My Harbor Freight Investment

[richfinn]

buying tools that don't break is now wasting money ...if you went in the shops I work in , you would be laughed out of the place with that attitude

Can you explain what you mean? That just reads like a random comment.

Maybe if you quoted who you were arguing with it might be clearer

 

[geologist]

The best mechanic I ever met in my life worked out of a coffee can with a half-assed miss-matched couple of tools. He could fix damn near anything.

 

[camaross]

Agree!

Before I got to know Snap on tools, I honestly thought Craftsman was the best tool manufacture. It took me quite some reading here at the Garagejournal.com to realize that Snap on is better than a lot of the tool brands out there.

I too doubt that the typical high end auto owner would be able to tell the difference. I would think that the image of the shop would be more important than the brand of too used. A clean, well organized shop ran by people in nice clean uniforms using Horror frieght tool will make a better impression than a greasy, messy shop with a service advisor in a dirty tee shirt using all the latest Snappy tools.

 

[plewlandsbob]

It's Johns shop and his money. He can do whatever he wants to! Instead of all this Rubbish, we should all be giving john a pat on the back for working hard and achieving his dream and making a success of it. There are a few jealous guys on here I think.
I think this quote from john, say's it all!

With the new clientele and increase funds I decided to "up" the image of the shop. I feel the new clientele is much aware of tool brands, and I do not need customers walking away because of a name on a box. I also would like to upgrade for myself. A part of me has always missed the "truck brand" tools. I can afford them now and I feel I earned it, and it's time I treat myself. Not to sound too cocky, but to most, I did the impossible, and I deserve to have the high end tools once again.

 

[pipsters]

When the new business owner starts out, they typically live very frugally until they "make it". Then they enjoy the fruits of their labor when they become successful. Looks like John is enjoying that stage.

Hilarious listening to the naysayers this guy went from working out of his small dingy garage to owning his own shpp and working on Lambos in what under 2 years, paying cash for everything? Smart dude! The guys with thousands in just a small Snap-On set up on here will be working for people like him in the future.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Well, over the past few days I have pretty much read through this whole thread and watched all 45 minutes of that video that John posted. I must admit to being one of the people that really busted John’s balls when he started posting this thread. I seem to recall coming up with the name Mao-chanic named John, which I think got me a spanking but it is funny none the less and was said in the spirit of busting balls and not trying to insult or be mean.

I think I have to admit I was wrong, because it looks like he had a pretty damn good plan and stuck with it and it worked. He has a pretty nice shop and definitely has it much sooner than he would have if he was a slave to the tool man. Just shows that where there is a will there is a way.

I have never been 100% anti-HF because I do buy some of their tools and do have the 41” box. I always did prefer truck tools or Craftsman, but have been changing my tune lately. We all know how bad C-man is slipping so now I really don’t see any difference where you buy your tools if they come from Taiwan anyway. If a C-man, Blue-point or Silver Eagle tool is made in Taiwan you might as well save money and buy the Pittsburgh-Pro that was made in Taiwan for a quarter of the price.

I do apologize for being one of the ones that piled on and give you credit for firing back at your detractors. I am a motorcycle tech by trade so I am not always the best on automotive stuff and you even answered some of my questions about my truck and it is obvious you do know what you are doing.

Thanks Mike, I really appreciate that.

 

[holdtherice]

I came across this thread this week while I was doing some research on the 42" HF tool box. I read through the whole thing and caught most of the videos. First, I want to say thanks M N John, for taking the time to share all this. Not only the time, but opening yourself up for criticism from other "pros". Thank you for the description of the HF tools also. Thanks to the OP too for time spent housekeeping.

All that said, I like things neat, orderly and clean in my tool box. Still, it seems a bit unethical to return something for just being dirty or showing normal shop scuffs. It also seems weird on HF part to require the entire set to be returned for a single bad piece. Just my opinion.

I'm not a pro wrench myself, so I can't really justify buying a tool box that costs in the thousands, or tool truck brand tools to use. I have treated myself to some CM tools, they are not the best, but they have a good warranty and Sears is just down the road. I have often wondered how well they would hold up to daily use. You took my idea a step further and did it with HF tools. I have a new respect for HF tools, I only hate I missed out on their 72" cabinet.

Thanks again, and good luck with the new monster shop.

P.S. I think the smell in Harbor Freight comes from all that Chinese grease on the tools, combined with their plastic and packing materials. I'm not kidding.

 

[SpawnedX]

I read this whole thread today. One thing I want to emphatically state is that I doubt some of the people who are hating this hard on HF and John are real techs. Techs don't rate tools on brand, they rate them on capability. I obviously have many truck brand things, many Craftsman things and many HF things. I buy them based on frequency of use, cost versus complexity and personal experience. The Centech Battery Tester that John has? With the 20% coupon I paid somewhere around 65.00 for it, works great, compared to some of the more expensive brands I have compared it with, it's right on.

Not abusing your tools avoids most of them, cheap or not, from breaking. So anyone who makes a comment about how they would pull into a shop and then pull out if the guy had a HF box, or was using some HF tools, good get lost, you are the type of person who thinks they know more than the 15 year veteran Master Tech, ended up breaking everything you tried to fix and then brought us an even bigger headache and tell us we are wrong. Nice knowing ya.

John, excellent, just excellent, in all ways, logical and prose. Also I saw you were looking for a DSM Tech before. This is where my stickler for details side comes out, DSMs refer only to 90-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talons and Plymouth Lasers. Just had to say it, but if you ever have any Mitsubishi questions, feel free to seek me out, that's my area of expertise, and I also happen to be a DSMer.

Thanks for this excellent post.

 

[PT Doc]

Agree!

Before I got to know Snap on tools, I honestly thought Craftsman was the best tool manufacture. It took me quite some reading here at the Garagejournal.com to realize that Snap on is better than a lot of the tool brands out there.

If you thought that and believed it, then it was the best. And then others convinced you that what you believed was wrong? Why?

 

[PT Doc]

I read this whole thread today. One thing I want to emphatically state is that I doubt some of the people who are hating this hard on HF and John are real techs. Techs don't rate tools on brand, they rate them on capability. I obviously have many truck brand things, many Craftsman things and many HF things. I buy them based on frequency of use, cost versus complexity and personal experience. The Centech Battery Tester that John has? With the 20% coupon I paid somewhere around 65.00 for it, works great, compared to some of the more expensive brands I have compared it with, it's right on.

Not abusing your tools avoids most of them, cheap or not, from breaking. So anyone who makes a comment about how they would pull into a shop and then pull out if the guy had a HF box, or was using some HF tools, good get lost, you are the type of person who thinks they know more than the 15 year veteran Master Tech, ended up breaking everything you tried to fix and then brought us an even bigger headache and tell us we are wrong. Nice knowing ya.

John, excellent, just excellent, in all ways, logical and prose. Also I saw you were looking for a DSM Tech before. This is where my stickler for details side comes out, DSMs refer only to 90-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talons and Plymouth Lasers. Just had to say it, but if you ever have any Mitsubishi questions, feel free to seek me out, that's my area of expertise, and I also happen to be a DSMer.

Thanks for this excellent post.

I think he has crossed to the other side of tool brands and has been acquiring truck brand tools.

 

[Exceller8]

If you thought that and believed it, then it was the best. And then others convinced you that what you believed was wrong? Why?

I could never understand that. I will ask the question about what tool is the best when I'm making a new tool purchase. I look at all of the options and then make my choice. I've been very happy with my Craftsman tools for many years and for my needs they are the best. I have a home shop and don't make $$$ from my tools.

I would like to own a nice set of S-K tools but mainly because of the coolness factor and not because my Craftsman are no longer any good.

I will buy whatever tools that suits my needs, but I always try and buy American when I can and only if it's the same or better quality than the import.

 

[Mekhanic1]

hope you're staying dry

 

[TDWendt]

Very good read! And very good video explanations. Will keep an eye here.

 

[Exceller8]

Any updates?

 

[Mickey O]

Any updates?

Yeah, he's buy high end USA made tools now.

 

[Exceller8]

Yeah, he's buy high end USA made tools now.

Yeah, I read that too! I was hoping for some updates.

 

[pipsters]

I'd like to see some updates too I like reading this guys story.

 

[Mickey O]

Yeah, I read that too! I was hoping for some updates.

Here you go, he got some torque wrenches:

 

[Exceller8]

I bought both the standard and metric set of "little big wrenches" and they are an outstanding value. I don't use those sizes very often so saving the $$$ is a big plus for me.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I sold the entire toolbox combo today. Believe it or not for $1000.00, so it's very safe to say buying that box was a good "investment."

 

[nine4gmc]

Major props man, you got your use from it and still got good money back.

 

[biscuit141]

Wow, not bad at all. Can you post some tool and shop updates? I feel out of the loop.

 

[oldldh]

Ya dun gud, Bubba!!!

 

[RedFordTruck]

$1000 for just the box/lockers or were any tools included?

 

[farmall400]

Harbor freight tool boxes hold their value better than a snap on box? lol.

 

[Twiggss]

If you thought that and believed it, then it was the best. And then others convinced you that what you believed was wrong? Why?

the other lemmings jumped off the cliff too.

 

[Skin]

Harbor freight tool boxes hold their value better than a snap on box? lol.

Has to do with street value and what someone feels they're getting for their money. Truck brand boxes are worth about 1/3 to 1/4 their MSRP on the open market so that right there is a huge blow.

 

[Southern]

Everything about this thread made me sad.

 

[celticbhoy]

I remember watching your videos a long time ago while searching for tool box tours on youtube. If i'm totally honest, I thought "who the hell in their right mind needs that many ratchets!" but it definitely was entertaining... I can just imagine someone going up to asking if they can borrow a ratchet, you pull out the drawer of 200 ratchets, ask which one, and the guy goes running/crying to his mom.

 

[blackz26]

I sold the entire toolbox combo today. Believe it or not for $1000.00, so it's very safe to say buying that box was a good "investment."

Only 1k? Why did you sell all that after two years? None the less just shows HF ain't all that bad and if I see someone bash the "junk" I'll refer them to this thread.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Has to do with street value and what someone feels they're getting for their money. Truck brand boxes are worth about 1/3 to 1/4 their MSRP on the open market so that right there is a huge blow.

Not just that...but financing as well. Not everyone has 3-4-5k in their back pocket to pay for a used box. Its not like you can run down to your local credit union/bank and get a "Toolbox Loan".
If you get too close in value to the price of a new one, between easy financing (if thats your thing), color, drawer config, etc.. all come into play. With the HF/CMan/etc boxes...what you see is what you get. No custom colors to drool over, no custom drawer configs, etc.
I'm looking at tool carts now. What I'm seeing for prices used on CL, i'm better off just paying a few extra bucks for a brand new one. Snappy guy will lift gate whichever one I choose right to my home garage. Pay 200.00 less for a used one in a crappy color and use 50.00 of gas to go get it?

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

$1000 no tools, paid around $800 "20% and 25% off coupons"

Ordered a Macsimizer, should be here in 2 weeks, I put an ad on Craigslist thinking I could make a deal in 2 weeks. A guy gave me asking price in 24 hours.

 

[Exceller8]

Not too shabby!

 

[Rico.]

I've just spent a couple of hours reading this entire thread...

All I have to say is... John, you should be very very proud of yourself. You have achieved in
a couple of years what most people only dream about. You have been inspirational to allot
of members on here, and from what I can gather, you're a jolly decent fellow...

... and in a couple more years when you can afford to buy a solid gold diamond encrusted
Snap On socket set with the pocket change you now have, make sure you post a thread on
here about it so all the haters at the start of this thread know that you got it because you
started with a Harbour Freight tool chest full of their tools.

My hat goes off to you Fella...

 

[Exceller8]

I've just spent a couple of hours reading this entire thread...

All I have to say is... John, you should be very very proud of yourself. You have achieved in
a couple of years what most people only dream about. You have been inspirational to allot
of members on here, and from what I can gather, you're a jolly decent fellow...

... and in a couple more years when you can afford to buy a solid gold diamond encrusted
Snap On socket set with the pocket change you now have, make sure you post a thread on
here about it so all the haters at the start of this thread know that you got it because you
started with a Harbour Freight tool chest full of their tools.

My hat goes off to you Fella...

+1 John inspired me to try out a few of the HF tools that I probably wouldn't have before reading this thread.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Last five minutes of that Video was Badass. You actually don't have as many HF tools as I was expecting. I thought you were going to have an entire store there! Definitely have a ton still!

Still sticking with my rainbow brands of tools. I feel that no company makes every tool the best. I like to pick and choose based on value and performance. Craftsman easy to read sockets with Gearwrench 120XP ratchets to Snap-on snap ring pliers. Got a few HF deadblows and flashlight stuff, but not much else that i've kept so far. Performax Tool boxes and precision instruments torque wrenches (not something you probably have ever seen combined before!).

Might have to give a few of their tools a second look, and maybe upgrade them at a later time if I don't like them... for the price...I can always upgrade later

 

[Exceller8]

Last five minutes of that Video was Badass. You actually don't have as many HF tools as I was expecting. I thought you were going to have an entire store there! Definitely have a ton still!

Still sticking with my rainbow brands of tools. I feel that no company makes every tool the best. I like to pick and choose based on value and performance. Craftsman easy to read sockets with Gearwrench 120XP ratchets to Snap-on snap ring pliers. Got a few HF deadblows and flashlight stuff, but not much else that i've kept so far. Performax Tool boxes and precision instruments torque wrenches (not something you probably have ever seen combined before!).

Might have to give a few of their tools a second look, and maybe upgrade them at a later time if I don't like them... for the price...I can always upgrade later

My favorite is probably this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-piece-sae-service-wrench-set-93667.html

I have it in both metric and SAE.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

My favorite is probably this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-piece-sae-service-wrench-set-93667.html

I have it in both metric and SAE.

Yes, I agree they are surprisingly nice.

 

[customh]

Perhaps I shouldn't thread jack but I'm curious what the use of those service wrenches are. Never thought I needed them.

 

[Exceller8]

Perhaps I shouldn't thread jack but I'm curious what the use of those service wrenches are. Never thought I needed them.

I like them because the cover a wide range of the larger size wrenches at a price I can live with. The finish on them isn't fancy but it holds up well and hitting them with a hammer didn't even leave a mark on them. I'm really impressed with the quality for $2 a piece.