Tjc
Well-known member
Ok ok, stupid but i thought harbor freight was chinese and tawinese not indian? On the prybar set it says made in india....
Harbor frieght, india?
- Thread starter Tjc
- Start date
kippieland
Well-known member
Same with their wrenches that are complete pile
volunteers
Well-known member
wow, that's going to be a nightmare.
vintagefan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2012
- Messages
- 613
Yeah, their India made wrenches are HORRID, I didn't realize they had other tools there made in India as well.
I wouldn't even trust an India made fork, I'd be afraid one of the tines would break off in my mouth and get lodged in my throat.
I wouldn't even trust an India made fork, I'd be afraid one of the tines would break off in my mouth and get lodged in my throat.
jtfc
Well-known member
The whole idea with harbor freight is low prices. They are not a chinese owned company that deals only with asian tool companies. Apparently some indian company offered the lowest bid on prybars.
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B17E1943
Well-known member
They get their "tools" from only the best tool-producing countries. 
thesilverone
Well-known member
made in china was too good
I bought a puller set from there couple years ago to help me with an LT1 water pump job. Made in India. Pretty sad looking castings, but got the job done. I have no pride and maybe a little shame in owning them. I have replaced them with USA Blackhawk pullers.
It's been mentioned on this board before: as labor prices in China and Taiwan increase, HF will look to other countries with more depressed economies to make tools that can still be sold cheaply.
It's been mentioned on this board before: as labor prices in China and Taiwan increase, HF will look to other countries with more depressed economies to make tools that can still be sold cheaply.
waggie
Well-known member
They get their "tools" from only the best tool-producing countries.
They get their "tools" from only the cheapest tool-producing countries.
fixed it for you.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
HF don't make a damn thing, they buy what ever **** they can. They have grown large enough to get suppliers to give them better looking **** that still fits their price point, ie earthquake and pittsburg pro.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
everybody
feed the world
even if it's christmas time
redistributing the USA's vast wealth through importing
feed the world
even if it's christmas time
redistributing the USA's vast wealth through importing
B17E1943
Well-known member
I guess you missed the sarcasm there.
lotsoftools
Well-known member
I picked up some 4 1/2" grinding wheels from HF the other day and they're from Russia. They are actually pretty good so far.
greasemonkey44
Well-known member
yeah i have the indian double box wrenches and ive bought a few prybars from there that say india
they are terribly made; but good for cutting up and repurposing
they are terribly made; but good for cutting up and repurposing
Murphy4570
Well-known member
That's one reason big I have bought their stuff.
That, and the fact that $10 for a 1/2" impact socket set was too good to pass up. They lasted 2 years with shop use before the 17, 18, and 19mm sockets cracked so much that they became useless. Gave one to my Matco guy as a laugh.
Update: These pry bar finish ****. I mean I expect the finish to wear off after some use but seriously? One use of lifting up a generator with rubber handles which is what I had the prybar on. No force either, just a test to see how well they handle. I would've expected more but I paid for what I got.
As one of the indians(if not the sole member) on the board here i hang my head in shame.
It is true we have pathetic tool making companies (if they can be called so).
In all probability the wrench you are holding is from a company called taparia.
Thats the best we can get here.
It is not that we (atleast some of us) do not/cannot spend.
The main focus is in the attitude. Majority of us focus on how to get the work done with what we have/acquire fast/cheap rather than acquire tooling that will outlast the buyers lifetime, if properly used.
I know because most of my tooling (comprising of woodworking/metalworking/plumbing tools) are handed down from my grandfather who is his time(from the 40-50s) was smart enough to acquire original britain tooling. I have socket wrenches,spanners from gedore handed down from him.They work as good as ever with the due TLC after all these years.
Drill machines from bosch, TiN drill set bosch,screwdriver set - journeyman from klein, torx screwdriver set - Wiha.
They were,by no means cheap, but they did serve the purpose for which they were bought. They have paid their value several times over and continue to do so.
It is ironical that I am trying to acquire more and more tools from a pedigree tool maker by choice, and the you guys are being palmed off below acceptable quality tools from my country.
I sympathize with you.
Kinda makes me wonder though, if I did buy some tools from HF now..
would i end up buying a sub-standard tool remarked as HF, paying a LOT more premium, wait almost 45 days, only to end up with a tool that i could get by spending a day in my city here......
It is true we have pathetic tool making companies (if they can be called so).
In all probability the wrench you are holding is from a company called taparia.
Thats the best we can get here.
It is not that we (atleast some of us) do not/cannot spend.
The main focus is in the attitude. Majority of us focus on how to get the work done with what we have/acquire fast/cheap rather than acquire tooling that will outlast the buyers lifetime, if properly used.
I know because most of my tooling (comprising of woodworking/metalworking/plumbing tools) are handed down from my grandfather who is his time(from the 40-50s) was smart enough to acquire original britain tooling. I have socket wrenches,spanners from gedore handed down from him.They work as good as ever with the due TLC after all these years.
Drill machines from bosch, TiN drill set bosch,screwdriver set - journeyman from klein, torx screwdriver set - Wiha.
They were,by no means cheap, but they did serve the purpose for which they were bought. They have paid their value several times over and continue to do so.
It is ironical that I am trying to acquire more and more tools from a pedigree tool maker by choice, and the you guys are being palmed off below acceptable quality tools from my country.
I sympathize with you.
Kinda makes me wonder though, if I did buy some tools from HF now..
would i end up buying a sub-standard tool remarked as HF, paying a LOT more premium, wait almost 45 days, only to end up with a tool that i could get by spending a day in my city here......
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I bought a set of brass drifts at HF from India.
warmpancakes
Well-known member
India is the new china, china is getting too expensive to make things soon west africa will be making stuff
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
I looked at a set of wrenches a few weeks ago and noticed that the finish was not as nice as the set of Taiwan wrenches I bought about a year ago from them. They were made in India and just when I thought Harbor Freight was getting better with there quality they took a giant leap backwards on changing COO. The chinese products were far better then the India made stuff....
It is a real shame....
It is a real shame....
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
I heard the same thing about the chromium and steel that comes out of India is of a high quality. The problem with tools made in India is all their machineing and quality control is pure junk. I am completely amazed after seeing the quality of all the tools that come out of India that they even could build an atomic bomb
.gmt830
Active member
This is likely to get some folk revved up but I don’t care. I have not been here long but I’m going out on a limb. I read the HF threads because I find it so interesting. The first point I’d like to make is simple. We all see the state of the affairs and the globalization of economies. This nation’s infrastructure is in total ruin (Detroit) and we can’t bring ourselves to go to war with countries like Iran and Iraq because we outsourced everything and owe everybody. I see people get indignant when their patriotism is called into question yet I bet that same person will run off and buy a 3.00 box wrench from HF and ***** about the finish. You HF guys talk about the good old days when the Taiwanese / Chinese knew how to produce a quality tool? Our unemployment rate is through the roof and my money says that when some of you are leaning on that big red 300.00 toolbox you’re talking about how hard it is to find a job making a livable wage. A guy making a tool in the united state has to worry about making a living and paying a mortgage yet the same worker in China has to worry about the guard standing over him with an AK47 asking him why his production is so low.
I will pay more not because I have gobs of money but so the American can pay his bills and I get a good product.
Why is it that I live in the gulf coast yet my big box grocery store is trying to sell me frozen shrimp imported from Russia? Guess what it cost money to live. If I can buy my goods at a local family owned business I will. Yes I will pay more but I will get better service and have pride in the fact that I participate in our society. I don’t buy cheaper because of my own self interest or the preservation of my pocket book. I buy a quality product from another person in my community so that he or she can hold a decent job. We have an obligation to each other if we all are going to survive. It’s gotten to the point that Main street is closed for business. The wealth has funneled up. You HF guys make me laugh because I know you’re waving the flag in your avatar while asking for a quality review about a product produced in some third world dump. The best part is you do it with a straight face.
I will pay more not because I have gobs of money but so the American can pay his bills and I get a good product.
Why is it that I live in the gulf coast yet my big box grocery store is trying to sell me frozen shrimp imported from Russia? Guess what it cost money to live. If I can buy my goods at a local family owned business I will. Yes I will pay more but I will get better service and have pride in the fact that I participate in our society. I don’t buy cheaper because of my own self interest or the preservation of my pocket book. I buy a quality product from another person in my community so that he or she can hold a decent job. We have an obligation to each other if we all are going to survive. It’s gotten to the point that Main street is closed for business. The wealth has funneled up. You HF guys make me laugh because I know you’re waving the flag in your avatar while asking for a quality review about a product produced in some third world dump. The best part is you do it with a straight face.
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
Corporations make the decisions for outsourcing, and the government is at fault for allowing it. You have a few good points but overall it is very unrealistic. People buy what they can afford and not everyone is a millionaire. Anyway, this thread is about Harbor freight changing its outsourcing to India for certain tools and not really about your post. Other than derailing this thread you should have started your own thread. Anyway I was not going to reply here but ended up feeling compelled to do so.
gmt830
Active member
And if they could import service work Hindus would be cutting yours Because you would under cut the Mexicans to buy another screwdriver
gmt830
Active member
Corporations make the decisions for outsourcing, and the government is at fault for allowing it. You have a few good points but overall it is very unrealistic. People buy what they can afford and not everyone is a millionaire. Anyway, this thread is about Harbor freight changing its outsourcing to India for certain tools and not really about your post. Other than derailing this thread you should have started your own thread. Anyway I was not going to reply here but ended up feeling compelled to do so.
Wrong. We make the decision that price is king above all else. The corporations get the biggest cost saving in labor and pass the savings on to you to undercut competitors. You sheepishly buy the cheapest thing going and guess what? Your right the government removed the import taxes and tariffs because of the money you provided the lobby the corporations fund to keep you buying. But you assume I'm a millionaire and thats an all to easy defence and a wrong assumption. Harbor freight outsources to meet your demand. Because you are short sighted you buy buy cheap and don't really realize or care who it impacts because it's more for you and who cares about the neighbor.
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kythri
Well-known member
I find it amusing that, yet again, we're bashing a company for the COO of their product.
A company who never promised anything but a low price , a company that was already imported product.
Perhaps the reason HF has gone to China is due to the fact of a major truck brand that, in the last 12 months, removed the "USA" stamping from their tools, and who bought up the remaining 40% of the Chinese tool mega-factory that they already owned 60% of.
Maybe they couldn't help it - maybe there just weren't any Chinese tools left for them to sell.
On a more serious note, give it time. Japanese imports used to universally ****, Taiwanese imports used to universally ****, Chinese imports used to universally ****.
Indian imports are going to increase in quality, just like all of the other stuff, and then, as someone mentioned, we'll start tapping Africa for manufacturing.
Since we know that people aren't going to stop buying imported product (be it tools, electronics, whatever - either by choice or by unavailability of domestically produced counterparts), think about the circles you darken or the holes you punch come this (and all subsequent) election day.
And let's all try to get over the COO/brand bashing. Most of us are guilty of either starting it, or allowing ourselves to be dragged into it when someone else does it.
A company who never promised anything but a low price , a company that was already imported product.
Perhaps the reason HF has gone to China is due to the fact of a major truck brand that, in the last 12 months, removed the "USA" stamping from their tools, and who bought up the remaining 40% of the Chinese tool mega-factory that they already owned 60% of.
Maybe they couldn't help it - maybe there just weren't any Chinese tools left for them to sell.
On a more serious note, give it time. Japanese imports used to universally ****, Taiwanese imports used to universally ****, Chinese imports used to universally ****.
Indian imports are going to increase in quality, just like all of the other stuff, and then, as someone mentioned, we'll start tapping Africa for manufacturing.
Since we know that people aren't going to stop buying imported product (be it tools, electronics, whatever - either by choice or by unavailability of domestically produced counterparts), think about the circles you darken or the holes you punch come this (and all subsequent) election day.
And let's all try to get over the COO/brand bashing. Most of us are guilty of either starting it, or allowing ourselves to be dragged into it when someone else does it.
B17E1943
Well-known member
gmt830
Active member
Well stated. But I'm not brand bashing but rather trying to get people to understand they vote with their dollars. There is no accountability in government or commerce we decide they react as we react. So yes please participate in not just the polls but the economy. I own stuff that is import or is built with foreign parts because after the last 30 years American suppliers have been squeezed out an there is no other alternative but I keep it to a minimum because it effects the guy next door or a guy in Utah that I don't know. Once again I'm not a millionaire
gmt830
Active member
Theres more left. I'll argue with post I don't care
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
I don't agree with you on this, I as a consumer, I did not make the decision for Ford to close down the Ranger plant and discontinue the model so I could bring it back in to to three years from overseas. This was a decision from Ford corporate and not the consumer to outsource this model of truck. I go into a Sears to buy a socket set and find out it is made in Taiwan, this was not a decision from me but from Sears corporate or craftsman. The same thing goes with Cornwell, Matco or any other company that corporate decides to close down plants and start outsourcing overseas. This is a choice from the CEOs to make more profit and charge the same amount of money. These decisions are truly in the hands of corporate leaders and allowed by the government to continue to do so. Anyways, I told myself I was not going to get dragged into this debate and I am not going to continue to help in derailing this thread. I am done
.I don't agree with you on this, I as a consumer, I did not make the decision for Ford to close down the Ranger plant and discontinue the model so I could bring it back in to to three years from overseas. This was a decision from Ford corporate and not the consumer to outsource this model of truck. I go into a Sears to buy a socket set and find out it is made in Taiwan, this was not a decision from me but from Sears corporate or craftsman. The same thing goes with Cornwell, Matco or any other company that corporate decides to close down plants and start outsourcing overseas. This is a choice from the CEOs to make more profit and charge the same amount of money. These decisions are truly in the hands of corporate leaders and allowed by the government to continue to do so. Anyways, I told myself I was not going to get dragged into this debate and I am not going to continue to help in derailing this thread. I am done
Corporate heads make these decision, but consumers allow it. Corporations only make money if they are able to sell their products. If a company cannot sell its products it must either offer different products or go out of business. If the American people refuse to buy the global Ranger then Ford will have offer an American made version or loose that market segment. It's that simple.
The only reason the current Ranger has lasted this long is that the American public wanted it, and bought it in large numbers. Ford corporate has actually wanted to kill the model for years, but its sales numbers were too strong.
gmt830
Active member
That post deserves a good Al Sharpten a'men.
That's the bottom line. You spend your money with the guy you like. you want the true blue American hero or the red communist or who ever.
We control it in mass so you as the individual force me to buy junk because that's the majority rule then you complain because I call you out.
gmt830
Active member
I think I might go buy a Toby Keith record no wait there's sand paper 20 percent off
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
Well, There is no American equivalent to the ranger anymore and I will not buy the outsourced model when it comes in. in the case of the ranger it was still a good seller regardless of its ageing so this decision was not by the consumer but by corporate to do everything possible to kill the model so it could be outsourced. I will say in a lot of cases the consumer does allow it to happen but in the case of tools, when the U.S. version is 200% more in cost, well I am not made out of money and buy what I can afford....
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RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
gmt830
Active member
The US version is more than the Chinese so that the people that provided it to you cold live in a house and eat and provide you a better quality product. You still and won't understand because you don't get the fact that it's not all about you and the money you save while you starve the guy next to you. Your selfish and don't care about maintaining this economy as long as you "get yours". Your as good off as the guy with the gun pointed to his head. The difference is you won't realize it until it really happens and were all a slave to the debt you created.
gmt830
Active member
Now I know your a little out there with a comment like that
I have to apologize. your in California I will simply thank you for low flow toilets and funny 7.00 light bulbs. I will apologize. Who owns the long beach port facility? Never mind you know best I'm sorry.