Knock off tools
- Thread starter yasha32
- Start date
aldworth33
Well-known member
I got a trident file set for 6pound because the handles apparently weren't properly adhered but theve last the last 3-4 years fine, apart from that iv got what I paid for quality wise most cheap tools are bad quality. But saying that my boss has a burgen set of long torx 1/2 drive and they've stood upto punishment
Think of dollar stores as the stuff HF refused. 
That said, sometimes even the blind squirrel finds a decent screwdriver or something.
I've heard of people finding decent, ala Proto etc branded tools that somehow ended up being clearanced, but otherwise the stuff they normally carry is either not cheap like some Great Neck stuff I've seen in one priced same as auto parts store, or its just a cheap tool that sort of works for some period then fails. Works ok but rusts like you live at the bottom of the sea also happens.
That said, sometimes even the blind squirrel finds a decent screwdriver or something.
I've heard of people finding decent, ala Proto etc branded tools that somehow ended up being clearanced, but otherwise the stuff they normally carry is either not cheap like some Great Neck stuff I've seen in one priced same as auto parts store, or its just a cheap tool that sort of works for some period then fails. Works ok but rusts like you live at the bottom of the sea also happens.
Has any one had good luck with tools that should have been garbage? For example, I have a set of pliers that came from a dollar store that isn't the greatest but turned out to not be as horrible as predicted.
I think you would do much better to hit up a flea market, yard sale or swap meet. You could find some real gems for almost nothing and of great quality if you look. Most dollar stores these days have cheap stuff made for them instead of buying close outs.
I started to assume that but had no way to prove it, anyways you're probably right about swap meets, garage sales, etc but I thought this might make an interesting thread.
There have been some pretty great reviews of one of Harbor Freight's breaker bars here on the forum and on others I have been to. I have a set of Tool Shop mini-picks ($1.99). They're hard handled and quite small, but with slight modifications (trimming a slight overmolding) they've been great. They go where my larger picks wont.