First time in a harbor freight.

[bobemmerich]

I was looking at the store near me, and I can't figure out why the hell the sets SKIP sizes? Important sizes like 15 & 19mm.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Check out the HF Pass/Fail thread for GJ member reviews, and you'll have a good idea of some of their very good and/or very bad items. Also, if there's a tool there that strikes your fancy, I would pull the trigger on it sooner than later. This is not like a Sears which still sells the same stuff from previous decades. HF will redesign/discontinue items from year to year and it's possible to miss out on some goodies by hesitating (e.g. 1/4 EQ air ratchet, old style impact swivels, indexing pry bars, HF sure shot clone, magnetic paper towel holder things, etc.).

If you were referring to me, thanks for the tip. I did actually find that thread before, and I posted a review of a couple items. If you weren't referring to me, whoops.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I just bought the socket trays. only 15 bucks and i got 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 in both metric and standard. Snapon wants 30 bucks for a single 1/2 tray. This is something i didn't have a problem going cheap on. What i like about the hf tray is that the sockets are stored with the drive end down so i can see if its 6 or 12 pt

 

[FLRover]

I have found HF a invaluable source of affordable tools for the new technician. I have SO/S&K for my hand tools but stuff like seal pullers, slide hammers, race setters, gloves, suspension tools and other odds and ends I don't need often. I will eventually replace these items with truck tools but for now the choice between a $30 seal puller and a $3 seal puller is a no brainier.

 

[99LeCouch]

For weekend warriors like me who might only use a specialty tool once every few years, yeah, HF generally works. Checking the reviews online and on GJ helps.

 

[Zeke]

I actually buy HF tools used. Talk about a deal. $50 for the Hossfeld knock-off bender. Same for the wheeled tubing bender. With stand. 50 bucks.

I guess when they are cheap to start with, they are even cheaper when used. Stuff like that doesn't bother me. Hell, torquing down my truck lug nuts with a cheap HF 1/2" torque wrench is far more accurate than the tire shop and their rattle gun.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

you need to get vaccinated

 

[HaroRider]

It actually works pretty good. I was hesitant to pull the trigger as well being a home wrench since I may never use it again. You will like it though.

Ill be honest I am not so much worried about quality as I am worried about the actual fittings themselves.
The reviews state that it does not fit that many applications, I dont know if these people dont know how to use it or whats the case.

Main reason I have yet to buy it is because every time I need one, I borrow my cousins Snap On one. Which is really good obviously, but only has a few adapters (Not the master kit) but works for what I needed it so far.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Jawn]

I actually buy HF tools used. Talk about a deal.

Odd, most of the time when I come across HF stuff used, they want as much or more than new price with coupons/sales/etc.

 

[DodgeMech]

Stay away from that 5 drawer red service cart... Terrible quality.

My boss had used one as his only box daily for the past several months and it's holding up well...

 

[byoungblood]

Odd, most of the time when I come across HF stuff used, they want as much or more than new price with coupons/sales/etc.

Ditto. I see it all the time on CL, pawn shops, flea markets, etc., they'll be asking retail or more. Probably just cashing in on the folks who don't know what HF is.

I personally find no reason to slum on HF for basic hand tools. If it is something that I'm going to use repeatedly, there's no sense on wasting your money on that junk. Better quality tools go on sale often enough or show up at yard sales, pawn shops, etc., at prices not too much more than HFs normal retail that I just don't see the point. I guess with the coupons it is near impossible to beat their prices on some things, but my wife agreed with me one of the times we strolled through there that it resembled a dollar store.

If it is something I'll use maybe once or twice and I think it will get the job done, then yeah, I may buy a tool from HF, even then I'm still more inclined to go to Northern Tool. Their quality seems to be a little bit better on most items. For full disclosure, I did buy a pair of their rubber wheel chocks a few days ago for my camper, because they'll likely get lost or stolen one of these days, so there's no sense in paying more for the same set of Chinese made wheel chocks sold anywhere else.