Harbor Freight Questions

[mmacintyre]

Hi,

I have a few questions about Harbor Freight and the quality of tools. I live in Canada and therefore have never been to a retail version of one of their stores. Their online prices seem very cheap with not many big brand names. How is the quality of their inventory, they seem to have air nailers, compressors, etc. and tools for very cheap prices almost too cheap. Apart from the prices they seem to have great coupons as well. If anyone is willing to share their good/ bad experiences that would be great.

thanks,
Mike

[LCHIEN]

There's several discussions in the past about HF. The quality varies widely, Some of the discussions are about what are the hidden gems and which are the outright dogs. And believe me, there are both.

Two gems seems to be the 6" digital calipers and the 2" 18 ga brad nailer.
If you don't mind fiddling, the 14" bandsaw and the 2HP dust collector are good values and fairly good machines when tuned.

One thing that is constant is their customer service will always stand behind their stuff, accepting any returns for dissatisfaction and matching prices bwteen their retail and internet flyers.

Shipping is reasoanble but slow.

Search for harbor freight and "HF" and bargains here on BT3central.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I agree completely. For Air Compressor fitings, the mentioned nail gun, cheap clamps, the Dust Collector (with modifications) are great values, especially when on sale and in conjunction with a coupon. I think their dovetail jig is an incrediable value. Do a search for a thread on that subject.
Power tool wise, I think I would pass for the most part. Other than the DC and possiably the bandsaw, most folks view their power tools as disposable.

[zootroy]

Many here, including myself, will vouch for their floor standing drill press. Do a search for the model number.
Ditto on the 24", 30" bar clamps, pipe clamps, big C-clamps.
Dovetail jig, 2" brad nailer, rubber hose.
I have also bought a cheap set of forstner bits that have treated me right.

[maxparot]

The 6" 7" and 8" jointers are a fair value when on sale.
I have the floor standing radial drill press and am satified with it.
I feel I've gotten my moneys worth out of my 1" sds rotary hammer.

[Knottscott]

As others have said quality is hit and miss, and the prices fluctuate alot. Winning their price game and doing your homework on the quality items can net you some functional tools at a fraction of the cost. I like my HF mortiser once I replaced the hold down. I love their Pittsburg bar clamps for the money. The digital 6" caliper looks like a winner too. My luck with their bits has been lousy.

[sweensdv]

Just my opinion but some of the HF items I'd recomment are;

1. #40073 ¼" Crown Stapler
2. ##45378 2HP Dust Collector
3. #05645 Magnetic Base
4. #00623 1" Dial Indicator
5. #34214 Angle Finder
6. #36697 Feather Board
7. #36221 9" Drill Press Lock Clamp
8. #34387 6" Bar Clamp
9. #05975 12" Bar Clamp
10. #31264 18" Bar Clamp
11. #4067 3-Way Edge Clamp
12. #31255 ¾" HD Pipe Clamp
13. C-Clamps, all sizes
14. #03629 7 Piece Forstner Bit Set
15. #35837 29 Poece Brad Point Bit Set
16. #30756 Multitester
17. #47257 6" Digital Caliper
18. #37861 10 Piece SAE T-Handle Hex Key Set
19. #37862 10 Piece Metric T-Handle Hex Key Set
20. #41796 1LB. Neon Orange Dead Blow Hammer
21. #90007 3 Piece SAE Ratcheting Wrench Set
22. #90008 3 Piece Metric Ratcheting Wrench Set
23. #42305 9 Piece Metric Box Wrench Set
24. #00621 Spring Loaded Punch
25. #00659 Magnetic Parts Holder
26. #42288 Magnetic Pick-up Tool

These are items that I own and have been happy with. As others have stated their drill presses also receive high marks.

I try and stay away from their products that have a power cord or battery if I'm looking for a tool that will receive hard use. The couple of corded tools that I have purchased at HF were disappointments. My son has a 14.4 HF drill/driver that takes forever to recharge and is very lacking in the torque department.

[ErikS]

In my experience they can't be beat for disposable goods, clamps, air nailers, and infrequent use tools.

They have good values on some items with a motor - for that stuff I tend to go with "if it has an induction motor it's okay" and "if it has a motor & an orange case stay as far away as possible" (had a ROS that lasted all of 3 seconds).

[mmacintyre]

thanks for all the tips and suggestions.

Mike

[JimD]

If you are far from the west coast, another factor that caused me to avoid mail orders from HF is their delivery speed. They bunch stuff together, I presume to lower shipping costs, and the net effect is unusally long delivery time - a month to 2 months for me. Something to keep in mind. They are not like any other outfit I have mail ordered from.

The costs are great, however, and the products are typically well worth the price.