HF tools that suck

[bota7800]

I have generally been dissatisfied with most of my HF purchases so I don't bother any more.

Rotary Air Sander- 2 First one quit prepping a horse trailer for repainting. Second one (no, I think it was it the third) worked OK to complete the job.

Hand Sledge - 1 Handle came loose within 20 hits. Replaced by HF (the staff at my local store are pretty good). The handle on the replacement came loose in 4 hits. I rehandled it myself and it has been working for a couple years since.

I have a long list of tools that I have been unhappy with and a short list of tools I have liked.

 

[Skyco]

Bought a DELL laptop computer for the wife's Chrismas present. It came in a box marked in wee tiny print, "Made in China". Thank's Mr Dell. Makes me think of that salsa commercial, where they string up the guy that brings salsa made in New York, City. If you follow my meaning....

That was probably the box that was made in China....


I've got a bunch of Dells between work and home....they are all made in Malaysia
I don't know that Dell has ever made personal computers in the US if that was what you were expecting......

 

[Squeak n Itch]

Is it just me or do others have trouble actually finding the stuff they are looking for. If I have the part # in hand they can tell me that they have the item but little beyond that. Sorta like hide and seek I guess.

Good junk or bad junk --- it is still fun to just wander and dream, then usually I find something I can use.

 

[Builder]

Do any of you ever look in the local trading papers for used tools that were US, Japan or European built?

Usually you can find used, older name brand tools for pennies on the dollar that people are trying to unload that'll far outlast new HF tools.

 

[Nasty135]

Ahh YES!!! I too have been disappointed by HF... By the shear joy and excitement of breaking in (pun intended) my new double flaring tool... ... First use on a (what else) Brake line...

I have always been leary of buying anything electrical from them so that was a non issue..Thankfully... grinding disc's & sand paper is a safe bet...

I did get my beam trolley from them for my PHD, shown in picture, But the Airhose retracting reel (hard to see in pic) came from Northern...No complaints yet...

 

[Skyco]

Is it just me or do others have trouble actually finding the stuff they are looking for. If I have the part # in hand they can tell me that they have the item but little beyond that. Sorta like hide and seek I guess.

Good junk or bad junk --- it is still fun to just wander and dream, then usually I find something I can use.

Nope it is not just you. I was in Saturday and was looking to pick up a set of 3/8 sockets and ratchet to leave in the wife's car just in case. They had 30 but couldn't find them. They weren't hanging on the socket aisle with the 1/4 and 1/2 sets just like it...go figure. Finally as I was leaving with my other purchases a guy ran out in the parking lot and hollered they found them

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Is it just me or do others have trouble actually finding the stuff they are looking for. If I have the part # in hand they can tell me that they have the item but little beyond that. Sorta like hide and seek I guess.

Good junk or bad junk --- it is still fun to just wander and dream, then usually I find something I can use.

I wonder if they do that on purpose. It's like an Easter egg hunt for grown men.

 

[3RRL]

That was probably the box that was made in China....


I've got a bunch of Dells between work and home....they are all made in Malaysia
I don't know that Dell has ever made personal computers in the US if that was what you were expecting......

Hahaha, that's funny.

OK, here's my list. I bought a bunch of tools to use at camp in case I needed them. I didn't expect much performance from them but got them anyway.
Using your rating system...

3lb hand sledge hammer-9 or 10
Chisel set- 2
Small 10" band saw-4 (8 after I fixed it)
Portable Hand held band saw-1 (7 after I fixed it)
Portable dust collector-3 (6 after I fixed it)
$16 battery operated drill-8 (pretty good especially for the price)
$16 4-1/2" Angle grinder-8
12" compound miter saw-8 pretty good
portable rotating laser level-3
Sae and Metric open end wrenches-8
Sae and Metric deep impact sockets-9 very good
6" dial caliper-10 measures perfect.

 

[AchingBack]

OK. Good idea.

Junk items are;

Hole saw set... rating-1 Ok if drilling lard
Air grease gun...rating-3 just lame
Puller set...rating-2 lasted 1 time per size


These are all that come to mind.

Sorry I missed this post. These are just the tools I've been needing. The last time I drilled lard the pig died. Guess I needed a sharper saw.

 

[rcrcomputing]

Hmmm, monday may be a bad day.. After hearing the name "harbor frieght" on this site so much, thursday, I placed an order for lot's of items..

1 924-6VGA 6.99
12 PC. FILE & RASP SET
1 45732-1VGA 4.99
32 PC. METRIC HYDRAULIC GREASE FITTINGS
1 92226-1VGA 19.99
WALL MOUNTED STORAGE BIN SYSTEM
1 93258-4VGA 12.99
1.5 AMP ONBOARD BATTERY CHARGER
1 96777-2VGA 9.99
Pack of 4 20 Ft. Sanding Paper Rolls
1 94030-4VGA 5.99
DUMMY SECURITY CAMERA
1 91851-0VGA 49.99
Weatherproof Color Security Camera with Night Vision