Harbor Freight Test Lab Tour

[Stick Figure]

Or at least according to Dirt Rider Magazine....

http://www.dirtrider.com/features/web_exclusive/141_1106_harbor_freight_testing_lab_tour/index.html

If it was posted somewhere else, sorry I didn't find it in my quick search.

 

[Avgas]

Completely useless article IMO

 

[Mario]

Interesting...

EDIT: I mean, the pictures. It's obvious the author is an Harbor Freight customer.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Reads like a company made ad.

 

[Danglerb]

Wow, takes fluff to a new level.

In no way did that look like serious testing to me, total lack of safety barriers, etc. Its a dog and pony show for "press" that only does articles with an ad purchase.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Pneumatic impact drivers were load tested and electric grinders were repeatedly strained, all of the tests were being run in comparison to market leading equipment to make sure the Harbor Freight product was at least as good, if not better.

If their products were as good as, or better, then they would be market leading.

Makes no sense. Idiots.

 

[jmauld]

WOW, so they actually test that **** they sell, and they still sell it?

Sometimes I think their marketing plan is to make it as crappy as possible and offer an excellent warranty so that you will keep coming back to the store.

 

[JC23]

Congrats, gents. You've witnessed the birth of Harbor Freight Kool Aid.

Drink up if'n you've a mind to...

 

[franzdom]

WOW, so they actually test that **** they sell, and they still sell it?

Sometimes I think their marketing plan is to make it as crappy as possible and offer an excellet warranty so that you will keep coming back to the store.

Bwahahahahaaaaaaaa111111111111!!

 

[Rickster]

That wasn't a test lab, that is what is known in the industry as a "Dog and pony show". Bring in a bunch of new store managers, whip up some demonstration pieces and throw in a guy in a lab coat to make it "official".

I like the torque wrench comparison to Snap-on "Save $294". I'll pay that $294 just to make sure it stays together when the vehicle's back on the road.

 

[Original Man]

I don't like articles like these.

 

[bczygan]

HF Product Testing Procedure:

1. Check to make sure machining tolerances of 1/10th of an inch are just met.
2. Inspect parts for minimum required quantity of weld scale and flashing on cast items.
3. Pack maximum quantities of grease in all cavities.
4. Install noxious permanently out-gassing plastic parts on all possible equipment.
5. Pack in 4th generation cardboard boxes and ship to unsuspecting Americans.

 

[NWphotog]

Oh it's a fluff piece but the HF kool-aid is no worse than Snap-on kool-aid.

 

[Stephenw]

I'd be afraid to go into that "lab" without scatter shields around those hydraulic press tests.

 

[ZRX61]

The durability and quality is the one thing that only the end consumer can really measure but to make sure the tools were up to the task, we saw the test laboratory where they stress and strain the products they design and develop. From putting wenches under water and running them to trying to crush and overpower floor jacks, pneumatic impact drivers were load tested and electric grinders were repeatedly strained, all of the tests were being run in comparison to market leading equipment to make sure the Harbor Freight product was at least as good, if not better.

Excuse me? Was it a tool test or a witch trial?

 

[american lockpicker]

Are they seriously comparing a Fein to their knockoff POS.

 

[Trucky]

Are they seriously comparing a Fein to their knockoff POS.

Absolutely. Not sure why though. That'd be like me renting a Porsche and racing it against my Grand Am 4 banger.

That piece of paper made me laugh. hard.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

import happy dirt bike people

 

[justanengineer]

Definitely a dog and pony show. I especially love the guys with lab coats holding clip boards, because we dont have a thing called electronic instrumentation these days. I might have believed that article when I was about 10 years old, but now I know better.

 

[NWphotog]

Are they seriously comparing a Fein to their knockoff POS.

Yep and it must compare favorably or they wouldn't bother.

 

[NWphotog]

import happy dirt bike people

Better than the buy American even if it is **** crowd!

 

[Hiball]

 

[NWphotog]

Yep, it would be nice to get rid of all the Snap-on kooks!

 

[KTMGuy]

As a dirt biker I have to say that this article/the HF ads that Dirt Rider Magazine runs is one reason why I will have to think hard about renewing my subscription.

I wonder how accurate the torque wrench is versus the Snap-On? Anybody ever get one calibrated? I don't think I would want to put an engine together with a $9 torque wrench, but what do I know.

Just my opinion.

 

[RAYJAY]

Oh it's a fluff piece but the HF kool-aid is no worse than Snap-on kool-aid.

yea but the HF kool-aid is so much cheaper....... and gets the same amount of work done

 

[NWphotog]

As a dirt biker I have to say that this article/the HF ads that Dirt Rider Magazine runs is one reason why I will have to think hard about renewing my subscription.

I wonder how accurate the torque wrench is versus the Snap-On? Anybody ever get one calibrated? I don't think I would want to put an engine together with a $9 torque wrench, but what do I know.

Just my opinion.

Not super precise but several GJ members have compared the HF ones to name brand models and the settings were right on. Is the HF model any where near as polished? Nope but it gets the job done accurately. For many that is enough. Obviously if a person spends all day, 5 days a week wrenching they want something nicer.

 

[Golfer]

As a dirt biker I have to say that this article/the HF ads that Dirt Rider Magazine runs is one reason why I will have to think hard about renewing my subscription.

I wonder how accurate the torque wrench is versus the Snap-On? Anybody ever get one calibrated? I don't think I would want to put an engine together with a $9 torque wrench, but what do I know.

Just my opinion.

I've heard a lot of good things regarding hfs torque wrenches, even compared to snap on

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

As a dirt biker I have to say that this article/the HF ads that Dirt Rider Magazine runs is one reason why I will have to think hard about renewing my subscription.

I wonder how accurate the torque wrench is versus the Snap-On? Anybody ever get one calibrated? I don't think I would want to put an engine together with a $9 torque wrench, but what do I know.

Just my opinion.

Actually I know of one that was checked and calibrated. I had bought a new 3/8" drive and was having my old 1/2" ones done and they took my new one (Proto, I believe, I think I got the Facom after this), as well (friend did them as I did him a favor and he turned them in when he did his FAA calibrations). His son sent in his HF 1/4" one, and it tested to spec, my new Proto was off (I was PO'd).

But that isn't to say that you can't have good in with the bad. I still consider HF as limited use or homeowner tools (same with the standard Craftsman ratchets). I just don't like fluff pieces, no matter who they are from.

 

[kruegdr]

What's hilarious is that there was no test equipment. Where was the Tinius-Olson / Instron machine? Where were the data acquisition systems?

Any self-respecting "test-lab" would be vastly different.

Oh and at the winch under water. I don't think that's a standard test.

 

[american lockpicker]

What's hilarious is that there was no test equipment.

Good point.

 

[WRX/Z28]

I own my fair share of Snap on and Mac, but sometimes Harbor Freight is good enough.

 

[SquareBear]

Pittsburgh #239
1/2" Click Stop Torque Wrench $32

Snap-on #QD3R150
1/2" Click Stop Torque Wrench $314

Opinion: Snap-on can kiss my American poor @ss!

 

[six-T-seven]

Oh it's a fluff piece but the HF kool-aid is no worse than Snap-on kool-aid.

Amen.

Last 5 years in my area we have to deal with the frustration of not knowing not only WHEN the Snap On ***** was gonna show up, but IF.

Meanwhile, Horror Freight has opened 2 stores and they are packed full anytime you go in there.

p.s. I find it extremely humorous to be in Wal-Mart and see some guy shopping while wearing his Snap On t-shirt, ball cap and/or jacket. LMAO. ******' hypocrites.

 

[hammergodthor]

As a dirt biker I have to say that this article/the HF ads that Dirt Rider Magazine runs is one reason why I will have to think hard about renewing my subscription.

I wonder how accurate the torque wrench is versus the Snap-On? Anybody ever get one calibrated? I don't think I would want to put an engine together with a $9 torque wrench, but what do I know.

Just my opinion.

My 3/8 HF wrench is off by 8% @50 ft./lbs. The problem with them though (both of mine, bought when I was dirt poor) is they give inconsistent results; for instance sometimes it might click at 52 ft./lbs, sometimes at 50, sometimes at 54. I was reminded of this last week at work installing a torque converter, I kept stretching the bolts out. Borrowed a co-workers torque wrench, replaced the bolts and the problem went away. Needless to say, the wrench will be recycled and replaced with a SO or Precision Instruments.


Anybody notice they are comparing prices using their SALE prices!

 

[jeffk14]

Fluff piece for sure. But; HF tools have gotten and are rapidly continuing to get much, much better. At a price that is often less than TEN CENTS ON THE DOLLAR compared to some of the premium brands.

Like it or not, that's the way it is. My HF experiences go back over 25 years. Here's a very generalized timeline overview of my experiences.

1984; Just about anything from HF WILL fall apart before you can get it out of the box.

1995; Every now and then, you'll find an item or two that's somewhat useful buried in all the junk.

2003; Some of the power tools are useful and reasonably reliable, considering the prices. Beware though, there is still a lot of junk in the power tool department and the hand tools are still mostly hideous.

Present; plenty of useful tools to be had at very low prices. Many of the hand tools are of surprisingly good quality and are identical to rebrands sold elsewhere for exponentially higher prices. Many of the air and power tools are of surprisingly satisfactory quality, especially for the price. Beware though, there are still quite a few items that need to evolve more.

 

[diesel research]

Most of the hating going on in this thread is not against HF. Quite the contrary...

 

[BJ42LX]

1995; Every now and then, you'll find an item or two that's somewhat useful buried in all the junk.

I first shopped HF in the hearly 1990's. They used to carry Channellock.

I got a great deal on rope yesterday.

Home Depot is starting to carry many of the same items at the same, or better prices.

 

[diesel research]

Pittsburgh #239
1/2" Click Stop Torque Wrench $32

Snap-on #QD3R150
1/2" Click Stop Torque Wrench $314

Opinion: Snap-on can kiss my American poor @ss!

Equally important question would be WHY is it poor? OR is it REALLY poor, or just cheap?

http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c3fr250f.aspx

$157

Then the next question is, if torquing is not so important, why use a torque wrench in the first place?

Not super precise but several GJ members have compared the HF ones to name brand models and the settings were right on.

How will I know if it remains so next month?

 

[six-T-seven]

How will I know if it remains so next month?

The same way you will know if your PROTO or SnapOn torque wrench is still accurate ... you have it's calibration checked.

 

[Hiball]

The same way you will know if your PROTO or SnapOn torque wrench is still accurate ... you have it's calibration checked.

Yes.. I would scratch my head also.

Torque Wrench Initial Price $20 bucks

Torque Wrench Calibration Cost $60 bucks

-----------------------------------------------------

Here's your sign


Oh.. Im not gonna Argue "For or Against" on Whether the HF is "As Good" as a Snap On or if the HF will Hold its Calibration as long as the Snap On either. Frankly, I Dont Care and my Torque wrenches come from Precision intruments as im gonna cut out the Middle Man and invest in a Piece that has proven itself for Years.... If someone wants to build there motors with HF torque Wrenches that is there Choice, NOT mine and they are more than welcome to spend there money how they see fit.