Thoughts on Harbor Freight's New "Premium" Brands
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- I'm just getting back into the shop after a month remodeling and listing Unit 4 in our warehouse. I had some thoughts about Harbor Freight introducing "premium" brands like Vulcan, Daytona, Bauer, Hercules, Doyle, Earthquake and Pierre in the last few years.
Are they becoming a more reputable tool brand? Or, are they just manufacturing a few loss leaders to change their image.
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Their Hercules and Bauer line are actually very well made and a great value in my opinion as well as the titanium welders are a great line for the middle of the road people that either use to be professionals or are more involved diyers
Snap on: we sell 50 dollar rulers
Funny how everyone cracks on Harbor Freight. Funny I work on Big Trucks and actually build trucks like Garbage trucks, Dump Trucks, Roll-off trucks and many others, yet my Harbour Freight Tools work just great. I see the other guys always on the Snap-on, MAC, and Matco trucks getting their tools fixed or replaced. Mine just keep on working and I've had mine for over 10 years.
Say what you want but mine have always worked just fine and still do.
It's the Bragging dudes who like top brands but it doesn't nessesarily mean they are top Mechanics..
What makes u a good Mechanic or welder machinist.is hard work and dedication and a Love for what you do. The nice tools are useless in the hands of a novice....a mediocre tool is great in
The hands of a true Craftsman...
I agree, i use HF tools regularly as a street mechanic and they have held up, never broke and never had to replace any ratchets, sockets or wrenches. I have Husky, Milwaukee, Ryobi and Craftsman- made in USA not China junk).
High end tools cost way too much esp. the tool truck brands and HF tools can and will perform just as good, depends on how you use or handle your tools.
The right tool for the right job would be smart practice.
Those Daytona jacks are a steal. I work at a tire shop and we've started swapping over to those. Some are around 1.5 years old now and not one issue. Jacking up fullsize trucks all day every day.
Good to hear!
If they will work in a profesional shop for a year and a half they will last a DIY guy a decade or more.
Why don't you have real lifts in a professional shop?
@@Eggsr2bcrushed Not everything requires a lift, some jobs are quicker to just use a jack. Plus a lot of times you need to use jack pressure under part of the car (maybe the engine or trans or a control arm) while it's on the lift.
The best floor Jack I have ever had
I'm a Harbor Freight Warehouse Employee in Dillon SC, and as I learn more and more about the company's history and how the quality of today's tools compare to yesteryear's, I'm pretty impressed with a lot of the stuff we manufacture and sell. They told us in December 2017 that they admitted to not having the highest of quality of tools in the industry back in the day, but they've stepped up their game Immensely and will continue to do so!!! Personally, I'd stay clear of the cheap brand named Drill Master, that's equivalent to the mess of yesteryear...... today, we have some really good stuff, and Snap-on, Mac, Matco, and Cornwell are taking notice. Also, they said that they no longer even consider Lowe's as competition anymore; that's a Bold statement.
Good information. Not sure why I am only the 2nd person to like your comment.
@@johndozier8433 No problem Brother, thanks for the Like
I work at Store 86 in Nashville.....start packing your trucks with a little more care!! You guys stack your pallets and then toss unwrapped super totes on top of them. On 3 different occasions, some's almost been seriously injured unloading your trucks!!!
@@ListlessSpectre I work in Domestic Receiving, that's something I'd strongly recommend for you to contact the Warehouse and give a detailed description of what you're experiencing, before someone gets hurt for sure! Wanna email me privately and I can give you the information you need? If You're experiencing something dangerous, then I'm 100% someone else is too, and it needs to be addressed.
Why do you guys at the warehouse do such a piss poor job at packing shipments? Just throwing stuff in boxes randomly!
i have had some deep impact sockets from hf for about 12 yrs now still havent let me down
I also have had a set for many years, recently moved, and was agonizing over the possibility that I didn't know where they were and might have sold them with the toolbox I sold. I soon however, came to my senses and realized I can just wait for a coupon sale and buy another set - problem solved.
You compared an electric switch to a pneumatic one🤔 of course they feel different😂
On that pole saw you threw away, it says right in the instructions that the auto chain oiler will leak over time and to drain the oil from the res when done using. There was nothing wrong with it (yours).
I Love a man who reads directions/instruction manuals. I work in a gun shop. The #1 question on malfunctioning brand new gun.."did you read the manual and clean it before you fired it"? "Uh..nooo... "
I'm assuming you are a guy..I KNOW the read the Manual first!🤣🤣😀
2019 you gotta read the instructions who knows what ridiculous thing must be done before use nowdays
Excellent video! I started a new channel doing tool reviews and deal alerts which for sure keeps up with the best coupons carefully chosen on products that provide good value from around the country where I tell you if it's a good, better, or best price deal with the coupon vs. doing the research yourself plowing through the website, but that's also a great option for someone with extra time. For sure, the Daytona floor jacks are my perennial favorite from Harbor Freight.
I found out the jack I've been using all my life was from harbor freight I trusted my life with this thing and once I found out I was like oh hell nah and started using two jackstands. But I was really impressed on how long that jack lasted
Always love your content, and always wish there was more! Thanks for the tip on that HF coupon database had no idea that was a thing.
Harbor Freight gets more people in the game of DIY or Maker or Automotive or whatever, because of the low price point entry to those categories. As one grows they can buy up in quality, rather than waiting or simply doing without in the beginning. Plus, the owner (Eric) funds trade school grants, donates tools to high schools, and employs at least 17,000 Americans.
I'd rather have more tools, than no tools. If something breaks, that's when I upgrade the tool to a name brand. That's how I treat HF.
However, I do buy some quality tools right off the bat, and won't even bother entertaining an HF variant. I have a Festool Track Saw, (Which HF is coming out with their own version soon) I have a Makita 12" Miter Saw and cordless stuff, and a Milwaukee Porta-Band Saw. Those right there among some other things, I felt there was no reason to skimp on.
The track saw caught my eye. Where did you hear that HF is coming out with one? Link? I'd be interested in seeing what they come up with.
Well, you kinda gotta be * ahem * "friendly" with a Store Manager. But if you'd like to dig around at the actual manufacturer FOR Harbor Freight's power tool line, check here: lutool.com
Oh, very nice! thanks for the info. I'll have to be on the lookout for it now just to see what tier "quality" line they market it as.
Great reasoning great comment.
I'm they same way.
My hobbies are similar to what I do for work.
I trust my Klein meters, but have no issue with low balling on screw drivers, paint stuff, nitrile gloves etc.
Those Jacks are absolutely bulletproof, no dobut...I bought a Torin 3 ton jack from Lowes and the thing got stuck, it didn't turn, I returned it and got a pittsburgh low profile 3 ton jack, is great.
Just bought their new Daytona extended low 3 ton floor jack (orange). Best jack I’ve ever used, better than snap on and matco.
Are you saying Snap-On won or Harbor Freight won that lawsuit.
Cause from what I understand Harbor freight didn’t have to pay any money and they still sell the original Daytona 3 ton.
Harbor freight counter sued saying Snap On Jack is made in the same factory as theirs then snap on and habor freight “settled”
try their 9$ grey "plastic" ratchet, seriously they are amazing. I've been using mine for 10 years and have not had a single problem.
I have the high lift orange Daytona jack and those Daytona jacks are worth every penny. I would have got the yellow jack but the orange ones have a model that lifts a tad higher. The quality difference is minor and the orange model I have has a quick lift pedal too allowing quick lift by foot or hand. Harbor freight is definitely a store you have to feel out what they have.
just baught the mini impact drill. so far impressed with it the battery last a long time and charges quickly. ended up getting a 2yr extended warranty just in case it breaks but for 100 bucks its and impressive little tool its little and torquey for its size. also have the vulcan welder and its a large step up from their Chicago electric series
I would’ve brought that pole saw back for round 2
You make some excellent, salient points. I, likewise, abhor caving in to the disposable culture we in the U.S. have so readily embraced since the prior generation. You also articulated the relationship I have with Harbor Freight: Love/Hate. I was at a loss for wording but you clearly defined it.
On another note: I recently purchased the "Doyle" branded side cutters, and I was able to use the 20% OFF coupon snipped from a local flier. I can concur, this is a good quality product. It is well made and polished. Even the packaging is elaborately done - almost too much so! I learned from another RUclipsr the Doyle line is a clone of the Matco tools that had their patents expire. I didn't look into this further but it sounds entirely plausible this is the case.
I hope HF will continue to improve their product offerings, as you similarly expressed. The chance of "ratcheting back" once they build up good will is, unfortunately, a common tactic in today's global business climate.
Like Apple iMacs, HFT tools are starting to hit the shelves in beautiful powder coated colors. If only my wife wouldn’t notice a big, apple green toolbox in the garage...
The problem is now u cant use the 20% off for anything good anymore almost everything is listed on the coupon now that cant be used for wtf harber fright
As someone that works on cars for family and friends, the big advantage that Harbor Freight has is the cheapness of tools that people are only going to use a handful of times. Frequently when working on cars I’ll need an oddball tool that I’m not going to use much. I always check Harbor Freight first in those situations.
Governor Gibbs it's not American made. There are amazing tools in the same price point, made right here.
circusboy90210 hardly anyone makes Tools in America anymore and you absolutely cannot buy a tool made in America for the same price that you can buy one from Taiwan
The only way you can get decent American made tools without overspending in my experience is buying it used/old I only have about 5 made in America tools and they're all about 20 years old or more
same
@@circusboy90210 Lol please let us all in on were ? Not counting dreams .
Since your getting a battery tool so cheap at harbor freight, you can buy a replacement plan. Tool breaks, you broke it, threw it under a truck, no questions, bring it back and walk out with a brand new one, way better than a bs warranty that takes months and they my still charge you, plus shipping. I was hoping when I saw the title I was hoping to see more stuff, like Pittsburg pro series vs snap on. All Pittsburg regular or pro, cheapest to most expensive are life time warranty, break it, take it back and walk out with a new one, try that on a truck, especially if you didn't buy from tha driver.
That Bauer porta bandsaw is the best item I've ever purchased from HF. You should have use it before taking it back. If mine breaks some day I'll go right back and get another.
The jack is good stuff. It's just super heavy
all tools, even power tools, hav lifetime warranty, those with 90 days warranty, u can add warranty for a few bucks even if its broken, and they will replace it with no hassle, basically lifetime warranty
Hey Mike, I have NEVER bought anything at Habor Freight as I only buy professional tools. Building houses, I need the tools to last and get the job done efficiently. It is very costly to have a tool fail as labor is the biggest expense in construction. Tools are a rounding error on the books compared to labor, vehicles, insurance, employee training, etc.. For me Festool is basic and Makita/DeWalt/Milwaukee, etc.. are my cheap throwaways. All of this preamble to say I just purchased something from HF and I am very satisfied. I needed a large roll around tool chest and Costco didn't have any good options so I hit Home Depot and Lowe's with no satisfaction and I decided to just order online when across from Home Depot, HF just opened a store. My wife said why don't we check there and I said, no they only carry junk that will last about 10 minutes and ultimatly are the most expensive tools on the market once you count my time and production. She rolled her eyes and said, just turn in and let's look. I was very impressed with their U.S. General 56" x 22" cart for $749. What a deal and now 6 weeks later, I am still impressed and plan on buying a few more tool carts and chest from them. They are not SnapOn or Mac but are perfect for my home garage needs.😎🤙
I agree. If you need anything for professional use, it's just not worth it. It *used* to not be worth it even for home DIYers but I think it's changing.
Those US General cabinets get rave reviews. I'll have to check them out.
You should buy stuff at Harbor Freight, it's the perfect place to find tools you can use to make custom tools. If you wrench on any significant equipment, custom tools are a necessity but you don't want to spend $200 on a wrench that you are going to chop & re-weld.... As far as pro-tools, well, pro really depends on your line of work, sometimes Harbor Freight is enough, other times, you really need Proto/Beta or Stahlwhille (e.g. aircraft) or Fein/Festool/Metabo which are far superior to mainstream you mention....
Ron, if you ever have any Dewalt to throwaway, I'm your trashcan! :)
BTW, I bought your plans last year and built your Paulk workbench. It was my first major woodworking project and I love it!
If the cost of tools is just a rounding error then maybe contractors are overpriced? That's the problem in America every prima donna thinks they're royalty and deserves to be paid like such.
Paul Frederick it's not being a prima dona to demand your worth. Yes all workers are worth the best when they do the best and tools that last are a minor investment and cost in the long run. Pay once instead of 5 times and never having the benefit of quality.
I don’t know why some people hate harbor freight?
HF always breaks at the wrong time . If you have to count on it to work every time HF not the place to go .
I think it is a good marketing strategy actually. Yes, I buy HF tools and products knowing full well they may only last the one use and that's OK. But as a lifelong tool buyer and I buy the really good shit too, it is good to have that ability all in one place. I would much rather a known and faithful brand especially at a place where the option and comparisons can be done right there and a decision made right then too. Will this option work out for all involved? Don't know, but I think it favors acceptance!
I went through 3 of those Chicago Electric angle grinder... it's only redeeming quality was that it was cheap.
I replaced it with a Hercules... so far, so good... the big test is thos week... I've some serious metal slicing to do.
Not heard much good about Bauer... but it is better than Chicago Electric.
Heard great things about the jacks, and about the new welder line... plan on getting one of each.
Thanks for the link.
Harbor freight has some tools that are a steal, like the fuel line pliers.
You need to make more frequent vids. We really enjoy your vids especially the projects and warehouse.
A lot of their premium brand items don't have much of a value proposition to me. There's usually a professional grade option that's marginally more expensive or costs around the same once you factor in the 90 day warranty and the cost of an extended warranty.
Mike. Where did you get the rubber boot for your impact gun??? Did it come with it? Mine didnt :(
Bottom cords, those were bottom cords on your trusses.
Great video, I grabbed that Daytona jack, it's fantastic!
The last time I was at HF, I was talking to the manager there. He said that he heard from corporate that they are slowly phasing out the Chicago Electric brand, and replacing with the Bauer & Hercules brands. The Bauer line is a step above the Chicago Electric, and Hercules comparable to DeWalt/Ryobi. I think they need to improve their warranty on the Hercules line, 90 days is not that great.
From my experience, they are hit or miss. The major hits that I have had include the floor jack, impact sockets and breaker bar.
Weird. I was JUST thinking today that I wished you guys uploaded more and then BAM, new video. lol
I would like to see if I can modify that unloader for my 5x8 trailer! That would come in really handy. Thanks for the info.
My plan exactly for my little trailer ;)
Harbor Freight Jacks have always been really good. that being said, I don't know what they are trying to do with the "Pro Line" like Hercules. Why would I buy a Hercules drill when a dewalt or makita costs only a few bucks more? If I have to buy a power tool I know I'm only going to use a few times (Mud mixer, etc) I'll just get their cheap ones.
I spent big bucks on premium tools over the years, when that;s how I made my living (for example, I had a $5000 welder...yeah)...Now I buy 99% stuff from HF. and have never had reason to complain. And I can be pretty abusive to tools. Perfectly adequate for most purposes, cheap enough that its no big deal if they do break (which is rare). For example I have a $20 HF cordless drill that's 10 years old. Finally had to replace battery a couple years ago. But I bet theres hundreds of hours of use on it, and it still works great.
If retired every mid-range battery operated power tool I'be ever owned because the batteries wore out, and thw manufactureds had disconinuoed the type I had. For a while I rebuilt the battery packs with new cells, but it wasn't worth the cost or the time when I could get a similar HF tool with 2 battery packs for less than what I paid originally. My biggest gripe about the newer tools is that they keep getting larger and have supposedly higher Wh packs, but don't run much longer than the previous generation did.
Not exactly AvE, but I enjoyed the overview and insight!
I work in a HFT store, in our last monthly pricing change almost every single price increased, which is very unusual compared to past changes. Always buy a warranty!
I understand Harbor Freight wants to sell high end tools MY QUESTION where are the spare parts inventories and service centers to fix these $400-500 tools??????
Honestly, harbor freight has as always had great quality Jack's.
Yeah I got one of HF's old boat anchor special floor jacks. I think I paid like $40 for it back in the day. It has to be 25 years old now. It still works like new. It is the really heavy orange one they used to sell.
I have their 3 ton jack for a couple years now, and it still works the way i originally bought it. I might upgrade to that daytona model though. I do like the low profile of it.
We have a 3 ton as well from them, very good and never looses pressure...
Are the Pittsburgh jacks as reliable as the Daytona?
@@pimpustthugni What brand?
I think the Daytona jacks are the best floor jacks, not best for the money, just the best. I have yet to see any better floor jack. I also agree that many tools from harbor give me that disposable mindset which I also dislike.
Paint that red. It’s a snap on now......
Bro, are all harbor freights located next to a family dollar???
Yeah, I noticed that, too...
Lol compares an electric tool trigger with a pneumatic tool trigger. not the same dude. one is a switch and one is a valve.
Some of the products that harbor freight carries are American made. Like some of there aircompressor's. There tool box's are better than any except for tool truck brand's and a few other's. There floor jack's kick ass the only better is just a couple American brands at 3 times the price. Love the new Doyl plier's just as good as truck brands. The 20 ton press can''t be beat for the price and pushes a wheel bearing out just like it's suppose to. Some items you can get off internet sources cheaper than HF.
i'll have to agree with ya, harbor freight went from pure junk to some stuff being not to bad and desirable. i started buying some harbor freight stuff this year and with the exception of a few things i now shop at harbor freight once in a while. yes i like my snap on stuff way better, and yes most harbor freight stuff works almost as good.
The first thing commendable about HF is it's a family-owned business. Harbor Freight is doing a great job at making attempts to bring in higher quality items. Is HF perfect? Nope and neither is Snap-on. I have the Earthquake XT Composite, 1/2" impact. It works great although I don't use it everday. It did come with only a 90 day warranty, but I splurged a little extra for the one-year warranty, I can upgrade to the two-year warranty later if I want. I've inquired from Harbor Freight about their new line of Quinn sockets and where are they're tiered with the Pittsburgh line, I wasn't given a definite answer. I've inquired from Harbor Freight about swivel sockets, still no definite answer. I've inquired from Harbor Freight about the release of the new ICON tool storage cabinet and chest, still no definite answer. The HF I've shopped at is a twenty minute drive, each way, from my house. A new HF is supposed to be open in about a month about a five minute drive from my house. Now my wife will know where I'm at when she knows it's my off-day from work and she hasn't seen me for a couple of hours.
The HF floor jacks are fantastic, I've had a 2 ton aluminum one for 3 years and haven't had a problem. Their impact sockets are great as well. For power tools I've been very impressed with the Milwaukee M12 and M18 line.
Just so everyone knows, there is a lifetime 20% off coupon on that website he mentioned for all Vulcan products. I use it for their wire and Tig sticks all the time.
They're mechanic tools are okay. There impact sockets are some of the best on the market . Over the years I have thrown away more DeWalt and Milwaukee do to their junk quality than all other tools combined. Matco and Snap-on have the market as far as air tools. Those earthquakes are trash. Throw that earthquake around the shop a couple weeks see how it holds up due to impact. I went through two of them in a couple months. At least with Matco and Snap-on I can order triggers and parts.
In my mind there's only a couple good brands left. Snap-on, Mac, hitachi and Bosch. All these other brands are shit now. They've come down and quality and nobody reports about it. Even the skill saws they sell now are shit.
I keep my old Tools around and repair them. The old craftsman hand tools are damn fine.
No one I know is trying to say HF is the greatest. As anyone with a brain should know, you test what you need and go from there. HF sells Tiawan, Chima and Indian items. The ones from China and India are the ones you really have to look at closely. Tiawan is usually a better bet. I say that because someone mentioned measuring a hand wrench for accuracy. Those wrenches are usually from India. LOOK AT THE LABELS! I, too, am a bit rough on tools. A tool is to USE, not baby. By buying carefully at the store I have had very good service with my purchases, while buying Chinese items is always a real gamble. HF IS trying to upgrade, and other tool makers are taking them seriously. Upgrading takes time and lots of money and effort. Rarely do you find "high quality" at cheap prices. Selling an item at high volume will afford that, but normal volume will not. I run into HF users everywhere and you always hear the good-bad arguements. On the whole though, way more are quite happy with many HF tools, even if they have limited use on some. Their selection is interesting, the warranty generally good and is a great alternative to the "Big Boys" out there. It boils down to one key thing, as with ANY thing you buy; you have to know your facts ahead of time. If you're the type that doesn't know a pencil from a drill bit, stay away from making decisions! A true tool user has a keen eye on what is and isn't good. A novice will get burned every time, thinking the world is made of sweet cotton candy. Myself? I have many HF tools and accept most all. I dig and investigate and use my brain and eyes. I rarely get burned. HF tools are being used all over. I see them constantly. Again, a true tool user KNOWS which ones are worth the $ and which ones to avoid. Only fools go in blind and espect perfection. Personally, I'm glad HF is making waves in the tool industry. It's about time someone did. I close with one point someone made...(I'm old)... I still have a selection of older tools from back in the '50's and up, from some serious makers. They really made them back then! Even big names today you have to look at twice...just to make sure.
I got the Earthquake XT 1/2 stubby-light extreme torque air impact wrench for 99 bucks on sale. I beat that thing up. I got it to help with my small engine repair. My good friend worked over seas and know about the good and the bad components inside electronic etc. And the components inside tha tool aint the cheap shit. For the spice. U cant beat it.
They have an app to.
I've noticed a shift in the HF tools too. I agree with others who have said HF always gets ragged on for making poor tools, but they fill a a very necessary niche. Many novice woodworkers and DIYers don't want to spend their hard earned money on a 150.00 woodpecker square of a combo square that costs about the same. They just need a tool that works and gets the job done. I have been buy their tools for years, and rarely have them fail on me. I plan on getting the Hercules Compound Miter saw based on mainly the You Tube reviews. That sucker is a beast! One thing that it has over some of the competitors is that not only does it come with an excellent blade, but also you can return it for any reason within the 1st year, and they will give you your money back no questions asked. I personally would not overuse it, then ask for my money back. If it performs will, I will keep it.
What I do is before I buy a new tool is I search RUclips for comparisons between HF and the other brands to see how the tool I want stacks up. In most cases I end up getting the HF tool. I recently picked up their 1-ton capacity chain fall hoist for about $50 and use it to raise my riding mower up to service the blades, mower deck, etc. Man that thing is the bomb- lifts that mower like it's nothing and it didn't cost an arm and a leg.
No, can’t compare to snapon, i broke three Daytona, those cheap tools are only good for small jobs but not for business
Garage journal.com has a great section for harbor freight pass and fail.
I buy the cheap tools for those one off jobs. I either then flip it online to the next guy or pull it apart and recycle it not just throw it away.
Daytona is a brand of hand tools I’ve seen here in Australia from a chain called sydneytools.com.au/product/daytona-daysb1-9pce-1-2-star-impact-socket-bit-set-t20-t70 they’re not bad to me. I have no idea if the brands are related but I’ve heard of them being referred to as one of their house brands.
It’s not uncommon for us here to get the exact same tools here just rebadged as something different.
For example the US General toolboxes are called Trojan here. Wether they had any influence on design I don’t know.
For a while we had another big box hardware chain that ended in disaster but sold Kobalt tools which I rather liked
The Pittsburgh line is the same as Icon. I just purchased a General 26"by 22" red tool chest. Next purchase will be the tool chest on rollers
YA THAT 20% COUPON IS PRETTY MUCH A JOKE, IF YOU CAN READ THE DAMN THNIG & IT IS GETTING LONGER & LONGER. I WISH THEY WOULD PUT IT IN BIGGER PRINT BUT THAT WOULD MEAN YOU COULD ACTUALLY SEE WHAT A BUNCH OF SHIT IT IS.
3 of the best words for a consumer that are rarely uttered....KEEP THE RECEIPTS
Harbor Freight is supprisingly good with warranties
If you have your phone number in their system, there's no need for a receipt.
you make up the differance bu paying for gas going to the store to return broken tools
Hi! i'm doing and udemy course where you changed your description on it but you forgot to save it :D Cheers!
Some stuff at HF is good and some is janky AF. Just like some at Snap On is good and some is overpriced and overrated AF.
Most pros will go out and look for the best deals. We usually go out and tool shop once a week and look for buys at the tool place near our shop or at HF and we have Snap On stop every Thursday.
I buy whatever is good and the best for my money. I make a living with my tools. That being said, HF has come a long way, they are making more good stuff than bad stuff now and I'm usually impressed with their value.
Snap on is good for commonly used sockets and ratchets. Erything else you can supplement from harbor frieght or old us made craftsman.
No one really won the case Snap On brought against Harbor Freight. They settled. One article did dadi Harbor freight claims they don't have to pay and money to Snap On
Fyi, the Hercules compound miter saw is a steal.
Thank you for the coupon data base!! I always miss the good coupon deals but now I can always find something I need with a coupon at HF.
Thanks Mike. We all need reasonable input so we can figure out what is best in our own life. I usually buy old stationary equipment and rebuild it. Dewalt or other normal contractor brands for hand power tools. . But I bought these tools that I only occasionally use for home and they work fine. Drum sander, needle scaler, porta power, compressed air type paint gun, large tap set, along with the normal little crap. Some of these things I would just never buy if I was paying big bucks. Is any of it on my service truck? Nope. Last thing I need is a broken tool at 2AM on a Sunday in the middle of nowhere. Obviously all tools can fail, but I like to keep chances down when I'm making a living. My truck has all 18v dewalts on it. From bandsaw,sds hammerdrill, 1/2 impact etc. They get soaked, muddy, Sub zero to to hot to touch. Those expensive companies, festoon etc., don't have the selection of tools some of us need and I'm only carrying one brand of battery, just no room....
Haven’t really had a bad experience with an HF product. After a few engine rebuilds their $10 1/4” torque wrench stopped clicking, but I got more than my money’s worth from it and upgraded to a torqometer
Main thing that sucks about HF... they're too far away! :(
It's roughly a 5hr drive each way for me.
Yep... time to move. ;)
i just wanna sa those earthquake impacts are ok but they dont have shit on IR period
He's back.
The one area I don't understand H/F even trying to get into is the pneumatic world. When you're looking at buying a pneumatic gun, you look at one thing: is that gun rebuildable, is there a secondary market of parts for that gun?
As an example, you can get a rebuilt Hitachi gun, rebuilt by the company, for ~$20 more than the H/F guns, the big difference is that you will have an unlimited amount of secondary parts for that gun to keep it in working order. But there are things, tool storage, parts washers, hand tools, I would never buy anywhere else.
Totally agree with everything you just said. I work for WA parks, we’re broke and i have to use a ton of HF stuff I’ve been extremely happy with some of their new tools. I loaded my work truck up with the new MAC comparable pliers etc and they’re great. We bought a couple of the jacks to replace some of the Napa ones we had, and man they work awesome!!!! I recently serviced 3 snow groomers and had to jack them up using these and the low profile is amazing, they had plenty of lift, zero complaints.
The question should be about how often you are going to use a tool. I am a homeowner. I use my drill, sawzall and circular saw all the time, but I do not need to spend $300 on a tile saw because I do not have to do tile very often. I have a 1/8th of an acre lot so I won't need a big costly chainsaw or pole saw when I would only use for a half hour every other year. I am also fine using Harbor freight for things like sandpaper and razor blades because they are disposable to begin with.
Plus some things tend to walk off over the years. It is never a bad idea to pick up a pack of screw drivers or another tape measure.
I recently watched a YT video of a guy that took apart HF's new stuff and found that some of the guts are high quality but some were skimped on. Can't remember the channel name but it seemed like good info.
Dan Enge Woodworking AvE welder?
I saw a video just like that, and that’s what got me to but my Hercules angle grinder from Harbor Freight.
mechanics:
snap on: we got a 80 pocket light
Missed seeing your videos, welcome back :) I use that truck unloader too and it is indeed awesome. Poor mans dump truck. Use it at the dump and around the farm
so when you use a tool do you let the tool do the work? or do you ram and cram you know rush the too??
Bauer is still one of their cheaper lines all though not as cheap as their normal stuff. Hercules is their top end electronics brand and is generally pretty good.
I would have never believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes but my harbor freight 20v Earthquake XT 1/2" runs circles around my Ingersoll titanium air impact. Still haven't come across a bolt it couldn't break loose. It's not an air pressure issue either, in case you're wondering. I have a 120 gallon 10hp 3 phase compressor with ported fittings
8:38 is the real knowledge here. Thanks!
Mike and Lauren, you are 100%+ spot-on, I do this exactly as you, BUT, you made this video for it...GREAT
I know contractors and DIY>ers, go buy a HF tool , do the job, not pay an hourly wage, use the tool a # of times...THEN CHUCK IT TO THE TRASH...MONEY A~HEAD !!!
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I had to change the track pads, idlers and chains on a 70k lb excavator (called changing "the bottom"). Needed a 1 inch air impact and said what the hell....I'll try this throwaway from HF, it's cheap. Damn if that thing didn't finish the job but still works two years later! And BTW, I own Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Chicago Pnuematic, Miller, S-K and the like. The world is a much smaller place than it used to be.
And I agree with the Earthquake brand air tools, I've found them to function extremely well.
I bought a desktop drill press 10+ years ago on sale for $40 , now I do not use it to make money, my livelihood does not depend on it, but for the hobby use and desktop fabrication stuff I’ve done with it over the years, I’ve got my money 10x over on that purchase! It’s every bit the tool that Lowe’s or Home Depot would happily sell you for around $179 last time I checked! You need a basic small drill press, get the one at Harbor Freight, it’s worth the gamble!
I've noticed that HF is expanding. In many areas, they have 3 tiers of quality. If you shop right, compare to other stores [and do the coupon shuffle], there are great things to be had!
I bought the mid level Daytona 3 Ton Low Profile Jack [$109 w coupon]. This thing is a beast! 100 lbs, great welds, foot pump. I couldn't be happier
You are 100% spot on. The new Bauer line is garbage which is unfortunate, but HF is marketing them as their consumer line, while the Hercules lines is more of their prosumer/ commerical line. HF is really a crap shoot with all the new brands. They can compare them to whatever they like, as some of there such is getting MUCH better, but the reality is their new stuff hasn't been around long enough to make any comparison realistic where longevity is concerned. Stay tuned I guess. I jsut hope their prices stay realistic. . .
I’ve have 6 jacks and a 27gal air compressor that I’ve been using for the past 14 years with no issues. I was painting cars and working as a heavy equipment D5 Catapillar bulldozers and tractors when I was just starting in automotive repair. And I’ve only had one issue. Never buy the jack stand. I had a Honda Civic fall on me. Good thing I place the wheels under the car.
Just be smart about what you buy.
you dont go to harbor freight for expensive, quality tools...........there a dozens of overprices tool places. harbor freight has allowed people with minimal funds to buy a welder that never could have afforded one, so many young guys can get workable tools now
I love my Earthquake XT 1/2 impact it's awesome, and I would recommend it to car guys and DIY people for sure, and I agree with you on the disposable mindset, but in some cases thats exactly what you need for the job, for example, disposable gloves, scrubbers, brushes, sanding discs, polishing discs or pads etc. all items are pretty much something your not likely to care if it's going to last in most cases, so it makes sense to save a few bucks buying the HF disposable items in some cases.
I've got a lot of push-back at my local store when trying to return things. There's always the risk of losing hours of productivity to drive into town (if they're even open) and return something, hoping you can find the receipt. The worsting thing about HF tools is knowing which ones are any good. Some are fine for DIY, others are just junk.
I checked out the HF coupon database. There is a plug-in for Chrome and Firefox that shows the discount automatically on the item description on the HF website. They overlay a box with the new price or coupon value. Click on the box and it takes you to the coupon. Awesome!!! Thanks
If you think HF is kinda odd. We have Menards where I live and alot of their power tools are built in the same place as Bosch but just rebranded. You can also buy from their website, which I recommend.