Harbor Freight test lab

[Moose97]

Only one point to make here as I am a firm believer that YOU should spend YOUR money on what tools YOU prefer but I digress...



Maybe I'm wrong but I wouldn't think HF is trying in any way to compete with Snap On, Mac, Matco or the like. I would say HF is specifically trying to go after the same guys buying Kobalt at Lowe's, Husky at Home Depot, Stanley at Walmart and Craftsman at Sears.

 

[6PTsocket]

I think a good test for HF compressor is their continuous run time until they decide to grenade.

The 5 hp/60 gal. is US made with the infamous "domestic and imported parts".The ASME rated tank is American. The company supplies the same unit to many other sellers and by all accounts stands up pretty well for home use. For 750 bucks when on sale, and 15cfm it is not a bad deal. The low end IR is now made in India, plagued with problems and costs more. If you are a more heavy duty user then it may not be for you but not everybody can spend 2 grand for a weekend warrior compressor. Quincy and Champion entry level compressors are far more expensive. For many the choice is HF , a worse low end one, or nothing.

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[6PTsocket]

Only one point to make here as I am a firm believer that YOU should spend YOUR money on what tools YOU prefer but I digress...



Maybe I'm wrong but I wouldn't think HF is trying in any way to compete with Snap On, Mac, Matco or the like. I would say HF is specifically trying to go after the same guys buying Kobalt at Lowe's, Husky at Home Depot, Stanley at Walmart and Craftsman at Sears.

Yes and no. Recently HF is running ads comparing a few of their items in direct comparison, spec for spec to a Snap On floor jack and a Honda generator. You could be right that it is just to impress their market segment and not win over Snap On or Honda buyers, though I think the Honda customers are not as ********* as Snap On users.

Really?? The people that buy HF are the tool polishers??? [emoji38]_hitti

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[B_Bimmer]

Really?? The people that buy HF are the tool polishers???

Always have been, I believe always will be. Ask me to see harbor fright tools that have been used hard and I'd have to show you bucket of broken **** and say they didn't make it that long. I never once said that there are not tool polishers in the snap on fan club. There are tool polishers everywhere, especially here, my point was that among real, good, mechanics I know only one who swears by harbor fright, and to him it's all about initial cost, he doesn't mind the regular trips he has to make to get lots of things replaced. Then there are a few of the older fellows who have always had old craftsman sockets, but by far, most of them are using truck brand tools for one main reason, they hold up.

 

[seanh303]

Then on the opposite side of the spectrum you have truck brands that are based entirely on keeping poorly paid mechanics in debt with outrageous tool prices and selling guys into almost guaranteed to fail franchises at the low low price of 150-200k which they happily loan you.

They have integrity? You cant define integrity by product quality alone.

Those poor, indebted mechanics. Pretty soon we'll have to put nets up around the auto shop so they can't successfully commit suicide, just like the factories in china.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103798/Revealed-Inside-Apples-Chinese-sweatshop-factory-workers-paid-just-1-12-hour.html

Ridiculous to even try to compare.

 

[6PTsocket]

Always have been, I believe always will be. Ask me to see harbor fright tools that have been used hard and I'd have to show you bucket of broken **** and say they didn't make it that long. I never once said that there are not tool polishers in the snap on fan club. There are tool polishers everywhere, especially here, my point was that among real, good, mechanics I know only one who swears by harbor fright, and to him it's all about initial cost, he doesn't mind the regular trips he has to make to get lots of things replaced. Then there are a few of the older fellows who have always had old craftsman sockets, but by far, most of them are using truck brand tools for one main reason, they hold up.

Look at the truck brand equivalent thread and and see how much of that stuff is made and sold by others or other divisions of the companies that own the truck brands and sell it for much less. Factor in convenience and buying on credit as part of why they buy off the truck. One fellow said his business is serviced by Snap On Industrial and he pays much less for the same stuff.

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[seanh303]

The 5 hp/60 gal. is US made with the infamous "domestic and imported parts".The ASME rated tank is American. The company supplies the same unit to many other sellers and by all accounts stands up pretty well for home use. For 750 bucks when on sale, and 15cfm it is not a bad deal. The low end IR is now made in India, plagued with problems and costs more. If you are a more heavy duty user then it may not be for you but not everybody can spend 2 grand for a weekend warrior compressor. Quincy and Champion entry level compressors are far more expensive. For many the choice is HF , a worse low end one, or nothing.

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Simply not true. With patience, diligence, and savvy one can find great deals on great tools, from major retailers, friends, coworkers, estate sales, ebay, pawn shops, craigslist, businesses that are closing, moving or upgrading equipment, etc. For example, I get this is the exception, but for $695.35 + tax, delivered to my doorstep:

Jenny G9HGA-17P Single Stage Wheeled Portable Gasoline Engine Air Compressor with G Pump, 17 Gallon Tank, 9 HP
Made in Taiwan Honda GX270 8hp engine
Everything else made in Somerset, Pennsylvania
•CFM at 100 PSI: 16.2
•CFM at 125 PSI: 15.6

Communities like GJ will even help you find an excellent quality item that fits your budget if they know what you're in the market for. HF is absolutely convenient...and the quality for the price is generally acceptable. Far from the only option though.

 

[6PTsocket]

Simply not true. With patience, diligence, and savvy one can find great deals on great tools, from major retailers, friends, coworkers, estate sales, ebay, pawn shops, craigslist, businesses that are closing, moving or upgrading equipment, etc. For example, I get this is the exception, but for $695.35 + tax, delivered to my doorstep:

Jenny G9HGA-17P Single Stage Wheeled Portable Gasoline Engine Air Compressor with G Pump, 17 Gallon Tank, 9 HP
Made in Taiwan Honda GX270 8hp engine
Everything else made in Somerset, Pennsylvania
•CFM at 100 PSI: 16.2
•CFM at 125 PSI: 15.6

Communities like GJ will even help you find an excellent quality item that fits your budget if they know what you're in the market for. HF is absolutely convenient...and the quality for the price is generally acceptable. Far from the only option though.

You have to be kidding. You are comparing a single stage gas portable to a stationary two stage electric.Totally different products for different usage. When you get into used stuff you are getting into a totally different area. You can't produce bargains on demand and if it turns out to be a turkey it can can be a total loss or a very expensive repair. I know some guys never buy anything new and stalk auctions and estate sales but that is not most people. Most have limited time and want to buy it, hook it up and run it.

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[seanh303]

You have to be kidding. You are comparing a single stage gas portable to a stationary two stage electric.Totally different products for different usage. When you get into used stuff you are getting into a totally different area. You can't produce bargains on demand and if it turns out to be a turkey it can can be a total loss or a very expensive repair. I know some guys never buy anything new and stalk auctions and estate sales but that is not most people. Most have limited time and want to buy it, hook it up and run it.

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I'm not comparing anything. I'm making a point that you can have good and cheap rather than cheap and fast. You're right that you can't produce bargains on demand. You make my point for me really, that the crowd demanding cheap and instant gratification through disposable goods aren't getting any kind of bargain. On the topic of compressors, how many HF units end up being turkeys after 90 days is up? Probably not much less risk than buying used.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Always have been, I believe always will be. Ask me to see harbor fright tools that have been used hard and I'd have to show you bucket of broken **** and say they didn't make it that long. I never once said that there are not tool polishers in the snap on fan club. There are tool polishers everywhere, especially here, my point was that among real, good, mechanics I know only one who swears by harbor fright, and to him it's all about initial cost, he doesn't mind the regular trips he has to make to get lots of things replaced. Then there are a few of the older fellows who have always had old craftsman sockets, but by far, most of them are using truck brand tools for one main reason, they hold up.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67850

They guy started out with all HF working as a full time mechanic and did very well. He used many of these tools for YEARS with no problems with most of them. Some did ****, but the vast majority with just fine- even with constant use.

Did so well he now has an entire shop with other employees. I believe they work on exotic vehicles... or maybe it was he owns a few exotic vehicles. Can't remember. Either way super successful with a set of HF tools and good knowledge.

As I've said many times with HF, if you buy the 60 sockets for $4, yeah they are complete junk and entirely useless even for light duty work. Buy some of the nicer stuff they sell (the Pittsburgh Pro, Earthquake line, some other stuff), it's decent stuff. It's VERY decent stuff for the money. I own very little HF (dead blows, the compact metal bender, adjustable pin spanner for angle grinders, and a set of screwdrivers I use as pryers/mini chisels) and I can't understand my people get so bent out of shape by acknowledging that there is some good stuff at HF....

Also own quite a few F Clamp welding clamps. No reason to pay $30+ for another brand that is also made in China for the same thing. $10 is much more reasonable. That's something I would actually say is just as good as any other welding F Clamp made by any other brand, yet still cheaper.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Look at the truck brand equivalent thread and and see how much of that stuff is made and sold by others or other divisions of the companies that own the truck brands and sell it for much less. Factor in convenience and buying on credit as part of why they buy off the truck. One fellow said his business is serviced by Snap On Industrial and he pays much less for the same stuff.

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I'm fully aware of who makes what, harbor fright doesn"t make any of it.

 

[B_Bimmer]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67850

They guy started out with all HF working as a full time mechanic and did very well. He used many of these tools for YEARS with no problems with most of them. Some did ****, but the vast majority with just fine- even with constant use.

Did so well he now has an entire shop with other employees. I believe they work on exotic vehicles... or maybe it was he owns a few exotic vehicles. Can't remember. Either way super successful with a set of HF tools and good knowledge.

As I've said many times with HF, if you buy the 60 sockets for $4, yeah they are complete junk and entirely useless even for light duty work. Buy some of the nicer stuff they sell (the Pittsburgh Pro, Earthquake line, some other stuff), it's decent stuff. It's VERY decent stuff for the money. I own very little HF (dead blows, the compact metal bender, adjustable pin spanner for angle grinders, and a set of screwdrivers I use as pryers/mini chisels) and I can't understand my people get so bent out of shape by acknowledging that there is some good stuff at HF....

Also own quite a few F Clamp welding clamps. No reason to pay $30+ for another brand that is also made in China for the same thing. $10 is much more reasonable. That's something I would actually say is just as good as any other welding F Clamp made by any other brand, yet still cheaper.

I've been aware of his story, I enjoyed reading it, found it to be interesting, but nowhere near my experence or that of anyone I know who works on things relevent to me. This could easily be because where I live all vehicles quickly develop a generous coat of rust, or are older farm equipment and stuck in it's ways. I would also agree that a little knowledge and experience is more important than the tools.

I will admit I have never tried their f clamp, this is because I have tried their c clamps. They are utter and complete pieces of.... garbage. Every one of them has lost the swivel plate and bent. Meanwhile not one of the fifty or so US made ones I have has ever caused any trouble, despite working much harder, for literally decades longer. If you can really assure me the f clamps are better I may be willing to give them a shot.

 

[zendriver]

$80? Is that suppose to be a lot? You cant even buy a good crosstrainer or running shoe for that let alone a work boot. Would you buy them if they were a more realistic $150 and domestic made?

.

I dunno.

How much does it cost to have low paid Chinese workers, make boots?

How much does it cost to make Chinese made cross trainers?

Nike made $700 million profit in 2015

 

[Parrothead]

I'll chime in here. Two weekends ago when I was out of town, a buddy of mine wanted to change the hoses and thermostat in his Dads 2003 F150 since he was borrowing it and driving it for more than 500miles. I didn't have my tools with me but his Dad had two of those cheap $3 socket sets from the mid 80's and a few Big Lots type tools. You know what I'm talking about...the ones with the plastic round head ratchet selector switch and the pot metal sockets? Well, I tried to make it work, but alas, the socket adapters broke (the only way we could fit the 1/4 socket on the 3/8 drive ratchet) plus I didn't have my hose clamp pliers or anything like that. Off to Harbor Freight...

We ended up buying the 21pc ratchet and socket combo and a pair of the Pittsburgh Pro needle nose locking pliers. They're nicer than any tool he owned in the last 60 years.

What would somebody suggest other than Harbor Freight? They were tools he would use once or twice, and since he's in his 70's, it's not like he's picking up working on cars as a hobby. To me they were perfect! The 72t ratchet allowed us to tighten a hose clamp in a restricted area, and the sockets didn't strip anything either. Win Win. Total cost after coupon was less than $30 and available instantly.

 

[derosa]

I would never consider HF tool buyers to be tool polishers. People buying there seem to fit into one of two categories; those buying for the job they need to do now and probably on a budget and people who intend to use them but may never do so. Like my dad who bought one of the larger ratchet/wrench sets to put in his RV, its actually the third set he's put in there because after 5+ years he's never once had to fix anything and he keeps putting them in thinking he might need them while forgetting he's done that already. Lots buy them for the someday scenario that never happens, doesn't make them tool polishers though.
I can also attest to the f-clamps, I've had one strip out a handle so I turned a new one out of brass and applewood. I bought about 15 of them when I started woodworking 7 years ago and other then a couple I gave away to help a friend none have failed me. They aren't as stiff as jorgies and the screw is rougher but other then the one handle they've held up fine for woodworking. Won't buy more as I have about 40 clamps now and will only get nicer ones but I'm not expecting the HF to fail any time soon

 

[B_Bimmer]

people who intend to use them but may never do so.

I guess that's kinda my definition of a tool polisher, one who acquires tools, never to really be used, just displayed in a garage and flaunted in shiny pictures on the internet. Hence there are rarely failures, which leads to my dislike: the false claims of adequacy. I have nothing against tools that work, but harbor fright is a place that can never be recommended with any form of blanket statement. It requires a disclaimer, and any recommendation should come with examples of actual use.

 

[Skin]

Those poor, indebted mechanics. Pretty soon we'll have to put nets up around the auto shop so they can't successfully commit suicide, just like the factories in china.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103798/Revealed-Inside-Apples-Chinese-sweatshop-factory-workers-paid-just-1-12-hour.html

Ridiculous to even try to compare.

Harbor Freight makes Apple products? Straw man argument.

 

[justanengineer]

I guess that's kinda my definition of a tool polisher, one who acquires tools, never to really be used, just displayed in a garage and flaunted in shiny pictures on the internet. Hence there are rarely failures, which leads to my dislike: the false claims of adequacy.

Agreed. IME flipping tools for years and helping my father flip for decades prior, cheap imported tools typically have little actual use and wear on them whereas professional brands commonly have been thoroughly abused for decades and show it. When I see someone with a well-polished truck brand box and tools its almost guaranteed theyre the original owner and typically a hobbyist at that, with well-polished cheap imports however its common for them to the second or third owner. Of the few imported tools in my shop probably half or more are like my stud welder that were bought "used" at auction shrink-wrapped in boxes that were never opened by the PO.

 

[raffaelli]

Always have been, I believe always will be. Ask me to see harbor fright tools that have been used hard and I'd have to show you bucket of broken **** and say they didn't make it that long..

You have not been to my garage.

 

[jd_1138]

That looks like a HF branded test lab. Looks like they had to close down the employee cafeteria to put that in. Looks like I'll have to bring in a salami and cheese sandwich for lunch instead of getting the Chicken Masala and rice from the lunch lady. And forget yummy Taco Tuesday.

 

[B_Bimmer]

You have not been to my garage.

That is true, but anyone who makes a claim like this has no credibility. Been there, know exactly what you're full of.

I use HF fittings in my garage, no leaks. I have recently switched to their larger bore fittings. Still, no leaks.

 

[TheGrooveking]

The reason heavier duty printers were pushed out is because it became cheaper to buy a throw away. They are toys and not made to last. You can get a printer for under 100 bucks. Cheap junk often drives good stuff out of the market. Given the choice, people put price and bells and whistles features over durability or repairability. I remember when electronic equipment was nade of solid materials and could be disassembled for repair. Today every thing snaps together ir is glued or sonically welded plastic and never intended to be repaired.

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Having not read the whole thread I'll throw my two pesos into this as I'm old enough to have lived through this along with having a father who was an electrical engineer, the advent of the personal computers, which then brought millions into the printer market.

The derivative from this was the printer companies doing exactly what Harbor Freight is doing they developed better and better products and yes exactly how our fathers and grandfather's used to reference cheap Japanese garbage look at what Toyota or Nissan did, and now Hyundai and KIA.

Harbor Freight a low cost provider allowed them to be both the recipient of Sears mismanagement and the impact of moving to Chinese manufacturing which made the greater buying public think about value, and pepper that with the closing of Sears stores which left many people with the option of going to Harbor Freight who has went from a cheap importer to becoming the tool vendor for greater America.

TheGrooveking

 

[6PTsocket]

Having not read the whole thread I'll throw my two pesos into this as I'm old enough to have lived through this along with having a father who was an electrical engineer, the advent of the personal computers, which then brought millions into the printer market.

The derivative from this was the printer companies doing exactly what Harbor Freight is doing they developed better and better products and yes exactly how our fathers and grandfather's used to reference cheap Japanese garbage look at what Toyota or Nissan did, and now Hyundai and KIA.

Harbor Freight a low cost provider allowed them to be both the recipient of Sears mismanagement and the impact of moving to Chinese manufacturing which made the greater buying public think about value, and pepper that with the closing of Sears stores which left many people with the option of going to Harbor Freight who has went from a cheap importer to becoming the tool vendor for greater America.

TheGrooveking

Wow, how much do you actually shop there. The QC is still terrible. As many who shop there say ,you can get a lot of the stuff to work if you are,willing to fix ir modify it.. Defective products are common and always were. I recentky returned a tractor lift for a DOA hydraulic jack. The first words out of the sales lady's mouth were " bad hydraulic jack?" I tried to buy an infatable tire caster and the tire would not hold air. It took two tries to get a good digital scale. A fluid transfer pump could not be made to work at all. I also have a lot of other stuff that works properly. Sears has been in the dumper for years. Their stationary tools were **** after the 50's and the hand tools did not to deteriorate until quite a bit later. Read the reviews on the products sold by "America's premier tool vendor" Some products are not that hard to produce with a degree of quality, at a low price. If it is more sophisticated,or requires a degree quality control your chances of getting a good one decline significantly. A good example is their popular 1" x 30" belt sander. It's best feature is that it is cheap. The motor easily bogs down, the cheap plastic rollets often do not run true. Their NiCd batteries in their power tools are only 1300 1500 mah, the lowest capacity available. What great innovatios have they made in the cheap printers of today. By their own published specs I cannot get an all in one Canon to replace my old one that has as good photo specs without having to go to photo printer. They are cheap plastic **** with bells and whistles but are meant to last a short time, **** up as much ink as possible and be thrown away. I do not call that progress. Newer appliances are cheap and last of years. The old stuff lasts forever.To achieve high gas milage cars are made of tin foil. The cost of damage sustained in an accident keeps going up. Everything is recyclable plastic but it doesn't last very long in the first go round.

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[dnschmidt]

This argument can, and likely will last forever. However there is one truth than cannot be disputed. The only retailer with the number of retail outlets and volume to replace Sears as America's tool distributor to the lower/middle class is Harbor Freight. You can like it or you can hate it but reality doesn't change. Harbor Freight is going to continue to improve as there is a vast market waiting for them if they do and they know it. There is a vacuum in mid range tools with the demise of Sears and they are going to fill it as nobody else can.

 

[Lahti35]

When it comes to most tools you get what you pay for. Cheap is cheap. Nothing wrong with buying HF tools as long as you don't have high expectations.

That's why 95% tools I buy there only have one part

 

[toddoky]

This argument can, and likely will last forever. However there is one truth than cannot be disputed. The only retailer with the number of retail outlets and volume to replace Sears as America's tool distributor to the lower/middle class is Harbor Freight. You can like it or you can hate it but reality doesn't change. Harbor Freight is going to continue to improve as there is a vast market waiting for them if they do and they know it. There is a vacuum in mid range tools with the demise of Sears and they are going to fill it as nobody else can.

For all but the die-hard Craftsman fans, Sears was replaced years ago as the go-to place for affordable tools by many other sources. Once Sears is done, Craftsman loyalist will start buying Craftsman branded tools from Stanley. Those of us who don't find many redeeming qualities in HF tools won't suddenly observe them to be present in HF's offerings just because Sears shuts its doors...we'll keep buying from the same places we have the last 20 years.

 

[Numb Nuts]

I work in the metal trades and a few years back decided to give the HF hand tools a shot out in the field. I figured hell, why not? They're inexpensive enough so it wasn't a huge hit to my wallet and I had all my quality tools in the truck for back up if something broke. The HF tools not only failed miserably, in some cases they even created a dangerous and unsafe condition in many situations. If some professionals and DIY guys want to sing the praises of this garbage, go for it! I went on a HF cleansing of every one of their tools I had and threw them in the dumpster, whether I had used them or not.

 

[Brownsfan]

Do they test how spectacularly the wrenches made in India fail? Was helping a buddy install after market power running boards. Needed a wrench to hold a nut while using a ratchet on the bolt. Using a HF wrench holding the nut and with both hands while he was tightening the bolt. That damn wrench snapped like a twig. In spectacular fashion the wrench breaks and both fists ram into my chest and knocked the wind out of me. I wish there was video because im sure it was funny as hell.

 

[Numb Nuts]

And another thing, what good is a warranty if I have to return 10 times before I hit on a tool that won't break because the 11 year old Chinese boy who lives in the factory he works in by some miracle did his job right the morning he made it? I'm not going to play this game anymore, child labor and legal slavery is morally and ethically repugnant and I'm not going to look the other way because they save me a few bucks initially.

 

[Banjorear]

I wonder if these guys get those 20% coupons in the mail too.....

 

[Numb Nuts]

I've got a 16 ounce "Rocket" claw hammer made by the True Temper corp my dear departed pops bought back in the early 60's to build the family cabin with. Even though at the time it would've been considered a cheap, inexpensive tool for the DIY guy of the day, its form, weight and feel is superior to even the best PRC offerings today. I still use it from time to time and have never once smashed a finger with it or had the head fly off in mid swing. If I can't afford a new quality tool there's plenty of 50+ year old stuff out there to get, which makes me really sad that its actually come to this.

 

[Beater5liter]

And another thing, what good is a warranty if I have to return 10 times before I hit on a tool that won't break because the 11 year old Chinese boy who lives in the factory he works in by some miracle did his job right the morning he made it? I'm not going to play this game anymore, child labor and legal slavery is morally and ethically repugnant and I'm not going to look the other way because they save me a few bucks initially.

Guessing you will never step foot in Walmart again as well...

 

[yamaha0343]

The only retailer with the number of retail outlets and volume to replace Sears as America's tool distributor to the lower/middle class is Harbor Freight.

Lowes and Home Depot are everywhere, and I'd be willing they've been picking up the majority of Sears' slack. You're right though in that HF is in a great spot right now.

 

[Tonellin]

Love all the claims of disastrous mysteriously exploding HF tools yet no one ever takes a picture...

 

[6PTsocket]

This argument can, and likely will last forever. However there is one truth than cannot be disputed. The only retailer with the number of retail outlets and volume to replace Sears as America's tool distributor to the lower/middle class is Harbor Freight. You can like it or you can hate it but reality doesn't change. Harbor Freight is going to continue to improve as there is a vast market waiting for them if they do and they know it. There is a vacuum in mid range tools with the demise of Sears and they are going to fill it as nobody else can.

As you have stated they are big and getting bigger, selling the worst ****, for many years. Exactly what incentive do they have for increasing quality at the cost if lower profits?

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[Numb Nuts]

Love all the claims of disastrous mysteriously exploding HF tools yet no one ever takes a picture...

Hope you remember that statement the next time you're in the emergency room having some HF shrapnel removed from your eye or when you're admiring the "good job" the surgeon did on your new nub. But hey, at least you can return the tool for a new one because you purchased the warranty and saved a few bucks to boot!

 

[Numb Nuts]

Guessing you will never step foot in Walmart again as well...

Nope, I make my morning coffee in a 60 year old percolator, my morning toast in a 50 year old toaster, rush off to work with my coffee in a 40 year old thermos and most of my tools are inscribed with the initials of people who died 30 years ago.

 

[woody6904]

and pepper that with the closing of Sears stores which left many people with the option of going to Harbor Freight...

TheGrooveking

Our local Sears closed April 2014.

Harbor Freight opened up across the road June 2015.

 

[LXCam]

Nope, I make my morning coffee in a 60 year old percolator, my morning toast in a 50 year old toaster, rush off to work with my coffee in a 40 year old thermos and most of my tools are inscribed with the initials of people who died 30 years ago.

Hell man you're getting more modern by the second.

 

[TheGrooveking]

At 6PTSocket, I'm in a Harbor Freight on average once to twice a month, I'm on a Matco truck weekly and in a Home Depot or Menards of Lowe's weekly too. As to the low quality tools at Harbor Freight, yeah they are there, have I bought some and had immediaite failures, sure have. But I've learnd to do my research and seek outthe winners, and I can go to Sears and buy some low quality quick failing tools too.

My main point is that Harbor Freights latest 1/2" impact and jack teprsent that they investing in sourcing better higher quality tools at fair prices indicates they see an opportunity that the American buying public will respond, which points directly at the new tech and weekend warriors will make a lot of money and/or get a lot done with those tools.

As to warranty, as previously stated by others the best warranty is the one that never needs to be used, I agree but I prefer to have that warranty just in case. And for the record if I have to get a tool replaced more than once due to quality or workmanship I will not stupidly keep banging my head against the brick wall of bad tools. And yes I would not go an trip to Mars packing Harbor Freight tools, but do as NASA does and ensurig whatever tools I pick are up to the mission, but for those like I who do not have a governmental budget I weigh the price versus value versus need.

TheGrooveking