HF equals what?

[ABADWILLYS]

My Snap On dead blow ball peen outer coating broke off the same way recently. I've had it since 1985. I don't think the Snap On man will replace it. I'm sure current prices on dead blow hammers from Snap On are not cheap.

They should, i had one about as old do the same thing, he told me the older ones did that and got me a new one.. under warranty...i dunno, i do buy a few thousand dollars worth of tools ever year from him.. I do have that HF hammer for my home shop, it seems pretty decent

 

[jetdawg]

I'd rather buy it for $10, and get it replaced when it breaks. (like I did once already)

To me at least, harborfreight ranks near the top of the list of tools companies I think are still going to be around in 10 years...

Really? You think a company whose business model is to sell junk will be around in ten years? Interesting. I don't know how long a business like that will survive before people wise up.

Let's see - pay $40 for one Snap On db hammer or $20 for two HF dead blow hammers. SO breaks and you have to wait to warranty (or go to HF and get one to use in the meantime) or

One HF breaks, you use other one until you get to store to replace first.

I'll save $20 and have two HF hammers.

Certain things only the best will do for me - for example, I have a set of SO flare nut wrenches in metric and sae. Most of the rest is up for debate. Dead blow hammers - Harbor Freight will do.

This is assuming that both last the same, I imagine a snap on hammer would last 5-10x longer than a hf hammer. Do we know how long OP has owned the hammer?

 

[JoeFin]

Really? You think a company whose business model is to sell junk will be around in ten years? Interesting. I don't know how long a business like that will survive before people wise up.

Not too much longer -


IF you care about the ecology of the planet - Now you have produced 2X or 4X the CO2 for the same tool from the greatest producer of Greenhouse Gasses on the planet

 

[ninjamunky85]

Really? You think a company whose business model is to sell junk will be around in ten years? Interesting. I don't know how long a business like that will survive before people wise up.

HF has been in business since '77 and anytime I go to one of their stores it's always busy no matter what time of day. I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that their stores will still be around in ten years.

When will the haters wise up?!?

 

[WJD]

I have a popular mechanics dead blow plastic hammer and it states right on the hammer it self not to use tool below a certain temp or above a certain temp.

Plastic will break. I broke my SO pry bar handle, more like shattered the end of the handle off when it slid off a farm tractor hood in single digit weather onto the bare frozen ground... That is the only time I have had problems with a plastic handle, as the mercury rests heavy in the bottom of the thermometer.

Snap on guy warrantied me a complete new bar cause he did not have a replacement handle on hand.... But now that I have a harbor freight store close guess what I will be buying more of

 

[PJNJ]

Really? You think a company whose business model is to sell junk will be around in ten years? Interesting. I don't know how long a business like that will survive before people wise up.



This is assuming that both last the same, I imagine a snap on hammer would last 5-10x longer than a hf hammer. Do we know how long OP has owned the hammer?

Harbor Freight has been around since 1977 and now has 550 stores. I think they'll be around for a "little while" longer -
http://www.harborfreight.com/about-us

Do you have any hard facts for your idea that SO hammers will last 5-10x longer? No. Again for me only the best for certain things and the rest is up for debate. Here, I would save $20 and have two so I can keep going if one breaks. You will have one $40 db hammer. Will a new one instantly materialize in your hand if it breaks?

 

[Kirbot]

HF has been in business since '77 and anytime I go to one of their stores it's always busy no matter what time of day. I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that their stores will still be around in ten years.

When will the haters wise up?!?

As far as I can tell, they've done a hell of a lot of growing since 1977 too.


Maybe when people "wise up" they'll realize that a $10 hammer is simple good enough for most of us.

If you want a $50 hammer, go for it. But the $10 does the job just fine for me.

 

[Adam.C]

I'm sure you can develop the same amount of work with a HF hammer as you can with a Snap On or a rock for that matter. And I don't care if the Snap On hammer self destructs every 2 weeks. They are very nice to hold and use. With a lifetime warranty and service that works for me, I just don't care.

Pick a plastic hammer that you like with a warranty that works for you and that will be the best hammer for you. I think HF will be around for a long time. If you like their tools, I wouldn't hesitate to buy them. They are like the new craftsman.

If you want a hammer that will last forever and never break, get a steel ball peen hammer with a good hickory handle.

 

[jetdawg]

Not too much longer -


IF you care about the ecology of the planet - Now you have produced 2X or 4X the CO2 for the same tool from the greatest producer of Greenhouse Gasses on the planet

Some people don't care about disposable items or the planet.

HF has been in business since '77 and anytime I go to one of their stores it's always busy no matter what time of day. I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that their stores will still be around in ten years.

When will the haters wise up?!?

Not sure why you are attacking me by calling me a hater. See points mentioned above.

Harbor Freight has been around since 1977 and now has 550 stores. I think they'll be around for a "little while" longer -
http://www.harborfreight.com/about-us

Do you have any hard facts for your idea that SO hammers will last 5-10x longer? No. Again for me only the best for certain things and the rest is up for debate. Here, I would save $20 and have two so I can keep going if one breaks. You will have one $40 db hammer. Will a new one instantly materialize in your hand if it breaks?

When did I state it was a fact? Are you implying that hf deadblow will last as long as a snap on db?

As far as I can tell, they've done a hell of a lot of growing since 1977 too.


Maybe when people "wise up" they'll realize that a $10 hammer is simple good enough for most of us.

If you want a $50 hammer, go for it. But the $10 does the job just fine for me.

I thought this was a hobbyist forum where people were enthusiastic about tools, not "getting by" or "good enough". Otherwise what's the point of being here?

 

[nicksmurf111]

I'll see if they will warranty mine. I have a cracked one too. For the price, I'd rather crack a HF deadblow, than one that costs 4 times as much. I do plan on buying multiples, but I'm a home user.

 

[Dagny]

I probably own 50 hammers but never had a dead blow are they really that useful.

 

[Kirbot]

I thought this was a hobbyist forum where people were enthusiastic about tools, not "getting by" or "good enough". Otherwise what's the point of being here?

I guess I'd better replace every tool in my box with snapon then...
Wait... Screw that. Gedore.
Some of that stuff costs even more than snapon in this country. It must be better.

 

[nicksmurf111]

I probably own 50 hammers but never had a dead blow are they really that useful.

Yes. I use mine for stuff I don't want to damage. Rubber mallets are horrible in comparison. They are not heavy enough and they bounce. I can't take a normal ball peen hammer to a brake drum that I want to put back on.

 

[Kirbot]

Yes. I use mine for stuff I don't want to damage. Rubber mallets are horrible in comparison. They are not heavy enough and they bounce. I can't take a normal ball peen hammer to a brake drum that I want to put back on.

That's the only type of place I use them too.

The non marring aspect is more useful than the deadblow part. They're aren't really any more effective than a steel hammer the same weight, as far as I can tell.

 

[Tanro]

I dunno what **** *** snappy reps you guys have. Mine is usually out to the shop with warranty tools before close of business...

 

[NC-Shaun]

I dunno what **** *** snappy reps you guys have. Mine is usually out to the shop with warranty tools before close of business...

The kind that only cater to people who bought tools from them specifically, not the previous 3 jokers that had their route prior to them.

 

[pi_guy]

Harbor Freight has been around since 1977 and now has 550 stores. I think they'll be around for a "little while" longer -

Wonder if they are still following Radio Shacks business plan.

 

[jetdawg]

I guess I'd better replace every tool in my box with snapon then...
Wait... Screw that. Gedore.
Some of that stuff costs even more than snapon in this country. It must be better.

Obviously there is no correlation between price and quality because good tools cost nothing to manufacture.

 

[warweapon762]

These hammers are notorious for failing like this in cold weather situation.

 

[2oolhound]

Selling $10 hammers as opposed to $50 hammers requires quantity sales which may not be sustainable over the next 10 years as more and more jobs migrate overseas leaving less and less consumers in north america with disposable incomes who can afford to tool up their garages like we see today.

My criteria for tool purchasing is based on cost, quality, warranty and coo following this order:

1 - Coo - 35%
2 - Quality - 30%
3 - Cost - 20%
4 - Warranty - 15%

Coo gets #1 priority but the 1st thing to sway me off that track is Quality. Cost is the stumbling block I need to overcome if it's an issue but I'd rather have less tools than a bunch I'm not proud of. Last is warranty because if #2 is what I expect I shouldn't need it. My experience indicates I have most always gotten my money's worth out of a good tool before it fails. These percentages are only reference ideals and are really fluid numbers that change with different types of tools but you get the idea. When it comes to destructible tools like dead blows I'd place a little greater emphasis on warranty.

 

[PJNJ]

When did I state it was a fact? Are you implying that hf deadblow will last as long as a snap on db?

No. I was not implying that but you were -
"This is assuming that both last the same, I imagine a snap on hammer would last 5-10x longer than a hf hammer. Do we know how long OP has owned the hammer? " - your statement.

Yes it is an enthusiast forum. But that doesn't mean that the only criteria for a tool purchase or "enthusiasm" for a tool depends on price or that it is the absolute highest quality every time. Otherwise value which is a consideration in many of the threads on this forum would never be a consideration.

 

[PJNJ]

Wonder if they are still following Radio Shacks business plan.

Huh? What the heck are you talking about ?

 

[Notorious BRT]

Really? You think a company whose business model is to sell junk will be around in ten years? Interesting. I don't know how long a business like that will survive before people wise up.



This is assuming that both last the same, I imagine a snap on hammer would last 5-10x longer than a hf hammer. Do we know how long OP has owned the hammer?

If you believe that all Harbor Freight sells is junk you either haven't been in one lately or are so blindly loyal to Snap-On that you refuse to believe that anyone else builds anything worth having. There is plenty of junk in there, certainly, but there is some nice stuff at very reasonable prices too. The new ratchets are a good example. Very nice, not SO quality, but really good and 1/6 the price of a Snappy.

Apparently some people have Snap-On guys with teleporters. When something breaks do you say a little jingle, or what? "Like a good neighbor, Snap-On is there!"

For us country bumpkins the truck is in town once or twice a week at best. If it breaks on Wednesday evening, it'll be the following Tuesday before it can be replaced.

 

[Fretters]

How this can end up as yet another SO/HF wanger size match is beyond me.

Plastic is simply a fairly shite but easily produced & moulded material which will break at some point in time.

 

[Fretters]

If you want a hammer that will last forever and never break, get a steel ball peen hammer with a good hickory handle.

I'm sure there are some who could destroy one. Good advice though, and with a suitable sacrificial piece between it and the item being persuaded, just as useful as any 'soft' hammer/mallet in most cases.

 

[jetdawg]

If you believe that all Harbor Freight sells is junk you either haven't been in one lately or are so blindly loyal to Snap-On that you refuse to believe that anyone else builds anything worth having. There is plenty of junk in there, certainly, but there is some nice stuff at very reasonable prices too. The new ratchets are a good example. Very nice, not SO quality, but really good and 1/6 the price of a Snappy.

Apparently some people have Snap-On guys with teleporters. When something breaks do you say a little jingle, or what? "Like a good neighbor, Snap-On is there!"

For us country bumpkins the truck is in town once or twice a week at best. If it breaks on Wednesday evening, it'll be the following Tuesday before it can be replaced.

Here's the thing, I'm not even a fan of snap on but I was just using it as an extreme example to prove my point and the HF apologists jumped me. I'm going by what everyone around me tells me and everyone says if you want disposable tools you go there. Professionals don't have time for experimentation, apologies for having offended you.

 

[Kirbot]

I'm going by what everyone around me tells me and everyone says if you want disposable tools you go there. Professionals don't have time for experimentation, apologies for having offended you.

Kudos to you for admitting you don't actually have any first hand experience about what you're talking about.

 

[jetdawg]

No, I just sell professional tools (not snap on) and that is what a couple hundred customers say so it must not be true? People who have admitted to breaking things before they even use them, literally. I should actually walk in there instead to validate said point, do you think that would change my mind holding a coo china tool in my hand when I've handled US made tools my whole life? Seriously I'd like to gather your thoughts on that Kirbot.

If it's their first hand experience does that not count? They're the ones that laugh and call it Horror Freight, I didn't make that up myself nor would I. Most of our customers don't even shop there since we cater to pros in local industry, unions, etc who depend on their tools for safety and to make a living not to mention support their country.

 

[therealwormey]

HF equals what?

so is that an algebra question. maybe (a*b)-HFx2,,, i **** at that kinda stuff,sorry cant help ya

 

[mrvm]

When making a decision to buy a HF hammer I have to ask myself do I feel lucky?...LoL

Just kidding but I am concerned with inexpensive imported stuff

 

[stikman56]

Here's the thing, I'm not even a fan of snap on but I was just using it as an extreme example to prove my point and the HF apologists jumped me. I'm going by what everyone around me tells me and everyone says if you want disposable tools you go there. Professionals don't have time for experimentation, apologies for having offended you.

I have HF tools I use them professionally with no issue,and have for YEARS. That's my experience with the HF tools I bought. If you haven't owned and used said tools, then you simply have no justification for saying one way or the other, is what I'm saying here. I can break any tool and have broke enough Snap-On stuff to know they are all tools and NONE are bulletproof.
My Brother in law is a tool snob and says "what would you want from HF"? He's missing the boat and he seems to always be broke from his poor choices of where his money goes. There's a balance ,you have to know where it is if you are looking for the most value, that's what I look for. Here's an example, I bought the Pittsburgh 1/2" extendable ratchet about 3 years ago, maybe 4. It's the only 1/2" ratchet I use, it's fantastic, it was 15 dollars on sale. IF, and I say IF I ever break that thing, and I've stood on it....I can get another one, even if I couldn't ,ask yourself, IF Snap-On made such a ratchet what would it cost? My guess is 10 times more, maybe 15. Where's the value in that? It's just money down the drain for me. I have no intention of ever selling the tools I have, don't give a rip about resale values, even if I did, most I'd loose on that 15 dollar ratchet is how much? How much that Snap-On going to cost you after you're done with it and selling it on Craigslist? BTW, my HF dead blows for 8 bucks have been perfect. Anyone can strike a sharp object hard with a dead blow and rip it, it's not rocket science.

 

[NC-Shaun]

When I twisted wrenches for a living it took to long for the "tool trucks" to warranty my broken overpriced relabeled stuff. That and the fact that everytime I had to have something warrantied (when they decided to show up), I felt like I was walking into a car dealership and pressured into buying even more overpriced stuff.

Thats why I choose tools from various chain stores to use now. I know I can rely on myself to be prompt in swapping a tool after work.

 

[stikman56]

Same thing happens to Snap On dead blow hammers. A good warranty on hammers is a nice thing to have.

.

Noooooooo.........it can't be!

 

[NC-Shaun]

Stikman56 speaks truth /\ and that is also my go to 1/2 ratchet!

 

[PJNJ]

Here's the thing, I'm not even a fan of snap on but I was just using it as an extreme example to prove my point and the HF apologists jumped me. I'm going by what everyone around me tells me and everyone says if you want disposable tools you go there. Professionals don't have time for experimentation, apologies for having offended you.

No, I just sell professional tools (not snap on) and that is what a couple hundred customers say so it must not be true? People who have admitted to breaking things before they even use them, literally. I should actually walk in there instead to validate said point, do you think that would change my mind holding a coo china tool in my hand when I've handled US made tools my whole life? Seriously I'd like to gather your thoughts on that Kirbot.

If it's their first hand experience does that not count? They're the ones that laugh and call it Horror Freight, I didn't make that up myself nor would I. Most of our customers don't even shop there since we cater to pros in local industry, unions, etc who depend on their tools for safety and to make a living not to mention support their country.

You keep assuming that those who don't agree with you are "HF apologists".
But I have some first hand experience with HF. Some of their tools and supplies are good, some are ok, some is junk plain and simple. As I can't afford to be a tool snob, I buy tools that I can afford. I try to purchase good quality, American made tools when I can. I have a mix of Armstrong, Snap On, Kobalt (USA), Craftsman, Wright, SK, KD (USA), Allen (USA) and Proto. I also have Gearwrench, Husky (Taiwan) and, yes, Harbor Freight. I bought Milwaukee corded American made drills (3/8 and 1/2) before the company was sold and my favorite circular saw is my Skil wormdrive (American made).

As for the "buy American" slant - I buy American made or American companies products whenever I can. I have an F150 and Corvette (both older but I keep up with their maintenance). I am typing this on an HP laptop and have an HP printer (I know they are made overseas but at least American company). My cell phone is a Motorola - bought when Google was supposed to bring manufacturing back to the USA.

And it seems that you have lumped HF into the complete junk category without any firsthand experience. And you may have a bias as a "professional tools" seller.

In either case I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[PJNJ]

Stikman56 speaks truth /\ and that is also my go to 1/2 ratchet!

I have to get one of those "junk" extendable 1/2" ratchets too.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I have to get one of those "junk" extendable 1/2" ratchets too.

One of my buddies is a mobile auto tech and works out of a van. I pull into my apartment complex and he is wrenching away in the parking lot. His go to ratchet....the 3/8 x 1/4 drive HF extendable ratchet! I laughed at him cuz he was waiting for me to bust his chops about it, then I told him my go to was the 1/2 version. We both got a chuckle outta that

 

[demographic]

If only there was a quality manufacturer of dead blow hammers that had removable faces, an aluminium girder handle, was priced at a decent rate and perhaps had a catchy name that everytime it was mentioned reminded people of hammers...

 

[NC-Shaun]

If only there was a quality manufacturer of dead blow hammers that had removable faces, an aluminium girder handle, was priced at a decent rate and perhaps had a catchy name that everytime it was mentioned reminded people of hammers...

Must have

 

[kctyphoon]

Really? You think a company whose business model is to sell junk will be around in ten years? Interesting. I don't know how long a business like that will survive before people wise up.

well, they have been around since '77, and the quality has only kept improving. so that makes it a 38 year old business that has grown from just a small mail order catalog into a store front with over 550 locations nationwide, has a big following amoung professionals and hobbyists alike, and also has one of the best warrarty services in the business.

someone can get better service returning a $15 ratchet to HF, than many people can with a $100 ratchet to SO

so i guess the question is, when will you wise up?

other than that - this thread is pointless..

also - i bet you would be pretty hard pressed to find someone that dropped $70k on a new vette call it junk, just cause they own one.. that doesnt make a Mustang a ************* for the money cause its cheaper.. im curious what brand tools you sell, and also curious, if your so conviced that all HF sells is junk - why not buy 2 the the new non-flex low profile ratchets and give them to 2 of your customers the next time they need a ratchet.. surely they will break in 2 weeks and be back for yours right?? sounds like a great way to prove your products superiority..