• Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Topic: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

Makes me wonder. Just went there for the first time last month, felt like I was in a candy store... at first. Then I had to go back for a defective tool. Then another. Then another. Even bought a set of three micrometers, and two of them were defective. Swapped that set out and the new set had a defective medium mic and a missing hinge on the carry case. No more sets in stock so the cashier and I put all the good pieces together to make a working set, but I still had to adjust every micrometer because they were all off. Got a rotary bit set last night and the main stone I wanted was off center; wobbling like it was glued on by a blind person..

More than half of the purchases made there are turning out to be bad.

Is this normal for them?

Paul

  • Registered: 2010-10-19
  • Posts: 34

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

I go there, but just for items I know I'll only use a couple times...I end up cussing at their stuff more often than not!~~ Todd VW

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino Las Vegas
  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,889

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

Altema wrote:

Makes me wonder.
More than half of the purchases made there are turning out to be bad.
Is this normal for them?Paul

Did you really expect more when you look at the country of origin and QC?
Some of their stuff is OK if you don't have to rely on it everyday. But sensitive measuring things and tools that are critical to the success of what ever you are repairing, building etc, you really need to step up and by quality  JMHO  tho

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • Registered: 2007-03-09
  • Posts: 40

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

it's normal when you look at the price you're paying for what they sell. price compare the set of micrometers you bought to a name brand like starrett or mitutoyo. i'll bet you can't buy a single good quality mic for what you paid for the set. you get what you pay for, it's as simple as that.

scott lyons
http://www.germansupply.com

Aircooled VW Online Parts Source
  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 630

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

While I don't have access to an HF here, I do see a lot of commentary over in a garage/tool oriented forum I spend time at (http://garagegazette.com if you're interested) and the general impression I get is that they do have a few worthwhile tools.  But by and large, you get what you pay for.

I've been learning a lot about tool quality over on that site, amongst other things.

1979 Type 1 Convertible                                       1976 Scirocco (For Sale!)
1971 Type 1 Semi-Automatic Super                       1968 Type 1 Sedan
1961 Type 1 Sedan
1957 Type 1 Sunroof

Der Bugmeister's Website

  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

It's a change for me, usually I buy stuff that I know works well and will last. I still had many tools that I purchased when I was in my early twenties until we had the fire. I guess you have to pick and choose (and live and learn!). A vice or a floor jack would probably be ok, but I'd never buys a socket set or torque wrench there. Could you see putting a lot of care into building an engine, then discovering afterwards your torque wrench was way off? I'll stick with Craftsman and Crecent for my primary tools.

Paul

  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 630

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

What vintage Crescent do you use?  I got a "Crescent Racing" socket set (by Crescent under the Apex Tool Group) for Christmas, and found mixed reviews on the quality.  It's made in Taiwan and initial appearances are pretty decent, but hard to say until they're put into use.

I've got a real mix of stuff in my box, but mostly Craftsman, Mastercraft Pro/Maximum and other tools of primarily North American manufacture.  I tend to stay away from the HF style tool store offerings for the same reasons you're talking about.

1979 Type 1 Convertible                                       1976 Scirocco (For Sale!)
1971 Type 1 Semi-Automatic Super                       1968 Type 1 Sedan
1961 Type 1 Sedan
1957 Type 1 Sunroof

Der Bugmeister's Website

  • From: Austin, TX USA
  • Registered: 2004-03-30
  • Posts: 240

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

I use them strictly for a "use once, be amazed if it lasts longer" store. The last thing I bought from them was a floor jack to use while I either bite the bullet and buy a quality one or find an old American made Craftsman (or similar) at a garage sale that I can refurbish. Unpacked the jack, slid it under the car, and the cup popped off, as it was only held in with a flimsy cotter pin. I replaced the cotter pin and still use it, but expect it to drop at a moment's notice and make damn sure that I have floor jacks set up if climbing underneath the car.

-David

Last edited by stereotype one (2010-12-31 07:12:54)

  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

Der Bugmeister wrote:

What vintage Crescent do you use?  I got a "Crescent Racing" socket set (by Crescent under the Apex Tool Group) for Christmas, and found mixed reviews on the quality.  It's made in Taiwan and initial appearances are pretty decent, but hard to say until they're put into use.

It's not a "vintage" set, unfortunately. Thieves cleaned out the garage immediately after our first house fire several years ago, so a friend of the family showed up and brought tools, food, and a new piano. Having no other tools at the time, it was like gold to me. Made in Taiwan like you said, but probably the best quality items I've seen come out of that country. I can only assume that Crescent pressed them hard on quality and held their feet to the fire. The only sub-standard bit I found in my 96 piece set is the 3/8 to 1/4 adapter.
My Craftsman socket set is much older, probably from the 80's. Fortunately it was not in the garage, and was found in my basement workshop. It's a nice set with SAE and Metric deepwells and all three sizes of rachet drivers. My only complaint about this set is the plastic case: It does not fit well, and if you set it down the wrong way the sockes fall out of their spots, then you have to spend the next 15 minutes sorting the set out again.

Some of my favorite tools are a set of Greatneck looooong handle combo wrenches, and some Duralast racheting box end wrenches. The most carefully crafted tool I own is a small rachet bit driver set I just bought a few months ago. This set had been sitting in an auto parts store display case for so many years that the store employees could not remember how long it had been there. It cost around $32 USD, which is probably why nobody bought it, but the set is built with such precision and care, it is well worth it. I have to say that working with AC VW's has deepend my apreciation of "Precision", lol.

Paul

  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

stereotype one wrote:

I use them strictly for a "use once, be amazed if it lasts longer" store. The last thing I bought from them was a floor jack to use while I either bite the bullet and buy a quality one or find an old American made Craftsman (or similar) at a garage sale that I can refurbish. Unpacked the jack, slid it under the car, and the cup popped off, as it was only held in with a flimsy cotter pin. I replaced the cotter pin and still use it, but expect it to drop at a moment's notice and make damn sure that I have floor jacks set up if climbing underneath the car.

-David

I think I'll adopt your "use once, be amazed if it lasts longer" philosophy wink
I always use jackstands, sometimes with both my floorjacks also in place to share the load. I once had a shop owner call me the other term for a donkey's rectum because I used jackstands. Now, if I'm just rotating tires or other work, then I'll just use the jacks. But if I'M going under there, that changes the whole ballgame!

Paul

  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 630

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

Good to know about those Crescents.  I'm looking forward to putting them through their paces, as I've always looked at Asian sourced tools with trepidation.  These ones seem to be of better quality than what I usually see, and I do like the feel of the ratchets.  A lot smoother than the Mastercraft ones I also got.  Hopefully some grease will get those ones playing a bit nicer.

We've probably got similar Craftsman sets - mine was my first set of decent sockets back around '88.  My plastic case gave up the ghost years ago and everything moved into a portable box right quick.  Been using and loving them for years.

1979 Type 1 Convertible                                       1976 Scirocco (For Sale!)
1971 Type 1 Semi-Automatic Super                       1968 Type 1 Sedan
1961 Type 1 Sedan
1957 Type 1 Sunroof

Der Bugmeister's Website

  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Registered: 2005-09-10
  • Posts: 2,336

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

To be honest...I really have not had that much problem with Harbor Freight.  I have purchased quite a few tools from them over the last 10 years or so...and for the most part (80-90%)...everything has been fine.

I know that I have a lot of tools in my toolbox that I otherwise would not have if it weren't for Harbor Freights prices...for example:

- allen socket sets
- torx socket sets
- various impact socket sets
- a really awesome (larger than full size) 2.5 ton floor jack that has a maximum lift height of like 36" (most jacks only do 20")
- extra jack stands (6 ton)
- a shop press
- crowfoot wrench sets
- 3/4" drive socket sets
- etc. etc. etc.

There is just no way I could afford all of these "goodies" if I had to buy them from say Snap-On, Craftsman, or Mac Tools.  So my philosophy is...I would rather have less expensive versions of these tools in my tool box...then to not have them at all.  90% of the time they do just fine.

I would also mention that when it comes to tools like torque wrenches, micrometers, etc...that require a high level of precision...yeah...I might stay away from Harbor Freight.  But for most tools...in most situations...they do just fine. smile

- Nick

1979 Super Beetle Convertible
  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,889

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

Bug In My Nose wrote:

To be honest...I really have not had that much problem with Harbor Freight.  - Nick

  I'm pretty sure if you used them everyday, you would not be able to say this wink
As I said earlier, most will be OK for occasional use. I have some in my box that if I had to rely on them everyday would for sure be switched to ones  off the tool wagon.

My main set I bought over 40 years ago, Craftsman,which I still have. But when I started to do this everyday I had to move up to Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Cornwell, Etc.

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Registered: 2005-09-10
  • Posts: 2,336

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

burrhead wrote:
Bug In My Nose wrote:

To be honest...I really have not had that much problem with Harbor Freight.  - Nick

  I'm pretty sure if you used them everyday, you would not be able to say this wink
As I said earlier, most will be OK for occasional use. I have some in my box that if I had to rely on them everyday would for sure be switched to ones  off the tool wagon.

My main set I bought over 40 years ago, Craftsman,which I still have. But when I started to do this everyday I had to move up to Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Cornwell, Etc.

I'm sure you're right.  smile  I could see tools like screwdrivers, open-ended wrenches, torx & allen head sockets (if low quality) getting pretty chewed up if used everyday.

I'm also commenting from the standpoint of the weekend mechanic or DIY person (which I'm guessing most Volkswebbin members are).  Having an affordable version of a tool that they could otherwise not justify purchasing (or not be able to afford) is where I think the low prices (and probably lower quality/durability) of Harbor Freight tools fit in. smile


For example:

A 7 piece torx socket set from Snap-On costs $171.85:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp … ir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/17600/17517.JPG

A similar 9-piece torx socket set is on sale for $7.99 (normally $9.99) at Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-st … 91238.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_2356.jpg
I'm sure from the weekend mechanic or DIY person's viewpoint...$7.99 vs. $171.85 is a pretty attractive difference! smile  But from a professional mechanics viewpoint maybe paying $171.85 for a tool set that will get the job done in almost all situations, last a lifetime, and has a lifetime warranty (free replacements if they do break or wear out)...may be attractive as well.

- Nick

p.s.  Hopefully the Snap-On Torx socket set I linked is the lowest cost set Snap-On has.  Snap-On's website is not the easiest to navigate...I was looking for the least costly set for the comparison. smile

1979 Super Beetle Convertible
  • Registered: 2010-10-27
  • Posts: 35

Re: Is every other item at at Harbor Freight bad?

the store is ok..... as long it's something cheap not expensive stuff that could break like welders. I bought a socket wrench a month ago and now it's kinda breaking..... I will go for craftsman stuff that are stronger.

Super Beetle 74 currently restoring...
69 standard beetle