Harbor Freight tools quality?

[NOCK NOCK]

Especially power tools........Chicago electric, Central Pneumatic, etc.
Have you had good luck with them?

I have usually stayed away from purchasing them, and go with the "you get what you pay for" logic, but curious if I am wrong.  I did recently buy some drill bits, needed an odd size, they broke extremely easy.

[Holg3107]

Completely hit and miss. Their airless paint sprayer is awesome! I have painted 5 houses and 3 fences with it. It costs the same amount as renting one for 2 days so its hard to beat. Their corded tools are fine for the price. Don't touch their cordless stuff with a 10' pole. Ive also had decent luck with their grinder cutting wheels, as well as oscillating tool blades. Drill bits are worth spending the extra money on DeWalt. Also their extension cords are garbage. Had solid luck with a corded drill as well as a corded sawzall.

[Rider]

No luck with them. I tend to stick to Craftsman and Kobalt for hand tools. Prefer Porter Cable for electrical tools.

The Harbor Freight stuff is cheaply made in China crap. Little, if any, quality and even less dependability. I do not trust them enough to use them on my motorcycle.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I've had good luck with a tile saw and saw blades, also a sander - but these were for rough use expected to crap out eventually.

[Jpmiller]

I owned one harbor freight tool box and half the drawers wouldn't open because the slides were installed off square. I worked with a guy for a number of years who would only bug harbor freight because that's all he could afford and he broke and replaced his tools almost weekly.

I wouldn't get any of their stuff.

[quadrafire]

My FIL just installed their 12000lb winch on his truck. We were pulling logs 18 in logs in 15 ft sections up hill. I was pretty impressed.

[Special T]

I've bought a winch hand tools and air powered grinder cut offwheel 1/2"air gun and air chisel. All have worked great for the price. I think Thier air stuff isn't as good or powerful as name brand stuff but for occasional use its not bad. Thier hose clamps suck and have heard to stay away from eletric tools.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Sakko300wsm]

Guess it all depends what you're going to be doing with the tools- in my opinion it's all complete junk! But I also do aluminum fabrication and aluminum boat building - so I really like high quality tools that last

[NRA4LIFE]

I buy their tools if it's something I will only be using occasionally.  I've had pretty good luck with most of their stuff, however some of it was pure garbage.  I got one of their freeby sets of screwdrivers and proceeded to break all of them.

[Curly]

Their nick name isn't "China-Freight" for nothing. 

[BigGoonTuna]

they used to have the best cheap screwdrivers, back when they sold the plain orange handled ones for a buck each.  i have a little flux core wire feed welder and sawzall from there, both are 10+ years old and work fine.

i tend to buy tools there for a job, if they get broke they get replaced with real quality stuff. 

[netcoyote]

When I was 20, I bought good Craftsman tools and still have a lot of them. When I reached geezerdom, I realized even the cheaper tools are likely to outlast me, so I'm buying more HF these days. As others have said, some of their stuff is junk and others are good value. I bought a HF belt sander for a deck project a few years ago. Had to nurse it along at first until I tweeked a few design flaws and it lasted the whole project and is still usable.  Not many would care to debug some of the power tools like I did though.

[SniperDanWA]

Here's the way I do it.  If I can't buy name brand new, I check pawn shops.  If I can't get at a pawn and it's not going to be used daily, weekly or monthly, but irregularly I'll buy HF.  I have a fair amount of one-time tools from them.  If the break, so be it.  I do buy the extended warranty, which is cheap insurance.  I've returned very few tools.  I've broken very few tools.  I'm not afraid to use them nd use them hard either.  I have air tools, electric, hand, etc.  for a few bucks, I outfit many of the vehicles.  Again, cheap insurance when needed.  With 4 vehicles, 1 travel trailer and 1 utility trailer, I can leave the tools in the vehicle.  If stole, so what.

That said, I love my Craftsman tools.  I've had then for over 20 years and they have been replaced free when broken.

[Stein]

I have done pretty well, but I usually only buy stuff I will occasionally use.  I have a bench top drill press I bought for $49 about 15 years ago and it works perfect.  I just bought an air nailer and nails for 1/3 to 1/4 the cost somewhere else (find coupons and shop sales).  The boards didn't seem to mind the nails or gun were cheap.

Stuff that breaks easily I avoid like c-clamps and wooden handle hammers.

[trophyelk6x6]

Hit and miss is very accurate, I still have a 8000 winch that works great, several Chicago air tools still working but air shearers broke a bolt/pin within 3 hrs use. They take this stuff back and offer cheap warranties so a non professional occasional use guy can get by.  I have also bought a 20 dollar 18v drill driver and had it run for years but like most everything else the battery dies and quits charging and cost more than the drill. 

[jrebel]

Totally depends on what you are buying.  Some stuff is pretty decent stuff for the price....other stuff is pretty much junk.  I bought a couple magnet strips and they are simply amazing.  Screwed them to my work benk and start hanging tools.   

[cooltimber]

stay away from their 4 in grinders, even with a warranty. save the gas  returning them.

[jeffro]

Most of the stuff I buy there is considered throw away or for one job and give away to one of my laborers.
The only things I've held onto are an engine hoist and a 10k floor jack
I won't trust my life or fingers to either, but neither  has failed me in 10 years

[heronblu]

Absolute garbage. Tools should last more than a few years. I'm a general contractor and I don't go near that stuff. 

[Old Man Yager]

Hit and miss for me too. Like was already posted, if it's an odd ball tool you need for one time use, then buy it, but daily use go with s name brand. Not saying all thier stuff is bad, have had a few good items still in use.

[lokidog]

I have a tile saw that has worked great for a long time, an oscillating multitool that still works after six years, a welder that seems to work fine for my needs, a four inch grinder that finally quit after about 4 years of occasional use (probably just need to stretch the brush springs or replace them), and probably a couple of others I am forgetting. I did buy a drill once that had a very short life.

As mentioned, the bar clamps suck, but other hand tools are great as well as saw blades and sand paper.  I buy safety glasses and ear muffs, and have not bought a new tape measure for years, free is easy to replace. Latex gloves are nicely priced and hammers for $2.99 are hard to beat as well as good prices on Allen wrench sets and impact sockets.  I've had good luck with air tools though a small compressor died after two years.  I bought a cement mixer for 1/3 the price of Home Depot but have not used it yet.

For a daily use tool (saw, drill, sander) I would probably look elsewhere.  I plan on buying a dust collection system one of these days when they are on sale.

I need to get to one soon and buy a new trailer jack. Trailer light kits have worked great as have small tires for a variety of projects.

 

[elksnout]

Pass.

[JJB11B]

I have a tile saw that has worked great for a long time, an oscillating multitool that still works after six years, a welder that seems to work fine for my needs, a four inch grinder that finally quit after about 4 years of occasional use (probably just need to stretch the brush springs or replace them), and probably a couple of others I am forgetting. I did buy a drill once that had a very short life.

As mentioned, the bar clamps suck, but other hand tools are great as well as saw blades and sand paper.  I buy safety glasses and ear muffs, and have not bought a new tape measure for years, free is easy to replace. Latex gloves are nicely priced and hammers for $2.99 are hard to beat as well as good prices on Allen wrench sets and impact sockets.  I've had good luck with air tools though a small compressor died after two years.  I bought a cement mixer for 1/3 the price of Home Depot but have not used it yet.

For a daily use tool (saw, drill, sander) I would probably look elsewhere.  I plan on buying a dust collection system one of these days when they are on sale.

I need to get to one soon and buy a new trailer jack. Trailer light kits have worked great as have small tires for a variety of projects.

 

aren't hammers supposed to be easy to beat? .....IDK something about beating and hammers and stuff

[HntnFsh]

Winches are a great deal for the $s. Look at the reviews online. Impact sockets are hard to beat. I know guys that make their living turning wrenches and the buy HF impacts over Snap-on, S,K etc. I have a floor jack that has treated me very well for a lot of years. Needle guns are pretty good.

What I'm saying is. Some stuff aint worth the $s. Other stuff is a great bargain. Just do your research before spendingthe money.

[Bean Counter]

*tag*  

[bullfisher]

Those little chinese kids can make some pretty good stuff now and then.
My shop burnt to the ground a few years ago and insurance only goes so far. So basically my tool and equipment stock ended up looking like a harbor freight comercial. I can tell you that some of thier stuff is total junk and some is the best bang for your buck. If its a precision tool or for everyday use, look elsewhere. If it has a motor or runs on electricity its a gamble and you should get the warranty (which is awesome btw). Their little honda knock off generator has been great to me and their 60gal shop compressor is top notch for sure! Hand tools are a no brainer.

[Sandberm]

The air compressors are garbage.

Didnt take long and the air started leaking back through the pump. The motor overheats and clicks breakers.

I bought the 5 for $6 ballpeen hammer set. Garbage

[Elkrunner]

Especially power tools........Chicago electric, Central Pneumatic, etc.
Have you had good luck with them?

I have usually stayed away from purchasing them, and go with the "you get what you pay for" logic, but curious if I am wrong.  I did recently buy some drill bits, needed an odd size, they broke extremely easy.

I haven't had many issues.  They do have a lifetime warranty on the chicago tools

[PolarBear]

Yeah, very hit and miss.  I go there for stuff like storage bins, hole saws, o ring kits, misc screws and connectors, tape, throw away hand tools, tarps etc.  I have a grinder on a stand from them and from day one the on/off switch sticks so I have to un plug it.  I wouldn't buy any motorized tools there if they are critical to your job. 

[magnanimous_j]

I've never heard of a crowbar breaking before, but my HF one snapped like a dry twig.

[jackmaster]

Totally depends on what you are buying.  Some stuff is pretty decent stuff for the price....other stuff is pretty much junk.  I bought a couple magnet strips and they are simply amazing.  Screwed them to my work benk and start hanging tools.   

they make a hoist that works great for hanging n the rafters to hoist up deer or elk, better than the old fashioned way any day..

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I bought a vice from them once.  The jaw snapped off trying to press a bearing into an a arm.  I have had luck with their hatchets, sockets for my impact gun, grinder wheels, etc.  If you need a cheap tool for a one time deal, they will work, if you want quality look elsewhere. 

[CP]

I've had no problems with my HF - woodchipper, air compressor, Predator engines, etc.   

[Special T]

I bought a vice from them once.  The jaw snapped off trying to press a bearing into an a arm.  I have had luck with their hatchets, sockets for my impact gun, grinder wheels, etc.  If you need a cheap tool for a one time deal, they will work, if you want quality look elsewhere.

I think this is how you have to look at many of thier tools. Of entertainment thier tools are close to the price of renting a Profesional grade one, so if they last longer than a rental your ahead.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[NOCK NOCK]

Most have echoed my beliefs. I have a recently purchased air hose reel....so far so good. I have stayed away from all electric/battery/ major tools though. Throw away stuff like Chip brushes and one time use is all I buy there.

[JJB11B]

I've never heard of a crowbar breaking before, but my HF one snapped like a dry twig.

I bent one in a U trying to align a bolt hole on a lower control arm

[Sandberm]

I've had no problems with my HF - woodchipper, air compressor, Predator engines, etc.

My brother had a flywheel crack on a predator engine he bought. Sheared the flywheel key.

[shadowless_nite]

I used a mixed lot of tools at work as a mechanic, tools ranging from snap on to craftsman and all the way down to harbor freight. I've been shopping there since they only had the one central location in the portland area off interstate. Depending on what it is I will buy it there.  Their extendable ratchets are great for the cost especially the half inch one. I use the 3/8 version daily and has been going strong for years. It is the original first generation of them. Their sockets are just as good as everyone elses. Majority of the time when people break them they are using the wrong tool. But there shouldn't be much reason to break 1/4in drive socket unless your using the wrong tool  and with deep socket sets in 1/4in for less than $10, I can afford to use it for the 3-4 sockets I need regularly and if I loose one no biggie. I buy a new set and pull what's left for my junkyard tool box or garage box. One single snap on 1/4in drive deep socket cost more than the whole set from HF. Same idea goes for the other socket sets they have.

I've used a few air tools..... air sanders work decent, air cutoff wheel is also good.

As for electronic stuff...... I use the 4.5in grinder regularly for metal cutting and prep  and when not abused it lasts long and for $10 a pop when one does die it's no big deal. I also use their portaband and it works pretty good especially for the price. I've used their 1/2 drill for my tube notcher and that performed well with more than enough power to twist a wrist.

I stay away from anything there that uses batteries, and I use any "precision " measurement stuff there as a ball park number for the most part. Ratchet straps and tow straps have worked well for me. 

[bearpaw]

Harbor Freight is a great place to get items you won't use often but may need now and then! If I'm going to use something very often I buy better quality, but those Harbor freight visits always cost me something, I never get out of there with the wallet as thick as when I walked in! 

[CP]

I've had no problems with my HF - woodchipper, air compressor, Predator engines, etc.

My brother had a flywheel crack on a predator engine he bought. Sheared the flywheel key.

Did he have the right sized key??

I've got 3 and none of them have ever missed a beat.  I replaced the Briggs & S. on my wood splitter for less $$ than would taken to fix the old engine.   $99 for 6.5hp -  runs as well as my Honda, better than a Briggs

[Elkrunner]

Another thing that i have noticed.  If its a tool you are going to use all the time, i would spend the money on something more quality.  If you use is a few times a year then it fits the bill

[Alpine Mojo]

Their nick name isn't "China-Freight" for nothing. 

Most DeWalt power tools are made in China, and you might be surprised about several other  "American" brands too.  Very few products are still made exclusively in USA.

[follow maggie]

Most DeWalt power tools are made in China, and you might be surprised about several other  "American" brands too.  Very few products are still made exclusively in USA.
[/quote]

This is true of Milwaukee, also

[Ridgeratt]

I did a torque test this weekend on a 22 mm impact socket and was quite surprised.  Was putzing around the shed and saw a truck break down out on the road. While I was watching there were 3 people  a young girl and what appeared as a person in a wheel chair and another person. I watched and noticed that both of the young men were in wheel chairs. The girl was working on changing the flat. I went out to see if I could maybe help. She was struggling with a star wrench on a lug nut. I asked her what size she was working with told me a 22 mm. I went back to the shed and had a impact socket so I went back out with the breaker bar and a 3 foot cheater. Ended up antagonizing the lug nut for close to an hour before it broke and we were able to get them back on the road to go fix another flat at one of the young men's  Grandpa place.

I also figured they are one shot tools but I must say that may have me rethinking my views a bit. The socket did not deform or slip.