[TheForge] Harbor Freight quality

[Ron Childers]

Well stated, Bruce. The air compressors are not construction quality- Son-in-law wore out several in a week. I can mangle their genuine imitation Vise Grips and break the long needle nose with one squeeze. Don't buy the 12 point sockets and wrenches, the 6 points are fairly decent. Ron

-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce .
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 1:44 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: [TheForge] Harbor Freight quality

Those of you who haven't shopped a HF store recently may be in for a pleasant surprise when you break down and do so.  I've had my share of poor quality tools from HF -- but also from Home Depot and other popular sellers.

None of these poor tools were "professional quality," because I won't, for example, drop $100 on an angle grinder.  If you're ready to spend the bucks and especially if your job depends upon it, then buy the professional tools and don't worry about HF.

But my philosophy is to buy a tool I think I might need at the lowest available price.  (Often, that means I buy used tools at flea markets, but not all tools are readily available at such markets.  I don't buy obvious
junk.)  If I break the cheap tool, I've probably got enough hours on it already to show me that I DO need it, and I'll upgrade to the next better model.  If I never break it it's because it's good enough or because I don't use it enough -- i.e., I don't really need it.  This philosophy results in my trying out a LOT of tools I never would have otherwise.

Case in point, my first 4.5" angle grinder I got at the local flea market, complete with lots of accessories, for $15.  Eventually I burned it out, but by then I knew I needed this tool. I now have one Ryobi $45 grinder, and six or so HF jobs (at $8 to $16 apiece, depending upon the sale, coupons, etc.).  I use the Ryobi for the wire brush because I trust that I can shut it off easily!

Another case -- Their "oscillating multifunction tool" I bought for maybe
$16 out of curiosity.
http://www.harborfreight.com/oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-68861-8493.html
I found it not worth a damn compared to an ordinary saw.  It's not that the HF tool is no good -- it works -- it's just that the whole idea of it seems deficient.  I did not buy most of the attachments because that's where they sock you for the real money.  Nonetheless I have an upcoming job with limited access where I plan to try this tool out again, as its advantages just might outweigh its deficiencies.

Here's my rundown:
* You can count on most HF non-power hand tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.
* HF mechanical tools, like pliers, "locking pliers" are not the quality of name brands like Vise Grips (pre-Chinese outsourcing), but they're not terrible either.
* HF $90 Beverly shear knock-off is a decent tool for the home shop.
* HF bits and blades come in different grades.  I recommend HF TiN drill bits, but not their low-end bits.
* HF Dremel-type miniature (1" dia.?) diamond saw blades are fine.
* HF abrasive disks, cut-off wheels, etc., are medium quality.  They work, but possibly not as well as name brands.  Nonetheless, I but little else but HF -- because my income doesn't depend upon them.
*Power tools, such as angle grinders, can be fine.  Many of these have brush-type AC motors, and they give you extra carbon brushes with some tools.  You'll need them.  WHEN the tool abruptly quits, tighten the screws to bring the carbon brushes back into contact with the armature.  Replace them eventually.
* Forget about HF battery-driven tools -- don't waste your money.  The tool itself is okay, but the batteries suck, or maybe it's that the rechargers burn them out somehow.  (If this changes, I'd like to hear about it, but that's my experience.)
* Structural items, such as car ramps, jack stands, etc., aren't of the highest quality but seem to perform as well as any lower-end item you're likely to find.  There's marked difference between the HF 6-ton jack stand and the industrial 7-ton stands I've recently acquired, but the former seem adequate to hold their load.
* Their bottom-of-the-line 6'x6' plastic greenhouse sucks.  Don't waste your money like I did.
* Their better grade greenhouses are quite decent.
* The vent-openers for these latter greenhouses suck (leak, actually), in my experience.
* Some of their hardware sucks and some is quite decent.  Avoid their hose clamps of narrow (5/16"?) width, as they fail in use.  Their wider ones work fine.
* Their SS-head shallow-well pump works okay.  I've had some minor issues with mine, but nothing earth-shaking.

I could go on and on. but you get the picture.  Caveat emptor.

Bruce
NJ

On Tue, Dec 2, 2014 at 11:32 AM, <williamsiron at comcast.net> wrote:

> As long as you go into Harbor Freight knowing most of the tools & such 
> are poor imitations of good quality items, you may be able to find 
> some good deals. I've found their tarps are of medium quality. Some of 
> their hand tools are good. Just keep your eyes open as well as your 
> mind. A HF store has just opened in Salisbury, MD. I'll have to visit.
> Mark Williams
> Snow Hill, Maryland
>