Why Does Harbor Freight Have so Many Power Tool Brands
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- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2024
- One of the most popular questions I get is why are there so many brands at harbor freight or the follow up what brand should I buy at harbor freight. So we are going to do a deep dive and explain each brand and why you might want to consider them for your projects.
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Хобби
I really can’t forgive this channel for turning me into a harbor freight junkie
Greasing palms somewhere
I have my grandpa to blame for that.
Buy an aweful, unuseable pile of shit they knowingly sell, so you return it for an upgrade or get hit for 30 dollar restock fee. You wont care much for them after that
Same 😂
Shame on you Bear!!!!
I have spent 10's of thousands on SnapOn tools. We farm now and I use a lot of HF and have never been disappointed. For the price, i dont think they can be beat.
Agree. And their US General line of rollers & top chests may be the single best value of all.
@willb3018 I have a U.S. general tool box on my service truck that has held up for years over all the vibrations. I used a 25% coupon, it cost about what the sales tax was on my SnapOn 🤣
Former employee from 15 years ago. Their warranty is why i buy them. No fuss no muss here is your new tool straight off the rack.
When I replace my Ridgid line this is where I am going, cant beat the ease of replacement warranty 😊
I have stated this before in the comments of this channel, but I have used every Top-Tier tool brand there is during my working years. (Both power and hand tools.)
Now in retirement, I have come to love HF brands. Hercules is every bit as good as DeWalt today. (And I am a HUGE DeWalt fan.).
I also have a few Bauer offerings for tools I do not use regularly like the Jig saw and 1/2" hammer drill. Both perform very well.
And ICON hand tools will serve any DIY guy for a lifetime. Are they exactly like my old Snap-On tools? IMO, no. But still a damn fine tool line.
Great vid, Jeff. 👉👍
Yup and their warranty is dope. No need to wait. You just grab another one.
Lol my previous boss did some huge jobs with Bauer.
Paul is 100% correct!
I have at least 15 Milwaukee Fuel tools, and I’ll admit, in most cases, they’re the best I’ve ever used. That being said, I ran into Hercules Brushless. So close to being as good as MF, except 1/3 the price, and a warranty you can/may actually use. In my fairly clean shop, I use my MF. Out at the ranch in the sand, it’s Herc all the way. And I don’t just use them, I abuse them. Haven’t had a return yet! Just purchased the new 3/4” Drive Impact for $199 with free 5 amph
battery. What a beast!!!
I barely started buying Hercules tools I mostly have Milwaukee and Ryobi but these new blue beasts have been impressing me and are now becoming my go to for impact driver 👍🏻
Love My Bauer stuff, ive had it all for over 5 years,never a problem, the poor string trimmer has been ran over, beaten up, fell out of the truck once,, still working,, only thing I had a problem with was a 5amp battery that crapped out after 14 months...go with the 3 amp..
The Hercules 1/4 in. Brushless impact driver ircc has been tested and can remove nuts/bolts up to 500-525 ft lbs of torque. I wanna say Torque Test Channel found that. It’s so little and so impressive that I’m getting one for working on the cars. It’s been REALLY tempting to drop Ryobi for Bauer as well. I love this channel and all the info it brings. Thank you!
Having worked with machine tools for 28 years. Including and especially band saws. You are absolutely correct. Your cutting tool "blade" and operater is the must important.
Those Chicago ELectric red plastic parts turn a dull reddish brown as they get old. The Bauer color and plastic seem to be so much better.
The ultra torque 1/2 inch impact is what got me into Hercules
Thank you so much for this honest video! 🥰❤
I really appreciate how you share your experience and knowledge about these tools.
I get a lot out of it. 💯
I like that entry level heat gun, had it for years and works well. Good for electrical heat shrink connectors.
Thanks 👍 for the explanation Jeff. I was wondering about the hierarchy of Harbor Freight tools the other day. I was going to email you and ask, but I didn't want to bother you. I know you're busy. And lo and behold, here you've done a video answering my question! Thanks so much again. Have a great weekend. 😊😊😊❤❤❤
Between the Herc Ultra-Torqe impact and the Bauer, I personally would go for the extra $60 for the Herc.
After having most all the brands (Milwaukee, DeWalt, Fes, Bosch, Hilti), I've been with Makita for years and will stay with them moving forward. That being said, I recently purchased the new Hercules 20V impact driver, drill, and 1/2 impact wretch. They lack the refinement and balance of my Makita, but they are good quality tools and have been a pleasure to use the last few months. I'm a tool snob, but I must say the most recent HF stuff has changed my mind. I will continue to buy both Makita and now, Hercules.
And the hercules batteries have rubber insulation which is a plus.
So I broke down and bought the Hercules 20v 1/4” Impact driver. Holy Crap! This thing is legit. I actually prefer it to my Dewalt. Now in fairness my Dewalt is older with no speed control but still, no need to spend more than double for a Dewalt.
1/4 impact is a beast and so are the 1/2 impact.
Just bought a house, and i was unsure about what to get for some home projects and this helped. Thinking bauer is the way to go
this was very informative -- thank you! I'd like to see the same thing for hand tools.
Thanks for the excellent info on these brands! I'm looking at the Central Machinery wood Lathe. Any thoughts on Central Machinery?
Thanks for all your work on this channel. I've been considering getting into the Atlas line for some lite outdoor home stuff. Would love to hear your opinion on that line. Thanks!
The atlas line are quality tools but I’m pretty sure they’re made by the same company that makes green works and the kobalt ope. You can usually find better deals with battery combos direct from green works. And if you’re really willing to take your time and bargain, Hunt, ego isn’t even better option but you do have to really hunt to find the good deals there.
My only complaint is the difference in batteries Hercules vs Bauer. HF is really stepping up their game.
I bought the Hercules 12' double miter saw after your video... It is the best miter saw I have ever used!!! Thank you
I'm a detailer for work, and DIY enthusiasts Bauer has been great for me, no complaints
That was very informative. Please do hand tools next.
Great information. Now do the corded tools.
As you know I'm rebuilding a travel trailer from 1983. So I would love products and gear with that in mind. Was playing with my welder today so there's a rabbit hole also.
I love the Hercules 1/4" impact driver. I pretty much changed to torx deck screws because phillips screws strip too much with this crazy power. The big Hercules miter saw is great too.
I have over a dozen Bauer tools going on 1 year so far so good. Only one that crapped out was the cordless vacuum. Only lasted 4 months.
I'm still waiting on that elusive Hercules Jigsaw. I tried the Bauer, but it didn't exactly exude confidence and the guide wheel behind the blade has a bad reputation of dislodging so i had to return it. Any news if a Herc jigsaw is coming out? Appreciate this channel and awesome video as usual Jeff! Cheers!
I’m in the Bauer line and it’s hold up very good, I just wish they would come out with a Ultra Torque impact like Hercules as well.
Outdoor power equipment should be next.
The Hercules compact drill driver is very powerful as well you have to be careful so it doesn't sprain you're wrist
Hello again, Jeff and Mrs. Bear 🐻
Thank you for another Great Video 👍 Question for you, since a lot tool companies seem to copy one another. Do you know if HF intends to have an insider Ratchet? Again thank you 😊
I don't know but I hope so.
Holding out hope that Admiral will turn into their woodworking brand, but with the inevitable release of the Bauer benchtop lathe and the reissue of the Central Machinery benchtop, that seems less than likely. I'd love HF to carry a contractor saw to compete with the Ridgid and Delta saws at HD and Lowes, and Admiral could be the brand to bring it in.
The ultimate Admiral woodworking power tool lineup would look like this: contractor saw, sliding miter saw, track saw, router table/lift, midi lathe, scroll saw, jointer, joiner, 14" band saw, and maybe a dust extractor. Festool's patent on the Domino is set to expire pretty soon, and it would be dynamite to see a competitor in the market. Knowing HF, however, their inevitable knockoff will be a Bauer.
Love my hercules tools. I have some of the 12v tools still a great quality tool. I prefer my hercules tools over my dewalt tools.
I wish you could do a video on harbor freight bench top drill presses ,,,,that would be great ,,,w friend of mine got one and the spindle has a thirty five thousands run out on it,,,,i would like to get one but that much run out isnt to good ,,,,thank you
For Harbor Freight would love to hear your opinion going through the various electronic items such as the multimeters on offer.
Outside of HF, still would love that SKIL history video and maybe a video dedicated to the Worx line -- specifically their Nitro stuff. I know you've mentioned them here and there but nothing really dedicated.
I'm not an electrician, but we farm, have 7 poultry houses and I use a meter alot. I have always used fluke and have had problems now and then. I burned up a fluke and went to HF and bought one of theirs. Because it was cheap I kind of threw it around, left it in the poultry houses and on the dash of my truck because I knew it wasn't going to last anyway. It's about 4 years old now and works perfectly. Now I buy all my electronics from them. Hope this helps.
That's exactly why I buy at Harbor freight. The same replacement warranty like sears used to have.
Maybe you should come out with some Den of Tools line of tools. Chris Fix came out with a set of wrenches.
Not surprised that there is a lot changing in the HF line up. Remember, last year HF hire a bunch of tool truck product managers and they are starting to work there magic.
With all the names swimming around in my head, being fluent in several different industries simultaneously, even knowing you had just finished talking about the bandsaw and blades, you stripped the gears in my mental transmission, I swear I heard you say, "I'm running Linux in that thing " to which my brain thought were we talking about something that normally runs windows from harbor freight???
Took me about 30 seconds of puzzling to figure out you meant Lenox blades.
I would like the handtools that HF now has.
I'd love to see how their air tools stack up.
Jeff, is that a 7yr old BiB Heaven Hill bourbon behind you. The boca has it blurred but the label looks like Heaven Hills.
I assumed they were grouped by the supplier who manufactured the stuff to HF's spec
I’m hoping you cover most of the categories at Harbor freight you mentioned, hand, tools, and power tools and outdoor power. Would you also cover air compressors and air tools even if it’s as an entire category the air compressors and accessories is where things get confusing for me
Hand tools next, please!
Consumer Reports Nov/Dec issue recommended the Warrior #64118 cordless drill for $30.
Ok Mr bear, what about doing a set of videos on a new trend . Van life and rv life people. What tools would you say we should get our paws on for this type of life style. Limited room in van or rv but need to work in the back country?.😊😊😊😊😊
When is harbor freight coming out with a steel cutting chop saw?
Hey Red - what I want to know is what is the difference between Icon and Quinn. I am about to buy some wrenches and sockets.
Icon is pro grade and Quinn is Prosumer.
I think it would be fun if harbor freight had some kind of deal that you could go in and all the cordless tools of whatever brand Hercules or Bower and if you bought all the tools as a kit that takes some money off from that at once yeah it would be kind of expensive up front but it would be neat to just get them all at once
They have kits for Hercules now. Drill battery and charger
No love for the Hercules planer?
Do you think they will start offering electric snow blower?
Can attest to Hercules quality and power. Can’t beat the 5 year OTC warranty if something does happen. I use 7+ Hercules 20V brushless tools professionally daily. HF actually cares about the quality of the Hercules tools, I had a quality manager reach out when I left a semi negative review on one tool.
The shop vac hose connection sucks. It's very easy to break the locking connector by pulling the vac by the hose. I watched my buddy break his, so I am very careful with mine
You get better all the time. Missing the bear though.
Lol, I thought the same thing.
Shine on!
Variety is the spice of life
So what tier is Chicago Electric? If I have an opportunity to get a second hand Chicago electric miter saw, what would I be getting into?
I would consider it average DIY weekend warrior kind of stuff. I still have my jigsaw from years and years ago and it works just fine.
Good Stuff .... thanks for your efforts. I must be getting old, always confused when looking at the hierarchy of tools at HF. Been a contractor, architect and builder all my life 50+ years, always went with Dewalt when they came out until now. Still try to buy Dewalt but when it comes to replacement HF stuff works fine for small jobs and around the house. Never had a problem with them even though my friends laugh at me for buying them .... money in my pocket.
BTW, you're wrong 😠 if you've been a right handed carpenter the blade on any circ saw has to be on the left !!!!! 🤔 at least that's what always worked for me .... maybe because I started with the 50 pound all steel worm drive Skilsaw
Keep em coming!
I'm making wood bowls and other turnings now. Any way you can get HF to send me there new wood lathe scroll chuck for review? Looks good and good price point. I know the answer but thought I'd ask 😅
May God bless you and keep you safe!👃
I agree. They should have only three for ALL of the tools.
The Bauer 12" sliding dual bevel miter saw is gone, so that leaves the Admiral as the mid tier model. I really don't know why. The Bauer was better and had the same features as the Hercules, including the drop shadow line. The Admiral has a laser. Other than the colors I didn't see much difference between the Bauer and the Hercules.
I was fortunate to get the Bauer on clearance on the weekend they had a no exclusions coupon on all miter saws. The coupon stacked, and it was $188 out the door including taxes. Really nice saw.
They have to consolidate into like 3 levels of each
Anyone else have issues with the Bauer 7-1/4 brushless circular saw?
I have the cheap corded grinder, thought I would use it when I needed two types of discs instead of changing them during a build. It just doesn’t have any power, quicker to change discs and use the makita. Not worth the $15
You run that grinder hard and you better have safety glasses ... for the crap that spits out from INSIDE the grinder
I have axquestion that doesnt really involve Harbor Frieght. I got into some of the old Sears Craftsman 24 volt Max tools and have been unable to find new batteries to replace or add to the two that i have. Is anyone anywhere making a replacement battery for this form factor?
The sell off of craftsman and the suvsequent non support of the battery formats that i have invested in has soured me to ever buying anything with the craftsman lable on it.
I am currently in the Ryobi line of tools specifically because the battery form factor hasnt changed in a very long tim and even the HP batteries will work with all my + system tools.
Mto batteries will rebuild your old ones.
@@denoftools problem is I only have 2 batteries. Does anyone make an adapter to use any other 24 volt batteries with it?
I'm a Hercules fan boy now.
Hands tools next!
Bear?? Is it my imagination of is that corded multi tool was less vibratory than my cordless..... I think it is. Cordless to get into spots but I can cut a long straight line with my 10 dollar corded.
Nice hat.😅
Their 12volt impact gun look a lot like the dewalt
Honestly asking this: why do you feel that Hercules isn't quite on the same tier as Milwaukee/DeWalt?
Depth of the line and accessories.
@@denoftools totally fair. Thank you for replying!
nope my question is why did they make separate battery's for the power tools lines preventing you from upgrading, they just show how greedy they are even though the lying CEO says they aren't.
As you know, Harbor Freight doesn’t actually make the power to align so they are buying them from different companies. They have different suppliers for each line of tools so there’s no way for them to make the batteries interchangeable that said your question should really be directed more towards people like Stanley, black and Decker and TTI. TI owns their own manufacturing so they could make Milwaukee and Ridgid and Ryobi and Hart all use the same battery but they don’t.
He seems like you could stick with Warrior Bauer and Hercules names for all the tiered tools. Like for hand tools…. The Pittsburgh becomes warrior, the Pittsburgh, pro becomes Bauer, and the doyle becomes Hercules. Same for the miter saws…do away with admiral…warrior is base, then Bauer then Hercules. Same could be said for most tool. Makes it real confusing to have dozens and dozens of tool brands
Leave icon alone as it’s seen as a more premium professional line.
Great video. You did your research and explained it well. I do hate to point this out. You didn't answer the question. I have mentioned that HF should slim down the branding and just go with good better best in each brand. But more imporatantly, they need to make the batteries interchangable, but also graded, good better best. Be safe.
'Cause...'Murica.
My biggest barrier to buying cordless tools from Harbor Freight has always been the worry that they would eventually discontinue the line I decided to invest in, leaving me with no options for batteries. Earthquake proof in point.
Idk where else to put this but Home Depot has their ryobi 18v clamp on fans in a bundle right now with a 1.5ah battery and charger, an area light and a blue tooth speaker for like $65 right now.
The fans are awesome and ive been looking to pick up another but I’m springing for the extra stuff bc it’s not sale price is listed at $200.
If you like their power tools that’s all good. But they do not have any professional tools. I have done residential and commercial for 20yrs industrial for 7yrs. You will not see a single harbor freight power tool. You’ll see dewalt, makita, Milwaukee, and rigid. What you will see a lot of from them are the us general tool box’s. Those are great. And obviously you’ll see wrench’s and some hand tools.
Especially infuriating is the 4 or 5 different lines of cordless power tools and all the different batteries needed for them.
Yep. You could have a good, better , best tool all on a single battery platform.
I needed a stapler, didn't want to drive hundreds of staples with my old manual stapler. Looked at Bauer cordless power stapler. I would have bought it too, except for the fact that I don't want another battery and charger system. I already have Hercules, Atlas, Earthquake, Dewalt, Rigid... Enough is enough.
Ended up getting the Brinks pneumatic wide crown stapler for $30ish and don't regret it.
"warrior" line tools should be treated like old Hazard Fart: Buy the thing to do a single, short-term project, and if it still works when you're done, BONUS!
That is what I thought when I bought the cheapest angle grinder HF had at the time. $4.95 for the 4 1/2". Didn't really need it but for one job, I thought. But as the years went by I kept using it. Just this past weekend went through 4 discs on 3/8"steel. Because of the nature of what I was doing, it never ran more than 5 minutes at a time. I am sure that helped. But I sure got my money's worth on that one.
@@willb3018 BONUS!!
You still didn't answer the question "Why?"
Why do they have so many brands and why haven't they consolidated all power tools to 3 brands?
I did though. They are getting rid of all the other brands and taking it down to 3, Good, Better and Best. Just like Stanly Black and Decker and TTI.
@@denoftools They are not getting rid of Central Machinery tools, Earthquake air tools, McGraw, Fortress, or Chief air tools, Viking and Centec electrical tools, or the Diamondback wet tile saws. This is not like TTI at all! TTI has 3 brands total. (Rigid is swapped for AEG outside of the US.)
Neither TTI or Stanley Black & Decker have unique brands for air tools vs battery powered tools vs other random tools. You can get Ryobi, Rigid, and Milwaukee air compressors and air tools. Not only that, those 3 brands are also used for all their hand tools and cases.
Harbor Freight has more house brands of tools than Home Depot has total tool brands.
Do hand tools next🔧🪛🪚🧰🔩
Are you saying Harbor Freight is taking lessons from Dollar General, with a touch of Waffle House
Don't even get me started with Waffle House. Man that place is not what it use to be... either that or I have a terrible memory. Could go either way.
@@denoftools I think your memory may be bad, after all the Waffle house has never changed LOLOLOLOL
Do you know the truth about cp
?
People want the illusion of choice.
I would like to invest in some Hercules cordless tools but the way Harbor Freight keeps changing tool brands every 5years or so and none of the batteries are interchangeable keeps me away from investing into there platform of tools.
It's the American way.......
H. F. Bandsaw blades are JUNK.
Harbor freight really took a step back to evaluate there tools and the processes they took to get to shelves before they changed the name from Chicago electric. They took what they learned from people and implemented that into the new name. We wanted better quality control so they made it happen and we pay slightly more for that but that’s okay because we asked for that. They build to the customers specs and price, not to what they think we should have.
My whole issue with harbor freight is this. After returning Hercules tools as pro to the store. I am done! Wasting time every 6 to 8 months bring shit back and waiting for them to give me one or saying they are out of stock. Sorry but I am staying with my matabo hpt and dewalt tools. Bear in mind I have been in the matobo hpt line since 2017 and have yet to return a tool. They have service centers all over the country and they stand by their stuff. And Dewalt for me last forever no matter what. Thats my rant. Sorry guys, but I'm done with harbor crap. Have a good day. P.S you do get what you pay for!
If you get what you’re paying for then why is Motabo HPT cheaper than Hercules? Why are most professional mechanics switching from snap on impact to Milwaukee? 🤔
Honestly harbor freight has too many brands. It’s confusing
It's a good thing he's going over it
Warrior = garbage are you a homer for Harbor Freight? Not sure I can trust anything you say now… 😂
Once you’ve been around tool enough you’ll understand there are hidden gems everywhere. Give it time you’ll get there one day.
Because the Chinese pump out a lot of trash and harbor freight flips it.
You understand every major power tool company manufactures something in China right?
@@thetank2078absolutely. But at the end of the day. There is still is a quality and quality control you get with dewalts or Milwaukee etc. Hf doesn't sell premium tools for low prices they have to cut costs somewhere to sell it at that price point. To say a hercules is the same as a Milwaukee is not accurate. I still have my Milwaukee power tools from 2005 and they look it too. I also have bauer and tested hercules. They're not even the same.
@@thetank2078absolutely. However there is a quality and quality control you get with other brands than you do with harbor freight power tools. Freight can not sell Milwaukee style tools at low prices like that. They have to cut corners somewhere to sell it at that price point.
@thetank2078 absolutely. However there is a quality and quality control you get with other brands than you do with harbor freight power tools. Freight can not sell Milwaukee style tools at low prices like that. They have to cut corners somewhere to sell it at that price point.
99% of all power tools, including yours, are made in China. HF can sell premium tools for less because they are vertically integrated and privately owned. This is basic business 101. But instead you resort to some conspiracy theory about them skimping on quality control? Hercules has been tested buy dozens if not hundreds of independent testers at this point. Everything you are saying is based on feelings, not facts and none of it makes sense. Case in point, "I also tested Bauer vs Hercules and they are not the same". Of course they aren't. That like saying that Milwaukee is junk because you tested it vs Ryobi and it's not the same. And if you want proof that you need to sub so you can get a real tool education... Your Milwaukee tools are not today's Milwaukee tools. Milwaukee got sold to TTI in '05. Until then TTI was only known for making Ryobi tools under contract. So in essence you belive that some no name company from China that licensed Ryobi's name can rise up to be the top tier manufacture in less than 20 years but a US based company, founded in the '70s, that employees more Americans that any other tool company in the world, that is privately owned and who has the capital to hire top designers away from every major industry, yeah you think THEY are the ones cutting corners.
They sell trash and charge a ridiculous restock fee. I'm done with that trash store