Harbor Freight Section?

[Vegaman_Dan]

Should we just give up and accept that Harbor Freight is here to stay and that we have a lot of forum threads dedicated to the subject? Coupons, Pass/Fail, deals, reviews, etc. At this point, it might make sense to make a HF section in the TOOLS area. I don't normally like to point out one OEM over another since it might lead to people wanting a SnapOn section or whatever, but HF threads far outnumber the rest and it might make sense to collect them into one easy to look at section.

 

[AndrewV]

Yes and no.
The numbers are there. But as you said, it would spill over to more.
A lot of work, to empliment it, with all retailers.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Should we just give up and accept that Harbor Freight is here to stay and that we have a lot of forum threads dedicated to the subject? Coupons, Pass/Fail, deals, reviews, etc. At this point, it might make sense to make a HF section in the TOOLS area. I don't normally like to point out one OEM over another since it might lead to people wanting a SnapOn section or whatever, but HF threads far outnumber the rest and it might make sense to collect them into one easy to look at section.

You can't outright quarantine the freight bro, that's just not right.

I think the reason harbor freight is popular (or seems that way) because for a lot of people what they offer is enough for what they do and at retail they sell a lot of stuff that's kind of difficult to find at retail even at an inflated price. At least that's why I end up there sometimes.

Don't think it needs it's own section though. Multiple threads should be okay. But there should probably be more matco and cornwell threads...sort of. At least for some of the interesting stuff which I assume they have.

 

[BFBOB]

I'm inclined to say no. Here's why: part of the fun of Garage Journal is wandering semi-aimlessly through the stuff. (technical term for "posts") I tend to ignore anything to do with Harbor Freight unless the thread title has some quirk that catches my interest. If all the HF stuff was in one Forum, I'd likely never see any of it, and miss the few that I find amusing - or even useful.
Taken to its extreme, it would turn GJ into a catalog where you only look at the pages you already know you're interested in. GJ is so much more than just reference material I tend to favor keeping it that way.
Yes, on those occasions when I'm searching for something in particular it can be frustrating, but on balance I think it's better as a semi-search semi-browse site, just like it is.

 

[yamaha0343]

Bumping this old thread to see what the current opinion is here on GJ. I've been a member for about a year but have lurked for a long time before that. GJ has been my go to for tool info for a few years now. I don't buy much without searching here first.

Last few months in the General Tool Discussion board it seems like most of the posts are about Harbor Freight items, and the ones that are about other tools or boxes usually get a ton of replies saying "you should go to Harbor Freight", "HF is just as good", "HF is taking over the world!!1!", etc.

I totally get that they have a following or whatever, but sometimes it's just tiring. Makes me want to visit HF even less.

 

[LXCam]

Nooo!

 

[gungatim]

I vote no.

on several other forums I frequent, they are so subdivided into micro forums for each state, or manufacturer, etc. that you have to wade through so much stuff in the new posts to even find something relevant because the posts have become so specialized to fit one of the 150+ sub forums...

 

[CoogarXR]

I just hit "new posts" and I never even notice what category a new post is in, lol.

 

[yamaha0343]

I just hit "new posts" and I never even notice what category a new post is in, lol.

I need to start doing that.

 

[Dr Stan]

I see no need to give Horror Freight free advertising.

 

[EOC_Jason]

 

[Corndoggeh]

Probably. HF is also best for shop supplies and consumables.

 

[Dr Stan]

Probably. HF is also best for shop supplies and consumables.

For a very limited number of items its marginally OK. Nytril gloves, MIG wire and small drill bits are the ONLY things that come to mind.

Anything powered by Chinese motors and/or built with Chinese steel are not worth carrying home and many times dangerous.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Okay, I'm guilty... I do go to HF... 99% of the time it's just passing by so I swing in to get a Freebie (using http://www.hfqpdb.com/ ) getting a NPR item...

Also I do buy their little brass wire brushes. They are smaller than the big-box stores and they fit better to clean out the ID of some sockets and such.

But I look at their hand tools or power tools... ugh... No thanks...