Why buy Harbor Freight?
- Thread starter BirdMobile
- Start date
Cruzingoose
Active member
Have you used the wrenches from India? I'm sure they'll work but for some reason I just can't buy any of them because they look like total ****!
I've had no problems with Indian made wrenches. True, the look bad, but they are hardened. I have yet to strip one out. The fit is a little loose, so not as precise dimensionally as brand names. Cant beat 'em for under the seat toolbox wrenches.
Exceller8
Well-known member
I'm from the school of... if a tools works...So you could put a top chest on top? Probably a better solution would be to go on CL and buy a good old tool box (roller and top chest) for $100.
But the HF carts are nice, but not as a main box (unless you only have a tiny bit of tools). They make a great secondary box.
Moose97
Well-known member
I assume folks buy the HF stuff primarily for the price. If you are just starting out and don't have a lot of money it makes sense to me. When you get a little more established you can move up to better quality. If you might need the tool 3 times in your life I could also see it.
Telling a pro that he's wasting money buying truck brands seems ridiculous. He does it for a living, he should know what he wants. Telling a 20 yr old DIY'er who makes 20K a year to go spend big money on high-end tools seems as bad. HF will do for now and he can upgrade later.
Telling a pro that he's wasting money buying truck brands seems ridiculous. He does it for a living, he should know what he wants. Telling a 20 yr old DIY'er who makes 20K a year to go spend big money on high-end tools seems as bad. HF will do for now and he can upgrade later.
OctoMan
Well-known member
I stay away from that place no matter how cheap stuff is. Bottom line is the cheap guy pays the most. All the stuff I bought there either brakes or is next to useless. I try to buy better quality which is usually available used at a thrift store (Found a bunch of vintage SK, Husky, Cman, Diamond) at the ReStore.
OP
BirdMobile
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2014
- Messages
- 588
I think they're trying to find a middle ground. The new HF ratchets are definitely a step up in quality, and also a bit more expensive.
I personally approve of this direction, I wouldn't buy from them if the quality took a turn for the worse, or if it stayed the same and prices went up.
wafrederick
Well-known member
Some of their air tools are good.I have the 1/4 central pneumatic earthquake air ratchet I purchased from them about 3 years ago and still works.Harbor Freight discontinued it,no longer made.Their impact sockets are made with chrome moly steel,the Pittsburgh pro line.
Kin Creed
Well-known member
For a little more money, Menards Masterforce toolboxes blow the drawers off of Harbor Freight toolboxes. Need to look for a sale though.
Other than that, there is plenty at Harbor Freight to like, especially those darn composite ratchets!
Other than that, there is plenty at Harbor Freight to like, especially those darn composite ratchets!
sberry
Banned
Nobody is robbing you at Menards either, same for Sears but the quality of HF and the like has skyrocketed and it enables a guy to get his feet under himself fast without having to go in to debt. I been doing this all my life with most every brand and in the end its pretty irrelevant to the actual work, I can use any of them.
This is a great bird in the hand deal, for the cost of a premium set of truck wrenches a guy can get enough stuff to do real work with without feeling naked.
I have seen people pounding on it with hammers, done it to a wrench the other day I paid a dollar for and it still works perfect, you couldn't break it by hand. How much better can it be?
Its like Sears, 60 cents a socket, how hard is it to do the math and how big a life risk is it? One months depreciation on a new car for a whole tool set.
This is a great bird in the hand deal, for the cost of a premium set of truck wrenches a guy can get enough stuff to do real work with without feeling naked.
I have seen people pounding on it with hammers, done it to a wrench the other day I paid a dollar for and it still works perfect, you couldn't break it by hand. How much better can it be?
Its like Sears, 60 cents a socket, how hard is it to do the math and how big a life risk is it? One months depreciation on a new car for a whole tool set.
chicane
Well-known member
I have a few items. The aluminum jacks are way above par and their Earthquake impact wrenches are professional grade in my opinion, but most of their hand tools and many of their electric tools are sub par.
I am not giving them a total slam but I prefer to support American made tools when at all possible (Or European tools after that) and don't go their every week like some guys with their 20% coupons just to fill up my box with a bunch of junk.
I am at a point in my life where I can afford better tools so I choose to invest in better tools (usually European). I would rather have a few really well built tools rather than a box filled to the brim with Chinese made ****.
I am not giving them a total slam but I prefer to support American made tools when at all possible (Or European tools after that) and don't go their every week like some guys with their 20% coupons just to fill up my box with a bunch of junk.
I am at a point in my life where I can afford better tools so I choose to invest in better tools (usually European). I would rather have a few really well built tools rather than a box filled to the brim with Chinese made ****.
FMC1959
Well-known member
HF sales shows they definitely have a market. If you look at the 99.9% of the US population that are not GJ members (and tool fanatics), you have apartment & condo dwellers, they need the odd tool that HF easily fills their need.
For homeowners, I have a neighbor down from me (he isn't unique), he has everything done by someone. Gardener for the grass and flowers, snow removal, always see contractor pickups doing whatever in his house. His electrical skills are being able to change a light bulb, automotive skills, he can put air in his tires. He cannot tell the difference between a no name $3 hammer, a $30 Eastwing, or $300 Stiletto, so why would he buy anything more than a $3 hammer? (Even if money is no object for him, hitting his thumb 4 times with a Stiletto would hurt as much or more)
Even myself, among family, friends and even contractors I know, it is not even close, I easily win the "whoever has the most tools wins" game. The vast majority are quality brand names made in the US, Germany, and so on. But I always buy "throw away" tools. Tools I need for a one time use, or tools that the really good quality is exceptionally expensive, for a couple of times I need it, I either rent or get an el cheapo.
HF has a market and place, so for some it is why HF, others it is why not.
For homeowners, I have a neighbor down from me (he isn't unique), he has everything done by someone. Gardener for the grass and flowers, snow removal, always see contractor pickups doing whatever in his house. His electrical skills are being able to change a light bulb, automotive skills, he can put air in his tires. He cannot tell the difference between a no name $3 hammer, a $30 Eastwing, or $300 Stiletto, so why would he buy anything more than a $3 hammer? (Even if money is no object for him, hitting his thumb 4 times with a Stiletto would hurt as much or more)
Even myself, among family, friends and even contractors I know, it is not even close, I easily win the "whoever has the most tools wins" game. The vast majority are quality brand names made in the US, Germany, and so on. But I always buy "throw away" tools. Tools I need for a one time use, or tools that the really good quality is exceptionally expensive, for a couple of times I need it, I either rent or get an el cheapo.
HF has a market and place, so for some it is why HF, others it is why not.