Poll for the best value product at HF ?

[SeisMec]

I'll need to take a closer look.
Do you also have flex head ratchets?

I've owned one flex head ratchet - a Craftsman purchased in the 1st half of the '70s. I bought an SK roto head about 1976. Don't think I ever used the flex head afterward. In the '80s and early '90 I was on a seismic field crew and work almost exclusively with company supplied tools out of a truck with a service body. The SK roto head was one exception. Every time I used a company supplied 1/2 flex head, I wished SK made a 1/2" roto head. (Maybe they did and I just never ran across one.)

The guy in this YouTube does a great job of explaining the various advantages of a swivel head over a flex-head in less than 2 minutes.

 

[sberry]

The battery tester.

 

[Ton ton]

They ship right to your door for 7 bucks I think. How much is your time worth?

Thanks for the heads up, pellet man. I learned something new today.

 

[BrandoJames]

My HF Top 3 which I'd recommend to any DIYer:

1. Daytona floor jack.
2. U.S. General toolbox.
3. Doyle pliers.

 

[snickers muncher]

1) cheap 25" breaker bar
2) impact sockets
3) 4 drawer cart because it's usually $140

 

[Brand X]

Their heat gun.. I always wanted something better, like a old school Milwaukee /etc but the $7.99 HF gun just won't die..over ten years old now..

 

[Jacobson]

5 Drawer Mechanic's Cart
Pittsburgh 3 Ton Jack (Heavy Model Pre-Daytona)
Pittsburgh Pro 1/2 inch Breaker Bar
Pittsburgh Pro 1/2 Metric Socket Set

Check.
Check.
Check.
Check.

 

[Jacobson]

The step drills are pretty good

I got one of those cone drill bits to drill holes in plastic.
Works great !

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-q...r-inch-high-speed-steel-step-drill-44460.html

 

[Jacobson]

Thanks for the heads up, pellet man. I learned something new today.

That is why we starts threads and talk tools.
So much to learn. Great thread guys!

 

[Jacobson]

My HF Top 3 which I'd recommend to any DIYer:

1. Daytona floor jack.
2. U.S. General toolbox.
3. Doyle pliers.

Can you elaborate on #3 ?
I rarely use normal pliers.
But I use needlenose often

 

[Jacobson]

Their heat gun.. I always wanted something better, like a old school Milwaukee /etc but the $7.99 HF gun just won't die..over ten years old now..

Killer example.
Lost mine a while back
Will get another one next time.

 

[oldmachinenut]

12” disc sander, I have used it hard for 6 years on only metal and it is still going strong. I think it was $90.00 otd

 

[Firefighter1406]

I think the U.S. General magnetic socket holders are very nice for the $18 w/ 20% coupon along with the Apache cases. (Knock off Pelican)

 

[Jacobson]

I think the U.S. General magnetic socket holders are very nice for the $18 w/ 20% coupon along with the Apache cases. (Knock off Pelican)

I don't need these since my sockets are in a Craftsman mold tray.
My impact sockets go from 12mm to 23mm. Odd lot assembled together.
They roll around so that could use a holder, but they are mixed 3/8 and 1/2

 

[sberry]

Step drills.

 

[sqyards]

the cheap angle grinder with diamond blade been cutting tile with it for about 4 1/2 years (new bladesof course) and hold a wet sponge against it.. it wont die, does make some noises but it works

 

[BrandoJames]

Can you elaborate on #3 ? I rarely use normal pliers. But I use needlenose often

I've got the Doyle channel-locks, needle-nose, and slip-joint pliers. Excellent quality for budget pliers. I first became aware of the HF's Doyle line via YouTube mechanic Justin Dow. Dow noticed that the new HF Doyle pliers looked identical to the MAC pliers he bought 8 years ago.

Dow later issued a quasi retraction for the video--I'm sure he was threatened with a law suit. Dow may be a beer-chugging loudmouth, but I think he was telling the truth and pissed a lot of people off. Check out the video below, where he does a side-by-side comparison. I've owned the Doyle pliers for almost a year now, excellent value.

 

[oldwino]

Their heat gun.. I always wanted something better, like a old school Milwaukee /etc but the $7.99 HF gun just won't die..over ten years old now..

Your luck is better than mine. Toasted two of them in about a year and a half. Have about four years on my DeWalt replacement

 

[928'er]

The smell, ah, the smell...

 

[demarpaint]

I like the 4 ton floor jack, and the 20 ton bottle jack I bought a few years ago from them.

 

[M635_Guy]

Pre-assembled?

I'm wondering how difficult it would be to move the drawer down just below the middle shelf. Looks like it should be very easy.

As @DFB said, not pre-assembled and not truly easy, but not really hard. Just a ton of nuts that (A) need to be left loose a bit, but not too loose because (B) they want to interfere with you putting on the other nuts at the other side of the angle-iron legs.

Ultimately it wasn't hard so much as a little frustrating until the intersection of "loose assembly" and "tight enough" was found for me and it went together fine. I got mine for $79, and am thrilled with it for the $$ spent.

 

[M635_Guy]

I bought this and have never used it.
When you you mostly need this one?




What scenario is this tool for?

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-quick-release-swivel-head-ratchet-96781.html

For me, I LOVE my swivels, especially the 1/4" for when I'm working on my old BMW. Swivel heads are awesome anywhere access/angles are tight, and when I'm working under the hood the ability to pivot straight and spin makes hose clamps and all kinds of stuff way faster and easier. I almost never use my regular 1/4" any more. The 3/8" swivel shares more time with the regular 3/8" and (especially) a 3/8" Milwaukee, but still a valued tool. I like the beefier Icon models (which also have a better handle), but the PPro versions are a great deal, especially with a coupon.

I'll need to take a closer look.
Do you also have flex head ratchets?

Personally, I find flex-head ratchets create strange and occasionally unproductive stress under load. The swivels keep the force up at the head where it belongs.

 

[SeisMec]

As @DFB said, not pre-assembled and not truly easy, but not really hard.

I should have asked @DFB, if his particular unit came pre-assembled. (His price was lower than what I could find in history at HFQPDB - was thinking maybe it was a return or display model.)

What I had in mind was the following design mod:

• Covered top box
• Top shelf
• Drawer
• Bottom shelf

But as DFB said, "The drawer and top box come as one piece". I'm assuming that means they are spot welded together; making my notion less than easy.

 

[Jacobson]

I should have asked @DFB, if his particular unit came pre-assembled. (His price was lower than what I could find in history at HFQPDB - was thinking maybe it was a return or display model.)

Can you tell us more about how you use this site?
Were you able to search a product's price history???
https://www.hfqpdb.com/

 

[Jacobson]

$11 Angle Grinder seems another "grand slam" example of HF value
The next cheapest one anywhere is 3x the price.
Many are 10x to 15x the price.

I have a Craftsman 4.5 so I never got the HF one.
I assume it's junk and dangerous

 

[DFB]

I should have asked @DFB, if his particular unit came pre-assembled. (His price was lower than what I could find in history at HFQPDB - was thinking maybe it was a return or display model.)

What I had in mind was the following design mod:

• Covered top box
• Top shelf
• Drawer
• Bottom shelf

But as DFB said, "The drawer and top box come as one piece". I'm assuming that means they are spot welded together; making my notion less than easy.

No wasn't any type of return or open display but I parlayed a coupon they offered at the time.

YOU can read about that purchase here

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7768053#post7768053

I'm assuming that means they are spot welded together; making my notion less than easy.

The drawer slides themselves are just riveted to the hanging side brackets.

But those formed sides pieces also make up part of main box and are the holes for the side tool holders...but ya all the metal is spot welded.


Sure someone could possibly fab up new side plates and hang them from below the lower shelf or added cross bar and then reattach the drawer slides.

Lot of work involved for an $80 tool box though

I would like to see one of these mechanic carts with a full complement of drawers actually, like two deep drawers added to the existing 4 drawer unit

 

[Jacobson]

Guy on Youtube exposing identical HF Doyle and MAC tools

This looks like an interesting channel.
Good work by this guy.
Tool brands are a dirty high margin branding business.
Good on him.

Who makes MAC tools?
Clearly the same supplier as Doyle.
I wish he weighed them on video.

 

[Fedwrench]

Guy on Youtube exposing identical HF Doyle and MAC tools

This looks like an interesting channel.
Good work by this guy.
Tool brands are a dirty high margin branding business.
Good on him.

Who makes MAC tools?
Clearly the same supplier as Doyle.
I wish he weighed them on video.

Not to hijack your thread but, loudmouth Justin was initially comparing the US made probably by Channellock pliers branded MAC. Those aren't the same as Doyle. What he should of compared were the ten pairs of pliers with a storage bag often sold by MAC, MATCO, and Cornwell on monthly specials. Those pliers alternate being made in Taiwan and China, Peoples Republic of and may very well be the same as Doyle with different colored grips. Now back to your regular programming

 

[Brand X]

Your luck is better than mine. Toasted two of them in about a year and a half. Have about four years on my DeWalt replacement

Mine is really going on 13, now that I think about it..I bought before I moved out of Portland. There is the newer version,maybe I got the vintage unit? I thought it would last a few times,but it has proven me wrong.. Shoot I also bought some Taiwan deep impact sockets, that have seen more use then my Snap-on/Proto stuff. I was highly skeptical of those too.

When HF sold INE solid welding wire I loaded in my C-300 powerwave, and it welded much nicer in it then the Esab Aristo or Lincoln L-56 wire I had in it.. By a mile too..

I bought a wood splitting wedge from them , and would think it would be something that would be stupid to buy from them.. I only bought it because it was made in Germany, and it's been a real good one..

I look at most HF stuff as single use things, but there have been some good surprises because of that..

 

[Jacobson]

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[Gurp]

1/2 impacts
5 drawer cart
301pc mechanics tool set. I worked out of one for a few years when i was younger.

 

[SeisMec]

Can you tell us more about how you use this site?
Were you able to search a product's price history???
https://www.hfqpdb.com/

At the bottom of the home page you'll find a search box labeled Search the database:.

1. Put an item name or an SKU number in the search box and press enter.
   I have much better luck using the SKU number from Harbor Freight's web site.
2. If there is a current coupon, you'll see the Price Change history just below the coupon at the top of the page.
   Like for this 4 Draw Tech cart.
3. If there are only expired coupons - like the Single Draw Tech Cart, you'll have to click on one of the expired coupons to get to the Price Change history

 

[Theruse]

Braun Folding LED light ( I bought a bunch a gave them to my car buds who helped me on my rebuild)

US General Tool box and side box

Lightweight aluminum jack

 

[_brian_]

I do not buy much at all from HF. I have to say though, the Earthquake 3/8 impacting air ratchet (EQ38R) is quite nice. The price has gone up recently, but going to places like eBay can get you one for around $40 is about new condition.

 

[M635_Guy]

I should have asked @DFB, if his particular unit came pre-assembled. (His price was lower than what I could find in history at HFQPDB - was thinking maybe it was a return or display model.)

What I had in mind was the following design mod:

• Covered top box
• Top shelf
• Drawer
• Bottom shelf

But as DFB said, "The drawer and top box come as one piece". I'm assuming that means they are spot welded together; making my notion less than easy.

I think what you've got in mind would require some...deconstruction... of the unit and some fab/welding to provide something for the drawer to attach to.

Possible, but as big a fan as I am of DIY/hack stuff, that sounds like the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

I like the cart a ton though.

 

[Jacobson]

At the bottom of the home page you'll find a search box labeled Search the database:.

Thanks

 

[danielbuck]

I've been wanting a 2nd large (taller than 20") floor jack for a while now, and finally decided to give the HF Daytona "Super duty" jack a try. With the coupon, it was a bit over $200 or so out the door.

I have to say, this thing is quite well made, I generally don't purchase from HF very much, but this Daytona jack seems to be very high quality, especially given the price. Is this a trend among newer HF items? Either way, I have 1/2 a minded to pick up a 2nd one and retire my old original floor jack and use two of these Daytonas.

I'm also happy that the stickers were very easy to peal off. I hate having stickers all over my tools.

 

[Bigbandguy]

For me it has been the basic impact wrench and air ratchets. The old cheap ones. The reason is that I would have never had those without them being cheap. They came right after the 24 gallon Air compressor which is now 20 years old and doing fine. I use those tools once or twice a year but they have been very handy when needed. These are the perfect example of "occasional use" tools and have been a huge value for me.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Predator 212cc. I bought mine a couple months ago for my jon boat mud motor, on sale $94. A Honda is claser to $400, even other "clone" motors are closer to $200.

 

[Danglerb]

99 cent, at least when I last bought one, plastic calipers. I have half a dozen left all over the house and garage, my go to item. Same for the free tape measures.

Breaker bars, and roto head ratchet.

Moving dollies, both sizes, work great for motors and transmissions.