chipper
Well-known member
Where do you stand on store brands? both brands are affordable. but both are made in china i prefer northern but also shop at hf quite a bit they are both really close to my house
harbour freight vs. northern
- Thread starter chipper
- Start date
northern is way above hf in most cases. northern has it's own branded tools and carries quite a few other decent brands. titan being one of them. i actually think much of northern stuff is made in taiwan by danaher facilities.
devilsnight
Well-known member
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- Nov 4, 2012
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I like Northern, Thier impact sockets and such have been good to me. Never had any interest in going to HF though so I can't compare. I have heard some good about HF since i've been on the forum, otherwise they've always been made out to be a joke from people i talk to.
I like that northern sells big name brands but i was more intrested in the store brands ie. northern industrial over pittsburg i really like the titan brand as well as klutch not so sure about the wel-bilt I've never owned anything from them but the price is pretty low I'm sure it all comes down to you get what you pay for
The only thing I will touch at HF are the impact sockets. And of course, some of their other odds & ends. I picked up some magnetic pans, gloves, welding magnets, c-clamps, casters, funnels, etc...
If I need some cheap hand tools...I will go to Northern. I got a set of their Klutch screwdrivers...and I am suprised how well they are holding up. I've used the hell out of the #1 phillips and it still looks new. I bought a couple 3/4" and 1/2" drive sockets that are doing just fine.
If I need some cheap hand tools...I will go to Northern. I got a set of their Klutch screwdrivers...and I am suprised how well they are holding up. I've used the hell out of the #1 phillips and it still looks new. I bought a couple 3/4" and 1/2" drive sockets that are doing just fine.
77thor
Well-known member
Another vote for Northern Tool
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
Northern sells a lot of the same exact items that HF sells, but at a higher price, but painted a different color
I really enjoy visiting a Northern Tool store. They have a great selection of equipment, of decent to excellent quality, including premier brands to select from. There tool selection is quite a bit more modest than HF's, with primarily house brands of asian manufacture. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate in a pinch to pick a tool up from Northern Tool.
I detest Harbor Freight. While they do have a few gems, it's mostly subpar junk IMO.
That's likely true to some extent. Overall though, I think you'd be hard pressed to argue that Northern Tool doesn't tend to have a higher quality level though, in general.
I detest Harbor Freight. While they do have a few gems, it's mostly subpar junk IMO.
That's likely true to some extent. Overall though, I think you'd be hard pressed to argue that Northern Tool doesn't tend to have a higher quality level though, in general.
nope, don't believe it. i have a northern tool and an hf in a town near me. i have been in both stores dozens if not hundreds of times. you may find a few items that are the same but i would guess the number to be in the low single digits. as described in the post earlier, many of the wrenches carry the same flank drive as found on easco/gearwrench/danaher products. northern carries item at a number of price points and junk can be found there but the vast majority is better quality.
turbowoodworker
Well-known member
I frequent both with some regularity and prefer the quality and selection of Northern Tools, hands down. I'd like it better if they had more coupons though.
byoungblood
Well-known member
That may be the case for their impact sockets, as Northern's sockets look very similar to the Pittsburg Pro line.
I think things like media blasters, engine stands, hoists, etc., are made for several different brands in the same plant. I bought a 1 ton hoist from Northern (under the Torin name) that looked no different than the ones Pep Boys down the street under a different name.
creativecars
Well-known member
About 2 years ago Northern opened a store in Wichita. I went in there a few times to check it out, but still ended up going to Harbor Freight most of the time. I am selective about what I would get from either place. Now I only have HF local, and I hate paying shipping that makes a good deal not so good. So I go for HF, I have had very good luck with their Pro line. I have not broken anything in a long time. I do take care of my tools, but by no means are they babied. I use them every day.
RedFordTruck
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- May 10, 2012
- Messages
- 921
Northern > HF
Northern store line is nicer than Pittsburg. Yes, northern has their wooden bargain bins with 50 piece no name socket sets for $3.99, but their "Northern" line is nicer than the HF stuff
I also like how they have other brands. Channellock pliers, Husqvarna power equipment, Honda power equipment, Dewalt, Carhartt, etc...
They occasionally have bucket sales and they always send out $5 off $15, $10 off $50, and $50 off $250 coupons too
Northern store line is nicer than Pittsburg. Yes, northern has their wooden bargain bins with 50 piece no name socket sets for $3.99, but their "Northern" line is nicer than the HF stuff
I also like how they have other brands. Channellock pliers, Husqvarna power equipment, Honda power equipment, Dewalt, Carhartt, etc...
They occasionally have bucket sales and they always send out $5 off $15, $10 off $50, and $50 off $250 coupons too
Farmall450
Well-known member
11 years later, how has this changed? I still don't have a Northern within reasonable distance...
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Personally for the most part I prefer Harbor Freight. When this thread was new it may have been true something like sockets from Northern were better but now I’d say Pittsburgh is better as they are made in Taiwan and feel better quality than the Klutch house brand at Northern Tool. One thing Northern has going for them is individual sockets and wrenches, screwdrivers etc. Personally Northern is too pricey for me but I still go a few times a year to look around. If they had a rewards program like Harbor Freight then I’d be more inclined to shop there.
driftpin
Well-known member
I'm lucky to live where there is a strong marine industry. That means there are a lot of different places to buy quality hand tools, electric tools, either corded or cordless; pneumatic tools, and supplies. I have a HFT not too-far from the house, but I also have three ACE Hardware within 3 miles. One of those is an old-fashioned lumberyard, which carries a lot of tools. I'd say there are many places to find corded or cordless yellow or red tools, and if you like Hitachi (green) or Festool (silver/black) there are multiple outlets for them. The closest Northern Tool is further than I want to travel, but if I was going someplace close to a Northern store, I might stop in if I had a specific need. I have a lot of what tools I need, so I probably wouldn't be buying more-expensive things at this point; one of the reasons for that is I'm in a 2-car garage, and I have storage for a lot of stuff that I'm considering it's time to start getting rid of things. There are things I've had for a long time, that I may not have as much of a need for as I once had. Maybe it's time to simplify my possessions, something not that long-ago, I might not have been willing to consider.
seber
Well-known member
Here is a simple comparison. Northern sells Honda generators. HF sells Predator.
Yes, but that's my point. Is the OP really asking about comparing Predator generators with the Honda generators NT sells, or are they asking about comparing Predator generators with Northstar generators (NT's "house brand"). We don't know, because OP wasn't clear.
There's no rule. You need to pick and choose your item to see. HF now has some very decent stuff (think Icon and US General tool cabs), but NF carries a lot of name brands.
Also: Tractor Supply has entered the game. They too have a mix of choose the best products.
Also: Tractor Supply has entered the game. They too have a mix of choose the best products.
bcradio
Well-known member
There's no Northern Tool near the most Southern part of the continental USA????
(kidding of course)
I have not NT anywhere near me either
Farmall450
Well-known member
Hasn't TSC always had cheap junk with some better stuff mixed in?
Unfortunately, the better stuff now is imported Crescent, but they still have DeWalt and Makita.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I wish I had a Northern tool close to me. I have never been in a Northern tool to be honest.
Northern Tool Klutch brand sockets, wrenches, 72 tooth ratchets and extensions are made by Apex. The sockets have the old Craftsman double detents on the drive end. They are the same mechanics tools you will currently find in Husky, Duralast and the True Value Master Mechanic brand.
Northern Tool is a step above Harbor Frieght IMO. They have more SKU’s and also carry brands such a Milwaukee and Stihl.
Northern Tool is a step above Harbor Frieght IMO. They have more SKU’s and also carry brands such a Milwaukee and Stihl.
I have both store close by. IMO, northern is better as they have a broader line up, low end to high end. HF has low end and stops somewhere before they get to medium quality.
I have bought at both stores depending on what I want and am willing to pay. Sometimes HF is good enough, sometimes I want Milwaukee.
I have bought at both stores depending on what I want and am willing to pay. Sometimes HF is good enough, sometimes I want Milwaukee.
PMD1966
Well-known member
I am a former customer of Northern. I was looking for a mig welder. Got a sale catalog[ and on the front in big letters it said, "Everything in this catalog ships free". The welder I wanted was in the catalog. Tried to place an order and shipping charges were added. Called customer service and was told that since it was a heavy item, it could not be shipped free. Found the same welder on a different site for $60.00 less with free shipping. No more Northern.
"cheap junk with some better stuff mixed in"
= that's true of Harbor Freight, Northern Tool and Tractor Supply
And most other retailers in existence. In fact, other some industrial suppliers, I can't think of an exception.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I would argue the "cheap junk" (e.g. performance tool) tools at Farm & Fleet or the Evercraft(?) at NAPA are better than the "cheap junk" at HFT.
Are we talking Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pro, Quinn, Doyle, Maddox, Forge, Central Machinery, Baxter, Icon or what?
That's my point. You have to specify a tool. Generalizations are meaningless.
GarageHobbyist
Well-known member
They opened a Northern Tool close-ish to us, but I haven’t made it there yet. It’s about 45 minutes away, but every time I have been that way lately I’ve been on a time crunch and couldn’t stop.
I will say it’s a bummer that they don’t have coupons very often and it’s a waiting game to get something on sale. I was looking at the Klutch 4x6 Bandsaw, but it’s already 30 more than Harbor Freight, I had a coupon for HF, and it’s down the street from work.
Those saws are pretty similar. I really just wanted the Klutch because it wasn’t red. I know that sounds wild, but I would have paid a little more for that. Unfortunately and $80 difference and the longer drive pushed me to the HF saw.
I will say it’s a bummer that they don’t have coupons very often and it’s a waiting game to get something on sale. I was looking at the Klutch 4x6 Bandsaw, but it’s already 30 more than Harbor Freight, I had a coupon for HF, and it’s down the street from work.
Those saws are pretty similar. I really just wanted the Klutch because it wasn’t red. I know that sounds wild, but I would have paid a little more for that. Unfortunately and $80 difference and the longer drive pushed me to the HF saw.
rice rocket
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- Mar 24, 2011
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Biggest difference now is HF went on the offensive and hired in house engineering who actively design/reverse engineer new tools, while Northern hasn't changed and still can only rely on some other third Chinese/Taiwanese company to release something for them to slap a label on.
I've purchased from Northern online but there isn't a store here. HF finally gave us a store a few years ago.
HF is more of a go to than Northern but neither is a top choice.
Quality of one vs another really is on a tool by tool basis IMHO.
HF is more of a go to than Northern but neither is a top choice.
Quality of one vs another really is on a tool by tool basis IMHO.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I think it's implied I'm referencing the cheapest ones, which obviously aren't Icon or Doyle or Quinn
Farmall450
Well-known member
HF also seems to be on the offensive growing much faster (store wise).