Houdini5150
Well-known member
They don't honor that manufacture coupon for Pittsburgh Pro ratchet anymore?
Harbor Freight, Love Them Or Hate Them
- Thread starter Renegade1LI
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Houdini5150
Well-known member
Years ago, I just would go in to pick out their free stuff. Batteries, flashlights, whatever was FREE. Although they worked in my ex wife's toys, they were junk. The magnetic flashlights were nice to stash all over and keep on the fridge. I got a headlamp and used it once or twice when eventually the battery compartment fell apart and would not latch. I got 2 free tarps, they were thin and cheap. Used it once for a move and to hang up for shade. Then was covering for the floor when painting haha.
I'm a weekend warrior, don't do a whole lot of wrenching other than basic car maintenance. I only had basic hand tools 2 years ago and I wanted to get some tools to work on my own car. Decent stuff. Picked up the nicer Icon ratchets and sockets. The impact sockets have served me well. The Daytona floor jack is a nice addition and much easier than the spare jack
I used to toss my tools into a small Husky toolbox, but once I built up some basic tools I needed room and opted for a 5 drawer cart. Nice cart. We have one at work that holds most of our IT tools and equipment.
The oldest harbor freight tool is a rubber mallet I randomly picked up 3 1/2 years ago. I use it to beat on some things here and there. I thought I would break it by now but nope, its held up.
I don't think I will ever buy anything from them with a motor, I will spend the little extra and pay for Ryobi since that is what I use.
I like their cheap consumables like their zip ties and detail brushes. But I have found stronger, UV rated zip ties that seem better for my applications however I will pick up cheap zip ties for the light jobs. Detail brushes have been great for gun cleaning.
Lastly I picked up a contractor hose from them. It has served me well the past 2 years in the AZ heat. Best of all, no kinks or leaks.
I'm a weekend warrior, don't do a whole lot of wrenching other than basic car maintenance. I only had basic hand tools 2 years ago and I wanted to get some tools to work on my own car. Decent stuff. Picked up the nicer Icon ratchets and sockets. The impact sockets have served me well. The Daytona floor jack is a nice addition and much easier than the spare jack
I used to toss my tools into a small Husky toolbox, but once I built up some basic tools I needed room and opted for a 5 drawer cart. Nice cart. We have one at work that holds most of our IT tools and equipment. The oldest harbor freight tool is a rubber mallet I randomly picked up 3 1/2 years ago. I use it to beat on some things here and there. I thought I would break it by now but nope, its held up.
I don't think I will ever buy anything from them with a motor, I will spend the little extra and pay for Ryobi since that is what I use.
I like their cheap consumables like their zip ties and detail brushes. But I have found stronger, UV rated zip ties that seem better for my applications however I will pick up cheap zip ties for the light jobs. Detail brushes have been great for gun cleaning.
Lastly I picked up a contractor hose from them. It has served me well the past 2 years in the AZ heat. Best of all, no kinks or leaks.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Seems to vary by store, one store by me is great, always gives you the benefit of the doubt. The other store not so much, have to get, find a manager and hope he's/she's in a good mood.
lolaetype
Well-known member
My local HF always asks me if I want the coupon back after I use it for whatever it covered. If it's for a giveaway item I always turn around and give it to the next person in line. The clerks never object.
Imagine owning, say, a Honda Civic and every time you stop anywhere for any reason, everyone who also has a Honda Civic says to you "hey I have a Honda Civic too!"
It'd wear on you after a while. Like, okay people who cares we all have this super common mass produced every day normal boring car so why tell me. IT'S NOT SPECIAL.
Of course the customer is just thinking hey cool if that's what they use I guess I made a good purchase and want to share that I have the same stuff they have!
Houdini5150
Well-known member
How long has this been going on? Its been a couple months since I used one. But I have used this 'coupon' on my phone to buy several of the pro ratchets in the past year year and a half.
I tried using one about 2 weeks ago and the cashier mentioned right away that they were no longer honoring that coupon. She was familiar with it, and mentioned that the corporate office communicated this to them recently.
I've used it probably a dozen times but I when I've tried to use it lately it doesn't scan. Not the end of the world but I liked getting the TST Taiwan made ratchets for $7 (with the recent price increase they would be $10 after coupon) and adding a better grip for $1.50 and giving them to people. They are cheaper than the same ratchet sold by Tekton and I think Tekton stopped selling them anyhow.
Anything using brushes should be cheap enough not to care by now.
Maybe that a good thing only the Chinese can think up.
Toss in a spare set of inexpensive brushes, then a few years down the line if you need brushes, you have some already - provided you remember where you put them.
Brushes wear out - they always have, but in the past there was that corner electric repair shop, that had at at two of every brush ever made. It's not there any more.
Availability of Spare parts is what HF haters complained about the most. Now the complaint is that they are including spare parts.
Paid $70 for their brushed 13 amp angle grinder. That was a pretty low price, but it's nice they threw in an extra set of brushes, I doubt I'll ever need.
Yeah exactly. Most things being brushless anymore, if I buy a brushed and there are brushes in a baggy I'm saying to myself "nice!" not "well that's ******."
Brushes are literally a wear item. A lot of tools even have little easy access side ports for replacement because they know this.
Generally speaking if you do wear out the brushes, you used the living **** out of it so it wasn't actually a bad tool after all.
brandonsmash
Well-known member
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- Sep 8, 2016
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- 214
While HF has some decent offerings, their more recent attempt to move upscale isn't really doing it for me. Their Pittsburgh Pro line used to punch above its weight with regards to price, but now it's competitive with Tekton on price and I'd rather buy Tekton for quality.
I still shop at HF, sure, but with greatly reduced frequency. Much of their stuff just doesn't seem as good a bargain any longer.
I still shop at HF, sure, but with greatly reduced frequency. Much of their stuff just doesn't seem as good a bargain any longer.
bwringer
Well-known member
The super-long flex-head version of that 1/4"/3/8" drive double ratchet is an absolute life-saver of a tool. When you need it, you need it. It's an absolute genius idea. The best thing in the whole store, I think.
As others above have mentioned, the Doyle pliers are stellar for the money, as are the Bremen locking pliers (all made in Taiwan).
I honestly have not been all that impressed by the Icon tools. They're OK tools, but they're usually priced too high for what they are.
Coach James
Well-known member
I bought a Dewalt sander last summer that came with extra brushes. The only problem I have with it is I forgot where I put the extra brushes.
Coach
I think the hurdle with Icon is that for some folks it's hard to wrap your head on spending that much at Harbor Freight.
The same place that sells electrical tape that doesn't even stick to itself, let alone a wire.
The d-handle pistol grip corded Milwaukee drills can last decades with changes of the brushes.
The need for new brushes doesn’t mean that the drill is worn out.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I will say this, my truck has a slight pull towards HF as I pass, you can almost feel it like it knew to turn off, weird.
I think it's a draft. Like passing a semi it tries to **** you in.
genog
Well-known member
HF is a fun place to browse while my wife is shopping.
I bought a couple of Magnetic Parts Holders for a dollar once
I bought a couple of Magnetic Parts Holders for a dollar once
We don't have HF in Canada, but we have Princess Auto and their PowerFist line of tools.
Necessary evil imho. Wages just aren't keeping up with cost of living.
I rarely visit a store in person. Free shipping is my weakness
Necessary evil imho. Wages just aren't keeping up with cost of living.
I rarely visit a store in person. Free shipping is my weakness
Garcky
Well-known member
They're in one of your junk drawers.
Mhyde52
Well-known member
I’ve been accumulating a fairly large quantity of items from HF over the last few years. In the 90’s, I used to be a firm believer in USA made tools, over any other specification. And most definitely some of the best tools for my purposes are made here in the USA. That said, with current manufacturing, metallurgy, design, engineering and economics, often my dollar is better spent at HF, or elsewhere on a foreign made tool. That said, there is still garbage tools available at HF, but as time goes on I believe as consumers many of us have become better at recognizing what’s worth buying, before making the purchase. I’ve only made a couple bad choices there.
Value for the dollar considered, I really like my us general and icon roller cabinets, icon wrenches, all branded impact sockets I’ve used (Pittsburgh, Pitts Pro, icon), icon ratchets/extensions, icon torque wrench, cheap HF bearing splitter/puller sets, Maddox bearing driver and exhaust expander sets, HF cheap air tools for occasional use-panel punch, needle scaler, right angle drill, pancake compressor, Daytona creeper, predator engines, moving blankets, Bremen locking pliers, Doyle pliers, welding blankets.
Disliked Pittsburgh soft handle ratchets, any branded swivel socket/adapter, most hammers, cheap picks, digital dial indicator, chief die grinders, molded plastic creeper, braun work light, most other items branded HF.
Value for the dollar considered, I really like my us general and icon roller cabinets, icon wrenches, all branded impact sockets I’ve used (Pittsburgh, Pitts Pro, icon), icon ratchets/extensions, icon torque wrench, cheap HF bearing splitter/puller sets, Maddox bearing driver and exhaust expander sets, HF cheap air tools for occasional use-panel punch, needle scaler, right angle drill, pancake compressor, Daytona creeper, predator engines, moving blankets, Bremen locking pliers, Doyle pliers, welding blankets.
Disliked Pittsburgh soft handle ratchets, any branded swivel socket/adapter, most hammers, cheap picks, digital dial indicator, chief die grinders, molded plastic creeper, braun work light, most other items branded HF.
WWheeler
Well-known member
I've done the same and contacted Dewalt customer service and they sent me new ones for free.
Another time I broke the clear plastic insert on a Dewalt DW625 router that helps it with dust extraction when I moved the bit into it and they also sent me a replacement for free.
ex-x-fire
Well-known member
One thing I bought from them that is still going strong is an oil plug socket set. I've been using it for 12 years in a professional shop and haven't broken one yet. Too bad they stopped carrying it.
This kind of looks like the set except more sockets. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDG5Q60/?tag=atomicindus08-20
This kind of looks like the set except more sockets. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDG5Q60/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I usually don't shop at HF, today I went to pick up some moving blankets (one of the few things I get there) for paint protection during an engine pull tomorrow. Go to the aisle where they are, shelves are empty. Look around the store as they are often in end caps and sure enough I find a few.
I take my blankets to the front and see a line of about a dozen people at one cashier and just one person at the cashier at the far end of the store. Go to the short line and stand there for a while as the cashier is on the phone to another store to find if something is in stock there for the lady in front of me. Watch 2-3 customers go through the other line at a glacial pace as the cashier goes through the phone #, email ads and warranty upsales pitches. Finally my cashier gets off the phone and says the other store has the item. Happy lady asks for the address only to find it's right near her house. Lady can't find a pen in her purse to write down the street address (it's right near your house!), cashier can't find a pen either. A couple of customers go through the other line, again at a glacial pace.
Finally lady leaves and I move up only to have the cashier announce that she has to go to the back room and people in her line should go to the other line. I (and those behind me) go to the other line and wait while cashier goes through lengthy discussions with a couple of customers. Other cashier comes back to the other register and says "I can help someone here". There was probably 20 people in line so several of us go there. When she starts her sales pitch with me I told her to just ring me up so I can get out of there. Just one of the many reasons I avoid HF if at all possible. Wasted a good 20-25 minutes just standing in line.
I take my blankets to the front and see a line of about a dozen people at one cashier and just one person at the cashier at the far end of the store. Go to the short line and stand there for a while as the cashier is on the phone to another store to find if something is in stock there for the lady in front of me. Watch 2-3 customers go through the other line at a glacial pace as the cashier goes through the phone #, email ads and warranty upsales pitches. Finally my cashier gets off the phone and says the other store has the item. Happy lady asks for the address only to find it's right near her house. Lady can't find a pen in her purse to write down the street address (it's right near your house!), cashier can't find a pen either. A couple of customers go through the other line, again at a glacial pace.
Finally lady leaves and I move up only to have the cashier announce that she has to go to the back room and people in her line should go to the other line. I (and those behind me) go to the other line and wait while cashier goes through lengthy discussions with a couple of customers. Other cashier comes back to the other register and says "I can help someone here". There was probably 20 people in line so several of us go there. When she starts her sales pitch with me I told her to just ring me up so I can get out of there. Just one of the many reasons I avoid HF if at all possible. Wasted a good 20-25 minutes just standing in line.
bwringer
Well-known member
Following an utterly embarrassing incident last week involving a snap ring and no proper tool to extract it, a coupon magically appeared in my email a few days ago, and so I just picked up a set of the Icon snap ring pliers.
For $50, it's a great set of snap ring pliers and a pretty good value. Strong and nice quality tips, and I'm super-tired of the janky sheet metal junk pliers or the "convertible" or replaceable tip style. But for the $70 list price, it's only a middling value, other than the value inherent in having them easily available on the shelf.
That's kinda the issue with the whole Icon line; they look nice, and they're useful middlin' quality tools, but they're priced a fair bit above their station. It doesn't really make sense.
The Quinn, Doyle, Bremen, and Maddox strategy makes more sense; they're a large step up from the usual low-rent Chinese tool-shaped objects, but the pricing still makes some sense.
I canNOT for the life of me figure out the differences in their cordless tool platforms or why you have so many in one store, or their entire cordless tool strategy. Hercules and Bauer have entire lineups and even accessories in red or blue-ish, and I don't have the faintest idea why. Plus there are at least four other entirely incompatible battery platforms in the same stores, and the pricing doesn't make any of it the least bit compelling over established brands. Sure some of the tools are actually OK, nothing exceptional, but who the hell is buying this stuff?
For $50, it's a great set of snap ring pliers and a pretty good value. Strong and nice quality tips, and I'm super-tired of the janky sheet metal junk pliers or the "convertible" or replaceable tip style. But for the $70 list price, it's only a middling value, other than the value inherent in having them easily available on the shelf.
That's kinda the issue with the whole Icon line; they look nice, and they're useful middlin' quality tools, but they're priced a fair bit above their station. It doesn't really make sense.
The Quinn, Doyle, Bremen, and Maddox strategy makes more sense; they're a large step up from the usual low-rent Chinese tool-shaped objects, but the pricing still makes some sense.
I canNOT for the life of me figure out the differences in their cordless tool platforms or why you have so many in one store, or their entire cordless tool strategy. Hercules and Bauer have entire lineups and even accessories in red or blue-ish, and I don't have the faintest idea why. Plus there are at least four other entirely incompatible battery platforms in the same stores, and the pricing doesn't make any of it the least bit compelling over established brands. Sure some of the tools are actually OK, nothing exceptional, but who the hell is buying this stuff?
"good, better, best" and priced accordingly.
It's the mainstay of retail almost everywhere, nearly forever .
I've "bought the stuff" for 25 years. It works just fine. As far as competitive pricing it depends. Purchased a 13 amp angle grinder for $79.
Almost nowhere else has one even close to that price.
Madjik Man
Well-known member
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- Dec 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1,519
Don’t take my opinion with much value. I’m just a DIYer at home who bought the Craftsman mechanic set in 1995 and never upgraded a single item until 2015ish.
That said I agree with your ICON assessment.
To me they’re overpriced because I can find something somewhat comparable at lower price. Again I don’t need the highest quality (which I do appreciate).
But when the ICON stuff is on sale, sound cheap on EBay or a coupon can actually be applied - then it becomes tantalizing.
I learned here about the whole Kabo OEM long flex head DBE offset wrenches. When I was able to buy the ICON version for $170, I pulled the trigger.
I found a set of ICON ratcheting stubby wrenches on eBay for $45 shipped. Brand new. I bought them.
When it comes time to upgrade my standard length ratcheting wrenches I’ll probably look at Quinn.
Love them or hate them I appreciate HF’s warranty much like I do Tekton’s, Astro’s, Capri’s, etc.
For someone like me I really factor in the warranty when buying tools.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Too bad they don't make a knife grinder.
Although I made a couple trips to HF to use the 30% off 10.00 & under this weekend. I wonder when they will up the anti to a 20.00 item or more. I have No Desire to become an 'Inside club member" or apply for their Credit Card they keep Pushing on Me.
The ITC membership is well worth it if you shop there at all regularly or make even 1 significant purchase. In addition to being eligible for certain member only deals and coupons and often saving twice as much as non-members during promotions like the current one, you also aren't required to present the actual coupon as a member. They just look you up by phone number and you get the discount.
The idea that you wish you could receive the same benefits as a member but have "no desire' to become a member is nonsensical.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Welcome to Harbor freight, sir. LOL.
Sounds like my local HF....
I don't give them any information when they ask those stupid questions at the checkout.
I specifically never give my phone number to any cashier who asks for it. The last thing I need is to have my information sold and be added to even MORE spam calling lists. lol. I can't remember exactly which store it was.... it was either the local Northern Tool, or the local HF, but one guy was REALLY offended that I didn't give him my phone number... Finally I said to him.... "Are you telling me people who don't have a phone line are not allowed to buy items from this store". He shut his mouth and never said another word to me. lol.
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