[TheForge] Harbor Freight quality

Tue Dec 2 19:12:14 EST 2014

Don't read horse power -- read run current (amps) and voltage.  Remember
that it wasn't China that started this "hoorse power crap" but Sears.  (2
horse power "American motors" put out no more work than any other country's
motors rate in current and amps.

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
Richardson, Grover
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 3:14 PM
To: 'Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA'
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Harbor Freight quality

The main thing I tell my folk is to remember the motors.  A 2 horsepower
American motor will put out 2 horsepower of work.  A 2 horsepower China
motor is 2 horsepower lock rotor.  They take a vise grip (philosophically
speaking) and hold the shaft, and apply power.  The power that enters the
motor under "locked rotor" conditions, ie worse case, is the horsepower of
their rating.  At best I figure a 2 hp China motor will do 1/2 to 3/4 hp.
So when using my Harbor Freight chop saw, I load it down until I hear it
slow down in rpm, and do a slow cut.  Had it over 10 years.  Used up at
least 6 blades on it so far.

-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron
Childers
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 2:03 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Harbor Freight quality

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
>
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