A person would have to really be a blithering idiot to walk in to HF and think any of those products are US made. I don't think that is HF's target audience. I believe instead they target value conscious buyers.
Is Harbor Freight Really a Good Value
- Thread starter SalA
- Start date
A person would have to really be a blithering idiot to walk in to HF and think any of those products are US made. I don't think that is HF's target audience. I believe instead they target value conscious buyers.
O_M_Jeep
Banned
I love the arguement that you cant make a living with HF tools, I see people doing it everyday, of course I dont get to join in the "how much do you have your snap-on / matco bill down to?" discussions, I guess thats ok though. I could sell my 44" top & bottom box and side cabnets today for what I paid for them, I have no doubt, in fact if I were a less scrupulous person I could get more than I paid by a fair margin because most DIYers couldnt care less about COO.
What I find interesting is that Snap-On and US general are made in the same factory, and whats more, the US General carts are much better quality, as in not made with towel racks for handles lmao.
Be sure to look at the country of origin
(note however it is still 3 times the price of the HF cart and almost as useful)
What I find interesting is that Snap-On and US general are made in the same factory, and whats more, the US General carts are much better quality, as in not made with towel racks for handles lmao.
Be sure to look at the country of origin
(note however it is still 3 times the price of the HF cart and almost as useful)
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some of there stuffs ok...i have some in my box but at the shop making money all day safely as a profesional i like my tools to be the best i can afford. its my livelyhood and my career. If its what you can afford run with it but always buy the best you can afford dont go into debt.
Exceller8
Well-known member
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.
I'm with you on this one.
HuskerMedic
Active member
A couple years back, I decided I needed tools for the back of the truck. This truck sits outside overnight at my real job, so theft is a real possibility.
I have a rollaway tool box full of mostly Craftsman stuff in my garage, some of which I've had for close to 30 years. I didn't want to risk any of my "good" stuff carrying it around in the truck.
Using coupons, etc. I was able to accumulate what I consider a fairly comprehensive set of tools for the truck for around $120. This includes 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches. Only thing I'm light on is metric stuff.
So far, the stuff has done everything I've asked of it. I don't turn wrenches for a living, but I have been known to get into some pretty heavy duty shade tree stuff.
I do occasionally pick up some other things at HF to help round out the set, and even complement the set at home. I'm strongly considering getting a set of ratcheting box end wrenches; last time I was in HF, they had them on sale for $19 for the 7 piece set. I looked at the local hardware store, and the same Craftsman set was over $60. I didn't look, but wouldn't want to bet the Craftsman set was domestically made.
I keep a close eye on prices if I am interested in buying; it's not uncommon for there to be several coupons circulating for the same item at different prices. My rule for shopping at HF is I never pay full price and always get something for free. As someone else said, I also shy away from their electrical stuff; to me it just doesn't feel right.
In closing, I think selectively chosen HF stuff is fine for the hobbyist/weekender like me. If I was bending wrenches for a living, however, I think it would be a different story.
I have a rollaway tool box full of mostly Craftsman stuff in my garage, some of which I've had for close to 30 years. I didn't want to risk any of my "good" stuff carrying it around in the truck.
Using coupons, etc. I was able to accumulate what I consider a fairly comprehensive set of tools for the truck for around $120. This includes 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches. Only thing I'm light on is metric stuff.
So far, the stuff has done everything I've asked of it. I don't turn wrenches for a living, but I have been known to get into some pretty heavy duty shade tree stuff.
I do occasionally pick up some other things at HF to help round out the set, and even complement the set at home. I'm strongly considering getting a set of ratcheting box end wrenches; last time I was in HF, they had them on sale for $19 for the 7 piece set. I looked at the local hardware store, and the same Craftsman set was over $60. I didn't look, but wouldn't want to bet the Craftsman set was domestically made.
I keep a close eye on prices if I am interested in buying; it's not uncommon for there to be several coupons circulating for the same item at different prices. My rule for shopping at HF is I never pay full price and always get something for free. As someone else said, I also shy away from their electrical stuff; to me it just doesn't feel right.
In closing, I think selectively chosen HF stuff is fine for the hobbyist/weekender like me. If I was bending wrenches for a living, however, I think it would be a different story.
There regular impact sockets rock other then the swivel sockets which are absolute garbage (unless you got the old ones without a damn spring wrapped around them to hold the pin from coming out). Some of there air tools are really good ive used a small angle grinder to run a roloc disc cleaning gasket surfaces almost everyday for a few years and there regular die grinder and air drill have also held up well. Like others said jack stand, cherry picker, etc all work pretty well. There toolboxes are great, all the shops around here you see half the techs have a hf rollcart and there not junk, I think there honestly a good box. I try to avoid imported stuff but I dont mind it as much when I know its imported and pay accordingly. Ive tried different electrical stuff from there and there definatly 1 time use tools!