My Harbor Freight Investment

[arjun90]

Well the store was a lot smaller than what I had imagined. Employees were just doing their job, didn't have much knowledge of the items they were selling. Different item numbers for the same tools simply indicated Harbor Freight sourced their tools from multiple manufacturers with quality control being hit or miss. The product reviews are definitely one way to avert a mess. Different item numbers are quite certainly different product entities. Holding and trying the items physically in hand were definitely influential.

The store did smell of smoldering rubber. I coughed a couple times here and there, but I'm sure that was exaggeration, haha.

Some tools were packaged cheaply as if sold for your local dollar store.

The only items that really interested me were the ratchets and sockets, everything else was well, satisfactory.

Again, noting the reviews and appropriate item numbers as well being an educated consumer should get you smooth sailing when shopping at Harbor Freight.

Otherwise, you have a 1 in 2 chance of getting an item perform not as expected.

I still feel comfortable with Sears Craftsman for the typical DIY.

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[dodge610]

Well the store was a lot smaller than what I had imagined. Employees were just doing their job, didn't have much knowledge of the items they were selling. Different item numbers for the same tools simply indicated Harbor Freight sourced their tools from multiple manufacturers with quality control being hit or miss. The product reviews are definitely one way to avert a mess. Different item numbers are quite certainly different product entities. Holding and trying the items physically in hand were definitely influential.

The store did smell of smoldering rubber. I coughed a couple times here and there, but I'm sure that was exaggeration, haha.

Some tools were packaged cheaply as if sold for your local dollar store.

The only items that really interested me were the ratchets and sockets, everything else was well, satisfactory.

Again, noting the reviews and appropriate item numbers as well being an educated consumer should get you smooth sailing when shopping at Harbor Freight.

Otherwise, you have a 1 in 2 chance of getting an item perform not as expected.

I still feel comfortable with Sears Craftsman for the typical DIY.

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Pittsburgh pro is there top line if not mistaken. Then plain pittsburgh is 2nd. shelf stuff. Gloves are pretty nice along with consumables. I have a lot of there air tools they hold up well so far. Earthquake is there heavy duty line good reviews on those. Other than that it is a gamble. I have had mostly good luck with most of there tools.

 

[arjun90]

I really like their in store customer service thus far.

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[dodge610]

I really like their in store customer service thus far.

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Ya the manager and asst. manager at the one I go to the most are super guys. allways willing to cut me a deal. stuff like trailer light kits and stuff like that they have cut me super deals on open containers that might be short something.

 

[arjun90]

However, I came a set at Sears I've been wondering about all this time, I'm going to return all the socket sets purchased from Harbor Freight, not worth the hassle in the long run. I've always been a Sears person since they have always been more convenient to me. Harbor Freight is still great for other things though. Definitely can't beat $11.99 for torque wrenches.

 

[dodge610]

However, I came a set at Sears I've been wondering about all this time, I'm going to return all the socket sets purchased from Harbor Freight, not worth the hassle in the long run. I've always been a Sears person since they have always been more convenient to me. Harbor Freight is still great for other things though. Definitely can't beat $11.99 for torque wrenches.

The torque sockets have a pretty good track record might wanna keep that in mind. I am craftsman person too both have lifetime warranties if memory serves me correctly. I still go to sears and get there craftsman c3 cordless stuff that i what both shops are set up with.

 

[arjun90]

Ah, you have a good point. By torque sockets, you mean impact sockets in Harbor Freight's dictionary, right?

The only good sockets HF is currently selling are in the 1/2" drive range.

The torque sockets have a pretty good track record might wanna keep that in mind. I am craftsman person too both have lifetime warranties if memory serves me correctly. I still go to sears and get there craftsman c3 cordless stuff that i what both shops are set up with.

 

[dodge610]

Ah, you have a good point. By torque sockets, you mean impact sockets in Harbor Freight's dictionary, right?

The only good sockets HF is currently selling are in the 1/2" drive range.

Yes on the Impact. There chrome sockets I have none of mine are all craftsman.

 

[arjun90]

Those chrome sockets are the regular sockets and are not meant for torqing it seems. The only black impact sockets at HF which seem to come in a full set is in the 1/2 category. Not sure if an adapter would be useful there. I'd keep the standard size impact torque sockets and deep impact sockets from HF but return the rest.

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[arjun90]

I wonder if these from HF should do, http://m.harborfreight.com/37-pc-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-impact-socket-set-68011.html

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[dodge610]

I wonder if these from HF should do, http://m.harborfreight.com/37-pc-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-impact-socket-set-68011.html

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looks like that would be a very good set to get. Should get a lot of use from those. pretty much has the sizes covered also. Check out there new this week section also I am going to get a couple of those new 72 tooth flex heads with comfort grip handle.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I know a gent who has spent over 80k on Snap On tools over the past 25+ years; CRAZY!!!
I say crazy because he works for someone else and makes just under or sometimes just over 60k per year. I could see that kind of investment for your own business. But when I look at him, I just see a guy who is easy prey for a salesman. He's insecure as all hell, and he'll tell you how much of a fool you are for buying anything else (even if you're not a pro wrench...pathological). What's more, he actually thinks he has 80k worth of tools!

Him and I don't see eye to eye. He's a damn good mechanic, but he's bad with money, which is fine with me, it's his money after all...and his tools make him happy. It's just he thinks everyone ought to see tools the same way as he does.

Well we don't get along because I said if you weren't a pro wrench you'd have to be a blithering idiot to be buying Snap On tools...he didn't appreciate that too much...we kinda fell out over tools.
I still go to him if I have something really tough. He's good and he's honest. And he comes to me when his guns need work. I like to think I'm good and honest too.

ETA: bI will admit this though...his tools and box are a thing of beauty! And he takes damn good care of them too.

 

[dodge610]

I know a gent who has spent over 80k on Snap On tools over the past 25+ years; CRAZY!!!
I say crazy because he works for someone else and makes just under or sometimes just over 60k per year. I could see that kind of investment for your own business. But when I look at him, I just see a guy who is easy prey for a salesman. He's insecure as all hell, and he'll tell you how much of a fool you are for buying anything else (even if you're not a pro wrench...pathological). What's more, he actually thinks he has 80k worth of tools!

Him and I don't see eye to eye. He's a damn good mechanic, but he's bad with money, which is fine with me, it's his money after all...and his tools make him happy. It's just he thinks everyone ought to see tools the same way as he does.

Well we don't get along because I said if you weren't a pro wrench you'd have to be a blithering idiot to be buying Snap On tools...he didn't appreciate that too much...we kinda fell out over tools.
I still go to him if I have something really tough. He's good and he's honest. And he comes to me when his guns need work. I like to think I'm good and honest too.

ETA: bI will admit this though...his tools and box are a thing of beauty! And he takes damn good care of them too.

Every man has his own vice I have bought snappy,matco,mac,craftsman,husky HF, hell even a few kobalt. I have every tool imaginable never seen a job I couldnt get done with what I have. I cant justify a 10 piece screwdriver set for what 100.00 or more. just my opinion

 

[HanShotFirst]

Yeah, I'm a gunsmith and there are tools I just pony up for. But I'm in business to make money so the ROI has to be there or I'm not buying. I'm not a pro mechanic, but I'm a business owner and I've wrenched on cars my whole life. I can't see a reasonable ROI on many Snap On's. I would want a set of FlankDrives, and I'd probably ***** to high heaven for paying over $500 for a set of wrenches, but I also know that they could bail me out of a real mess. So while they wouldn't be my first purchase, they would probably come at some point.
I too have an assortment of Snap On, SK, Craftsman Professional, U.S. craftsman, Husky, Kobalt, Stanley, and HF tools. I'm generally happy with all of them, and if I'm not happy with them, they don't stay in my tool box for long.

But like I said, being a business owner, ROI comes first, and luxury just has no place in my shop. I work to have luxury in my home and for my family. Not to dazzle myself with a flashy special edition tool box. I didn't say cheap, just that the Return On Investment has to be reasonable...I'm a for profit business.

Now it just so happens that the vast majority of gunsmith tools are US made and generally high quality; so that helps.

 

[stage20]

I wonder if these from HF should do, http://m.harborfreight.com/37-pc-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-impact-socket-set-68011.html

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Those are not the pros, nor chrome moly. Their 3/8 impacts are thick when compared to truck brands. As far as 1/2" the ones to get are the nice colored black cromo made in taiwan. The china ones are still cro-mo but they have a chaulky finish and the sockets are punched off center sometimes.

 

[arjun90]

Those are not the pros, nor chrome moly. Their 3/8 impacts are thick when compared to truck brands. As far as 1/2" the ones to get are the nice colored black cromo made in taiwan. The china ones are still cro-mo but they have a chaulky finish and the sockets are punched off center sometimes.

Thanks, would you happen to have a link to where I can purchase the ones you are recommending? [emoji3]

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[dodge610]

Thanks, would you happen to have a link to where I can purchase the ones you are recommending? [emoji3]

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I never have had any off center impacts from HF. maybe I have gotten lucky tho I have about 4 sets of them in different drives and lengths.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Those are not the pros, nor chrome moly. Their 3/8 impacts are thick when compared to truck brands. As far as 1/2" the ones to get are the nice colored black cromo made in taiwan. The china ones are still cro-mo but they have a chaulky finish and the sockets are punched off center sometimes.

My HF 1/2" drive deeps are chrome vanadium and they are thick. The finish is kinda chalky. None of them are off center. They're decent sockets where clearance isn't an issue.

 

[magicrat]

As for the gentleman who's coworker has spent over 80k....cut him some slack....there are people with drug addictions who have spent more than that with nothing to show for it....at least he has his tools....and he can use them to make more money everyday.....and warranty them still.......IJS it could be worse....alot of people here are self admitted to have a tool problem

 

[kctyphoon]

speaking of HF impact sockets - i just picked up a set of the 1/2" drive deep SAEs.. they had sets made in china and tiawan on the shelves.. i bought the non-pro set because its a 13 piece set instead of a 10 piece set like the pro version, and because they are cheaper (these were for work and the cheaper ones will be fine for my purposes) the non pro sizes go from 7/16 up to 1 1/4" i belive w/o skipping sizes.. there were many different styles of the non pro sockets - some had real ****** finishes on them, others had the sizes etched or lazer engraved (printed) on the sockets.. my tiawan set had them stamped on the sockets. very nice for the money, worked good for me so far. these wont see alot of use at all, maybe just 2 or sockets out of the set..
also - HF had their 25", 1/2" breaker bar on clearence.. with 20% off, it came to $11.. thats another tool i bought just to leave on my work truck.. really heavy breaker bar - cant beat the size for the money..

 

[junojr]

Finally a thread for me to comment on. I'm not an automotive mechanic but a heavy machinery mechanic. I've started doing the automotive stuff at home and went harbor freight for the price and the fact that I have some scattered in at work. Most of my work stuff is Kobalt I had a lowes card and no tools when I got the job. I've added to my collection over the past few years and it's almost all been HF. The price is good the quality is exceptable, plus I have purchaser who hates HF so if I break something he replaces it with Armstrong or craftsman pro. I did buy a 3/4 ratchet knowing it wouldn't hold up. It got replaced with craftsman pro. I did spend a little on my new toolbox but for the price I think it was a steal.

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[OutsideMachinist]

Finally a thread for me to comment on. I'm not an automotive mechanic but a heavy machinery mechanic. I've started doing the automotive stuff at home and went harbor freight for the price and the fact that I have some scattered in at work. Most of my work stuff is Kobalt I had a lowes card and no tools when I got the job. I've added to my collection over the past few years and it's almost all been HF. The price is good the quality is exceptable, plus I have purchaser who hates HF so if I break something he replaces it with Armstrong or craftsman pro. I did buy a 3/4 ratchet knowing it wouldn't hold up. It got replaced with craftsman pro. I did spend a little on my new toolbox but for the price I think it was a steal.

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Hah yeah the hf 3/4 ratchet is junk for sure. The sockets arent too bad. Better than nothing to get you started at least for sure. Have used them on impacts, which I never recommend someone do, but an impact socket wouldnt fit and time was a factor. If something is stuck bad enough anything will break. Have broken 3/4 & 1'' ratchets proto , armstrong, wright, etc on pumps corroded with salt water. The best '' cheap'' 3/4 ratchet I have used is the extendable version a lot of companies rebrand think its taiwan made northern tool used to sell it. Its just like the 1/2'' extendable hf sells.

I would like to buy one of the wright long 3/4'' ratchets though. I think its 42'' long if I recall right?

 

[junojr]

Yea we have a few guys with those. But we are turning 36mm allen head bolts into 450 degree medal. We use 3/4 in impacts or high torques most of the time. But sometimes we need a little less umph and more fineness for calibrations.

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[junojr]

By the way genius tools is where it's at for big size allen sockets.

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[87FoRunner]

Photobucket and their greed ruins one of the most epic threads in forum history...

 

[-->]

Finally a thread for me to comment on. I'm not an automotive mechanic but a heavy machinery mechanic. I've started doing the automotive stuff at home and went harbor freight for the price and the fact that I have some scattered in at work. Most of my work stuff is Kobalt I had a lowes card and no tools when I got the job. I've added to my collection over the past few years and it's almost all been HF. The price is good the quality is exceptable, plus I have purchaser who hates HF so if I break something he replaces it with Armstrong or craftsman pro. I did buy a 3/4 ratchet knowing it wouldn't hold up. It got replaced with craftsman pro. I did spend a little on my new toolbox but for the price I think it was a steal.

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I want a job where you work just for the exchange program you have going on !

 

[heffneil]

Photobucket and their greed ruins one of the most epic threads in forum history...

Agreed the world will never be the same!

 

[kythri]

Chrome has, and I believe Firefox does as well, an extension that fixes the Photobucket nonsense.

 

[hangfirew8]

Chrome has, and I believe Firefox does as well, an extension that fixes the Photobucket nonsense.

FF has several, but only one works, at least for me.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/photobucket-fix/?src=api

 

[terry274]

The add on for Chrome no longer works for me.

 

[bczygan]

Laughed at the idea of HF when this thread started.

Now most of my tools come from there.

Bill

 

[Barty]

FF has several, but only one works, at least for me.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/photobucket-fix/?src=api

Thanks!

 

[kythri]

The add on for Chrome no longer works for me.

I've got two installed, and one of them at least is working:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...gj?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...dg?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

The latter one was updated in October, so that might be the one that's functioning/correct.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I've got two installed, and one of them at least is working:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...gj?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...dg?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

The latter one was updated in October, so that might be the one that's functioning/correct.

Thanks. I just installed the second link and now pics work again. I'm sure we will be going back and forth with this until one side gives up. Fix comes out then photobucket changes their code to defeat it. New fix comes out, in time photobucket will figure this one out too.

 

[DirtyRat]

I've got two installed, and one of them at least is working:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...gj?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...dg?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

The latter one was updated in October, so that might be the one that's functioning/correct.

Woo, big thanks to you sir. Just installed the 2nd link, and PhotoBucket error messages are now pictures again. Didn't know that was even fixable without the OP's tweaks.

 

[Robert Haas]

oops wrong thread sorry

 

[Professional Tool User]

I'm not surprised given that you bought on of their bigger boxes. Those specialty tools, even if they are from Harbor Freight, add up quick.

 

[Nineeightyone]

This is pretty rad to see, particularly how far a (relatively) small amount of money has carried you. I'm in a similar boat, I've been buying budget for a while and my needs are met just fine.

 

[winlinmac]

OP, did you buy the super duty hydraulic jack yet?

 

[Bob Heine]

OP's last post on this thread was 8 years ago (2014) and there's no recent activity on any other threads on the GJ.