We have the HF pass/fail thread, but that's a little difficult to navigate at 336 pages and growing. Plus, that thread is a home for reviews of every single HF tool ever (tens of thousands of items).
The goal for this thread is to gather a short list of best-of-the-best Harbor Freight has to offer. These are tools that almost everyone would agree are very good quality, and an excellent value.
Request: I would like to keep this thread focused on simply what HF tools you consider best-of-the-best, and avoid discussion cluttering it with request for reviews, or "What do you guys think of such-and-such tool?" type posts.
Here is the list that I've got so far based on previous knowledge of GJ favorites and feedback in this thread. I am also collecting a running list of "nominees" - if they get enough votes, I'll add them to the All-Stars list.
If you disagree, please comment. If there is disagreement on if something is an "All-Star" or instead just a "generally good tool/good deal", I'll make that note, and potentially remove them from All-Star status.
I'm wondering if I should try to add what is generally considered a "good price" for each All-Star...
All-Stars:
Nominees:
Magnetic parts trays (+6, -2)
2 ton aluminum floor jack
low profile racking jack (+2)
breaker bars (+1)
motorcycle lift table (+2)
disc brake service kit
DA polisher (+1)
heat gun (+3)
4ft Pittsburg level (red) (+1)
Moving blankets (+2)
battery chargers
3/8" locking extensions
right angle die grinder (+1)
free tape measures (but only as a freebie?) (+2, -1)
freebie blue LED flashlight (but only as a freebie?) (+1)
7pc ratcheting wrench set
short bar clamps (+1)
reciprocating saw (+2)
flex head ratchets (new item)
1/4 and 3/8 dual flex head long ratchet (+2)
blue mechanics gloves (red) (+2)
Orange handled picks (picks) (+4)
2-ton engine crane
2-ton load level
1000lb engine stand (+1)
1000lb mover's dolly (+1)
6 gallon compressor
60 gallon compressor (+1)
black 4 drawer cart (+3)
roto head ratchets (+1)
left hand drill bits (-1)
triangle welding magnets (-1)
1-ton gantry and chain fall
single drawer service cart (+1)
red through handle, long shaft screwdrivers
20 bin plastic storage boxes (-1)
foam mechanics pads
stubby wrenches
garden soaker hoses
12 ga extension cords
6 outlet heavy duty power strip
1/2" extendable ratchet (+1)
flex head composite ratchets (new)
26" tool chest
Push pin pliers
electrical jumpers
wind-in brake caliper set (+1)
disc brake turn back tool set (same as above?)
3oz Super Lube (+2)
brake line forming tool
10" miter saw
16" tie rod separator
4pc impact extension set
Ball joint service kit
Portable halogen shop light
steel bristle brush
swivel lens headlamp (-1)
transmission jack
wobble extensions (+3)
shrink tubing (-1)
Iron armor etching primer
electronic calipers (+2)
brass hammer
jack stands (+2)
4-ton portable hydraulic kit
36pc 3in" screwdriver bit set
swivel head ratchet, stubby 1/4 (green handle) (+1)
SDS hammer drill
Acculink belts
Polycarbide abrasive wheels
Pittsburgh Pro sockets (Taiwan)
Pittsburgh Pro 72t ratchet
High Visibility Socket set (-1)
Warrior spot weld cutters
3/4" ball joint separator (+4, -1)
11ga coil roofing nailer (+1)
20 ton shop press (+1)
12" sliding miter saw
bottle jacks (12 ton and 20 ton)
hose clamp pliers (+2)
2-in-1 adjustable wrench
6pc SAE jumbo angle wrench set
28pc transfer punch set
5" high speed air sander
1/2" quick release impact extension bar
indexable ratchet
3/8" double flex ratchet
7" grinder
Pittsburgh Pro 5pc flex ratcheting wrenches
Magnetic tool box accessories (various) (+1)
8gal oiled compressor
21degree framing nailer
18ga brad nailer
Socket trays (+1)
3/8 air ratchet (-1)
Purple HVLP paint gun (+1)
Oscillating multi-tool (corded)
300lb capacity mobile base
mattock
machete
10x10 shade structure (ez-up)
14pc hydraulic punch driver kit
SAE drill/tap/deburr bit set
F-clamps, 6", 12"
horizontal toggle clamps for woodworking
Japanese flush cut saw
3" swivel caster with brake
Disposable brushes
pegboard hooks
1200 grit sandpaper
Front wheel bearing adapter press kit
200/400W power inverter
Tarps
Super long screwdriver set
50' retractable hose reel
Currently, I'm using a criteria of (+5) unique positive mentions to move an item to the All-Star list.
Once the item is in the list, I will only track the number of dissenting opinions (tallied as "negative votes) from those that do not think the item belongs as an All-Star. If the negative tally of an All-Star becomes significant, I will reevaluate it's inclusion in the list.
Edit: (10/02/2014)
Updated the OP with all the nominations through post #55. Moved the following items into the All-Star list:
"Pro" screwdrivers
Nitrile gloves
Edit: 10/02/2014 - Updated through post #74
Edit: 10/04/2014 - Updated through post #99. Moved the following items into the All-Star list:
4.5" angle grinder
The magnetic parts trays have several dissenting opinions, hence they have not been moved into the all-star list.
Added links to most of the All-Star items.
Edit: 10/06/2014 - Updated through post #141.
The goal for this thread is to gather a short list of best-of-the-best Harbor Freight has to offer. These are tools that almost everyone would agree are very good quality, and an excellent value.
Request: I would like to keep this thread focused on simply what HF tools you consider best-of-the-best, and avoid discussion cluttering it with request for reviews, or "What do you guys think of such-and-such tool?" type posts.
Here is the list that I've got so far based on previous knowledge of GJ favorites and feedback in this thread. I am also collecting a running list of "nominees" - if they get enough votes, I'll add them to the All-Stars list.
If you disagree, please comment. If there is disagreement on if something is an "All-Star" or instead just a "generally good tool/good deal", I'll make that note, and potentially remove them from All-Star status.
I'm wondering if I should try to add what is generally considered a "good price" for each All-Star...
All-Stars:
- Pittsburgh Pro impact sockets, various
- US General Tool Boxes, 44", 56", (and 72"?)
- US General Red 5-drawer tool cart
- Earthquake impact guns, 3/8" and 1/2"
- Orange dead blow hammers (-2)
- Composite ratchets, various
- Torque wrenches, various
- Breaker bars (non-ratcheting)
- Pittsburgh Professional screwdrivers
- Nitrile gloves
- 4.5" heavy duty (red) angle grinder
- ?
Nominees:
Magnetic parts trays (+6, -2)
2 ton aluminum floor jack
low profile racking jack (+2)
breaker bars (+1)
motorcycle lift table (+2)
disc brake service kit
DA polisher (+1)
heat gun (+3)
4ft Pittsburg level (red) (+1)
Moving blankets (+2)
battery chargers
3/8" locking extensions
right angle die grinder (+1)
free tape measures (but only as a freebie?) (+2, -1)
freebie blue LED flashlight (but only as a freebie?) (+1)
7pc ratcheting wrench set
short bar clamps (+1)
reciprocating saw (+2)
flex head ratchets (new item)
1/4 and 3/8 dual flex head long ratchet (+2)
blue mechanics gloves (red) (+2)
Orange handled picks (picks) (+4)
2-ton engine crane
2-ton load level
1000lb engine stand (+1)
1000lb mover's dolly (+1)
6 gallon compressor
60 gallon compressor (+1)
black 4 drawer cart (+3)
roto head ratchets (+1)
left hand drill bits (-1)
triangle welding magnets (-1)
1-ton gantry and chain fall
single drawer service cart (+1)
red through handle, long shaft screwdrivers
20 bin plastic storage boxes (-1)
foam mechanics pads
stubby wrenches
garden soaker hoses
12 ga extension cords
6 outlet heavy duty power strip
1/2" extendable ratchet (+1)
flex head composite ratchets (new)
26" tool chest
Push pin pliers
electrical jumpers
wind-in brake caliper set (+1)
disc brake turn back tool set (same as above?)
3oz Super Lube (+2)
brake line forming tool
10" miter saw
16" tie rod separator
4pc impact extension set
Ball joint service kit
Portable halogen shop light
steel bristle brush
swivel lens headlamp (-1)
transmission jack
wobble extensions (+3)
shrink tubing (-1)
Iron armor etching primer
electronic calipers (+2)
brass hammer
jack stands (+2)
4-ton portable hydraulic kit
36pc 3in" screwdriver bit set
swivel head ratchet, stubby 1/4 (green handle) (+1)
SDS hammer drill
Acculink belts
Polycarbide abrasive wheels
Pittsburgh Pro sockets (Taiwan)
Pittsburgh Pro 72t ratchet
High Visibility Socket set (-1)
Warrior spot weld cutters
3/4" ball joint separator (+4, -1)
11ga coil roofing nailer (+1)
20 ton shop press (+1)
12" sliding miter saw
bottle jacks (12 ton and 20 ton)
hose clamp pliers (+2)
2-in-1 adjustable wrench
6pc SAE jumbo angle wrench set
28pc transfer punch set
5" high speed air sander
1/2" quick release impact extension bar
indexable ratchet
3/8" double flex ratchet
7" grinder
Pittsburgh Pro 5pc flex ratcheting wrenches
Magnetic tool box accessories (various) (+1)
8gal oiled compressor
21degree framing nailer
18ga brad nailer
Socket trays (+1)
3/8 air ratchet (-1)
Purple HVLP paint gun (+1)
Oscillating multi-tool (corded)
300lb capacity mobile base
mattock
machete
10x10 shade structure (ez-up)
14pc hydraulic punch driver kit
SAE drill/tap/deburr bit set
F-clamps, 6", 12"
horizontal toggle clamps for woodworking
Japanese flush cut saw
3" swivel caster with brake
Disposable brushes
pegboard hooks
1200 grit sandpaper
Front wheel bearing adapter press kit
200/400W power inverter
Tarps
Super long screwdriver set
50' retractable hose reel
Currently, I'm using a criteria of (+5) unique positive mentions to move an item to the All-Star list.
Once the item is in the list, I will only track the number of dissenting opinions (tallied as "negative votes) from those that do not think the item belongs as an All-Star. If the negative tally of an All-Star becomes significant, I will reevaluate it's inclusion in the list.
Edit: (10/02/2014)
Updated the OP with all the nominations through post #55. Moved the following items into the All-Star list:
"Pro" screwdrivers
Nitrile gloves
Edit: 10/02/2014 - Updated through post #74
Edit: 10/04/2014 - Updated through post #99. Moved the following items into the All-Star list:
4.5" angle grinder
The magnetic parts trays have several dissenting opinions, hence they have not been moved into the all-star list.
Added links to most of the All-Star items.
Edit: 10/06/2014 - Updated through post #141.
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