"Dumb question. Whats so special about harbor freight?"
- Thread starter Jacobson
- Start date
Jagmandave
Well-known member
Nothing complicated about it, they have a ton of different shop/garage/home related stuff all at good to very good prices. Some of it is not so good, some of it is fine and some is a great buy.
If you haven't even been there you should go. Just walk around and see what you see. You don't have to buy anything, but I bet you find something and wind up walking out with some stuff.
I've been trading there since the early 90's.
If you haven't even been there you should go. Just walk around and see what you see. You don't have to buy anything, but I bet you find something and wind up walking out with some stuff.
I've been trading there since the early 90's.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
A store front for China/Taiwan low cost manufacturing heavily marketed and marked up enough to balance out a flood of coupons so people feel they are getting more than they paid for.
Parrothead
Well-known member
If they’re not familiar with Harbor Freight then the best you can do is explain it’s a tool store that ranges from single use tools to pro grade tools and priced accordingly.
matt_i
Well-known member
I think its a curio because there is hardly a dedicated tool store that you can walk into these days.
Box stores, etc always have tools as well but its just a department and the range of offerings is pretty low, comparatively.
Box stores, etc always have tools as well but its just a department and the range of offerings is pretty low, comparatively.
driftpin
Well-known member
With the phenomenon of 'bricks & mortar' stores disappearing, any store offering 'access to tools' (thank-you Whole Earth Catalog) should be a place to-visit. Listening to the naysayers on here who just bash the store and its contents, makes me think, "to each his own," as I buy another tool or supplies there. I have plenty of name-brand tools acquired over a lifetime of purchases, that the times I've bought something perfectly-serviceable from HFT, it doesn't bother me in the least, to have something capable of doing what I need, readily-available and at a price much-less-than the premium brand tools capable of the same tasks. I have DeWalt, Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, S-K, Wright, Milwaukee, Ingersoll-Rand, Lenox, Stanley, Victor, yes, even-some Snap-On, and my Vulcan HFT multi-process welder and Chicago Electric demo hammer/drill get-along with them perfectly.
Tell him, "tools that can do the job, at prices you can-afford." Let him take it from there. Give him a "free with any purchase" coupon and ask him to tell you what he bought next-time you see him, and what he got for-free.
Do you really-need a 'Snap-On' set of plastic nesting funnels, or a $40 blue poly tarp to throw-over something outside or can you be satisfied with the HFT alternative?
Tell him, "tools that can do the job, at prices you can-afford." Let him take it from there. Give him a "free with any purchase" coupon and ask him to tell you what he bought next-time you see him, and what he got for-free.
Do you really-need a 'Snap-On' set of plastic nesting funnels, or a $40 blue poly tarp to throw-over something outside or can you be satisfied with the HFT alternative?
Thirdyfivepickup
Well-known member
I have one that moved in maybe a mile from me and I still haven't gone into it yet. It's been there 6 months. Just never had the time...
Two Speed
Well-known member
Its a place to see & touch tools that you may otherwise never see because the only alternative is a catalog, but don't come with the catalog prices--low cost and quality that is all over the map, expect the worst, but hope for the best as the saying goes.
So if you wanted a hand held punch for sheet metal, they got one at an affordable price that will get the job done and you can put it on the shelf for the next 10 years until you need it again and not feel bad that it cost you a small fortune to easily punch out a few holes if you bought the brand name version.
Or you need a 36" long 1/2" drive extension for ONE job... Where else are you going to find one that won't cost you an entire days pay and you can take home immediately to finish the job?
Or maybe, you want to try a speciality tool and see if it will do what you think it'll do for you, and then you may decide to spend the big bucks for the real deal since you know withoutout large financial commitment that it'll do what you expect of it.
Alex.
So if you wanted a hand held punch for sheet metal, they got one at an affordable price that will get the job done and you can put it on the shelf for the next 10 years until you need it again and not feel bad that it cost you a small fortune to easily punch out a few holes if you bought the brand name version.
Or you need a 36" long 1/2" drive extension for ONE job... Where else are you going to find one that won't cost you an entire days pay and you can take home immediately to finish the job?
Or maybe, you want to try a speciality tool and see if it will do what you think it'll do for you, and then you may decide to spend the big bucks for the real deal since you know withoutout large financial commitment that it'll do what you expect of it.
Alex.
It gives people that don't shop there, something to ***** about.
FWIW my new 85 yoFIL does all his own maintenance on apartments/home and worked part time in a hardware store for decades, , but has never been in an HF.
I took him on his first shopping trip there yesterday. I think he was impressed, purchased a battery charger (with coupon) wanted a 1/2hp sump pump (out of stock) and I gave him a coupon for the free light, which I saw him demonstrating it to MIL on their way home.
FWIW my new 85 yoFIL does all his own maintenance on apartments/home and worked part time in a hardware store for decades, , but has never been in an HF.
I took him on his first shopping trip there yesterday. I think he was impressed, purchased a battery charger (with coupon) wanted a 1/2hp sump pump (out of stock) and I gave him a coupon for the free light, which I saw him demonstrating it to MIL on their way home.
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99LeCouch
Well-known member
Great for the DIY'er on a budget. Some cheap junk, some legitimately good inexpensive tools, and some specialty tools that are unobtanium anywhere else locally.
Lots of HF stuff in my garage that has lasted through typical DIY use for a long time. There's one 5 minutes from me, so I typically look there first for any new tools.
Lots of HF stuff in my garage that has lasted through typical DIY use for a long time. There's one 5 minutes from me, so I typically look there first for any new tools.
To me, HF is a source for consumables like rags, microfiber clothes, rechargeable batteries (though they aren't consumables well after like 1,000 recharges).
Also, I do buy cheap tools there sometimes in a pinch. Like if I am out helping a friend/relative with a repair or project. It's about the only store with a full selection of tools -- albeit not the best in the world. Get the 6 pack of free screwdrivers with the coupon (with any purchase), and those are great to donate to a relative/friend who doesn't have any tools. And the cheap disposable batteries are good if you're setting up a TV remote or something for an elderly relative because if you leave your rechargeables, they will be tossed.
Also, HF is great for even the non-gearhead/tooj junkie. It's almost like an old school hardware store that would've sold housewares too. You can get cast iron skillets at HF, some kitchen gadgets, etc..
Also, I do buy cheap tools there sometimes in a pinch. Like if I am out helping a friend/relative with a repair or project. It's about the only store with a full selection of tools -- albeit not the best in the world. Get the 6 pack of free screwdrivers with the coupon (with any purchase), and those are great to donate to a relative/friend who doesn't have any tools. And the cheap disposable batteries are good if you're setting up a TV remote or something for an elderly relative because if you leave your rechargeables, they will be tossed.
Also, HF is great for even the non-gearhead/tooj junkie. It's almost like an old school hardware store that would've sold housewares too. You can get cast iron skillets at HF, some kitchen gadgets, etc..
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What? That's probably their single best offerings out the whole catalog
DFB
Well-known member
The retail storefronts are quite a bit different now than what Harbor Freight Salvage company was back in the beginning though 
And they have always had an assortment of low output pneumatic air tools, rough finished and cheaply made hand tools. The truly inexpensive electric power tools used to be quite a freight
But the pricing was always the main thing for most people especially on certain shop equipment like floor jacks, jackstands, hydraulic presses, parts washers.
And now today they have most odds and end stuff someone needs for shop work, like wire ties, hardware assortments, some fluids an lubricants, thread locking compound, welding grinding supplies, all kinds of gloves, cheap tow stuff, yard and garden ****.
Its often a hard sell to GJ peeps but in the big wide world they still do a lot of business.
Like with a fat GF...nobody admits they go there right
And they have always had an assortment of low output pneumatic air tools, rough finished and cheaply made hand tools. The truly inexpensive electric power tools used to be quite a freight
But the pricing was always the main thing for most people especially on certain shop equipment like floor jacks, jackstands, hydraulic presses, parts washers.
And now today they have most odds and end stuff someone needs for shop work, like wire ties, hardware assortments, some fluids an lubricants, thread locking compound, welding grinding supplies, all kinds of gloves, cheap tow stuff, yard and garden ****.
Its often a hard sell to GJ peeps but in the big wide world they still do a lot of business.
Like with a fat GF...nobody admits they go there right
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
T]
Like with a fat GF...nobody admits they go there right
You two should get together and compare notes.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Please don't feed the trolls.
Farmall450
Well-known member
bob15
Well-known member
Their $15.00 HLVP guns aren't bad for spray epoxy paint. Once you're done with the job, scrap the paint gun because it will cost more in thinner to clean it than what the gun is worth.
Breaker bars are a great buy at HF. Like $9 for a 25 inch one after coupon. Slap a 3/4 deep impact socket on it and put one in each car -- way way easier to break the lugs than the crappy 8 inch pressed metal tire tool that most cars come with these days.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I just got back from lunch with the boys, funny enough one of the other guys brought up Harbor Freight - said it was Princess Auto on steroids. I agreed, and added, "but with a funny smell!" Like Princess Auto, Harbor Freight has some good stuff, and some stuff not worth taking home.
They are known for their cheap tools. Cheap in cost, cheap in quality. What’s interesting is they carry stuff you can get in auto parts stores, home improvement stores and some stuff you will not find in either. Having that local option can be helpful in a pinch. More recently they have been trying to push their product upmarket (price and quality). But you have to do some research to determine whether the price is indicative of quality. Personally, I’m a skeptic even if GJ gives an HF tool a thumbs up. But no harm in taking a stroll through the aisles and checking out what they got.
It's the place that when I decide I need a need spot weld drill bit on a Tuesday, I have it Wednesday on my way home from work.
I hadn't been there since last Spring, so I did wander around looking at all those new names on everything. Didn't notice any quality improvements over Pittsburg and Pittsburg pro. SSDD.
I hadn't been there since last Spring, so I did wander around looking at all those new names on everything. Didn't notice any quality improvements over Pittsburg and Pittsburg pro. SSDD.
woody 73
Well-known member
I love all tools so short story.
I picked up one of those made in the USA craftsman ratchets (the one with the plastic selector)and it would switch directions just looking at it. Anyhow years ago when HF first started out yes everything was junk but (always a but) they got better every year.
I picked up and bought one of their Taiwan ratchets a few years ago and it is a joy to use.
I guess each to his own you either love them or you do not like them, nothing ventured nothing gained...
Woody
I picked up one of those made in the USA craftsman ratchets (the one with the plastic selector)and it would switch directions just looking at it. Anyhow years ago when HF first started out yes everything was junk but (always a but) they got better every year.
I picked up and bought one of their Taiwan ratchets a few years ago and it is a joy to use.
I guess each to his own you either love them or you do not like them, nothing ventured nothing gained...
Woody
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Hydraulic gear puller that let me get a job done with some margin, instead of none.
Metal cutting circ. saw that let me pick up a big piece of plate in 2 pieces, without spending what the plate would have cost.
Those are my one-time use tools I can think of. Had I bought those elsewhere, I'd have spent $600 more than I did.
Metal cutting circ. saw that let me pick up a big piece of plate in 2 pieces, without spending what the plate would have cost.
Those are my one-time use tools I can think of. Had I bought those elsewhere, I'd have spent $600 more than I did.
Usable tools at great prices.
Putting up wood trim, pulled out a CP "3in1" air nailer, I last used on a remodeling job 9 years ago.
Still works perfect.
I think I paid less than $25 for it, which is still the price it sells for today.
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Their quality is on the rise. Gotten some good deals on some nice tools their recently. The guys at the dealership I take my truck to are using more and more of their tools. Ratchets and sockets especially.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Ton ton
Well-known member
What I find frustrating is the gaps in their tool lineup. I go to the one in Harrisonburg,VA. Maybe they're sold out of what I am looking for? Not sure what to think.
notenuftoys
Active member
It's great for shade-tree mechanics that need that one tool for that one time it will be used every 5-8 years.
How many other stores are there dedicated to tools? Northern Tool is close, but not the same. I enjoy taking a 20% coupon, buying that one thing for $15 and browsing for an hour talking myself out of buying a bunch of other things I might need someday.
How many other stores are there dedicated to tools? Northern Tool is close, but not the same. I enjoy taking a 20% coupon, buying that one thing for $15 and browsing for an hour talking myself out of buying a bunch of other things I might need someday.
I wanted one _until_ I found the metal was, for me, much to easy to flex by hand.
goforbroke
Well-known member
Lots of useful tools for cheap, the nitrile disposable gloves, the cut off wheels, flap wheels, paper towel holder, magnetic strip.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
The 20% off coupon says directly on it that it can't be used with other coupons.
The cashier might be letting it slide but he/she is not supposed to take both the 20% off coupon and free tray coupon.