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I have a subscription to the the "Farm Show" magazine.

(If you don't and you are on this board then take a look. Its by far the best do it yourself farm magazine around.)

Back on topic now. In that magazine I often read about "Harbour Freight Tools". We don't have a HF in Canada.

Are their tools worth their salt?

I'm guessing they are a discount brand but am not sure.

Anyone shop there?

mumptia said:

I have a subscription to the the "Farm Show" magazine.

(If you don't and you are on this board then take a look. Its by far the best do it yourself farm magazine around.)

Back on topic now. In that magazine I often read about "Harbour Freight Tools". We don't have a HF in Canada.

Are their tools worth their salt?

I'm guessing they are a discount brand but am not sure.

Anyone shop there?

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THey are a disount brand, every tool they sell is imported, they have a retail store in Lansing, Michigan and I have been there, but have purchased very few of their tools, because I already have so many. The quality is fair, but the price is low, as it should be. The most recent item I have purchased is a 1/2" drive torque wrench, for $9.99 and tax. I carry it as a breaker bar for the lugnuts on my Saturn. It's worth the ten bucks I paid...

I am sure they have a website you can order from, they do offer a warranty on many of their tools but I don't know how hard it is to obtain warranty replacements online. Hope this helps.

Oh, for what it is worth, over on TractorByNet.com | Compact Tractors | John Deere, Kubota, New Holland there have been many threads started about Harbor Freight tools, you can do a search there.

I've bought tons of stuff at Harbor Freight. Their stuff is hit and miss but when it's good, it's great because it's so cheap.

My favorite buys have been a $22 reciprocating saw, a $30 angle grinder, a $40 electric impact wrench, and huge sets of metric and SAE combination wrenches and sockets, and impact sockets. Add to that a metric ton of pry-bars, ratchet extensions, nitrile gloves, and assorted doodads and I've saved a small fortune. I've yet to have anything fail from there, but you do have to examine stuff carefully and not be completely shocked if something does go Tango Uniform. I've been lucky, I've had all of the above for years and it's taken more abuse than I'd have expected.

I was in auto repair from my teens to twenties and then owned a transmission shop. During those years I watched mechanic after mechanic sell their soul to the Snap-On or Mac Tool guy, so at some point I got real sensitive to the hype and pricing of different tool brands. Harbor Freight is a good antidote to that. I still have a bunch of Snap-On and Craftsman tools from when I was a kid, but my Harbor Freight stuff has done just as well for me. It seems that a young starting mechanic would get laughed out of a new job for showing up with a chest full of HF stuff, and that's too bad. The gig is tough enough without having to start behind a huge financial 8-ball.

Here's a decent article on what to buy and what not to buy at Harbor Freight. I don't agree with all the assessments but it's a good overview. Buyer Beware, A Harbor Freight Buying Guide: The Good Enough, The Bad and the Abysmal |

I agree - you can get good and bad from them. My advice would be to get things for occasional use from them and things you will NEED to rely on from either re-conditioned sources or places you can trust to take returns. I sometimes use Northern Tool or CPO outlet Reconditioned Tools | Reconditioned Power Tools | Refurbished Products | Factory Reconditioned Tools at CPO

I've bought quite a bit from them, and my freind at work is an addict to HF.

Their stuff, even the good stuff, is best occasionally used. The wrenches aren't exactly the right size, measuring tools aren't reliable, electric tools are okay, but chinsey, IMHO.

They work in a pinch. Or something you won't need everyday, like JD's torque wrench, or a metal cutting cutoff saw. For everyday tools, I usually go to Sears. They never give me a hassle on returns. (the fact they NEED to be returned - now that's another thread......:wink: )

Jetblast said:

I've bought tons of stuff at Harbor Freight. Their stuff is hit and miss but when it's good, it's great because it's so cheap.

My favorite buys have been a $22 reciprocating saw, a $30 angle grinder, a $40 electric impact wrench, and huge sets of metric and SAE combination wrenches and sockets, and impact sockets. Add to that a metric ton of pry-bars, ratchet extensions, nitrile gloves, and assorted doodads and I've saved a small fortune. I've yet to have anything fail from there, but you do have to examine stuff carefully and not be completely shocked if something does go Tango Uniform. I've been lucky, I've had all of the above for years and it's taken more abuse than I'd have expected.

I was in auto repair from my teens to twenties and then owned a transmission shop. During those years I watched mechanic after mechanic sell their soul to the Snap-On or Mac Tool guy, so at some point I got real sensitive to the hype and pricing of different tool brands. Harbor Freight is a good antidote to that. I still have a bunch of Snap-On and Craftsman tools from when I was a kid, but my Harbor Freight stuff has done just as well for me. It seems that a young starting mechanic would get laughed out of a new job for showing up with a chest full of HF stuff, and that's too bad. The gig is tough enough without having to start behind a huge financial 8-ball.

Here's a decent article on what to buy and what not to buy at Harbor Freight. I don't agree with all the assessments but it's a good overview. Buyer Beware, A Harbor Freight Buying Guide: The Good Enough, The Bad and the Abysmal |

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EXCELLENT POST, well written :thumbsup:

Of the thousands of tools sold at h.f. i have only experienced the sockets, combination wrenches, etc. and i have not had good luck with them THEY BROKE. ....here it is in a nut shell , if you need a hand tool or impact tool that is going to have heavy torque applied to it, then buy a good quality brand (at least a craftsman),..if you need a tool that requires little effort or torque applied then yes you can sneak away with h.f. brand tools such as screwdrivers and such... i been in the auto business over 35 years and have used tools from everywhere you can imagine from snap-on and mac and the like to the dollar store junk. and i'll tell you this, WHEN MY FINGERS AND ARMS are on the line for safety and high torque situations you won't see h.f. in my hands. the design and specs are just not there. at least the tools i expereinced.

I don't have a HF near me, but do buy a few things there. As for tools, if it's something you're not going to use a lot, some of their tools are OK. I have a 3/4" drive socket set from them for when I had the old "two-cylinder" JD's. Broke the ratchet, but I expected that, replaced it with a name brand, still came out ahead on price.

It just depends on how you're going to use them! ~~ grnspot

grnspot110 said:

I don't have a HF near me, but do buy a few things there. As for tools, if it's something you're not going to use a lot, some of their tools are OK. I have a 3/4" drive socket set from them for when I had the old "two-cylinder" JD's. Broke the ratchet, but I expected that, replaced it with a name brand, still came out ahead on price.

It just depends on how you're going to use them! ~~ grnspot

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Concur with you--depends on how much you will use them. About 15 years ago I purchased a 3/4" drive socket set from Quality Farm & Fleet, anybody remember them? Well the set was about $35, versus a set from Sears Craftsman at 3X-4X that much. I very rarely use the 3/4" drive set but it is worth what I paid. Could never justify the higher price of the set from Sears unless I used them every day.

LandN said:

Of the thousands of tools sold at h.f. i have only experienced the sockets, combination wrenches, etc. and i have not had good luck with them THEY BROKE. ....here it is in a nut shell , if you need a hand tool or impact tool that is going to have heavy torque applied to it, then buy a good quality brand (at least a craftsman),..if you need a tool that requires little effort or torque applied then yes you can sneak away with h.f. brand tools such as screwdrivers and such... i been in the auto business over 35 years and have used tools from everywhere you can imagine from snap-on and mac and the like to the dollar store junk. and i'll tell you this, WHEN MY FINGERS AND ARMS are on the line for safety and high torque situations you won't see h.f. in my hands. the design and specs are just not there. at least the tools i expereinced.

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Have only broken ONE Craftsman tool in 40 years, a 3/8" drive breaker bar (obviously) it failed when I applied 120 foot-pounds of torque on it. The other day I returned some wood chisels I purchased 25 years ago, they still worked ok but the shanks were tapered down from all the sharpening over the years. Probably paid $4-$5 each when new. Replacements were 2X-3X that much...but I got them free. Always felt Snap-On was way way overpriced, like Deere...you pay a premium for the name. Tractors I pay a premium for, but not tools.

JDgreen said:

... Always felt Snap-On was way way overpriced, like Deere...you pay a premium for the name. Tractors I pay a premium for, but not tools.

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If you work using Snap On for a while ... It's tough going back to anything less, they even feel nice in your hands, the alloy is perfect as is the fit ...
Mac is also a fine hand tool line...

That said, I do buy abrasive cut off wheels at HF...:smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

If you work using Snap On for a while ... It's tough going back to anything less, they even feel nice in your hands, the alloy is perfect as is the fit ...
Mac is also a fine hand tool line...

That said, I do buy abrasive cut off wheels at HF...:smile:KennyV

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The only issue that i see with snap-on and mac for a homeowner is you have to hunt down the truck if you want to buy or return, of course that would depend on your location(large or small town)..i'm not sure of homeowners but businesses could get a payment plan over time on tools and equipment..i remember every my snap-on dealer time stopped in, it was like a candy store on wheels:licking: hard to say no but sometimes.

I have only purchased the low profile floor jack that they have and it has been awesome!!! (2 Ton Low Profile Floor Service Jack)

I personally would only buy stuff that has good reviews (seems simple enough). I am not much of a risk taker, so products without any reviews are usually ignored by me.

Slater said:

I have only purchased the low profile floor jack that they have and it has been awesome!!! (2 Ton Low Profile Floor Service Jack)

I personally would only buy stuff that has good reviews (seems simple enough). I am not much of a risk taker, so products without any reviews are usually ignored by me.

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If you are not a risk taker, please use jack stands in addition to that HF floor jack...I am so careful I use a jack stand EVEN when changing a tire and I am not under the vehicle !!!

JDgreen said:

If you are not a risk taker, please use jack stands in addition to that HF floor jack...I am so careful I use a jack stand EVEN when changing a tire and I am not under the vehicle !!!

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Thanks for your concern JD :smile:
I do have Jack stands too (didn't get from HF), but reason for low profile jack was just so I could slide it under my tractor. I only have to jack it up an inch per side to switch my tire sets (so no reason as I never go under the unit and a floor jack would not fit unless I really want to jack up a side.) For winter I prefer a little more "bite" so I use knobby tires and for spring I live in a really wet area so I prefer putting on my turf tires to cover a little more surface area and not rut the turf when mowing or doing other things in the yard :thumbsup:

There's not a rolling floor jack hydraulic piston made that I'd trust with my painfully compressible body parts.

You can run a chainsaw 1000 times with no eye protection, but that 1001th time can be a real buzzkill!

JDgreen said:

If you are not a risk taker, please use jack stands in addition to that HF floor jack...I am so careful I use a jack stand EVEN when changing a tire and I am not under the vehicle !!!

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I have to admit that I have spent a few thousand dollars at Harbor Feight over the past 20+ years. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchases. I am very selective as to what items I purchase from them. They do sell some very low quality items, but they also have some extremely good values in good quality items.
All their "hand tools" now have "lifetime warranties". I have never needed to use this. I generally buy their higher-priced hand tools and impact type sockets. They do tend to fit nuts/bolts a little looser than my craftsman or snap-on wrenches but seem at least as strong as, and actually more comfortable to use than the craftsman. I have never broken an HF wrench. Their better screwdrivers seem to hold up better than my craftsmen drivers.
The only item I have ever returned to them was a defective "long-frame" floor jack. The replacement jack and an identical jack purchased latter are each more than five years old now and both still work flawlessly. The return process was the easiest I have ever experieced - I walked in the store and told the clerk that I had a defective jack outside in my truck. She asked for a description of the jack and the problem. She picked up a phone, had a guy in the back bring out a new jack, rang it up as a "warranty", had the guy help me load it in my truck and bring the old jack back inside (I didn't even have to go back in the store with him). I have witnessed several customers returning the cheap electric power tools, and have never heard a single question asked of that customer, just "lay that one here, and go get a new one".
If I were making a living with these tools, I might prefer more expensive versions of frequently used items. For my purposes, HF is my first choice for most items.

I have to admit that I have spent a few thousand dollars at Harbor Feight over the past 20+ years. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchases. I am very selective as to what items I purchase from them. They do sell some very low quality items, but they also have some extremely good values in good quality items.
All their "hand tools" now have "lifetime warranties". I have never needed to use this. I generally buy their higher-priced hand tools and impact type sockets. They do tend to fit nuts/bolts a little looser than my craftsman or snap-on wrenches but seem at least as strong as, and actually more comfortable to use than the craftsman. I have never broken an HF wrench. Their better screwdrivers seem to hold up better than my craftsmen drivers.
The only item I have ever returned to them was a defective "long-frame" floor jack. The replacement jack and an identical jack purchased latter are each more than five years old now and both still work flawlessly. The return process was the easiest I have ever experieced - I walked in the store and told the clerk that I had a defective jack outside in my truck. She asked for a description of the jack and the problem. She picked up a phone, had a guy in the back bring out a new jack, rang it up as a "warranty", had the guy help me load it in my truck and bring the old jack back inside (I didn't even have to go back in the store with him). I have witnessed several customers returning the cheap electric power tools, and have never heard a single question asked of that customer, just "lay that one here, and go get a new one".
If I were making a living with these tools, I might prefer more expensive versions of frequently used items. For my purposes, HF is my first choice for most items.

May not have anything to do with HF tools, but another poster remarked about not getting under his vehicle while it was supported by a jack.

On my JD4210, to install the rear mower draft support links, and attach the PTO driveshaft for the 7-Iron deck, I have to remove the sliding drawbar, raise the 3-point lift arms, then back the rear tires up on a stack of patio blocks about 4 inches high. Only then can I crawl underneath between the rear tires, on my back, and attach the draft arm links and spring clips in the clevises, and slide the PTO driveshaft on. I have NEVER seen anything where the installation was so complex, the dealership obviously uses a hoist to install the decks. If you don't have everything aligned just right, you end up getting out to prop either the mower gauge wheels up or raise or lower the lift linkage. It's a huge PIB that I have to go thru twice a year.

John_in_TN said:

I have to admit that I have spent a few thousand dollars at Harbor Feight over the past 20+ years. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchases. I am very selective as to what items I purchase from them. They do sell some very low quality items, but they also have some extremely good values in good quality items.
All their "hand tools" now have "lifetime warranties". I have never needed to use this. I generally buy their higher-priced hand tools and impact type sockets. They do tend to fit nuts/bolts a little looser than my craftsman or snap-on wrenches but seem at least as strong as, and actually more comfortable to use than the craftsman. I have never broken an HF wrench. Their better screwdrivers seem to hold up better than my craftsmen drivers.
The only item I have ever returned to them was a defective "long-frame" floor jack. The replacement jack and an identical jack purchased latter are each more than five years old now and both still work flawlessly. The return process was the easiest I have ever experieced - I walked in the store and told the clerk that I had a defective jack outside in my truck. She asked for a description of the jack and the problem. She picked up a phone, had a guy in the back bring out a new jack, rang it up as a "warranty", had the guy help me load it in my truck and bring the old jack back inside (I didn't even have to go back in the store with him). I have witnessed several customers returning the cheap electric power tools, and have never heard a single question asked of that customer, just "lay that one here, and go get a new one".
If I were making a living with these tools, I might prefer more expensive versions of frequently used items. For my purposes, HF is my first choice for most items.

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Good post...very informative...:thumbsup:

JDgreen said:

May not have anything to do with HF tools, but another poster remarked about not getting under his vehicle while it was supported by a jack.

On my JD4210, to install the rear mower draft support links, and attach the PTO driveshaft for the 7-Iron deck, I have to remove the sliding drawbar, raise the 3-point lift arms, then back the rear tires up on a stack of patio blocks about 4 inches high. Only then can I crawl underneath between the rear tires, on my back, and attach the draft arm links and spring clips in the clevises, and slide the PTO driveshaft on. I have NEVER seen anything where the installation was so complex, the dealership obviously uses a hoist to install the decks. If you don't have everything aligned just right, you end up getting out to prop either the mower gauge wheels up or raise or lower the lift linkage. It's a huge PIB that I have to go thru twice a year.

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Wow that does sound like a big pain. Kudos to you for doing it, but I am not sure if I would have the patience :confused2:

Slater said:

Wow that does sound like a big pain. Kudos to you for doing it, but I am not sure if I would have the patience :confused2:

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To be honest, that is just PART of the headache...the deck itself weighs over 400 pounds, and to get it under the tractor itself is a huge PIB. Also, the front draft arms and lift assembly are just as problematic, because my tractor has a FEL with a grill guard, the support brackets for those interfere with the front lift linkage...I had to make a pair of jigs from wood to hold all the parts in the proper places to get all the pins, levers, etc into place before final assembly. If just one section is not lined up right the whole thing will not go into place. I can remove the front linkage easily but installation is a headache. Thankfully that is the only problem I have ever experienced with the tractor, a one-time headache every spring....

Soundguy over on TBN described my issue as "intereference fit"....:laughing::thumbsup:

JDgreen said:

To be honest, that is just PART of the headache...the deck itself weighs over 400 pounds, and to get it under the tractor itself is a huge PIB. Also, the front draft arms and lift assembly are just as problematic, because my tractor has a FEL with a grill guard, the support brackets for those interfere with the front lift linkage...I had to make a pair of jigs from wood to hold all the parts in the proper places to get all the pins, levers, etc into place before final assembly. If just one section is not lined up right the whole thing will not go into place. I can remove the front linkage easily but installation is a headache. Thankfully that is the only problem I have ever experienced with the tractor, a one-time headache every spring....

Soundguy over on TBN described my issue as "intereference fit"....:laughing::thumbsup:

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This would be me in your situation... :mur:
Seems to me that there should have been a better solution during the engineering process, but I'm no engineer:smile:

According to what your descrption of HF we have the same thing up here under a different name. We call it Princess Auto.

"Power Fist" is their money maker brand. Buy a 4 1/2" grinder for $10 or - $15 and if you get one job done with it the rest is gravy.

Bothers me to have to throw a tool away; we always need parts, but man I don't have all the storage I need to house a pile of pos cheap tools.:frown:

And iits hard to justify high end tools for yard work. Well, its not hard to justify buying good tools any where, but it'd be nice if our money went further when we buy "not so expensive tools"

As others have noted their stuff is hit and miss.

I don't even look at anything they offer that has an electrical cord attached. I buy their wrenches and whatnot as backup for my higher dollar tools (you always need more than one), and I use them as cheap tools to supply my pickup (I travel a lot).

There are certain things they are useful for and other stuff that you stay away from...

mumptia said:

According to what your descrption of HF we have the same thing up here under a different name. We call it Princess Auto.

"Power Fist" is their money maker brand. Buy a 4 1/2" grinder for $10 or - $15 and if you get one job done with it the rest is gravy.

Bothers me to have to throw a tool away; we always need parts, but man I don't have all the storage I need to house a pile of pos cheap tools.:frown:

And iits hard to justify high end tools for yard work. Well, its not hard to justify buying good tools any where, but it'd be nice if our money went further when we buy "not so expensive tools"

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O.K. you buy the grinder. How many ten dollar grinders can you buy to add up to the cost of a premium brand grinder? I think that Harbour Frieght is a very good alternative for those of us with little cash. I recently purchased an electric hoist from them for my shop and am extremely happy with it.

mumptia said:

I have a subscription to the the "Farm Show" magazine.

(If you don't and you are on this board then take a look. Its by far the best do it yourself farm magazine around.)

Back on topic now. In that magazine I often read about "Harbour Freight Tools". We don't have a HF in Canada.

Are their tools worth their salt?

I'm guessing they are a discount brand but am not sure.

Anyone shop there?

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i buy quite a bit of stuff there some is good and some is crap.look at the prices if they super cheap it is junk if its more its pretty good and a lot less than comparable brand name stuff.so all in all its not bad.

We moved to Michigan from New Jersey last year and I was happy to learn that there is a Harbor Freight store in Kalamazoo which is about 25 mintues from home. I shop there frequently and have been very satisfied with my purchases overall.

The key to making that happen is to understand what you're buying. When I need tools that will hold up to heavy use and moderate abuse, I don't get them from Harbor Freight. But if I need tools that will be 'sacrificial' or lightly used, its the perfect place. Its cheap stuff and its cheap for a reason. But that can be very useful in certain applications.

JDgreen said:

Have only broken ONE Craftsman tool in 40 years, a 3/8" drive breaker bar (obviously) it failed when I applied 120 foot-pounds of torque on it. Always felt Snap-On was way way overpriced, like Deere...you pay a premium for the name. Tractors I pay a premium for, but not tools.

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I used to work in transmissions, and I can say a LOT of good about Snap on tools. They are worth every so called overpriced penny. When you use tools every day, for a living like I did, there is no substitute for a wrench that actually fits in the spot. I owned craftsman wrenches, and they gave me zero problems, but, for the same strength, the walls of the snap on wrenches were much thinner, and that allowed me to use them when other brands would not even fit in the opening.

I used the impact gun every day, all day, and the u joint impact sockets from snap on as well. I tried the craftsman, and other brands, but they were HUGE. A 1/2" u joint craftsman socket was almost twice the outside dia. of the snap on. The craftsman sockets would not even fit on the bell housing bolts of almost half the cars I worked on.

Longevity, well about a month ago, I called the local snap on dealer, and he repaired a 1/4" ratchet for me, that I had carried around for a couple months when the selector lever broke. Not bad when you consider I bought it and used it every day for years, and it just broke. When did I buy it? 1969.

I still have the complete set, minus a few sockets a certain brother lost while I was in the Army.

You DO get what you pay for in tools.

As for the OP and HF tools, I agree they are hit and miss. If precision is what you want, stay away from them. I have their band saw (it's ok) their angle grinders (2) and I do have some of their drill bits and impact sockets, but no longer to earn a living with. If I could have afforded them I would have all snap on.

handirifle said:

I used to work in transmissions, and I can say a LOT of good about Snap on tools. They are worth every so called overpriced penny. When you use tools every day, for a living like I did, there is no substitute for a wrench that actually fits in the spot.

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But what if you DON'T use tools every day for a living and WILL NEVER use tools everyday for a living? What if we're talking about a homeowner? Someone who is never going to rely on the tool for a living and who is never going to come close bringing the tool to the point of failure? Someone who would likely to ask about tools on a forum dedicated to lawnmowers? Not commercial grade tractors, but lawnmowers like homeowners would use?

Hasselblad makes fabulous camera equipment and I have several professional photographer friends who own and use them and swear by them. But if I were to ask one of those photographer friends for advice on purchasing a camera for my own casual use, I would not expect them to tell me that I should spend $10,000 on a Hasselblad when I can spend $200 on a Canon that will more than satisfy any needs I'll ever have. All my photographer friends seem to understand this. But none of my mechanic friends ever seem to get it. Any time you ask a mechanic about tools for a homeowner, they tell you snap on. And when you ask them why, they say 'when you use every day like I do....' Gee sparky, did you not hear me when I just said I was NEVER going to use them every day like you do?

I have heard this my entire adult life. My view is that you should buy tools that have a true life time warrantee. The people who swear on Snap-on and MAC are merely a bunch of braggarts who think the high price of the tool will make them a super mechanic, that is just not true. Good mechanics learn every day and if they feel otherwise the they better go find a different career. I am 67 years young and still don't profess to know it all.

joe gremlin said:

But what if you DON'T use tools every day for a living and WILL NEVER use tools everyday for a living? What if we're talking about a homeowner? Someone who is never going to rely on the tool for a living and who is never going to come close bringing the tool to the point of failure? Someone who would likely to ask about tools on a forum dedicated to lawnmowers? Not commercial grade tractors, but lawnmowers like homeowners would use?

Hasselblad makes fabulous camera equipment and I have several professional photographer friends who own and use them and swear by them. But if I were to ask one of those photographer friends for advice on purchasing a camera for my own casual use, I would not expect them to tell me that I should spend $10,000 on a Hasselblad when I can spend $200 on a Canon that will more than satisfy any needs I'll ever have. All my photographer friends seem to understand this. But none of my mechanic friends ever seem to get it. Any time you ask a mechanic about tools for a homeowner, they tell you snap on. And when you ask them why, they say 'when you use every day like I do....' Gee sparky, did you not hear me when I just said I was NEVER going to use them every day like you do?

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That's a bingo. But I'd go further and say there are a great many tools from HB that I would use to make a living turning wrenches, at least until I was at a point where I could afford Snap-On without going into debt. Snap-On is better. It's way better. That's not just hype, but you don't need that sleekness when you're an apprentice mechanic or a homeowner with more pressing demands on your wallet.

Joe
Then my next recommendation would be Craftsman hand tools. They, for the most part, are top quality tools. However, I have had less than good experiences with their screw drivers, the tips will deform quickly.

I am retired, will never need my tools professionally again. My brother lost (or sold) about 60% of my tools I had acquired, but even now, on a fixed income, I am going to hunt down the snap on truck again, and buy a set of their screwdrivers.

I worked on transmissions in the late 60's and then went to work for Uncle Sam for three years. After that I went back to school and got into air conditioning and refrigeration, 6 1/2 yrs total of service and repair work, again using tools every day. using that little 1/4" drive set nearly every day of it, after that I got into Air Traffic Control, and was there for almost 27 years before being forced to retire (for max age).

When I worked for the AC company, he had a sign in the office that said something to the manner of, "You can always get your home heating and cooling system work done for less, and it may turn out to be quality work. then again, it may have to be redone, because the quality wasn't there and the system soon broke down again. You may spend, what you call, "too much" with us, but you will never have to spend it again. So, will you spend a little first, then a lot later, or spend a bit more up front, and never spend it again?"

Our company backed up every word of that statement, and back on topic, so does Snap On tools.

Each person has to decide how much they want to spend. If you're 70 years old and hang a few pictures now and then or fix a broken faucet ever so often, then it doesn't much matter. But if you're in your 30's or 40's and like to fix things yourself, you will be amazed how much easier a job becomes with the tools that fit. Ever struggle with a stuck phillips screw only to bugger up the opening inside the head? I can almost guarantee you that most of the damage came from a poor screwdriver tip.

I do a lot of hobby work at home and have a mix of tools, and I can tell you most of my frustrations with tools come from the cheap ones. I still repair my own tractor and mowers, and to a degree my vehicles. HF hand tools are mostly crap. I have some, and they do OK, but what a buyer has to think about, is, if I only use it once a month or so, but when I use it, if it breaks, will it be a BIG PITA to go replace it? If not then HF hand tools will most likely suffice. I have a fair number of their power tools, and do have to replace them, but they work pretty well most of the time.

My most frustrating power tool, has been the bench grinder (mounted on the stand they sell). The grinding wheel were so out of round that it will walk itself across my shop floor, unless I hold my foot on it.

So like anything, buyer beware. Money's not getting easier to come by, and with huge inflation right around the corner, spend wisely.

Oh and by the way, the hassleblad and cannon comparison, in this case would be more like Snap On and craftsman, not HF. HF comes no where near the quality of Craftsman, much less snap on.

handirifle said:

Oh and by the way, the hassleblad and cannon comparison, in this case would be more like Snap On and craftsman, not HF. HF comes no where near the quality of Craftsman, much less snap on.

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Agreed. As I said earlier in the thread, when it comes to common hand tools, (wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers etc) I don't buy them from HF unless I need something sacrificial or a spare for some other location than my toolbox in the shop. I have craftsmen stuff in my box in the shop and I've been satisfied with them.

handirifle said:

Oh and by the way, the hassleblad and cannon comparison, in this case would be more like Snap On and craftsman, not HF. HF comes no where near the quality of Craftsman, much less snap on.

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Too sweeping a generalization there. Not all HF tools are worth bringing home, and some are great finds. You have to be discerning. My HF combination wrenches are easily as good as my Craftsman wrenches, but I don't trust their screwdrivers. My HF 1/2 electric impact wrench has worked flawlessly for a decade, but I wouldn't want to deal with their welders.

I occasionally buy tools there, but only if they will be a one-project tool. I did buy their pneumatic floor nailer and have to say, it works great. If I were a contractor, I'd bite the bullet and purchase a high quality one like Bosch, etc. If you can't find a tool to do a job, HF does have a great selection, just be ware of how much work the tool will need to do.

They are great for small items, sand paper, etc. The one thing I did buy was one of their vibrating cutting tools, which I've used a lot. It does go through electrodes, but best of all, the attachments are inexpensive and can be used on my Rockwell tool (purchased at COSTCO). Recently I helped a friend re-do a bathroom and used the Harbor Freight and Rockwell for almost 5 hours, and they both worked fine. It was nice to be able to purchase the bits at HF (much cheaper and they worked just as well).

Hi all, I have a HF within 1 mile from my house and I must admit I do buy some of their tools. For example, I have both of the manuel tire machines, one is for the larger size rims up to 16 inches and the other is for smaller rims such as the 8 inch wheels on the front of garden and lawn tractors. I must admit the both have performed admirably. I have bought some of their wrenches and sockets. I keep them in my truck incase I break down. I use these rather than my Craftsman that way if the box is stolen I don't lose my good stuff. I do some machining and have bought a dial indicator which surprisingly is quite accurate. Another item I have bought that actually impressed me was a tool box. One of those red ones with 5 draws, a closing top and roll around wheels. I think that the draws are ball bearing and work great. Its a solid box and the price was right probably 30% of what a sears red would go for. For the most part you get what you pay for and you must be careful on what you buy. I agree with others if you need good quality for work buy tihe best you can afford ie: Craftsman, Snap-on etc...

I have bought quite a bit from them, mostly online until they opened a semi local store. Just don't expect anything you buy there to last forever like the tools your father has. So far the only thing I've had to return was a 220v welder. It lasted less than 10 minutes of welding, but they did give a complete refund. They are great for hand tools and oddball stuff you need once in a lifetime.

Regarding the comment about never getting under a car being supported by jacks, I sure agree. Regardless who manufactured the jack (especially a HF knock off), the only way I'd ever go under any vehicle, it would have to be supported with good quality jack stands and wood blocks. As a retired firefighter, I responded to several accidents where the vehicle fell on top of someone. In each case, the person did not survive.

Again for HF tools, if you subscribe to their e-mail newsletter and ads, you'll find there are great price break coupons all the time. I always wait to buy something until I've reached their best price. I am very cautious however on what type of tool I'll buy from them. You do get what you pay for.

I have always had good luck with their tools I have some wrenchs and and grider and a belt sander and a jig saw and they are just as good as stanley tools. If not better