I love Harbor Freight simply for the fact that they have democratized access to tools. Sears did this back in the day, HF has taken up that mantle and just run with it. I know so many friends and neighbors who have gotten into DIY and low-level home/auto maintenance because there is access to quality tools at no-brainer prices and a wealth of info on RUclips. I can't imagine how empowering that would be to people of lower economic means. Being poor is expensive, being able to fix your own stuff is priceless.
You just described my situation perfectly. I've become a DIYer because of HF. I'm a programmer by training, so fixing my car is something other pros do for me. Well a few years ago I bought a few tools and replaced my own motor mounts because the tooling was so affordable that I figured I'd try it for fun and just take it into the shop when I inevitably failed. Well I didn't fail! This is capitalism. It can't promise you a raise, but it'll lower your cost of living if you let it work. 🙂
I've been going by the rule of buy it first at harbor freight, replace it with something better when it breaks. If it never breaks, I don't use it often enough or intensely enough to justify a more expensive one. I've easily saved thousands by not overshooting my needs.
Harbor Freight has been stepping up their game over the last few years and I appreciate that. I don't mind buying from them, I'm just a DIY guy anyway, I just usually do some homework first...online reviews on YT or whatever before I buy. As a general rule, if HF has 2 or 3 options for a certain type of tool I need, I won't buy the cheapest version...I shoot for the middle or better. This has worked out just fine for me so far.
I snapped a breaker bar I paid more for at an auto parts store. I've bought jacks at HD that were bad out of the box. Never once have I gotten a tool at Harbor Freight that didn't do what I needed.
I’m a cnc machinist, and a dealership tech before I went to college…I use the harbor freight drill press vise, harbor freight pro impact Allen head sockets, hammers, rubber mallets, then I also use ridgid power tools for deburring and Kobalt sockets and socket sets and tool boxes very little snap on anymore their prices are ridiculous… remember the guys in the office saying the professionals don’t buy cheap…. Those guys make 3-4x what we do… I make $18 an hour after 5 years in the trade and my bachelor’s degree…. I can’t afford a $1200 socket set from snap-on
As a fellow cnc machinist a bunch of my tools are also from harbor freight but the big one that everyone gets from harbor freight are their dead blow hammers, they’re only like $5 and take hits like a tank. Every machine in our shop has harbor freight mallets with them
They also make great woodworking tools, have their hammer, Japanese saw, and a few smaller things. And a funny part about harbor freight sockets, someone like me who weighs 140lbs at 5'9 will have a hard time breaking sockets as long as I'm not using breaker bars on 1/4 inch bits, hammering it with a 2x4😂😂😂 only bad thing I've got is a Pittsburg adjustable wrench that has the measurements for socket sizes are rusted off, but that's my fault and the wrench still works great, lol
I remodeled my last kitchen with one of those old Chicago Electric sliding miter saws. I've upgraded to a Makita since, but as a new homeowner back then it allowed me to get the job done more affordably!
I'm down almost 90 lbs since November and have been using my $7.99 Harbor Freight leather punch on the regular to add holes to my belts, works great! 🙂
Been using leather punch set from Harbor almost 15 years. Been punching my belts so my 5 boys can wear them. They always seem to need a belt at the last minute and their old one doesn't fit anymore.
I used to be a pro tech in my 20s until I decided to farm full time with my dad. Last spring we lost our shop (already had a pair of US General boxes in that one) so we've had to replace almost everything. Ive been watching you, torque test channel and project farm a lot to help decided which way to go on new tools. The amount of things where better and best level tools fit what we need is actually kind of crazy. We equipped one of our new boxes with a full line of hand tools from harbor freight, also have a daytona floor jack as well. New shop has 3 44 inch US Generals and on this last sale I decided to replace my snap on at my home shop with another pair of US Generals. Yep we have now bought 7 of those things, oh and a 5 drawer cart as well. Anyway we really appreciate the info you all put out, its helped us out a lot and helped save money that we can put into premium tools when needed.
I love the 72" us general I got for dad a few father's days ago, and added a 14" end cabinet on each end since. 100" of girth, my my sir that's so big😂 We've been taking a while putting stuff in it , and it's a lot of space but we have a lot of tools and even inherited a horde. I've got one short small craftsman 3 drawer roller cabinet filled just with hammers , so the other boxes we emptied won't go to waste. I figure set em up for particular tasks ,put all the car wash/detail stuff in one for example.
I work part time as a handyman. I bought the US General tool cart, removed the wheels and put in my van. It's been at least 5 years and every drawer opens as closes just as smoothly as day 1.
While not a mechanic or trade person myself, I work in coordination with different mechanics and body guys and will go give them an extra set of hands if needed. The main tools/equipment they use are usually not from HF, but when they have backups or stuff they take out of their garage to different locations, I've seen plenty of HF tools and they never seem to have any problems getting the jobs done.
Funny I make my living at 52,000 year which may not seem like a lot to some but that's exactly why I shop at harbor freight! Yes I've snapped a few tools, ruined a few pliers and countless screw drivers over the years. However, I'm not in debt to any tool company and I will own my own home outright in 2 more years at the age of 48.
Screwdrivers are the only tool I do buy from snap on. Haven’t found a screwdriver to match them as hard as I’ve tried. I buy the bulk drill tips from dewalt or Bosch what ever Home Depot has at the time. Sometimes they get one use sometimes 10. But it they even start to round it’s gone. Too cheap to have the headache.
It's funny you guys are talking about screwdrivers but then massively overpay for Snap-On ones when every mechanic knows that JIS screwdrivers are far superior and you can get a whole set for $30.. every single tech in my shop uses Vessel screwdrivers. They have teeth that bite and grip unlike traditional Phillips style..
I started shopping at HF a few years ago when I started my business and honestly, you just have to become familiar with their brands and tools in general to know what's worth it and what isn't. Pittsburg really is for people who use tools once or twice a year, though I started with a Pittsburgh socket set and used daily, for 4 years they never rounded or broke. Quinn if you do a little more work (maybe once every two months) but Icon is what I have my apprentice working off of and not one tool has failed him in one year. Once he buys his own tools he can decide on what brand he wants, but as it stands, 90% of the work he does is with Icon tools.
I have been a contractor for almost 40 years, i ordered a chicago rotary hammer from harbor freight about 20 years ago just for using in hammer mode with a scraper blade to take up floor coverings. Still use it, had to install new brushes and tape the hammer/drill/hammer drill knob in hammer position or the vibration will cause the knob to flip in to drill mode. It has outlasted some dewalt tools.
Harbor Freight has become something like the Sears of old. Sears sold tools in two tiers, Sears and Craftsmen. Craftsmen tools weren't the very best, but they close, less expensive, and came with a no BS lifetime warranty.
About 45 years ago, me and some friends were cleaning out an old boat. I found a Craftsman ratchet, all rusty, in the bilge. I said, looks like a brand new ratchet. Next day, it was! steve
Harbor Freight is my go to store because the prices will fit my budget. There’s two tire shops not far from us using Daytona floor jacks, I inquired about why they had them, was told cheaper than Snap-on plus better quality. Jeff I have a Harbor Freight brand 4 1/2” angle grinder that our son bought from a truck load sale in a parking lot long before they had stores in Texas. The handle broke completely off, I superglued it back on & I’m still using it. I have Pittsburgh half inch drive impact sockets, two of those long half inch breaker bars plus a 3/8” drive ratchet. I broke the ratchet, took it to HF & showed the cashier when I walked in he took it, we went to where they were, got me another one & I was on why way no questions asked. Keep’m coming
I had my own Auto Repair shop for 5 years. I had thousands of $$ in mostly Snap-On , with Mac, Craftman and Matco sprinkled in. I was paying Snap-On $800 A week for tools and equipment. My Snap-On " Tamale " cart cost me $1200 in 1975. Biggest tool bottom cart at the time. Fast Forwrd late 90s I would stop in at the Harbor freight store in Fresno Every time I was near. They got me out of a bind several times and did a good job for me. I'm like a Boy Scout and like to be prepared. Didn't have to be a expensive tool to " git er done " as long as it got done. I have bought some Icon stuff and I am well satisfied. Keep up the great content.
I burnt out my generator one time while on a job so I went and bought a preditor generator. I figured if it lasted until I finished the job it would be worth it. Never bought another honda. In fact I bought another preditor after a power outage and my employee needed to use one. Also bought a titanium welder after I picked one up and felt how light it was. It has only been a year on it but I love how portable it is
I have a small woodworking shop and I'm constantly doing things around the house. I have several of the gray quick release clamps and they have performed perfectly for me for the last 4 or 5 years. I also have eight of their larger clamps that are orange and they are also amazing for the money. As far as sockets, wrenches and ratchets, I have several of the Pittsburgh pro that I have used for several years working on my cars in my tractor. I have no complaints about anything from harbor freight except for some of their less expensive power tools like the Chicago electric reciprocating saw of times but for what I paid, I still can't really complain. I also have some Hercules drill bits that have exceeded expectation. Overall, I get lots of tools from harbor freight in my favorite is the Icon creeper I recently picked up but the several pairs of Doyle pliers, my icon flex head bit ratchet set, the new style warrior heat gun, Daytona Jack, Daytona jack stands, the list goes on. It's all great stuff.
I bought a 4000 watt predator generator back the week of Christmas. We were forecasted an ice storm right around Christmas with extreme cold temperatures, around -10 (yes I get it Minnesota and the Dakotas get colder but I live in the st louis area) and we have several maple trees in the back yard. I finally pulled the trigger knowing it would run our fridge, furnace and a coffee pot or griddle or toaster oven. As a side note it will also power our camper so during the summer if we lose power we'll camp in the driveway or take it to a national park. I can't believe how quiet it is and how smooth it operators. Love it. Worth the money.
Thank you, Brother!! I’ve been a reluctant shopper of HF for several years for exactly the reasons you mention. This is the first time I’ve seen someone breakdown the value and quality available here AND how it’s improved over time. I’m trusting your take on this enough to put my money on it. I’m a subscriber now. Keep it coming!
I’ve used and abused the cheap 3/8 metric Pittsburgh hex sockets on my impact wrench almost daily for years and they refuse to break or round. One of their best products imo and I got the set for $7.
I broke one~ And I have always bragged up the dark colored impact sockets from HF~ But I broke one, I wanna say it was a 7/8ths deep well~ And I sure as hell didn't break it with an "impact gun"! It was on a half inch 24-inch breaker bar, with an eight-foot pipe I was using as a handle~ Not their fault! And I certainly never asked for them to replace it!
I did some exhaust work on my truck a few years ago with that Braun flash light and never saw it again for the better part of a year until I put some mud flaps on the same truck…. Yeap !!! That’s when I found it still magnetized to the Chassis . I charged it for a bit and it still worked great!!
I've used those Harbor Freight impact sockets for many years. great to keep the impact size need for lug nuts handy in your vehicle with your jack. always have several of their punches, long and standard around the house.
I've been using their impact extensions and sockets. I can't believe they have a lifetime warranty. Zero issues going on about 3 years of shade tree mechanic work.
I have had a decent amount of use from those impact sockets too. They could improve them so much by including a case. I have several deep impact socket sets from Northern Tool, and they come in a blow mold case with a lid and a grab handle, and those are the ones I use much more, because the case is so much easier to grab, carry and keep the sockets organized. Might add $1 to the price, but so worth it.
Yes on the Predator generators. Was a diehard Honda fan but decided to give HF a shot. We are a year in running them 20+ hours a week and they work great at 1/4 of the Honda price.
I am 60 years old. I turned my first wrench for $ at 7 years old. Starter on a dodge diplomat. $10.00 to change it. I used a cheap socket, ratchet, and wrench set from pick n save. $5.00. I learned early. A cheap tool is just that. A tool. Tools can be replaced. Cost effective solutions are required.
Let me tell you something, one of my dearest friends was a master mechanic for Ford. And after he finished with his career, he ended up being an instructor. He sold off all of his snap on tools, and guess what he used to teach his students with? That’s right harbor freight tools. Are used to tell a student, and me for that matter, to save your money and start out with Harbor freight tools. No it’ll be worth it for you as you get established to go with the big tool truck tools for things you use every day, but for the things you don’t use much or when you’re starting out, there’s nothing wrong with using Harbor freight tools. It’ll save you a lot of money and it won’t saddle you with a lot of debt. He’s no longer with us, and he was one of the best people I knew, and I still miss him. But if they’re good enough for him, they’re good enough for me.
How much better really are Snap-on or Mac tools? How much are you really paying for the man's career who bought into a franchise who drives around in an expensive truck?
@@MrThe1234guy Whether it comes off a tool truck or not doesn't matter. I reps from both Snap-on and Proto (which is just the industrial version of Mac) and we paid the same price as if it came off a tool truck. In fact according to my friend, tool trucks often have better payment plans and have some leeway on prices (though not alot) than by dealing with the company directly. Believe me, when you dealt with a rep from the company, you got no breaks.
I just broke my Pittsburgh torque wrench after 3 years of use and took it back and laid it on the check out desk and they went and handed me a brand new one no fuss. Got the $220 , 4 ton Daytona long reach low profile made by the same company as the $1,000 snapon. Got the 24" breaker bar, several pry bars, a dead blow hammer, strut compressors, impacts socket sets, a couple of test lights with beep, big wrenches, long extensions, 120a flux welder & more. I do have a 78" snapon tool chest $11,995. And a host of snapon starter tools.
I bought a multispeed drill, it’s light and cost $19 I’ve had it five years it has out lived the original battery pack, being left in the rain it is perfect for evey job and has outlived my ryobi my dewaltand my craftsman
Another informative entertaining video. I have operated a custom fine woodworking shop for years (decades). I have used hundreds of the HF F-style clamps and realized that the bar flexes too much for any size over 12". This can lead to glue-ups that aren't flat. My advice is to buy all the HF 6" clamps you want and buy a few 12" clamps as back-ups. But, buy heavy-duty name brands, pipe clamps and/or parallel clamps for longer sizes.
---- true: and their deep-throat C-clamps are useless for more than moderate clamping -- just using the sliding handle that comes on the clamp you can watch the frame flex as you hand tighten, and if you bow down they will snap under hand pressure - the good thing about them is you can buy a bunch of them for the cost of a quality clamp when you don't really need a strong clamp
I do mobile diesel repair, there's a handful of HF tools I use a lot and rely on. The automotive front end socket set, it's half inch drive, and 28mm up to like 38.. great 50$ set. The indexing pry bars from Quinn are also awesome. I go through a lot of their chargeable lights as well, I refuse to pay the big $ anymore cuz they always end up broken or I leave them stuck under a frame on a truck and it proceeds to ride off all over the country
I agree most mobile techs run cheaper tool sets cause you’re gonna leave something somewhere and you’ll never get it back (buy once cry once) doesn’t work out in the field lol.
As some one else mentioned. Harbor Freight has brought access to tools for those who just need something quick and dirty. I was replacing the passenger window in my dodge. No hand tools didn't own a thing. New to tools. Didn't have much spare change to spend. A buddy of mine said go to harbor freight here's what you'll need to replace it. Spent 30 bucks. Replaced the window. No problems. That was 9 years ago. Been a harbor freight fan since. I was never a fan of the tool trucks they charged too much. Pittsburgh sockets whether you buy the colored ones or the regular ones work fantastic the impact sockets are awesome. The ratchets work fine. I don't see the issue with Harbor Freight. The only reason I lost the Pittsburgh ratcheting box wrench is because I Arc welded it when I was changing out at 12 volt battery on a floor scrubber machine. So now I have a 14 mil that is basically a standard 14 mm wrench no ratcheting anymore oh well it was my fault not the tool's fault. And their Doyle stuff is fantastic that's all I buy if I need pliers and cutters and stuff like that.
I work as a lab assistant in a Auto Tech Program at a Community College. The US General tool cart has become very popular. For the money, they are really hard to beat.
I bought that icon work light and it's the best, most useful flashlight i have ever owned. It has 5 different functions and a sequential on off button. Whichever light position it's on when in use, will be the same light that comes on next time you turn the light on. Love that. So much nicer than having to click the light 4 more times to get to the off position. Two small gripes Slow to recharge. Slow, not horrible. The magnetic base has a thin vinyl protective pad, or cushion on it to reduce scratching things. That pad is too soft and the adhesive that keeps it in place will last a week....maybe. They need to change the design from a pad to a stiffer plastic cup so it can't come off. That magnetic base is crazy strong. I love that. Great light guys ...... It's absolutely worth the extra $10. I bought the 2 ton low profile Daytona jack with the Flintstone roller up front. (The green aluminum one) I tried it after buying it and wow......when not under a load, it was all up in 5 pumps.... Maybe 4.85 pumps. 😁 My old, heavy Wilmar took 45 pumps. They have the same max lifting height. Amazing jack.
I have that jack in my work van. It’s been in the rain, snow, covered in dirt and all I do is basic maintenance and it has never failed me. Its super easy to use as well.
Predator gens are wonderful, the f-clamps (use them in woodworking) are as well. If I had not already purchased a new wood vise I definitely would have purchased a Doyle model. I have several of their Braun tools and have no complaints. Everyone stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Glad to hear about those F-clamps, now I won't have to wait til they go one sale elsewhere or hunt around! I'll be buying some of those Braun 4ft fluorescent work lights. I have a HF right around the corner, I just look at what I'm buying!
I used HF Predator generators to run my barbecue wagon and I only ever had one problem. I had one generator that for some reason decided to eject the piston out of the bottom of the motor. I had it for around 10 months when it happened, well out of the 90 day warranty. I went to buy a new one and told the manager about it. He told me that shouldn't have happened, and asked me to bring the broken generator in. He exchanged it for a new one at no charge because he knew it should have lasted longer. He made me a customer for life.
The tools they offer are at a reasonable price and have some quality. I've shopped at a harbor freight tools for almost 20 years for various things and seen the changes. I was introduced to the store by a fellow mechanic that long ago. Im still turning wrenches professionally. However, most of my current tools are not harbor freight. Work it for yourselves to find value where you can!
The predator generator is probably thing I see the most. I see those thing tied on to welding trucks next to miller welders. I've seen them commercial work vehicles I've even seen them on A-DOT vehicles. I think they're probably the most sold generator at this point
Harbor Freight just opened a store 5 miles away from me. I have purchased 4 tools and a few other items from the store so far. I'm happy with everything, I like that the stores are smaller than Home Depot and Lowes. This makes HF easier to get in and out of the store. I always compare pricing with the other stores and read the reviews. Harbor Freight has saved me a lot and money and time. They are my go to tool store now.
I would like to thank you. I'm planning to take up woodworking, and have just started picking up tools now and then as I can afford them. I had always heard bad things about Harbor Freight until I found your channel. I'm planning to get the Bauer detail sander this weekend, and I'm saving up for the Hercules miter saw based on your review of it. If not for you channel, I would have been spending more money on similar or potentially lower quality tools. Again, thank you.
I love the 14” bamdsaw I bought! Beats the heck out of the old 9” I was gifted! I only upgraded the belt to a linked belt to reduce noise and vibration.
My buddy has one of those rolling tool boxes from harbour freight, but he has cunningly pried off "US general" and sharpied a crude version of the snap on logo instead. Best of both worlds: name recognition AND economy
I’m a 30 year cabinetmaker and I’ve started using nothing but the Bremen Parallel clamps and the new f style blue clamps. There great and they last and don’t slip
@@denoftools my circ saw is Skilsaw, have 2 of them. My table saw is the Metabo HPT with 36” rip cut. I’m retired and in a small shop on my land. The Metabo is a work horse even with dado stack in it
@@steveferguson1232 Thanks. I'm always looking for feedback from people with experience. If there any other tools you would recommend feel free to email me at red@red-beard.com
Over ~20 years, I've had good and bad with HF. My first purchase was one of those tool assortment kits and while it got the basic job done, it made me hate certain types of tools, until I got better versions and realized that I didn't have to suffer and hate my tools. To each is own, I guess, but there is a real danger of just pushing away folks from using tools because they were introduced with janky ones. At the same time, some of the other stuff I bought there was a fraction of the cost of what I'd pay anywhere else and is still great many years later, such as my huge tile cutting saw, vice, anvil, auger, and a few others. The more experienced you get, the better idea you have of what to buy there, but it can be a real trap for new guys and end up wasting money in the long run.
By the way, I'll add that I've been extremely happy with all my Husky stuff from HD. Husky is a bit pricier than brands at HF, with some exceptions, and it's still a budget brand, but the stuff I got (wrench sets, socket sets, tool boxes, etc) just feel great and years later, zero issues.
I will say the pitsburgh line of hand tools is quite excellent and a great value. Their sockets are excellent and are as good as my snap-on and craftsman tools. I use them all the time for car repair and they never disappoint. if your looking for a nice starter mechanics set of tools, you cannot go wrong with the pitsburgh mechanic set. I bought the 300 pc set years ago it on sale for cheap on fathers day and was blown away how nice it was.
Picked up the 12"Hercules Sliding Miter Saw and the Hercules Heavy Duty Miter Saw Stand, on sale for $450 all in (Spring Black Friday sale, saw was $299, stand $149). Thats less than the cheapest Dewalt DWS780 I could find on sale, which was $489 with free shipping. I'm a DIYer, so it's the perfect setup for me. I wouldn't mind a zero clearance Makita...but for over $700, it just doesn't make sense to spend that kinda cash (for me).
I LOVE HARBOR FREIGHT, I just bought a titanium tig welder (novice welder) it works for me plus they have a return policy like nobody else do not have your receipt with you give phone number they find receipts for you and employees are very helpful and considerate they might not be knowledgeable on everything they sell ( not even people who work for big box stores know everything) but i find H.F. employees more customer service oriented and more than happy to work where they work. i also love the hercules line for me they are tools that a person like me on a limited income can afford. BEAR IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I HAVE SEEN YOUR VIDEOS IM SORRY FOR THAT! I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL AND DEN OF TOOLS THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR US
I was introduced to HF 30 years ago by the old guys at my shop who bought based on value. Mind you, their rollaway boxes were full of Snap On, Matco, Mac, SK hand tools and Ingersoll and Dotcos air tools. But they didn't shy away from HF and Craftsman. No shame in buying wise.
My "Harbour Freight" is Tractor Supply. Trying out a set of Crescent Z2 pliers, now. Lots of little things for cheap. Quality items if you want (Dewalt / Makita / Gearwrench). Plus, the entire tool room at my shop uses and starts off in those HF carts. Modifications are need at times, but they do the job and keep ticking.
I tend to be a snob for quality and in the process of setting up a garage and getting tools. You probably just saved me thousands by changing my mind in looking at harbor freight for 90% of the stuff I was thinking of getting elsewhere.
As an auto tech of more than 40 years I've bought my share of tools from Craftsman, Mac, Matco and Snap On. All of them stored in some very old tool cabinets from Mac with Snap On side box and a Lyon cabinet. I couldn't see myself paying that much for toolboxes from the tool trucks and sears was too cheap in quality. Then Harbor Freight introduces the Icon Storage box lineup and Wow! After several months of research I finally decided to go for it. I purchased the 56 inch cabinet and chest with the upper overhead cab. In my opinion, same quality as the tool truck storage units at a fraction of the cost. I highly recommend them.
I just purchased the Chicago Electric Worm Drive Saw for under $45.00. I always wanted a worm drive saw, but did not want to spend $200.00. I will use it until it wears out. Great value fore the money.
Ratchets, offset wrenches, sockets, bearing press, ratchet straps, Daytona jacks, hand punch, hammers/dead blows. I like their Earthquake air tools, work the snot out of em in the shop for 3 yrs and still going. Their Doyle tools are real nice. Just have to oil them since they come either uncoated or very thin tool oil on them.
I have so many HF tools that I never would have bought if they didn’t come at a HF price. I’d estimate at least 75+ different things. Only had two issues. Had a plunge router that had a spring/lever break, and bought the old cheapy table saw with such sketchy fence that I ended up selling it. Every other thing I’ve bought, still kicking.
What tool am I faithful to from HF? The MIXING DRILL. 1st I bought, Chicago Electric, $29.99, lasted me 3 months and literally went up in smoke. The day it went up in smoke, went right back and bought the exact same one, $39.99. Needed to finish a job that day. 5 years later, it's still mixing away (concrete & tile mortar in a 5 gallon bucket ). It has mixed pallets of Quickrete and still going strong. HF had a sale on the Bauer mixing drill, $49.99, so I decided to purchase one. That one is even better. Now I have 2. I am very happy with their performance and will definitely purchase them again.
Electrician here Sockets Fish sticks ( other manufactures have stepped up there game but I've been happy, better luck than the GB ones) Drill taps Doyle angled side cutters Flat pry bar Wire feed welder probably junk but so is my welding... 6.5HP preditor engine I have the mini Doyle knipex ripoff and it's nice.
I'm a rack refrigeration mechanic and I have quite a few harbor freight tools that I use pretty often. The biggest odd ball are my 18" and 24" pipe wrenches, they suck as pipe wrenches because they don't slip in reverse but I don't use them on pipe so I could care less because I use them to break loose huge roto-lock fittings that haven't been off for 10 or 20 years. They work great for that but I can't justify spending more because I just need it to hold and have enough leverage to turn a 1/4 turn to break it loose. I also of course get all my disposable stuff from them like brass wire wheels and cleaning disks for my drill, drill bits, I like the little magnetic trays for bolts, my pump sprayer came from them too.
I LOVE the Doyle product line. You can't beat the quality for the money, especially with 30% off [like we just had for ITC members $20 and under -- lots pf their products are $19.99 😁] Thanks for all the great videos.
nearly 30 years as an aircraft mechanic in all different facets of the industry, i had all of my snap on stuff stolen in 2002. since then i have decided that i will never let the strap on guy take any more of my money than absolutely necessary. my current tool box is a gen3 72" us gen and it is full of icon, quinn and pitts tools. certain things that i cannot get from other sources, i do get from the tool trucks, but not much. the quality of HF tools has come so far that most of us are proud to have them in our box.
My first ever FULL set of tools are from harbor freight. Like i of course have a craftsman 100+ piece plastic carry tool set that ive had since like my dad bought it for me back in 2011 or so when i got my first car. I used that for a while until like well about 2 years ago i have literally everything Harbor Freight tools. i have the Icon Flex-Head Ratchets 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 along with the basic HF Breaker bar. Then all of my sockets i have are just the metric, colored sockets for all 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. Then i have the HF Impact, Metric, Deep, sockets (flat black) ones. I had the more shinier ones but i actually broke 3 of the 22mm impact sockets, so i had to go back to HF to replace the entire set, but there’s something different about the flat black ones because I haven’t broken or cracked a impact socket at all. Also i have the Metric and SAE non-ratcheting wrenches, my plier set (which i need to replace them with something newer and different company like MAC or Matco green plier and channel locks, etc. because these HF plier set and such have rusted a little bit and are a pain to open and close. Even the needle nose, side cutters, etc. but i also now want the green handled pliers and long reach from MAC. I have the HF T-handle Alan sets both metric and SAE, never stripped or broke one. Only things i broke were the 22mm impact sockets and 1 rubber mallet from HF. I have the green magnetic power strip, magnetic large tray, 5 magnetic dishes, US General Electric/Pneumatic gun holder, etc. i have the black Yukon tool box and i absolutely love it. I even have one of the like $15 multi-meter and its been great ever since, never had a problem with it. I also have the Earthquake XT in green and oil the gun everyday and no problems what so ever. I have the Central Pneumatic die grinder i use it like 10 times a day, and hasn’t broken at all. Ive been using these tools for when i work on my cars and motorcycles and SOME home improvement things but mainly automotive. Now im at a car dealership working my way up from Lube Tech to line tech hopefully soon. Been here for about 7 months now and i average about 11-15 oil change and tire rotations a day. Not including all the inside tire patches i do and the amount of tires that i have to mount and balance as well. So my tools get used a lot, like HUGE amount of cars i touch on a weekly basis and like i said before i have not had anything fail or break except for those couple of 22mm impact sockets and 1 rubber mallet. And i absolutely beat the shit out of my tools, like not like throwing them around or anything but i mean like they get used so much all the time. Honestly, im putting money away now so i can upgrade to a new tool box, thats bigger like the new ICON line but of course in green. But its tough, i literally have like no more room in my tool box, actually I haven’t had enough room, everything is so squeezed in there and i could really use a bigger tool box, wanting to get the big green tool box with the big box on top so i can keep my laptop in there along with my electric tools and chargers, then add on the side closet like cabinet and then an extra set of drawer cabinet on the opposite side. It’s tough but I’ll figure out some way i guess. But all this big old story is to back Harbor Freight and their quality of their tools now. For upgrades the order is going to be, upgrading toolbox first at least to the green ICON big rolling toolbox and then the closing cabinet, then as it goes along I’ll start picking up the ICON sets of things like wrenches, ratchets, plier sets, i would buy the screw drivers from ICON as well but i want the green handle ones from MAC or Snap-On or MATCO honestly. There’s a couple of things that i want in the bright green color that Harbor freight does not have or make. So I HAVE to go with another company. Im keep a very close eye on that scratch and dent sale page to see what comes across because if i can get a HUGE deal on a tool box ima jump on it in a heartbeat.
Thanks for the update vis-a-vis their pliers. I haven't even looked at them since the days when they were junk. And I need a couple of new pairs. Now I have to go check the current coupons.
I got tired of changing grinder wheels so I bought 2 Bauer hand held corded grinders for about $30 each. Compare that to $120 for my DeWalt. I have one set up for grinding, one set up for sanding and the old DeWalt for cutting. They feel just as good as the yellow one. My only regret was I should have spent another $10 and got the paddle switch instead of the sliding switch. I also like the price and performance of the HF grinding wheels.
Recently replaced my 18 year old Series 1 toolbox with a larger Series 2 that was on sale because the Series 3 are on their way. I wanted/needed a larger box. The Series 1 spent all its life in a oil field shop and is still going strong, gave it to one of my kids.
I just picked up a couple of the Braun 500s today for $20 each, have the tool cart, and the jack. If you can deal with some of the quality oversights on the tool cart, they aren't bad at all.
iWork in the trades and I bought a Chicago Electric sander just to do a table at home . Job done and 17 years later that sander is still going . Is it loud , yes does it shake your body to the core, yes . Do people make fun of it sure, but I just keep on sanding cause I can’t hear them over the sander anyway.
I really like getting specialty tools there, I bought the bearing race driver and from what I can see it seems to be of the same quality of the MAC variant. I plan on buying the slide hammer set there at some point. Today I’m planning on buying the ultrasonic cleaner too.
I actually just picked up a hercules 3/8 20v impact and the quinn socket set during their sale and I got all of that plus a charger and 2 5ah batteries for about 340 and 100 of that was just the socket set and I must say I am impressed for such a little tool that I know a lot of people have had issues with but that thing managed to remove the threads on a 1/2in bolt on my trucks bumper and it will definetly stay in my car with a lug socket set. A similar setup for the powertool would have cost more for something like craftsman or milwaukee or dewalt and especially now that I have some batteries I can get other tools way cheaper than another company and that 5 year warranty just seals the deal
I was watching through this almost about to be upset until you mentioned Doyle! 😂 as an electrician I started out with alot of Doyle stuff, linesmans, diagonal cutters and used them for a while until people needed gift ideas in which I'd "upgrade," but even today my Doyle are still used when not at the job site. Even their screw drivers aren't bad.
My Pittsburg 3 ton floor jack cost 1/3 of the yellow Daytona and is still going strong after seven years. My US General tool box is eight years old and rock solid. Not like the off brand one from Walmart I had previously in which the shelves started falling off the tracks and bending elsewhere. I don't trust a lot of rechargeable battery stuff so I'll stick to air when it comes to impacts.
I had a Braun magnetic work light until the other day when I left it somewhere. Couple of my coworkers noted how convenient it was. Gonna have to upgrade to the Icon light. I wanna slowly move all my work hand tools over to Icon. Except the tounge and groove pliers. I do swear by the tried and true channellocks... The U.S. General rolling cart was the standard at my last maintenance job. No one had a problem rolling around their name brand tools inside a U.S. General cart.
I have the breaker bar, the 5 drawer mechanics cart, the clamps, and the low profile Daytona jack from this list. It goes really high. They know their jacks are highly sought after. It's one of the one things that never go on sale. I waited months and months for a sale but I got fed up and bought it for the regular price.
I have my 10-19 color set for 15 years 3/8" and 1/2" click torque wrench 15 years 2 ton low profile jack I upgraded after 10 years with Daytona, still works I want to try a predator generator if my Briggs ever breaks.
That Icon light rocks! I've used and abused mine Mon-Fri for the last 6 weeks, if it goes another 6, it has payed for it's self compared to other lights I have spent money on.
Harbor Freight has really come out with some much better quality tools in recent years....however, the US General Tool Boxes have always been good...I have a 20+ year old 44" Top and Bottom chest that has sat outside on my carport all those years, and other than being dusty and dirty it functions just fine, although I need an upgrade as I'm out of space in it. I've had several Chicago Electric tools and have only had a belt sander and drill bit sharpener fail, and they both failed within the first use LOL....everything else I've had has been just fine...2 compound miter saws, lots of hand tools, oscillating spindle sander, a variable speed mini-lathe, the 55 gallon 2 horsepower dust collector, mortising machine, biscuit slot cutter, and now several Bauer and Hercules 20V tools, and a couple of 12V Hercules tools....the Bauer and Hercules stuff has really bumped up their game. I do have one of the 3 ton Daytona Jacks, and the jack stands but I need to upgrade to the 4 ton jack for my HD pickup...the 3 ton will lift it but it seems like its struggling a little.
I’ve been using the Icon tools for about 6 months now. I couldn’t be more pleased with the quality, I don’t use them daily but it’s nice to know if something does happen to break I’ll get it replaced for free.
I'm not a professional mechanic per se, but I do body and paint work on semi trucks, which involves turning a lot of wrenches. I buy a lot of stuff from harbor freight, but what I use the most is their torx sockets. I've used many different brands, including tool truck brands, and what I've found is that they all break. In my experience the harbor freight torx hold up just as well, and it's lifetime warranty when they do break. Plus, working on big trucks like that, it's really easy to lose small sockets. I try to avoid it as much as possible, but it still happens. When I do lose a socket, I'd much rather lose the cheapo from HF than the high dollar tool truck socket.
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I love Harbor Freight simply for the fact that they have democratized access to tools. Sears did this back in the day, HF has taken up that mantle and just run with it. I know so many friends and neighbors who have gotten into DIY and low-level home/auto maintenance because there is access to quality tools at no-brainer prices and a wealth of info on RUclips. I can't imagine how empowering that would be to people of lower economic means. Being poor is expensive, being able to fix your own stuff is priceless.
Wonderfullly said
Here here!!
Amen!!
You just described my situation perfectly. I've become a DIYer because of HF. I'm a programmer by training, so fixing my car is something other pros do for me. Well a few years ago I bought a few tools and replaced my own motor mounts because the tooling was so affordable that I figured I'd try it for fun and just take it into the shop when I inevitably failed. Well I didn't fail!
This is capitalism. It can't promise you a raise, but it'll lower your cost of living if you let it work. 🙂
have become a jack of all trades diy and it all started at harbor freight
I've been going by the rule of buy it first at harbor freight, replace it with something better when it breaks. If it never breaks, I don't use it often enough or intensely enough to justify a more expensive one. I've easily saved thousands by not overshooting my needs.
That's a really good point I hadn't considered. Well said as well. Cheers
Very good advise. I do the same.
Or just replace it at harbor freight
@@lordrayden3045 if it's an item with a lifetime warranty I still go get something better but I keep the HF replacement as a backup 😉
Great way of thinking
Harbor Freight has been stepping up their game over the last few years and I appreciate that. I don't mind buying from them, I'm just a DIY guy anyway, I just usually do some homework first...online reviews on YT or whatever before I buy. As a general rule, if HF has 2 or 3 options for a certain type of tool I need, I won't buy the cheapest version...I shoot for the middle or better. This has worked out just fine for me so far.
I snapped a breaker bar I paid more for at an auto parts store. I've bought jacks at HD that were bad out of the box. Never once have I gotten a tool at Harbor Freight that didn't do what I needed.
I’m a cnc machinist, and a dealership tech before I went to college…I use the harbor freight drill press vise, harbor freight pro impact Allen head sockets, hammers, rubber mallets, then I also use ridgid power tools for deburring and Kobalt sockets and socket sets and tool boxes very little snap on anymore their prices are ridiculous… remember the guys in the office saying the professionals don’t buy cheap…. Those guys make 3-4x what we do… I make $18 an hour after 5 years in the trade and my bachelor’s degree…. I can’t afford a $1200 socket set from snap-on
As a fellow cnc machinist a bunch of my tools are also from harbor freight but the big one that everyone gets from harbor freight are their dead blow hammers, they’re only like $5 and take hits like a tank. Every machine in our shop has harbor freight mallets with them
They also make great woodworking tools, have their hammer, Japanese saw, and a few smaller things. And a funny part about harbor freight sockets, someone like me who weighs 140lbs at 5'9 will have a hard time breaking sockets as long as I'm not using breaker bars on 1/4 inch bits, hammering it with a 2x4😂😂😂 only bad thing I've got is a Pittsburg adjustable wrench that has the measurements for socket sizes are rusted off, but that's my fault and the wrench still works great, lol
I remodeled my last kitchen with one of those old Chicago Electric sliding miter saws. I've upgraded to a Makita since, but as a new homeowner back then it allowed me to get the job done more affordably!
I'm down almost 90 lbs since November and have been using my $7.99 Harbor Freight leather punch on the regular to add holes to my belts, works great! 🙂
Yes, I have the Harbor Freight leather punch too, but I haven't found that it enabled me to lose any weight.
@@GarthELibre-😂
@GarthELibre
I hear Chrystal Meth is the most recent, and effective Fad Diet 🤷🏽♂️
Been using leather punch set from Harbor almost 15 years. Been punching my belts so my 5 boys can wear them. They always seem to need a belt at the last minute and their old one doesn't fit anymore.
I used to be a pro tech in my 20s until I decided to farm full time with my dad. Last spring we lost our shop (already had a pair of US General boxes in that one) so we've had to replace almost everything. Ive been watching you, torque test channel and project farm a lot to help decided which way to go on new tools. The amount of things where better and best level tools fit what we need is actually kind of crazy. We equipped one of our new boxes with a full line of hand tools from harbor freight, also have a daytona floor jack as well. New shop has 3 44 inch US Generals and on this last sale I decided to replace my snap on at my home shop with another pair of US Generals. Yep we have now bought 7 of those things, oh and a 5 drawer cart as well. Anyway we really appreciate the info you all put out, its helped us out a lot and helped save money that we can put into premium tools when needed.
I love the 72" us general I got for dad a few father's days ago, and added a 14" end cabinet on each end since.
100" of girth, my my sir that's so big😂
We've been taking a while putting stuff in it , and it's a lot of space but we have a lot of tools and even inherited a horde.
I've got one short small craftsman 3 drawer roller cabinet filled just with hammers , so the other boxes we emptied won't go to waste.
I figure set em up for particular tasks ,put all the car wash/detail stuff in one for example.
I work part time as a handyman. I bought the US General tool cart, removed the wheels and put in my van. It's been at least 5 years and every drawer opens as closes just as smoothly as day 1.
While not a mechanic or trade person myself, I work in coordination with different mechanics and body guys and will go give them an extra set of hands if needed. The main tools/equipment they use are usually not from HF, but when they have backups or stuff they take out of their garage to different locations, I've seen plenty of HF tools and they never seem to have any problems getting the jobs done.
Funny I make my living at 52,000 year which may not seem like a lot to some but that's exactly why I shop at harbor freight! Yes I've snapped a few tools, ruined a few pliers and countless screw drivers over the years. However, I'm not in debt to any tool company and I will own my own home outright in 2 more years at the age of 48.
I been saying it for years....there is simply NO substitute for outright owning your home, none!
I would only argue that good screwdrivers/tips are worth their weight in gold, since the frustration of rounding out a fastener is unparalleled
Screwdrivers are the only tool I do buy from snap on. Haven’t found a screwdriver to match them as hard as I’ve tried. I buy the bulk drill tips from dewalt or Bosch what ever Home Depot has at the time. Sometimes they get one use sometimes 10. But it they even start to round it’s gone. Too cheap to have the headache.
It's funny you guys are talking about screwdrivers but then massively overpay for Snap-On ones when every mechanic knows that JIS screwdrivers are far superior and you can get a whole set for $30.. every single tech in my shop uses Vessel screwdrivers. They have teeth that bite and grip unlike traditional Phillips style..
I started shopping at HF a few years ago when I started my business and honestly, you just have to become familiar with their brands and tools in general to know what's worth it and what isn't. Pittsburg really is for people who use tools once or twice a year, though I started with a Pittsburgh socket set and used daily, for 4 years they never rounded or broke. Quinn if you do a little more work (maybe once every two months) but Icon is what I have my apprentice working off of and not one tool has failed him in one year. Once he buys his own tools he can decide on what brand he wants, but as it stands, 90% of the work he does is with Icon tools.
I have been a contractor for almost 40 years, i ordered a chicago rotary hammer from harbor freight about 20 years ago just for using in hammer mode with a scraper blade to take up floor coverings. Still use it, had to install new brushes and tape the hammer/drill/hammer drill knob in hammer position or the vibration will cause the knob to flip in to drill mode. It has outlasted some dewalt tools.
Agreed the rotary hammers are great for using on jobs they work and nobody steals them
Harbor Freight has become something like the Sears of old. Sears sold tools in two tiers, Sears and Craftsmen. Craftsmen tools weren't the very best, but they close, less expensive, and came with a no BS lifetime warranty.
I miss Sears
@@freemansgarage Me too.
@@freemansgarage I just miss the old days period.
The warranty replaced broken tools with returns.
About 45 years ago, me and some friends were cleaning
out an old boat. I found a Craftsman ratchet, all rusty,
in the bilge. I said, looks like a brand new ratchet.
Next day, it was!
steve
Harbor Freight is my go to store because the prices will fit my budget. There’s two tire shops not far from us using Daytona floor jacks, I inquired about why they had them, was told cheaper than Snap-on plus better quality. Jeff I have a Harbor Freight brand 4 1/2” angle grinder that our son bought from a truck load sale in a parking lot long before they had stores in Texas. The handle broke completely off, I superglued it back on & I’m still using it. I have Pittsburgh half inch drive impact sockets, two of those long half inch breaker bars plus a 3/8” drive ratchet. I broke the ratchet, took it to HF & showed the cashier when I walked in he took it, we went to where they were, got me another one & I was on why way no questions asked. Keep’m coming
I had my own Auto Repair shop for 5 years. I had thousands of $$ in mostly Snap-On , with Mac, Craftman and Matco sprinkled in. I was paying Snap-On $800 A week for tools and equipment. My Snap-On " Tamale " cart cost me $1200 in 1975. Biggest tool bottom cart at the time. Fast Forwrd late 90s I would stop in at the Harbor freight store in Fresno Every time I was near. They got me out of a bind several times and did a good job for me. I'm like a Boy Scout and like to be prepared. Didn't have to be a expensive tool to " git er done " as long as it got done. I have bought some Icon stuff and I am well satisfied. Keep up the great content.
559
@@richardvillanueva559 888
I burnt out my generator one time while on a job so I went and bought a preditor generator. I figured if it lasted until I finished the job it would be worth it. Never bought another honda. In fact I bought another preditor after a power outage and my employee needed to use one. Also bought a titanium welder after I picked one up and felt how light it was. It has only been a year on it but I love how portable it is
I have a small woodworking shop and I'm constantly doing things around the house. I have several of the gray quick release clamps and they have performed perfectly for me for the last 4 or 5 years. I also have eight of their larger clamps that are orange and they are also amazing for the money. As far as sockets, wrenches and ratchets, I have several of the Pittsburgh pro that I have used for several years working on my cars in my tractor. I have no complaints about anything from harbor freight except for some of their less expensive power tools like the Chicago electric reciprocating saw of times but for what I paid, I still can't really complain. I also have some Hercules drill bits that have exceeded expectation. Overall, I get lots of tools from harbor freight in my favorite is the Icon creeper I recently picked up but the several pairs of Doyle pliers, my icon flex head bit ratchet set, the new style warrior heat gun, Daytona Jack, Daytona jack stands, the list goes on. It's all great stuff.
I bought a 4000 watt predator generator back the week of Christmas. We were forecasted an ice storm right around Christmas with extreme cold temperatures, around -10 (yes I get it Minnesota and the Dakotas get colder but I live in the st louis area) and we have several maple trees in the back yard. I finally pulled the trigger knowing it would run our fridge, furnace and a coffee pot or griddle or toaster oven. As a side note it will also power our camper so during the summer if we lose power we'll camp in the driveway or take it to a national park. I can't believe how quiet it is and how smooth it operators. Love it. Worth the money.
Thank you, Brother!! I’ve been a reluctant shopper of HF for several years for exactly the reasons you mention. This is the first time I’ve seen someone breakdown the value and quality available here AND how it’s improved over time. I’m trusting your take on this enough to put my money on it. I’m a subscriber now. Keep it coming!
I’ve used and abused the cheap 3/8 metric Pittsburgh hex sockets on my impact wrench almost daily for years and they refuse to break or round. One of their best products imo and I got the set for $7.
Same here but not on cars. I work on vacuum pumps
I broke one~ And I have always bragged up the dark colored impact sockets from HF~ But I broke one, I wanna say it was a 7/8ths deep well~ And I sure as hell didn't break it with an "impact gun"! It was on a half inch 24-inch breaker bar, with an eight-foot pipe I was using as a handle~ Not their fault! And I certainly never asked for them to replace it!
@@71sc502 Really? May I ask what brand?
I did some exhaust work on my truck a few years ago with that Braun flash light and never saw it again for the better part of a year until I put some mud flaps on the same truck…. Yeap !!! That’s when I found it still magnetized to the
Chassis . I charged it for a bit and it still worked great!!
I've used those Harbor Freight impact sockets for many years.
great to keep the impact size need for lug nuts handy in your vehicle with your jack.
always have several of their punches, long and standard around the house.
I've been using their impact extensions and sockets. I can't believe they have a lifetime warranty. Zero issues going on about 3 years of shade tree mechanic work.
I have had a decent amount of use from those impact sockets too. They could improve them so much by including a case. I have several deep impact socket sets from Northern Tool, and they come in a blow mold case with a lid and a grab handle, and those are the ones I use much more, because the case is so much easier to grab, carry and keep the sockets organized. Might add $1 to the price, but so worth it.
@@mickm5097 I have the Tekton long and short in a case.
the Harbor Freight set I just run a wire through all of them to keep them together.
Yes on the Predator generators. Was a diehard Honda fan but decided to give HF a shot. We are a year in running them 20+ hours a week and they work great at 1/4 of the Honda price.
How’s the noise comparison? I see food trucks running the predator but my god they can barely hear my order with that thing rattling along.
I am 60 years old. I turned my first wrench for $ at 7 years old. Starter on a dodge diplomat. $10.00 to change it. I used a cheap socket, ratchet, and wrench set from pick n save. $5.00. I learned early. A cheap tool is just that. A tool. Tools can be replaced. Cost effective solutions are required.
Let me tell you something, one of my dearest friends was a master mechanic for Ford. And after he finished with his career, he ended up being an instructor. He sold off all of his snap on tools, and guess what he used to teach his students with? That’s right harbor freight tools. Are used to tell a student, and me for that matter, to save your money and start out with Harbor freight tools. No it’ll be worth it for you as you get established to go with the big tool truck tools for things you use every day, but for the things you don’t use much or when you’re starting out, there’s nothing wrong with using Harbor freight tools. It’ll save you a lot of money and it won’t saddle you with a lot of debt. He’s no longer with us, and he was one of the best people I knew, and I still miss him. But if they’re good enough for him, they’re good enough for me.
How much better really are Snap-on or Mac tools? How much are you really paying for the man's career who bought into a franchise who drives around in an expensive truck?
@@MrThe1234guy Whether it comes off a tool truck or not doesn't matter. I reps from both Snap-on and Proto (which is just the industrial version of Mac) and we paid the same price as if it came off a tool truck. In fact according to my friend, tool trucks often have better payment plans and have some leeway on prices (though not alot) than by dealing with the company directly. Believe me, when you dealt with a rep from the company, you got no breaks.
I work at a car dealership. Our floor jacks are Daytona. Many guys use US General toolboxes and service carts.
I just broke my Pittsburgh torque wrench after 3 years of use and took it back and laid it on the check out desk and they went and handed me a brand new one no fuss.
Got the $220 , 4 ton Daytona long reach low profile made by the same company as the $1,000 snapon.
Got the 24" breaker bar, several pry bars, a dead blow hammer, strut compressors, impacts socket sets, a couple of test lights with beep, big wrenches, long extensions, 120a flux welder & more.
I do have a 78" snapon tool chest $11,995.
And a host of snapon starter tools.
I bought a multispeed drill, it’s light and cost $19 I’ve had it five years it has out lived the original battery pack, being left in the rain it is perfect for evey job and has outlived my ryobi my dewaltand my craftsman
Another informative entertaining video. I have operated a custom fine woodworking shop for years (decades). I have used hundreds of the HF F-style clamps and realized that the bar flexes too much for any size over 12". This can lead to glue-ups that aren't flat. My advice is to buy all the HF 6" clamps you want and buy a few 12" clamps as back-ups. But, buy heavy-duty name brands, pipe clamps and/or parallel clamps for longer sizes.
---- true: and their deep-throat C-clamps are useless for more than moderate clamping -- just using the sliding handle that comes on the clamp you can watch the frame flex as you hand tighten, and if you bow down they will snap under hand pressure - the good thing about them is you can buy a bunch of them for the cost of a quality clamp when you don't really need a strong clamp
I agree completely. And avoid their squeeze clamps too.
I love my 5 drawer cart. As a homeowner i have no doubt it will last a lifetime
Same. I bought a gray one and it's amazing to organize a bunch of random home tools
I do mobile diesel repair, there's a handful of HF tools I use a lot and rely on. The automotive front end socket set, it's half inch drive, and 28mm up to like 38.. great 50$ set. The indexing pry bars from Quinn are also awesome. I go through a lot of their chargeable lights as well, I refuse to pay the big $ anymore cuz they always end up broken or I leave them stuck under a frame on a truck and it proceeds to ride off all over the country
I agree most mobile techs run cheaper tool sets cause you’re gonna leave something somewhere and you’ll never get it back (buy once cry once) doesn’t work out in the field lol.
As some one else mentioned. Harbor Freight has brought access to tools for those who just need something quick and dirty. I was replacing the passenger window in my dodge. No hand tools didn't own a thing. New to tools. Didn't have much spare change to spend. A buddy of mine said go to harbor freight here's what you'll need to replace it. Spent 30 bucks. Replaced the window. No problems. That was 9 years ago. Been a harbor freight fan since. I was never a fan of the tool trucks they charged too much. Pittsburgh sockets whether you buy the colored ones or the regular ones work fantastic the impact sockets are awesome. The ratchets work fine. I don't see the issue with Harbor Freight. The only reason I lost the Pittsburgh ratcheting box wrench is because I Arc welded it when I was changing out at 12 volt battery on a floor scrubber machine. So now I have a 14 mil that is basically a standard 14 mm wrench no ratcheting anymore oh well it was my fault not the tool's fault. And their Doyle stuff is fantastic that's all I buy if I need pliers and cutters and stuff like that.
I work as a lab assistant in a Auto Tech Program at a Community College. The US General tool cart has become very popular. For the money, they are really hard to beat.
Working 2 years everyday on golf carts in a busy shop. Had the mechanics cart for total of around 3 years.
0 issues shoving all my shit in it lol
I bought that icon work light and it's the best, most useful flashlight i have ever owned.
It has 5 different functions and a sequential on off button. Whichever light position it's on when in use, will be the same light that comes on next time you turn the light on.
Love that. So much nicer than having to click the light 4 more times to get to the off position.
Two small gripes
Slow to recharge. Slow, not horrible.
The magnetic base has a thin vinyl protective pad, or cushion on it to reduce scratching things.
That pad is too soft and the adhesive that keeps it in place will last a week....maybe.
They need to change the design from a pad to a stiffer plastic cup so it can't come off. That magnetic base is crazy strong. I love that. Great light guys ...... It's absolutely worth the extra $10.
I bought the 2 ton low profile Daytona jack with the Flintstone roller up front. (The green aluminum one)
I tried it after buying it and wow......when not under a load, it was all up in 5 pumps.... Maybe 4.85 pumps. 😁
My old, heavy Wilmar took 45 pumps. They have the same max lifting height. Amazing jack.
I have that jack in my work van. It’s been in the rain, snow, covered in dirt and all I do is basic maintenance and it has never failed me. Its super easy to use as well.
Pros don't shop there.. which is why contractor trucks and vans are in the parking lot every day of the week.
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
@@deykno87 agree 👍 they're clowns if they pretend they're not at the Freight.
best comment and if u can go out for lunch ride by hf lol they busy lol alot of independent and company vechi
Wrong
Predator gens are wonderful, the f-clamps (use them in woodworking) are as well. If I had not already purchased a new wood vise I definitely would have purchased a Doyle model. I have several of their Braun tools and have no complaints. Everyone stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Glad to hear about those F-clamps, now I won't have to wait til they go one sale elsewhere or hunt around! I'll be buying some of those Braun 4ft fluorescent work lights. I have a HF right around the corner, I just look at what I'm buying!
I used HF Predator generators to run my barbecue wagon and I only ever had one problem. I had one generator that for some reason decided to eject the piston out of the bottom of the motor. I had it for around 10 months when it happened, well out of the 90 day warranty. I went to buy a new one and told the manager about it. He told me that shouldn't have happened, and asked me to bring the broken generator in. He exchanged it for a new one at no charge because he knew it should have lasted longer. He made me a customer for life.
@@dondale68 I have 6 of the LED lights. 2 each of the 10,000/5500/5000 lumens. They make a tremendous difference.
I have the 3 ton long reach lo pro Jack and it’s been the single best tool I’ve ever bought.
The tools they offer are at a reasonable price and have some quality. I've shopped at a harbor freight tools for almost 20 years for various things and seen the changes. I was introduced to the store by a fellow mechanic that long ago. Im still turning wrenches professionally. However, most of my current tools are not harbor freight. Work it for yourselves to find value where you can!
The predator generator is probably thing I see the most. I see those thing tied on to welding trucks next to miller welders. I've seen them commercial work vehicles I've even seen them on A-DOT vehicles. I think they're probably the most sold generator at this point
I have both the Hercules sliding miter and the Hercules 10" table saw. I love both of them. They are sturdy, accurate and easy to use.
Harbor Freight just opened a store 5 miles away from me. I have purchased 4 tools and a few other items from the store so far. I'm happy with everything, I like that the stores are smaller than Home Depot and Lowes. This makes HF easier to get in and out of the store. I always compare pricing with the other stores and read the reviews. Harbor Freight has saved me a lot and money and time. They are my go to tool store now.
I would like to thank you. I'm planning to take up woodworking, and have just started picking up tools now and then as I can afford them. I had always heard bad things about Harbor Freight until I found your channel. I'm planning to get the Bauer detail sander this weekend, and I'm saving up for the Hercules miter saw based on your review of it. If not for you channel, I would have been spending more money on similar or potentially lower quality tools. Again, thank you.
100% agree on the breaker bar. Haven’t used their other hand tools because I’ve not needed them. But haven’t had good luck with their electric stuff.
I love the 14” bamdsaw I bought! Beats the heck out of the old 9” I was gifted! I only upgraded the belt to a linked belt to reduce noise and vibration.
My buddy has one of those rolling tool boxes from harbour freight, but he has cunningly pried off "US general" and sharpied a crude version of the snap on logo instead. Best of both worlds: name recognition AND economy
Tell him that he can buy snap on logos on ebay for $20.
"You've crudely pasted your face over mine."
-Ricky Bobby
I can say for a fact that the Honda plant I work at uses US General tool boxes/carts.
I’m a 30 year cabinetmaker and I’ve started using nothing but the Bremen Parallel clamps and the new f style blue clamps. There great and they last and don’t slip
What is your go to circ saw and table saw?
@@denoftools my circ saw is Skilsaw, have 2 of them. My table saw is the Metabo HPT with 36” rip cut. I’m retired and in a small shop on my land. The Metabo is a work horse even with dado stack in it
@@steveferguson1232 Thanks. I'm always looking for feedback from people with experience. If there any other tools you would recommend feel free to email me at red@red-beard.com
Over ~20 years, I've had good and bad with HF. My first purchase was one of those tool assortment kits and while it got the basic job done, it made me hate certain types of tools, until I got better versions and realized that I didn't have to suffer and hate my tools. To each is own, I guess, but there is a real danger of just pushing away folks from using tools because they were introduced with janky ones. At the same time, some of the other stuff I bought there was a fraction of the cost of what I'd pay anywhere else and is still great many years later, such as my huge tile cutting saw, vice, anvil, auger, and a few others. The more experienced you get, the better idea you have of what to buy there, but it can be a real trap for new guys and end up wasting money in the long run.
By the way, I'll add that I've been extremely happy with all my Husky stuff from HD. Husky is a bit pricier than brands at HF, with some exceptions, and it's still a budget brand, but the stuff I got (wrench sets, socket sets, tool boxes, etc) just feel great and years later, zero issues.
I run the Vulcan outlaw 195 at my job sites . Welding / chop saws / running off tools with it. Commercial job . Runs my stuff amazing .
I will say the pitsburgh line of hand tools is quite excellent and a great value. Their sockets are excellent and are as good as my snap-on and craftsman tools. I use them all the time for car repair and they never disappoint. if your looking for a nice starter mechanics set of tools, you cannot go wrong with the pitsburgh mechanic set. I bought the 300 pc set years ago it on sale for cheap on fathers day and was blown away how nice it was.
Picked up the 12"Hercules Sliding Miter Saw and the Hercules Heavy Duty Miter Saw Stand, on sale for $450 all in (Spring Black Friday sale, saw was $299, stand $149). Thats less than the cheapest Dewalt DWS780 I could find on sale, which was $489 with free shipping. I'm a DIYer, so it's the perfect setup for me.
I wouldn't mind a zero clearance Makita...but for over $700, it just doesn't make sense to spend that kinda cash (for me).
im a 43 year bodyman i bought a air angle grinder in 2012 for 20 bucks and it still works
I LOVE HARBOR FREIGHT, I just bought a titanium tig welder (novice welder) it works for me
plus they have a return policy like nobody else do not have your receipt with you give phone number they find receipts for you and employees are very helpful and considerate
they might not be knowledgeable on everything they sell ( not even people who work for big box stores know everything) but i find H.F. employees more customer service oriented
and more than happy to work where they work.
i also love the hercules line for me they are tools that a person like me on a limited income can afford.
BEAR IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I HAVE SEEN YOUR VIDEOS IM SORRY FOR THAT!
I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL AND DEN OF TOOLS THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR US
I was introduced to HF 30 years ago by the old guys at my shop who bought based on value. Mind you, their rollaway boxes were full of Snap On, Matco, Mac, SK hand tools and Ingersoll and Dotcos air tools. But they didn't shy away from HF and Craftsman. No shame in buying wise.
My "Harbour Freight" is Tractor Supply. Trying out a set of Crescent Z2 pliers, now. Lots of little things for cheap. Quality items if you want (Dewalt / Makita / Gearwrench).
Plus, the entire tool room at my shop uses and starts off in those HF carts. Modifications are need at times, but they do the job and keep ticking.
i've seen alot of the daytona jacks in many shops and including tire places,plus the 5 drawer us general and 56" and 72" tool boxes.👍🏽
I def use the Bremen parallel clamps over bessey. The price point def is a major factor when buying multiple clamps.
I tend to be a snob for quality and in the process of setting up a garage and getting tools. You probably just saved me thousands by changing my mind in looking at harbor freight for 90% of the stuff I was thinking of getting elsewhere.
As an auto tech of more than 40 years I've bought my share of tools from Craftsman, Mac, Matco and Snap On. All of them stored in some very old tool cabinets from Mac with Snap On side box and a Lyon cabinet. I couldn't see myself paying that much for toolboxes from the tool trucks and sears was too cheap in quality. Then Harbor Freight introduces the Icon Storage box lineup and Wow! After several months of research I finally decided to go for it. I purchased the 56 inch cabinet and chest with the upper overhead cab. In my opinion, same quality as the tool truck storage units at a fraction of the cost. I highly recommend them.
I took your advice, 1/2" go with impacts. Pittsburgh Pro will more than suffice for my needs. Tekton has the 12 point if needed
I just purchased the Chicago Electric Worm Drive Saw for under $45.00. I always wanted a worm drive saw, but did not want to spend $200.00. I will use it until it wears out. Great value fore the money.
Ratchets, offset wrenches, sockets, bearing press, ratchet straps, Daytona jacks, hand punch, hammers/dead blows. I like their Earthquake air tools, work the snot out of em in the shop for 3 yrs and still going. Their Doyle tools are real nice. Just have to oil them since they come either uncoated or very thin tool oil on them.
I have so many HF tools that I never would have bought if they didn’t come at a HF price. I’d estimate at least 75+ different things.
Only had two issues. Had a plunge router that had a spring/lever break, and bought the old cheapy table saw with such sketchy fence that I ended up selling it. Every other thing I’ve bought, still kicking.
As a landscaper, the best thing we use daily is the tailgate mounted dump insert. It’s $50-75 and it is awesome!
I've never heard of that before I looked it up That's pretty slick.
@@KS1776 works pretty slick too! Just dumped 1400lbs of grass with it yesterday! It bent a little bit, but didn’t break and did a great job.
Would you trust it with 3/4ton of crushed stone? I may try it.
@@winstonsmith7234 honestly probably not, it was bending pretty good with the 1400lbs of grass.
What tool am I faithful to from HF? The MIXING DRILL. 1st I bought, Chicago Electric, $29.99, lasted me 3 months and literally went up in smoke. The day it went up in smoke, went right back and bought the exact same one, $39.99. Needed to finish a job that day. 5 years later, it's still mixing away (concrete & tile mortar in a 5 gallon bucket ). It has mixed pallets of Quickrete and still going strong. HF had a sale on the Bauer mixing drill, $49.99, so I decided to purchase one. That one is even better. Now I have 2. I am very happy with their performance and will definitely purchase them again.
Electrician here
Sockets
Fish sticks ( other manufactures have stepped up there game but I've been happy, better luck than the GB ones)
Drill taps
Doyle angled side cutters
Flat pry bar
Wire feed welder probably junk but so is my welding...
6.5HP preditor engine
I have the mini Doyle knipex ripoff and it's nice.
I'm a rack refrigeration mechanic and I have quite a few harbor freight tools that I use pretty often. The biggest odd ball are my 18" and 24" pipe wrenches, they suck as pipe wrenches because they don't slip in reverse but I don't use them on pipe so I could care less because I use them to break loose huge roto-lock fittings that haven't been off for 10 or 20 years. They work great for that but I can't justify spending more because I just need it to hold and have enough leverage to turn a 1/4 turn to break it loose. I also of course get all my disposable stuff from them like brass wire wheels and cleaning disks for my drill, drill bits, I like the little magnetic trays for bolts, my pump sprayer came from them too.
I LOVE the Doyle product line. You can't beat the quality for the money, especially with 30% off [like we just had for ITC members $20 and under -- lots pf their products are $19.99 😁] Thanks for all the great videos.
nearly 30 years as an aircraft mechanic in all different facets of the industry, i had all of my snap on stuff stolen in 2002. since then i have decided that i will never let the strap on guy take any more of my money than absolutely necessary. my current tool box is a gen3 72" us gen and it is full of icon, quinn and pitts tools. certain things that i cannot get from other sources, i do get from the tool trucks, but not much. the quality of HF tools has come so far that most of us are proud to have them in our box.
My first ever FULL set of tools are from harbor freight. Like i of course have a craftsman 100+ piece plastic carry tool set that ive had since like my dad bought it for me back in 2011 or so when i got my first car. I used that for a while until like well about 2 years ago i have literally everything Harbor Freight tools. i have the Icon Flex-Head Ratchets 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 along with the basic HF Breaker bar. Then all of my sockets i have are just the metric, colored sockets for all 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. Then i have the HF Impact, Metric, Deep, sockets (flat black) ones. I had the more shinier ones but i actually broke 3 of the 22mm impact sockets, so i had to go back to HF to replace the entire set, but there’s something different about the flat black ones because I haven’t broken or cracked a impact socket at all. Also i have the Metric and SAE non-ratcheting wrenches, my plier set (which i need to replace them with something newer and different company like MAC or Matco green plier and channel locks, etc. because these HF plier set and such have rusted a little bit and are a pain to open and close. Even the needle nose, side cutters, etc. but i also now want the green handled pliers and long reach from MAC. I have the HF T-handle Alan sets both metric and SAE, never stripped or broke one. Only things i broke were the 22mm impact sockets and 1 rubber mallet from HF. I have the green magnetic power strip, magnetic large tray, 5 magnetic dishes, US General Electric/Pneumatic gun holder, etc. i have the black Yukon tool box and i absolutely love it. I even have one of the like $15 multi-meter and its been great ever since, never had a problem with it. I also have the Earthquake XT in green and oil the gun everyday and no problems what so ever. I have the Central Pneumatic die grinder i use it like 10 times a day, and hasn’t broken at all. Ive been using these tools for when i work on my cars and motorcycles and SOME home improvement things but mainly automotive. Now im at a car dealership working my way up from Lube Tech to line tech hopefully soon. Been here for about 7 months now and i average about 11-15 oil change and tire rotations a day. Not including all the inside tire patches i do and the amount of tires that i have to mount and balance as well. So my tools get used a lot, like HUGE amount of cars i touch on a weekly basis and like i said before i have not had anything fail or break except for those couple of 22mm impact sockets and 1 rubber mallet. And i absolutely beat the shit out of my tools, like not like throwing them around or anything but i mean like they get used so much all the time. Honestly, im putting money away now so i can upgrade to a new tool box, thats bigger like the new ICON line but of course in green. But its tough, i literally have like no more room in my tool box, actually I haven’t had enough room, everything is so squeezed in there and i could really use a bigger tool box, wanting to get the big green tool box with the big box on top so i can keep my laptop in there along with my electric tools and chargers, then add on the side closet like cabinet and then an extra set of drawer cabinet on the opposite side. It’s tough but I’ll figure out some way i guess. But all this big old story is to back Harbor Freight and their quality of their tools now. For upgrades the order is going to be, upgrading toolbox first at least to the green ICON big rolling toolbox and then the closing cabinet, then as it goes along I’ll start picking up the ICON sets of things like wrenches, ratchets, plier sets, i would buy the screw drivers from ICON as well but i want the green handle ones from MAC or Snap-On or MATCO honestly. There’s a couple of things that i want in the bright green color that Harbor freight does not have or make. So I HAVE to go with another company. Im keep a very close eye on that scratch and dent sale page to see what comes across because if i can get a HUGE deal on a tool box ima jump on it in a heartbeat.
I have that 5 drawer tool cart. its very sturdy and i like that I can easily roll it around.
At home mechanic but I can swear by the Pittsburgh Impact set + Makita wrench. No issues for the past 7ish years I’ve had them.
Thanks for the update vis-a-vis their pliers. I haven't even looked at them since the days when they were junk. And I need a couple of new pairs. Now I have to go check the current coupons.
Excellent report very professional. Thank you.
I got tired of changing grinder wheels so I bought 2 Bauer hand held corded grinders for about $30 each. Compare that to $120 for my DeWalt. I have one set up for grinding, one set up for sanding and the old DeWalt for cutting. They feel just as good as the yellow one. My only regret was I should have spent another $10 and got the paddle switch instead of the sliding switch. I also like the price and performance of the HF grinding wheels.
I got the 3ton low profile 4yrs ago was 190$ on sale. Aside from breaking mu back its the best tool i own
I have used a Predator (Chanda) engine on a 24 inch lap saw for years, starts on first pull. Great engine,, I can buy 4 for the price of one Honda.
Recently replaced my 18 year old Series 1 toolbox with a larger Series 2 that was on sale because the Series 3 are on their way. I wanted/needed a larger box. The Series 1 spent all its life in a oil field shop and is still going strong, gave it to one of my kids.
I just picked up a couple of the Braun 500s today for $20 each, have the tool cart, and the jack. If you can deal with some of the quality oversights on the tool cart, they aren't bad at all.
iWork in the trades and I bought a Chicago Electric sander just to do a table at home . Job done and 17 years later that sander is still going . Is it loud , yes does it shake your body to the core, yes . Do people make fun of it sure, but I just keep on sanding cause I can’t hear them over the sander anyway.
I really like getting specialty tools there, I bought the bearing race driver and from what I can see it seems to be of the same quality of the MAC variant. I plan on buying the slide hammer set there at some point. Today I’m planning on buying the ultrasonic cleaner too.
I've been using my hercules 8in bench grinder for a while now. I love it. And I have the mid size predator generator. I like it better than my Honda
What makes you like the predator over Honda? I have three predator generators and they are great.
I actually just picked up a hercules 3/8 20v impact and the quinn socket set during their sale and I got all of that plus a charger and 2 5ah batteries for about 340 and 100 of that was just the socket set and I must say I am impressed for such a little tool that I know a lot of people have had issues with but that thing managed to remove the threads on a 1/2in bolt on my trucks bumper and it will definetly stay in my car with a lug socket set. A similar setup for the powertool would have cost more for something like craftsman or milwaukee or dewalt and especially now that I have some batteries I can get other tools way cheaper than another company and that 5 year warranty just seals the deal
Not a great HF fan, but I do like the Icon copycat pliers. I have about 10 now all using sale coupons. Good value!
I was watching through this almost about to be upset until you mentioned Doyle! 😂 as an electrician I started out with alot of Doyle stuff, linesmans, diagonal cutters and used them for a while until people needed gift ideas in which I'd "upgrade," but even today my Doyle are still used when not at the job site. Even their screw drivers aren't bad.
Great video Harbor Freight is my go to store I have tons of their tools and use them every day and the new craftsman tools seem over priced to me
I love that icon light, and I’ve seen people say it doesn’t have a “memory” but mine sure does, turns right back on to the last setting I had it on
My Pittsburg 3 ton floor jack cost 1/3 of the yellow Daytona and is still going strong after seven years. My US General tool box is eight years old and rock solid. Not like the off brand one from Walmart I had previously in which the shelves started falling off the tracks and bending elsewhere. I don't trust a lot of rechargeable battery stuff so I'll stick to air when it comes to impacts.
I had a Braun magnetic work light until the other day when I left it somewhere. Couple of my coworkers noted how convenient it was. Gonna have to upgrade to the Icon light. I wanna slowly move all my work hand tools over to Icon. Except the tounge and groove pliers. I do swear by the tried and true channellocks...
The U.S. General rolling cart was the standard at my last maintenance job. No one had a problem rolling around their name brand tools inside a U.S. General cart.
I have the breaker bar, the 5 drawer mechanics cart, the clamps, and the low profile Daytona jack from this list. It goes really high. They know their jacks are highly sought after. It's one of the one things that never go on sale. I waited months and months for a sale but I got fed up and bought it for the regular price.
I've had my US General service cart since 2010, and it's held up beautifully.
I have my 10-19 color set for 15 years
3/8" and 1/2" click torque wrench 15 years
2 ton low profile jack I upgraded after 10 years with Daytona, still works
I want to try a predator generator if my Briggs ever breaks.
Honestly the old cheap quick release clamps work well for me. Use em all the time.
That Icon light rocks! I've used and abused mine Mon-Fri for the last 6 weeks, if it goes another 6, it has payed for it's self compared to other lights I have spent money on.
Harbor Freight has really come out with some much better quality tools in recent years....however, the US General Tool Boxes have always been good...I have a 20+ year old 44" Top and Bottom chest that has sat outside on my carport all those years, and other than being dusty and dirty it functions just fine, although I need an upgrade as I'm out of space in it. I've had several Chicago Electric tools and have only had a belt sander and drill bit sharpener fail, and they both failed within the first use LOL....everything else I've had has been just fine...2 compound miter saws, lots of hand tools, oscillating spindle sander, a variable speed mini-lathe, the 55 gallon 2 horsepower dust collector, mortising machine, biscuit slot cutter, and now several Bauer and Hercules 20V tools, and a couple of 12V Hercules tools....the Bauer and Hercules stuff has really bumped up their game. I do have one of the 3 ton Daytona Jacks, and the jack stands but I need to upgrade to the 4 ton jack for my HD pickup...the 3 ton will lift it but it seems like its struggling a little.
I work on heaters in shops through out the southeast. I see that Daytona jack at a lot of them. I used mine today to work on our shop truck.
I’ve been using the Icon tools for about 6 months now. I couldn’t be more pleased with the quality, I don’t use them daily but it’s nice to know if something does happen to break I’ll get it replaced for free.
This channel keeps making my Harbor Freight favorites list growing!
I'm not a professional mechanic per se, but I do body and paint work on semi trucks, which involves turning a lot of wrenches. I buy a lot of stuff from harbor freight, but what I use the most is their torx sockets. I've used many different brands, including tool truck brands, and what I've found is that they all break. In my experience the harbor freight torx hold up just as well, and it's lifetime warranty when they do break. Plus, working on big trucks like that, it's really easy to lose small sockets. I try to avoid it as much as possible, but it still happens. When I do lose a socket, I'd much rather lose the cheapo from HF than the high dollar tool truck socket.