harborfreight tools quality?

[cruiser88]

And tough..the ones you listed.

The big floor jack I got from them .....it takes two carry it

I love the new harbor freight add, comparing there tool box to a snap ons! hilarious! I bought a bunch of there tools (floor jack, jack stands, engine stand, cherry picker, c clamps) all work perfect and were great deals.

 

[lordVader]

And tough..the ones you listed.

The big floor jack I got from them .....it takes two carry it

Are you taking about the 3 ton one?
Weights about 90 lbs and costed 89$ before taxes ?

 

[cruiser88]

No not that one....I have that one also. I don't remember the ton rating but the damn thing is like 4 feet long. It was a clearance item. I paid like 120 bucks.

Are you taking about the 3 ton one?
Weights about 90 lbs and costed 89$ before taxes ?

 

[lordVader]

No not that one....I have that one also. I don't remember the ton rating but the damn thing is like 4 feet long. It was a clearance item. I paid like 120 bucks.

cool. yea. so my chicago pneumatic air ratchet that i bought for $19 from HF decided to break today. the dam thing doesn't put out any pressure :/

bah!
how can you even make an air-ratchet that breaks, that thing must be 3 parts

 

[likewelders]

Just got home from HF, they were open on the 4th of July so that was cool.

Happy 4th by the way.

I bought a clearance item, ultrasonic stain remover, for $4.00 and it will not stay on. I changed the batteries that came with it and it is not the batteries. You probably can not get 4 AA batteries for $4 these days. Anyway, all is not perfect at HF.

I will take it back next trip there and get another one. The company I work for imports equipment from China and I know up until about a year ago, we bought from one factory that was always cutting corners, constant problems. We moved to another factory and very few issues and returns are rare. HF probably buys from a number of factories over there. Probably why some of their tools are OK and some are junk.

Like everyone knows, if you are using them to make a living, buy the good stuff.

Have to look for the ad where they compare their tool boxes to snap-on. That would be a good laugh for sure. I would just weigh the two boxes.

 

[Pin_Head]

They are surprisingly good for the price. If they break or wear out, you can just throw them away without crying over it. MY HF angle grinder has outlived my Makita. I remember when I was a kid that people would bag on Japanese tools (and cars) the same way.

 

[tltaylor22]

Funny the China thing has come up. We had a US dealer for the the product we make have an issue with a certian number of the components we started using at the start of the new year. He had heard that we had contracted with a company that designs in the US and manufactures in China so he basically ripped us a new one for the cheap Chinese parts we were using. He listed all the parts that he was having a certian issue with and demanded that we switch to a certian well known US manufacturer of those components. I went through the list and every component he complained about was from the company in California that he wanted us to switch to. The Chinese made parts were blem free and working perfectly. Since that email the US company changed material that we had specified on on of our parts on thier own. This part is now melting in the field as it comes in contact with a solvent and was supposed to be made out the correct material that it had been for 6 years. Frankly I'm fed up with the crap I get from the US. Like was said before, they used to be known for quality. Our new supplier designs here and own the factory there. They have very strict SOPs and have the lowest quality issues of anyone we have ever dealt with. This doesn't translate to HF tools as most are in the Cheap instead of quality catagory, although i have had very good luck with most of them including a water fed metal band saw and a floor mounted drill press. I just hate to see the blanket "Chinese stuff sucks" come into play.

 

[MoJ]

As said above, they have some real crap. A few things that I've bought there for dirt cheap and ended up being happy with:

1. Seal driver set. Perfect for birf jobs. (the one with red case and colored aluminum driver heads)
2. Stubby wrench set. I've used these pretty hard without issue.
3. Terminal pick set. Dirt cheap and the exact same as sold elsewhere for more $.
4. Brass hammer.
5. Brass drifts.
6. Assorted rubber mallets. Sometimes as cheap as .99

All low tech stuff. It's hit and miss. I wouldn't recommend the line wrenches if you're looking for precision.

 

[dogcatch'n]

Funny the China thing has come up. We had a US dealer for the the product we make have an issue with a certian number of the components we started using at the start of the new year. He had heard that we had contracted with a company that designs in the US and manufactures in China so he basically ripped us a new one for the cheap Chinese parts we were using. He listed all the parts that he was having a certian issue with and demanded that we switch to a certian well known US manufacturer of those components. I went through the list and every component he complained about was from the company in California that he wanted us to switch to. The Chinese made parts were blem free and working perfectly. Since that email the US company changed material that we had specified on on of our parts on thier own. This part is now melting in the field as it comes in contact with a solvent and was supposed to be made out the correct material that it had been for 6 years. Frankly I'm fed up with the **** I get from the US. Like was said before, they used to be known for quality. Our new supplier designs here and own the factory there. They have very strict SOPs and have the lowest quality issues of anyone we have ever dealt with. This doesn't translate to HF tools as most are in the Cheap instead of quality catagory, although i have had very good luck with most of them including a water fed metal band saw and a floor mounted drill press. I just hate to see the blanket "Chinese stuff sucks" come into play.

agree....

that being said, " Does anyone have any experience with welders available on HF site"...?

.

 

[likewelders]

agree....

that being said, " Does anyone have any experience with welders available on HF site"...?

.

I picked up a HF MIG 100 unit many years ago. 110 volt AC unit and worked with 15 amps. No gas either.

It was fine for thin metal 1/8" and down. And it worked as expected, no wire feed issues, etc. Not having gas required some cleanup.

I would recommend getting one with gas and 180 amps or better, otherwise you will probably outgrow it pretty fast. Never tried their larger units but the HF MIG 100 worked as well as the MM 130 someone traded me.

 

[85 FJ60]

I bought a sander from them and it seemed to break after hard use. However I always just packed it up an they gave me a new one each time. So if you dont count on it often you can always have a new one with the start at each project

 

[n2hcky]

Their heavier duty tool boxes..."big red ones".....ROCK.
Very well built, thicker steel than craftsman, kobalt, and such.
Ball bearing slides, drawer liners included.
They run the lower chest on sell for as low as $399.....some special sales even down to $349 but only saw that once.
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m43/n2hcky/Tools/?action=view&current=DSCF0241.jpg

 

[e9999]

there are always 20% off coupons floating around for HF. In particular in the 4x4 mags. And on line. These work even on sale items IIRC. If you're gonna get something expensive be sure to use those, it'll save you a ton.

Me, I'm generally happy with HF upon judicious choosing of what's worth buying there. I would not buy a mill there, say. But hammers and what not? sure...

 

[pillguy]

Is this the ultrasonic mole attractor available at harbor freight? What is the exact name? I have a friend who is having trouble with his "ethnic Cleansing Campaign" against his little friends in his back yard...

Thanks

I misspoke a bit. The socket that chapped my ass was a Northern Tool unit.

Totally happy with my fish house 2 burner cooktop. That thing rules!

 

[wxm]

Me, I'm generally happy with HF upon judicious choosing of what's worth buying there. I would not buy a mill there, say. But hammers and what not? sure...

HF is also good source for abrasive and sand papers...

 

[Coastline]

Made in Chinka

If you don't know anyone who is unemployed, then by all means buy all the Chinese imported crap you want. The Chinese need the jobs.

 

[astr]

Are you really getting the quality when buying the US name brand tolls or just paying the price?

I had a Victor regulator on a MIG that started to leak. Went to the local welding supply to buy a kit to fix it but was told that they were not allowed to sell parts to "uncertified" people but they could repair it for around $45. I decided to go ahead.

Of course, I had delayed taking it in until I needed it so I went to HF and purchased a "disposable" regulator for $20. Stuck it on the welder, worked fine. Finally, after about a week, the Victor regulator is ready. Final price tag was $65 cuz "it need some additional parts."

Just for the heck of it, I got out the HF parts break down sheet and to my surprise, they offered a complete "rebuild" kit which included all gaskets, seals, diaphrams, everything that could wear out. Checked on the price - $5 and no certification needed so I ordered one ($10 with shipping).

That was about 5 years ago. The original HF regulator is working fine and now the Victor unit is the backup. Would I buy another Victor regulator? Based on this experience, certainly not!

 

[-Spike-]

I had a Victor regulator on a MIG that started to leak. Went to the local welding supply to buy a kit to fix it but was told that they were not allowed to sell parts to "uncertified" people but they could repair it for around $45. I decided to go ahead.

You got shafted by the supply house. The parts for the Victor are probably available elsewhere much cheaper and no 'certification' needed. I'd never shop there again, and I'd tell them why.

 

[astr]

You got shafted by the supply house. The parts for the Victor are probably available elsewhere much cheaper and no 'certification' needed. I'd never shop there again, and I'd tell them why.

I did tell them my thoughts but I still get my gas there because they are the closest. Before I do buy anything else there, I do my research.

This supply house is locally-owned and has been around for eternity. I would prefer to support local business but now I'm much more cautious.

Regarding HF quality: I've bought stuff from them since the days when they were catalog only - no local stores. One thing I have definitely seen is a steady improvement in quality over the years, especially in the hand tools.

 

[Coolerman]

Hmmm lets see.... I have the $99 (bought for $79 on sale) HF Sand Blaster cabinet. Bought it about 3 years ago.
It worked great for about 3 days then I had to replace the entire blast nozzle assembly as the metal nozzle they supplied was made from pot metal and sort of got eaten away. I replaced it with the one Campbell Hausfield sells that has the replaceable ceramic nozzles and air meters.

Then I had to caulk it completely as it was blowing sand out of every joint in the sheet metal and where anything penetrated the cabinet. Also replaced the door seals with better thicker ones. Then I added a water trap to the back of it along with a pressure gauge and regulator so I could control the air pressure going to the cabinet. Next I had to add an interior light so I could see what I was doing. Then I had to add a baffle to the exhaust port as too much sand was being sucked out the port by my shop vac.
I now finally have a tool that works beautifully.

I also have the HF engine stand and engine hoist. The stand works great as does the hoist except in cold weather then the seals shrink and it will NOT hold the load.

I bought one of those 6hp blue Honda clone engines to use on a old Ariens tiller and to make my own generator out of an old alternator. IF it was painted red you would have trouble telling it apart from a GX series Honda motor. Easy start, powerful and so far after 2 seasons of gardening and all my experiments it still works perfectly. Low oil shutdown also.

My orange HF sawzall still works after 4 years but the darn blade holder screws keep coming loose...

My large HF air filter/regulator for my compressor was assembled incorrectly. After three attempts I finally got it working and it is used to filter/regulate the air to my powder coat system. My small HF regulator/water trap/oiler assembly sucks. It leaks air from the plastic screw on water trap and no amount of tightening will make it quit.

My HF air tools all work perfectly except for the automatic tank drain valve I bought for my Lowes 80 gallon air compressor. It came with a plastic line that was supposed to Tee into the unloader system. On my compressor that section of line gets pretty damn hot and the HF line lasts about 2 days then it melts! I just need to find some high temp line to replace that section.

I agree that the welding wire is crap. Half the time it's oxidized already just sitting on the shelf. They do however have some good cheap welding clamps.

I buy ALL my cut-off wheels and such from them.

Drill bits. Hmmm my experience is they WERE pretty good. My set (29 piece set in red box) is at least 10 years old and I have the Drill Doctor to keep them sharp. No they are not as good as the cobalt set I have from Sears but I can sharpen them easier. I start the hole with the cobalts then step up in size with the HF bits.

I have one of their auto dimming solar powered $49 welding helmets. Very restrictive field of view but it works flawlessly as long as you charge it up a bit before you use it the first time. 5 minutes in the sun or under a shop light and it's good for the rest of the day.