Harbor Freight tools thread.

Harbor Freight has given me access to tools I wouldn't have been able to afford before.

What tools have you had a good experience with and would recommend, also what have been bad experiences with and wouldn't recommend?

What has been one thing you have purchased at Harbor Freight that you got a ridiculously good deal on and how do you get the best deal?

 

Best deal there, hands down, is the 44" toolbox.

I use primarily HF tools for my "emergency" tool kits that don't see heavy duty use. Keep them behind the back seat.

 

The 44" toolbox at HF has been on my wish list for a long time and after hearing your recommendation, it's on top of my "to buy list" ~ Thanks

 

ya know everyone gives HF tools a hard time. Unless you are a full time mechanic you shouldnt have an issue with them. Pretty much all i use are HF tools and the ONLY time i have ever broken anything was a breaker bar and a socket on a rusted bolt (180ftlbs tighten).... that was after we broke a snapon breaker bar and snapon socket.....

I just bought their 30in tool box and its very well built also just grabbed their 8 gallon oil air compressor and it does a damn good job as well.

I have used their torque wrenches for a long time and they have never let me down.

 

their zip ties suck... absolute garbage!

 

I've gotten good use out of the inspection camera.

 

Actually I haven't bought tools from HF but the deals on rubber with a coupon was killer, I think it was like $2 for a box of 100, plus the led rope lights for the patio and railings.

 

The impact socket sets are the real deal. I've never broke one. I routinel beat the next smaller size into rounded off bolts or nuts. They are stupid cheap compared to the truck brands.

 

I agree, and as my neighbor said "I'm not a professional mechanic, so I don't need the best quality tools", which I agreed with him. It's just nice to be able to afford tools that other wise would be out of my price range before HF.

 

I know one thing I will never buy again, even with their 25% coupon, is the 18' X 15' silver tarps. I used one to cover a porch and it didn't even last 1 year before disintegrating and shredding. I really think the cheap blue tarp, I used before the higher priced silver lasted longer. I went on there website and someone said the mill thickness decreased as did the quality. The funny thing is I bought the 9' X 6' silver tarp, as did my neighbor and 4 years later in full sun, that tarp is still holding up well, so I would recommend that size, unless they have lowered the quality on that as well since I bought it.

 

I like their 6 ton jack stands, their longest 1/2" breaker bar, their long pry bar, 1/2" impact deep sockets, and torque wrenches just to name a few. It's hit or miss with some of their tools, but for the price I don't mind.

 

My experience is the less moving parts it has, the longer it will last from HF. Some things like hammers, sockets, and others are the best value from there.

 

Hands down, one of the best garage items I've ever bought. You definitely won't regret it.

 

I also just bauht the 30 inch and I'm in love with it

 

I bought a pair of wire cutters about 1 1/2 years ago and just recently broke the tip off. I brought it into HF and got a new replacement off the shelf = I love their lifetime replacement policy!!

 

Believe it or not, our HF plasma cutter is completely badass. 3 years and it still works like a champ. Granted it's not used every day but it has seen its fair share of projects. Perfect for hobby use.

 

I desperately need a place to store all my HF tools and to organize them too. One of my HUGE pet-peeves is working on something and then spend 1/2 hours looking for a tool that I forgot where I left it.

 

Their big 3/8" tow chain has never failed me. I've lifted and towed some heavy stuff with it on some of my job sites too.

 

Their extensions suck. snapped right in half.

 

Garage Journal is the TW of the tool world.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192&highlight=Harbor+freight