Harbor Freight Quality, Comparisons

[Canine]

Just noticed yesterday that the second of three fans on my HF 2000 watt inverter has stopped running.Called their customer service for parts this morning and was informed no parts are available.Checked the internet and found the fans I need for $4.99 each.I guess a lot of Chinese stuff is interchangeable.

 

[GotSmart]

Do not buy any wire connection parts from them. Spend a few dollars more and get something that will not fail. I had to replace every wire connector because of bad metal and brittle connections. Learn how to sop and you can save a few dollars there. I have seen people buying enough to stock their whole workshop, while an old guy stands in the background pointing and laughing.

I stock up on cutter blades and flashlights there.

 

[highdesertranger]

you guy's crack me up. someone bought me a Harbor Freight drill index for Christmas one year. the bits where trash, some of them wouldn't even drill though aluminum. I scrapped them. as far as consumables like blades, how are you saving money when you can pay twice as much for a blade that lasts 10x longer. I just don't understand. I don't even buy the Home Depot cut off wheels, because I can go to the metal supply yard get wheels that cost twice as much but last 10x longer. spending a dollar to save a dime just don't work out. highdesertranger

 

[Canine]

Well,One does have to be discriminating .I never buy tape,sandpaper,sawbldes etc there.I can't complain about the inverter.I bought it new when I upgraded my solar system almost 5 years ago.

 

[GotSmart]

They do stock some name brands, and when the sale hits~~~ GOLD!

HDR, I would like to meet you in the back woods for a loud party around a campfire. (Someplace that allows them)

You sound like someone I would like to spend at least an evening with.

We could agree to disagree on a lot of things.

 

[highdesertranger]

there's nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree. highdesertranger

 

[SternWake]

I have one of their angle grinders, and it refuses to die so I can justify buying something better. When i did use a Makita angle grinder, I was surprised how much quieter it was.

I bought their corded oscillating tool, and have beat the Piss out of it. Also have not needed to get something better, yet, but using a friend's Fein the quality difference and efficacy, is astounding


The Cen-tech cheapo digital multimeters can be opened up and the voltage calibrated. They do drift over time. Just because it might have compared fine when new, do not trust it to still be in spec in 3 years. I foolishly trusted one a decade ago. It assisted me into sending a battery into an early grave.

I have their socket and wrenches that were something ridiculous like 5$ for a complete set of 1/4 and 3/8 metric sockets. I don't make money turning wrenches and these have been fine for my uses, and are nicely organized. If my knuckles are at risk, I use my friend's Snap on tools

I have found their electrical connectors to be horrid. Some of their heatshrink 1/4 inch preshrink and red in color, to later expand and slide on the wire. Serious fire hazards

I have bought their 12awg extension cords, 25, 50 and 100'. The male end connectors usually need replacing after thee ground pin falls out, they get all funky and like to tie themselves in knots, and have a lot of memory. My friends Rigid 100' 12 gauge cable is so much better, but 2x the price.

I really like their camouflage tarps, not that they are particularly durable though.

Their cut of wheels certainly shrink faster than the home depot ones, but the 10 pack I bought 5 years ago is still holding with as much cutting as I do.

Generally HF tools are either good enough for an amature on a single job, or just horrid.

Really they are like food shopping in a 99 cent store. The fruit might look good in the store, but if not washed promptly is growing fuzz the next day, and who knows what evil pesticide was used on it right before being picked.

I am not proud of the number of HF tools I own, but some of them have proved to be remarkedly durable, some others not worth the air they displaced.


Would never consider their Machete. I once bought a wal mart machete some 25 years ago. It folded 30 degrees on the first swing and broke in half when I tried to straighten it. I like a longer latin style machete with a lot of flex. Best one I ever had I brought back from Costa Rica, well used. It could penetrate way deeper into a log than heavier stiffer machete, and never bent, and was easily extracted.

 

[Ken in Anaheim]

there's nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree.  highdesertranger

I'm not sure if I agree with that statement..............
KinA :angel:

 

[GotSmart]

I'm not sure if I agree with that statement..............
KinA :angel:

Den PUT EM UP!   (best Snagglepuss voice!)

   That is the way we always stopped arguments and passed another beer in the PKD.