Holy **** harbor freight....

[kctyphoon]

 

[Ditch]

little late to the party

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Looks like AC Delco/Mobiltron/Durofix is making this stuff for HF.

 

[paradoxical3]

Looks like Harbor Freight found the Milwaukee factory

 

[JRC3]

Hope they don't do any "compare to" pricing tactics with it or the sissies are gonna cry.

 

[jeejay]

No, this is the ****.

 

[kctyphoon]

little late to the party

Ur right, the cordless ratchet and 3/8" impact have pics posted everywhere with the info...

 

[tonyciambrone]

Ur right, the cordless ratchet and 3/8" impact have pics posted everywhere with the info...

I appreciate your post. I'm waiting for Milwaukee to do the mid torque or similar in 3/8 but this is actually surprisingly tempting... I am a real sucker for Harbor Freight

 

[Jazzman442]

I can finally get my Acdelco/Durofix tools!!

 

[icu2tsx]

shots fire against yellow and red team! Hahaha

 

[Yarpo]

Am I blind or am I not seeing the price for the 12v ratchet?

I'm into the Milwaukee line but if this thing is half the price, I'm going to go buy it and see how it works, save a few bucks, and decide if I really need the M12 ratchets

 

[Mohawk Dave]

It sure seems like HF got someone that knows how to make a flyer/market their stuff.

To GJ we know what's what, but to the average Joe, this is good looking advertisements.

 

[Brownsfan]

shots fire against yellow and red team! Hahaha

I wonder if Makita is going to sue. At first glance. Looks like a Makita drill

 

[tweedlestan]

Hope they don't do any "compare to" pricing tactics with it or the sissies are gonna cry.

 

[Tallpilot]

Pricing will be interesting. So far they do not seem too aggressively priced next to the competition. Perhaps HF is interested in seeing if they can raise margins.

 

[firworks]

Cool to see them trying something like this but their prices seem off. I paid 300$ for the 2763-22 Milwaukee kit from ToolUp a year or so ago on a deal. That was the tool, a case, charger and 2 5.0Ah batteries. The HF is 249$ for the impact, 1 4.0Ah battery, a case, and a charger.

(1) 1/2 in. 20V Max Earthquake™ XT Impact Wrench, (1) 20V Max 4.0 Ah Lithium Battery, (1) 20V Max Lithium Charger, (1) Kit Box

Tempted to get one and open it up to poke around just to see what HF is up to. Would make for a good video except everyone will hate it unless I say all plastic needs to be glass fiber reinforced nylon and ***** about any powdered metal gears I see unless they're in a tool from a brand I am loyal to in which case it's the right choice...

I like that HF is trying stuff. Who knows if it's going to work out but it'll be interesting.

 

[WhiffySpark]

too expensive for HF imo. I looked at them yesterday briefly when walking through

 

[dnschmidt]

Inevitable, I've been telling people that HF was going Uptown for three years. The thing that has me wondering is that these types of specs typically are achievable only by using brushless technology and I see no indication that these are using it.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I'm skeptical of the 1200 foot pounds claim.

However... a high torque impact wrench has been on my "want" list for a while now...

 

[ovrrdrive]

I buy a lot of stuff from hf but I learned my lesson on their battery powered tools a really long time ago. They might have gotten better (well, they kind of had to) but I'm sticking with my Milwaukee hand helds.

 

[DFB]

Inevitable, I've been telling people that HF was going Uptown for three years. The thing that has me wondering is that these types of specs typically are achievable only by using brushless technology and I see no indication that these are using it.

Excellent point

 

[cheechi]

let's be honest doesn't matter the brand name on the tool. The battery cells can and do come from all different suppliers, any of which can have a good or bad batch. The most important thing is what price point the components are, I bet you SO and Milwaukee aren't buying the lowest bid unless they face a shortage. On the flip side you can bet HF, Ryobi, Kobalt, etc aren't buying the higher bids unless they face a shortage.

I've had Bosch 18v, M12, Ryobi Li-Ion batteries for give or take 10 years. Overall I know I have at least 30 batteries, might be pushing 40. One has died, it's the oldest and in fact it came in a kit of two and the other is still kicking.

I'd like to be pleasantly surprised by a HF battery, but I don't think you're going to get 5 years out of it no matter the usage. I really want HF to succeed at this. I think if we drag up the lowest of our standards and everyone has access to good tools, there is no downside.

 

[Ehrmantraut]

I got my Milwaukee M12 3/8 ratchet as a bare tool for $60 a couple of years ago on sale. I already had multiple M12 batteries, so buying the tool was a no-brainer at that price.

Im curious what pricing strategy HF is going to take to capture guys like me if I want another cordless ratchet.

 

[idriveahonda]

I'm skeptical of the 1200 foot pounds claim.

However... a high torque impact wrench has been on my "want" list for a while now...

The Milwaukee design it is taken from...definitely can. Hell it took off a 200ft/lb nut without even hammering.

I still think the price point is too high for HF as another mentioned. My Milwaukee 2673-21 (single battery) was like $321 shipped...

 

[dnschmidt]

The ratchet here is the real concern for Milwaukee. The M12 ratchet has its place in the world, no doubt about it, but it has very little power. The 25ft-lb's claimed is at the outer limits of its ability. If this HF ratchet really can do 70 ft-lb as claimed that destroys the M12 by a very wide margin. Dewalt, Milwaukee and Bosch should be shaking in their boots if HF pulls this upscale move off. I've been in the electronics industry for over 40 years and I remember what Epson did to the American printer industry. TAKE THIS THREAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

This is what happens when you offshore your manufacturing. China has no concern whatsoever for intellectual property. They will freely steal it. What truly proprietary IP do these companies have that the Chinese can't steal. They obviously know what you're doing as they're building your **** they don't even need to reverse engineer it. You've given them the drawings and the engineering specs. Eventually, chickens come home to roost.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I will probably still go Milwaukee.

But it would be interesting if the battery compatibility info popping up (HF / Dewalt, I believe was mentioned) gets confirmed.

I'm guessing the tq. ratings are being indicated a little differently than in the past.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I can guarantee they will not expand their line soon a D the batteries between the Hercules and earthquake can probably fit each other with minor modding though i havent looked closely yet

 

[Ehrmantraut]

The ratchet here is the real concern for Milwaukee. The M12 ratchet has its place in the world, no doubt about it, but it has very little power. The 25ft-lb's claimed is at the outer limits of its ability. If this HF ratchet really can do 70 ft-lb as claimed that destroys the M12 by a very wide margin. Dewalt, Milwaukee and Bosch should be shaking in their boots if HF pulls this upscale move off. I've been in the electronics industry for over 40 years and I remember what Epson did to the American printer industry. TAKE THIS THREAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

This is what happens when you offshore your manufacturing. China has no concern whatsoever for intellectual property. They will freely steal it. What truly proprietary IP do these companies have that the Chinese can't steal. They obviously know what you're doing as they're building your **** they don't even need to reverse engineer it. You've given them the drawings and the engineering specs. Eventually, chickens come home to roost.

Wow, I didnt realize that the Milwaukee ratchet had that low a torque rating. I usually lock it in place, break loose the fastener, and unlock it to remove the fastener.

 

[Waterh20]

That ratchet will be tempting if the price is right.


Edit. Price is $99 ($79 currently with coupon). Extra batteries $19. https://www.harborfreight.com/12V-M...s-Xtreme-Torque-Ratchet-Wrench-Kit-63538.html

 

[zendriver]

Not sure why any of this news, is considered earth-shattering.

Harbor freight started selling cheap, passable quality tools, way back when that was pretty much everything available, that was made in Asia.

Since then, quality, design and production capabilities, have improved in Asia - to the point, to where now even the "good American brands", are having their products manufactured overseas, especially China.

HF is just following the manufacturing trends (like they always have) for available products, plus it's probably getting harder for them to find the really flimsy old-school "junk" Chinese products, Americans loved to hate.

Oh well.

 

[bcradio]

Would make for a good video except everyone will hate it unless I say all plastic needs to be glass fiber reinforced nylon and ***** about any powdered metal gears I see unless they're in a tool from a brand I am loyal to in which case it's the right choice...

It sounds like you've got this down

 

[bcradio]

The ratchet here is the real concern for Milwaukee. The M12 ratchet has its place in the world, no doubt about it, but it has very little power. The 25ft-lb's claimed is at the outer limits of its ability. If this HF ratchet really can do 70 ft-lb as claimed that destroys the M12 by a very wide margin. Dewalt, Milwaukee and Bosch should be shaking in their boots if HF pulls this upscale move off.

I think you are forgetting that Milwaukee is releasing a totally new lineup of brushless ratchets later this year... they have nothing to worry about.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

79 bucks with a coupon (the ratchet), 19 bucks for a battery. 60 ft-lbs. torque. ****, I'll freely admit I'm tempted..................

 

[Tallpilot]

I think you are forgetting that Milwaukee is releasing a totally new lineup of brushless ratchets later this year... they have nothing to worry about.

The current 3/8 ratchet is 35 ft/lbs. Someone said it was less but they were thinking of the 1/4". The torque specs on the new ones are better than this HF but now they will have to consider pricing very carefully so that is good for all of us.

What I think is interesting is the marketing material goes after Snap On but not Milwaukee. Perhaps they are cautiously not trying to pick a fight. Same with the drill, they compare to Makita but ignore Milwaukee.

 

[NinnyCTSV]

I'm very skeptical with their new power tools. The pricing doesn't really make me want to run out and get one over 2 reputable brands like Dewalt and Milwaukee either

 

[Strouty]

I heard Harbor Freight just hired this guy for the battery development team.

 

[dubyaohohdee]

Pretty good teardown vid of one of the new Hercules angle grinders.

 

[katiexoxo]

If anything this only proves that all power tools are the same, only brand names and their reputation differ. There's really no reason to not buy the cheapest tool anymore.

 

[DFB]

I'd like to be pleasantly surprised by a HF battery, but I don't think you're going to get 5 years out of it no matter the usage. I really want HF to succeed at this. I think if we drag up the lowest of our standards and everyone has access to good tools, there is no downside.

I agree and there's a lot of speculation for a HF sourced battery an obviously using lithium batteries for their cordless is fairly new development for them

I actually have two HF NiCad batteries for better than 15 years now...one with a rapid charger that came with 5-3/8" cordless saw that I still often use. The other battery was from a long gone 18v drill. Drive gearing broke on the drill. The charger for that was **** too as was the storage case.

These were both the yellow ones lookie lookie like dewalt


So strangely enough those two batteries have outlasted 3 sets of OEM NiMH Makita batteries my 3rd set is usable but weak on the 6 1/2" cordless saw and don't run the tool long nor will hold a full charge for even overnight. I already have knockoff china replacements for those Makita tools now (also 12v drill ) at less than $20 a piece.

Maybe others have different experiences there

Of course my newer Milwaukee Red Lithium batteries both platforms have been flawless for several years now and a few are well beyond any warranty period too.

I've no experiences with some others like Ryobi batteries and they seem to be quite cheap enough but hear some say they don't last long


This pic is that old HF saw with batteries I still use.

 

[-Brent-]

I'm very skeptical with their new power tools. The pricing doesn't really make me want to run out and get one over 2 reputable brands like Dewalt and Milwaukee either

That's just two in a heavily occupied market! There's more than a dozen brands that are reputable and profitable.

Not in any particular order: there's is Milwaukee and Ryobi (TTI), Makita, Stanley/Black and Decker, Dewalt, Ridgid (Emerson Electric), as well as the industrial and commercial market with Hilti and Hitachi (known globally as Hitachi-Koki), Panasonic and of course Snap-On. Oh and Festool and Metabo.

And, I've left some out, I know it. Point is, any or the market share that HF grabs will be a drop in the bucket in comparison. HF is limited to their brick and mortar stores and online while many of the others are located so broadly that they're way easier to procure. Plus, there are huge contracts that a company like HF could never get.

They're just going to swirl around bottom. It'll be lucrative but let's not kid ourselves about who they are.