Are Harbor Freight tools any good?

[SAWYER]

I was about to buy a 106 piece set from Sears for 49 but saw that HF has one for 34
http://www.harborfreight.com/130-piece-tool-kit-with-case-91507.html?hftref=cj

If these HF tools are like the generic Chinese crap from Autozone ect then not a chance I would buy it

 

[waggy]

they are cheap. but for most stuff around the house they are ok.

I wouldn't get them if you are doing something serious.

edit: for what you linked thats a good deal i got something almost like that myself

 

[kranky]

There is at least one immutable truth: cheap tools are cheap for a reason.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Top quality, I use their equipment and materials in all my critical applications.

 

[bignateyk]

No.

If you are going to be using them very sparingly and very lightly they might work.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Which set were you looking at at Sears. A lot of the cheaper tools all come from China and the same factories.
That being said, I've used tools from Harbor Freight and Northern Tool and for the most part they are ok. They aren't as well finished as craftsman or Snap-On ect, but they're 1/3 the price.

 

[rivan]

There is at least one immutable truth: cheap tools are cheap for a reason.

This. Stuff I buy from there are things like tool chests (better built than the absolute crap at HD/Lowes) and vises. Stuff that I'll probably never stress like a pro, and that my life won't ever depend on.

 

[Saint Nick]

Very high quality. I would trust them to build bridges and other large structures, such as skyscrapers and dog houses.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

There is at least one immutable truth: cheap tools are cheap for a reason.

Because they aren't made by Union labor?

 

[Arkaign]

They are really cheap. It's much like cheap computer components, the more complicated the item, the less likely a very cheaply made component will be worth the hassle.

Now the less complex things, things that don't have a lot of moving parts and won't be put under tremendous stress, that stuff will be fine.

 

[Jeff7]

A memorable one was a Channel-Lock knockoff I got there. It would only remain in the channels if it's being used by a hamster. As soon as you'd try to grip something with it, it would slip right out of the channel.

And their power tools come with a 90 day warranty. Not a year, not 2, not 3...90 days. They're good if you have to use a power tool for a single job that might take only a few days to complete. Any more life than that is purely a bonus.

 

[dabuddha]

They're good for light work. If it's a tool you'll use daily then I wouldn't get it from there. But if it's something you'll use once in awhile (I just bought the oscillating multi something doo hickey power tool from there) it's great. Cost me $25 vs the $100 for the dremel equivalent.

 

[vi edit]

They are fine for sparing use by a casual DIY. Definitely not for anything beyond light use.

 

[SearchMaster]

A memorable one was a Channel-Lock knockoff I got there. It would only remain in the channels if it's being used by a hamster. As soon as you'd try to grip something with it, it would slip right out of the channel.

And their power tools come with a 90 day warranty. Not a year, not 2, not 3...90 days. They're good if you have to use a power tool for a single job that might take only a few days to complete. Any more life than that is purely a bonus.

Pics?

 

[Aharami]

i bought a hammer drill from HF. I used it to successfully make over 400 2" deep holes in concrete (nail down an OSB subfloor into concrete). It is still going strong. Bought a bunch of other items, some things like clamps broke. But the bigger stuff have held up fine

 

[Vette73]

Yes, no, maybe.


They have some good stuff I swear by but other stuff is just junk.

 

[Thump553]

I once ran across a massive forum thread (elsewhere) where people evaluated the merits of various Harbor Freight tools but who knows where I put the bookmark.

My limited experience is most are junk, some are worth it for a very occasional use. The Autozone stuff you are familiar with are probably better quality than HF.

I'd buy the Sears Craftsman-full lifetime warranty is great and they stand behind it and the tools are good by us weekend warriors standpoint.

 

[stargazr]

Some things are ok, and cheaper. I had to get a pair of sawhorses one time. Bought them at Lowe's for around $30 and was pissed to see the exact same item at Harbor Freight for $20.

Also I borrowed a pressure washer from a friend and was very impressed. I never would have trusted them for something like that, and it worked great. Seemed well-made although I never used any others to compare.

Some stuff is crap though, no denying it.

 

[phoenix79]

Honestly, if the sets are comparable pieces, I'd go for the Sears assuming it's the Craftsman, not the cheap Sears brand (they do sell 2 brands now). Craftsman can be abused and if ever broken, walk in and say, "It broke," and they will give you another. I don't think that price difference is enough to make me cheap out, but thats me

 

[Jeraden]

Stuff there is very hit or miss. Some of the power tools are extremely rugged and a great value. Others are junk. Their website actually has some pretty useful reviews of things, so you can kind of use that to weed out the total crap. I have a good number of things from there, and while a few smaller things I bought turned out to be junk, the great majority of the stuff works very well.
Also for bigger stuff, there are almost always 20% off coupons floating around everywhere.

And also, when you buy something, they offer protection plans which are fairly affordable. So if it is an expensive power tool, you can get either a 1 year or 2 year replacement plan on it. And I also think they let you bring stuff back within a week or 2 if you aren't happy with them.

 

[Zebo]

Meh... you get what you pay for. I've never seen a professional tradesmen roll up with that garbage.

I only buy Bosch/Hilti power tools or Stanley proto/snap on/Kline hand tools and I'm an amateur. To much bad experience with cheap junk.

 

[Luzah]

To be quite honest, when I got into diesel mechanics my boss picked up a starter set from H.F over in Morton IL. I broke the breaker bar within a week (no mis-use). The 3/4 ratchet that came with it broke within a month (gears stripped out), and I fractured a 1 1/2" socket using my Snap-On impact gun. They may work for around the house work, but I personally started buying Matco/Snap-On and never had a problem since.

 

[Exterous]

I haven't had any experience with their hand tools but I have had bad luck with cheap tapemeasures, channel locks, screwdriver sets with removable tips and pliers in general and would avoid them

If it were me I would not buy this

 

[lxskllr]

I'd buy the Sears Craftsman-full lifetime warranty is great and they stand behind it and the tools are good by us weekend warriors standpoint.

I'm a big fan of Craftsman tools. They're the best compromise between quality and price. I haven't gotten anything from them in awhile, but I guess that says something too.

Alternatively, flea markets and pawn shops can be a good place for tools. You can get used pro quality tools, at new Chinese junk prices.

 

[Tsaico]

The two experiences that I had with them, is they are pretty junk, and I am vey light DIY. One was a sawzall type recipricating saw, within minutes of cutting, it started to smoke and lose power. The replacement's bit kept popping loose so the blade would get wobbly. The other was a cheap cordelss drill whose battery woudl last about 2-5 minutes. I was using it to disassemble computer cases before recycling, so needless to say, it didn't save me any time beyond a normal screwdriver.

I found cheap, but slightly more expensive alternatives like Ryobi and Rigid to work better for light DIY.