a smart *** but I wonder if John has tried to warranty the Mac stuff because it was dirty?

This is a great thread and John has played it smart except for trying to warranty the HF stuff because it was dirty. That is just unreasonable.

 

[aducharme]

they make up to a 72in thats a triple bank not all stores keep them in stock but i have seen them in person for the cost it seems to be a great box.

 

[warbird]

49 pages and only 1 pic of your GF on a tool box? what happened to the valentines promise? LOL just messing with you John. great thread man ..... totally agree with you on the stay out of debt and grow into it .... man good job. good job

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

49 pages and only 1 pic of your GF on a tool box? what happened to the valentines promise? LOL just messing with you John. great thread man ..... totally agree with you on the stay out of debt and grow into it .... man good job. good job

We split up a while ago... I could post all the **** pics I have of her? (not gonna happen, I'm not that evil.)

Guess the next best thing is some strange on the Macsimizer; I'll see what I can do.

"I keep my ratchets in the top drawer."

 

[merbie]

one on the left is my kinda chick

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

one on the left is my kinda chick

Agreed

 

[AceofSpad3s]

they got a 56 inch box too.

 

[merbie]

She your gf? If so you done good bubba


Sent from the sticks

 

[signcrafter]

Hey John hows the shop going? The last update I remember reading was moving in to the new building. Any updates on the shop, maybe a video tour? How's business?

 

[atvguy1234]

This is incredible. Love it.


Skylar Jeppesen

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

She your gf? If so you done good bubba


Sent from the sticks

No, lol.... Just a "friend" she's 22, I'm 36. For something serious I try to date in my own age range. For fun; well nothing beats newer models. lol

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Hey John hows the shop going? The last update I remember reading was moving in to the new building. Any updates on the shop, maybe a video tour? How's business?

Yeah a lot has changed, and more change is coming soon. I might do a new video tonight.

 

[merbie]

Do it man!


Sent from the sticks

 

[Lbcwanabe]

so neat and clean

 

[ohblondi]

Would love to see a new video from you man! I bet I have watched your three part mac one 4 or 5 times apiece. Your videos are always entertaining.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Would love to see a new video from you man! I bet I have watched your three part mac one 4 or 5 times apiece. Your videos are always entertaining.

3 videos are uploading now.

 

[stage20]

i was thinking about this thread when looking at craigslist earlier. guy has tupper and lower cab set up full of HF tools. some is craftsman and there a few snap on combos from what i can see. advertises he has over 10K in the setup and will sell for 2250 because he is moving. just trying to get over on somebody. im sure there is more than 2250 there.... but thats pawn shop prices. crazy how much you can get for little at hf.

that mac stuff sure is nice. im a fan of mac stuff, except sockets. i have a bunch but rarely use them.

 

[ohblondi]

Can't wait for them to be posted.

You still post on your MNJ John account.

Also I can't blame you for not making many videos. Reading through the comments on them you catch so much unmerited ****. I have never met you obviously but you just seem like such a great stand up guy trying to make a living and you started your own business and you are actually doing something great with your life. Hats off to you man. And good luck to you always.

 

[diggerrick]

Can't wait for them to be posted.

You still post on your MNJ John account.

Also I can't blame you for not making many videos. Reading through the comments on them you catch so much unmerited ****. I have never met you obviously but you just seem like such a great stand up guy trying to make a living and you started your own business and you are actually doing something great with your life. Hats off to you man. And good luck to you always.

Most of those comments are probably from guys that spend more time polishing their tools than using them.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Can't wait for them to be posted.

You still post on your MNJ John account.

Also I can't blame you for not making many videos. Reading through the comments on them you catch so much unmerited ****. I have never met you obviously but you just seem like such a great stand up guy trying to make a living and you started your own business and you are actually doing something great with your life. Hats off to you man. And good luck to you always.

Most of those comments are probably from guys that spend more time polishing their tools than using them.

Thanks; appreciate that.

Yeah still under the MNJ YouTube account, they are taking a really long time to upload (using the YouTube app on my phone.)

 

[gsingh]

Thanks brotha

 

[Tronyadorable]

CONGRATZ on the nice tool collection. You'll eventually find a few items that kinda ****. No problem. You can replace them, as/when needed.
I'd be proud if you said " Tony--come fix your_____ here. I have some tools"
That you do.
Money intelligently invested and serving your current needs.
Unusual in these parts.

 

[Bull]

I'm glad you are still around here, John.

I still remember when you first showed up and kind of did something no one else on here had.

I also remember your early videos and pics with your tiny home shop. Now you're all grown up and big time.

Pretty cool to see the progression.

 

[kctyphoon]

Love this thread.. Wish John would post where his shop is in nj, as since moving from SI I have not found 1 place that hasn't tried to rob me blind.. Of the last 2 shops I went to, one told me I needed to spend $4,500 for him to replace the injectors in my 7.3 powerstroke because " they don't make rebuilt injectors", and the second shop tried to bill me $1500 to install a turbo that I supplied, onto the same engine(since it wasn't the injectors in the first place). It's 4 bolts.. Needless to say my experience with mechanics and nj has not been a good one..

 

[ohblondi]

Just finished your videos!

A great watch indeed.

 

[Exceller8]

Hey John, I just finished the videos as well. Thanks for taking the time to make them for us, we appreciate them.

If I were you I would stop worrying about what people think of you and your tools. I would agree that they're probably jealous or have a box full of filthy dirty tools and you make them look bad!

 

[kctyphoon]

Ha.. Well so much for finding a reliable mechanic in nj..

 

[92integra]

you better let us know when the videos' hit the interweb! been waiting for this for a while, hope to see a lift in your shop. good to know your still doing well. keep kicking *** man your an inspiration to young tech's trying to make there way in this business

 

[Shadowdog500]

Where's the videos!!![emoji1]

Chris