Do you buy tools from Harbor Freight? Free stuff and more.

[e9999]

you may already know this, and if so disregard the following, but for other folks I thought I'd mention that you may have seen big full page ads from HF in many gearheads-oriented magazines, like 4x4 mags etc. Well, besides the specific coupons, there is of course the nice 20% off coupon there, which works on anything. Interestingly, it seems like that works (sometimes? depends on cashier?) on top of other coupons, or at least it did for me. Eh, 20% not bad if you buy something a bit more expensive than the usual $2 wrench. There are expiration dates on those coupons but if you get a new mag every month you have a continuous supply. Buy one big tool and you got the 4x4 mag subscription cost saved...

I thought I knew all about those coupons so I didn't look at the pages very carefully any more until the other day when I saw by accident a coupon for a free flashlight. This is the 9 LED one. Not high quality stuff but quite nice for $3 or so. I did buy several earlier that I have stashed around the garage and in various vehicles for emergencies. Sure enough, when I was there, they just gave me one. And nicely, the latest ad I saw has the free light too. Looks like I'm gonna get meself some more lights...

And while I'm at it, they'll match prices, in particular from their own web site so I always check for online sales before going to a store. Sure enough, last time I got a $30 item that was on sale in the store for $20 for $10 the online sale price instead. Not bad.

I think they also have a lifetime warranty on handtools now.

Hope this saves you a buck or 2.



And yea yea, we know, Snap-ons are much better, what real men use etc etc...

 

[Ebag333]

I tend to go to HF a lot. Wish I could afford Snap-on, Craftsman, etc, but in reality I can only afford what I can. Especially hard to justify it when it's a tool I'll use, abuse, and probably lose at some point.

 

[Joe_E]

I got a 2 ton engine crane there on sale with a coupon at HF for $139.99
Couldn't beat that deal with a stick.
I can't find a thing wrong with it. Pretty heavy duty built for being chinese.

 

[PAToyota]

The Parade magazine in the Sunday paper here has been having the HF coupon page. Every time I go past the store I stop in for a flashlight...

I've got a few around the house, a few around the shop, in the vehicles... Now I'm handing them out to the neighborhood kids...

 

[e9999]

The Parade magazine in the Sunday paper here has been having the HF coupon page. Every time I go past the store I stop in for a flashlight...

I've got a few around the house, a few around the shop, in the vehicles... Now I'm handing them out to the neighborhood kids...

whoah! that's even better. Good to know. Now to get ahold of sunday papers...

 

[CruisinGA]

Hit or miss. I don't usually buy tools there unless it's something really simple that should be cheap, or I know it's a decent product.

Example- the auto A/C refrigerant gauge set they sell is a great deal, I have used mine a lot and other than the hi-pressure knob cracking, it is holding up well.

 

[fj40charles]

I've heard good things about HF brand of solid welding wire. This is the one that is made in Italy. Their flux core wire is supposed to be bad.

 

[CruisinGA]

I've heard good things about HF brand of solid welding wire. This is the one that is made in Italy. Their flux core wire is supposed to be bad.

Good to know. I would have never bought welding wire from harbor freight without a recommendation. I'll have to give a spool a try.

 

[calstyl2]

HF has made some really big strides recently in quality, they are selling a 72" rolling tool box for 1500$ that is the exact model that Craftsman is selling for 3500$, their ratchets used to be total crap, checked out their latest ones and they are as good as my Craftsman pro ratchets, I would say that you have to look at each item and decide for yourself but they have improved leaps and bounds, most of the stores are far better layed out than five years ago too.

 

[PAToyota]

whoah! that's even better. Good to know. Now to get ahold of sunday papers...

I subscribe to just the Sunday paper - don't have time to read it the rest of the week. Brings me up to date on some things I don't see online and the grocery coupons pay for the subscription a few times over.

HF has made some really big strides recently in quality, they are selling a 72" rolling tool box

I've been eyeing their toolboxes. They aren't bad.

 

[Ebag333]

they have improved leaps and bounds

x2

I think they're getting pickier about what they carry. I've noticed they're discontinuing most of the garbage stuff, and as a result some of their prices are going up (or at least the cheapest prices going away). I've also noticed a lot of stuff which seems to be identical to name brand equipment, where as before it'd be an obvious knockoff (similar design/look, but obviously a copy).

 

[patpend2000]

My rule for HB is don't buy anything unless it can be used as a hammer when it breaks, because eventually everything from them breaks

 

[IH8Wood]

I got a 2 ton engine crane there on sale with a coupon at HF for $139.99
Couldn't beat that deal with a stick.
I can't find a thing wrong with it. Pretty heavy duty built for being chinese.

I bought the same engine hoist for the same price and I agree it seems pretty stout. It was a PITA to assemble because the bolts where not labeled, I had to use a micrometer and ruler to figure out what went where. I was one bolt short (something like a 14mm x 110mm grade 8). Went back to the store. No more stock to pull from. Store manager was very cool and gave me $40 cash back. Trip to my local indy hardware store and I'm good to go. This was my first trip to HF. Sales people where nice and helpful, no weird vibes or attitude, but I still don't plan on frequenting it. Too much of there stuff looks crappy. I hope my engine crane isn't made out of depleted uranium.

 

[nicholastheczar]

I bought the same shop crane. Like you said, assembly was a PITA because now instructions for where any bolts went, but it went together and used it to remove and install my SBC 350 in my 40 as well as other things while doing my restomod. Worked like a champ and sold it 10 months later for about 20 less than I paid for it. Not bad.

Nick

 

[pillguy]

The only thing I would not buy is the HF 4.5" grinder. They are too dangerous with their on off switch and losing control. It cost me some skin off my finger. I was lucky.

 

[madinal]

Guys, you can google harbor freight coupons and print your own 20% off coupon. I have several in my wallet and everything I buy from them, I buy with a coupon. The cashiers just take it, mark the item down and then tear up the coupon.

 

[calstyl2]

For the folks with the engine hoists, I upgraded the hydro cylinder to a air/hydro ram, much nicer and was 60$ with 20% coupon..............well worth it.

 

[Joe_E]

I bought the same engine hoist for the same price and I agree it seems pretty stout. It was a PITA to assemble because the bolts where not labeled, I has to use a micrometer and ruler to figure out what went where. I was one bolt short (something like a 14mm x 110mm grade 8). Went back to the store. No more stock to pull from. Store manager was very cool and gave me $40 cash back. Trip to my local indy hardware store and I'm good to go. This was my first trip to HF. Sales people where nice and helpful, no weird vibes or attitude, but I still don't plan on frequenting it. Too much of there stuff looks crappy. I hope my engine crane isn't made out of depleted uranium.

Ha, so true. The bolts were indeed a little tough to figure out.

 

[Skystar]

I have those flashlights all over the house! I find myself checking harbor freight for tools more than sears recently. Last week I got a decent puller set that helped me separate my transfer case from my 4 speed, it was under $10 and I used the 20% coupon, and another free flashlight. Saved me a day of pounding and crowbar action.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Sign up for their mailing list, you get a flier once a month with coupons that they don't publish elsewhere.