Branchchipper
Silver Member
After seeing endless comments on HF tools and sales, I just had to state what seems obvious to me;
Harbor Freight stores smell really awful, and they contain the largest concentration of knock-off junk imaginable...
I am not about to say that I buy nothing from China, but I've drawn the line at HF.
We've been to two different stores- the smell in both was overpowering from the moment we entered; a bit of research indicates that its probably a combination of very poor quality plastic, bad paint and contaminated lubricants.
Common sense says that when a solid or liquid off-gasses for an extended period, it contains unstable compounds. Some of their products and packaging stink for months after they've left the store!
While this problem is not confined to HF, it is the undeniable champion of smelly junk.
Here is a website that attempts to address the odor issue in general terms;
Campaign to Ban Smelly, Chemical-Emitting Plastic from China
In the mean time, you can find much better quality stuff (from China and elsewhere-even USA!) at many stores; Sears, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.
Why would you want to breathe HF air, and bring the odor source back home???? Is it really worth it to save a few pennies?
Harbor Freight stores smell really awful, and they contain the largest concentration of knock-off junk imaginable...
I am not about to say that I buy nothing from China, but I've drawn the line at HF.
We've been to two different stores- the smell in both was overpowering from the moment we entered; a bit of research indicates that its probably a combination of very poor quality plastic, bad paint and contaminated lubricants.
Common sense says that when a solid or liquid off-gasses for an extended period, it contains unstable compounds. Some of their products and packaging stink for months after they've left the store!
While this problem is not confined to HF, it is the undeniable champion of smelly junk.
Here is a website that attempts to address the odor issue in general terms;
Campaign to Ban Smelly, Chemical-Emitting Plastic from China
In the mean time, you can find much better quality stuff (from China and elsewhere-even USA!) at many stores; Sears, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.
Why would you want to breathe HF air, and bring the odor source back home???? Is it really worth it to save a few pennies?