my experiences with Harbor Freight tools has been very positive. It started about ten years ago when I found myself scouring junkyards for old car parts often and carrying a portable box full of Snap On, Mac, etc. and not being comfortable with it. I started building a collection of cheap tools from HF to put in the portable box so that I wouldn't worry so much. Over the years, I have doubled and then tripled my overall tool collection using HF hand tools- wrenches, screwdrivers, and sockets, and more. I stick with their Pittsburgh brand whenever possible because these have a lifetime warranty (as long as you keep the receipt- I have a folder in my file cabinet where I dutifully deposit the receipts after ever purchase). The wrenches and sockets have been great, I could count on one hand how many I've broken over this ten year span and for the price difference compared to the top name brands I think that is stellar. I stick to the impact sockets and for someone who uses and abuses them constantly I think the durability is quite good. The impact sockets are thicker so there are times I have to dip back into my Snap On collection to fit into a tight spot but big deal- $20 for a set vs. $200
Now, the ratchet mechanisms in the socket wrenches aren't real tough, I can break those. I tend to keep Craftsman socket wrenches in my portable boxes for that reason. The screwdrivers are dirt cheap but it's pretty easy to break the handles, so .... eh. The pliers have been decent. A lot of the oddball stuff, specialty tools etc, are hit or miss. There are some things that you really have to pay for quality to get it right, things such as brake line double flare tools. I've bought a few pneumatic tools (die grinder, HVLP spray gun, air saw, etc.) from HF and been pleased with them, I've bought a few electrical tools (drill, battery charger, small band saw, etc.) and have also been pleased with the results. I bought a folding shop crane about 9 years ago and it has hoisted many a big block Mopar engine and still going strong.
I think the bottom line is this:
- if you are a professional and you depend on your hand tools to make a living, invest in the good stuff (Snap On, etc.) for the anchors of your tool collection. You will notice a difference when you use them every day and depend on them
- If you are a hobbyist, Craftsman is where you should start. They are good tools with a good warranty at a good price and you should build your tool collection starting with these.
- as for HF, for either of the cases above I have no problem recommending the HF tools to round out a tool collection, to double or triple up on a particular category of tools, or to use them as I mainly have as what you carry around in your truck and allow other people to "borrow".... you get the idea. Can you depend on them exclusively? Well, yeah..... I guess.... but your experience will be a lot more positive if you don't
That's my two cents on the subject.
