Cutting HF some slack

[toddoky]

Its really simple.....lets all just break it down to FACTS:

Some HF stuff is good

Some HF stuff is bad

.......so HF is hit or miss

Do research, buy according to YOUR use and YOUR budget.

For instance - the HF 5 drawer cart. It gets consistent good reviews, its not Snap On....but its not Snap On priced either.

It works for ME.....its priced right for ME......and *I* bought it. *Im* happy with it.

Will I hand it down to my son - probably unless I run clear the **** over it on accident - its well made and should last, its a simple product.

......dont like it, dont buy it.

I DO agree with the OP......all this rebranded **** made in China hiding behind other names - sickens me. Its all smoke and mirrors by companies that wanna make money on a name.

I have a John Deere mower, a Ford Explorer and I try to buy American.....but sometimes I dont.....and I dont feel bad.

I'd say HF is pretty good about disguising Chinese tools with name-play themselves. US General, Chicago Electric, Pittsburgh...they are all fabricated brands.

 

[pepgj]

The "brand name" addiction threads here make me sick. These brands dont give a **** about you!!!!!!!!!! They want more of your money!!!!!!!

Well, of course that's true, although not worth a coronary.

If I were a mechanical engineer, I'd simply buy a Dewalt and a HF drill and pull them apart on a youtube channel. It would be interesting to hear from a professional ME what their take on it was. Rather like a more scientific and thorough (and well done) version of what this guy does:

When I've worked at manufacturing companies (most of my life) the larger firms would do quite detailed analysis of competing products. Tools are simple enough creatures that it wouldn't cost a fortune to dig into them a little bit.

 

[pepgj]

I'd say HF is pretty good about disguising Chinese tools with name-play themselves. US General, Chicago Electric, Pittsburgh...they are all fabricated brands.

I guess they could name them after famous local people, instead.

 

[PJNJ]

I understand and agree with you.....I certainly am not going to buy a drill or driver from HF anytime soon. But my aim is to awaken us to use more careful judgement before pulling trigger on purchasing basic hand tools with the warm fuzzy name brand on them. For all I know they're coming out of the same warehouse as the HF ones, for 5 times the price. It pisses me off to see Milwaukee and Dewalt put their name on all these tools for all the brand "fanboys" and they blindly buy them because the name. HF will give some of these things a run for their money. Thats all I'm saying.

Somehow these guys are able to move all production to China, pay lesser wages, pay lesser rent, lesser taxes, and yet guys like you and me are paying the same price here in America when they were American made....some cost even more now. What the hell!

You're probably right that some of the HF hand tools can and probably are equal that to some of the current name brand offerings. For me though used usually fits the bill.

In the past, I fell for the marketing hype and was quick to buy "new and improved" (a/k/a gimmicky) basic hand tools from many major brands. Fortunately I woke up and realized that they really hadn't re-invented the wheel but just lightened my wallet. Like I posted before, many of my most used hand tools are now used and gotten from garage sales and flea markets (also others were often close-outs at very good prices). Some are old family tools. Most, if not all, are USA made. Being USA made doesn't necessarily make them better - they were just made in a different era when I believe that most of the better brand name tools were designed and made to do the job and last a long time. All of them will probably last my lifetime and another's lifetime too. The prices I have paid have been so low that I have multiples of many tools and the total price of all them probably doesn't equal one name brand version's price.

 

[Steinmetz]

"...The "brand name" addiction threads here make me sick. These brands dont give a **** about you!!!!!!!!!! They want more of your money!!!!!!!…".

Winner of the Jeremiad of the Month Award! And it's only the 2nd!

 

[Coopduc]

Are you just trying to be a troll? It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other. There are plenty of brands at plenty of price and quality points between HF and Snap-on.

Not being a troll. The OP stated that he tried more mid-range tools like Kobalt, Husky, and Milwaukee, and in his opinion they are not worth the increased cost vs HF.
I am defending his right to decide what's best for him, based on the factors of his personal situation that only he knows. I don't see why some want to make him feel guilty for his choices.

 

[kctyphoon]

"...The "brand name" addiction threads here make me sick. These brands dont give a **** about you!!!!!!!!!! They want more of your money!!!!!!!…".

Winner of the Jeremiad of the Month Award! And it's only the 2nd!

Umm.. That's true about ANY big company, Anywhere, selling ANYTHING.. You think theres any difference between snap on or Milwaukee executives and Verizon, McDonald's, or Shoprite? They are worried about their bottom line, which is making money and attracting investors. There aren't too many successful companies that DONT make profit a priority.

And not for nothing - but if they make a good product and charge a fair price, why wouldn't people be loyal to that.. The day a Milwaukee rep starts going to colleges and encouraging kids to take out large student loans, and marks up every item 30% regardless of where or how it's being sold - I'll stop buying from them

HF has its place - they sell in volume and prices go down. It's like going to Costco except I don't have to leave with a gallon of mayonnaise to get a deal. Instead people can justify buying 5 different items for $20 a peice, and they still get the same revenue that S/O got for selling 1 ratchet

Someone else was making a point about HF vs American made jacks.. And how they aren't the same.. I don't think ANYONE in here would claim for the quality to be the same, but if they both lift up my car, and last me 20 years why SHOULD I spend $450 on an American one when I'm not a professional?? To hand it down to my kids?? Show me ONE professional electrician on here that is using a BAG filled with all tools that are 50 years old and using them everyday, over his new Kliens or Knipex tools.

And correct me if I'm wrong here, but ISNT HF an AMERICAN company being supported by the people that shop there? Or did I misread about the headquarters being in California?? 600 stores, in 47 states, with over 11,000 AMERICAN EMPLOYEES.. Right - don't shop there, and get back on your high horses about keeping jobs in the states.. Channellock only employs 500 people, but I guess those 500 get a pass cause they make a package that says "made in the USA' on them, instead of the other 11,000 working Americans at a retail chain.

So yes - please let the "keep American jobs here!!" Anti - Harbor Freight crowd continue chanting and yelling about how they will NEVER buy anything from that store that employs 22 TIMES the people that Channellock does.. I'm sorry - did I just make a good point, cause I know how so may of you hate to keep truth out of the conversation..

For the record, Snap On employs about 11,500 people WORLDWIDE, so there are actually more American jobs provided by HF in the US then there is by Snap On..

 

[Fender1325]

"...The "brand name" addiction threads here make me sick. These brands dont give a **** about you!!!!!!!!!! They want more of your money!!!!!!!…".

Winner of the Jeremiad of the Month Award! And it's only the 2nd!

Im honored!!!!!!! What do we have for him Johnny?!?!?!? A HF coupon booklet and a junior bacon cheeseburger

 

[iScream]

Not being a troll. The OP stated that he tried more mid-range tools like Kobalt, Husky, and Milwaukee, and in his opinion they are not worth the increased cost vs HF.
I am defending his right to decide what's best for him, based on the factors of his personal situation that only he knows. I don't see why some want to make him feel guilty for his choices.

I don't consider those mid range tools compared to HF.

The OP is getting **** because he started a thread asking for it. He knew exactly what he would get when he started it.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

I've spent countless hours disassembling jacks to document the difference between jacks for the GJ community, if you simply refuse to take the time to understand the differences and wish to make blanket statements as them being the "same". Who am I to get in your way, just don't take it personally when people question your internet claims. The bush has now been Run the Hell over.

Steven

 

[anndel]

Their tools are decent. I bought the $4.99 3/8in ratchet set for my emergency truck bag and used to replace my friend's started when she couldn't start her car. Afterwards she was on her way and till this day it still runs. The tools in that set was from HF from the ratchet set, pliers, locking pliers, screwdrivers. Paid $30 for all last year for my emergency tool bag and used it to fix her car. I thought I was going to at least break the ratchet and locking pliers.

 

[dnschmidt]

I like HF for one reason. They are what they claim they are: A direct importer from China of stuff, some **** some fairly good, and they don't make their profit by rebranding the same Chinese **** other people put what are considered higher quality brand names on. What bugs me is when I buy Raybestos brake parts made in China for which I paid American part prices. So, I buy Powerstop brake pads and rotors, which frankly are great, which are obviously made in China and priced accordingly. I admire the truth.

 

[afbrian13]

Since everyone else put in there 2 cents, here's mine...
I get a lot of stuff from HF, and I also have a lot of quality tools. Things that I need and can't afford a good one (my bench top drillpress) came from there. I want a nice floor press, but didn't have the money for a nice one. It gets the job done and has for a few years. When I come across a deal on a nicer one I'll upgrade and pass the $60 job along. Better to have cheaper versions of tools and use them then to need them and not have them, or worse...have a bunch of expensive tools that don't get used!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ok, there's something called quality control which HF seriously lacks. I have no issue buying China, but I'm not buying China junk.

I'll buy craftsmen over HF any day. I'll be snapon over craftsmen any day as well. I could care less what country it comes from. As long as it's QUALITY. Horror freight doesn't have quality.

That is an awful broadbrush statement. "Quality" is hard to assess in many of their products. Look at something simple like a quick connect male fitting. You and I can not do an analysis of the metal, but if the machining is clean (no burrs, etc) and it plugs into your coupler and does not leak, why would you have more than HF price ?

Other things you have to asses on what I call the "bang for the buck for the job at hand". Does a DIY/shade tree mechanic need Snapon/Wright/Armstrong/Matco wrenches ? Probably not.

 

[SantaAna12]

Aiiyiiyii!

I remember shopping at HF Hq for Honda gennys and gas 2 and 3 inch water pumps. I seem to remember they had some CP too. Hands down best prices in LA area. Way more interesting in those days.

Whatever floats your boat.

Personally, I cannot relate to someone who uses cheap hex keys. Here's why: if you haven't rounded a hex using cheap hex keys? You haven't done it much.
Nothing personal.

Garage Queens? Not quite sure what that means, but if they know enough to not use cheap hex keys they belong in the garage more than you do.

 

[78C-10]

Or it could be the OP is a hobby type that has an average income, and would rather spend his money for food for his family rather than brag about how he just spent $100 on a SO ratchet.
Everyone makes choices based on his situation. Can't criticize until you have walked a mile in his shoes.

This^^^

 

[78C-10]

Seriously? It's amazing how far some of you guys are willing to go, to justify a purchase. It appears 2016 will be filled with the same HF versus SO BS, I think some of you should use the Internet to study up on all the brands between HF and those "$100 SO ratchets".

@OP If your happy that's all that matters. What is the point of the thread? Are you looking for reassurance from the community, life is too short to sweat tool purchases.. It boggles my mind to see so many members feel the need to repeatedly justify any brand purchase. Is it some kind of disclaimer on the packaging that you must at all cost defend the brand?

What's the point of any thread?

 

[78C-10]

Most of my Channel Lock brand tools are rusted to hell and the needle nose and slip joint pliers need two hands to open up, very annoying. I'm all for American made products but I will also say they may not be the best. I'm sure they are made from imported materials.

 

[firworks]

What's the point of any thread?

 

[mrvm]

"Cutting HF some slack"?? Cheap HF hand tools are my go-to tools anytime tool abuse is needed or expected. Cheap HF power tools have a deserved rap for NO-lube and low life.

+1 OP: cheap box store equivalents to HF are annoying and usually end up clearancing away. Milwaukee hand tools/ power tools are a perfect example that not all made-in-China hand tools/power tools are the same.

 

[Hiball]

What's the point of any thread?

If only there was a easy answer to that loaded question, I'll elaborate as I'm unsure if you are playing innocenct or being serious.

1. A lot of threads here at GJ are started with the initial intentions to receive valuable feedback, encourage productive back and forth, and end up very Well.

2. Now...lets get to other side of that coin, threads that are created to stir the pot, create back and forth discussions that don't generate anything but anger and highly opinionated posts that people will argue to there death as Facts.

I'm going to assume you have read thru this entire thread, I'll let you figure out where we are currently at. BTW Ford or Chevy? Which one is better?

 

[stikman56]

Ok, there's something called quality control which HF seriously lacks. I have no issue buying China, but I'm not buying China junk.

I'll buy craftsmen over HF any day. I'll be snapon over craftsmen any day as well. I could care less what country it comes from. As long as it's QUALITY. Horror freight doesn't have quality.

Ummmm, that's Craftsman, not Craftsmen ( those are the guys that did my hardwood and tile floors) and you could NOT care less. Because the way you wrote it ,your argument really has no validity whatsoever.

 

[stikman56]

If only there was a easy answer to that loaded question, I'll elaborate as I'm unsure if you are playing innocenct or being serious.

1. A lot of threads here at GJ are started with the initial intentions to receive valuable feedback, encourage productive back and forth, and end up very Well.

2. Now...lets get to other side of that coin, threads that are created to stir the pot, create back and forth discussions that don't generate anything but anger and highly opinionated posts that people will argue to there death as Facts.

I'm going to assume you have read thru this entire thread, I'll let you figure out where we are currently at. BTW Ford or Chevy? Which one is better?

It depends, define "better" as you mean it to be.

 

[Hiball]

It depends, define "better" as you mean it to be.

I would recommend starting your own thread, wouldn't want to derail this one.

 

[1982fxr]

I dont need a jack often, but the Craftsman 3 ton with 2 stands and a creeper was a great value at roughly $100 if I remember right.

For my usage I could never justify the higher expense of one of the high end jacks.

Some things I try to buy a few notches above HF. Jacks, Ladders (werner), impact driver (craftsman c3)

The lines between our beloved american brands and chinese junk have gotten blurred. Our old tool quality has come down, and the chinese has come up. The income available to spend on tools for people who use them has come down. Its all changing.

bs. 95% of US tools are the best they have ever been. You have to know what to buy.

 

[trackwelder]

Umm.. That's true about ANY big company, Anywhere, selling ANYTHING.. You think theres any difference between snap on or Milwaukee executives and Verizon, McDonald's, or Shoprite? They are worried about their bottom line, which is making money and attracting investors. There aren't too many successful companies that DONT make profit a priority.

And not for nothing - but if they make a good product and charge a fair price, why wouldn't people be loyal to that.. The day a Milwaukee rep starts going to colleges and encouraging kids to take out large student loans, and marks up every item 30% regardless of where or how it's being sold - I'll stop buying from them

HF has its place - they sell in volume and prices go down. It's like going to Costco except I don't have to leave with a gallon of mayonnaise to get a deal. Instead people can justify buying 5 different items for $20 a peice, and they still get the same revenue that S/O got for selling 1 ratchet

Someone else was making a point about HF vs American made jacks.. And how they aren't the same.. I don't think ANYONE in here would claim for the quality to be the same, but if they both lift up my car, and last me 20 years why SHOULD I spend $450 on an American one when I'm not a professional?? To hand it down to my kids?? Show me ONE professional electrician on here that is using a BAG filled with all tools that are 50 years old and using them everyday, over his new Kliens or Knipex tools.

And correct me if I'm wrong here, but ISNT HF an AMERICAN company being supported by the people that shop there? Or did I misread about the headquarters being in California?? 600 stores, in 47 states, with over 11,000 AMERICAN EMPLOYEES.. Right - don't shop there, and get back on your high horses about keeping jobs in the states.. Channellock only employs 500 people, but I guess those 500 get a pass cause they make a package that says "made in the USA' on them, instead of the other 11,000 working Americans at a retail chain.

So yes - please let the "keep American jobs here!!" Anti - Harbor Freight crowd continue chanting and yelling about how they will NEVER buy anything from that store that employs 22 TIMES the people that Channellock does.. I'm sorry - did I just make a good point, cause I know how so may of you hate to keep truth out of the conversation..

For the record, Snap On employs about 11,500 people WORLDWIDE, so there are actually more American jobs provided by HF in the US then there is by Snap On..

Is it 11,000 piss poor, no benefits paying jobs? Maybe the managers are getting a decent wage. I'll take channelock over HF **** anytime.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I guess they could name them after famous local people, instead.

That was epic.

On topic, I'd rather be caught in a brothel than a HF store.

 

[firworks]

That was epic.

On topic, I'd rather be caught in a brothel than a HF store.

Is that because you like brothels or dislike HF?

 

[toolman9w]

Is that because you like brothels or dislike HF?

Cant he do both equally? I think so,maybe hell I aint sure.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Is that because you like brothels or dislike HF?

I was hoping someone would run with that one!

This thread needed a little humor.

 

[mrvm]

On topic, I'd rather be caught in a brothel than a HF store.

For some, being in a HF is like a brothel with cheap goods: lots of variety and temptations on every aisle and one can regret about it later

 

[Fender1325]

bs. 95% of US tools are the best they have ever been. You have to know what to buy.

That would be because whats LEFT of US tools are the best of the best, or competitive to be, and priced as such. Prices out everybody unless youre in the trade and business is good.

Sadly, most US tools are now chinese

 

[stikman56]

I would recommend starting your own thread, wouldn't want to derail this one.

You guys are so sensitive....Jesus. What about "define better" is meant to derail a thread? Point being HF is better for OP for his reasons. Better has a million and one definitions,doesn't it? HF is on some tools "better" for me too. Lighten up you guys. Some tools are good, some tools are not so good, some tools are the best, many brands, many different needs, buy what works for you, the hell with what anybody else thinks, why does it matter? Why do I care what you or anyone thinks about my choice of tools or anything else I spend my money on? Better for me is different than better for you, it's that simple really.

 

[PugetDude]

I'm a painter by trade...

Stay away from the HF blue masking tape, unless you're getting paid by the hour.

 

[Hiball]

You guys are so sensitive....Jesus. What about "define better" is meant to derail a thread? Point being HF is better for OP for his reasons. Better has a million and one definitions,doesn't it? HF is on some tools "better" for me too. Lighten up you guys. Some tools are good, some tools are not so good, some tools are the best, many brands, many different needs, buy what works for you, the hell with what anybody else thinks, why does it matter? Why do I care what you or anyone thinks about my choice of tools or anything else I spend my money on? Better for me is different than better for you, it's that simple really.

I was being sarcastic in regards to the Chevy versus Ford discussion, Wow... And for the rest of the story, congrats... Your only the 27th person in this thread to say the same thing, including me.

 

[Skysurfer]

Too many posts in this thread that I would like to respond to so I'll just post some of my experiences.

The "Chinese junk" does not include my HF 60 gallon compressor which works very well.
My HF 8" bench grinder has been working perfectly for 26 years.
I bought a set of Hanson tap & dies from them when I bought the grinder.
The 12v portable air inflator blew up 30 seconds out of the box.
The 8 ton air/hydraulic ram for my cherry picker works well.
The most returned item they sell are generators. (I don't own one)
For a homeowner like me, their 44" tool cabinet is hard to beat.
I like the free tape measures when I have the coupon.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Clearly the new year is off to a fine ******* start...same **** different year...

 

[jerseykat1]

It's really rather easy to shop at harbor freight. The reviews on there site for each product they sell are genuine reviews just take a few minutes to read them. I have made many great purchases at HF just from reading reviews.. IT'S COMMON SENSE! the people that make the most noise are the people that have problems. If you purchased something and it was total **** you are more likely to complain about it and tell everyone you know, vs you buying something and it being good. Your not likely to spread the word about that.

So with that said just read the reviews and you won't end up with one of the many **** items that HF sells next to many of the great items that HF sells..

I would love to buy all USA made tools but it's unrealistic for me and I'm not poor. But i have my priorities In order. SO sells a great ball joint press kit. But it cost 700 bucks! Ridiculous amount of money. However it's the best kit you can get, nothing else on the market as good as it. I'm going to buy it just not from the tool truck.. It's 500 used on eBay which is still an insane amount. But it's a time saver... My thing is that the tool has to be so good that I won't want the less expensive option, most tools in my tool box don't fall into that category. So I buy based on best value.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[toddoky]

Clearly the new year is off to a fine ******* start...same **** different year...

Ah yes, but the place just wouldn't be the same without the HF/Snap-on mud slinging...the comedy that comes out of these threads is some of the best on this forum.

 

[Fender1325]

Stay away from the HF blue masking tape, unless you're getting paid by the hour.

I rarely ever use tape, and in the rare occasion I need to, i use 3m.