Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[JRobyn]

Sixdogs, the Costco tarps are probably 3 times the thickness of anything from HF. And have UV stabilizers too, I believe.

 

[KubotainNH]

The smell of evaporating rubber and the hunt for some object we have yet to evaluate brings it's own chase.

LOL, exactly. I dunno what this tool is but it's cool looking and cheap so I need to buy it.

 

[sixdogs]

LOL, exactly. I dunno what this tool is but it's cool looking and cheap so I need to buy it.

Many of my now favorite and useful tools and whatever started out on a lark with "it doesn't cost that much so what do I have to lose"? That's how I discovered the super quality of their paint guns, paint cups, large vibratory cleaner, 55 lb anvil, hammers, pry bars, chip brushes and even blue tarps. I've steered clear of the electrical items so that has saved some angst, but overall it's worked.

HF is now almost a leader in hand tools for other than the Snap-On type market. I bought the recent high polish ones for field and extreme use situations and I hate to say they are my go-to wrenches at the moment. I would have never guessed that. The good old days of the Craftsman tool for cheap and a lifetime warranty is gone.

When this thread was started 10 or more years ago, HF was kind of a red headed stepchild. Now they are driving some parts of the market. Just my two cents.

 

[sixdogs]

Sixdogs, the Costco tarps are probably 3 times the thickness of anything from HF. And have UV stabilizers too, I believe.

And to think it was probably HF that introduced the blue tarp to America and got them in every corner of every city and every town or rural area, no matter how remote. I'll bet in some cases you can see blue tarps from the orbiting space station.

 

[KubotainNH]

Many of my now favorite and useful tools and whatever started out on a lark with "it doesn't cost that much so what do I have to lose"? That's how I discovered the super quality of their paint guns, paint cups, large vibratory cleaner, 55 lb anvil, hammers, pry bars, chip brushes and even blue tarps. I've steered clear of the electrical items so that has saved some angst, but overall it's worked.

HF is now almost a leader in hand tools for other than the Snap-On type market. I bought the recent high polish ones for field and extreme use situations and I hate to say they are my go-to wrenches at the moment. I would have never guessed that. The good old days of the Craftsman tool for cheap and a lifetime warranty is gone.

When this thread was started 10 or more years ago, HF was kind of a red headed stepchild. Now they are driving some parts of the market. Just my two cents.

I stay away from the battery powered tools (FIL had issues with them) but have had decent luck with the ones with power cords. The yellow hammer drill is a beast. I do eat up angle grinders but at $10 a pop with a coupon I can live with that. I have a set of their stubby wrenches that are prettier and more comfy than my Craftsman. Pry bars are great, impact sockets too as is the 24" breaker bar. They've come a long ways but not sure I'd want my car sitting on their jack stands with me under it.

 

[thepumpguysc]

You guys hit the nail on the head..
MY last trip was for a 20.00 hand-held media blaster.. walked out 400.00 later, w/ 2 carts full of "STUFF"..
I felt like Steve Martin in the movie "The Jerk".. "I need this.. I need this.. I need this & that's all I need.. OH, I need this".. Lol

 

[fried1765]

Many of my now favorite and useful tools and whatever started out on a lark with "it doesn't cost that much so what do I have to lose"? That's how I discovered the super quality of their paint guns, paint cups, large vibratory cleaner, 55 lb anvil, hammers, pry bars, chip brushes and even blue tarps. I've steered clear of the electrical items so that has saved some angst, but overall it's worked.

HF is now almost a leader in hand tools for other than the Snap-On type market. I bought the recent high polish ones for field and extreme use situations and I hate to say they are my go-to wrenches at the moment. I would have never guessed that. The good old days of the Craftsman tool for cheap and a lifetime warranty is gone.

When this thread was started 10 or more years ago, HF was kind of a red headed stepchild. Now they are driving some parts of the market. Just my two cents.

As I suggested in an earlier post, I was seriously considering the new design HF Vulcan MigMax 215 welder.
I just did not have the guts to buy it, even with their fantastic one year money back guarantee!
What happens when it fails at 14 months?
It is all electronic (inverter - nice light weight).
Who will fix it? Who will provide the necessary parts?
Oh....I do know that I could buy a one, or a two year, extended warranty, but that ain't cheap.
So then, at the end of 3 years, a broken (out of extended warranty) HF Vulcan welder will be worth what?
Probably,.... nearly zero!
Bought a Hobart Handler 190 (240V) instead. I don't need the dual voltage capability of the Vulcan 215.
I am absolutely certain that Miller/Hobart will ALWAYS be there for me, should I ever need them.

 

[Oaktree]

And to think it was probably HF that introduced the blue tarp to America and got them in every corner of every city and every town or rural area, no matter how remote.

I dunno about that. HF is a relative newcomer to the northeast, it's only been the last couple years or so that they've had much of a presence here. Ocean State Job Lots has long been my "go to" place for cheap tarps (and still has better prices on them).

HF is now almost a leader in hand tools for other than the Snap-On type market. I bought the recent high polish ones for field and extreme use situations and I hate to say they are my go-to wrenches at the moment. I would have never guessed that. The good old days of the Craftsman tool for cheap and a lifetime warranty is gone.

When this thread was started 10 or more years ago, HF was kind of a red headed stepchild. Now they are driving some parts of the market. Just my two cents.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that. Until a few years ago I was only vaguely aware of their existence (and even that was as a mail order outfit). I still wouldn't say they're in the league Craftsman was in their heyday, but they do seem to have better quality than I'd previously associated with them...at this point in my life good enough for 'most anything I need.

I will say I'm very happy they opened a store near me about a year ago. I've picked up any number of tools that are handy to have but couldn't justify the price of a name brand one (framing nailer immediately comes to mind). Yes, they definitely have their place.

Sixdogs, the Costco tarps are probably 3 times the thickness of anything from HF. And have UV stabilizers too, I believe.

Another chain that doesn't have much presence in this part of the country. Not that I have enough need for 5 gallon buckets of ketchup to make the membership fee worthwhile.

 

[jgriffin1720]

not so true in ma, where I'm at I have three hf stores within 20 min and two costco's. And that's in western ma.

 

[4get gto]

I remember the "gypsy" tool guys that used to come around with the tractor trailers. Their tools reminded me a lot of the quality HF had. One of the names that comes to mind is " Cummins".?