The Harbor Freight Tool Support/Hate Thread!

[Kozworth]

I wanted to start a tool thread to help other techs that are in my position out! I am 22 and a lube tech 35 hours a week and a "B" tech 15-20 hours a week. Between rent, my e30, food, gas, life, etc I cannot really justify what snapon charges. I just paid 200$ for a set of 7 or 8 chrome 3/8 swivel sets..

I feel like my box (used, non roller bearing box) and my limited ammount of snap on tools ( basically 1/4 and 3/8 stuff, matco pliers, and gear wrench/matco wrenches) is already way above my spending limit for someone who does not even need tools 5 days out of the week.

If anyone has any advice on Harbor Freight tools, how well they warranty their tools, etc, post in here.

My .2 cents is I helped a friend do a head gasket on a Range Rover. We used a chrome 6 point snap on socket, and actually broke the socket getting the head bolts out. As a last resort, we used my harbor freight impact shallows without issue/flaws for further removal and installation.

The only issue with being an upcoming tech is you seek your higher ups respect and whatnot.. and when you roll in with a box filled with budget tools, it sets a weird tone! Completely irrelevant in my opinion but I would much rather spend a few more minutes with a less tooth wratchet then have the Snap On guy up my ass with bills and buying things every week.

Thoughts?

[LJ851]

Repost.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=279693

[jaywood]

I have a bunch of HF tools. Certain hand tools from them are fine...the sockets aren't too great however. I have HF c-clamps, vise grips, adjustable wrenches, casters, mini air compressor, metal grinders, air grinders (get used heavily everyday), angle grinders, air drills, etc....I have had VERY good luck with my HF stuff.

[dereliiict]

I have a bunch of HF tools. Certain hand tools from them are fine...the sockets aren't too great however. I have HF c-clamps, vise grips, adjustable wrenches, casters, mini air compressor, metal grinders, air grinders (get used heavily everyday), angle grinders, air drills, etc....I have had VERY good luck with my HF stuff.

I agree. I have used them in the motorcycle shop for the greater part of ten years. Most of their products are fine, but don't expect a very long lifespan from them. You get what you pay for.

[reelizmpro]

I consider HF tools an awesome bargain. I think for the commonly used tools, you will be better off with a quality brand but for seldom used tools, they are fine. Just take care not to over do it and keep them lubricated/oiled and they will be fine. They have a lifetime warranty on all hand tools. I once broke a box wrench, so I just took it back and got a replacement out of another set they had on the rack. No receipt or paperwork. I'd say about 80-90% of my tools are from HF..including air tools. I just don't see the value in the higher dollar tools, especially for a shade tree mechanic.

If you run a shop and can't afford the down time, it makes sense to use the best. You can afford to invest more in the tools of the trade but for most of us the HF tools are the way to go.

[E30_Pare]

Like the rubber grip screw drivers. I tend to lose these a lot doing mobile jobs. So cheapness is a must.

All the snap on is at home locked away & only gets used on my projects. Once bent a snap-on breaker, but lifetime warranty is legit. So in the end you technically buy snap on once. As long as you dont lose them will last a lifetime.

[fanboi]

fiance just got a job with HF. I will be buying lots of things now. :)

[Kevinl]

i dont do enough wrenching anymore to buy snap on, matco, cornwell

I used to buy husky or craftsman Home depot cut there tool selcetion to practically nothing and craftsman isnt what it used to be

I like harbor freight hand tools. I wouldn't touch there power tools though

[UpstateMike]

I use a lot of craftsman, husky, evercraft (napa) and gear wrench brand tools. I own one snap on tool and thats my impact gun. The thing rips. I do own a handful of hf items and for the money I like the cheap hvlp spray gun, the die grinder and the red auto darkening welding helmet. Hope this info is useful to someone.

[shameson]

Got a breaker bar from for really cheap, no more than $15 and a nice little dolly to move things around. Came in handy when working on the jet skis. Other than that just about every other tool I wrench with is Snap On :p

[Nick_S]

I have a basic craftsman ratchet and socket set but just about everything else has come from HF. Some are great, some are crap.

[GillesBigCowboy]

Last week, I returned a several year old broken rod puller thingy, and they gave me a newer, nicer one no questions asked, no receipt, etc...
They seem hungry for business and customer focused... Overall tool quality seems to be creeping up also.

[UpstateMike]

I have a split impact socket that's about five years old. What Would my chances be that they would take it back?

[reelizmpro]

Pretty good I'd say. They know the stuff is cheap so they rely on volume.

[UpstateMike]

Pretty good I'd say. They know the stuff is cheap so they rely on volume.

I had no problem with returning the split socket much to my surprise!