I know, I know - you get what you pay for...

 

But I have found their hand tools to be a pretty good deal (even if I have considered some a "throw away"). Anyone have any experience with their power tools?

Have used there battery and corded drills. Not bad if used lightly, but hard pushing 5 days a week they may only last 5 to 7 months. I also use 2 battery chargers from them no problems.

some of their stuff is ok.. you can tell by looking at it.. it is better quality than it use to be but not professional grade..

If you go through Mechanix gloves like I do, they have ones branded "Western Safety" in an ugly green and yellow that last half as long but cost 1/3 the price. Plus since they are ugly nobody steals them.

http://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-gloves-large-97442.html

ugly green and yellow, but comfy

I've been using an air nailer from them. Works well, but I don't use it everyday.

Bought a 1/2" drive air impact wrench cheap. Sure, wouldn't use it day in and day out but for once in a while it's just fine.

I have used their cheapy small drill press for years....its not bad...also their 12 ton press has worked out well.

Bought an electric grinder the other day for a project (I got the 'professional' model for $29 instead of the $15 standard one) and it worked great. I used it non-stop for about 4 hours and got it pretty hot and it wouldn't quit. I was pretty impressed with the power of it for what it is. To be honest, I think the quality of the cheap tools has come a long way. If it was something I used all the time I would buy a Dewalt, but for occasional use this was just fine.

I simply love HF. we all acknowledge that we're not purchasing Snap On or Milwaukee tools but they carry even the most obscure, one use doodad and some of the coolest stuff you'll properly never use but at that price?.....what the hell?

I picked up the handy dandy "Helping Hand" on Saturday for $3.99, a stand with adjustable roach clip arms with another arm holding a magnifying glass. I saw it in some movie where that star used it to tie fishing fly's and have wanted one ever since.

I don't fish but Dammit!... I've got one...for $3.99!!

Depends on what you buy. I only buy tools there that I expect to use once or twice (or is a really, really good deal). All of my hand tools are Snap On, SK, and Craftsman, and power tools are various reputable brands. I needed a 1/4" torque wrench so I bought it there.

They have some decent hand tools. If you are using there hand tools around the house it is ok. I wouldn't recommend most of there power tools and hand tools for commercial use.

I got a little 4" angle grinder there for like $15 a few years ago, and it has come in handy.. but it is an occasional use thing.. I read on a forum to take it apart and grease up the gears and it will be quieter and last longer.. but I was just there on Saturday to get a tool cart for $99 and the grinders where on sale for ten bucks.. can't beat that.. even if it burns out in a few weeks..

 

Would I trust it for something I use everyday like a cordless drill, or something like that.. probably not..

 

But.. I also found out that most of their hand tools have a lifetime warrenty on them! Just take it back and they will give you a new one.. now craftsman has some competition :-D

Some of their "gems":

http://woodworkerszone.com/wiki/index.php?title=Harbor_Freight_Gems

I bought the 2hp 8 gallon air compressor and the flooring nailer. Both have worked perfectly. The flooring nailer has about 1250 cleats through it so far and not one single misfire or problem at all. For the $225 I have in this stuff, it's well worth it.

Harbor Freight tools:

 

Professional mechanic or contractor-NO!

 

Handyman or backyard mechanic-YES!

I've had mixed results with the stuff I've purchased there, but the good has definitely outweighed the bad. My pancake oiled compressor is great for the times that I've used it, including framing out my basement walls. My corded hammer drill also was worth the ~$20 I paid for it. Their polishing wheels, bench vice, air brush, and the bench grinder have all performed well. But the two different (one corded and one cordless) rotary tools I picked up weren't worth the box they came in.

I use some HF tools. Mostly stuff that gets used rarely ie. hydraulic press, ball joint press, chain breaker, dirtbike stand, etc.

 

One thing I learned is NOT to buy Air tools from HF. They are junk.

 

As far as power tools, I have a HF cut off saw and it is kindoff flimsy but it works. Can't put much pressure on it or it will deflect and mess up the angle. For the occasional use it is ok.

 

I like Ryobi power tools from Home depot. They are of decent quality and are cheap. Check them out.

One thing I learned is NOT to buy Air tools from HF. They are junk.

 

I bought an "Earthquake" 1/2" air impact from them that has yet to meet a fastener it can't undo.

Mixed results.

 

Small benchtop drill press - electric motor burnt out after 5th use. Heat gun - temp sensor is wonky - gun works fine first time it is turned on, but then if it is turned off it will not turn on again until it has completely cooled down.

 

Digital calipers - no problems. Digital multimeter - working strong. Infrared thermometer - no problems. Digital scale - no problems.

 

I need a portable air compressor, will look into what they have.

Lots of good deals there, ok for the non profesional, but if you want good quality, look at someplace else.

I'm a professional mechanic and use some of their tools because let's face it, paying $5,000 for a toolbox from Snap-On just isn't in my budget. For those not familiar, that's 5k for just the box itself no tools. I supplement my professional quality tools with some HF stuff to save some cash and am not afraid to admit it.

 

From my experience:

 

Regular Sockets - Good stuff, I use plenty and treat them like shit, they hold up great and are literally 1/10th price of some brands

 

Impact Sockets - The thinner cut "professional" ones have held up to a couple years of use and abuse now, I also use them to hammer stuff, overall a great bargain considering some sets cost 10x as much

 

Wrenches - They look OK but they are crap. The box head is cut shallow and cheap and will strip bolts, do not use

 

Pliers - I beat the shit out of them, no issues, a good bargain

 

Channel locks - cut like crap, seize up, junk

 

Vise grips - Junk, flat out junk

 

Air tools - great experiences with their air tools, a bargain at once again almost 1/10th price of some other brands

 

Pry bars - total junk, my friend had a set and used them, I watched the damn thing bend as he was prying. And when hardened steel breaks it will not fold, it will shatter and hurt you bad. $6.00 for pry bars IS too good to be true

 

Tool boxes - Fantastic, ball bearing drawers, heavy casters and great looks. Similar toolboxes cost anywhere from $4-6,000 from Snap-On and Harbor freight has them for as low as $369-$799, probably pound for pound the best deal in the store

 

Misc stuff - stuff like wire brushes, shop rags, air hose fittings, funnels, saw blades, grinder wheels, goggles, rubber gloves etc. are just so cheap and a great deal, always good to stock up on that kinda stuff at HF

some of their stuff is ok.. you can tell by looking at it.. it is better quality than it use to be but not professional grade..

 

Sometimes you can't tell by looking at it. Other times, it looks cheap, is cheap, but it's still worth it because frankly everything easily accessible (i.e. you don't have to mail order it at insane prices, or be lucky enough to have a specialty tool source available nearby) is cheap crap too. At least in those cases, HF stuff is priced fairly.

I have worked on (owned, race, built, fixed, etc) race cars in a serious way for a long time.

 

Harbor Freight is great for rarely-used tools that aren't worth spending big money on for good tools. They are also great for buying tools you need to shave, shorten, bend or modify. If you need to make a short, thin 23mm wrench, HF is the way to go.

 

On the other hand, for anything else you are just waiting for the late night when you're trying to get a car fixed or ready. The tool is going to break.

If precision is what you need, especially when it comes to woodworking tools, you might consider one of the majors instead of HF. I bought one of their plate joiners, but found that the alignment wasn't quite as precise as I needed it. Spent the extra money and bought a Porter Cable. Same thing with several other pieces of woodworking equipment.

If precision is what you need, especially when it comes to woodworking tools, you might consider one of the majors instead of HF. I bought one of their plate joiners, but found that the alignment wasn't quite as precise as I needed it. Spent the extra money and bought a Porter Cable. Same thing with several other pieces of woodworking equipment.

 

I have a Craftsman Plate Jointer that's not worth the cost of the cord. I got what I paid for - I wish I had paid HF prices...

Thanks all - I guess things can be hit or miss.

 

If you are looking for any gun cleaning stuff, they have tons of odds and ends - little brushes, dental picks, ultrasonic cleaners etc. Maybe I will grab a cheap grinder and see how it does.

I have a Craftsman Plate Jointer that's not worth the cost of the cord. I got what I paid for - I wish I had paid HF prices...

 

LOL. Sell it here in the forums. I'd change the description a little.

Tools that you are going to use over and over, again... probably not... Tools you may use once or twice, why not.