Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

crazyal · Sep 4, 2010

I did a search for the circular blade sharpener and a Chinese company popped up. Just for fun I clicked on it and if you buy 300 of the sharpeners they'll sell them to you for $33 each. I suspect if you buy larger quantities you get even more of a discount so HF probably pays less than half the cost they sell them for.

1-3-2-4 · Sep 4, 2010

One of those factory china places that have been popping up all over on search engines?

But you have to factor in HF labels and addresses and SKU numbers and all that.. I'm sure it's next to nothing but I wonder how that works out.

Iplayfarmer · Sep 4, 2010

I'd bet that HF deals factory direct. They're likely paying less than half of that $33 the import brokers are quoting. I know the guy that invented Klim snowmobile gear. He has factories in China that make the stuff for him, and I know he pays almost nothing for the gear. It's pretty good workmanship too.

crazyal · Sep 4, 2010

Iplayfarmer said:
I'd bet that HF deals factory direct. They're likely paying less than half of that $33 the import brokers are quoting. I know the guy that invented Klim snowmobile gear. He has factories in China that make the stuff for him, and I know he pays almost nothing for the gear. It's pretty good workmanship too.

I'm sure if I can find a price like that with in minutes then you know HF must do much better. I suspect that when you see someone on eBay selling tools they buy from brokers like I found. Plus they buy a wide range of things from the same factory so filling a shipping container is easy for them also saving money.

jianetti · Sep 6, 2010

Not really a reply, but just got the HF wireless inspection camera. It was on sale and I used a 20% coupon, plus I had a $50 Visa gift card that I won in a drawing, so really, not a bad deal when it was all over, and it works very well. The detachable color lcd is a nice touch. I looked at the Milwaukee and some others online, but decided on the HF 'cause it was cheaper (They're all made in China anyway.). I think the HF one is the only one with the detachable lcd.

On another note, I'm thinking you might want to supplement that birthday dust mop with a new clothesline cord, just to be safe.

Gale Hawkins · Sep 9, 2010

92801 Rotary Laser Level checked out OK this evening on the layout for the new two story Classic Manor Buildings storage build with a lean-to.

The rotating head means one person can level OK and pull all of his own measurements

The first time leveling the X/Y took a few minutes to figure out which way to roll the knobs for the desired results but now it is nearly level for a new set-up. Leveling the tripod is simple because you just slide one leg in or out. an adjust screw would be preferred but we are talking $1200 for a professional auto leveling rotary laser level and a few hundred for a lower end one.

The 92801 was on sale for $50 and the 20% coupon maded it $40.

It will be great for water ways and knowing how much work it will be to prep the shop location when that time comes, etc.

It some reviews it got slammed over have hard it was to set up but if one has ever used a bubble level it is hard at all. It claims to be within 1/4 inch of level over 33'.

At this point the Harbor Freight 92801 Rotary Laser Level is a keeper at $40.

sixdogs · Sep 9, 2010

1-3-2-4 said:
has anyone tried the HF 5 gal portable air tank?

I got pissed when I picked up a 7 gal from autozone new and unopened and went to fill it with air and the pressure reading was still at 0 PSI when I had 90 psi in the tank.. I returned it.

Yes. I have one. Works fine but not a lot of air.
Be careful of the gauge, I cracked the plastic lens on mine.

beemerphile · Sep 21, 2010

I bought a Harbor Freight spring compressor for suspension struts because I didn't want to spend the NAPA price and I barely managed to dive out of the way when the thing came apart and put a piece of shrapnel through a sheetrock wall beside me.

I have a general rule not to buy anything else from a company that almost kills me.

StewartGA1 · Sep 21, 2010

Take it from a 15 years of turning wrenchs, Ingersoll Rand the best all around air tools. You get what you pay for. You can find them at Northern tool.