Canadian equivalent to Harbor Freight

[MustHang]

Hi,

I was just wondering if there was an equivalent to Harbor Freight in Canada. I know some site with cheap tools like Princess Auto, Boss tool supply but wanted to know if the "quality" was alike from these places.

I could get a ball joint separator for like 4$ at Princess Auto, what gives ?

 

[dxdexter]

You answered your own question. Princess Auto would be very close, but without the selection of machinery. You would have to include Busy Bee Tools in order to have the machinery selection. The quality of Princess Auto tools would be on par with any Asian tools, no better, no worse.

Their power tools leave a little to be desired, but they will replace them no questions asked. i personally have never bought them, but have been present when people have returned "beat off" tools back for a return.

We have a local Princess Auto and I visit a couple times a week, mainly for their surplus items. For example you can't beat the price of their "Monster" audio/video cables for a mere fraction of the price asked at Best Buy or Futureshop.

Another place would be "House of Tools", but they are mainly in the western provinces, but you can order online. link: http://www.houseoftools.com/

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Mhmmm, Princess Auto. Been in one before, pretty good. Good for buying wire and safety clips and stuff.

 

[chrenan]

Definitely Princess Auto.

I have a House of Tools closeby and I actually don't mind it. You have to be carefull with what you buy, but they generally have a good version and a cheap version of most stuff they carry.

 

[l_bilyk]

I think princess auto is a little better quality than harbor freight
I think the majority of stuff there is taiwan as opposed to china

 

[MustHang]

Thanks ! I'll order some tools I don't use too often there then.

 

[mlikas]

Greets, thought I'd add to this old thread.

In addition to Busybee Tools and Princess Auto:

IHL (Investments Hardware Limited)
127B Aviva Park Drive, Woodbridge ON L4L 9C1
Phone: 416.748.0204 | Fax: 905.851.8328
Shop online: ihlcanada.com | Web: investmentshardware.com

They have a huge inventory of name brand tools, most of which are discounted or on sale. I purchased a Makita screw gun, and they ship super fast. Free shipping in the GTA if you purchase over $149.

and...

Canadian Hardware & Tools
http://www.chtools.ca/
3 locations in the Toronto area

Mostly offshore manufactured equipment, and consumable supplies for significantly less than the big box name brands. I've purchased a floor nailer, rotary impact drill and related masonry bits. Everything holding up fine in my reno business.

Michael

 

[DanG]

Greets, thought I'd add to this old thread.

In addition to Busybee Tools and Princess Auto:

IHL (Investments Hardware Limited)
127B Aviva Park Drive, Woodbridge ON L4L 9C1
Phone: 416.748.0204 | Fax: 905.851.8328
Shop online: ihlcanada.com | Web: investmentshardware.com

They have a huge inventory of name brand tools, most of which are discounted or on sale. I purchased a Makita screw gun, and they ship super fast. Free shipping in the GTA if you purchase over $149.

and...

Canadian Hardware & Tools
http://www.chtools.ca/
3 locations in the Toronto area

Mostly offshore manufactured equipment, and consumable supplies for significantly less than the big box name brands. I've purchased a floor nailer, rotary impact drill and related masonry bits. Everything holding up fine in my reno business.

Michael

Thanks for the IHLCanada link - great deals there - and very useful in terms of comparing products

I am also looking for a rotary hammer/drill to do some concrete drilling/breaking. Which one of the CH tools did you chose (CH product# if possible) and how did they perform long term? Did you find them as powerful and sturdy as they claim to be?

 

[Professur]

Princess auto smells better than Harbor Freight.

 

[MikeF2316]

Thanks for the IHLCanada link - great deals there - and very useful in terms of comparing products

I am also looking for a rotary hammer/drill to do some concrete drilling/breaking. Which one of the CH tools did you chose (CH product# if possible) and how did they perform long term? Did you find them as powerful and sturdy as they claim to be?

I just bought a reconditioned Milwaukee 5363-21 rotary hammer at the warehouse outlet sale. I haven't used it yet, I've owned it for less than an hour... $249

 

[Sonorous]

Hi,

I was just wondering if there was an equivalent to Harbor Freight in Canada. I know some site with cheap tools like Princess Auto, Boss tool supply but wanted to know if the "quality" was alike from these places.

I could get a ball joint separator for like 4$ at Princess Auto, what gives ?

For all you RoC (rest of Canada) folks - PA is not in Quebec. Having said that, they still ship here and you'll only pay GST . Shipping is generally very economical, but occasionally it may be cost prohibitive and deny you the opportunity to see/feel/inspect what you're ordering.

Regarding the quality at Princess Auto, the comparison to HF is generally fair for the majority of stuff. But you can't paint this with one brush. Item by item, some things may be identical (i.e. the popular composite ratchets). But some of the 'best' HF deals are outright not available or the available alternatives may not be as good. On the other hand, Princess Auto goes much higher end and sells some quality households brands: tools like Channellock pliers, Mayhew pry-bars, Bosch grinders and supplies from Olfa blades, real Sharpies, La-co Markal grease/paint pens, and so on.

PA is also known for their incredibly flexible return/warranty policies and overall good customer service. The staff aren't universally excellent, but from my experience they are much closer to helpful rural tractor supply places than Harbor Freight. That may be a sampling bias - I'm guessing the staff in GTA region PA stores are not good 'ol farm guys/gals like they are in east of Ottawa.

There are lots of Quebec alternatives to PA:

- http://www.Outilsmaxi.ca is east of Montreal (off the island) - English site is http://www.maxitools.ca .
- http://www.Buytools.ca also has locations around Montreal.
- G2S ( http://www.g2sequip.ca ) has a huge selection of specialty tools, though not always at bargain basement prices.

I'm sure there are others that aren't coming to mind. Try to find something closer to you and you might be surprised at what's out there.

 

[ADSR]

Canadian Hardware & Tools
http://www.chtools.ca/
3 locations in the Toronto area

Michael

Never heard of them before. Looks like a lot of products tho. Thanks for the link.

 

[Sonorous]

Does anyone have experience with blackrocktools.com ? They've come up before when I search for stuff. Some prices look pretty good and they've got a nice assortment from lower end stuff like Tekton/Neiko all the way to Proto and Klein. I've come close, but never pulled the trigger on an order from them....

 

[lilredex]

Have ordered a few things from Black Rock and find them decent to deal with.

If you are not within the "free shipping" range, talk to them, I have found them flexible.

They are mysterious about their location, the lady said they are in London (in a warehouse) .........somehow I still think they operate out of a basement in London....just my feeling.

 

[ADSR]

Does anyone have experience with blackrocktools.com ? They've come up before when I search for stuff. Some prices look pretty good and they've got a nice assortment from lower end stuff like Tekton/Neiko all the way to Proto and Klein. I've come close, but never pulled the trigger on an order from them....

What are you looking for? When it comes to milwaukee or other power tools, BC fasteners has the best prices i've ever seen!

 

[Sonorous]

What are you looking for? When it comes to milwaukee or other power tools, BC fasteners has the best prices i've ever seen!

Mostly hand tools. I haven't bought any power tools for myself in a long time. The only thing still on my wish list is a knee mill. The most recent stuff I remember looking at was metric 3/4 drive socket sets for the Kubota.

I have a shipping address in the US. It's very cheap and convenient, and when the dollar was at or above parity, it was always a better deal, especially at the beginning before prices had adjusted and eBay in the US actually had some deals!

I'm further away and busier now, and with the dollar weaker, whenever I'm considering buying something I usually do a reality check on the prices here in Canada. I must say I've been impressed. It's good to know that blackrocktools is another option, even if they do operate out of a basement!

 

[ken w.]

I went to the PA in Hamilton last week and the store was very clean and pretty well stocked. Everything seemed like it was in the correct spot.The staff was very helpful. Unlike HF where the place is a mess and you really have to hunt for things. The staff at HF are not that swift when it comes to tools. Just my opinion.

 

[Hammell]

They got a Princess auto here in Kelowna BC. Pretty good stuff, some junk, but their 1/2 breaker bar (25 inch and only 27 bucks, goes on sale for 14 bucks, buy 3 hell) and all the 3/4 and 1 inch stuff is a steal. Impacts too, excellent price on 24in ($19) and 36 inch ($29) 1/2 impact extensions.

 

[orangelamp]

I'm given to understand that there's a few differences.

1. Quality. PA doesn't sell bottom grade tools, you can usually get those next door at bianca amore's or whatever else pops up next door. Taiwan makes good kit, China doesn't, and they know the difference.

2. Service. Most of the staff appear to be grown-ups. They don't always know what the tool does, but they always know where it is. Free Coffee, large parking lot, constantly staffed return desk, fast tills.

3. Target Market. HF seems to target their products at weekend warriors. PA seems to always be filled with other working, professional mechanics.

Canadians love Princess Auto, almost as much as Americans hate Harbor Freight. If I had to guess, it's because after the abusively bad service, products, and experience at Canadian Tire, Princess Auto is a veritable oasis.

 

[orangelamp]

ooops, I just revived a zombie thread.

 

[knobby]

Princess auto smells better than Harbor Freight.

Not if the store manager decides to store the stall mats in the store rather than outside. JS

 

[Two Speed]

Have ordered a few things from Black Rock and find them decent to deal with.

If you are not within the "free shipping" range, talk to them, I have found them flexible.

They are mysterious about their location, the lady said they are in London (in a warehouse) .........somehow I still think they operate out of a basement in London....just my feeling.

Their postal code comes back to a residential neighbourhood. I was looking to see if they had a storefront since I'm in London.

Alex.

 

[eurovw]

We have a tool town here, which I believe is a chain. All Chinese goods all the time. Smells like HF without the selection.

 

[Htscheg]

Its called Canadian Tire.... the tools they sell are complete rubbish

 

[mudflap]

Anybody tried the Pro Point 168 tooth 1/2in ratchet...? 2deg swing..? Was just cruising around on their website because of this thread..

 

[WittHay]

Its called Canadian Tire.... the tools they sell are complete rubbish

Exactly all that US made Channellocks pliers and Estwing hammers. the DeWalt and Stanley US made stuff that Canadian Tire sells is garbage. Princess Auto is bad also, they sell US made Wilton vises and Honda motors that aren't made in China.

You guys are lucky in the US, where you can walk in to Harbor Freight and only get the finest Chinese made products and don't have to buy any US made tools

The above comments are meant as sarcasm. Both Canadian Tire and Princess Auto sell a variety of US and Canadian made tools along with the Chinese/Taiwan made tools. I have never been in a HF store, but I assume they only sell overseas products

 

[PhantomEB]

I have no problem purchasing stuff at Princess Auto. But I am knowledgeable in what to expect from this and that.

My two stage 80 gallon compressor from there was built in 2001 and still going strong.

Currently saving up and watching for a 30T press to stick in the back corner.