[Boatanchors] Harbor Freight

[Glen Zook]

In my opinion Harbor Freight sells the gamut of tools.  Many are definitely "home owner" grade but there are some that are definitely better.  I know that at the Richardson store (north side of Dallas, Texas) I see pickup trucks and vans with the names of some of the better contractors painted on the sides in the parking lot whenever my wife and I go over there.

Like purchasing anything, you really need to know what your are buying.  I believe that is just what the "professionals" are doing.  That is they know quality and they know junk.  Therefore, they "pick and choose" buying those things that they know are good and passing up the things that are not.  Frankly, it is the same thing at most stores these days, you have to know what is good and what is not.

Although I have been basically "white collar" since I graduated from college my "background" was definitely "blue collar".  My father installed heating and air conditioning, my maternal grandfather and one of my mother's brothers were plumbers, another uncle was a carpenter and another was an automobile mechanic.  Starting in elementary school all the way through some college vacations I was used first as a "gopher" by all of them and then as a helper.  In fact, in some situations I actually did a good amount of work "on my own".  This was before licensing was in place in many areas for doing the work.  Frankly, I quickly learned how to tell good tools from junk.  Some of my tools that I now have were handed down to me from my father and grandfather.  They are old but they still function fine.

The result is that I do purchase SOME things from Harbor Freight.  There are other things that I don't want to even consider.  It is the same thing with Lowe's, Home Depot, Sears, W. W. Grainger, and other places.  You just have to know what you are purchasing and make your choices accordingly.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Sun, 12/14/08, Jim Brannigan <jbrannig at optonline.net> wrote:

> From: Jim Brannigan <jbrannig at optonline.net>
HF sells homeowner grade, not contractor grade tools.

Jim


We have a Harbor Freight store in our area and it is a wonderful, friendly place to shop.

Thanks to all of you who were positive and supportive and for those who whine and moan, just go away.  You are probably the same ones that want Detroit to go down the drain!