Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I forgot, I also have their metal cutting bandsaw. Needed some tune-up work out of the box, and some good U.S. steel blades, but has done yeoman work ever since.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

Best thing I bought there was a $59 (after coupons) toe kick saw. Used it for a kitchen project and resold it for a few bucks more than I paid for it.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

Top 3 tools for me:
1. 120 volt inverter welder, weighs just a couple of pounds $149.00
2. 2. oscillating multi-tool, rockwell clone $19.95
3. 3. Reciprocating saw, great for demo work $19.95
That little welder is a handy,quality product. I have welded all day long with it, welding everything from sheet metal to 1/4” angle

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I forgot, I also have one of the 6.5hp Predator engines HF sells. I bought it to put on my tiller. It runs like a champ. I also paid about $90. I don't know about parts availability either, but I couldn't pass up the deal. I also bought one of their tile saws a few years ago when I tiled my bathrooms. I could rent a big one locally or buy a cheap one for the same price as the rental. I ended up using it when I tiled the backsplash in my kitchen. I guess in the long run, I save myself some money because I didn't have to go rent one to do that job. If I can buy a cheap HF tool for the same or less than a rental, I'll usually go ahead and buy it. May save me another trip to the rental place if I ever need one again.

 

[windy5849]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I forgot, I also have one of the 6.5hp Predator engines HF sells. I bought it to put on my tiller. It runs like a champ. I also paid about $90. I don't know about parts availability either, but I couldn't pass up the deal.

Since most of these engines are Honda clones,a lot of Honda parts are direct,higher quality replacements.

 

[IraRat]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I've bought two trailers from them, a folding 4 by 8 (which I converted to not fold), and a 4 by 4. I used the 4 by 8 to build a teardrop travel trailer on.

Both of these trailers are about 75% more expensive at Northern Tool. The EXACT same trailers made in China.

Their best item though is their electric fly swatter that looks like a tennis racquet! 3 bucks and thousands of bloody kills later, it still works fine!

 

[bigdee]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

Their best item though is their electric fly swatter that looks like a tennis racquet! 3 bucks and thousands of bloody kills later, it still works fine!

I bought several. A lot of fun while sitting on the porch drinking beer. Works good on humans too!

 

[IraRat]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I bought several. A lot of fun while sitting on the porch drinking beer. Works good on humans too!

I've been tempted to take a crack at that with my wife (literally), but then my better judgment prevailed.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I've been tempted to take a crack at that with my wife (literally), but then my better judgment prevailed.

Isn't it strange how overwhelming that temptation is?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

The multi tool is very good.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I have bought some of their tools that I use at work, does an ok job for the most part. I bought one of the survival knives broke first time out of the gate was for a junk knife to have. Thought I would use to cut the hide on a deer I sharpened it before use so it was junk.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I've bought the 1800 lb trailer from them a long time ago (was made in some eastern European country) that's still going strong.

2 shallow well jet pumps. First one I was able to get rebuild parts for the pump pretty easy, and cheap, but then the motor started smoking capacitors, so bought another.

A $20 knock off of a B&D Workmate that's pretty decent for light duty work.

Their top shelf Borescope, which is actually made by Autel (fairly respectable automotive electronics company). I need to get a new camera head for it, because apparently they were serious when they say don't stick it into a hot cylinder :facepalm:. Other than that it worked great before I broke it.

Underwater camera with IR lighting, and monitor works real good. I believe they no longer sell it though.

Wayyy back in the day, before there was a HF store around these parts. I ordered a MTD snow blower with an 8hp Tecumseh Snow King from them. Not that HF had anything to do with making it, but I thought I got a decent deal on it at $600 bucks with free shipping. Still going too.

Their heavy duty nitrile gloves hold up great, and are reasonable at 7 bucks a box.

Of course there's a bunch of odds and ends here and there not worth mentioning.

Only major beef I have with them in the past is their returns policy. It was no receipt, no return or exchange. Even if the item is clearly from HF, and is supposed to have a lifetime warranty. Just checked their site, and it may have changed (using no hassle now)?

 

[matt167]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I have/ had several of their tools and you really have to know what to buy. They used to sell top quality goodyear air hose but within the last year quit that. I never did care for the PCV stuff.. The big compressor is a US made ( in virginia ) top quality compressor sold without the good warranty and different paint. can't remember the brand. Most of the smaller compressors are Campbell Hausfeld as is some of the air tools.. I'm going on my 6th year with my 3 ton jack, engine crane is going on 20 years old and I just recently replaced the cylinder because the pump cylinder leaked bad.
I have 2 HF Predator engines, bought on sale $99.. They will eventually make it to my gas powered compressor project which uses 2 3hp pumps also from HF. They run fine and start on 1st pull usually.. As far as parts. carbs, fuel tank, ignition components and exhaust cross to Honda and other clones, but the 212cc engine runs a different piston and crank so if major happens, then it's replace time but a rebuild cost at that point would break $99 anyway
My 90234 compressor is identical to a CH compressor sold at lowes at the time for $200 more than I paid. It still works great tho I had a capacitor meltdown, I just bought a replacement and it still works. The multitool for the $8 that it cost, is perfect for anything, even boat rebuilding
The HF tools that I have killed
14" Chop saw ( old $50 special )- still works but cutting head is twisted from cutting 2x3x 11ga square tubing
4" grinder- left in weather for a couple days accidentally, went up in smoke when turned on
old 1/4hp 3gal compressor ( $30 sidewalk sale )- burned up after hours of consistent running
1/4" flex head wratchet, too bad it's that weak, it's great for putting torque converter bolts into a Subaru tq converter from the access on top. literally jammed up with inch pounds of pressure on it

As I break stuff, I tend to buy a good tool rather than replace with HF
Ridgid 14" chop saw with cast iron base- $179 but lifetime warranty on wear parts
Stanley 1/4" ratchet ( matches most of my other stuff )
4.5" Grinder ( went back to HF )
1/4 hp compressor- not replaced

 

[briangcc]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I've had a mixed experience there as well...

I bought my father in-law a set of the blue pipe clamps and the silly little springs went twang the first time he used them. Basically rendered useless at that point but since we weren't sure he was going full tilt into wood working it was an ok purchase....turns out he got out of his woodworking for now.

Also the blades for the sazall knockoff really suck. I was able to cut one exhaust pipe on my car, went over to the other side and it was dull. Swapped in a new blade and almost instantaneously it was dull. The saw still works though.


On the flip side, I have many of their sockets/ratchets/breaker bars and those work just fine with lifetime warranties to boot. Can't complain there as I've yet to break one. I bought a 1/2" extendable ratchet for my wife and I'm really pleased with it to the point where I'm going to pick up one for my truck as the extra leverage is nice for when the grease monkeys torque the lugnuts down.

I also own one of their cheap HVLP touch up guns. I've yet to use it but a buddy has one and raved about it so for about $8 it was worth a shot. I might try it out later this year on a spare trans am hood I have laying around.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

Harbor Freight - WeldingWeb? - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts

They have two sticky threads:
Harbor Freight Tools that Suck
Harbor Freight Tools that don't Suck

 

[dolluper]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

WE have Princess Auto in Canada....same stock maybe same owner all China made mostly.....I was in the area bought a O2sensor removal socket....of coarse on sale first time tried to use iit split.....20 year old plumbers wrench{Can made} took the o2 sensor out in a New York second.....All I can say buyer beware.....but they replaced the socket no problem but who cares JUNK

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I refuse to buy any of the Chicago Electric power tools, as they don't even have a reasonable lifespan. I could buy the ESP, but it's just not worth the hassle of returning the tool. Not being a professional, I buy mid line power tools like Milwaukee, Rigid and Ryobi.

And, Harbor Freight sells only junk air compressors. The 90 day warranty tells the tale. I do use their 1/2" and 3/8" impact wrenches, and got 20 years out of one before it failed.

But everything else is great--for the money. I go down the ends of the gondolas to find that month's special sale items, and look for the pink tags all over the store.

There should be a sign over the door: "Broads not allowed." It's a man's kind'a place. I actually get excited to see so many great deals in one place.

 

[matt167]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

I refuse to buy any of the Chicago Electric power tools, as they don't even have a reasonable lifespan. I could buy the ESP, but it's just not worth the hassle of returning the tool. Not being a professional, I buy mid line power tools like Milwaukee, Rigid and Ryobi.

And, Harbor Freight sells only junk air compressors. The 90 day warranty tells the tale. I do use their 1/2" and 3/8" impact wrenches, and got 20 years out of one before it failed.

But everything else is great--for the money. I go down the ends of the gondolas to find that month's special sale items, and look for the pink tags all over the store.

There should be a sign over the door: "Broads not allowed." It's a man's kind'a place. I actually get excited to see so many great deals in one place.

Have to disagree with the compressors. The large 60 gallon 2 stage compressor is made by Belaire. They used to have a smaller one also made by Belaire but it has been discontinued. The large model retails for about 1/2 of the comparable Belaire and has been confirmed that they are the same compressor without the warranty ( by Belaire reps ).. Most of the smaller models are/ were made by Campbell Hausfeld or Devilbiss depending on the model but some crapola has been put into their lineup recently. My 90234 ( 10 gal, 3hp oil lubricated, direct drive ) has seen 100% duty cycles for as much as 6hrs constantly ( painting ), and the only faliure has been the run capacitor meltdown which was not a hard part to obtain.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

Campbell Hausfeld and Devilbiss are not the companies of old. Their low end compressors are low quality made in China.

My next large 220V compressor will be a Champion. Made in the USA but also around $1600.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350353482779?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[dolluper]

Re: Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

Funny your thinking Champion I have a30 ++++ year old one 60 gallon 220 v 17 cfm at 90 oil lubed { only kind to have }5hp that cungs on still perfect machine ....tank still like new would never sell it ....it will be willed....likey someone.....don't know about the new ones this is an 1982 model