List your favorite Harbor Freight tool

[stioc]

What tools from Harbor Freight do you like the most ? Hopefully this thread will serve as a Harbor Freight shopping list for those who want to try their tools but are too afraid to because of the Chinese tools reputation.

You can also list tools you regret buying

I'll go first (the good list)

1. Goodyear air-compressor hose. I bought it 2 yrs ago, no problems whatsoever.

2. 1/2" clicker torque wrench also about 2 yrs old. I haven't tried to build an engine with it but its good enough for general use. In fact, I can't remember the last time I used my SK torque wrench since I got this one.

3. Aluminum race jack - good for what what I paid for it. Although I prefer to use my AC Hydraulics jack I got from asedeals.com, the lightweight aluminum jack definitely has its place in my garage.

4. Impact socket set - I prefer to not use the air tools unless necessary so these haven't seen much use but have always worked when I needed them.

5. 1/2" $20 air-impact wrench - works great whenever I need to use it. It doesn't seem to have a lot of torque so don't expect to undo the axle nuts but works great for changing out the wheels, struts etc.

6. 5lb sledge hammer and 1/2" breaker bars (1 foot and 2 feet)....work great! We've applied about 500lb-ft of force to the 2ft breaker bar with my friend and I both pushing on it to undo the Axle nut and to my surprise it didn't break

The bad list:

1. Strut spring compressors, only used them twice and each time I was hoping to not get killed. The threaded rods would start to bend under compression. I bought the one from Craftsman and its sooooo much better and the threads on it are so much smoother you don't have to use too much force to turn the nuts.

2. Two jaw pullers, again they work but they broke the pointed caps at the end of the rods when the going got tough. Cheap and loose feeling, still looking for a good quality replacement.

3. A set of aviation snips (right, left and middle) don't cut worth a darn. I gotta get some good Wiss or Klenk ones.

 

[bdaz442]

I have one of the Racing jacks. Works great but I got it from a E-Bay store that sells HF returns. paid $33 , picked it up no shipping. Other stuff , well I really dont like it.

 

[armoredsaintt]

I am going to get there stainless steel 41" tool chest! Only $44 for shipping a 400+ pound package!

 

[Runner94]

I've got a set of mini-visegrip type pliers. You can tell that they are not of the quality of a brand name visegrip but they are solid. They're easy to unlock after use. I have a 4 inch needle nose visegrip and the ones from HF are actually better.

I have quite a few tools from HF and have not had any problem with any of them. I have the aviation snips mentioned before but I haven't used them yet. They were free when you bought a certain amount so that's the reason I have them.

I looked at the 41" US General tool box. It's a great price but when you have to ship it 3000 miles to New England the shipping can get quite pricey. I bought one of their fold up 4 X 8 trailers several years ago. That's when they would ship for free after $50. The trailer has worked very well for me.

The majority of my tools are Craftsman. An I have several pieces of Snap-on that are older than dirt.

I have some air tools and electrical tools from HF also. All work very well.

 

[comquat1]

I've got the 3/8 torque wrench, works great, used it on the brakes of my nsx. I've also got the ~$80/$90 alum. racing jack, works great, just wish it would move quicker when there's no load on it to get it to the base of the car.

I've also got the self retracting 25 foot air hose, mounted to ceiling and immediately wished it was 50 foot, but it works great with no issues seen so far.

I think I got a set of jack stands here too, again, no probs.

I bought some cheap tap and die sets ~$14 or so, the first time I used it the "t" gripper that you put a tap into and then turn pretty much fell to pieces. I took it back there and they replaced the set without me buying the warranty. I really only bought them for the taps which i expect to wear out quickly at that price. Should have gotten a Sears set.

My buddy tried the 18 volt drill, don't bother, it ain't worth it.

My 2 foot breaker bar is awesome, pulled off a ****** drain plug off of my nsx a while back and I couldn't believe it didn't break, held strong.

 

[eschoendorff]

The "goods" from HF:

1. The Taiwanese-made hose clamp pliers. They are NOT good if you use them everyday (they are showing wear already). But mine worked really well on the 8000 hose clamps opn my LT1-powered 93 Corvette.

2. The 25" breaker bar. I think this one was already stated. Its good.

3. Impact sockets. My standard-depth fractional set has seen the most use, and it is holding up very well. For the $$$, you can't go wrong. Oh.... and they are a Taiwanese product, not mainland China. Taiwan seems to have better amnufacturing standards..

4. My 3 lb. dead-blow hammer. Not the best quality, but it whacks stuff pretty good.

5. Welding gloves. I wear them as work gloves and I cannot say enough about them. For the $$$ you spend, they are wonderful.


The HF "****:"

1. ANY drill bits... except the Irwin ones. Those are OK.

2. Ratchets. Puh-lease! Maybe they have improved the quality since I last bought one. I have a 1/2" Chinese ratchet that I use when I work on garbage.

3. Flare nut wrenches. OMG they are AWFUL!

4. Some of the screwdrivers that HF sells are complete ****, too. The shafts don't even come straight outta the handle!

That's all I got right now.

 

[Wile1Coyote]

Just picked up a set of 5 magnetic combo wrenchs cheap which I stick on the side of my tool box for quick grabs, they are **** quality but good enough for around the house stuff. Other than that I have a nice set of files I got there and some other stuff but nothing has blown me away as awesome yet.

 

[2fuzy]

Some Harbor Fright stuff is ok I really like my bench top blast cabinet and have gotten many years of use from there floor jack and you can get some really good prices on some consumables but if you want any kind of percision tool you should for the most part look elsewhere I have found a couple of execptions to that such as a digital caliper that is dead on but there mitersaw is junk never makes the same cut twice and is just cheesy as are most of there power tools but if you only need a sawzall for a day 20 bucks proplem solved and if its made from big steel it is most of the time servicable

 

[Satatic]

I have a large bearing splitter, works prety good but the bolts that pull it together are getting worn(from misuse).

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

I picked up a airfile this weekend and works great. I have had good luck with most of their air tools.
My powder coating oven works fine the temps are off but not a big deal. The powder coating gun works and 90% of the time looks as good as the stuff that is done with a friend of mines $3000. gun.

HF sand paper is cheap and you really get what you pay for with it.

 

[plapczynski]

I picked up one of the power steering pulley removers and it worked just fine.

Have some prybars, 3" cut off wheels and 4" grinders abrasives that worked out OK too.

 

[Barnaby]

I have one of their part washers and it suprisingly has lasted 4 or 5 years.

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

I have one of their part washers and it suprisingly has lasted 4 or 5 years.

I have one also the pump went out a month after I got it and they replaced it never a problem since. It did cost me more to fill the thing the parts washer it self.

 

[The MOX]

1. I purchased one of the HF 1" rotary impact drills for aboy $65. I haven't drilled many holes with it but it has driven a fair amount of ground rods. It much easier that way than with a sledge hammer. It takes quite a bit of abuse doing that but it's still runs fine.

2. An air nibbler. I was cutting several holes in my pole barn so I grabbed one of these at HB. It cuts great but really runs a compressor ragged.



Bad
HF air fittings-- Junk to the max. Leaky, loose fitting, poor matches to other "standard" fittings

 

[MadMax]

I love my 4x6 bandsaw..tube notcher is pretty nifty too. Actually, I love all of my HF tools, as I have yet to have a dud.

-Max

 

[kartracer55]

I really only bought them for the taps which i expect to wear out quickly at that price. Should have gotten a Sears set.

QUOTE]


Nope, dont get them at sears either. I have hundreds of taps and dies, from all different brands. The ones that REALLY last are greenfield brand, but you have to get them from industrial places like grainger or MSC. Sears taps and dies are made by Vermont American, Just like Snap ons are. So A snap on set of taps are exactly the same as the VA you can get at Home desperate or craftsman from sears. Also, Unless you buy the BIG$$$ craftsman set, you are getting regular old carbon steel taps, not HSS like the more expensive ones.

I would never get ahand tool from HF EVER! that stuff is total garbage. I can see myself pulling real hard on a breaker bar and the connecting pin goin SNAP and me winding up with a broken nose or something. USA made only for me. Good tools not cheap, cheap tools not good.

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

I would never get ahand tool from HF EVER! that stuff is total garbage.[/QUOTE]

Now that's not entirely accurate. Have you tried some of the stuff from HF??? Many, including myself, have had decent luck. Granted, I try to buy USA tools whenever possible (except FACOM... I LOVE their pliers), but for things that I'm not going to use everyday, HF has saved my a$$ many times. Also, HF sells some USA stuff: some Irwin, SK, etc. You just have to look for it.

 

[kartracer55]

When I said that, i should have clarified and said HF Branded tool. Of course SK and irwin are good tools, but you cant be too sure of the no name stuff coming from some chinese prison.

Jim

 

[Swift]

Hey Jim and Ed (eschoendorff), not all China made tools are ****, but most are. Take for example your Ingersol Rand impact gun Jim, made in china like a lot of IR air tools and many of them are considered best in class. China now has a lot of very high tech machinery and it won't be long before they come up to the level of USA made tools. There was a time not too long ago in the 1980's when Japanese cars were considered total ****. Now their build quality is is surpassing many auto makers. Check JD Powers and you'll see. This month's Automobile Magazine shows a luxury car from China built to compete with the likes of Rolls Royce. Remember the Hyundai Pony and Stellar. The Koreans have come a long way in very short time. Now China will be exporting their first car to North America and the rest of the world shortly. Many of China's taxis are VW Passats in the larger cities and they have taken that car apart and reverse engineered it. That is what they do so well. I know this because my brother in law works in Shanghai and Hong Kong. He is involved in manufacturing and tells me about the state of the art plants being built there. Have you seen pictures of cities like Shanghai and Beijing, they are more modern than most in North America. Many people still believe all the cities in China to be small villages where flush toilets are a luxury. These same people think all Canadians live in Igloos. The Japanese did the same after World War 2, when they reverse engineered a German transistor radio. Now Sony and countless other electronics companies rule the market place. The cost of raw steel went up considerably last year because of China's consumption along with hydro electricity. The prices have since fallen for steel. The statement about tools being made in Chinese prisons is ludicrous. Unless you have visited a prison or knows someone who has and has seen it first hand. China may have a very very bad track record when it comes to human rights issues. But we're talking about tools here and not politics. I guess it's the same reason Jim, that you don't like Mac tools because of the outsourcing from their parent company Stanley. Now most of Stanley's tools are being made in Taiwan and abroad. And Mac has stopped labelling their tools Made in USA if parts were made elsewhere and assembled in the US. But even your hatred of Mac Tools as a company will not stop you from buying some of your friend's dads Mac tools. You state the Mac tools are of great quality and you would buy them used because then you wouldn't be supporting Mac. I find that hippocritical, just like your owning a made in China, Ingersol Rand impact gun. If you don't like made in China products, then I guess you're not going to use that impact gun, or your computer (even made in USA computers use parts internally from China, just like some Mac tools), some of your shoes and clothing will have to be thrown out along with some other electronics you have around the house as well as countless other products and consumables. Bottom line, Chinese made products are not all **** and with tools as of now many are, but times are changing faster and faster because of the growth of high tech, it won't be long till the gap grows smaller.

 

[astroracer]

I have to second everyone here who uses H.F. stuff. You DO get what you pay for of course and, like has been mentioned, some of it is junk. I won't touch their screw drivers or ratchets... The 10 or 15 dollar angle grinders are great! I have three of them! How can you beat that price! Hell, use it up, throw it away, and go get another one... I can buy 10 of these things to the cost of one Makita or Ryobi and they are probably made in the same plant...
Last year I bought their 14" chop saw, on sale, for 50 bucks. This thing works great (after sweetening it up) and it is the exact same saw you can buy at Sears for 169.00.
This is a pic of my "Work Station". My $80.00 Lowes base cabinet (dropped off the truck). I fixed it and put it on H.F. castors... My H.F. 14" chop saw, one of my H.F. angle grinders, and a H.F. 3lb db hammer.

What needs to be realized is ALL of the tools you buy, whether it's Craftsman or Snap-On or Central Machinery most, if not all, are made overseas now... You are getting (basically) the same tools, you're just paying higher prices for a "name"...
Mark

 

[kartracer55]

Hey Jim and Ed (eschoendorff), not all China made tools are ****, but most are. Take for example your Ingersol Rand impact gun Jim, made in china like a lot of IR air tools and many of them are considered best in class. China now has a lot of very high tech machinery and it won't be long before they come up to the level of USA made tools....... I guess it's the same reason Jim, that you don't like Mac tools because of the outsourcing from their parent company Stanley. Now most of Stanley's tools are being made in Taiwan and abroad. And Mac has stopped labelling their tools Made in USA if parts were made elsewhere and assembled in the US. But even your hatred of Mac Tools as a company will not stop you from buying some of your friend's dads Mac tools. You state the Mac tools are of great quality and you would buy them used because then you wouldn't be supporting Mac. I find that hippocritical, just like your owning a made in China, Ingersol Rand impact gun. If you don't like made in China products, then I guess you're not going to use that impact gun, or your computer (even made in USA computers use parts internally from China, just like some Mac tools), some of your shoes and clothing will have to be thrown out along with some other electronics you have around the house as well as countless other products and consumables. Bottom line, Chinese made products are not all **** and with tools as of now many are, but times are changing faster and faster because of the growth of high tech, it won't be long till the gap grows smaller.

The Ingersoll rand thunder gun is made in Usa and the street legal thunder gun is assybled in USA with usa and chinese parts. Thier Titanium line is also made here in USA.

Take notice as to how I said comming out of some chinese prison, not the Factory owned by one of the largest equipment companies in the world who would like to make damn sure their product lives up to thier name.

You have my hatred of Stanley sort of skewed. I dont like them, but not BECAUSE they outsourced, but because the outsourced and continued to label tools as being made in USA, essentially lieing to thier customers. Thier Idea of Made in USA was taking a taiwanese forged peice of steel and finishing it here in the USA.

The reason I am buying his MAC tools is because I am going to help out a friend, and I am not going to support stanley in this deal, the tools have already been purchased. The whole stanley incident happened with Husky tools, and to the best of my knowledge, not with MAC.

Also, Are you from Mark KW? I dont think I mentioned my tool deal on here.

Jim

 

[Old Moparz]

I try to stick with Craftsman so I can return things easier if they break, but have bought a few things from HF.

The "Good" items so far:

1) 2000 Pound Engine Stand (Actually bought it used, but it's very stable.)

2) 2 Ton "I" Beam Trolley For Chain Hoist (Rolls very easy & smoothly.)

3) Electronic Rodent Repeller (3 pack on sale for $7.99 & haven't seen droppings since.)

4) Misc. Sale Items (Bungee cords, tarps, shop towels, rubber gloves, etc.)

5) 5" Diameter Steel Casters With Rubber (Used to replace smaller casters on car dollies, works better but not great.)

6) All Terrain Tricycle With 600 Pound Rating (Not a tool, but very strong. I can ride the back while my daughter steers, really.)

 

[rjspitz]

My favorite would have to be the mini-lathe that I got. It's not as practical as the other tools I've gotten from them, but it's the funnest.

 

[PatrickW]

HF takes forever to ship...

I've only made one purchase from Harbor Freight.

Ordered a very small torque wrench about a month ago for a specific job I wanted to do. Got tired of waiting, and did the job without it... They sure took my money fast enough, though...

When they call it "Harbor" Frieght, they ain't kidding. I don't know how long it takes the boat to get here from China, but if you want a tool from Harbor Frieght, you best order it way, way in advance of when you actually need it.

I doubt if I'll order anything from Harbor Freight again unless it's something that I absolutely cannot get anywhere else.

- Patrick

 

[JeeperAz]

I dont have many tools from there but I have had good luck with Ujoint tool. Beats the old socket and hammer method.

I have their 6ton jackstands. They work ok but plan on replacing them with something I can trust my life with.

 

[Rickster]

I have one of their cheapo angle grinders, it works fine and I don't feel bad when I beat the **** out of it (got so hot a couple of times I had to wear heavy gloves to hold it). The other thing I bought was an air nailer, 18 gauge that handles up to two inch brads. Darn thing works prety good to!

 

[Swift]

The Ingersoll rand thunder gun is made in Usa and the street legal thunder gun is assybled in USA with usa and chinese parts. Thier Titanium line is also made here in USA.

Take notice as to how I said comming out of some chinese prison, not the Factory owned by one of the largest equipment companies in the world who would like to make damn sure their product lives up to thier name.

You have my hatred of Stanley sort of skewed. I dont like them, but not BECAUSE they outsourced, but because the outsourced and continued to label tools as being made in USA, essentially lieing to thier customers. Thier Idea of Made in USA was taking a taiwanese forged peice of steel and finishing it here in the USA.

The reason I am buying his MAC tools is because I am going to help out a friend, and I am not going to support stanley in this deal, the tools have already been purchased. The whole stanley incident happened with Husky tools, and to the best of my knowledge, not with MAC.

Also, Are you from Mark KW? I dont think I mentioned my tool deal on here.

Jim

Hey Jim, yes I have been reading posts on Markkw for a few years daily but have never post. John Garner and a few others on that forum have a huge knowledge of everything tool related. I knew instantly that you and eschoendorff (Ed) were from Markkw. Especially when Ed posted the Craftsman cap with the lights on both here and Markkw in April.
I have read all your posts from day one on Markkw. That is why I thought that you had mentioned your Ingersoll Rand impact gun being made in China. I could be mistaken. And as far as having your hatred of Stanley skewed, because I have read all yours and countless others posts on Markkw, I have a good understanding as to why you all hate Stanree, Ploto and Mac Fong as Bill Trusty would call them. My sentence right after the outsourding bit about Stanley was and I quote "And Mac has stopped labelling their tools Made in USA if parts were made elsewhere and assembled in the US." Now when Mac has an outsourded tool, it is label that way. A good example is their Micro Tough ratchets, come in a Mac box, but no where on the ratchet does it say Mac, only Micro Tough on one side and Taiwan on the other. By the way, these same ratchets are available at Home Depot and Canadian Tire for a lot less. 72 tooth, very smooth with small heads for better clearance in restricted areas.
I just find it strange that you knock Mac because of their parent company Stanley, but would buy used Mac tools. The incident with Mac wasn't only with Husky tools but also Macs own tool line. And because they don't have a lower price point line like Blue Point from Snappy, they have now either labelled their products made in whatever country and or eliminate their Mac logo all together from being on the tool as with the Micro Tough ratchets. Bottom line, if I didn't like a company for whatever reason, I wouldn't own any of their products if it were given to me, be it tools or chocolate bars or whatever. You could help your friend out in other ways, like helping him sell them or by recommending where the best place to sell them, from your knowledge of tools this shouldn't be too difficult. Most of the posters on Markkw dislike Mac because of their parent company Stanley, but I bet most of them would admit to owning or buying Mac tools. And I also bet that most of them would admit that Mac tools are of " great quality" as you stated in your post on June 19 about tool depreciation. With that said, that is why I can't understand why most bash Mac on Markkw. Yes they screwed up with their labelling on products made in USA when they were only finished and or assembled in the US, but many other companies have done or are doing the same thing right now. No company or person is perfect and mistakes happen. If they change their ways, then great and stop bashing them, if not, then stop dealing with them. I also notice when someone brags about a good tool on Markkw, they always have to mention something like "even if they are Taiwan sourced" like Bill Slone said about the Husky torx tool yesterday. But no one ever says something like that when refering to things like DVD players, computers, TVs, VCRs, microwave ovens and so on. " I have great Sony CD player, too bad it's made in Taiwan or China, I could buy a hand made one from California for $6000, but it's out of my price range." Yes it's true about a $6000 CD player from California, my friend who is into high end home audio bought his from a specialty shop.
Bottom line is if a tool is good, it doesn't matter what country it's made in. If you only bought items made in the US, then be prepared to pay 2 to 15 times the price. I will agree most of my made in USA tools are the best but there are notiable exceptions, like my Irega adjustable wrenches from Spain, my Herbrand single and double swivel 3/8" extentions from Canada, all my many many Gear Wrenches from Taiwan, my Osca hammers from Italy and the list goes on and on. And I'm pretty sure none of my foreign tools were made their countries prisons, but by skilled or semi skilled workers.

 

[eschoendorff]

I own exactly *1* MAC socket. A 15mm deep. It's not so much because I dislike MAC (yeah, the whole Stanley thing), but because I can't afford MAC. Besides, Craftsman and SK have been very good to me. For me, it is a simple case of staying with what works for me.

I have to agree with you, Swift, at least to a point. Don't get me wrong, I very much want to support the American worker. I do believe, however, that the USA no longer has the corner market on quality. I see a lot of nice stuff coming out of Taiwan. And, yes, I own a fair share of it.

Bottom line, some tools are great and some are junk. Read the forums, look at the tool and use your head. Then purchase.

Jst my .02.

-Ed

 

[Swift]

Hey Ed, you hit the nail on the head, when you said that the US no longer has the corner market on quality. Don't get me wrong, the US still in my opinion, make the best tools by far. But the quality of foreign tools, especially Taiwan made are increasing in their performance and quality. Like I've said before, the Gearwrenches are phenominal. Don't know how I did without them before. I've got them all, in regular and short straight, flex heads and angle head reversible. I was wrong about Mac not having a lower line of tools, I had forgotten about their Blackhawk range. My friend has a set of the Blackhawk flex head Gearwrenches from, you guessed it, Taiwan. The main difference is double to triple the price, depending if the Gearwrenches are on sale or not.
If you were to go back 5 or 6 years, not many professional mechanics would even consider using a Taiwan tool. Now, many apprentices are using them with a lot of success, and the old school mechanics are coming around. Ask any mechanic if he or she has a Gearwrench tool and I'll bet most do or plan to. Where will China tools be in 5 to 10 years? Think about it. I used to laugh at Taiwan tools only a few years ago, now I use them in my trade as a mechanic everyday. I even have Ingersoll Rand air tools made in China. And when I started in this trade 18 years ago, I never would have thought of buying any tool from Asia to use on a daily basis. And many shops still have this mentality that if you're not using Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Cornwall or one the other big names then you,re not an ace mechanic. It almost seems like a little bit of brain washing is going on.
It all comes down to the tech at hand. I think most would agree that they would rather have a mechanic that is knowledgeable and has pride in their work, even if they were to use some Asian tools, rather than a mechanic who is negligent and sloppy, but uses only the most expensive US made tools. Bottom line, tools don't make the mechanic.

 

[kartracer55]

. Bottom line, tools don't make the mechanic.

This is true. As for your lurking around on mark Kw, ask some questions and start some threads. Your not gunna learn nearly as much by lurking as you would by posting.

I dont think you see where Im comming from with the whole mac tools thing.

I know mac tools are made in USA, and nobody is doubting thier quality. I dont want to buy them new, because even though they are their own line, Mac is still run bY the same CEO as Stanree and all those other brands, so Buying a mac tools is Still supporting his despicable ***. Its not that the tools are made in taiwan, its that they lied about them. Buying a MAC tool (or any other tool) used is a whole different animal. Im not in anyway supporting the company any more that the original purchaser did. Money was paid to the Stanley corp. Once, and Im only paying they guy who bought them. This way, I still get a good quality tool, but Im not supporting the company. Im helpin a freind in the process as well.

Jim

 

[motorheadjohn]

I don't buy many tools at HF, but without a doubt their blast cabinet is my favorite. Get it on sale, regularly down to $199, don't pay regular price. Be sure to caulk every seam and rivet, or you may end up with leaks. Toss the gun and replace it with a quality item from TP Tools. For the money, it's a damn good cabinet.

Their folding cherry picker has treated me good so far, too, and I did buy their bench-top bender on sale $49 a couple weeks ago and have found more than a few uses for it.

 

[sanddan]

This is somewhat off topic, but could you give me the link to Mark KW? Thanks

Back to topic, my HF tools are-

Blast cabinet (for changes, see above post, I got mine for $169!)
Drill press (Should have go a better one, maybe next time)
HVLP spray gun (use for primer)
Misc air hoses and fittings
Folding autobody parts stands (2 at $19.95 ea)
Car skates (ok for $39.95 a pair)
IR DA sander (total ****)
IR 90 deg air drill (good)
IR 90 deg die grinder (ok)
Drill bit set (total ****)
Tie downs (set of 4 for $9.95)

I am sure I have some other misc stuff. I usually only buy HF tools if I will only use them once or twice. They do have their place.

 

[Bob Kinker]

I buy a lot of tools from HF. So far they are holding up real good.
2 1/2 ton floor jack
5 ton floor jack
engine hoist
Large foll around tool cabinet

4" air grinder ( still working after 10 years
1/2" chuck air drill
various hand tools
set of wheel dollies
And the list goes on

 

[krooser]

Small blast cabinet...leaks at the gaskets....Hammer drill...broke after 10 holes in concrete...chop saw...used twice and the switch failed...numerous other bad experiences with Chinese/Indian/Korean products. Not to be snooty but I've quit buying cheap Chinese junk...mostly made by poor folks making 50 cents per hour in dangerous factories with no regard for worker safety or environmental damage...just my two cents.

 

[Coach James]

Krooser, your description

of Chinese factories sounds like American factories at the start of our industrial revolution.

Does anyone besides me think the Indian made tools at HF are worse then the Chinese/Taiwan tools?

 

[BOSS351C]

I also usually only buy tools at HF that I use "once in a while". I find them usefull when I need a specialty tool for one or two jobs and the "good" version of the tool is too expensive. There are several places around here that sell the MIT and Gripp branded tools as well, and they are usually less than HF, just smaller selection.

Here are my HF tool opinions:

Large bearing seperator= junk, used it once and bent it all to hell

6 ton jack stands=work just fine. really if the welds are sound, what can go wrong?

number/letter stamping dies=no problems

Auto Darkening welding helmet=best thing HF sells. I love it. $50

55lb anvil= barely worth the $30, top/horn is not hardend. raw cast iron, edges of surface chip easily. I worry every time I hit it.

2 ton engine hoist = plan to buy one this weekend. Like jack stands if the welds are sound, should be good to go. I am however planning on the jack going bad sooner rather than later. Everything I've looked at in the $250 and down range locally seem to be exactly the same unit, so I'm going with the $150 one.

 

[Cebby]

I got this bar bender for 1/2 off:

It has worked great for making misc brackets.


Also got this vise for my drill press:

Happy with this also.


I think this is the only HF hand tool I have. It's an airhammer attachment - needle scaler:

I've only played around with it, but I got it to take the rust of my truck frame. Hoping it works well.

 

[rodnok1]

6 pack of gloves are great deal, bench grinder and stand, 1 inch drive socket set, impact sockets. Have good deals on Name brand sawz-all blades sometimes. Welding blankets are decent priced too

 

[eschoendorff]

Yes. I do. The best of the import stuff at HF seems to be the items made in Taiwan. Just an observation.

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah since when did india become a manufacturing country? china has the capabilities to produce decent stuff (sata hand tools, not to be confused with Sata paint guns) but typically oyu pay top $ for them.

When I htink of india, I think of doctors, and 7-11, not tools or car parts (GM)

Jim