shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
- 80,287
- 17,080
- 136
CZroe
Lifer
- Jun 24, 2001
- 24,195
- 857
- 126
I'm on my fourth HF/Pittsburgh 40-peice socket set and one of the sockets split open on a nut so I need to exchange it for a 5th. The other all stopped ratcheting after the first use.
My low-profile aluminum rear motorcycle stand has a mangled screw that could only be tightened from the nut on the other side. Also, the assembly instructions only covered the already assembled parts! The other HF motorcycle stand I bought along with the front fork adapters keeps dropping the bike (barely caught it once when I had the front tire removed) and there are no instuctions for lifting the front. Just "see fork adapters for instructions" and the fork adapters only include warranty literature. I've exchanged them as well due to a bent tire (welded on crooked) so it wasn't just mine.
Their stuff is CHEAP but sometimes it's the only option. They have a $16 chain breaker that supposedly gets the job done while every place else has some elaborate kit for $70 + (ignoring Cycle Gear's current $30 promo). It just a simple little thing with no rivet or press tools/functions and it even got a "What the hell kind of cheap chain breaker is that?!" response froma real motorcycle mechanic, so I kinda doubt the "heavy duty" label on the package.
I've been more surprised by the things they DON'T have. Like, why don't they have a cheap plastic oil drain pan with a sealing lid for transport? All they have are little open tubs. I went to Autozone and got a 10qt "Blitz" brand one for $8. Wal-Mart charges $20 for a much smaller Blitz brand one. That said, the lid keeps popping off and getting oil everywhere, so it doesn't have to come from HF to be crappy.
My low-profile aluminum rear motorcycle stand has a mangled screw that could only be tightened from the nut on the other side. Also, the assembly instructions only covered the already assembled parts! The other HF motorcycle stand I bought along with the front fork adapters keeps dropping the bike (barely caught it once when I had the front tire removed) and there are no instuctions for lifting the front. Just "see fork adapters for instructions" and the fork adapters only include warranty literature. I've exchanged them as well due to a bent tire (welded on crooked) so it wasn't just mine.
Their stuff is CHEAP but sometimes it's the only option. They have a $16 chain breaker that supposedly gets the job done while every place else has some elaborate kit for $70 + (ignoring Cycle Gear's current $30 promo). It just a simple little thing with no rivet or press tools/functions and it even got a "What the hell kind of cheap chain breaker is that?!" response froma real motorcycle mechanic, so I kinda doubt the "heavy duty" label on the package.
I've been more surprised by the things they DON'T have. Like, why don't they have a cheap plastic oil drain pan with a sealing lid for transport? All they have are little open tubs. I went to Autozone and got a 10qt "Blitz" brand one for $8. Wal-Mart charges $20 for a much smaller Blitz brand one. That said, the lid keeps popping off and getting oil everywhere, so it doesn't have to come from HF to be crappy.
Something that doesn't appear to have been mentioned at a glance, is that most of harbor freights hand tools have a lifetime warranty on them. I have a mix of mostly craftsman for my normal hand tools, but the oddball, seldom used tools are mostly from harbor freight.
BoomerD
No Lifer
- Feb 26, 2006
- 65,603
- 13,981
- 146
In my experience, Harbor Freight tools are about the same or worse than the "generic Chinese crap from Autozone, etc." While HF does sell some quality, name brand stuff, their "house brands" are all cheap Chinese crap.
Sadly, many of the Craftsman tools are now being made in China...and IMO, are just not worth buying.
If you want quality hand tools, without buying Snap-on tools and their prices...
take a look at S&K tools and Wright tools. Both companies still make their stuff in the USA and are VERY high quality. Reliable tools are worth a higher price. If you've ever had an open-end wrench spread and slip while you were working in an engine compartment...and a busted knuckle as the result, you'll agree.
Miramonti
Lifer
- Aug 26, 2000
- 28,651
- 100
- 91
I've bought a lot of stuff at HF, including a foldable trailer, a saws-all, an electric brad nailer...lots of sh!t at ridiculously low prices.
But I don't use this stuff often at all, so the lower quality has never been a problem.
If you can get a craftsman deal like that, you should never consider HF regardless of price. Especially for 'primary tools' like sockets and wrenches!
But I don't use this stuff often at all, so the lower quality has never been a problem.
If you can get a craftsman deal like that, you should never consider HF regardless of price. Especially for 'primary tools' like sockets and wrenches!
Their ratcheting flex-head combo wrenches are pretty good, I hear.
Also their 3/8" and 1/2" torque wrenches are supposed to be pretty accurate as well.
Also their 3/8" and 1/2" torque wrenches are supposed to be pretty accurate as well.
Some HF tools are very good quality, but if that is a Craftmen set at that price go for it instead.
edit: I can see see just by the hammer that it is a cheap HF tool set.
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the hammer should be OK.
the small crescent wrench should be OK.
the vise grip should be OK.
the needlenose & other pliars should be OK.
the open end & box wrenches might leave you wanting if you're dealing with a stubborn rusted bolt. if you strip a bolt head, drilling it out may be no fun whatsoever.
you might take the Lord's name in vain and spend Eternity in Hell with Bill Clinton and Amy Winehouse ! ... i often swear when i'm using tools.
the Allen wrenches - it's worth it to have GOOD Allen wrenches.
i would say, overall it's a good deal, but to consider selectively replacing some of the tools on a job-by-job basis.
the small crescent wrench should be OK.
the vise grip should be OK.
the needlenose & other pliars should be OK.
the open end & box wrenches might leave you wanting if you're dealing with a stubborn rusted bolt. if you strip a bolt head, drilling it out may be no fun whatsoever.
you might take the Lord's name in vain and spend Eternity in Hell with Bill Clinton and Amy Winehouse ! ... i often swear when i'm using tools.
the Allen wrenches - it's worth it to have GOOD Allen wrenches.
i would say, overall it's a good deal, but to consider selectively replacing some of the tools on a job-by-job basis.
1sikbITCH
Diamond Member
- Jan 3, 2001
- 4,194
- 574
- 126
I have a feeling that HF buys a lot of the hand tools and smaller stuff in bulk for cheap and then rebrands it. So it's like buying anything else from China. I bought wireless headphones off Ebay for $5.00 and they have worked for 3 years now. I bought a pair of wired speakers for my wife's laptop and they worked for about 20 minutes.
For power tools their "house brand" is Chicago Electric and the heavy duty 3/8" power drill I bought and the rotary tool both still work after a couple years; however I can tell that if I were to take the drill onto a job site and use it in a manner that it was supposedly designed for it would not last until lunch time.
For my limited use, both tools were worth the $19.99 each.
For power tools their "house brand" is Chicago Electric and the heavy duty 3/8" power drill I bought and the rotary tool both still work after a couple years; however I can tell that if I were to take the drill onto a job site and use it in a manner that it was supposedly designed for it would not last until lunch time.
For my limited use, both tools were worth the $19.99 each.
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...From the Garage Journal Forum
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192
Raizinman
Platinum Member
I am a professional Master Mechanic. My tool chest is full of SnapOn, Matco, and Craftsman. I do have some Harbor Freight tools in there too. I purchase HF tools when there is a unique tool that I will rarely use. They have unique automotive tools at easily 1/3 the price or less of SnapOn. My only advice is to choose your tool carefully, and decide how much you intend to use it. Sparingly is OK, but if you are a serious technician, I would go with a higher grade. How much is it worth to you if you purchased a HF 1/2" breaker bar and in trying to remove a bolt, the breaker bar broke sending you to the hospital. Evaluate each product. My home battery charger, air compressor, and much more are all Harbor Freight. It does not need to be any better than that for my occasional home mechanical work.
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