Harbor Freight

noruckus · 03-04-2010, 12:40 AM

Why I like em, so for $152 today I walked out of HF with a new high lift jack and a 4 drawer + tool chest, today was a good day, kudos to those of you that can go Snap On, or Craftsman all the way, majority of my tools are Craftsman, but there comes a time when you just need to go, "cheap" did my home work, and felt that for the money spent, I feel I came out alright, HF has it's time and place, specially for those 1 or 2 time tools that one might need.

k_schutte · 03-04-2010, 01:12 AM

nice... hopefully it is still worth it when the jack gives out and your car smashed against the ground... LOL J/K

I like H.F. for stuff like that but not for power tools or welders, air tools or anything like that. Cheap is good but driving there every other day to replace stuff that breaks just sucks after a while...

pdupler · 03-04-2010, 09:32 AM

Some of their stuff is OK. Not great, but gets the job done. I'm of the same opinion. For a tool that I might use only once in a blue moon, I might consider HF or Northern Tool. I have tho bought a few things at HF and Northern Tool that I felt later were a waste of money and wished I'd bought a Craftsman or better. But I go there frequently to stock up whenever nitrile gloves on sale. Last year I scored a great used Smithy machine for $700, about the same price as those HF 3-in-1 machines but ten times better. If I don't need something right away or for costlier tools, I'll just keep my eye out for good used brand-name stuff.

musgofasta · 03-04-2010, 10:02 AM

I've got that tool cart and it's been well worth it.

HF has its decent products and its crap products.

wayne50f1 · 03-04-2010, 10:10 AM

I especially like their unbreakable bendable drill bits.

Hemikiller · 03-04-2010, 10:12 AM

I -had- a HF jack, it gave up the ghost after about five years of service. Bought a set of the HF car dollies - not worth the metal they were made of. Took two guys to push an engineless shell around on those.

I have a bunch of the 6 ton HF jackstands - no problems there at all, nor with the bead blast cabinet, after I replaced the gun with a USA made piece.

I'll never buy any HF hand tools ever again, haven't since about '95 or so. I have enough scars on my hands from cheap tools that failed at the worst possible moment.

6t9mach1 · 03-04-2010, 10:37 AM

You definitely need to be careful of what you buy at HF, but some of the stuff is a deal for what it is. Tools you are only going to use a couple of times in its life time are just fine to buy at HF. Stay way from their slide hammers and axle pullers however. Ask me how I know

A fine example of Chinese crapsmanship.

sportsroof69 · 03-04-2010, 10:56 AM

HF has the best deal going on dead blow hammers. $3 and it gets the job done. Much better than the $75 Snap On dead blow price, and after all, it's just a hammer

6t9mach1 · 03-04-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportsroof69

HF has the best deal going on dead blow hammers. $3 and it gets the job done. Much better than the $75 Snap On dead blow price, and after all, it's just a hammer

Exactly! Their dead blow hammers are a pretty nice piece and dirt cheap. I use mine all the time.

Ponyman66 · 03-04-2010, 11:59 AM

As with buying anything, caveat emptor. Personally, I hate it that we have an HF and Northern nearby. I go in for one or two little items, but always end up walking out with much more!

The biggest thing I'm very careful with from HF is ANY of their cast metal tools/items. They're generally all made/cast in China. They have a GREAT chance of shattering under pressure. The photo posted by 6T9Mach1 is a perfect example!

67460fastback · 03-04-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemikiller

Bought a set of the HF car dollies - not worth the metal they were made of. Took two guys to push an engineless shell around on those.

Do you know if they were 1000 lb dollies or 1500lb dollies that they have advertised in all the mags for $29.99 with a coupon? I have a raincheck for them from HF, they were out of them when I went there (they offered me the 1000lb ones as a replacement...

), but I haven't paid for them yet... not worth it?

-Greg

pronkie1 · 03-05-2010, 11:21 PM

Harbor Freight headquarters is located here in Camarillo CA .........I drive by it everyday either getting on the freeway or getting off the freeway....They always have a parking lot sale once a month.....Like stated before, cheap is cheap......You get what you pay for ......

MEADOWFERN · 03-05-2010, 11:29 PM

You have to be smart about what you buy there. I've brought home junk, and scored some winners. Certain items, like consumables and a rare seldom used wrench, etc, you can get by, anything mission critical, or for heavy use, NO WAY, your knuckles or your life is worth more than a great deal. My 2¢

68BUCKS · 03-06-2010, 08:08 AM

My son has that same Jack he used fairly often, mainly for his 1,100 pound Race car during the race season. It lasted one season and failed. Use caution.
I like the Tool box.

Maxum96 · 03-06-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne50f1

I especially like their unbreakable bendable drill bits.

Whatever! As I type this I have a hole in my left index finger that goes through my fingernail and comes out the otherside of my finger thanks to a cheap a$$ HF drill bit breaking. Doc says I missed the bone somehow.