Something good about Harbor Freight
Moderator: Harold_V
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- Posts: 109
- Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 5:17 pm
- Location: Los Alamitos, CA
Something good about Harbor Freight
We all have heard plenty of bad things about this outfits quality. I can't find anything wrong with them awarding high schools vocational programs $500,000.
Having problems with the image instert but you'll probably find the e-mail in your inbox if you get the brochures.
Mike
Having problems with the image instert but you'll probably find the e-mail in your inbox if you get the brochures.
Mike
- neanderman
- Posts: 896
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:15 pm
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
I think there is another thread on here about them taking quality a bit more seriously.
I've very selectively bought a few things from them -- as with any 'discount' outlet, it's caveat emptor. But some of what they sell is well worth purchasing.
I've very selectively bought a few things from them -- as with any 'discount' outlet, it's caveat emptor. But some of what they sell is well worth purchasing.
Ed
LeBlond Dual Drive, 15x30
US-Burke Millrite MVI
Atlas 618
Files, snips and cold chisels
Proud denizen of the former "Machine Tool Capitol of the World"
LeBlond Dual Drive, 15x30
US-Burke Millrite MVI
Atlas 618
Files, snips and cold chisels
Proud denizen of the former "Machine Tool Capitol of the World"
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
One must come to terms with the fact that they sell things made places besides China. Many years ago I visited a HF store in Portland, Oregon, where I purchased a 50 pound box of glass bead, made in the good ol' USA. The price was right. Very right, in fact!
While some of the products they sell are less than desirable, some things are a real bargain. I'm still very proud of the set of combination wrenches, 1¼" through 2" (set of six) that cost me only $30. Those sizes, at least for me, rarely get used, but they have bailed me out several times, and their quality rivals that of Craftsman wrenches I purchased in the early '60's. How can the average guy justify such things unless the price, as this was, is very low? It is highly unlikely I'd have added wrenches of that size had it not been for the bargain they were.
H
While some of the products they sell are less than desirable, some things are a real bargain. I'm still very proud of the set of combination wrenches, 1¼" through 2" (set of six) that cost me only $30. Those sizes, at least for me, rarely get used, but they have bailed me out several times, and their quality rivals that of Craftsman wrenches I purchased in the early '60's. How can the average guy justify such things unless the price, as this was, is very low? It is highly unlikely I'd have added wrenches of that size had it not been for the bargain they were.
H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
There is a Honda power tool mfg plant near me. I have been told by suppliers that work with both Honda and my mfg plant that the HF predator engines are built at the Honda site.
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
That's one of my rules - if it's a tool I am rarely going to use, I'll have to get it cheap (unless it's something my life may depend on).Harold_V wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2018 2:58 amI'm still very proud of the set of combination wrenches, 1¼" through 2" (set of six) that cost me only $30. Those sizes, at least for me, rarely get used, but they have bailed me out several times, and their quality rivals that of Craftsman wrenches I purchased in the early '60's. How can the average guy justify such things unless the price, as this was, is very low? It is highly unlikely I'd have added wrenches of that size had it not been for the bargain they were.
Their toolboxes are the best value out there. I called them up and asked them to start competing with Lista and Vidmar. We'll see if they go that route.
Their vinyl shop gloves are fantastic, and I can get a box of cheap chip paint brushes there for what a few will set me back at Home Depot. My workshop is partly organized around their plastic storage boxes which can be had for $1.99 on sale:
The oscillating tool cost me twenty bucks and on it's first job saved me probably two hours (cut the job of scraping up 5-year old floor covering to 10 minutes)
If you want to get some real-world opinions on some of ther tools, visit the The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread on GarageJournal.com:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/sho ... hp?t=27192
Steve
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- Location: Los Alamitos, CA
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
I tend to buy stuff i'll only use once at HF. It will likely sit on the shelf until I die afterwards...
- SteveHGraham
- Posts: 7788
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:55 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
I second the recommendation for the Pass/Fail thread. There is no point in pretending everything HF sells is garbage. And some of the garbage can be turned into good tools.
I will never stop recommending HF"s $35 HSS drill index. That price is nearly nothing, compared to $300 or more for American, and the bits work. Even the hinky ones can be sharpened. At least the ones that aren't too small to see!
I will never stop recommending HF"s $35 HSS drill index. That price is nearly nothing, compared to $300 or more for American, and the bits work. Even the hinky ones can be sharpened. At least the ones that aren't too small to see!
A man your age should never wear more than 2 pounds of beads.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
I'm nothing without the extra flash.SteveHGraham wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2018 11:49 am
A man your age should never wear more than 2 pounds of beads.
H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
Proud owner of 108 flashlights, and that is not a typo. When the grandkids act up I threaten them with turning them all on at once.
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
How can you argue with "life warranty"? I found a set of transfer punches and a spin index fixture at HF. I use it all the time. I also have a 1 ton arbor press and a Japanese pull saw that is actually made in Japan. One only has to be scavy when it comes to recognizing value and quality.
Mr.Ron from South Mississippi
- tornitore45
- Posts: 2077
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:24 am
- Location: USA Texas, Austin
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
That is just about the right number to overpower my wife "fetish" for flashlights.Proud owner of 108 flashlights
She keep lifting them from the places I like to have them and stash them where I can never find them.
Mauro Gaetano
in Austin TX
in Austin TX
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- Location: Curtis, WA
Re: Something good about Harbor Freight
I have this transmission jack and it seems to work fine after I replaced a rubber "O" ring at the foot pump to eliminate a leak:
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotiv ... 33884.html
And this engine lift: I did have to replace the wheels though as the bearings in the swivel portion fell out.
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-cap ... 60388.html
Gregg
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotiv ... 33884.html
And this engine lift: I did have to replace the wheels though as the bearings in the swivel portion fell out.
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-cap ... 60388.html
Gregg
Gregg
Just let go of it, it will eventually unplug itself.
Just let go of it, it will eventually unplug itself.