Northern Tool Sales ?

[smalltown]

I'm not all that familiar with Northern Tool, but I recently saw something that had been on sale, and I wonder will that come on sale again ?

With Harbor freight it seems like if you wait just a little it will either go on sale or you will get a coupon to use.

 

[MWEric]

Don't even bother with Northern. They are HQ'd here in MN, they are way overpriced and mostly carry Chinese ****. Better of with Harbor Freight

 

[smalltown]

I was interested I the USA made Rapid Air piping

 

[lazer50]

Some things they sell are much higher quality than hf

 

[gdocktor3]

I've gotten some amazing deals on Gearwrench from Northern Tool. One example was my 4 piece set of jumbo metric ratchet wrenches. Usually they go for around $65, but Northern had them for $39 I think and I also used a coupon code on top.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I never had any issues with them and they have some deals now and then like everyone else, imho.

 

[cheechi]

Some things they sell are much higher quality than hf

Please list some. I'm not doubting what you say just that some things are unclear whether it's worth the risk/worth paying more than HF. I assume you're talking about the house brands like Klutch, etc.

Usually only things i get from northern are Milwaukee tools (if the coupon price beat amazon/HD), Titan (better than HF but by no means top tier), a few times a year I check the clearance for cheap clothes, and misc supplies like the $5 USA made drawer organizers. The Century taps & dies are good quality for singles. Made in Japan.

 

[53chevy5]

Its kinda like Harbor Freight, maybe a little better but you really have to watch what you buy.

 

[gdocktor3]

Please list some. I'm not doubting what you say just that some things are unclear whether it's worth the risk/worth paying more than HF. I assume you're talking about the house brands like Klutch, etc.

Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ingersoll Rand, Gearwrench, Makita, MasterLock, Reese, Curt, Husqvarna, Oregon are a few brands I've purchased from NT that I'd rather buy over HF...

Although, I've never been to a Northern Tool store and only buy online, so I'm not sure if they're sold in house. Are they? Can you walk in store and walk out with anything they have online, or is it like Sears selling other brands so their own company loses money?

 

[PMD1966]

Couple of years ago I received a sale catalog from Northern Tool. On the front, in big letters it said, "Everything in this catalog ships FREE". When I tried to buy a Hobart mig welder, shipping charges kept being added to my order. Called customer service, and was told that they have to charge for shipping. Told him about free shipping on the front of the catalog. He said they have to charge for shipping. Went to Amazon. Found the same welder for $40.00 less, with free shipping. No more Northern Tool for me.

 

[gearhead1]

In my experience, NT will not have that same thing on sale as HF puts their stuff on sale. If you can get the same thing at HF, you'll wait less time and more able to get a coupon.

NT has things HF doesn't like hydraulics that HF doesn't have. They also have more name brand tools than HF. It depends on what you're looking for..

 

[AA/FC]

Although, I've never been to a Northern Tool store and only buy online, so I'm not sure if they're sold in house. Are they? Can you walk in store and walk out with anything they have online, or is it like Sears selling other brands so their own company loses money?

Most items can be bought in-store. Some physically large items, or less common items may not be stocked in retail locations. An no, it's not like sears where they let other retailers list items on their site. If Northern lists an item on it's site, it is sold by Northern.

NT has things HF doesn't like hydraulics that HF doesn't have.

This is true..... and not a surprise considering the company was originally named "Northern Hydraulics"

They have been.... (not necessarily in this order)

• Northern Hydraulics
• Northern
• Northern Handyman
• Northern Tool and Equipment

 

[brownbagg]

Some things they sell are much higher quality than hf

EVERYTHING they sell is better quality than HF

 

[brownbagg]

.


This is true..... and not a surprise considering the company was originally named "Northern Hydraulics"

They have been.... (not necessarily in this order)

• Northern Hydraulics
• Northern
• Northern Handyman
• Northern Tool
  
  

Dont forget Northern equipment and tool

 

[AA/FC]

Dont forget Northern equipment and tool

You mean "Northern Tool and Equipment" their current name? I will edit the list. Lol

 

[wake74]

My only knock against my local NT (which is between my son's school and my office, so it gets passed regularly) is that they often don't have some of the sales items in stock even though store inventory shows they have it. The nice thing is that you can get items shipped to the store for free. They quote a long lead time, like 2-3 weeks, but I've never waited for more than week. Recently bought a garage fan, and a small tow-behind sprayer this way.

 

[cheechi]

EVERYTHING they sell is better quality than HF

Take a look at their house brands Klutch, grip something, Iron ton, northstar/powerhorse, and 'northern industrial' and compare those one for one against HF. Hand tools, honda clone small engines, air tools, consumables, etc. You really want to say everything is better quality?

Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ingersoll Rand, Gearwrench, Makita, MasterLock, Reese, Curt, Husqvarna, Oregon are a few brands I've purchased from NT that I'd rather buy over HF

So in other words not an apples to apples comparison.

I know that several things are better at Northern. Not questioning that. I was hoping whoever made the claim originally would have some things they had personal experience with that could be useful information.

So aside from national brands let's have some specifics for what I was asking about. Their cut off discs are just as bad as dangerous as HF ones. Their wire wheels, grinding stones, etc wear out just as fast as HF ones. If they cost more and are the same quality they're less valuable.

I would like you to list some things that are better one for one HF brand vs Northern brand from experience. That's what I was asking.

 

[drink]

I'm not all that familiar with Northern Tool, but I recently saw something that had been on sale, and I wonder will that come on sale again ?

With Harbor freight it seems like if you wait just a little it will either go on sale or you will get a coupon to use.

I've bought from NT several times. They sell a variety of stuff. Some of it is the same you would buy anywhere else, and some of the stuff is really cheap quality. They sell small engines & parts, outdoor power equipment, power tools, lawn & garden seats, etc. Sale prices and coupons can help you to get a better deal.

 

[gdocktor3]

So aside from national brands let's have some specifics for what I was asking about. Their cut off discs are just as bad as dangerous as HF ones. Their wire wheels, grinding stones, etc wear out just as fast as HF ones. If they cost more and are the same quality they're less valuable.

I would like you to list some things that are better one for one HF brand vs Northern brand from experience. That's what I was asking.

Oh I see what you're saying. Unfortunately, I don't buy that cheap **** from either store.

 

[bob15]

Most items can be bought in-store. Some physically large items, or less common items may not be stocked in retail locations. An no, it's not like sears where they let other retailers list items on their site. If Northern lists an item on it's site, it is sold by Northern.


This is true..... and not a surprise considering the company was originally named "Northern Hydraulics"

They have been.... (not necessarily in this order)

• Northern Hydraulics
• Northern
• Northern Handyman
• Northern Tool and Equipment

I list call it Northern Hydraulics (I believe it to be their original name); and according to their website they haven't been called that since 1998.

 

[AA/FC]

I list call it Northern Hydraulics (I believe it to be their original name); and according to their website they haven't been called that since 1998.

Yes, it was their original name..... and I remember shopping at THAT store. I say "that" store becsuse it was the ONLY store at the time. It was located about a half mile east on Cliff road from the current Cliff road store location in Burnsville, MN.