Harbor Freight Tools

Just curious how everyone feels about Harbor Freight Tools? I have purchased a few things from there befor and so far it has been decent stuff no complaints yet. I just can't justify paying that much money for a drill (DeWalt) that you will only use every now and then. We bought almost $600 dollars worth of DeWalt tools for the shop at the company I work for and the dang things didn't make it a month.

 

I havent had any bad experiences with their stuff. I know it's cheap, and I typically buy things that I will only need to use a few times, but I find myself using them more than expected and they have held up.

My favorite is their oil extraction unit. Makes quick work of changing the oil in my boat, hook it up to a compressor, put the probe down the dipstick hole, let her drain. .. No manual pump nonsense.

I also buy their nitrile gloves for dirty work. They hold up great, I keep a few different thicknesses in the garage.

For accuracy items like a Torque wrench, I go with better brand stuff to be sure.

 

Pros. Cheap and sometimes hard to find items.
Cons: Typically low quality items.

As with anything else it's buyer beware. I don't go there for every-day tools, but for that one tool that I need that one time they're fine.

 

Yea, stuff like nitrile gloves are ok to buy there but anything with a motor, spend a bit more and get something that will last. Who only uses a drill a few times?? Really?

 

Honestly, they have the best toolboxes for the money. I tried all of the box store ones before I bought their 56''. They also have some pretty good socket holders too.

 

My future son-in-law has ZERO tools. I just bought him a 3/8" drive socket set that has both SAE and metric sockets including the ratchet for $4.99

Tough to beat that.

 

They should last a lifetime.

 

I've broken their socket (it sheared clear off). Obviously, their is not of the highest quality, but they are good buy. I would not use them in a situation where seriously consequence could result. I would not use their jack stands, winches, tow straps, etc. I would not mind using their wrench set. If anything breaks, I could just get another set for cheap. No harm done.

 

A few things like their bigger/pricier drill press and circular saw I've heard actually do pretty well for home use. IE more than just a couple use, but less than being tossed in a truck taken to different jobsites and used heavy.

Usually if you go look in person, it's easier to get a guess for what's not worth the raw materials it's made out of and which might function ok. Can get more life out of some things actually maintaining it. (Vs my dads ancient compressor that keeps running despite never getting a check up.)

 

I have one of there 3500# winches on my sxs and it has been better so far than the warn I replaced it with. If i ever decide on a front bumper I will probably put one of there winches on my truck. The badlands winches are worth more than they cost in my experience with them.

 

Anyone see their protig is on clearance? If you’re an ITC member you can get it for 40% off or $360+tax. Not sure if it’s worth the money

 

The other benefit of HF is the return policy. If you live close and keep your receipts you can break/wear out a HF tool and exchange it for a new one.

 

Dumb (not electrical) tools have been OK, anything that uses ANY kind of electricity, NO! As an example, in 2006 when I moved to Az, my 80 series Land Cruiser sat& drained the battery, I got a solar trickle charger from HF, it MELTED in the sun as did 3 replacements. I threw it away & gave up the sub 20 bux.

As far as DeWalt, I have a ton of their 20V tools, no issues. WTF did your shop do to them & didn't they get a replacement under warranty?

 

lol, missed the useby date....

 

Temu will eventually take the Harbor out to sea..

But I’ll keep it alive on Tundras.com for now

 

I got a 750 lb. lift for my lawn tractor from HF. Need it to remove/replace blades, etc. Does a great job.

 

The icon tool line is definitely higher quality. I’ve seen tests of the torque wrenches and they’re more accurate than the big names. I own a few and very nice pieces

 

It’s tool specific for me.

hand tools - for the price most are good deals. Why pay more for Craftsman crap for example when Pittsburgh stuff is comparable and cheaper.

Power tools - eh, get what you pay for overall. They offer many good/better/best - buy what you need and budget allows for. No need to spend $$ for a use it once a year tool.

Toolboxes - stuff is good. Again - average person - the middle of the road stuff is good enough to last you. True pros - step up to nicer Icon boxes - it is worth it when you move your box around regularly or need additional storage versus buying 2 or 3 smaller ones.

 

People keep mentioning low quality but their icon lines are comparable to what the Mac and Matco trucks sells. Matco barely makes any of their tools anymore and macs not much better, so a lot of the time their tools come out of the same places. Look up the Daytona Jack vs snap on, same stuff. For something that’s local to most people and good warranty it’s hard to beat.

 

Stayed out of their store for around 6-8 weeks recently and they e mailed me a Manager's 25%off ANY purchase. Not like the BS coupons that don't cover the big ticket items. I probably could have and should have sold it, but no I got suckered in and we both scored. Anyone else get these special offers? I think I saw the same or something similar happen to @texasrho83. Y or N?

 

It's happened to several of us in here, me included. I'm trying to hold out for a couple more weeks so I get another one

 

I have used harbor freight for many hand tools (torque wrenches, impact bits, drill bits, etc…..) and NEVER has an issue with any of them. I have bought an electric hammer drill, an electric planer and a jig saw…..stuff I don’t use that often and haven’t had an issue. For drills and battery powered tools I have stayed with ryobi as I already am battery committed to them. Not sure I would want to change considering the reliability of it. And the Bauer stuff is pretty expensive actually

 

I have a Daytona 3 ton & a transmission jack and the Badlands jack, all quality pieces. I have had engine hoists & stands, all fine. As long as there is no electricity involved, I have had no issues.