What All Homeowners Need To Know About Harbor Freight
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- čas přidán 3. 06. 2024
- I will run down what you need to know as a homeowner to get the most out of Harbor Freight. There are things you should and should not buy from this store to save time and money on your DIY projects
Chapters
0:00 Intro and Survey Results
0:52 Harbor Freight History
3:00 5 Things To Buy At Harbor Freight
5:58 5 Things To Not Buy At Harbor Freight
8:40 Where To Get Aditional Information
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Harbor Freight is the day care for old men! And they take good care of me!
Now that you mention it, the customers are usually old men. Why do you think that is? Do young men prefer to go to Lowes and HomeDepot to spend 2X plus on their tools? Are young men caught up in Dewalt brand name loyalty?
Funny how HF are next door to craft stores and you see the couples split up as they near the stores.
@@scifithoughts3611 Because we are old and do not need tools that will last very long. I do not even buy green bananas .
@@greco2189 this is a growth marked segment. There are more old people than young people due to long life spans.
There is also an additional possibility: Dewalt tools come out of the same factory line as Chicago Electric. I propose someone do a side by side drop test and see if these electric drills break at the same height. Anyone?
The Dewalt tools do come in nicer cases. I like my cases of Dewalt drill and screw bits.
@ Greco "...I don't even buy green bananas."
GOOD ONE!!
😆🤣🙃🤣😆😁
I started a business and it grew quickly. At one time I bought all of my tools from Sears. As I put on more repair techs, some tools were starting to disappear. Then HFT came into my world. They had good quality tools at great prices. We ended up with 15 trucks on the road and all tools came from HFT. When I retired, I became a Hospice Volunteer, I saw a need for the families to have something that they could look at and remember the good times. I started woodworking again. I had sold off all my equipment, so back to HFT. Sanders, drill presses, large Vice, a welder and many other tools and equipment. That was over 20 years ago...My craftsman woodworking tools didn't last very long. My HFT tools are still working great. I still do Hospice work and the woodworking for the families gives great comfort to the families.
I had to replace a section of the concrete floor in my sunroom. I called a couple of contractors to just pour the cement into the prepared forms. The estimates were more than 5 times the cost of the HF cement mixer. I bought the mixer and did the work myself. Since then I have done 3 more concrete jobs around the house, as well as loaning it to many friends for jobs around their houses. It still works perfectly after all these years.
Did the same thing I first rented a mixer from Home Depot but because mixing concrete is lot of heavy work I could not get it done by the time I had to return it. Then I found HF mixer is the same price as renting I just bought one used it for 6 months it wasn't perfect but it works. Then when I got done with it I sold it on facebook for $120. 00
I've had one of those mixers for years and have used it probably 100 times or more... it just sits outside in the rain. Always works. Never had a problem with it.
HF’s hand tools are actually pretty amazing. Even Pittsburgh Pro ratchets and sockets are really good. They fit. They turn the fasteners. They don’t round them off, they don’t crack. I’m a shadetree mechanic who has been maintaining my own fleet for hundreds of thousands of miles. Every aspect of vehicle maintenance I have done with Pittsburgh pro ratchets, sockets and wrenches. Lifetime warranties. On the extremely rare case something breaks, they exchange it for free. Less trouble than anyone. Half the time I try to exchange something Kobalt at lowes, they ask for the receipt. Do you have the receipt handy for a breaker bar you bought 8 years ago? Doyle pliers are pretty awesome and appear to be exact copies of some Mac tools designs. Those aren’t the only stories like that.
My view on harbor freight: if I need a tool I’m not sure I’ll use a lot, I’ll go to HF. If I break or wear out the tool, I’ll upgrade. If it lasts me, great. Also, sometimes I’ll buy tools from there knowing I’m going to abuse them. When those break, it’s not the end of the world.
PLUS their Pittsburgh lifetime warranty on hand tools is amazing. No questions asked if something breaks.
I’m commenting as I watch: we bought a bunch of moving blankets when we moved, and now I use them for working in the garage or out in the lawn and they’re nice for not getting all dirty and dusty.
exactly what I do and sometime they last a really long time. I also buy their hand tools and some ICON stuff which is really good
Yeah if you don't do work often, just need something for one project or occasional use around the house get the cheap one. If you find you use it enough to wear it out go and buy the expensive version.
@@evilhamsterman Yea I bought the bauer setup that way when I was out of town doing a project....didnt expect them to last or work as well as they do. Now I just expanded it and have all bauer. they are really good. no need for Milwaukee The batteries are cheaper and they work just fine.
💯
I am a HVAC pro and have several hand tools from there. Everyone at the company does. Employees even say due the to lifetime warranty to just bring it in and they will exchange it no questions asked. Best part if they break and don't have a warranty they are cheap just get a new one. (Beater tools)
If you're in the middle of a job and the tool breaks, it's a bummer to have to go and get another tool. Probably a good idea to buy a back-up. when using cheapy tools.
@@audiophileman7047 I’ve had good tools quit or break in the middle of a job. I’ve had brand new tools that quit after the first use. Not cheap tools either.
Adding to your comment. I also buy tons of hand tools from harbor freight and use their warranty because I am in pool service and repair. Chlorine especially kills every tool I can buy regardless of 'stainless steel' because usually even those tools use some other metal then break. Harbor Freight has saved me tons of money by not investing in superior hand tools only to watch them die slowly no matter how much I care for them because of my profession
I bought a $50 endoscope and I used it to open a safe by seeing the internals via the drilled out keylock (batteries had died and I had no key) saved my $200 to a locksmith and I saved the safe... and I got to the $2000 I had in the safe.
I have used it to fix pocket doors and scope an air intake on my tractor.
Best $50 I ever spent at HF.
That's the best thing about them and also the funniest thing about them. I've had "premium" tool brand tools break, and have had harbor freight tools last until I lost them somewhere. Their hammers and pry bars have been pretty great for the price too. Their framing hammer I use for most jobs has great handling weight distribution and they compare to 40$ 22oz hammers.
I have switched over to their hand tools exclusively, I have beat on them like more expensive brand name sockets and have had no problems, plus they offer a no questions asked return policy. My tool box now contains more tools from them then anything else! I am a retired mechanic and work on around 10 cars a week. No problems yet!
Twelve years ago my partner and I bought a HF trailer and it has paid for itself 50 X over. It's been used to haul scenery for High School productions, brick & stone for several gardening projects, an upright piano curb find and most recently, 5 trips with household goods in a Re Lo of 500 miles each. The only additional cost was a spare tire.
About 10 years ago, I was redoing our kitchen, and I got a portable wet saw to cut the tile for the back splash. The blade was sold separately, but the total cost of the whole setup was less than $50. Because of the back splash design we had chosen, I needed to cut the corner off of about 1/3rd of the 4x4 limestone tiles, and that little saw never failed me. This was my first time attempting any tile work, and the back splash came out beautiful.
I also have that saw and have used it to cut glass tubbing without any issues.
I bought a gas powered plate compactor from HF for $500 after coupon. It was for a turf and paver landscape project that I was doing over the course of two weeks at the house. It worked great and saved me a ton in rental fees (roughly $100 a day from Home Depot). Once my project was done and I loaned it out to some friends for their projects in exchange for cases of beer, I sold it a few months later for $300 to a landscaper that was starting his business. Great video and content.
The bottom line for me is that 90% of the junk at Harbor Freight is made by slave labor and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
If it’s not made in America🇺🇸,I don’t need it or buy it.
FJB and FCCP!
When they first started in business, back in the 70's, they were called Harbor Freight Salvage.
A salesman used to call on the phone in the evenings and go through a long list of newly acquired freight salvage, the semi that crashed, or the factory "blems" and remanufactured items.
Some of those calls could last 30 minutes or so, running down this month's specials.
I dont know how they got our number, but the salesman seemed to believe we ran some kind of commercial business.
The tools at that time were all popular name brands, not imported clones. I still use some of those that I bought to this day.
Yep! I still own a few from way back at Harbor Freight Salvage.
Yes. My dad would go to those stores. I forgot the salvage part. My first right angle grinder, I think I got it in the 80s was during that period. It’s still around. I’m worried it may outlast my Makita!
I also have two aluminum floor jacks. They seem to be solid.
yep, but you can’t expsnd to 1,300 stores on “salvage”.. and then China happened 😉
Yep this is true!! I remember my Dad getting the HF Salvage calls in the evening, he would talk with them for an hour. He bought a nearly lifetime supply of 14" abrasive chop saw blades from them back in the early 80's on one of those phone calls, I think he still has a little stack of them left in his shop.
I agree with most all of this! What I would say is having some of those power tools as beater type tools has worked well for me. I’ve had the $10 grinder for years and use it about every six months or so on a project and if it breaks I won’t bat an eye because it has been a huge help. Same with a couple of hand tools like a breaker bar or pry bars. As long as you inspect it at the store it just needs to be a sturdy hunk of metal
I bought one of those $10 grinders at HF more than 20 years ago. I use it constantly, and for some really big jobs. It still works perfectly.
Me too. It's been great.
Those grinders are the best 10 bucks I've spent on a tool in a long time, a lil under powered, but I been using it for over a year, not everyday all day, learing to weld and is still goin strong and I have the drill master one not a chicago electric! Been welding with smaw and flux core mig, and is the only one I have currently, so it does get used a lot when I am practicing. I want to try one of the $30-$40 Bauer grinders so I'm not hassling with it all the time when I need to change something, although I would like a cordless one or two or three, if you weld you know what I mean, haha.
Awesome, was totally going to comment regarding the angle grinder. That and the flap (don't use as much) and cut off discs (about all I use mainly... though I do cleanup the to be welded cuts usually with flap discs). I literally just attempted to use a Milwaukee carbide teeth metal cutting blade and broke two teeth and it didn't last long. Compared to buzzing through that same material for something like 100's of % cheaper and quicker if not just as fast. Really makes a big difference how you cut using the discs as well, Fireball Tool does a great video detail about along surface planes and not corners or ends at all or if needed, much. Yeah, that angle grinder was my Dad's and guessing he got at least 10 years back. Even when in stock, those Diablo carbide tooth blades are impressive for cutting through metal... still... I like the cost effective making a mess discs when I can.
Yea i bought that 10 dollar grinder 17 years ago to sharpen my mower blade Still works.
I love Harbor Freight. The key to satisfaction is to acknowledge their products aren't the best quality but they are substantially less expensive. And sometimes you can find rare gems that are of exceptional quality. They carry specialty tools that nobody else has locally and usually at a fraction of the price. Yes I've used several of their $15 corded power tools to the point where I literally burned them out...on jobs where I wouldn't have wanted to use my more expensive power tools.
The bottom line for me is that 90% of the junk at Harbor Freight is made by slave labor and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
If it’s not made in America🇺🇸,I don’t need it or buy it.
FJB and FCCP!
0
@@jeffpatterson3676 Are you now, or have ever been, a member of the communist party?
As a new homeowner with a Harbor Freight within walking distance, they have saved my bacon more times than I can count. I can walk in and pick up literally any tool I need. They have gotten the job done every single time, and most of the tools I have used on multiple projects. I think that, in terms of price to performance, their Bauer line of tools beats Ryobi (which I would consider their nearest entry-level competitor). I have saved so much money by buying the right tool for the job at a decent price instead of paying somebody to do the work.
go buy their hole saws for stone.SEE how ya like those.
I feel like hand tools, sockets, and wrenches are the best thing to buy from harbor freight! You can go with any of their "good, better, best" qualities and know that they will last you a lifetime with their no hassle warrantee/no cost replacement. If you use a tool a lot and don't want to replace it frequently, get their "best" quality. They are generally made very well and really do live up very closely to any more expensive/professional grade version of the tool. However, if you will hardly use the tool and just need something to get the job done, go with their "good" or "better" brands... and feel confident that even if you do end up breaking it, it'll be easy and free to replace.
I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH THESE ALSO, WITH MANY OF THE TOOLS I AM USING NOW GO BACK 40 YEARS ..... sockets, and wrenches are the best thing to buy from harbor freight!
Here here! My youngest, 30 yrs old, works on cars/dirt bikes/quads/ utv's etc. nearly every day (self employed). He's had the same 3/8 drive, deep socket set now for 5 years. Trust me, he works them very hard!
I use Icon tools and never had an issue and I’m not in debt to a truck
@@n8ibz1 I agree with you. As long as a wrench doesn't fit, precariously, loose, I can use cheaper tools.👍
I had my socket set for over 10 years now and they are excellent. Wrenches too. When it comes to screwdrivers I stick with the Quinn brand, they are pretty good too.
The loss factor is important to me. I often leave small tools like screwdrivers, tapes, or pliers at friends houses, so I tend to travel with HF or Walmart tools.
This right here. I'm a mobile mechanic, and lose stuff all the time. Lol
I use the Pittsburgh brand impact sockets all the time and have never had any issues. Their 6 point sockets are much cheaper then other brands and have held up great.
Yeah HF impact sockets are sneaky good
They are great especially for the price
I bought the Pittsburgh hand tools for working on Davenport and Mazak lathes. Used them for 6 years before the company started supplying tools for us. I never had a problem.
In 8 years I've only broken one impact socket. My impact is a nitrocat 1200 and after using the 15/16ths socket on frame bolts on average of several times a week it finally broke. I think I more than got my money's worth
@@scottabott2631 All impact sockets are thick - that's why they don't break.
I've never had a bad experience at harbor freight. Tool, or customer service wise. I absolutely love tools. Even though I can't afford to buy what I want. Tools, home stores and guns. Can't get enough.
Only HF tool I've had a bad experience with is a bench grinder.
I think there's ton's of things at HF that fall into that "good" category, but are actually great. Torque Test Channel has regularly found some gems in their testing among HF items. I think reading through reviews and looking at some youtube reviews is helpful for navigating their products. Their dirt cheap angle grinders for example, are legendary for being insanely good for the price. Also, their hand tools are completely hit or miss, and if your HF location is convenient for you, they are probably fine. We've rarely had our hand tools break, but when they do, we just take it back to the store and they replace it. If something breaks more than twice, we go ahead and buy something better from the big boys. Also your examples of some of the "dependable brands" often are worse than HF options. Dewalt for example, makes some really really really bad tools nowadays. I have a wall of shame for bad tools, and many of them are dewalt.
To go along with the moving blankets, I also purchased their set of four 12 ft. racket straps (bright orange ones) that were on sale for $8. These were great for my move.
6 years ago I bought the Earthquake 1/2 inch impact wrench. Best tool I've ever bought. At 225.00 my brother in law thought I had lost my mind since we have several air powered impacts. However, once he used it we have never used any of the air impacts again. It is way more powerful and convenient. I have since bought 2 more of them as gifts. We have yet to encounter a nut it wont quickly remove. Even large trailer hitch nuts give it up in 2 seconds.
There are a lot more good categories than the limited list here. You just need to know what you are doing when buying tools. We go there 10-15 times a year and have bought hundreds of tools. Most have been fine. If not they will take it back.
Several years ago I purchased a Chicago Electric reciprocating saw for $20 which now cost $50. It was used to cut up a trailer frame and many wood projects. I also cut out many tree roots in sand soil. It has performed with no issue.
That's the one power tool I bought from harbor freight that broke. And it failed after 5 minutes. I heard from a couple tool channels that the smart thing to do is use their power tools within the return window, cause if they don't fail right away they usually last.
Haven't had any problems with my grinders, heat gun, log splitter, chainsaw sharpener I've had for 5-10 years.
30yrs ago I bought a Chicago Electric 10" chop saw. I beat that thing up knowing I would eventually buy a Dewalt, which i did. I put a masonry blade on it to cut brick. I used it not carrying if it quit. It didn't. It has a 14 amp motor. I still have it, and it still works great.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Harbor Freight fills a particular niche very well and it's usually for me some kind of atypical tool that I won't use a lot but need for a project at home.
Total agreement with your thoughts and purchase input. Have been following this same thought process for years now.
Thanks for all you do!👍🏻🍻
Small farm here. Some of my HF tools date back to 1980, the ubiquitous metal cutting bandsaw, still going strong despite not much TLC. Were it not for HF I could never have afforded a lot of the stuff I use on a daily basis. Like a 3/4" drive socket set, or impact sockets, or air tools, etc. etc. etc. The tools are not professional quality, but I don't need professional quality.
I love the hand tools! Getting replacements if they break is soooooo easy. I don't have to dicker around with customer service like other big orange box stores. Just walk in, say I need a replacement, get and walk out. Legit.
The cement mixer works great for mixing soil. I do pick up smaller tools like a router or they do have decent breaker bars. I really just like looking around, they do have a few interesting items.
A vey nice video and many, many valid comments. I also use HF for things/stuff that are impossible to find anywhere else without a long waiting period.
You nailed it with the gloves and such. Their a little more expensive now but, you won't find a better bargain anywhere else. It's really great to know that someone is out there that knows the true value of tools. You don't always need a Dewalt or Diablo flap disc/ cutting wheel for a short term job when HF will do it very smartly. I am a retired Locksmith of 45 years and I have been through my fair share of tools from very expensive (safe opening equipment) to very cheap I tried to save every penny I had and HF pulled me out of more than my fair share of dilemmas. I subbed.
I've always had good luck with Harbor Freight tools except for rachet straps. They came apart relatively easy.
My rule of thumb is... If I'm ok with the tool only lasting me through the job I'm currently working on then I'll buy it. Also "decoy tools" set is another very good use for stuff at harbor freight. Also if you need to modify a tool (like bending a wrench) to get a job done, it's always nice to have some extra harbor freight tools to do that to
Exactly, I basically plan to throw anything away I get from HF as I expect it to break.
What do you mean by Decoy tool ?
@@wskripka1 Decoy tools are cheapies you lend to stupid neighbors instead of your good tools.
@@wskripka1 when someone asks if you got a wrench they can borrow and you say "of course" and hand them a Pittsburg wrench from harbor freight instead of your $100 snap-on wrench
@@wskripka1 @Jayee Tee I probably use the term incorrectly, because that’s what I call the cheap tools I keep on hand in my barn and loafing shed. If a thief wanders onto my property and takes them, they might think they’ve robbed me of something valuable. They’re just there to stand in for my good tools (which I keep locked up elsewhere) and limited to use for simple tasks (cutting wire or bailing twine, tightening fasteners, driving a nail or staple, etc.).
The double end ratcheting box wrench set is a good hand tool purchase for the DIY-er. I've had mine for a few years now and they work great in tight spaces.
I also like the dual drive ratchet head for tight spaces working on my cars.
I usually get the under $5 moving blankets since they're so cheap, and I usually use them to cover the back of my suv when moving dirty stuff. The best thing I've bought was their "No 2 Pipe cutter" for ~$14 which cuts up to 2.5in pipe. No other company I've seen does a manual non-chain pipe cutter over 2in and the pipe I needed to cut was 2.25in (exhaust pipe for car). Material-wise it does feel very durable, but will probably need to buy extra cutting wheels. I couldn't use the chain type ones since they're far too slippery for what I was working with and wanted a near-perfect cut, so no power tools (or rather it would have become cost-prohibitive if I did).
One of the best power tools was a half in drill, their brand. I built a log home and had to set 14" lag screws every two feet in the each log including countersinking. Still using that drill. Compressor was another great buy several years ago. Didn't have much luck with pneumatic tools.
Some HF tools are actually excellent for non-professionals. The Vulcan welders and consumables are outstanding. The $10 angle grinder is a must have beater tool. Some of their spray guns are excellent especially if you take care of them as you shoud. The chain saw sharpener is an incredible value. Some (not all) of the tool boxes and organizers are great pick-ups. The casters are also good buys and most are pretty good. The HF funnel sorting tray ($3 - best deal in the store - buy many) is a great find and all of mine get scarfed up by family friends and neighbors. Specialty items like bearing tools, spring compressors, service tools, some of the compressor hoses and accessories, storage trays and drawers, tarps, dollys and other items that the average non-pro will use infrequently are solid buys. That said, most "good" grade hand tools I ever bought at HF have failed with some exceptions; breaker bars, sockets, clamps, punches and others have worked out great.
Those cheap magnetic parts bowls are very handy - I have several of them. And I have a bottom-of-the-line angle grinder I bought from HF 25 years ago, and it still works. I don't use it that often, but when I need a second (or third) grinder handy, it gets used.
Bar magnets are great for holding tarps on the truck when it's going to snow. Been using them for 3 years.
Conformed. 2 projects needing heavy duty casters in the last ~10 years. Nice quality. No disappointments. My big +500 lb cap wheely still spinning like a skate after 10 years.
Surprised he didn't mention tarps, particularly large ones. Go pick one up at HD or Lowes and they'll have like two options and they we will be 40 bucks.
Two of the best items that I’ve purchased at HF are:
The oscillating cutting tool and the set of insulated electricians screwdrivers. For theDIYer, they’re perfect
The bottom line for me is that 90% of the junk at Harbor Freight is made by slave labor and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
If it’s not made in America🇺🇸,I don’t need it or buy it.
FJB and FCCP!
I've had a lot of luck with the Pittsburgh Pro and ICON hand tools. I love the Doyle wire cutters too. If you do a lot of DIY automotive repairs I highly recommend the Earthquake impacts. I know several pro shops that use them and they seem to last a while and do the job. Much cheaper than those tool truck brands, which are good, but tend to grow legs in a lot of shops. The impact sockets are really good too. I've had my set for going on 20 years and I've yet to have one fail
I still have some of the hand tools I bought 20 years ago, the orange kind. I upgraded and now keep the HF tools in the trunk as spares. Grinders and other specialty tools are great. If anything is going to get heavy use, go with higher end stuff. Weekend warriors will be fine with HF.
I've bought a bench grinder stand, table saw stand, and foldable saw horses along with some cheap screwdriver sets for the vehicles and kitchen drawer. All have held up great. Having been a GM tech some years ago, I'm pretty good on most everything else.
I have used their hand tools for years in industry and have never had an issue. The impact sockets are great (Pittsburgh Pro). However, I have seen the wrenches break but are easily replaced during a routine visit. I recently bought a Hercules 12" miter saw and matching stand. It's one of the best power tools in my shop besides my Metabo table saw.
Thank you so much much for your unbiased reviews and no BS. I now go to your site before making many tool purchases 👍👍👍👍👍
I love HF. I actually do recommend the hand tools for one big reason - return policy. Returns and HF are great. I've had several tools break (yeah, says something of the quality, but we're assuming a desire to save money over time), and replacing them with the HF lifetime warranty is as easy as it gets. So long as the store isn't busy, you can walk in and out with your replacement in 5 minutes. Can't beat that at a larger store.
For the cost savings, I'm ok with having to occasionally replace a broken gear wrench or socket.
Yes! 💯
This is the correct answer. Where else can you spend $10 on a pretty comfortable ratchet and never have to buy another one? Also impact sockets.
Love this store. My friend loved shopping there.
I got a impact socket set there that are great and was really cost very little.
@@danr7996 yeah I got an impact set there, and it's held up
Spot on as usual my friend! I bought their tile saw, less than $100 perfect for my DIY tile projects - probably wouldn't "cut it" if this was my livelihood and had to use it everyday. The Chicago Electrics power tools have served me well and you can't beat the prices on consumables.
I built a number of raised planter boxes and I wanted to fit casters to be able to move them around. I went to HF to buy casters, as it turns out the wheels on the small furniture moving dollys were better quality than the loose casters plus it was much cheaper to buy one dolly as opposed to four casters; as a bonus, I didn’t have to buy any mounting hardware. I just dismantled the dollys .
Lol I’ve done this very thing several times.
I have personally purchased a couple of the 6 in. Quick Release Bar Clamps and absolutely love them. They are my favorite clamps for my woodworking projects. I plan to purchase more as soon as possible, when I have money to do so.
Most of the clamps at HF are great buys
Harbor Freight is my “go to” for tools. Their low cost brands are typically 50% of the cost from the usual big box stores. They like to sell a warranty but in the 15 years I’ve been a customer ( I’m a DIYer) I’ve never had a tool break.
Well you have to use them for them to break....😁
@@daxc1972 😂
Their Hercules power tool line comes with a 5 year warranty now. It's hard to beat because you can just walk in and have a new one the same day. Try that with DeWalt.
Moving blankets make great fender protectors when working under the hood.
Bought a lawnmower lift and love it. Great for changing the blades.
I have bought rotary tool (similar to a dremel), an oscillating tool/saw, a buffer/polisher, a vice and a bench grinder at HF and all have performed well. The oscillating saw gets a lot of work a couple of weeks a year. The other gear gets occasional use throughout the year. If I was a professional carpenter who puts his tools through frequent and heavy use, I might buy my tools elsewhere, but for a guy who works around his old house, this gear works great.
I got a "Free" set of Pittsburgh screwdrivers there about 15 years ago, with the black squarish handles... I'm amazed at how well they have stood up to daily-use and very tortuous jobs.
The bottom line for me is that 90% of the junk at Harbor Freight is made by slave labor and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
If it’s not made in America🇺🇸,I don’t need it or buy it.
FJB and FCCP!
The most crucial point to be made is that harbor freight enables individuals to tackle more in depth renovations and automotive repair than any other store. Given the specialty tools alone everyone should be thanking their lucky stars there's a HF in town. And for that matter, a lot of the other items that do have competition, like tool carts, US general has been amazing quality and value. This is all DIYer perspective, but anyone that has something bad to say just hasn't done a broad enough scope of work to realize HF will save them time and time again (at a reasonable enough price that justifies the DIY work). I should note that I do go to home depot and lowes as well. I use mostly ryobi with some Milwaukee for power tools, so I agree on that point. But I don't have anything negative to say. Plus it seems like HF keeps pushing the quality higher and the tiers are always improving. Great store!
Zip ties. They are excellent and good value. Also moving blankets are awesome. I keep 2 in the back of the truck and a few at home for projects.
I own two stubby ICON ratchets and several other brands of ratchets (USA Craftsmen, Husky and Milwaukee), as well. I like the Milwaukee best but think the ICON ratchets are pretty good too. I agree with the video on one off specialty tools and some consumables. Thanks for the good content.
I love going to HF. You never know what you will find or need. I bought a few air tools (cutoff wheel, impact wrench, sander) for one project. Price was right and I figured if they lasted the project, I got my money out of them. That was 15 years ago and they are still going strong.
I purchase quite a bit from hf. I’m also an insider club member.
I’ve had great results from the small warrior drill which I’ve dropped from 12’ onto concrete. Pretty strong, very light which is why it’s my go to. I’m a petite female and with a good chance of carpal tunnel. I purchase tools with ergonomics in mind.
I own quite a few tools from other brands but for power tools that I use less frequently, I’d consider hf.
The one tool I wouldn’t recommend is the little pointy palm sander. I’ve burned them up twice. My brother bought me the red cart for my lawn mower. WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK! From the directions to the construction to the packaging. I have tons of pictures.
The other thing is the 10’ canopy. Junk. I’ve already replaced some of the poles with metal tubing because the poles snap in half.
Hf does offer some replacement parts but not for that.
The things I purchase the most are glue, sand paper, tarps, cubbies, drill bits.
I’ve bought the rollers for the saw infeed. Decent. But it is fussy when moving it up and down and getting the pins and nuts to stay put.
The big thing I bought there was the pallet jack! Awesome! Saved me so much time and back aches!
I am considering other tools like the pipe bender. But I steer clear of tools that I can’t replace the motor or has flimsy metal.
I started buying tools from Harbor Freight when they first opened in Lexington Ky. I still have alot of the tools I bought there in the early 80's! I actually have some Proto challenger tools I bought there! they had a bunch of brand name tools back then! I have watched the transition to foreign made stuff since then. I still buy alot of tools there, just have to know what items to buy and how much they will be used. Your video is right on! 👍
I've been visiting HF for many years, first in southern Indiana and now in Dallas area where I have 3-4 locations to choose from. I loved the mailed coupons and especially getting a free item with purchase. I must have 15 retractable tape measures scattered around the house. They all still work. The low end hand tool sets (e.g. 6 types of pliers for $19 on sale) seem to be my weakness. Some in the set are fine, some suck. The ones that suck are generally those that require close tolerance like needle nose or channel locks. I purchased a very low end pancake compressor for $35 (sale and coupon.) First one couldn't make it to 100 psi so I exchanged it -- no hassle. Second one made it 125 psi as advertised. It had very low CFM which I expected. It lasted about three years until commutator arcked and melted. Actually, I used it much more than I thought I would so I can't complain. Though it is not as portable I use my 8 gal 125 psi oil compressor which has been in service about 8 years. All of the electronic test tools seem pretty crappy so I buy elsewhere. I don't go there nearly as often now that coupons are only emailed and there are fewer 20% off which seem to have more restrictions. I have finally adopted the policy of throwing away tools that don't work well since I usually have higher quality version of same tool elsewhere in the house. BTW, I do shop for tools at HD, Amazon, and sometimes at AliExpress/Alibaba when delivery time is not an issue.
Great summary! I tend to alternate between Lowes and Harbor Freight as my go-to stores. In my experience hammers, prybars, and other hand tools are great for any type of demo work. Their mechanics tools (sockets and wrenches) have held up well for me so far too. Lifetime warranty on those as well. Just have to be careful with anything there and make sure your expectations aren't super high. Oh and I still have that toe-kick saw from my last house too :)
Same, I refuse to EVER enter a Home Depot again, they screwed us so many times.
The bottom line for me is that 90% of the junk at Harbor Freight is made by slave labor and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
If it’s not made in America🇺🇸,I don’t need it or buy it.
FJB and FCCP!
Good take on HF tools. I try to prevent throwing away money, but if I know the tool is going to be trashed because of the nature of the job, I will go to HF. Thrashing and trashing an expensive tool costs more in the end. Almost every power tool they sell uses brushed motors and those brushes (and the corresponding armature) wear out in short time. If available, look for replacement brushes included as part of the package to extend the tool life. Ultimately, just the existence of HF helps push down the cost of others due to competition.
I recommend Project Farm's channel. He usually includes HF tools along with other brands in his comparisons, and some of them do surprisingly well, despite their low cost.
I also recommend his channel, he does a great job and provides a TON of value.
New subscriber. Great videos, very real world issues & fixes.Keep them coming...
My dad bought stuff out of there mail order catalog when I was young. Most of it was junk
Never had any bad experiences with HF stuff. I have an electric pressure washer and a ton of hand tools from them along with various odds and ends. None have had any issues. Their hand tools are solid, the simpler the better. Sandpaper is about the only thing I won't buy there as it doesn't seem to bite like the "name brand" stuff does.
I love my Harbor Freight power tools. Bought them for around the house projects, not pro stuff. My best purchase was probably an electric impact wrench. Works really well on wheel lug nuts. I’ve always bought low price point tools from them and never had a problem. Tarps, moving blankets, pocket knives, safety glasses, tool boxes as well. One thing they don’t carry is “multi-tools”. You can get a pretty good one at Walmart in the camping/fishing department at an amazing price.
I was a truck mechanic for over 40 years and found paramount wrench’s ,pliers, and flex handle ratchet very good and used every day with no problems. I agree on all your other suggestion’s
Was gifted some Bauer 20V Cordless Tools a couple years ago and have been buying into the ecosystem since. Everything I've bought has felt plenty solid for a homeowner/weekend warrior like me. If I had to start over, I'd probably go with Ryobi 18v for the larger selection of tools, but HF seems dedicated to expanding and continuing the Bauer 20v line for the future. Plus, the color matches my M12 Milwaukee tools.😃
I like the Bauer line too. I have an impact driver and a grinder. I use the grinder every day at work with a wood cutting disk in it. I undercut door jambs with it. Been using a couple years now, no problems. I’ve had the impact for 4 years I think. I use it frequently but not all the time. I’ve never had a problem with it. That’s the oldest battery too and it’s still great. I heard a while back the cells in the Bauer power packs were the same cells Dewalt uses. I don’t know if it’s true but 4 years old and still working great 👍
I gifted my parents a bunch of new Bauer 20v tools for Christmas last year to take with them in their travel trailer:
cordless 0-160 PSI inflator
one of the drills with a socket to raise and lower the jacks on the camper
cordless power fan
cordless hand vacuum
220 lumen worklight
usb battery adapter
5 Ah battery
rapid plus charger
They've really enjoyed them, and this Summer, my father added to their collection by grabbing the brushless impact wrench with some sae/metric impact socket sets to go with it and that little compact workshop blower to use when cleaning out the gutters on the house.
I remember getting mailers in the early 80s titled "tool disposal notice".
I still have a few CPI (Central Pneumatic) air tools (ratchet, drill, die grinder, 1/2 impact) from 1983 that still work! These were made in Taiwan and are definitely different quality than the chinese stuff made today.
There was a store on the east coast called US General that was similar to the modern Harbor Freight Tool store of today as well.
And now you find Harbor Freight selling US General stuff. I don't have a lot of tools, but they were spread out in toolboxes, tool bags, and even filing cabinets. I bought a US General 5 drawer rolling tool cart from HF. I don't need it to roll, I just needed it to hold hand tools, and the lower tray holds most of my Ryobi power tools along with a selection of batteries. This thing gets great reviews all over CZcams.
@@MikeKeller I'm very impressed with the 72" us general roll cab I got for dad last year for father's day.
And I added a side box ,but anyway I'm a pro and have snap-on stuff for work.
I'd have no problem using that roll cab for work,it's really solid for the $ I didn't find anything even close in durability in that price range.
I’ve had a Harbor Freight 302 piece tool kit for years that I’ve used for several vehicles. If anything ever broke, I just take it back and they open up a new kit to take what it needed. If you get lucky, you can then buy the kit on clearance since it’s missing a piece (or more) and have a backup supply. These sockets do have limits, but they are very handy.
I buy my nitrile gloves for work there also like you said certain power tools I do purchase also . And your absolutely right I also buy any attachments for tools at other places . They're great for DIY projects and I have had overall positive experience and my projects have been great. Using a combination of good quality tools from ryobi ,Milwaukee or Dewalt , have worked out for me .
The $10 grinders are great....just don't keep them running continuously. I run 3 off my cart ..... Each one has a different attachment ie wire brush or grinding or cutting disc...no need to keep swapping out crap.
not a bad idea 🤔
Good video! I concur on moving blankets - I've bought a bunch (on sale, of course). Also, I've bought two Yukon rolling tool drawer/workbench units. They seem pretty solid.
Indeed, except for that cheap paper cloth covering
They also do double duty. After moving, they make great large power tool cover's
Spot on. I use my Vulcan welder almost daily and it performs great. The grinding/cutting blades leave something to be desired, though.
I strongly disagree with your assessment of HF hand tools and handheld cheap power tools. These tools have lasted many years and still going strong. Never had one broken on me.
Agree with you 100%.
It's inexperience that usually is the culprit that causes tool failure not the tool. I've killed a few HF belt sanders running them too long and overheating them. That's not a tool issue it's a me issue.
A "lifetime warranty' is a "lifetime warranty", whether it's a Pittsburgh tool or a way over priced snap on tool. Break a Pittsburgh tool on Sunday and you'll find a Harbor Freight open somewhere. Try to find a snap on tool truck on Sunday, good luck.
@@marthabrown386 Excellent pont!
Interesting thing on the Hercules tools is that tools purchased on or after 19-August-2022 have a new warranty. 20V brushless tools have a 5 year warranty and all 20V batteries and chargers have a 3 year warranty. Though I haven't bought any.
The Herc batteries are Samsung, so top of the line there! According to one test the Thunderbolt batteries do a better job than the TOL Powerex batteries.
You are pretty much spot on everything you pointed out..thank for the vid and info...Peace to You and Yours good Sir.
Thanks for your time. You’re balanced with your opinion and I like that.
I'm a auto mechanic...I have bought several tool boxes and they are comparable to snapp on. I love them! I also bought a plasma cutter and a welder the work just as good as name brand. As far as hand tools like wrenches and sockets I do not recommend! I not only use MAC tools but I do have alot of craftsman tools that haven't failed in over 25 years. I'm not only a auto mechanic but also A QAULITY control engineer. There are tools for that job that I would never buy at harbor freight. Such as calipers or micrometers. I did buy a couple of torque wrenches and I must say they are junk!
Guess you haven’t seen or used the icon brand they now carry, truly top of the line.
@@Skitradr I've seen it. Just never bothered to buy them. Are they made in the USA?
I had a Chicago reciprocating saw (sawzall) that I bought. The thing was so bad that it was dangerous. It would get caught mid-cut and then suddenly release with a startling jolt. It still worked, but I had to through it away because I valued my fingers.
I had a Jig saw from Harbor Freight that blew up in my hand. When that happened I threw it across my garage. I took it apart to see what happened and there was this rough ceramic sheet in there in the trigger and every time the trigger was pulled this metal contact would rub off onto that ceramic sheet. Eventually enough metal built up that it shorted out. It was a pretty fiendish booby trap I thought. Then I went out and spent the money on a Bosch jig saw. It hasn't blown up on me yet.
HF is the go to for tools I'm only going to use a few times for small jobs. The air tools I have are great and have lasted for years. I have 2 brad nailers that cost around $20 each and they have moved to my every day use tool box.
I can vouch for the harbor freight titanium 125 flux core welder picked up welding as a hobby absolutely loved been using the heck out of it on everything between scrap art to trailers had it a year now and it still works perfectly
In a pinch is the only time I use h.f
I’ve bought a lot of tools from Harbor Freight over the years and have found them to get better over time. The last few tools I bought are very comparable, or better than name brands.
Indeed. Like anything, Caveat Emptor!
I had to smile when I saw that cement mixer. Back in the mid 80s, I bought one of those under the Allied brand, I used it for occasional plumbing trenches at work and also used it to pour a patio, several walkways, lawn curbing and other projects. I sold it for $100 when it was at least 25 years old, I only paid $150 to buy it. The downside is that it was hard to transport in a truck and the belt was tensioned by gravity, the weight of the motor on a steel platform kept it in place, unless the mixer was on its side.
I bought several sets of their wrenches for projects where they were not stressed, they worked well. I kept a set in my work van and never stressed about losing any of them, so far I have had good service out of them.
Great video; I have a lot of high quality tools, but I sill get a lot of stuff from Harbor Freight. Two things that I would add to the "buy" list are airbrushes and clamps. Harbor Freight air brush kits are excellent quality for the money. Same with clamps for holding together wood. Their clamps are inexpensive and very durable for the money 👍
Have bought many things from them over the years, seldom disappointed. I really like the U.S. General tool cabinets, Daytona floor jacks and the Fortress air compressors. So happy when they opened a store in our town.
Sometimes it's nice to try out a tool without breaking the bank. There's actually some rebranded really nice tools like the Icon locking flex head and ratchet bit set that's about half the price of the branded ones... that's exactly the same. Their 50 cal ammo cans are actually pretty good for the price too.
If you just need a tool you probably won't utilize more than a few times Harbor Freight can be solid.
Along with the 20 ton press, and like a few others have mentioned, I have Chicago Electric oscillating tool and rotary tool. I have had both for over 10 years. I highly recommend the tools, but also recommend buying the accessories elsewhere (like dremal)
Thanks for the excellent video. Over the years, I have used HF specialty tools knowing I would have to modify them to be accurate and repeatable. After my last move I got rid of my old Makita sliding compound saw and replaced it with a mid range HF 12" one and it has worked well. I just avoid the HF blades and consumables.
The bottom line for me is that 90% of the junk at Harbor Freight is made by slave labor and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
If it’s not made in America🇺🇸,I don’t need it or buy it.
FJB and FCCP!
6:22 lol
LOL! Hand tools are some of the best reasons to go to Harbor Freight… crappy or not.
For example, I needed to get a nut off of a potentiometer that was recessed inside a plastic enclosure (Arkanoid Vaus controller for Nintendo Entertainment System) and they had a set of metric nut drivers with a hole in the driver shaft for the potentiometer shaft.
A motorcycle chain tool can cost triple digits but they had an $8 chain breaker with a simple hack that let you use it as a rivet tool for a master link. Same for motorcycle stands that cost triple digits anywhere else but only $40 at HF.
Their $40 motorcycle tire changer is ABSOLUTE TRASH out of the box but the closest competitor is $750. Even adding the $40 car tire changer for the included mount/demount bar gives you a huge gulf in price big enough to spend money improving it and still come out ahead. Most people get a better tire bar that often costs triple digits and about $40 of other upgrades for a working setup well under $200. I only need to change my tires twice for that to pay off.
I couldn’t find an impact socket that could fit my sprocket nut anywhere but Harbor Freight… and I used their emergency roadside impact driver to do it off the motorcycle’s battery because I had no air compressor or AC power source available. The roadside impact has come in handy so many times since for actual roadside use that I bought a second one.
I can’t tell you how many times a cheap Harbor Freight hand tool has saved my bacon. You encounter single-use situations for those as often as you would anything else, so no reason to go hog wild with Snap-On or whatever.
I purchased the vulcan welder from harbor freight when i lost my lincoln in superstorm sandy. i have had nothing but good luck with it. As someone who knows a little bit about welding , i was skeptical as this was new to their store but I gave it a chance and I am totally happy with it. I have the omnipro 220 which is a stick, tig and mig welder and it works well on all three. At the time it was 700.00 and now i think it's up over 900.00.
I also buy alot of tools that I know i'm not going to use alot and don't want to spend alot on the higher price stuff . All in all I am happy with harbor freight
I do sewing and must say when hubby goes I go to as there are a number of very useful items there for me as well. I especial love the the wall mount bin rack like you have,
Flap discs, cutoff wheels, etc. are completely functional. You can spend more on big name brand abrasives, and they might last longer. What I have learned thus far is that the HF abrasives do not tolerate as much abuse (flap discs, sanding cones). Don't force them. Let the grit do its job with some light pressure. I have big name brand abrasives for when it really matters (1000-2000 grit) but for a 60 grit flap disc the HF ones perform very well. Also, if one is doing any metalworking it would never hurt to have multiple angle grinders. Put a wire wheel on one, a flap disc on another, and a cutoff on a third and you have spent less than one DeWalt or Milwaukee (my typical cordless brand, although I do own some red corded tools) and you don't need to be constantly changing out the wheel/ disc throughout the project. I have not yet killed a HF angle grinder, but when I do it will have long outlived its duty to me given the price point.
Your point about drill bits is somewhat valid, but when one just needs an odd number/ letter size for a couple of holes (such as to approximate a metric size in an existing part) it is nice to have the HF set at a mere fraction of the cost of a high quality number or letter set. Yes, it might be better to just purchase one very good bit of that particular size, but how many brick and mortar hardware stores still stock those today? How many regularly stock metric bits? I haven't seen any recently.
Just about the only items I have purchased at HF that I do not particularly like are the abrasive blasting tools. Maybe it's user error, maybe I need different size consumables, in part my compressor can't keep up for them to have a reasonable duty cycle, but even with sufficient pressure and flow for limited bursts of use they just aren't holding up to my expectations of performance.
I would add workbenches and tool chests to the “buy” list, I got a little $100 workbench from there that I actually really like, and it’s hard to beat their prices on tool chests/tool storage, especially since the quality it still solid.
Completely agree Henry. I was eyeing some of the US General boxes. Looks nice 👍
@@EverydayHomeRepairs
I've got one of the big US general boxes. Got it on sale (don't remember the price), and it's every bit as good as the Snap-On boxes I used in the military.
@@EverydayHomeRepairs I have quite a few of the US General tool chests, and am very happy with them. I like them a lot better than the Husky tool chest I had - I actually replaced that one with a US General because the drawers were starting to bind. I particularly like the largest, newest one I have - it has little spring catches to keep the drawers closed.
@@EverydayHomeRepairs I specifically saved for the US general 44" tool box. I dislike the large/tall bottom drawer that other companies have, as I feel it wastes space. I was also excited it came in orange. Mine came with a small chip in the paint at a corner, but I found that Rust-Oleum orange spray paint matches perfectly. Outside of that, it's been great.
i really like their Bauer rotary hammer, I've been using it for years now for breaking up cement around fence posts also removing tile and such. With the spade bit I was able to dig a trench like it was butter.
Thanks, good to know. I've been kicking around the idea of a combo welder and a plasma cutter to do decorative artwork for the yard. Years ago I was a welder for several years. I am now retired and would enjoy tinkering around creating yard art...Kokopelli, fish, frogs, wind/ weather vanes etc. ...Idle hands you know.
I had good luck with my Harbor freight welder. I also bought multipurpose from Yes Welder on an amazing sale and have been really happy. Check them out too.
Tarps!
Good point
Agreed, I have several from when they were free with purchase!
I own a Hercules 12" sliding miter saw, random orbital sander and a bench grinder. All get DIY type of use and all have performed better than expected. Also Becker and Krause airless paint sprayers done well for me. Just keep it clean after use. Agree about the consumables.
I enjoy Harbor Freight 4" hand grinder. I bought the low grade one and love it. I scrap and it works well for grinding off bolts and with the cut off disc.
I have a bunch of their Icon hand tools and they are outstanding. Very similar to Mac and Snap On. I owned both pro brands for many years and the Icon line is pretty close but about 1/3 of the price. I agree to stay away from the low line power tools especially. They are junk usually.
Another plus for Icon...ease of warranty replacement.
Good points, but going to have to disagree on the hand tools. The simpler a tool is to construct, the more likely I'm going to be comfortable with its HF version. If it breaks, just get it replaced. Or follow the old rule for tools: buy cheap for the first one, and replace it with something nice when the first one breaks.
Also a note about the Hercules brand: I agree with your advice that you're approaching the DeWalt, etc., price point with those. However, an even better move would be to get a USED DeWalt or Milwaukee tool, rather than a new HF tool. The cost is likely to be in the same ball park, but the quality will (generally) be way higher. Assuming you don't buy a used tool that's falling apart.
I've gotten older but still very good Makita saws and a drill, all 120 volt versions. I've had most quite a few years and only had to replace the cords on them because they do eventually break down around the strain relief but I just replace them with old cords I have laying around. They're usually cheaper than even the cheapest HF power tools. Now Milwaukee saws even old corded ones can still be on the expensive side especially at pawn shops.