It just common sense. You can not expect a $20 HF wrench set to have the same performance as a $400 SO wrench set. HF tools are for light/medium duty home use. If you decided to use it professionally, or use it beyond it's intend (abused it), don't be surprise if it doesn't last very long. We tend to abuse the cheap tools (so we won't ruin our expensive tools) since we don't care about them, but surprise and angry that they break. Some HF tools are really really bad though. They are more like toys.
is HF really that bad????
- Thread starter klhitman
- Start date
cruiser808
Well-known member
I have a engine lift that I think came from HF. I don't know for sure as we in HI don't have a store, but it's orange so it could have been shipped. Iv'e had it for twenty years and it's been fine.
cruiser808
Well-known member
Oh. forgot to say, I've pulled at least twenty engines with it and it still works just fine.
PSYKO_Inc
Well-known member
I'm an automotive hobbyist and do all of my own vehicle repairs out of my garage. I'm usually in the garage wrenching on something at least one day a week. I've picked up quite a few tools from HF over the past few years and have been happy with most of what I've bought.
Good stuff: I've got a 21 gallon compressor that I've beat on pretty hard, only problem I've had with it was one of the o-rings wasn't installed properly at the factory and it leaked oil everywhere. Disassembled and repositioned the seal and it's been going strong for the past 5 years. $10 air cutoff tool works great, uses a lot of air tho. $12 paint gun worked great too. $15 DA sander works well, uses a lot of air. $10 electric angle grinder, can't kill it. $20 sawzall, works great. $100 4-drawer service cart, awesome. Engine hoist and engine stand, works great. 2 ton floor jack, no problems.
Bad stuff: Pittsburgh wrenches, snapped one jaw off an open end, wouldn't recommend. Screwdrivers, strip easily, wouldn't recommend. Hole saws, dull after one use. Wire strippers, broke the first time I tried to use it. Step drills, break easily. Air hoses, start to leak after a couple years.
I'm sure there's some stuff I'm forgetting as well.
Good stuff: I've got a 21 gallon compressor that I've beat on pretty hard, only problem I've had with it was one of the o-rings wasn't installed properly at the factory and it leaked oil everywhere. Disassembled and repositioned the seal and it's been going strong for the past 5 years. $10 air cutoff tool works great, uses a lot of air tho. $12 paint gun worked great too. $15 DA sander works well, uses a lot of air. $10 electric angle grinder, can't kill it. $20 sawzall, works great. $100 4-drawer service cart, awesome. Engine hoist and engine stand, works great. 2 ton floor jack, no problems.
Bad stuff: Pittsburgh wrenches, snapped one jaw off an open end, wouldn't recommend. Screwdrivers, strip easily, wouldn't recommend. Hole saws, dull after one use. Wire strippers, broke the first time I tried to use it. Step drills, break easily. Air hoses, start to leak after a couple years.
I'm sure there's some stuff I'm forgetting as well.
For me, going to HF is kinda like crack for a tool junkie. I have to say most things bought at HF are pretty decent, after all if they were that bad everyone would return them and they wouldn't make any $$. I am honestly trying to buy USA stuff now but HF's warranty policy is good and honestly I worry about the long term viability of American tool companies in order to use the "lifetime replacement" policies on tools such as SK and Craftsman. Will they remain American to justify the price increase? Will they remain in business (ie SK?)?
- My 2-ton foldable engine hoist has been good for the last 5-6 engine pulls I've used it for. It was only $150 out the door.
- My 1000# engine stand (4 legs) has been good for the $42 I paid for it.
- My 3 piece Torx set (40, 45, 50) and torx rail set was actually better quality than the Lisle made in USA set I also bought (and then returned)
- The one set of impacts I had, the Earthquake brand, seemed to be really well made and fit bolts just as snugly as my Craftsman chrome sockets. I did return them and am looking for a made in USA set but honestly I am thinking of getting HF impact sockets again as it seems like even the best ones are a "wear" item and will wear out.
Take all REVIEWS on hosted sites with a grain of salt, many people frankly have no idea what is good or bad, and plenty have an axe to grind and no real product knowledge.
HF except for a few products seems to get bad batches of things, so ALWAYS try the item out immediately and return if bad.
Keep your receipts.
Don't be stupid, if the consequences of an item failing are VERY BAD, include that in the buy or don't buy calculations.
Don't be a sucker, if you get a bad item take it back.
HF except for a few products seems to get bad batches of things, so ALWAYS try the item out immediately and return if bad.
Keep your receipts.
Don't be stupid, if the consequences of an item failing are VERY BAD, include that in the buy or don't buy calculations.
Don't be a sucker, if you get a bad item take it back.
Superlifted06FX4
Well-known member
All I can say is that the pry bars are ****. They bend too easily.
Whatever any business sells, making money is still the top priority. Their business model is based on more people wanting crappy tools for low price than quality tools for high price. I am just guessing ... I would not be surprise if a HF pulls in a higher profit margin than a Snap-On truck franchise.
HF has four different product lines at least of pry bars, which did you bend?
My $8 deluxe set of 4 has worked fine for me, but I am not much of a tool abuser.
I'd love to see anybody bend either of these;
http://www.harborfreight.com/72-inch-17-lb-digging-bar-94083.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/28-3-8-eighth-inch-jumbo-pry-bar-66962.html
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
I remember them, bought some at 16, still using some of them at 58. Like HF, you had to use judgement in what to purchase.
RAYJAY
Well-known member
i have a couple of that set and there really good the Phillips don't round out and the blades are really good also
Superlifted06FX4
Well-known member
How in the heck did you bend one of those?!
I have the same set, no issues yet. I've seen some flex, but nothing permanent or that effected what I was doing.
Concrete B
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2007
- Messages
- 87
I really like dewalt's 6" cutoff wheels. They last forever compared to Metabo's blades. What brand do you consider better? Don't let them catch moisture though. Keep them dry.
Cheapskate
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 219
I say no. I have purchased a lot of Harbor Freight items including:
3 of the #90320 Roller Cabinets
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html
2 of the #92099 Top Chests
http://www.harborfreight.com/red-roller-cabinet-top-chest-92099.html
#93762 4x6 Horizontal/Vertical Band Saw
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage...tal-vertical-metal-cutting-bandsaw-93762.html
#39955 12 Speed Floor Standing Drill Press
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage...speed-floor-production-drill-press-39955.html
#93793 Dual Mig 171 Welder
http://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...0-volt-160-amp-mig-and-flux-welder-93793.html
#45861 9x20 Lathe
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage...eared-head-belt-driven-bench-lathe-45861.html
#66164 13x40 Gear Head Gap Bed Metal Lathe
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage...inch-gear-head-gap-bed-metal-lathe-66164.html
#40939 Vertical Milling Machine
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage...-drilling/vertical-milling-machine-40939.html
I don't regret buying any of the items. I didn't pay full price for any of them and between sales combined with 20% off coupons feel I got fantastic deals. There are Yahoo Groups filled with people that own and use them that are happy with their purchases also. Some may need some tweeking to work up to their full potential but other companies sell darn near the exact same items for a lot more money and they benefit from the same tweeking.
Superlifted06FX4
Well-known member
PSYKO_Inc
Well-known member
They make a tool for that...
A normal C clamp works as well.
A normal C clamp works as well.
Superlifted06FX4
Well-known member
They make a tool for that...
A normal C clamp works as well.
But if you spread the pads a lil bit it's easier to wiggle off.
wafrederick
Well-known member
I am amazed,their 1/4 earthquake air ratchet holds up and I have one of these.It has not broken down on me yet and still goes.
supertooljunkie
Well-known member
I have stuff from HF that has been great.
I have a four drawer tool cart that for the money paid is great. I bought a five drawer cart yesterday with a 20% coupon and got it out the door for $160. Can't beat that.
I have two of their hydraulic knock out sets. Paid $90 ea. Bought the 2-1/2" & 3" dies for $60 delivered. I have had to replace one of the hoses, but it has done the same thing as a $1200 Greenlee set for less than $300. I bought them for one job and they have lasted four years so far
I have also had some bad stuff. I bought the cheap $15 fuel pressure tester. The gauge quit working the second time I used it. Traded it in and the second one would not depress the schrader valve. Traded it in and bought a better one. I bought pry bars that bent. True, they were $4 coupon specials, so my bad. They did what I wanted then went in the scrap pile. I bought a 3/8" angle drill. It caught fire the first time I used it. Got what I wanted to do finished. It went back in the box and was returned, no questions.
You get what you pay for. Some good some bad. Overall, I am happy with my purchases. I just watch what I buy.
I have a four drawer tool cart that for the money paid is great. I bought a five drawer cart yesterday with a 20% coupon and got it out the door for $160. Can't beat that.
I have two of their hydraulic knock out sets. Paid $90 ea. Bought the 2-1/2" & 3" dies for $60 delivered. I have had to replace one of the hoses, but it has done the same thing as a $1200 Greenlee set for less than $300. I bought them for one job and they have lasted four years so far
I have also had some bad stuff. I bought the cheap $15 fuel pressure tester. The gauge quit working the second time I used it. Traded it in and the second one would not depress the schrader valve. Traded it in and bought a better one. I bought pry bars that bent. True, they were $4 coupon specials, so my bad. They did what I wanted then went in the scrap pile. I bought a 3/8" angle drill. It caught fire the first time I used it. Got what I wanted to do finished. It went back in the box and was returned, no questions.
You get what you pay for. Some good some bad. Overall, I am happy with my purchases. I just watch what I buy.
RAYJAY
Well-known member
there getting real strict on returns .... keep your receipt and after 90 days your screwed unless you buy the warranty for the tool
jeff
jeff
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
thus - there goes harbor freight's only advantage - price
RAYJAY
Well-known member
there prices are still not that high, there quality has improved vastly, even the vice grip pliers,bought the 3 piece set needed the smaller one to do brass pipe on the page packs we have, they worked great.
that was 2 years ago there still kicking and the jaws look great been using them on everything and i can't kill them.
econoaddict
Well-known member
I have tools from all the trucks as well as sears and harbor freight.
So far the hf stuff has been fine.
If you look close at some of the smaller stuff you may get a surprise.
I have a spark tester from hf and my buddy has one from snapon, they are identical down to the part number stamped on them, only difference was the price.
It is the small one piece clear and a short wire.
So far the hf stuff has been fine.
If you look close at some of the smaller stuff you may get a surprise.
I have a spark tester from hf and my buddy has one from snapon, they are identical down to the part number stamped on them, only difference was the price.
It is the small one piece clear and a short wire.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Buy the hoist, get the 2-ton one for the few extra dollars, and don't worry about it.
I did bend two of mine, however, I'll debate the "too easily" part of it. I was reefing on them when they bent. I also paid $4 for the set. Did they bend "too easily" for $1 each? Hell no, they way outperformed their price point. I still use them, just a bit of a curve to them. Again, don't expect to buy am Mercedes at a yugo price.
mkirkpatrick
Well-known member
Buy the hoist, get the 2-ton one for the few extra dollars, and don't worry about it.
I did bend two of mine, however, I'll debate the "too easily" part of it. I was reefing on them when they bent. I also paid $4 for the set. Did they bend "too easily" for $1 each? Hell no, they way outperformed their price point. I still use them, just a bit of a curve to them. Again, don't expect to buy am Mercedes at a yugo price.
Nissan, what is the story behind the photo, I know there is one
Mike
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Nissan, what is the story behind the photo, I know there is one
Mike
People on here ******* and moaning about how you're going to burst into flames if you use a 2 ton hf hoist on a 500 pound small block, blah, blah, blah.
So...I did that. Then I let it sit for 2 days. Nut up or shut up.
Ironically...I found out that's my preferred method to put it on jackstands now. It's a custom axle with an highly offset pumpkin, and soft suspension, which makes it a royal PITA to use with a floorjack.
In order to use a floorjack, I have to put a 6" piece of 4x4 under the axle tube, then run a 2' piece of 4x4 under the 6" piece and the pumpkin, to center the jack. So, this is much easier and safer in the end. If I need the suspension compressed for some reason, I still do this to lift it, then put the jack under one side of the axle to compress the spring, put a stand under it, then jack the other side and put a stand under it. It's a short ceiling, can't lift it high enough with the cherry picker to do that, without punching the garage door opener into the attic.
I need a liftmaster 3800. I just make do with what I have.
I guess I should also mention, that's a 7 year old (at that time), DIY Valspar (now quikrete) garage epoxy kit. 7 year of welding grinding, dragging, beating, and generally not caring. Looks awful, huh? All that peeling that those crappy kits do, you know...
The only bare spot is the two behind the front tires of the truck there, where the titan spins the back tires backing into the garage, when the front tires hit the lip going up into the garage. No chipping, no horrid discoloring, no tire peeling, etc., that's always claimed.I've learned to take some of this stuff with a grain of salt.
Last edited: