Is Harbor Freight Really a Good Value

[SalA]

First, I would like to say that I really enjoy looking around these new Harbor Freight stores that are popping up all over NJ.

Generally, I find that if I need a tool for a one time use project, they work fine. Inevitably though, their tools are not very well made or very accurate. Recently for the storm that hit the NY-NJ area, I purchased a battery Jump Start unit to store power for my AC inverter. But following the instructions to fully charge the unit only yielded the battery pack not able to fully charge.

So each time, I purchase something for a longer and multi-purpose use, it always winds up going back for a refund. Has anyone else experienced the same sub-par construction?

 

[SalA]

Yeap...Why do you ask?

 

[David W]

Look at the harbor freight pass/fail thread. There's been plenty of "holy wars" waged over the merits of all the tool brands.

 

[SalA]

I am sure there is..As tools and the manufacturing companies that make them are a personal thing. With more and more of the things we use being made in China...the quality is just falling off the cliff. But as I mentioned before...I still plan on going into their store from time to time and probably make a purchase there too

 

[pipsters]

There are some items at HF that are used even professionally and they hold up. Example, their jacks, engine hoists, jack stands, etc. Some items are pretty bad.

My favorite HF items are the Earthquake series impacts (excellent, powerful impacts) and the engine hoist/cherry picker and 2.5t low profile jack. I use both quite a bit. Really impressed.

I have bought other things there that are udder **** though, example most anything with an electric motor on it.

 

[Davefr]

You failed to head Rule #1 for shopping at HF:

Don't buy anything electrical
Don't buy anything with moving parts
Don't buy anything where failure could result in injury
Don't buy anything that cuts
Don't buy anything that measures.

 

[SMKS]

Read the hundreds of threads on this topic. In the future, please perform a search if looking for a common topic.

Long story short:
-there's a lot if junk at HF, but there are some good bargains.

Research before buying.

 

[SalA]

You failed to head Rule #1 for shopping at HF:

Don't buy anything electrical
Don't buy anything with moving parts
Don't buy anything where failure could result in injury
Don't buy anything that cuts
Don't buy anything that measures.

Sorry men, I just joined today...So I missed all 5 rules...My Bad

 

[mrpizza]

Harbor freight pass fail thread. A great resource.

Stay away from things like birth control, vaccines, parachutes.

 

[MrMark]

You failed to head Rule #1 for shopping at HF:

Don't buy anything electrical
Don't buy anything with moving parts
Don't buy anything where failure could result in injury
Don't buy anything that cuts
Don't buy anything that measures.

That leaves absolutely nothing. With which, I agree.

 

[SARG]

There are lots of good buys if your expectations are realistic and you wait for the "good" sales. I have many tools from HF and do not regret the purchases.

I just bought a couple compressors from them. A pancake and a standard... both 3 gallon ... both 1/3rd hp 100 psi ..... solely for inflating tires. At $39. each they are hard to beat.

 

[5mall5nail5]

While some things ****, somethings also rock. My mother has started an interest in jewelry making. We've got her a $2000 italian rolling mill which is awesome, a nice $500 shear, etc., but she's been using TONS of HF stuff. We enjoy going and just looking around through the small pliers and such. She has had some decent results with a lot of the HF stuff. I built a my 800 HP BMW using Pittsburgh/Great Neck sockets and wrenches... and didn't ruin a thing.

It really depends on your intentions. Do you use your tools EVERY day? Do you need super accurate torque measurement? If so, HF may not be for you. The only tool that has straight up failed me is their flare wrenches.

From HF I have:

• CE Heat gun - works
• Blasting Cabinet - works (but I broke glass window using a lamp on it)
• 20 Ton Shop press - works awesome
• Vibratory Polisher - works great
• Hose reel - works great
• US General bearing and race set - works great
• HF band saw - works great with my modifications
• HF grinding wheel for grinding tungstens for my TIG - works great
• HF tumbling polisher - works great
• HF parts washer w/ pump - works GREAT

The only thing that has failed me is the HF sawz all, the gearing inside is stripped and grinds if the blade gets stuck, pliers/cutters go dull super quick, and the flare wrenches mentioned earlier. I am an avid fabricator/automotive mechanic person, so I use a lot of tools more so than your average "guy". I upgraded my wrenches and sockets and ratchets to US and german made stuff more out of ability than necessity. I replaced all of my pliers and cutters with knipex stuff more out of necessity than convenience. That said, the HF stuff is NOT all bad. I have yet to have a wrench or socket of theirs fail. I upgraded/replaced just because.

People bash HF a lot. It has its place. I know of a few members here that have categorized me as an "HF fanboy" or something and the truth is I have thousands and thousands of dollars in american, swedish, and german tools and yet all they can think about is the HF stuff I've asked about or recommend. Nevermind my $300 B&S indicators or $400 mitutoyo calipers, B&S machinist blocks, parallels, etc., Miller and Hobart TIG machines... they're too fixated on the great neck $10 ratchet I bought to get a job done. It's comical, actually.

 

[glenmore]

I'm still gonna buy a 5 drawer cart...as soon as I find a coupon!

 

[t100]

some people always got butthurt on this topic.

 

[Mickey O]

Is Harbor Freight Really a Good Value

No.



....

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Is Harbor Freight a good value?

On some things they are, and on some they aren't. On a lot of them, it is kind of subjective. What might serve me well for years might not hold up for what another guy needs it for and so on.

 

[RCStocker]

For some things they are a great value. Other things they are a rip off. 80 percent of it is pure junk but if you are a home owner and use something once a year then it might be a good value for your money. Their tools boxes are a fantastic buy for the money and can't be beat anywhere for the type and price they are. I have several of thier engine hoits and have had great luck with them. I use them to move heavy machinery up onto tables and I have used them to pull small tree and bush stumps. They do the job just fine. Who knows. It can be a **** shoot. I have a huge 40 ton press but I alos have had thier 12 ton floor press for 24 years and it works just like it did when it was new. Their power tools and machnery ****. Thier tarps don't hold up but will work in a pinch. I would never buy thier fastners and things because it is all cheap hardware. Their impact sockets hold up well but there is a size missing in every set and I want the full run without a skip. I have a set of thier cheap sockest and wrenches on my sail boat. If they go overboard who cares at that price. The do the job. I have never broken one but then I seldom need to use one.

You get what you pay for up to a point and after that it is a fool and his money parting. Cheap tools come back to haunt you in the long run but if you don't have the money they will get you through. Yes and No is the answer. I have only picked up thier tool boxes and service carts in the past 10 years. I can go in there 20 times and wonder why I went in. The smell of the places wants to make me puke. LOL

 

[gbh]

People bash HF a lot. It has its place. I know of a few members here that have categorized me as an "HF fanboy" or something and the truth is I have thousands and thousands of dollars in american, swedish, and german tools and yet all they can think about is the HF stuff I've asked about or recommend. Nevermind my $300 B&S indicators or $400 mitutoyo calipers, B&S machinist blocks, parallels, etc., Miller and Hobart TIG machines... they're too fixated on the great neck $10 ratchet I bought to get a job done. It's comical, actually.

There's a very old joke about Spiros, a man who lives his entire life in the unwavering service of a small Greek community.

He devotes himself to doing good works building a school, a hospital and a church, caring for his elderly parents and tending to his olive grove. The school is beautiful, the hospital a marvel and the church magnificent.

His only lament is that despite all these efforts he can't live down being caught in flagrante delicto with a goat decades earlier. Of all the monikers he could carry - Spiros the school builder, Spiros the olive grower, Spiros the loving son - the one that sticks to him like a limpit is, Spiros the goat f#*ker.

 

[yjWrangler]

Their boxes are great quality for the price.

 

[justanengineer]

As Ive pointed out many times before....define value. To me value = eventual resale should my wants, needs, or living situation (space) change. By that definition HF is a terrible value as their tools hold basically zero value at resale time. Some may argue this, but at the ~100 auctions I attend each year this holds true time and again. Regardless of any quality differences between HF and the truck brands or even the cheaper "ol US iron" brands, those others have a "following" of collectors/enthusiasts who will almost always pay a decent amount for their tools. HF OTOH....not at all.

 

[MarkH]

Do your research, use your head, you will get what is good and avoid what is bad. There is no good or bad tool line regardless of what most people say. Also most people are I bought it, it has to be good, and are ready for an argument.

On Harbor Freight one thing to be aware of is that they appear to change vendors frequently as a better price is offered. So something that may work well a few years ago is now a piece of junk or it could be the other way around. You really need to know the model number you are comparing. Someone who bought a lift or press 10 years ago is most likely not going to have what is for sale now. Used to be companies could or would source things for years from one vendor but unless they make it themselves that does not seem to happen anymore.

 

[rslaback]

If you are a homeowner or small time guy most of the stuff they have there will be fine. This is particularly true if they are local to you and you can return items which are less than acceptable to you. I would concur that Harbor Freight has a pretty low resale value. I don't worry about that too much as I have no real intention of selling any of my tools. I suppose after I croak someone will have to but that really isn't my problem and I prefer to have more money available for me now than to insure that my next of kin get a larger amount if/when they sell off my ****.

 

[Singlecut]

In my experience, harbor freight is an enigma. Half the people you talk to will ostracize you for thinking about the store. Others praise it. The simple truth is that you must experience it for yourself. Even the stuff that fails. I have been buying stuff from HF for four years now. I have had 1 tool break, and that was a ratchet from 4 years ago that they replaced with a better model. They're tool boxes are notable. Cheap disposables like cutting wheels and wire brushes have worked fine for me. Its a great place for hold over tools- stuff you buy to hold you over till you need to upgrade. I have even bought stuff that had FAILED in the PASS/FAIL thread and had luck.

Like i said you need to go through the trials and tribulations and come up with a judgement of the store all your own.

 

[btbsandman]

IMHO if its going to be a rarely used item, then HF is the way to go.

 

[lennoxlennox]

Good Value? NO

Cheap? YES

 

[smothers33]

That leaves absolutely nothing. With which, I agree.

hammers, and prybars, and punch/chisels have worked well for me. of course all of those are not on that list except maybe under the injury part

 

[kossuth]

Like many have noted, there are plenty of good buys for the money. Can't beat their tool boxes particularly their higher end stuff. Stuff that you plug into power sources I would consider elsewhere. I've purchased a seal driver set there and a PS pulley puller and had no issues to speak of and used it plenty hard. I have a couple of gear pullers and they work AOK. Just gotta pick and chose. I would never purchase something I would rely on for readings such as a torque wrench. A regular dial caliper would be fine, just understand that it is a rough measurement only tool, not a precision unit.

 

[kb2tha]

For some things, yes. I have their 3 section tool cabinet. Works great for my needs. No roller bearings but for $150 on sale it is a great cabinet. Also have some of their 3 ton jack stands and 3 of their dollies. I move the gas pumps I am working on with them. No complaints.

I will never buy anything with a motor from them though.

 

[oilslick]

I have lists of spare brushes!!! I must be in love

 

[mrjaw14]

Their boxes are great quality for the price.

Agreed. I have the 44" tool chest and I'm happy with it. I also got their 1/2" torque wrench for $10 to do lug nuts.

Their professional line of impacts while thick have been good to me at a very reasonable price.

My wife broke a 3/8" ratchet that came in the $4 socket set. Their 3/8-1/4 adapter snapped first use. Their pliers ****, anything that cuts blows.

I have a pair of western safety gloves that I love and have held up great. They sell Super Lube that I use on all my ratchets. jack stands have done ok. snap-ring pliers ****. I use their brake bleeder. not great but easier than nothing when bleeding brakes yourself.

I will say that in a ratchet shootout that the HFT ratchet out performed a newer sears ratchet...

You just have to be careful what you buy and how it's gonna be used. don't go there without a 20% off coupon

 

[71goldss]

I have their air hose reel, adjustible pneumatic rolling seat and their socket trays. All have been used extensively without issues.

I love the socket trays. I looked at the much more expensive Hansen trays at Sears and the plastic prongs just seemed flimsy to me. Plus, the sockets sit right side up in the HF trays and they sit upside down in the Hansen trays making it hard to tell if you're pulling a 6 pt or 12 pt socket without memorizing the tray order. Much cheaper too, but cost could have been the same or more and I still would have chosen the HF trays. Just shows me that even HF can make a hit on some things.

Still, I tend to stay away from much of their stuff. You just have to do some research (reviews) and use some judgement on what is probably a good buy and what isn't.


Forgot to mention: I also have one of their air respirators that is the exact same brand and model as in the automotive paint supply house where I get my paint materials. Much cheeper at HF!

 

[BHH]

I bet if you tried hard enough and used enough of those coupons you could get enough cheap tools to sell for a profit in scrap metal.

 

[diesel_doctor]

My rule of thumb for harbour freight is, if it's from Taiwan it's probubly okay. If it's from Red China or India, I only buy it in an emergency.

 

[BHH]

What are the other colors of China?

 

[t100]

What are the other colors of China?

Green, the color of our money which they own a lot of.

 

[pipsters]

As Ive pointed out many times before....define value. To me value = eventual resale should my wants, needs, or living situation (space) change. By that definition HF is a terrible value as their tools hold basically zero value at resale time. Some may argue this, but at the ~100 auctions I attend each year this holds true time and again. Regardless of any quality differences between HF and the truck brands or even the cheaper "ol US iron" brands, those others have a "following" of collectors/enthusiasts who will almost always pay a decent amount for their tools. HF OTOH....not at all.

My experience has been completely different. Often I can resell an item I bought on sale at HF (using the 20% coupon) for what I paid or sometimes more than I paid for it.

If I do take a loss, it's a very small one at that.

Used SO sells for roughly 50% of cost. That is a HUGE loss you take after buying new. A used HF engine hoist can probably fetch $120-$130 right now, and I paid $144 out the door for my 2-ton.

I sold my old version of the Earthquake, well used, for $50, paid $65. This thing was beat to hell. How much would a beat to hell MG725 go for? Maybe $200? $250? New they are a $400 gun. Huge loss.

 

[bcradio]

My experience has been completely different. Often I can resell an item I bought on sale at HF (using the 20% coupon) for what I paid or sometimes more than I paid for it.

If I do take a loss, it's a very small one at that.

Used SO sells for roughly 50% of cost. That is a HUGE loss you take after buying new. A used HF engine hoist can probably fetch $120-$130 right now, and I paid $144 out the door for my 2-ton.

I sold my old version of the Earthquake, well used, for $50, paid $65. This thing was beat to hell. How much would a beat to hell MG725 go for? Maybe $200? $250? New they are a $400 gun. Huge loss.

I'm with you on this. The toolboxes used go for only slightly less than new too.

 

[pipsters]

I'm with you on this. The toolboxes used go for only slightly less than new too.

Bought a used 42" for $275 used it a year and sold it for $300.

Snap-On tools might sell for more $$ wise when you sell them but the loss on them is huge if you bought new.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I've found HF to have many really good values. The bad stuff is usually pretty obvious, so easily avoided. The good stuff always amazes me at how cheap (priced) it is. The company has allowed me to add numerous tools I couldn't afford otherwise. Don't hate me because I'm beauti--, er, thrifty.

 

[mrpizza]

My post earlier wasn't a bash on HF. I shop there frequently. I don't make enough money to buy snap on and all the other latest and greatest. Thanks Uncle Sam! I pick and choose what I get there and save up for name brand when I know it's essential. I was just making jokes earlier.

I own a jack, 3 ton stands, breaker bars, some of the pro screwdrivers (which are better than my cman clear handle ****) air ratchet, 3" air cutoff (awesome tool btw, just feed lots of air to it) and eq gun, some impacts. Their flare but wrenches saved my **** on a recent engine task. I know I have more out there, a corded drill that is a beast. Had a grinder melt the housing, just chucked it. Not worth my time at that moment to drive all that way for ten bucks.