Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[CompactTractorFan]

13 Drawer Red Industrial Quality Roller Cabinet

This should get you there...if not part number is 90320...TMR

Yep, I think that's the one...Now that I think about it, I think my uncle got it for my grandfather...:ashamed:

 

[John_in_TN]

TMR
I bought that HF box back last spring and I am very happy with it!
I store my tools in a dry building, so I see no need for stainless (not knocking them, just don't think it would benefit me).
This box is very heavy but rolls easily. The roller bearing drawer slides are very smooth even when heavily loaded with tools. I did buy mine on sale and while they still allowed the 20% off coupon: even with the 9.75 local tax, I got it out the door for less than $330, but feel it is well worth the current sale price.

 

[chopped]

I have had the same impression as well. Not so long ago it seemed difficult to corner a staff person in order to get help, now they seem to go out of their way to ask if any help is required.
One other thing is that I seem to recall recently a news item reporting some sort of an intergenerational turf war among the HF owners. Something about the older generation being more than a little testy at being put aside, or something to that effect. Accusations against the younger generation of "looting" the company for personal gain etc. Sad stuff indeed. Whether this has any direct effect on service or product quality remains to be seen I guess.

Sounds similiar to Wally World.I can remember when it opened here it had flags everywhere and telling buy USA made..
Now?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:confused2:

 

[ArTrvlr]

When dad was still around and I would say NEVER he would say, "Son NEVER is a mighty long time." :thumbsup:

Harbor Freight will evolve into a premium tool reseller. In some lines they have good and gooder and in time they will add a goodest line.

I am too old enough to remember when Japan stood for cheap toys and stuff. They just used that entrance to move to the higher margin stuff.

Yea, my dad always told me, "Son, NEVER say NEVER!"

This is not just a Harbor Freight thing, this is a made in China thing. For the past few years I have noticed a general quality improvement in Chinese goods. Yea, there is plenty of junk still coming in, but lots of is really getting better. You don't have to go to HF to buy Chinese. There is hardly a major US brand that doesn't have some/most/all of their goods "made in China".

But, having said that, I find it hard to agree that HF will evolve into a "premium" tool reseller. Their stuff may be better than it once was, but I just can't bring myself to put premium and HF together in the same thought

 

[sixdogs]

.......

This is not just a Harbor Freight thing, this is a made in China thing. For the past few years I have noticed a general quality improvement in Chinese goods. Yea, there is plenty of junk still coming in, but lots of is really getting better. You don't have to go to HF to buy Chinese. There is hardly a major US brand that doesn't have some/most/all of their goods "made in China".

But, having said that, I find it hard to agree that HF will evolve into a "premium" tool reseller. Their stuff may be better than it once was, but I just can't bring myself to put premium and HF together in the same thought

China has millions of people now in migration from the country to the cities in search of a better life and higher standard of living.
It's not going to happen with crap products and nearly zero value added to the finished product. The leaders 100% know this lest their heads wind up on spears at the gates.
All developing economies go through this cycle and China will too and their stuff will almost certainly rival Japan in time.
The Chinese are very determined, creative and will do what it takes. Ask a Korean War vet.

For the TBNers, the "golden age" of tool buying will be upon as the quality gradually improves but before the general population realizes what is occuring.

There is no question many of their tools are improving. I'm still not buying electric motors and and most HF stuff, but never say never.
Perhaps the improvement at HF is that they recognize the situation and are in an excellent position to build an intergenerational empire.
Lots of opportunities for the savvy here.
Just my two cents.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

This Chinese tool box at Sams seems like quite a deal if you have space for a 72 incher.
Seville Classics UltraHD 12-Drawer Rolling Workbench - Sam's Club

 

[grsthegreat]

China has millions of people now in migration from the country to the cities in search of a better life and higher standard of living.
It's not going to happen with crap products and nearly zero value added to the finished product. The leaders 100% know this lest their heads wind up on spears at the gates.
All developing economies go through this cycle and China will too and their stuff will almost certainly rival Japan in time.
The Chinese are very determined, creative and will do what it takes. Ask a Korean War vet.

For the TBNers, the "golden age" of tool buying will be upon as the quality gradually improves but before the general population realizes what is occuring.

There is no question many of their tools are improving. I'm still not buying electric motors and and most HF stuff, but never say never.
Perhaps the improvement at HF is that they recognize the situation and are in an excellent position to build an intergenerational empire.
Lots of opportunities for the savvy here.
Just my two cents.

well, i read somewhere recently that the Chinese will make a product to the exact specifications asked by the producer of the goods. if they want a cheaply made product, that's what they get. if they want a quality made product, that's what they will get.

we bought a pre-lit xmas tree from Lowes, GE branded, made in China. the thing is made stoutly, and has worked flawlessly for 4 years now. GE required quality, and they made it that way.

My Jimna wood chipper is VERY well made. very stout and made of heavy plate steel. Ive used it for at least 4 seasons now, and it continues to work great.

I bought a rack of harbor freight drill bits about 5-6 years ago....one of their sale items. The *amn things bent and twisted when used. I guess they never heat treated them. wondered how they could sell them for $5.00

 

[Skyco]

Were those drill bits the black ones? They are lousy and just for wood IMO.
I've had pretty good luck with their gold colored ones although occasionally one of them will be "soft", probably missed a step in the heat treating process.

 

[grsthegreat]

Were those drill bits the black ones? They are lousy and just for wood IMO.
I've had pretty good luck with their gold colored ones although occasionally one of them will be "soft", probably missed a step in the heat treating process.

if i remember they were black. they turned into donuts and pretzels.

then again, i bought a $120.00 drill index at the local tool supply store in town, 2 Years ago....found out later that they are also MADE IN CHINA. But they have lasted and work great.

so...i guess until the USA starts making stuff again here, were bound to keep buying Chinese made stuff.

 

[Dargo]

well, i read somewhere recently that the Chinese will make a product to the exact specifications asked by the producer of the goods. if they want a cheaply made product, that's what they get. if they want a quality made product, that's what they will get.

I'm very much convinced of that. Just because it says "Made in China" doesn't mean it's totally junk. Ha, sort of the reason I go back to Horrible Freight. Just because it came from HF doesn't necessarily mean it's junk.