Dargo said:
Patrick, really, I have no low opinion of you because you really like HF.
I really do like HF (much of the time) and I also really like my several Milwaukee power tools, Delta, Senco, Craftsman (well not all that furiously in love with Craftsman in many instances), Ryobi, DeWalt, and on and on. I'm sure I have less money tied up in HF than the others.
What my "LOVE AFFAIR" (if it is fair to call it that) with HF is that I don't always need the best of everything and sometimes HF fits well within the "GOOD ENOUGH" category. I could post on the HF tools that suck thread too.
I don't give blanket approval nor condemnation to a whole store full of stuff because I like or dislike some small percentage of their products. I consider my HF purchases on a case by case basis and evaluate their expected utility and economy to me based on my expected use. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and sometimes not so pleasantly surprised. Overall, I have had a positive experience with more satisfaction than disappointment by far. Without expectation there is no disappointment and I sometimes don't expect a lot from HF goods.
Bottom line is that if it didn't work for me as well as it has I would be much less inclined to spend $ there. There is just a whole lot of the stuff in the store and on-line that I would never buy because it doesn't pass muster with me. They have some stuff that I wouldn't want at 90% off retail and free shipping.
I'm sorry you have had such a negative experience with HF. If I had done as poorly with them as you I would probably not shop there often.
I have some of their heavy clunky Crescent type wrenches up to 18 and 24 inch size. I don't need them very often but I can't see how a better brand would work any better. Maybe be lighter using a stronger alloy but no more than I use them heavy is no big deal AND they are guaranteed forever, instant exchange, no receipt, no hassle. I had a wood working fast clamp break first time I used it. Free exchange, no receipt, no hassle. I have lots of clamps so having one break was not a hold up.
If I think I need to really really depend on something and it is not just an inconvenience if it breaks but a major hassle then I am pretty darned circumspect about what I buy. I have a Warn winch (12,000 lb) on my truck, not a HF.
I do have a couple different sets of Chinese made impact sockets (one set from HF but only driven with cheap Chinese impact tool and air ratchet) and they have lasted for over 10 years. I don't make a living using them every day but I have used them seriously several times.
Pat