Harbor Freight

[Norm]

Yes, I know HF has its detractors, but when I'm in the area of the store, I usually go to get a box or two of nitrile gloves for the shop, do a lot of clay barring, detailing, etc., just don't want to get my hands dirty.

Well, as usual, I wind up spending more than I had intended, it has a little candy store effect for the mechanically minded. Yes, it does sell some junk, but not a lot, there is some nice stuff in there (country of origin not US of course).

I got away with spending just under a C note, just barely.

[GTOguy]

I got a set of 'S' box wrenches for $20 or less about 12 years ago for less than one 'S' wrench from GM would cost used on ebay. These are for removing and installing door hinges on GM A-body cars without removing the front fenders. The quality impressed me. Most of their stuff is crap (bought a come-along that failed the first time I used it) but some of the stuff works. Have a cheap pancake air compressor from them that must be over 15 years old and it's still hanging in there.

[Taurus]

I was a area manager for Mac Tools for a while and I had several trucks that would buy cheaper tools at Harbor Freight and resell them on their routes. I have quite a few of their tools in my box as well.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Taurus

I was a area manager for Mac Tools for a while and I had several trucks that would buy cheaper tools at Harbor Freight and resell them on their routes. I have quite a few of their tools in my box as well.

In the '80's, our local Mac guy carried Hazet and Cornwell obscure stuff as well as used tools. I still have the German Hazet 'claw' gear driven oil filter wrench that will remove ANY stuck oil filter. It was about $35 close to 40 years ago and has paid for itself many times over.

[6spdC6]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

In the '80's, our local Mac guy carried Hazet and Cornwell obscure stuff as well as used tools. I still have the German Hazet 'claw' gear driven oil filter wrench that will remove ANY stuck oil filter. It was about $35 close to 40 years ago and has paid for itself many times over.

In the 60s early 70s some places not only carried good tools they had a line of shit tools at extremely good prices. If you were not a serious mechanic or need basically a use it once tool they were perfect. The name of the tools was Globemaster and many stores keep them in buckets.

Doing specialty work at my buddy's speed shop/garage we used those tools to make one of wrenches. Like some sparkplugs or other bolts hard to reach because of headers or other mods. I cut down,bent, modified a bunch of them wrenches.

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

In the '80's, our local Mac guy carried Hazet and Cornwell obscure stuff as well as used tools. I still have the German Hazet 'claw' gear driven oil filter wrench that will remove ANY stuck oil filter. It was about $35 close to 40 years ago and has paid for itself many times over.

The truck guys make more on used tools than new, especially tool boxes. It's crazy to see how much they can make selling a used Snap On tool box.

Considered buying a couple trucks myself here in Utah, just never pulled the trigger. Maybe now that I'm retired, it would be a nice side gig.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Taurus

The truck guys make more on used tools thank new, especially tool boxes. It's crazy to see how much they can make selling a used Snap On tool box.

Considered buying a couple trucks myself here in Utah, just never pulled the trigger. Maybe now that I'm retired, it would be a nice side gig.

I paid $1200 for my used Snap On tool box off of a Mac truck when it was about 8 years old. Less than half list on a new box. Snap on tools are superior to Mac, they are built to finer tolerances and the wrenches don't spread. Particularly the flare nut wrenches. In the last 3 years I took my worn out Snap On flip-head ratchet to a Snap-On guy for repair (it was worn from 25 years of work) and he looked at it and gave me a brand new ratchet no charge. I had paid $75 for it in the '80's but the new one was $144. And the new one was finer toothed, so better. Snap On tools are also dated from 1920 to present with a symbol on each piece if you look for it.

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

I paid $1200 for my used Snap On tool box off of a Mac truck when it was about 8 years old. Less than half list on a new box. Snap on tools are superior to Mac, they are built to finer tolerances and the wrenches don't spread. Particularly the flare nut wrenches. In the last 3 years I took my worn out Snap On flip-head ratchet to a Snap-On guy for repair (it was worn from 25 years of work) and he looked at it and gave me a brand new ratchet no charge. I had paid $75 for it in the '80's but the new one was $144. And the new one was finer toothed, so better. Snap On tools are also dated from 1920 to present with a symbol on each piece if you look for it. Attachment 74413

Nothing wrong with Snap On tools, bought some myself. I think that MAC has lost a little ground with the Dewalt and Craftsman acquisitions.

[Yadkin]

I bought a transmission jack from Harbor Fright that was far cheaper that I could buy from the Mac guy, and shipping was $1. It arrived to the shop door in two days. This is the pole type that lifts the transmission by a foot-operated hydraulic jack. It was excellent quality and Mike is still using it years later.

Their nitrile gloves are shitty. Many rip right out of the package. OK for light work, but for working on brakes and such, I use better ones.

[GTOguy]

The key to ALL the tools was they could be bought on time and the vans came to you on the job site. Just like the food truck. You paid for the service as much as the tools. After 8 or 10 years in, I pretty much had all I needed unless a new model came out that needed a one-off socket or bit or whatever. Still remember the GM W bodies of '88-'90 (Lumina) that had the lock-tighted brakes that needed a torch to get the caliper pins out. Every one of those SOB's needed an overhaul. And I used to have 4 or 5 #45 Torx bits, because they would 'barber-pole' on those frozen pins! LOL...

[Yadkin]

I twisted many a large torx bit before buying a decent set. Not HF.

[m and t's77]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

The key to ALL the tools was they could be bought on time and the vans came to you on the job site. Just like the food truck. You paid for the service as much as the tools. After 8 or 10 years in, I pretty much had all I needed unless a new model came out that needed a one-off socket or bit or whatever. Still remember the GM W bodies of '88-'90 (Lumina) that had the lock-tighted brakes that needed a torch to get the caliper pins out. Every one of those SOB's needed an overhaul. And I used to have 4 or 5 #45 Torx bits, because they would 'barber-pole' on those frozen pins! LOL...

Those were T60's at least on regals and grand prix's bought a snap on 1/2 drive and it never broke.

[Grey Ghost]

I have always been interested in tools. HF has gone down hill price wise. They just don't have the deals like they use to. A lot of others have caught on and giving them competition inc. Walmart with the Hart brand. I think there's 2-3 mfg. in China that cranks out the majority and slaps a different label on it for the brand. Stanley owns most all hand tools these days. I follow a yt channel and the guy constantly test various types of tools. He does a comparison and you easily tell most come from the same factory with only a few differences except price off the tool truck. MAC is in serious trouble with their failed biz. model.

If you want real quality these days look to the Japanese and German mfgs. Koken, Wera, and a couple other Jap. brands.

If the dollar is strong against the yen, you can order from Amazon japan and get some great deals on high quality tools.

Koken has a killer version of that light in your pic. Smaller, quality, etc...I have been tempted by the HF version and the one in HD. I would like some feedback on what you think about it.

Gearwrench is another surprise to me. Great quality and price in that yt guys channel.

[zeek]

When I worked as an A&P licensed Aircraft Tech for the airlines, I would be totally embarrassed to have any HF tools in my roll-away. Craftsman was acceptable with Snap on being the Cadillac of tools. That being said, I love HF for my car hobby and home workshop. I still use the portable engine stand and Hydraulic engine hoist that I purchase about 15 years ago. Their generators are comparable to any overpriced Honda product and even though they stopped doing their free bees and regular 20% off coupons, they still send out some good special deals and coupons if you are on their email list.

[MikeB]

I buy stuff at HF because, at my age, WTFCs.
They're all 1 time uses/users now, none of my kids
are gonna search my tool boxes for useful stuff anyway.

[Norm]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Koken has a killer version of that light in your pic. Smaller, quality, etc...I have been tempted by the HF version and the one in HD. I would like some feedback on what you think about it.

I was looking for a small compact rechargable bright work light, took a chance with that one. I am pleasantly surprised on how it works, the machined quality build, magnetic, and that sumbugger is bright.

[Lakota]

Tools from HF that I'd glad I bought are.

Long Drive Pin Punch Set, 5 Piece: had a RAV4 and the rear brake pads were
held in place by pins needed the tool to
punch them out.

Composite Quick-Release Ratchet: got them in 3 sizes 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2, big
handle , composite handle great in cold
weather or hot (if your every picked a metal
tool up in the driveway on a hot July day,
you will know what I mean).

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by StorytellerStealth

Harbor Freight is also great for one-time use tools such as specialty pullers.

Of most any tool they sell...one use is al you get...

[MEANZ06]

I've only bought 2 things from Hobo Freight, a few flat moving carts for moving heavy equipment around at work and a bearing press when I rebuilt the knuckles of the front end of my truck. Will I ever use the press again? Probably not but I still have it. I've always thought the place for one time use tools so I rarely went there.