Tool Quality

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46
Location
Mobile, AL
I'm always scouting around for new or better toys, while keeping in mind that I'm on a budget (grrrrr). Just wondering what the quality is on the tools from HF. I've been there a few times and they seem to have some pretty good deals, but I'd like to get some outside opinions first.
 
It all 'depends'.

In general, the simpler the tool, the more likely it is to be acceptable.

I.e., a Jack Stand is likely to be of 'ok' quality.

Whereas a power tool, like a table saw, or anything that requires precision, is going to be questionable.

That being said, I do love going to the local harbor freight and looking for bargains...

If it's a few dollars, Meh, It might be ok. More that that, do some serious google searches. There are a few gems from time to time and some lemons.

Let's see, I've got some HF chain hoists that work very well.
I've got a set of HF Transfer punches that do exactly what I want.
I've bought HF jackstands and jacks that work quite well...
I've got a set of HF HSS Turning Tools I bought for learning how to sharpen turning tools. They seem to work ok for that and I'm not all that nervous about grinding an 1/8th of an inch to put a new profile on them.

I did buy a slow speed wet grinder from them once that was a disappointment.


So, Like I said, Do your homework on the Internet first and don't let the cheap price trick you into wasting your hard earned bucks...
 
Bill,

You know the saying "ya get what you pay for", right? In my opinion that speaks volumes. I've bought a few small tools there and they've been ok. I've looked at some of the power stuff and I just can't do it. Everything is a function of what you have to have and what you can live with though. I'm one who prefers to buy a good tool once and likely not need to replace it. My father-in-law was the opposite as was my grandfather. They spent the least possible to get the immediate need resolved. Neither way is right or wrong. Just what fits you best.

Regards,
 
In my experience, Harbor Freight is hit or miss, sometimes even with the same item. For example. I have a HF right angle drill that gets a lot of use and has stood up well. Stu got one of the identical drills (I bought them both at the same time and shipped one to him) that didn't last a month. My HF dust collector (souped-up with a decent cartridge filter) has worked great for me, although I did have to replace the on-off switch a couple months ago. I've also put a lot of miles on a HF Forstner bit set, but it's about worn out now. I've had other things like air filter/water separators for my air lines that have shown more mixed success. Some have worked fine and others have been junk right out of the box.
 
Don't get me started on my Delta Dust Collector that had the start capacitor go up in flames on me...

It was stuck in a corner of my shop and I was lucky to hit it with a fire extinquisher before the whole house went up!.

Fortunately, I got it quickly and the part was cheap and easy to replace, but even 'quality' brands can sometimes have QC issues.

So basically, you pay your money and take your chances.

If you go with a good brand name though, their customer service may prove to be worth the extra cost, should something go wrong.
 
I like the deals on the expendables that HF sells,....
Wire ties, automotive electrical crimp connectors, electrical tape
and alike. :thumb:

I have bought some Ingersoll Rand 1/2" & 3/8" drive impact sockets
from them that are holding up well. I have had a set of long handled
pry bars by Pittsburgh Tool that has held up a long time.
I bought an air scraper, 1/2" air impact gun and air drills
that has been through some pretty ruff jobs over the years.

As far as hand power tools? ... Nah, no thanks.
I think if I had a really dirty nasty job to do, I would
consider one of the cheap power tools as a sacrifice power tool
to save on my good power tool.

I have bought a few smaller bar clamps at about $2 bucks apiece.
They work reasonably well, but you really have to look them over
for defects before you buy them. at $2 bucks apiece I couldn't resist.

Hand tools wrenches ETC, Nah, I value my knuckles too much! ;)
 
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Odd ball items that may get used only once or twice a year are OK. Generally, I avoid things that are powered. I know I may be missing the occasional very good deal but without better knowledge of the item in question, I would rather err on the side of caution. That said, their stores are fun to shop in, I almost always buy a couple gadgets.
 
I've bought a few things from HF, clamps, wrenches, HSS lathe bits, drill bits, a brad/staple gun, air hose fittings and a few others. Most have held up nicely. Like others have said, most of what I have I don't use that much. The brad/staple gun I picked up on sale for $10 has done everything I've asked it to, but I've only used it 6 or 7 times in the 2 yrs I've owned it. The HSS lathe bit sets I've bought there have been used up/replaced twice, but at $3 for 3 bits my oland and hollowing tools keep going and going and...The best thing is if you have one local there return policy is quite good if you do have a problem.
 
I usually walk in that place with a skeptical eye. But, over the years, i have bought some tools there - some good, some junk. Recently, i picked up a bunch of 18" squeeze clamps for $10 each. I've been using them on some casework i'm building and am really impressed. They're every bit as good as a pair of Irwins i've got - almost as nice as a pair of Jorgensens i've had for many years now. I've heard good things about their drill presses and dust collectors too.
That said, i won't be buying any mechanics tools from them again. I had a small set of box end wrenches. Two of them broke off during use, allowing me to drive my fist (still clenching the tool handle) into a nearby chunk of metal. I've also split open a socket or two from them. Definitely not worth it.
paulh
 
Again as others have said, very hit and miss. I bought a chainsaw chain sharpener, plastic but used it for two years, at $6.00 a sharpening per chain, it more than paid for itself. Dad bought a couple of hammerdrills for some cement work, the first one did the 3/4 of the job while the contractors went through two DeWalts getting his 1/4 completed. Dad gave me the second one (wanted the "good" one!) as the other new one will most likely be like Stu's. Have bought tools for the tractors (no problem if lost in the field) and for the girl's first tool boxes. They have their place but wouldn't plan on them for earning a living from.
 
Same story here; there are some diamonds in the rough. Items I have experience with:

- Large spring clamps are as good as any and half the cost of most
(the 2" spring clamps I get at HD for a buck).
- hand screws are as good as most and go on sale dirt-cheap several times a year.
- f-clamps often have poor faces and many are unusable in a WWing shop but, choose carefully and they aren't that bad.
- angle clamps have worked fine for me.
- acid brushes are fine as disposable glue applicators.
- bench brushes are better than ones I've paid much more for and often go on sale for a buck or so.
- small brush sets are great for cutter cleaning and go on sale dirt cheap.
- parts bins have worked out surprisingly well and go on sale for about $6 a set.
- heat gun goes on sale for $10 now and again and refuses to die.
- thier hard rubber 1/4 sheet sanding blocks work better than more expensive ones I've tried and go on sale for about a buck.
- their disposable gloves are worthless to me, they tear too easily to really amount to any savings over Costco's better quality gloves.

I avoid most of their measuring devices as none have proved reliable except these which I use in places I don't want my good ones lying around (go on sale for under a buck all the time).

I avoid most of their motorized tools although their cheap-o sawzall and right angle drill I bought to get me through one job have yet to die. They run rough and jerk around like they are going to explode any moment but they keep on running. I figure I have gotten so much more use out of them than I paid for that when they finally die I will feel a grudging respect for the crummy beasts.

I avoid any of their cutters (drills, router bits saw blades) or abrasives; absolute cheap-niz. You can watch them wear out without even using them.

I am sure there is more and I had no idea there was this much till I started listing it ;-) A great place for that cheap tool you need once or don't want to bend over to pick up if you drop it. There are diamonds in the rough however that are quite the bargain.
 
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Be selective and you'll be OK. There is much of what they sell that I wouldn't have in my shop, but there is some good stuff for the price. I've been very satisfied with the HVLP detail sprayer, pin nailer, clamps, handscrews and assorted other items that I've taken a good look at first.
 
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