Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[PILOON]

That's half the problem with these discount Chinese tools. If they actually took the feedback and improved the product they actually could make some good stuff. I don't know if it's a distance thing, being that far from where it's sold or a lack of good communication/ translation skills or what.

I agree;
however the purchase quantities involved for many products (read a container full) means the retailer has a years supply to dispose B4 a 'new improved' version can hit the shelves.

Also, from an importer I know, the next batch is never same as the last, (and not always for the better).
Since all Chinese transactions are prepaid or by letter of credit you get to own the goods B4 you get to see them, and only after a number of sales do you start finding the faults.

 

[PapaPerk]

They actually have tools that work and are not junk?! News to me! There's nothing worse than cheap, poorly made tools.

Do yourselves a favor and buy some good tools that will last you the rest of your life... and buy American made when you can to help your fellow man.

 

[Travelover]

I agree;
however the purchase quantities involved for many products (read a container full) means the retailer has a years supply to dispose B4 a 'new improved' version can hit the shelves.

Also, from an importer I know, the next batch is never same as the last, (and not always for the better).
Since all Chinese transactions are prepaid or by letter of credit you get to own the goods B4 you get to see them, and only after a number of sales do you start finding the faults.

This is a good point. Years ago when I was working for MegaMotors, we resourced a driveshaft away from Dana to a Japanese company. They ran a full year's production of shafts and put it on a ship. When it showed up, we tested the driveshaft and the constant velocity joint was too stiff and the truck howled when it went down the road. Guess who had to go back to Dana on bended knee for an emergency production run at a premium price ? I think that poor Japanese supplier committed hari kari.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

Just bought one of their gravity feed hvlp guns #66222. Used it for the first time today. It puts down the paint great! Easy to clean up as well. Anybody wanting to do their own painting on a budget I highly recommend this gun. As I understand it, it's a copy of a Sata #92.

M.D.

 

[leeinMT]

Good advice on the HVLP paint gun. I've been wondering about those.
I recently hit a home run with HF - bought a vibration free link belt to replace the rubber one on my table saw. What a smooth difference. A coin standing edge on doesn't topple over like it did with the rubber belt. Good price - $19 with the 20% coupon which comes to about $3.80 / foot. The regular tool sources sell the same thing for $9 / foot. And it's even American made.

 

[Willl]

And it's even American made.

At a HF store ?

 

[nthrnNYker]

I purchased a towable ride-on trencher a few years back :

Towable Ride-On Trencher

and it was the best 4k I've ever spent.

Yes, it is a cold-blooded beast when the temps drop below 40 F. and requires a quick shot of ether to get it to start up, but once running, it will tear through any job you put to it with ease.

After digging four 2000 gal. septic systems and the associated trenches to run the sewer lines (and innumerous other smaller jobs) the machine is still running strong.

The holes where the pins secure the booms are just beginning to wear a bit, and in a couple three years might require a bit of welding to repair, but I think 5 or 6 years of use for 4k is a pretty good deal.

Other than an oil, filter, and hydraulic fluid change, I have yet to put a penny into this machine.

HF ROCKS !

 

[looknlearn]

HF ROCKS !

Correction: HF's towable ride-on trencher Rocks along with a few selected tools.

I got this 60 Piece Alloy Steel SAE/Metric Tap and Die Set from HF. So far it has worked good but two of the dies are ground wrong. One, the threads are not aligned properly ,so as the make it unusable, and the other just has the dents for the set screws to hold it into the tool ground so they don't line up with the set screws. This is the first tap and die set I have used so I have nothing to compare in regard to performance but it has got the job done if I am using the ones that have no problems. A thing that someone could do is take some bolts and check the set out before you buy.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Correction: HF's towable ride-on trencher Rocks along with a few selected tools.

I got this 60 Piece Alloy Steel SAE/Metric Tap and Die Set from HF. So far it has worked good but two of the dies are ground wrong. One, the threads are not aligned properly ,so as the make it unusable, and the other just has the dents for the set screws to hold it into the tool ground so they don't line up with the set screws. This is the first tap and die set I have used so I have nothing to compare in regard to performance but it has got the job done if I am using the ones that have no problems. A thing that someone could do is take some bolts and check the set out before you buy.

The tap wrenches are junk too. I busted two trying to tap a 1/4" hole. Not one of the better deals @ HF

 

[Dargo]

Nobody's posted it yet???

Well....since I'm one of their premier customers who understands their superior quality, I received a 25% discount coupon in my email from HF! What a deal!! I think I'm going to get me one of those English Wheel thingys. I don't know what I'd use it for, but it looks cool. With that being the case, just looking at it and not using it, I'm sure it will be one of my most durable purchases yet!