Harbor Freight Tools???

[JasperChickens]

How does everyone feel about Harbor Freight Tools? A new store has popped up maybe 30-40 miles away and I'm not sure if I should make the trip or not. I've gotten some mixed reviews from friends, but wanted to see how fellow chicken'ners felt about the store...

Good Variety? Price? Quality? Worth the drive?

 

[briteday]

We like HFT here. My husband is a shop teacher and they get lots of stuff from HFT. But as for chickens...you will find tools, fasteners, some hardware odds & ends...but you probably won't find a coop, lumber, ...

 

[azelgin]

I've had good luck with their stuff. If, the types of tools I bought from them were what I needed to make a living with, I would consider domestic products. For occasional use, the price and quality is hard to beat. I have several gear pullers, pipe threaders, vices, calipers, dial indicators, 1" drive sockets, a 20 ton press and lots of other odds and ends. They all do the job just fine. The price of just a 1" drive Snap-On socket set, is more than everthing else I have bought from them combined. The wrenches and sockets I use everyday are Craftsman. Not the best in the world anymore, but, they still have a good warranty. When I need someting I'll only use a few times a year, I drive the 60 miles to Harbor Freight. It is usually less to buy the tool from them, than to rent it from United Rental.

 

[NancyDz]

My BF loves this place, I agree with azelgin on the quality. I've not had any problems with the stuff we've bought though.
You can go look at it online if you want a better idea of what they have . We bought the wrench to take our trailer ball off for $7.99, everywhere else it was close to $20. They have lots of interesting things.. we usually spend at least an hour looking around... the bf is usually

Great price there on live traps too.


www.harborfreight.com

I say go.. it's a fun place.


Nancy

 

[domino7]

OMG I love that store. I have one about 10 minutes away. They have great sales too. Most of the tools are lower quality, but the price reflects that. I have lots of their stuff. When gloves go on sale there I pick up 3 dozen at a time. I got a 3 pound hammer there for $6, while the craftsman version is about $27. Hey it's a hammer. I got a nice log splitter for $200 less than Tractor Supply or Home Depot. Ordered it online and got free shipping to the store.

 

[Eric in NC]

Be aware that almost everything there is made in China (if you support US makers...).

As others have said, real cheap, mostly servicable stuff that is ok for occasional use but won't stand up to long term/heavy duty work.

 

[will hunt for food]

Yep, it's a hammer. But you better wear your saftey glasses when you use it. There is a reason why some tools are more expensive than the pig iron chit made in China.

That said, the tools are fine for the occasional project, but I would not want to make my living using them. Look to see what the label says, if it's made in China, it's junk (even if it says Craftsman).

 

[jnjross]

yep it's the family dollar/dollar general of tool stores, dh and df could spent all day in there anyway, nice place for tarps, tires for lawn stuff ,

 

[NancyDz]

I would hope if you are using tools to make a living you would buy the highest quality possible and not even being looking at harbor freight for that. I would say this store is for the weekend hobbyist. This store has so much more than just tools., though.
I'd love to buy all american made tools... just can't afford them but still need to get the job done.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
I would say the same thing...hubby uses some of the tools but use those desks, workshop tables are good to stand up wear and tear but for heavy everyday use, forget it, go Craftsman.