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Gettysburg, PA | One just opened not far from me. I have seen their ads plenty of times and always figured it was just cheap Chinese stuff not worth looking at. Now that I could actually go to the store, what is the NAT opinion of their stuff? What is worth considering and what is crap? |
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SE Washington | I like to read the reviews on their website, fairly easy to sort out what the crap is. Youtube has lots of videos on certain things, just search harbor freight and you'll be amazed at the stuff people reviewed. I bought their 30 gal air compressor for a service truck and am happy with it. Have a couple of corded grinders that are just fine for $10. Also bought their hydraulic press that I'm happy with for the price. Whenever I go in I just pull up the HF website on my phone and they scan the 20% coupon.
Edited by slewis 6/7/2019 09:40
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| Like anything else, they have junk and decent stuff.......I might be suffering from advanced age, but it seems like the quality has came up a ton vs years ago. |
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Big Sky Country | extra claw hammers for fixing fence from 2.50 to 5$ are a buy.
the sockets and wrenches seem to be fine.
their vise grips are junk.
their extendable ratchets are super!
for tools you just need to use once in a while, their specialitie tools seem real bargain and have worked for me |
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NE NEBRASKA | I'm a made in USA type guy but I find myself going to the new local Harbor Freight more and more because everything is cheap. Good selection of products too. The help is actually kind of helpful. |
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southern middle TN | We shop there a bunch. Gas powered compressor has been fine. Buy lots of sockets and wrenches that get lost just as good as Snap On or Matco for lots less money. Can have tools in every truck and tractor for less than one of the Snaps and Mats. Some of them have a lifetime warranty. It’s kind of a no brainer for us. Some stuff is good, some is junk, and some is in between. Also buy hand tools at Home Depot which is five minutes from the farm. Lifetime warranty on most of those as well. Obviously cheap tools won’t work for pro mechanics who make a living with them, but they work fine for us. Be safe guys. |
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north-central Indiana west of Fulton | We get a lot of things there. Can not get a better value on tool chests than the US General line.
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West Central IL | We like them for the stuff that we don't use very often, and for a second set of tools on the tool truck. |
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Between Omaha and Des Moines, 7 miles South of I80 | I got a surprise today, using a "bolster style" screwdriver set, from Harbor Freight. (removing inspection cover from auger on Hesston 1014 Hydroswing = big Phillips-style screws) I "assumed" that the steel shank would have gone ALL-the-way-though the blue plastic handle; well it doesn't = put a 15 mm wrench on "top hex" and it just spins inside the blue handle. (lower shank doesn't rotate.) What a joke. I'll attach a similar photo:
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| the 30 gal gas powered air compressor 175 psi is real food buy |
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West Union, Illinois | We've bought quite a bit of stuff there over the years. I've had poor luck with battery chargers. Most everything else has been OK. |
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central Iowa | It took 3 battery chargers from NAPA to get 1 that worked for me . |
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Crawfordsville, Arkansas | Dave9110 - 6/7/2019 14:03
We get a lot of things there. Can not get a better value on tool chests than the US General line.
I bought a smaller bottom box a few months ago and really like it so far. Saving up my paid survey money now to go buy one of the side boxes that match. |
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NW KS | They have some stuff that is decent. The predator engines and the US general toolbox are worth looking at. |
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Pilot Grove, Missouri | The 12# sledge I bought a couple weeks ago worked flawlessly wailing on the axles of a 4430, to get the wedges loose to move the wheels. I buy a fair amount of tools there. The toolboxes are a great value, the Earthquake line of cordless tools have served me very well. I have a Predator generator that has been good so far, just doesn't get used often. The pipe benders and porta power, work like they should. Hydraulic jacks seem to be a good value also. Drill bits I bought seem to junk though. Most things need to be judged on piece by piece basis. Patrick |
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S.C. Wisconsin | The quality of Chinese tools have improved a lot in the past years. A lot of Menards power tools and hand tools are the same thing as the Harbor Freight. I am old enough to remember when we viewed anything made in Japan as junk these days I view Japan made things as high quality. I have 3 Japanese vehicles and there is a reason for that. I have a large tools box that I bought from Menards which seems to be the same thing as the Harbor Freight general and we are very happy with it. If I would have had to buy a American made one of similar quality it would have beyond what I could afford. A person who is a professional mechanic who uses the tools every day probably would want a better quality tool, but for a farmer or hobbyist a lot of those tools will be just fine. |
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west-byGod-Pa. | A Harbor Freight employee told me that contractor's love their stuff. Tired of stuff "walking off"-by employees or drug addicts. Pawn shops here are loaded with brand-name beat-up tools....how much of it stolen? Contractors can buy 10 Harbor Freight power tools to one HILTI. Break on-the-job? Don't worry about warranty-just go buy 'nother. Contractor I worked for- loved their stuff. In his lifetime, he had lost two careers AND PENSIONS-to corporate theft/sell-outs. Hates corporate America with a venom. His response to me was as follows: "why should I support a greedy corporate "American", when I can buy the same thing at 25% of the cost & not feed THEIR pension? Likely made in the same factory for all I know"". He bought a $60-HF Jig Saw to replace a $160 BOSCH Jig Saw that was a poor set-up(goofy blade-hold system). HF performed much better. The HF Saw I bought was not the same, & the one I got was NOT worth the money, so, there is that. HF -SDS drill- that I bought has worked fine-no complaints. ANYTHING with a "JACOBS"-type of chuck likely will need to be replaced with an actual JACOBS chuck: (such as a drill press) . ROHTI-(German-made) chucks-ON ANYTHING-are junk.
--Oh, that $160 Bosch Jig Saw: had an aluminum "foot" on it. was dropped & broke. A new one would cost....you guessed it $160........
as others have stated...Chinese quality on many things has indeed improved
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West Texas | For a Honda knockoff, the predator is a pretty good engine |
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West Texas | On the drill bit sets, it seems like the 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 5/8 are the only good ones in the set. The others, very seldom used are junk. |
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North Dakota | I can’t help you. Never been in one. Not even sure where one is at. Have bought a few things Northern Tool & Equipment that have been okay if they are similar. |
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West Union, Illinois | north1 - Not even sure where one is at Bismark, Grand Forks, and Fargo https://shop.harborfreight.com/storelocator/location/map#nd |
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ESW ND | I lost my Harbor Freight "virginity" a couple years ago in Bismarck. I've gotten a few things there. Some stuff is chincy and some seems pretty good. I like my adjustable stool with wheels for in the shop, adjustable neck floor creeper and I have 8 of the 1500lb car dollies with the 4 little wheels. I like those the best of my HF buys. Can really move some heavy stuff on those things. Just have to get them with coupons and sales. You might as well go have a look. Make sure you have a little extra time. Takes a bit to scope everything out. |
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Sac & Story county IA | I was telling a playmate how Harbor Freight stuff had come up in quality or my standards have gone down. He assured me my standards have gone down. My plasma cutter still works good after about 5 years. Mostly trouble comes from self inflicted. Rust getting in tip and such. Tool box drawers work fine after about 10 years. |
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North Central Illinois | I guess I’m the odd man out here. I’ve been to their stores and purchased a couple of things and decided it isn’t worth my time trying to sort out what is decent and what is crap. When I purchase tools I by them with the idea of having them for life so I don’t mind spending more. The one thing that seems okay are their wrenches. I have bought those to keep in tractor toolboxes. |
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southwest Missouri | If your tools. Are gonna ride around in Tool box. Very little use there fine
The. Farmer. Welder. Mechanic. I am. I use. Old. Craftsman, Blue point. Snap On, Marco
I demand my tools. Work as hard if not harder than I do
My feet. Won’t grace their threshold any longer |
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Iowa | We’ll seeing I’m one of those tool planting types of farmers - I like to get a few sets of cheap wrenches, sockets, hammers so I can plant a few. Got their 180amp mig welder and it has done well, also got their cheap plasma cutter - got extended warranty and replaced it - so I’d don’t think it owes me anything. |
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| Southern Farmer - 6/8/2019 18:22
For a Honda knockoff, the predator is a pretty good engine
Had 2 buddies bought HF generators for a camping trip - no electric, it was HOT/HUMID
1st one ran a couple minutes- both carb bolts sheared off
other one locked up about midnight the first night.
This was about 5 years ago, possibly better now.
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Northern Indiana | Sometimes their ads are deceiving
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dubuque, ia | the new line of tool boxes seem pretty rock solid for the price, if they start building them 30" deep they would probably damn near put snap on and mac out of the tool box business |
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North Dakota | Don’t get east much. Grand Forks over 200 miles and Fargo 300 miles. Never noticed the one in Bismarck though. When I go to Bismarck I go to Tools 4 U. Little hole in the wall used tool place. Last time there I purchased a complete craftsman fine tooth ratchet set, assorted craftsman combination wrenches and a large proto 1/2” drive ratchet in good shape all for under $50.00. Just love that place. Could walk around there for hours looking at great quality name brand tools that last. |
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Northwest IOWA | I was reading that " Hazard Fraught Tools" ad ,Started laughing at the captions ,And its 4.20a.m.... My wife woke up ,and asked me who im on messenger talking too ?! Thanks for getting me in trouble ,AgTalk!! Lol |
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Northern Indiana | Anytime ! |
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Central Sask. RM#254, Canada | Well since she was awake anyway ???? Did you make use of the opportunity ? |
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Gettysburg, PA | Oh!? Has that EVER worked for you???? :) |
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North Central Illinois | Same here. Life is too short to put up with junk tools. |
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| Reading all this,I can say Amen to every post,well just about,lol been trading at Harbor Freight since they opened the first store east of California in Lexington Ky sometime around 1970 . All my Motorized stuff is Craftsman or mainly Dewalt. But i have a lot of Stuff from HF, a lot I wouldn.t have if it wasn't Close and Cheap. A real place if you watch what you are buying use the Coupon and get your freebee's, LOL a useable tapemeasure in every room and toolbox. they make good gift's too. |
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| I was at the HF in Bismarck yesterday. It's on 83 just north of the Interstate and very easy to get to. Bought a few things, nothing big. |
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White Stone, Virginia | Bought one of these boxes this Spring on sale for $189. Nice box. I keep my often used wrenches and hand tools in it so I can roll them to my repair. I recommend them.
https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-5-drawer-blue-mechanics-cart-640...
I also like their rough terrain hand truck.
https://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/clearance/700...
Edited by Rawleigh 6/13/2019 14:17
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Amherst WI | Favorite place to get tools.
Before I would need a 1/2" whatever for $12.99, now I get the whole set for that price. There stuff isn't perfect but I have had good luck with it so far and is a very good value.
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Mankato MN; Casa Grande AZ | The smell reminds me of a bakery with fresh baked bead (or cheap Chinese rubber, one of two). |
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MN | +1 on the blue mechanics cart...very handy box to keep most used tools in and roll around to projects. They have some stuff I wouldn't recommend. Their snap ring pliers, and vice grips don't look too appealing.
However, I can say I have had good luck with their Pittsburgh long handled 3/8 ratchet.
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-flex-head-lon...
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Central Sask. RM#254, Canada | conservation cop - 6/10/2019 09:34
Oh!? Has that EVER worked for you???? :)
Yes it used to when she was still alive . Mutual satisfaction . |
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SE Nebraska | The Bauer vise grips are really good. Taiwan made instead of Chinese like the Irwin ones are now. |
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Central ND | That funny stuff!! |
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Windom, MN | They opened one in Rochester and Mankato recently, and have bought some stuff out of there. I'm not someone who wrenches a lot, but the stuff works and I figure if it breaks or I plant it, I can get another.
Did buy some ratcheting wrenches out of there and one of the wrenches was stripped. Not sure if I did it or if it was that way from the factory, but I brought them back and they put them in a cart and said go grab another set off the rack. Checked to make sure they all worked properly, exchanged them out, and was on my way. Pretty good return policy if you ask me.
Other than that one issue, the rest of the stuff has worked well for me. |
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NW KS/ SC ID | I'll get consumables or stuff that will get destroyed anyways.
I like the tarps, 1" x 15' 4 pack of ratchet straps, 2"x30' ratchet straps, most all of the wire brushes, etc.
Straps get cut, wire brushes lose the bristles, and tarps get weathered, so the HF crap does its job.
Otherwise its quality USA made stuff for me.
My dad is a hopeless lost cause when it comes to that ****hole though. He will buy airhose there. You dont buy chinese airhose.
I have bought him a USA made Maglite for christmas a few years in a row (he has 3 or 4 IIRC) . Do the lights get used? nope, new in package. HF garbage lights? daily use.
Edited by GM Guy 6/29/2019 04:11
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| GM Guy - 6/29/2019 04:08
I'll get consumables or stuff that will get destroyed anyways.
I like the tarps, 1" x 15' 4 pack of ratchet straps, 2"x30' ratchet straps, most all of the wire brushes, etc.
Straps get cut, wire brushes lose the bristles, and tarps get weathered, so the HF crap does its job.
Otherwise its quality USA made stuff for me.
My dad is a hopeless lost cause when it comes to that ****hole though. He will buy airhose there. You dont buy chinese airhose.
I have bought him a USA made Maglite for christmas a few years in a row (he has 3 or 4 IIRC) . Do the lights get used? nope, new in package. HF garbage lights? daily use.
To me harbor freight is not hat bad they have good things and bad like everywhere |
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Harbor Freight
