HF tools that suck

OcalaPat · Aug 22, 2011

Getting here late, but working as a heavy equipment mech for many years I found it better to take a box full of HF tools out on a road call, or to the dump to work on a loader mired in 3 feet of nasty say what. If I lost one Snap-On 9/16 open end and I'm out $$$. If I drop a HF wrench, hardly worth bending over to pick it up:laughing:

HF tools have their place in my box.

California · Aug 22, 2011

Iplayfarmer said:
The other thread has turned out to be a useful, intelligent discussion of pros and cons of various HF options based on real-world first-hand experience from good and objective members of TBN.

This thread only gets the occasional bump from some wisecrack and then is followed by the inevitable rant that includes neither first-hand nor real-world experience.

IPF: Well said!

******** said:
already know the results.

******* said:
this logic escapes me ...

"Don't bother me telling me your experience, I know the answer in my head already. I'll never listen to your experience".

Not so much.

Rhon · Aug 22, 2011

Don't know if you'd consider them hand tools but their shoptowels are nice

Iplayfarmer · Aug 22, 2011

California said:
IPF: Well said!

"Don't bother me telling me your experience, I know the answer in my head already. I'll never listen to your experience".

Not so much.

Thanks for your support. And, I'm glad that it's much more clear now what "conjecture" means.

5030 · Aug 22, 2011

HF does have some good tools, like the torque wrench's that I metioned (but was ignored) previously.

Their 13x40 Geared Head engine Lathe is also a good buy. It's a rebadged Dashin Prince and I have one, have had it for at least 10 years and it's been trouble free, very accurate and dependable. HF's price is what I paid 10 years ago and factoring in inflation and a worthless dollar, it's a fantastic buy plus it's available in 220/1 unlike my 220/3 model.

Their 6x42 x 6 belt/disc sander is also a good buy. It's the same unit that Grizzly sells but costs 2/3rds the price and there is no shipping.

It's relatively easy to pick out the good stuff from the junk, especially at the store.

crazyal · Aug 22, 2011

The simple fact is I can't remember the last HF anything that I've bought that sucked. I'm selective in what I buy but I'm also expanding to include things I never would have in the past (like anything with an electric motor).

People will need to learn that even that the Chinese are becoming better at manufacturing and even the cheap stuff is much better than it was a few years ago. A few years from now it will just be that much better.

But this thread shouldn't be about our personal opinion of HF but one of actual things bought from HF that turned out to be dogs.

Dargo · Aug 22, 2011

I post on the other thread because it's a lot easier to talk about the "one" find rather than the 9 complete pieces of junk you wasted money on to find that one deal. I find I go a LOT less often. It seems the odds are getting REALLY stacked AGAINST finding an HF tool that doesn't suck.

PapaPerk · Aug 22, 2011

OcalaPat said:
loader mired in 3 feet of nasty say what.

ROFL!!!! :laughing:

xtn · Aug 23, 2011

PapaPerk said:
Oh cry me a river. Read the title of this post! "HF tools that suck". The title supports my comment. HF is notorious for selling tools that are "throw away".... typical for many Americans in this day and age.

Buy good quality tools and equipment. Keep them the rest of your life. They are an investment... not disposable like a paper cup or plastic fork!

What I think is hilarious is the cheap folks that buy the junk and then get on here and whine about it! What do you expect?!

I don't think it is hilarious. I'm thankful to benefit from the experience of others. This thread and its sister thread provide me the ability to make more informed decisions where I may have had to learn the hard way otherwise.

To those of you who might have felt belittled by PapaPerk's post, please know that some of us thank you for posting your tool experiences both good and bad. Over time you will have saved me money and/or frustration, and that's a great gift.

BlacknTan · Aug 23, 2011

xtn said:
I don't think it is hilarious. I'm thankful to benefit from the experience of others. This thread and its sister thread provide me the ability to make more informed decisions where I may have had to learn the hard way otherwise.

To those of you who might have felt belittled by PapaPerk's post, please know that some of us thank you for posting your tool experiences both good and bad. Over time you will have saved me money and/or frustration, and that's a great gift.

Quite honestly, if you want to save money and frustration, don't buy HF junk in the first place!

Buy a quality tool .. Quality doesn't cost .. It pays! Like the old saying goes .. "Ya can pay me now, or 'ya can pay me later..."