Harbor Freight

[jiho]

I don't think HF has any more deceptive or misleading marketing now than before. It's just that with more brands and more stuff, there's more to be deceptive and misleading about ....

 

[jiho]

One big reason factories went to China was the cost of medical care, which went up a lot more a lot faster than anything else. which made it impossible for companies to control costs and squeeze out more profits. Or even just compete to stay in business.

 

[jiho]

One of the unexpected uses for that breaker bar ....

 

[airboatgreg]

I like HF for a few things but I also have noticed a shift. I have had good luck with their stuff and bad luck

 

[airboatgreg]

Sometimes you have to go with the adage of buy once cry once

 

[87National]

I like HF for a few things but I also have noticed a shift. I have had good luck with their stuff and bad luck

As a consumer, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from the bad experiences.

Take a look at the reviews on the HF website. If a tool has less than a 4 star rating and the reviews indicate that the tool just flat out doesn't work.....don't buy it.

I will also check out Youtube reviews and search message boards (ex. anything related to welding, I will search the welding forums).

I've been shopping Harbor Freight regularly for the past 12 years or so and only once have i bought something that i did not feel that i got my money's worth ($20 elec cutoff tool).

 

[87National]

Sometimes you have to go with the adage of buy once cry once

All depends on the use of the tool. For cordless tools and my welder...... Those are definetly name brand.

For something that only sees occasional use.... like a trim router I bought last week to mortise in the door hinge on some interior doors.....I bought the $24 (after coupon) tool from HF rather than the $100 makita.

 

[Ribbedroof]

The one in Midwest City, OK has had real-live parking lot sales a couple times...tent in the lot

 

[Streetbu]

I just bought a paint sprayer to do the interior of my house and eventually the doors. Had over 2500 positive reviews and was much cheaper than the professional options. Given that once my house is built I'll probably never use it again, but I had a lot of painting to do, it was WELL worth the investment and I'll sell it for half price when I'm done with it.

 

[el camino ss 84]

I've bought some things over the years like a transmission jack, 3 ton car jack, air scrapper for taking up flooring. As long as there not abused they will last a long time for being cheap tools.