Has HF really stepped up their game with hand tools?

[Negen]

Honest question:
Does anyone know if harbor freight specs tools out to manufacturers or if they just buy the tools the manufacturers already make and just print their name to it.

It would seem the two methods above would determine if HF is upping their game or if the manufacturers are upping their game.

Also at mclendons they have house brand ratchet Wrench's new and old on the rack that are made in Taiwan. The new ones look very much like the anti slip ratchets every other tool importer started selling over the last two years.

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[Rogers954]

The fact is that my tool list would be a whol lot shorter without them.

If forced to buy only USA tools, I could barely afford to buy basic homeowner maintenance stuff.

HF is NOT SO. But most of their stuff is more then adequate for homeowner use.

See my list linked below.

Bill

Same here, as a kid I remember going to harbor freight with my grandfather it was a fun store for a young kid, but as I got older I wrote it off as being a cheap junk store. Why? Because my grandfather was very frugal and he never spent a lot of money on hardly anything. Fast forward to about 18 years ago when I started wrenching on a lot of my own stuff I would go there anytime I needed a one time tool for a specialty item and didn't want to give sears $15 for say a single craftsman large socket to remove a nut on my motorcycle swing arm. Still didn't think much about the store I would still go to sears for any tools that I was going to use a lot. Fast forward again to a few years ago, I was in need of quite a few tools/equipment started going to HF more and realizing some of the stuff I was getting was actually pretty decent and held up well. AND THEN GJ CAME INTO MY LIFE!!! I started reading a lot of HF threads and started going there all the time for the real "gems"

The quality from 8-10 years ago has definitely gone up, not on everything but I would say a lot of there hand tools Pittsburg pro stuff (ratchets, sockets, impacts, screw drivers) and also there tool boxes.

I would have a lot less tools without HF because a lot of times when I need stuff always seems to coincide with my bank account being low. But in the last few years I've gone because I wanted to. Got some great tools at prices I can easily swallow. My favorite tools from there have been ratchets in the last 2 years and my 44 box, no complaints on either I really enjoy them.

I finally gave in and bought a pair of the base line composite ratchets from HF. Gotta say i was impressed. On it's first outing the 3/8"er proved so nice I forgot during the job that it was an HF!

If their new offerings are better, I'd say that bodes well for them.

The Pittsburg Pro composites are easily the first ratchets I grab for just about any job in the last year or so, I have much nicer ratchets both USA and Taiwan made, but I really just love using the PP composites.

1. There not freezing cold especially right now here in Utah.
2. When my hands are sweaty in the summer I get better grip over a chrome.
3. The mechanism is just buttery smooth and the back drag is almost non existent, and I really love the fine tooth sound.
4 If I break one (hasn't happen yet) I drive it to the store 10min from my house and get a new one, same day no questions asked no fuss.

 

[sberry]

I don't think anyone thinks as good as,, they say "compared" to. It's a good strategy.

 

[sberry]

I compared my Sears to Snap. It was 1980. I had older stuff and expected the same, it wasnt but,,, i priced. The Sears master set was 3 grand, maybe 3500 and I was at 14k with Snap and hadnt made it half way down the list. The sockets were nothing to get wood over, busted a lot of them. Havnt heard the same about HF.

 

[Flybye]

In Miami, I would imagine ANY tools are acceptable.

We still have areas that believe duct tape and wood are the only proper way to repair cars.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Not in a million years. If you've ever used Snap-on tools, you'd know that HF tools are not in same ballpark or even in the same universe as Snap-on.

Those damn detents

 

[ChrisLS8]

https://m.harborfreight.com/14-in-3...t-67994.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

This bad boy in itself is the cats ***

 

[PugetDude]

CAD-CAM design, CNC Machining, Robotics, Digital Inspection and containerized shipping are rapidly closing the quality and technology gap (real and perceived) between developed and developing countries.

It's not unrealistic to think that the factory making HF tools in Taiwan and the factory making SO tools in the US could be using (or will soon be using) the exact same forming equipment, machining centers, plating equipment etc.

 

[kctyphoon]

I believe we've been telling everybody this for about 2 years now. Lol

 

[KillNThrill24]

I've personally bent a few of their pry bars pretty bad, snapped numerous 3/8" adapters, and busted a few sockets.

On the same hand, I've had their 3 ton low pro jack for probably 6 years or so, beaten the Snot out of it.. And it keeps coming back for more. I also have an assortment of their jack stands, cut off wheels, wire wheels, gloves, o rings, etc....

They absolutely have their place for some things. I would always prefer to buy things made in America, and support American manufacturing... But for the consumable items especially, or things I need on the fly, there's always hazard fraud [emoji6] (hopefully someone gets that reference).

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[Fedwrench]

I own only a few harbor freight tools but, I think they're continuing to grow and evolve into having better products. The Doyle & Quinn tools are capable. In a few months the expanded Icon line of mechanics tools will appear in stores. Although I'm not sure at what price point they'll sell at, they looked pretty good when displayed at the recent SEMA show. Time will tell.

 

[AmericanBlood]

All of their Pittsburgh stuff has a lifetime warranty, and I can't complain about their breaker bars.

 

[MuhThugga]

I've had a set of their shallow SAE impact sockets for 10 years without issue. I haven't tried any of their ratchets, wrenches, or other hand tools yet. However, their engine stands, jack stands, engine hoists, porta power, and stud welder have all been perfectly fine for my needs.

 

[tslater1989]

Ive actually had very good experience with Pittsburgh tools. The 1/2 inch extendable rachet is honestly one of my favorites. I broke the selector off it. When I walked in the store with it, no questions asked, they replaced it. Now they still sell some junk stuff. But consumables like flap disc's, wire brushes, and whatnot are just ok. Not great, but for the price they certainly get the job done. I currently have Pittsburgh impact sockets, a few rachets, us general toolboxes, and a blast cabinet from there. I've been very happy with them. Honestly, just go there, get your hands on them. You can tell a lot about a handtool by the weight, feel, and finish.

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[Flybye]

... I also have an assortment of their jack stands...

That right there is TRUST!

 

[Flybye]

... Honestly, just go there, get your hands on them. You can tell a lot about a handtool by the weight, feel, and finish..

I am! I am going to give their 1/2" 25" Pro breaker bar a chance. I am going to wait a few days to see if I get one of their coupons in the mail.

 

[Mr_B]

^
for coupon price of 15bucks it more than good enough plus usable warranty .

I don't think it so much HF upping the game as they not inputting on the tool development, it more a case of Taiwan tools evolved and better quality to almost tool truck quality can be found easier and cheaper than ever before .
HF could of improved weak areas of the pittsburgh pro line years ago but never did .
Would of had more business and better image if did .
Bit like the earthquake battery line, not bad but piss poor tool range and weak standard warranty, they don't seem make much effort in products to me, mostly luck that taiwan kicks out pretty good quality even low end .

 

[Dogbone]

Several years ago when China announced their manned space missions, I thought, well their astronauts have never used any HF tools. [emoji16]

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[Mechanical Noise]

Honest question:
Does anyone know if harbor freight specs tools out to manufacturers or if they just buy the tools the manufacturers already make and just print their name to it.

It would seem the two methods above would determine if HF is upping their game or if the manufacturers are upping their game.

I don't have any direct knowledge of how HF selects their tools but what they offer doesn't always seem best suited to the US market. A couple of examples -- their cooling system pressure tester is decent quality but doesn't include an adapter specific to the common radiator cap used in the US and their wrench and socket sets have skipped sizes commonly found in the US. So, what's on the shelf suggests that HF isn't taking much of a role in spec'ing tools to the manufacturers.

 

[Jazz1]

Harbour Freight has lowered their sales game. I just tried to order tire irons that are on sale for $5.99 and they won't accept international credit cards anymore. I have US shipping address but my banking is Canadian and of course they don't know WTF a E transfer is. FFS I can buy a car with a e transfer!
HF have no clue what sales they are missing out on. ROCKAUTO ships to Canada, no problem with International CC's and they ship fast. I get parts out of the US in 4 days, high speed delivery now that Canada Post does not get their dicker wankers on the parcels

So, changed my billing address to a US billing address, now HF has no tire irons in stock. Wonder how much other stuff on their sale flyer is still in China

 

[jimmyin3D]

That’s a shame, it’s probably because you guys have Princess Auto. Maybe we’ll see them combine in the future? If you really want some stuff I’ve seen resellers on eBay.

 

[Skin]

Those damn detents