Pittsburgh?
#1
Pittsburgh?
I just got a catalog from Harbor Freight, they have a lot of deals on tools, mainly from Pittsburgh tool company. Has anybody had any experience with this company? They have an apparent life time warranty, so I was just wondering if it is worth the time and money to get some of these tools or if I would be better off getting these things from Snap-On or Cornwell.
#2
If you go on their web-site you might find a retail store in your area so you can see the stuff before you buy. There is no such company called Pittsburg, this is a name they put on their Chinese and Taiwan tools. Chicago electric is another one. The bottom line is they are cheap for a reason. I have found the Pittsburgh Professional (Taiwan) to be good quality. I have been a mechanic for about 6 months professionally and find some of there stuff ok, others junk. The air tools arent too bad. I can't justify spending $30 for a pair of needle nose pliers from snap-off, when Crapsman work just as well for me and less than 1/2 the cost, and I used to use Snap-off when I was in the military years ago, I did like their screwdrivers, but I can get nicer ones cheaper thru Sears.
As long as I don't have to rely on a Harbor Fright tool all day, every day (i.e. Impact wrench) I give it a try.
As long as I don't have to rely on a Harbor Fright tool all day, every day (i.e. Impact wrench) I give it a try.
#3
#4
I bought a 4 piece set awhile back for like $2, I don't use them much but they sure come in handy when I need them. I just got back from there, bought a 10 pc set of stubby metric wrenches for $15 made in India?? They look ok and for the amount I will use them I figure I can't go wrong + they are guaranteed for as long as HF are around haha.
#5
A good wrench makes a ringing sound when it hits the floor. This has everything to do with the carbon content in the steel. I won't buy wrenches or sockets without hearing them ring, the higher the pitch the better. Drives the sales people nuts, great fun!
FWIW, I bought a P.F. 1/2" drive set in the early '80s. The ratchet and breaker bar are long forgotten memories, sockets have taken use and abuse well.
FWIW, I bought a P.F. 1/2" drive set in the early '80s. The ratchet and breaker bar are long forgotten memories, sockets have taken use and abuse well.
#7
I used the lifetime guarentee on "pittsburg" impact sockets once. Busted open a 14mm deepwell, called HF and they sent a new one in a few days.
I am a shadetree mechanic and only buy snap-on, mac, etc as a deal at a garage sale.
I have few tools I like from Harbor Freight but a lot of is cheap because it is junk - not much I would depend upon to make a livin', but for messing around....
I am a shadetree mechanic and only buy snap-on, mac, etc as a deal at a garage sale.
I have few tools I like from Harbor Freight but a lot of is cheap because it is junk - not much I would depend upon to make a livin', but for messing around....
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#13
I guy I work with bought a cheap $5 air hammer with chisels from there, he used it once to remove a suspension bushing, guess what..... it worked and he made back his money and then some on the job. I guess if you can afford to pay those outragous tool truck prices, by all means buy the best stuff.
#14
Harbor tools
I haven't had any experience with any of their tools with moving parts, but I bought a body dent set that came with a couple hammers and almost any shape of dolly that you could need. They are all wrought iron, not flaky cast stuff. The whole set, in a plastic case was $20. That would be hard to beat, anywhere. I have seen stuff in the store that I wouldn't carry home if they gave it to me.
#15
I've used a HF impact gun for 5 years and used it HARD. It just now wearing out and needs to be replaced. I've used it really hard too, wet air, dusty areas, I oil it but not always and not allways enough.
I've never broken a HF socket, ratchet or breaker bar. I have broken a HF slide hammer once, and I've had to do a lot of grinding on a HF pilot bearing puller to make it fit into a 300's pilot bearing.
their screwdrivers make good starting points for bending and grinding into special tools, but are pretty poor for screwdrivers.
I've never broken a HF socket, ratchet or breaker bar. I have broken a HF slide hammer once, and I've had to do a lot of grinding on a HF pilot bearing puller to make it fit into a 300's pilot bearing.
their screwdrivers make good starting points for bending and grinding into special tools, but are pretty poor for screwdrivers.
Last edited by oldhalftons; 09-21-2005 at 11:41 PM.