Harbor Freight tools quality?

[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.