Harbor freight

[Pat-CT]

How many of you guys have used harbor freight tools, I was looking at some tool boxes from them, I am not impressed at all with the craftsman ones now, Lots of side wobble to the drawers. But the harbor freight ones seem just as good for cheaper. Cant afford snap on

 

[Bob]

But "strap on" will let you make payments, for gosh sakes!

 

[bc]

It's hit or miss with HF. Just have to evaluate each tool on its own merits. Wouldn't surprise me if the same factory in china makes the same tool boxes for crapsman and HR.

 

[36 Coupe]

Lowes and home depot have boxes you can look at.Shipping a big tool box is risky.

 

[Goose]

I have an HF 11 drawer unit made up of three individual boxes. I'd say quality is comparable to others I've seen at twice the price.

Drawers fit good, slide nicely, have pads in the bottom, etc.

 

[J.Wondergem]

I like the two piece I got from them. I got it from there store, so no shipping charges were added.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 22:06:43 11/21/10) How many of you guys have used harbor freight tools, I was looking at some tool boxes from them, I am not impressed at all with the craftsman ones now, Lots of side wobble to the drawers. But the harbor freight ones seem just as good for cheaper. Cant afford snap on

Probably 30 years ago I bought a small bench grinder from Harbor Freight. I have used and abused that thing to no end and with the exception of the on/off switch, has just kept coming back for even more abuse, and that switch problem is very recent. I also bought a 3/8" air impact a year and a half ago and it is a total piece of junk. Leaks air from everywhere and is either full on or full off, depending on whether the air hose is connected or not. It is now doing duty as a paper weight on my work bench, and Harbor Freight will never get another dime from me.

 

[r_d97]

If you got to the HF web site, most products now have reviews on them. The tool boxes have been getting great reviews and have been reviewed by a lot of people (>60). I will be picking up one of the roll-around carts this week for work. 6 different people need to work out of the same tool boxes (company buys tools). I use only HF tools at work (R&D lab for food industry) because anything else gets legs and walks away. We had a nice set of snap-on wrenches that did not last a week. I bought the OK set of HF wrenches and they have been there 4 years (still complete). A fair quality tool that is there is always better than an excellent quality that is always gone.

Edward
HF tool cart

 

[John A.]

Pat-CT, The H.F. Big Red U.S.Steel boxes are better, IMO! The Store @ Temple Texas which is the nearest to Ft Hood,Tx. These guys have shipped many, many box combo to Iraq, and those areas for The local Service guys who mechanic.
I believe they are the best for the dollar spent.
Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.

 

[Mark-Mi]

I spent some time on the web yesterday researching tool boxes. First choice would be Snapper,Matco etc. But I can't find one on Craigs list in my price range that isn't all beat to sheet. This one will be used at home not daily to make a living. Read both good and bad about HF for the money. The decline in quality of Craftsman boxes. Did find some good comments about a box Menard's sells under Mastercraft name. Some thought better quality then Lowe's, Home depot and Craftsman and cheaper. Might check them out friday. Mark

 

[JDemaris]

You have to pick and choose, just as you do anywhere. HF has some of the best bargains on the planet if you're careful.

I've got many hand and power tools in my shop I bought from HF over 30 years ago that have held up fine. Especially the yellow "Chicago" brand electric tools.

As to hand tools? I've got two broken Snap On 3/4 drive rachets laying in the corner, and a HF 3/4 drive that still works. Bought the entire 3/4 rachet set around 1979 for $29.99.

With stuff that WAS crap - I've never had a problem returning. Customer serice at HF has always been fine.

 

[1936]

I look a lot and buy very little. Air hose when rolled out in cold weather can be pick up by one end and use as a 20 foot pointer and just started using a wire brush wheel on my grinder.

 

[msb]

I buy some tools at HF.Parts washer at $89 is a good buy even if the shelf is a bit flimsy. Bought the highest priced 1" impact they sell $279, I believe. Am very pleased with its performance.Less than half price of an IR.and just as powerful. 1800 ft.lbs. If you know quality when you see it,you can pick out the servicable from the junk.Have been told tools are unconditionally guaranteed.

 

[MarbargerFarms]

I have the U.S. General five drawer cart. I love it. I believe that the quality is twice that of craftsman. The drawers are very smooth and hold a good amount of tools. Its no snap on or matco but its also a quarter of the price. I wouldn"t hesitate to buy one of the big U.S. General boxes. They all fell very durable.

 

[Crem]

1936,
That is a good one on the 20' pointer.

 

[bc]

Go to each store, grab a handfull of tools off the shelf, and put in the drawers. Try them out and let us know which one you like best and buy.

I haven't looked at them in a long time but some are light guage and have flaky drawer rollers that hang up when you pull or push on them at an angle. No fun to deal with sticking drawers.

Since I have tools strung out in a half dozen locations, I just buy wrenchs and sockets in their own carrying case to keep them together. Keep them laid out on a shelf or bench where I can see them. I hate pulling drawers to find something unless I can label them.

 

[trucker 40]

Since Craftsman is made in the USA and US General is made in China,I think Id go for Craftsman made by Waterloo in the USA or Waterloo.I looked and both Craftsman and Waterloo have tool boxes that look the same in the picture for the same price.

There are other kinds that are made in the USA too like Snap On or others,but I think I would rule out the Chinese ones since looking at the prices the Chinese ones are just as much money,maybe more.They would need to be a lot better of a box for me to buy them.

I think I would look long and hard at what was on Craigs list or something and try and get a good Craftsman or Snap On rather than buy an expensive Chinese made one.

A new Snap On one is just ridiculous.A Waterloo is on sale right now for 3 boxes for what one Snap On one goes for.Of course I cant tell how thick the steel is,and Snap On may be thicker,I dont know.

I do know that years ago,Snap On AND Craftsman were made by the same company.I dont know what the name of the company was though.

If you look at the expensive ones from Craftsman and Snap On they still look alike in the pictures.I dont know if they are still made by the same company or not.Since some Craftsman is made by Waterloo I just wonder if Waterloo makes some for Snap On,or if Snap On makes their own.

 

[Lou from Wi.]

Looks like to me that the old school of thought that all H.F. tools are junk. Not so for us. Those who choose to think big named brands are the only way to go, has me thinking on the commercial "My DOG"s BETTER THEN YOUR DOG,CAUSE HE EATS KENNEL RATION ,MY DOGS BETTER THEN YOURS" is not at all the truth. I don"t think showing off our tools makes em better if they are S.O.,Craftsman, ETC. I get what I can afford and I havn"t yet to be dissappointed in our selection.ps Way to Go Jde.
Reguards LOU.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 12:31:47 11/22/10) Looks like to me that the old school of thought that all H.F. tools are junk. Not so for us. Those who choose to think big named brands are the only way to go, has me thinking on the commercial "My DOG"s BETTER THEN YOUR DOG,CAUSE HE EATS KENNEL RATION ,MY DOGS BETTER THEN YOURS" is not at all the truth. I don"t think showing off our tools makes em better if they are S.O.,Craftsman, ETC. I get what I can afford and I havn"t yet to be dissappointed in our selection.ps Way to Go Jde.
Reguards LOU.

I do subscribe to your school of thought, but at the same time, I see no reason to put bowls of rice on a Chinamans dinner table when we have folks right here that are unemployed.

 

[Goose]

That's 'cause you bought plastic hose instead of rubber.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Waterloo Industries makes tool boxes for a lot of different companies they just don't do it in Waterloo Ia. anymore, haven't for years. They do it in Mexico now.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Pat, keep in mind that Craftsman has marketed about five different "grades or levels" of tool boxes... They have the cheapos on up to the "Professional Series" ... daylite from darkness in design and quality..

 

[ronaldr]

We all know harbor F sells china junk. The drill bits will not drill butter. You may get lucky on some item. A true mechanic will not waste his time on junk.

 

[trucker 40]

No they dont.They make a bunch of toolboxes in Sedalia Missouri.I live about 50 miles from Sedalia and I know they are open and making toolboxes there in a huge plant.They also have a website and a phone number and you can call them and ask them where a tool box is made.I think they have a plant in Arkansas and somewhere else in the USA,maybe Oklahoma.It says on their website they are the biggest tool box manufacturer in the world.
They make tool boxes for others besides Craftsman.I just dont know who.I think I read that they make Husky tool boxes for Lowes.
I have read that they have a plant in Mexico,but they for sure dont make all their boxes there.But the info about Mexico wasnt anywhere on their website that I saw.
I also read,not on their website,that their offices are in Waterloo Iowa.Also read that Snap On makes some tool boxes in Iowa.

There are probably other places they make tool boxes in the USA.Plus some tool boxes are made in Canada,along with a lot of other stuff.Ever watch the show How its Made?I think that show is from Canada.Could be wrong though.

There is still stuff made in the USA.Just less all the time.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You are right. I forgot about those places.

 

[Brian Jasper co. Ia]

Snap On tool boxes are made in Algona Ia by Snap On. Waterloo Industries only has offices in Waterloo now. All of the manufacturing is in Mexico now.

 

[Pat-CT]

I went to sears, they had about 20 toolboxes laid out. I looked at the "professional series" large tools box. Was not impressed

 

[Pat-CT]

Here is where i run into a problem. Let me run down my financial
situation. College student, paying 27k a semester to go to school.
all in loans. Going for a job with JD of CNH eventually, but working
at a JD dealership for now. I am trying to keep my debt to a min a
need a tool box that is cheap and will last me a while. Sorry if im
disturbing the economy or whatnot but really strapped for cash :-(

 

[WA-Hal]

If I was buying a large toolbox again, I would sure consider the stainless steel unit at Costco. Looks pretty good to me for a decent price. Good luck!

 

[JDemaris]

Yes, and a "true" mechanic ought to be able to tell what is junk, and what is not - and not just rely on brand-names.

I bought the big drill-kit from HF 10 years ago for $29, and every bit has held up fine. 8 piece Silver and Deming, 9/16", 5/8", 11/16", 3/4", 13/16", 7/8", 15/16", and 1".

For that price, I could barely buy even one bit with a big name brand on it.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 19:17:04 11/22/10) Here is where i run into a problem. Let me run down my financial
situation. College student, paying 27k a semester to go to school.
all in loans. Going for a job with JD of CNH eventually, but working
at a JD dealership for now. I am trying to keep my debt to a min a
need a tool box that is cheap and will last me a while. Sorry if im
disturbing the economy or whatnot but really strapped for cash :-(

I was in the same situation 42 years ago. I started out with a set of "Indestro" tools from J.C. Whitney, and a large hip-roof style tool box to carry them in. I then enrolled in an auto mechanics course at the local junior college, and at the end of the course, the Snap-On dealer came in and made all of us one heck of a deal on a 3 drawer top box completely full of tools. I'm still using that top box, and I still have all of those tools, except for a few that were "liberated".

Go talk to your local Snap-On or Matco, or whoever dealer, explain your situation, and you just might get a real deal.

Also, be careful about buying a "complete" set of tools, as you will more than likely end up with a bunch of odd-ball stuff that you will never use.

 

[Anonymous-0]

? $27,000 a semester to go to college!!! ??? Where? Why? One semester of that would pay for a 4 year degree around here.

 

[Pat-CT]

In NY state, And because im out of state and receive almost no grants or anything because i was a spring admit

 

[Pat-CT]

(quoted from post at 06:24:10 11/23/10)

(quoted from post at 19:17:04 11/22/10) Here is where i run into a problem. Let me run down my financial
situation. College student, paying 27k a semester to go to school.
all in loans. Going for a job with JD of CNH eventually, but working
at a JD dealership for now. I am trying to keep my debt to a min a
need a tool box that is cheap and will last me a while. Sorry if im
disturbing the economy or whatnot but really strapped for cash :-(

I was in the same situation 42 years ago. I started out with a set of "Indestro" tools from J.C. Whitney, and a large hip-roof style tool box to carry them in. I then enrolled in an auto mechanics course at the local junior college, and at the end of the course, the Snap-On dealer came in and made all of us one heck of a deal on a 3 drawer top box completely full of tools. I'm still using that top box, and I still have all of those tools, except for a few that were "liberated".

Go talk to your local Snap-On or Matco, or whoever dealer, explain your situation, and you just might get a real deal.

Also, be careful about buying a "complete" set of tools, as you will more than likely end up with a bunch of odd-ball stuff that you will never use.

See i really dont want to take out a lease on tools either, As on my breaks and what not the dealer is not sure if there is enough work for me etc ... i run into all these scenarios ( what ifs ) and im just not sure.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 09:32:56 11/23/10)

(quoted from post at 06:24:10 11/23/10)

(quoted from post at 19:17:04 11/22/10) Here is where i run into a problem. Let me run down my financial
situation. College student, paying 27k a semester to go to school.
all in loans. Going for a job with JD of CNH eventually, but working
at a JD dealership for now. I am trying to keep my debt to a min a
need a tool box that is cheap and will last me a while. Sorry if im
disturbing the economy or whatnot but really strapped for cash :-(

I was in the same situation 42 years ago. I started out with a set of "Indestro" tools from J.C. Whitney, and a large hip-roof style tool box to carry them in. I then enrolled in an auto mechanics course at the local junior college, and at the end of the course, the Snap-On dealer came in and made all of us one heck of a deal on a 3 drawer top box completely full of tools. I'm still using that top box, and I still have all of those tools, except for a few that were "liberated".

Go talk to your local Snap-On or Matco, or whoever dealer, explain your situation, and you just might get a real deal.

Also, be careful about buying a "complete" set of tools, as you will more than likely end up with a bunch of odd-ball stuff that you will never use.

See i really dont want to take out a lease on tools either, As on my breaks and what not the dealer is not sure if there is enough work for me etc ... i run into all these scenarios ( what ifs ) and im just not sure.

I never did go for a lease either. I bought them outright. A beginning mechanic does not need a full compliment of tools, and would be foolish to go into debt doing so. Buy a basic set of sockets and combination wrenches in both sae and metric, throw in a few screwdrivers, place them all in a very basic tool box that you can pick up and carry, and you're good to start. That John Deere dealer will already have all the specialized tools and equipment you will need. You should not ever be required to buy any of that stuff.

 

[Pat-CT]

Oh i have all the basic tools, Just don't have duplicates and such for
loosening fittings etc. My main problem right now is the storage,
As my current craftsman box that i used at the dealer is well worn
out to the point where the drawers are resting on each other. and
because its to small my tools are crammed into the drawers haha.

 

[36 Coupe]

Saw tool boxes in a TSC store yesterday.They have a lot of stores in NY.

 

[DBAF]

I see alot of stuff on craigs list.a nice older snap-on or whatever isn't going to loose much value if you need to sell it.

 

[Goose]

The problem with that is, facilities no longer exist in the U.S. for manufacturing what is now being made in China.

It's not like a plant was just sitting there waiting for someone to walk in and start making quality tools.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 16:05:58 11/24/10) The problem with that is, facilities no longer exist in the U.S. for manufacturing what is now being made in China.

It's not like a plant was just sitting there waiting for someone to walk in and start making quality tools.

I think most of the buildings are still standing, and probably a lot of the machinery is still there also. It wouldn't be like starting from scratch, and we already have the knowledge and technology. The Chinese cannot take that away from us.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Pat, Just a thought, the pawn shops sometimes have good deals on tool boxes and I bought a top box, 3 drawer from a Snap On salesman that he had repoed for substantial discount.

 

[Tom N OH]

I have a set of the HF boxes. #'s 90321, 92099 & 90320. Nice boxes, sturdy drawers that open & close easily, even when heavily loaded. My only complaint is the wrinkle finish paint on them is difficult to clean, but for the price, I can live with it. If you sign up for their mailing list, you'll get flyers in the mail with 15% off coupons on the back of them for single-item purchases. I bought all of mine with the coupons one at a time. Will be buying another 90320 roll cabinet in the near future because my tool collection has outgrown my boxes again.

HTH