Hmmm...this is new, Harbor Freight

[Gambles]

I am always a bit surprised (and for sure disappointed) by the ability of Americans to show envy in the face of well-earned success.

For the record, I am happy for his success. I will also admit I own several pieces of the Hercules line of battery-powered pieces of tools. They have held up well in a harsh environment . In a previous job, I used the Milwaukee brand of battery powered tools. You want to know the difference between Milwaukee and Hercules line of tools? Both are (mostly) made in China. But the Hercules line is American owned. The Milwaukee line is now Chinese owned.

 

[timcasbolt]

I am happy for him and his ability to purchase nice things! He had a vision and idea and followed thhrough and made it successful through hard work. I am always a bit surprised (and for sure disappointed) by the ability of Americans to show envy in the face of well-earned success.

And then worship those born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

 

[bc]

I don't have a problem with Pittsburgh wrenches or sockets. I like their deep impact sockets and use them the most for everyday stuff.

 

[Poonie]

I dont care what anyone says negatively about harbor freight. I've had good luck with all but one item I bought from them, and that was a cheapo grease gun that wouldn't work right out of the box. I've had a similar issue (again with a cheap grease gun) from Tractor Supply. Both were made in China.

Anyone who thinks "Oh, I'm not buying that Chinese crap", had better look at the labels when they buy Craftsmen, or other such once American made tools from other stores. They all have stuff made overseas.

I couldn't care less where something is made, so long as it's decent enough quality and does what I expect it to do. Surely, most of Harbor Freight tools are cheap and of lesser quality than name brands. However, for an occasional weekend warrior like myself, it isn't cost effective to buy a Snap On, or Milwaukee, for a tool that I'm maybe going to use three times a year. HF fills that void for me very nicely.

 

[Mad Farmer]

Sitting watching TV the other day and I saw the first Harbor Freight commercial I've ever seen on TV. It was on Directv's Discovery channel. Anyone else seen a Harbor Freight commercial?

Not on free/broadcast TV yet.

I don't pay for bs......

 

[Mad Farmer]

I dont care what anyone says negatively about harbor freight. I've had good luck with all but one item I bought from them, and that was a cheapo grease gun that wouldn't work right out of the box. I've had a similar issue (again with a cheap grease gun) from Tractor Supply. Both were made in China.

Anyone who thinks "Oh, I'm not buying that Chinese crap", had better look at the labels when they buy Craftsmen, or other such once American made tools from other stores. They all have stuff made overseas.

I couldn't care less where something is made, so long as it's decent enough quality and does what I expect it to do. Surely, most of Harbor Freight tools are cheap and of lesser quality than name brands. However, for an occasional weekend warrior like myself, it isn't cost effective to buy a Snap On, or Milwaukee, for a tool that I'm maybe going to use three times a year. HF fills that void for me very nicely.

All my Craftsman/Snap On/Mac/ SK stuff is from the last millennium, good tools.

Used is better than CHINA CRAP!

 

[bc]

I have tool sets spread around 8 different places and vehicles. Every place needs both sae and metric anymore. Probably every wrench and socket set is always missing the one I need at the time. Must be a packrat or burglar running around collecting them. Cheaper to buy a set than individual tools. Go figure. Been late at using it but after removing and replacing and oil pan, I need to keep the 20v impact around more often. Somewhere I have air and battery powered ratchets around in cases collecting dust if I would think to use them but they are never handy. If I go to a pawn shop or garage sale it's to look for tools. Everything with a battery needs a wrench to fit the cables hanging on a wire nearby under the hood so I don't have to hunt for one of those. Seems like everyone needs a different size sae or metric wrench to fit.

 

[Goose]

HF has come a long way.

Back in the 1980s I ordered a couple of siphon feed paint guns from them when their only facility was a mail order store in California.

I dont care what anyone says negatively about harbor freight. I've had good luck with all but one item I bought from them, and that was a cheapo grease gun that wouldn't work right out of the box. I've had a similar issue (again with a cheap grease gun) from Tractor Supply. Both were made in China.

Anyone who thinks "Oh, I'm not buying that Chinese crap", had better look at the labels when they buy Craftsmen, or other such once American made tools from other stores. They all have stuff made overseas.

I couldn't care less where something is made, so long as it's decent enough quality and does what I expect it to do. Surely, most of Harbor Freight tools are cheap and of lesser quality than name brands. However, for an occasional weekend warrior like myself, it isn't cost effective to buy a Snap On, or Milwaukee, for a tool that I'm maybe going to use three times a year. HF fills that void for me very nicely.

 

[Poonie]

All my Craftsman/Snap On/Mac/ SK stuff is from the last millennium, good tools.

Used is better than CHINA CRAP!

Well, shop flea markets for 60 year old tools if it makes you feel better. However don't talk crap unless you have done your homework. The stuff HF sells today is a far cry from even ten years ago.

Hey, I'm not saying HF is great but they fill a niche and a price point such that even people on fixed incomes like me can buy decent tools that get the job done.

 

[TerryfromSWIowa]

All my Craftsman/Snap On/Mac/ SK stuff is from the last millennium, good tools.

Used is better than CHINA CRAP!

Agree my Craftsman 1/4,3/8,1/2 drive tools and wrench set is from the late 80's. Broke a 3/8 drive 1/2 inch socket and can't replace it now with same quality.

 

[Caryc]

Did you really respond twice, just to tell everyone this and that you don’t pay for tv? Not sure how some people get around with egos so large.

Those people that don't watch TV and seem to think they have to brag about it seem to think that they are somehow far superior than us peons.

 

[Goose]

Well, shop flea markets for 60 year old tools if it makes you feel better. However don't talk crap unless you have done your homework. The stuff HF sells today is a far cry from even ten years ago.

Hey, I'm not saying HF is great but they fill a niche and a price point such that even people on fixed incomes like me can buy decent tools that get the job done.

it amuses me when guys insist on buying Snap On tools, saying the extra price is worth it for "Made in the USA" quality. Right on Snap On's web site it says they have manufacturing facilities in 29 countries, including China. So, where do your Snap On tools actually come from?

 

[NDIHC]

it amuses me when guys insist on buying Snap On tools, saying the extra price is worth it for "Made in the USA" quality. Right on Snap On's web site it says they have manufacturing facilities in 29 countries, including China. So, where do your Snap On tools actually come from?

I haven't seen anything except USA on any of my Snap On tools. They are a worldwide company and have manufacturing plants in countries where they sell their tools. I own everything from no name to Allied to Kmart brand KMC on the cheap end to Snap on, Cornwell, Mac, Matco. They all have their place. Certain tools I want high end, others cheaper tools will work just fine. Some coworkers have some of the newer Hf tools and I'm pleasantly surprised that they are pretty decent tools. A far cry from what I bought from.them.in the mid 80s. I bought a set of body hammers back then and the heads of every one broke in two within the first couple of times I used them.

 

[bc]

HF has come a long way.

Back in the 1980s I ordered a couple of siphon feed paint guns from them when their only facility was a mail order store in California.

Back in the 80's we had those tool truckloads show up at some motel lot or room in town for one or two days. Those crummy Buffalo tools were the worst junk ever made. They saw me and everyone else coming.

Trying to remember the name of the mail order company from the 60s's and 70's that sold tools and other stuff cheap. Seems like they were out of Chicago and it started with a W. Sent out catalogs all the time. I probably still have one or two of their things around even though it was low quality stuff.

 

[NDIHC]

Back in the 80's we had those tool truckloads show up at some motel lot or room in town for one or two days. Those crummy Buffalo tools were the worst junk ever made. They saw me and everyone else coming.

Trying to remember the name of the mail order company from the 60s's and 70's that sold tools and other stuff cheap. Seems like they were out of Chicago and it started with a W. Sent out catalogs all the time. I probably still have one or two of their things around even though it was low quality stuff.

At one time JC Whitney was called Warshawskis..I don't know when the name was changed. Before I remember anyway. The only reason I know is because my dad told me about the Warshawskis catalogs.

 

[Ultradog MN]

It's all about quality.
I have a whole page of countries I will buy from -
I have German drill chucks, Spanish wrenches, a Swedish drill press, Israeli carbide inserts, tractor parts from Britain, Korea, Turkey, and other countries, Japanese tools and bearings. Have Finnish , Belgian, Italian firearms, wine from France, cheese from Ireland, pickled herring from Denmark, tractor tires from India, oil from Canada, fruit and vegetables from Mexico, phones from Vietnam, etc, etc
I buy USA made if at all possible and will pay extra for them.
But I concientiosly avoid buying stuff from China if I can.
I hope saying this doesn't cause a big disturbance.

 

[Hemmjo]

It's all about quality.
I have a whole page of countries I will buy from -
I have German drill chucks, Spanish wrenches, a Swedish drill press, Israeli carbide inserts, tractor parts from Britain, Korea, Turkey, and other countries, Japanese tools and bearings. Have Finnish , Belgian, Italian firearms, wine from France, cheese from Ireland, pickled herring from Denmark, tractor tires from India, oil from Canada, fruit and vegetables from Mexico, phones from Vietnam, etc, etc
I buy USA made if at all possible and will pay extra for them.
But I concientiosly avoid buying stuff from China if I can.
I hope saying this doesn't cause a big disturbance.

We live in a world economy now, like it or not. Not many of us have any idea where our food comes from, unless you grow it yourself or know who did.

I have an HF Bauer portable band saw. It works great. I bought an HF tire changer for small size tires, it is junk. You have to be selective with shopping there. They have some good stuff, and some junk.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Those people that don't watch TV and seem to think they have to brag about it seem to think that they are somehow far superior than us peons.

Television is designed to stir the emotions, not the intellect.
But the problems of the world - and of your life, require conscientious thought and problem solving, not the shouting and shrillness of emotion.
Go one year without your TV. You will begin to notice you are calmer, better informed and have a longer attention span than those around you.
Heavy tv watchers can not have a debate. They can only argue and spew the latest talking points from the TV talking heads - none of which are their own ideas.
If you wish to argue this, first, turn off your tv for a couple/few years. But by then you will have realized how bad TV really was for you and we won't have an argument after all.

 

[MJMJ]

You jus

Television is designed to stir the emotions, not the intellect.
But the problems of the world - and of your life, require conscientious thought and problem solving, not the shouting and shrillness of emotion.
Go one year without your TV. You will begin to notice you are calmer, better informed and have a longer attention span than those around you.
Heavy tv watchers can not have a debate. They can only argue and spew the latest talking points from the TV talking heads - none of which are their own ideas.
If you wish to argue this, first, turn off your tv for a couple/few years. But by then you will have realized how bad TV really was for you and we won't have an argument after all.

You just made his point. You have no idea of anyones tv habits or opinions, yet you still act like you’re smarter. A little news flash, internet is 100 times worse than tv for those things you’re preaching about. Yet you’re still here.

 

[GChief]

You jus

You just made his point. You have no idea of anyones tv habits or opinions, yet you still act like you’re smarter. A little news flash, internet is 100 times worse than tv for those things you’re preaching about. Yet you’re still here.

Agreed, nothing on TV gets me spun up, well except the SPCA commercials, those make me what to be violent. I understand what it is and can always find something to entertain me when I finally sit down for an hr or two in the evening.