When I went in to Advanced Auto today, to get my made in USA, Wagner brake pads. I saw some Gearwrench items, for 50% off. I still passed, I did buy some USA tools from Sears yesterday though, at Harbor Freight prices. I'm more concerned with companies like Matco and Cornwell,etc. offering Asian tools. At least offer an expensive USA choice, that's what the truck tool companies are for. Pro tool companies are not supposed to make a cheaper tool for the masses in my opinion.
Does HF make you sick or is it me?
- Thread starter Gregster
- Start date
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
If someone needs a wheel bearing press, for short cash, HF can be ok. I think most of their hardline is not worth it, especially when Sears runs specials, better warranty too.
that doesn't bother me as much as offering asian imports at tool truck prices
Right, like I want to pay Matco 380 bucks for re-labeled Gearwrench, or Cornwell 250 bucks for Northern tool bit sockets,right! At least Snap-on puts most of the imports in their Blue Point line, even though I'm not a big fan of Snap-on service.
sberry
Banned
HF has its place, some things have an allowance to suffer in quality and some dont and one can learn from experience. A lot of sorting to do. A cheap impact is questionable, you dont need the big dollar tool truck ones but you can get a quality IR or CP for under a couple hundred, welding machines are another one where the knock off factor just doesn't work as well. Grinders take too much abuse to go cheap on, some of the impacts and end wrenches are good as well as pipe wrenches. Adjustables are getting more competitive, pliers have a way to go yet as do clamps. Half the big brand is made in china anymore might as well shop some of it for value if you cant help it.
Some of the rotary tools are a bargain, impact stuff is different and the chrome sockets have a way to go but some of the American stuff is competitive in a real way, the box stores have helped the competition. Hard to beat the sockets and wrenches. If one is shopping in comparison to SO or tool truck then the China looks even better but if you shop against Sears or box store brands then the spread is way different. A 7 or 9 piece wrench set, made in USA for under 30$ at Menards.
I think Walmart made a mistake with Stanely, the stuff is really good, 22$ for a wrench set, I would consider paying the 5 extra if made in USA. You could make a living with it, change a starter, make enough to pay for the set and have a few bucks left over vs making the first of a years payments to the tool truck.
For us the cheap battery tools wouldn't make it, it made sense to get the best. You can only make it so cheap and still make it work well (similar to welder), no way around it. But a hammer and a socket is a different story.
Some of the rotary tools are a bargain, impact stuff is different and the chrome sockets have a way to go but some of the American stuff is competitive in a real way, the box stores have helped the competition. Hard to beat the sockets and wrenches. If one is shopping in comparison to SO or tool truck then the China looks even better but if you shop against Sears or box store brands then the spread is way different. A 7 or 9 piece wrench set, made in USA for under 30$ at Menards.
I think Walmart made a mistake with Stanely, the stuff is really good, 22$ for a wrench set, I would consider paying the 5 extra if made in USA. You could make a living with it, change a starter, make enough to pay for the set and have a few bucks left over vs making the first of a years payments to the tool truck.
For us the cheap battery tools wouldn't make it, it made sense to get the best. You can only make it so cheap and still make it work well (similar to welder), no way around it. But a hammer and a socket is a different story.
sberry
Banned
I agree, thats the spread.
A while back I bought a set of adjustables from auto parts, their house brand (where there is a standard) anyway, 15$ for 4 up to 12 inch. I had intended on putting them in trucks or on equipment to keep my hi dollar in the shop but they were so good they got into general circulation somehow, this outfit has their own qc and as a pro tool user I can tell for a fact that it works as well as any. Lots of knock off stuff from this ATD and it works. I bought a set from HF for giggles, not as good.
goodfellow
Well-known member
Their overall price structure has increased over the past year. That coincided with a significant revamp of their offerings. They now have much better industrial and power equipment, and their "professional" mechanics line is way better than anything they've sold in the past.
That said, during this season, SEARS Craftsman hand tools are a bargain compared to the HF professional tools.
That said, during this season, SEARS Craftsman hand tools are a bargain compared to the HF professional tools.
It's funny, I was just thinking the exact same thing last night when I was reviewing the latest circular. It didn't hit me when I was in the store the other day, but seeing it all on paper did. On the plus side, they have some nicer stuff now.
poncho62
Well-known member
I bought a big floor jack at Princess Auto 5 years ago....excellent
Their grinding/cutting wheels ****..........
Bought a 13 hp electric start engine, Honda clone for 1/4 the price.........seems real good
You take the good with the bad........and you get to be able to judge the good from the bad.
As for this "Buy American" thing.......they priced themselves out of it.....It's a "World Economy" boys....Get used to it. Prices in these stores are going up a bit......Their products are getting better.......and will continue to do so.
Their grinding/cutting wheels ****..........
Bought a 13 hp electric start engine, Honda clone for 1/4 the price.........seems real good
You take the good with the bad........and you get to be able to judge the good from the bad.
As for this "Buy American" thing.......they priced themselves out of it.....It's a "World Economy" boys....Get used to it. Prices in these stores are going up a bit......Their products are getting better.......and will continue to do so.
sberry
Banned
My Bud bought one of the China long reach jacks and a folding cherry picker, both excellent, good design. The build quality was superb, the welding was flawless and material sizing was right on. Paint near perfect. As I recall just over 200 a piece.
I looked at an American lift, 4x the price and while the workmanship was adequate but nothing to write home about. The weld was crude, splatter everywhere. Terrible to have to admit that but it wasn't the Chinaman's first week with the wire feeder.
I looked at an American lift, 4x the price and while the workmanship was adequate but nothing to write home about. The weld was crude, splatter everywhere. Terrible to have to admit that but it wasn't the Chinaman's first week with the wire feeder.
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Just like some people accept the Asian tool flood. Alot of us will choose to seek other alternatives, even if it's another import,i.e.Germany,etc.. Since the stuff is getting more expensive; it's even less of and incentive to buy it. Harbor Freight and the like, are priced as high or higher than Sears, on alot of stuff. World Economy,ok, I won't pay good money for cheap imports, especially since they are not so cheap anymore. The USA products are part of that global economy, just happens to be my first choice.
Even though I am not the biggest Craftsman fan, alot of us have taken them for granted. The warranty is very good, and if Craftsman leaves the market, alot of us will be sorry. I choose to support Sears, and USA hand tools,and USA truck brand tools. I like the fact, I have a choice. I put my money where my mouth is. Use it, or lose it. I hate trying to keep a receipt for warranty for HF, and they are not consistent on product line, making warranty difficult.
charger
Active member
I buy a lot of stuff at princess auto and if i have a problem with anything i simply return it.I returned an air hose which i had for about two years and they replaced it without a receipt. I agree a lot of the stuff is junk but there are some good buys and i fine the service pretty good, and since they say no sale is final until your satisfied, how can you go wrong.
geaugafletcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- Messages
- 215
But there's the rub...the workmanship can look first rate, but sometimes the materials are not top (or even adequate) quality. Terrific welds on a crummy alloy still makes for a crummy product - and you don't know until it fails.
It's a tricky business, buying from HF.
Shame that the U.S. made items had lousy welding.
innovativejmike
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2008
- Messages
- 7
HFs not all that bad you know what your buying...jack stands,tarps,air hose, thats HF all day long. but i can say this . I did a paint job and needed a buffer to cut an buff. I wanted the dewalt buffer thats like $200 plus.the cost in paint some new tool and a paint gun.I did not have the money so i gave in and got the $29 HF buffer i told myself when this goes out im buying the dewalt it has been 2 years and i have used the **** out of it and still works fine ... so its well paid for itself