Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

I suspect they just flipped the picture of a regular right-handed one.

I expect that's what it is, an over enthusiastic brand manager playing with Photoshop, copying in the non-reversed Portland text on to a reversed product photo.

I first saw the left handed photo in the 'Black Friday Preview' with two product numbers, 64497 and 64498, but only the 97 appears if you search HF on 64498.

Then it gets weird. I brought up the Owner's Manual for 64498. It differs from the 64497: page 8 has a Certification next to the product specs: intertek 3123921. A Google search on that (pdf download) shows this Certification # is valid but it applies to a 'horizontal axis small wind turbine'.

Ok, enough HF weirdness for today.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I've been buying left handed screwdrivers there for years.

Are those those old left handed monkey wrenches?

Ron

 

[Travelover]

Are those those old left handed monkey wrenches?

Ron

I think all monkeys are right handed.

 

[fried1765]

I think all monkeys are right handed.

Not sure that albino Monkeys are right handed.

 

[Oaktree]

It was actually an employee in management that told me that this is a common practice and one that he recommends. The cost of the warranty is actually higher than the actual cost of the entire tool to HF. So your not actually hurting the bottom line, and your a happy customer who is eager to come back and buy more products.

Still sounds kind of dishonest to me. I consider warranty replacement to be something done if a product is defective, not just because the customer wants a free new one.

As the 2019 unfolds the Bauer line is going to explode and completely replace the Chicago line. To a lesser degree, the Hercules line is going to increase over the next year. I do plan to stick with the Hercules line and as new tools release, I'll buy them. That will allow me to maintain solidarity of battery styles.

Harbor Freight wants to fill the void created by the failure of Sears. They want to be the every man's tool store. I'm buying the highest end of the HF every man tools.

If that's their plan, they have an uphill battle. Craftsman tools were known for quality and a good warranty (on hand tools) from day one while HF's rep is for cheap throwaway tools. I'm sure they're trying to change that image, but IMHO the jury is still out.
Also, in Sears' heyday there weren't many other options for a good selection of decent-quality tools, now they're everywhere from chain auto parts stores to big box home centers (Lowes, HD, etc.)

Am I the only one who finds their new product lines a bit confusing? Why so many new lines, and which is which?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I've been buying left handed screwdrivers there for years.

Ever notice that many crescent wrenches are metric on one side and standard on the other. Seriously.

 

[D2Cat]

Ever notice that many crescent wrenches are metric on one side and standard on the other. Seriously.

Crescent is the brand. You're speaking of "open end adjustable wrench" in generalities.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Crescent is the brand. You're speaking of "open end adjustable wrench" in generalities.

yes, and I've been guilty of drinking a "coke" that wasn't actually a coca cola too.

 

[D2Cat]

And a Skill Saw that may have been a different brand of circular saw.

 

[4570Man]

Ever notice that many crescent wrenches are metric on one side and standard on the other. Seriously.

Klein adjustable wrenches are the best I’ve found and somewhat affordable. Has anyone found something better?