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jammer1_gw

Harbor freight tools...........

18 years ago

In the past few months,harbor freight opened a new store in warwick, R.I. ...........since it's only about an hour away ,I decided to check them out: I'm pretty impressed! I bought some long handled cutting pliers,a prybar,and a BIG adjustable wrench(24") and a few other things............everything I got was real decent quality,at about half the price of what you'd normally pay.........I was realy impressed with the pliers though;I've been cutting all kinds of steel wire,and they always make the cut,and still no signs of deforming;.........Since the store is so close,I don't have to pay for shipping,so now I can check out the stuff I see in the catalog,but don't want to pay for shipping,to and from,in case I don't like/want it..........they have a lot of accesories for power tools ..........

Comments (9)

  • 18 years ago

    Most are china made copies and for most homeowners will work just fine. I have alot of the power tools for odd jobs. Heck, alot of other manufactures sell the same makes just under different names. I haven't broke any or busted my knuckles yet. Some of my special tools I'm only use once in a while.

    A few will say they are junk and buy from quality tool manufactures like snap-on and others. I personnally can't justify the cost of some high dollar tools for a couple of uses. Now if I had a business and used them everyday to make a living then that would be different. Some works great for me!

  • 18 years ago

    I don't buy from harbor freight. You get what you pay for. My dad bought 4 electric impact wrenches from there to put up a grain bin. By the end of the first day, all 4 were junk. This isn't hard work for an impact - screwing new nuts onto new 5/16 bolts. Breaking free 5/8 lug nuts that haven't been touched in ten years is real work. We bought a Milwaukee and it lasted through the project and is still in use three years later. Granted, it cost as much as 4 of the crap ones from harbor frieght but it was a much better value in the end.

    Personally, I try to buy American every chance I get, even if it costs 1 1/2 to twice as much. You're buying decisions really do tell the manufacturers what you want. It's getting harder, though. These companies are shirking the point of manufacture labeling. I'll bet 3/4 the stuff in the store is no longer labled or is labeled in micro print on the box and not on the item.

    Sorry, I'm off my soapbox now.

  • 18 years ago

    Although the quality is questionable I am impressed with their assortment of tools. I had a one time job to do on my small electric train and I found the size #0 Phillips head screwdrivers at Harbor Freight. In fact I bought a set of 8 screwdrivers for $3.00 and change. Used that one time and they have hung in my garage ever since but they sure were worth the price.

  • 18 years ago

    I have had very good luck with the Harbor Freight tools but have not tried any power tools from them.

    They have stainless steel putty knives that are superior to any other brands that I own and none of my others are stainless. Stainless putty knives are very hard to find and when you do, one knife costs more than the set of three from Harbor Freight.

    I also have a couple of sets of log racks for firewood. The design of these is very good too and the quality is equal to any of the other brands that I own.

    The 2x4 stands on edge on these rather than flat like many other and this gives more support.

    Harbor Freight nut and bolt and other packages are good too. I doubt that many bolts, washers, etc. are made in America anymore and there is nothing wrong with the ones I bought at Harbor Freight.

    I too try to buy American made tools but finding them is very difficult. I hope that will change after the next election but am not holding my breath. Money from manufacturers seems to buy whatever they want from government.

  • 18 years ago

    I bought one of there electric impact wrenches because I seldome use it and could not justify spending more.After I figured out the rocker switch forward and reverse was wired up backwards it works OK.Guess the kid working in the sweat shop that day just goofed?Nice when you need it and do not have an air supply.

    I also bought one of there Come Alongs when I helped move my sons car home on a trailer from Texas.Needed it to load pull it up on the rented trailer.Its one of the heavier built ones.Actually does not have a laminated gear its one solid metal gear and the whole thing is chromed very well.It was about $60.00 however not the $14.00 short cable type.That would not have worked for my need that day.I needed it in a hurry that day and have never used it since it got the job done and im not sure I will ever use it again?Accutally I think it is very high quality and I was surpised they had it there.

    I think there OK for somethings just depends how often you will be using them.I use hand tools all the time so I do not consider there tools when buying.

  • 18 years ago

    I had some cordless dewalt stuff. well built and works great. BUT, I got tired of replacing the 100 dollar batteries. so I unloaded it at a garage sale for half price. the contractor that got it was happy and I was happy to get rid of them so I wouldn't have to buy them 100 dollar batteries two or three times a year from my inactive use. My cheap sears saw pack with about 4 more fun toys have lasted and the batteries are 1/3 the cost. So, buying the best has it's good points and bad IMO.

  • 18 years ago

    I've got loads of HB stuff, waiting now for a backorder on a an electric chain saw sharpener. I've bought a few cordless screw drivers, and they were real cheap, including the extra battery, but the battery didn't last very long either. I'd rate their cordless tools as good for real light use, but plan on buying (if still available) a replacement battery in a year or so. Other tools, from a tire changer to wrenches are good values for the light use I put them too. I'd like to buy US, but I don't find anything made here now other than cars, I did buy a Chevy Colorado in 2005. Dewalt may be US, I can't say I've ever put my hand on one to look, guess I could next time I'm at Home Depot, I think they carry them.

  • 18 years ago

    Over the years I have had rather good luck with Harbor Freight, I bought from them when they used to send out a circular in an envelope! Their hand tools are good for the money, and when used carefully last reasonably well. I have gotten stuck on an air impact wrench (short life) and a wrench set (soft) that I can recall. Most of their stuff is OK for the money. Probably the best advantage is that I can have a number of items I could not possibly afford if I bought a name brand "quality" tool. I have been pleasantly surprised: my Universal Joint press tool has gotten an awful lot of use and has held up really well. Too bad all those universal joints didn't hold up
    well? Like most everything, you get what you pay for. Used with caution and not abused, most Harbor Freight items have given me good service.

  • 18 years ago

    Bought a 10" wet saw from HF on sale for $199. Needed it for a single job cutting stones for the cap on a retaining wall. Stones were 3" thick and the cut was 13" long. Saw was amazing. Far better quality than I expected. Have since used it for cutting 4" x 4" marble floor tile and it allows cutting of very narrow 1/4" pieces very accurately. Looks very much like the MK saw that sells for about $600. Used the same $29.99 diamond blade from HF for both jobs.