Harbor Freight Tools?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 4
From: Norton, MA
Harbor Freight Tools?
Hi everybody. I got an email a day or 2 ago from this place connected to FTE, and since then have noticed a few people on different boards here talking about them. I clicked on their link, and the prices look amazing for what they offer, and I found out there is a store right next to where I live.
The thing is though, I've never heard of them? And the prices that they give on alot of things seem obviously just way too good to be true. They had a 4 and a half inch grinder on there for like ten bucks? It looked exactly like my Mikita without the brand name on it, that I paid like 80$ for? They seem pretty straitforward as far as how they get the prices down, but how many people on here actually buy from them? Is the stuff good? There's a certain value from anything that cheap, but I'm thinking of buying a few things from them right now, and want to know if it's really that good of a place, or just a cheap store that puts out cheap things?
Thanks for your opinions, AleX
The thing is though, I've never heard of them? And the prices that they give on alot of things seem obviously just way too good to be true. They had a 4 and a half inch grinder on there for like ten bucks? It looked exactly like my Mikita without the brand name on it, that I paid like 80$ for? They seem pretty straitforward as far as how they get the prices down, but how many people on here actually buy from them? Is the stuff good? There's a certain value from anything that cheap, but I'm thinking of buying a few things from them right now, and want to know if it's really that good of a place, or just a cheap store that puts out cheap things?
Thanks for your opinions, AleX
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 367
From: Kansas
you get what you pay for....as long as you know that going in, you should be good. there are some good deals and some not-so-good deals.
I buy some things there. Ball joint press was as good as any. I bought a 1/2 drill for 29.00...the first time I used it the handle broke off, it was connected by 2 small screws.
I bought a metric tap and die set...the are good for thread-chasing, but if you really need to cut new threads expect one or two uses only.
I buy some things there. Ball joint press was as good as any. I bought a 1/2 drill for 29.00...the first time I used it the handle broke off, it was connected by 2 small screws.
I bought a metric tap and die set...the are good for thread-chasing, but if you really need to cut new threads expect one or two uses only.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
The grinder is junk and so is a lot of there stuff. But they have some good deals on some good stuff too. There best line of pittsburg wrenches are actually good quality.
I have had a couple sets of the extra long ones and a couple sets of the stubbys.
Their chinese 3/4 drive sockets hold up well even with an impact but the wratchets are strictly junk iron. You just have to walk through and see whats junk and what will work for you. They have some nice test lights at a cheap price too.
I have had a couple sets of the extra long ones and a couple sets of the stubbys.
Their chinese 3/4 drive sockets hold up well even with an impact but the wratchets are strictly junk iron. You just have to walk through and see whats junk and what will work for you. They have some nice test lights at a cheap price too.
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Most everything they sell is made off shore, as long as you don't buy any precision tools with high expectations you'll be okay. Their 4 inch grinders are okay for $10.00 bucks but are not equal to your Mikita, I have a Mikita and three of their Chinese made grinders, I use different grinding wheels and sanding pads on all of them, that way I'm not changing them up all the time and minimizing their usage.
Last edited by BigF350; Feb 23, 2010 at 01:28 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 32
From: Spokane, WA
I go to Harbor Freight all the time for lots of little things.....tarps, cargo straps, jack stands, buffing wheels, parts bins, etc. I would NOT buy their power tools as they're all made in China, and I know my dad has burned out more than his share. He figures that he gets his use out of them for the price, but I just can't stand buying things more than once if I don't have to.
I agree completely with the sentiment that "you get what you pay for", and that as long as you keep away from anything advertised as "precision", or a powertool, you should be fine with them. They've got all sorts of things that have proven useful to me, so I can't badmouth them too much. I'm just weary of what they provide that I know is most likely junk.
I agree completely with the sentiment that "you get what you pay for", and that as long as you keep away from anything advertised as "precision", or a powertool, you should be fine with them. They've got all sorts of things that have proven useful to me, so I can't badmouth them too much. I'm just weary of what they provide that I know is most likely junk.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 4
From: Norton, MA
OK, this all sounds pretty much like what I was thinking, so that works. Kind of dissapointing I can't get a real 10$ Sawzall haha, but I will definitely go there and check out their other stuff. I may buy a jack since they sent a coupon for it, but I'll see what it looks like when I'm there I guess.
Good to know of for some stuff either way though, Thanks for the help!
AleX
Good to know of for some stuff either way though, Thanks for the help!
AleX
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
I have bought several of their hydraulic jacks and have had good luck with the air ones but have had about 50% luck with the straight hydraulic I was reminded of this last week when I grabbed a new looking jack and drove 170 miles to pickup a crewcab I bought and the jack should have been throwed away the first time I tried to use instead of leaveing it in the shop.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: toledo oh
story--my cousin and i were at the junkyard and decided we were going to take some badges off the sides of some trucks. he used his harbor freight pry bar(8" glorified screwdriver with a bent head) and i used a snapon screwdriver. the first badge he went to pry off, snapped his pry bar in half, not the tip, in half. i went to work on it the same way and got it off pretty ezily.....it was held on my mostly glue.... i agree YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 444
Likes: 4
They are great if you need a special tool that you may use 10-20 times. Not the best quality but their stuff will get the job done as long as you don't plan to put it to heavy use.
I have a hydraulic spring compressor that was like 80 bucks. I got it from them. Has come in handy.
I like the brand "Pennsylvania tool". I believe they are a Chinese company :P
I have a hydraulic spring compressor that was like 80 bucks. I got it from them. Has come in handy.
I like the brand "Pennsylvania tool". I believe they are a Chinese company :P
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
Big ruth are you sure the brand is not pittsburg instead of pennsylvania . I don't know about all pittsburg but they have 3 digfferent grades of wrenches and the best ones will take some abuse the others shouldn't even hauled home at any price.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 444
Likes: 4
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of Southern C
I do believe if you check, the full name of the place is "Harbor Freight and Salvage". If you realize it is a cheap tool and treat it that way they are okay, not good, but okay. Also, if you need to cut, weld, or otherwise mutilate a good tool to get a job done, Harbor Freight, here I come!
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 444
Likes: 4
I do believe if you check, the full name of the place is "Harbor Freight and Salvage". If you realize it is a cheap tool and treat it that way they are okay, not good, but okay. Also, if you need to cut, weld, or otherwise mutilate a good tool to get a job done, Harbor Freight, here I come!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 1
If you get on their mailing list you get coupons like every week
HOWEVER check out the magazine racks in the auto mags there are coupons for the same items in your mailer that is CHEAPER.
Wanted to get a cherry picker and every other week i got coupons and the cherry picker was 139
Went to CVS pharmacy and looked through magazines ONLY to find there was a coupon for the exact same item for $99
So Caveat Emptor
Other than that it's good stuff for the money so long as your expectations aren't high.
HOWEVER check out the magazine racks in the auto mags there are coupons for the same items in your mailer that is CHEAPER.
Wanted to get a cherry picker and every other week i got coupons and the cherry picker was 139
Went to CVS pharmacy and looked through magazines ONLY to find there was a coupon for the exact same item for $99
So Caveat Emptor
Other than that it's good stuff for the money so long as your expectations aren't high.
