My Harbor Freight Investment

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I know this should go in the "Let's See Your Toolbox" thread, but thats not what I want to share.

Someone asked me how much money do I have invested in tools. Honestly I had no clue. I save all my receipts, from HF, and auto parts stores. Anyway, I tallied up my HF receipts; the total was $3115.89 "This price only reflects the items pictured below, not the videos."

I can't believe that's it. That total also includes items not pictured below such as; a 2 ton engine hoist, load leveler, engine stand, engine support bar, trans jack adapter, parts washer, grease gun, HF membership, and boxes of Black latex gloves.

Toolbox is also included in the price; just want to make that clear.

A few items not factored in price; not purchased at HF. Scanner, multimeter, injector pulse tester, battery charger, A/C UV leak detection kit, and 1 triple square bit. However I think all the HF items not pictured cost around the same amount.

Now, I did buy most all items on sale and 20% off. FYI, you don't need a coupon to get 20% in the stores, just ask, they will give it to you.

[/IMG]


Long ago, I purchased most all my tools from Mac & SK, I had a semi loaded Macsimizer, more than half of my paycheck went to the tool trucks. I have more tools now than I did back then. All for way less than the cost of the old Mac box.

My HF tools have already paid for themselves more than 10 fold.

Toolbox update:

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[arkangel06]

Long ago, I purchased most all my tools from Mac & SK, I had a semi loaded Macsimizer

Can we see pics?????

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Updated pics:

The box is over 90% HF items.

The Flex impact driver, and 1/4 impact socket sets "red cases," are some of the few non-HF items.

 

[recklessnova]

holy **** I Will be showing my dad your sickness. He always says we should go to meetings for buying so much stuff at harbor freight.
Looks like you have about everything covered.
Josh

 

[Bull]

I like this thread. I have never before seen a guy here, much less a mechanic, who has mostly HF stuff. I'm giving this five stars.

How have your experiences been with the tools breaking under heavy use?

 

[Hiball]

My HF tools have already paid for themselves more than 10 fold.

This is the Most important part of whole thread, If your not building Income/Equity from your tools your wasting your money. I have a question though, Have you run into any HF tools that you have had issues with? It appears you have alot of calibration, compression checkers etc. How much Warranty items have you had to deal with? I believe you can get some quality stuff from HF but i also know you can find the other end of the spectrum also and thats what im intersted in and im sure other members are also. Personally ive never seen 1 person with such a Large collection of HF tools so i figured you would be the one to ask.

Steven

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Forgot other items purchased from HF not pictured.

Small 3 gal compressor, creeper, 7in sander, and one of those remote controlled airplanes "$35.00, works great, my kid loves it."

 

[Hiball]

I like this thread. I have never before seen a guy here, much less a mechanic, who has mostly HF stuff. I'm giving this five stars.

How have your experiences been with the tools breaking under heavy use?

Damn you Bull... We must think alike.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I like this thread. I have never before seen a guy here, much less a mechanic, who has mostly HF stuff. I'm giving this five stars.

How have your experiences been with the tools breaking under heavy use?

No breaking under heavy use "yet, lol." I mainly use the tool for what it's intended for. However The AC gauges; I went though 3 sets before I found one that did not leak. Turns out the 3 were old design, but the new design "pictured works great." Get the gauges in the ribbed case with the silver sticker, not the smooth case.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

This is the Most important part of whole thread, If your not building Income/Equity from your tools your wasting your money. I have a question though, Have you run into any HF tools that you have had issues with? It appears you have alot of calibration, compression checkers etc. How much Warranty items have you had to deal with? I believe you can get some quality stuff from HF but i also know you can find the other end of the spectrum also and thats what im intersted in and im sure other members are also. Personally ive never seen 1 person with such a Large collection of HF tools so i figured you would be the one to ask.

Steven

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

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I forgot, I did have to warranty out the bolt extractor kit. The smallest bit broke off when removing a broken throttle body bolt. It did get it half way out, and I was able to use locking pliers to finish the job. It's was only $8.00 and I have used it at least 20 times since then.

 

[lipadj46]

Man that is some great HF action. You are probably the first professional we have seen that is exclusively a HF guy. Question, how do like the A/C sniffer? Does it work well? I bought one on the open box table for $30 to find an AC leak but have not gotten around to it. Also how does the ball joint tool hold up?

Oh yeah you need to add some review to this thread:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Man that is some great HF action. You are probably the first professional we have seen that is exclusively a HF guy. Question, how do like the A/C sniffer? Does it work well? I bought one on the open box table for $30 to find an AC leak but have not gotten around to it. Also how does the ball joint tool hold up?

Oh yeah you need to add some review to this thread:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192

The sniffer is great, I set it at medium sensitivity. It will also pick up exhaust and fuel leaks. Great time saver. I also have a UV leak detection kit "AutoZone $50.00" Got it for free with my reward cards "yes, cards, I have 3 of them." That is another great cheap tool.

 

[lipadj46]

The sniffer is great, I set it at medium sensitivity. It will also pick up exhaust and fuel leaks. Great time saver.

Good to hear. Don't pay attention to the HF haters here there are quite a few. Many of us are more pragmatic though and understand that some HF tools offer great bargains.

 

[luv2xlr8]

got a link to the A/C uv leak detection kit?

 

[Aberdale]

Wow. Never would have thought.

Dale

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

got a link to the A/C uv leak detection kit?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accessoriesShelf.jsp?itemId=1650-10&parentId=6-10&displayName=A/C+Leak+Detector&currentPage=1&navValue=101650&categoryDisplayName=&_requestid=718636

The UV leak detection kit is #436.

Notice the sniffer MT1380 $220.00, same one at HF is $70-80.

 

[Bull]

Had to do some sweepin' in here already.

Disagreement is fine. Insults are not.

 

[toolnut]

Is there a wider box or is that the biggest they make? It looks small with the side cabinets on. I have been pondering the larger utility cart. Nice setup!

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Had to do some sweepin' in here already.

Disagreement is fine. Insults are not.

It's a shame... I wanted to buy his Waterproof 3 pin trailer light pigtails
$1 each

http://asmc.net/

Oh but wait, it says made in Taiwan on the package. He's talk about how people should only buy from the US, and what it's doing to the country. Yet he sells Items made in Taiwan.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I still really like the prices of their bottom roll cabs.. If they came in black I think I'd have a whole row of them with a countertop over the whole thing as permanent cabinets

 

[jacob_coulter]

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.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Is there a wider box or is that the biggest they make? It looks small with the side cabinets on. I have been pondering the larger utility cart. Nice setup!

They have a new 52in "I think, or its 56in" and a 72in, but no top chest or side cabs are offered yet. These 42in are great, you add on to them like a freight train.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Is there a wider box or is that the biggest they make? It looks small with the side cabinets on. I have been pondering the larger utility cart. Nice setup!

its a bit deceiving in the pics, the cabs are 41" wide. They do sell a 75" that northern also sells (Torin), but you never see them in stores

I also think they have a newer 56"? box but I haven't seen much about it

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

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.

Thats the point... After I build a new garage, the next thing I want is to build a Factory Five GTM. With all the money I saved in tools I should be able to do it, in a year or so.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I still really like the prices of their bottom roll cabs.. If they came in black I think I'd have a whole row of them with a countertop over the whole thing as permanent cabinets

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=98084&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

 

[toolnut]

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=98084&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

That's cool! didn't know they had black...

 

[Cryptic1911]

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=98084&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

Oh, you ****. Why did you have to that to me?

If I buy any, I'm holding you responsible

 

[SocketDeviler]

I like this thread. I have never before seen a guy here, much less a mechanic, who has mostly HF stuff. I'm giving this five stars.

Ditto. I've seen good mechanics with mixed sets of HF tools but nothing like John's collection. Most interesting. I figured some professional out there must have more than the odd wrench or free screwdriver.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Oh, you ****. Why did you have to that to me?

If I buy any, I'm holding you responsible

LOL. If you do have a local HF, try ordering it from them, I think shipping is free. But, they may not be able to; the black is being discontinued, so get them while you can.

 

[ImportTuner]

Wow .. first time I've seen so much HF tools in one place other than the store. You must be their best customer

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

That's cool! didn't know they had black...

I forgot they also have black with gold trim.
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=91361&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

 

[Cryptic1911]

LOL. If you do have a local HF, try ordering it from them, I think shipping is free. But, they may not be able to; the black is being discontinued, so get them while you can.

yeah I was just going to say the same thing.. I've never seen them in the store. Didn't someone try to buy some of these in red with the 20% off and the store wanted to charge crazy shipping?

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

yeah I was just going to say the same thing.. I've never seen them in the store. Didn't someone try to buy some of these in red with the 20% off and the store wanted to charge crazy shipping?

Not sure, I had to order the bottom and top, but I purchased all of mine on sale and with 20% off; no shipping charges. They had the lockers in stock.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I just found a picture of one.. user BWright on here owns it:

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I just found a picture of one.. user BWright on here owns it:

The black looks so much better, I actually hate red. But the powder-coat finish on either is so hard to keep clean.

 

[caper]

So what kind of work do you do?Do you work in a pro shop or serious do it yourselfer?

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

So what kind of work do you do?Do you work in a pro shop or serious do it yourselfer?

I work for myself, I have a large customer base, and a lot of word of mouth. I mainly do engine rebuilds, head gaskets, heavy line work. Those are the jobs I can really make a profit with. I charge a lot less than dealerships and independent shop when it comes to work like that. And, I still get to make a $1000 profit for two days work.

 

[lipadj46]

So what is you opinion of HF wrenches? I have a set of the chinese high polish long pattern chinese wrenches in my trunk toolbox. I have not used them but they look pretty rough as far as the forging goes and others have complained about the open ends spreading or just not measuring up to the size correctly.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

So what is you opinion of HF wrenches? I have a set of the chinese high polish long pattern chinese wrenches in my trunk toolbox. I have not used them but they look pretty rough as far as the forging goes and others have complained about the open ends spreading or just not measuring up to the size correctly.

I have no problem with mine.