any experience with harbor freight
 

Hi guys,
I'm looking to buy some air tools online from harbor freight and just wondering if there were any bad experiences. We do not have one here on the islands so I'm stuck with ordering it online. Their impact sockets and wrenches are pretty cheap and also the sockets are lifetime guaranteed. I'll be ordering in the next couple of weeks.

thanks in advance,
jay

i have some of their air tools, yea there cheap but ive abused them and not maintained them at all, and they still work as good as new........
i wouldnt buy there sockets personaly, especily if their isnt a harbor freight on the island, returns would be a ***** than

I second that!:cool: The air tools are good, but stay away from the cordless drills and stuff THEY SUCK.

or the cordless sawzalls, i think i was at a rate of breaking one every 10 days :rolleyes:

sockets
 

I purchased a couple sets of their 1/2 inch drive black impact sockets about 5 years ago. They are 6 point, and very thick. I haven't broken any yet......... They were pretty reasonable to buy.

Anyone notice how they list an item on sale AND in another section of the catalog NOT on sale? Same thing, different part number...Odd thing is I've found that if I order the sale item it gets back ordered but the regular priced item is in stock. I don't buy tools there, just gloves, acid brushes, welding tarps, that kind of thing. My shop had a Pittsburg 3/4" ratchet set though that was used hard and worked great.

We have a store in town, so you can look at the stuff before you buy, The impact wrench/air ratchet/socket set is hard to beat. I have been using one for 5 years without any problems...no broken sockets. I have broken some of their hand tools, and cannot recommend the tie rod seperating tool. All have been exchanged with no questions asked and no receipt. I have their 18V drill for $39, and am satisfied with it after about 18 months of service. If it goes out after a couple of years, you can afford to replace it at that price.

The bottom line is you get what you pay for...I have been satisfied with all of the air tools with the exception of the 3" high speed cutter...what was I expecting for $10?

We got a new store about 6 mo. ago, got a little of everything. Got a 20 dollar DA used over 40 hrs with no problems. I'd try some of their stuff then use your own judgement. My 2 cents.:bowtie:

We've got a store here. Most of their stuff is cheap like everybody says. You get what you pay for. Every month they have a 50-75 % off sale. Get some good deals then.

Beware of some of the Pittsburgh tools. They're so cheap they'll break unexpectantly--especially if you're working with heavier duty grade 3/4 ton or 1 ton applications. I'm talking about some of their hammers, drifts, vises, presses, pullers, and forks. I broke their cheap-o ball joint press trying to use it on U-joints.

I've had pretty good luck with most everything I have bought. Like the others have said, you get what you pay for. Some of their tools are so incredibly cheap you can afford to break several and still come out ahead.

Harbor Freight Experience
 

I have purchased and used several items from HF. A cherry picker (foldup works great), heavy duty engine stand (would not fit in close to cherry picker and could not put engine on it), electric 4" grinder (weak), welding cart (flimsy and needed to reinforce greatly). Good place for expendables. I am currently purchasing a 40# sandblaster.

I have the 40 lb sandblaster. So far, I have put about 1000 lbs of sand through it without anything but ceramic nozzle replacements. The valve at the end of the hose is wore out, but I never use it anyway.

Some of their stuff is total junk, but I've used their $50 Chinese ball-joint press a few times and it's very well made. Also got some cobalt-tipped drills very cheap and they are holding up well.

I would stay away from the Chicago Electric and Pittsburg stuff, though. I have a friend who bought a 3/8" socket set from them, and the ratchet broke the first time he used it. That, and the sockets looked like they were designed to round off bolt heads!

Just bought a couple of slide hammers from them. Again, to add to what's already been said they're good for tools that do very generic jobs I think. Aside from things that generally are expensive, of course. A lot of the hand tools that don't requre precision are ok.

I've bought a ton of stuff from HF you just have to look at it close you can tell if its going to last or not. some of the things I've bought and had no problems with are
Drill Press
metal brake
sand plast cabinet
sand plaster (for the big stuff)
4in grinder
body hammer set
14 chop saw
tubing benders
can crusher
110v arc welder[COLOR=skyblue][COLOR=skyblue][COLOR=skyblue]

I bought one of their grinders, Chicago Electric. It was 5 or 6". It came to the house and I was all excited. I unboxed it and plugged it in. As soon as I turned it on it started smoking. I unplugged it before it set the house on fire, & boxed it up after I stopped laughing and returned it. Junk...... I bought a Craftsman for just a few dollars more when you take into account the price of shipping.

I wouldn't buy anything from them unless I could look at it first because they do have some just plain crap I went into the store to buy a tap and die set the had for $17.00 and by looking at it you could tell the first time you would use it, it would break

Harbour Freight
 

We have a Harbour Freight store in Portland,OR. A lot of their handtools are of the thin & cheap variety. They also have the middle of the road stuff which is pretty good. You get what you pay for. Used alot of their stuff on the production line, where tools mysteriously end up missing, it was justified. For my own stuff, I buy Craftsman, Snap-On, etc.

I buy alot of Chaftsman tools to, the problem with Snapon tools is try to get a socket replaced when they break they always try to tell you that you used them on an impact gun besides that they are over priced MATCO tools are about 50% cheaper and they will warrenty them

my pruchase
 

i got a engine stand from them. no problem, good unit. shipped fast.

Bought a DA today for 18.95. Sure it may not be the best, but for that price, who cares if it craps out after one project.

around here the snap on guy is awesome, guess it just depends on the local dealer....

You get what you pay for. Recently I've been buying Ingersol Rand, and they seem like they'll last forever. Here's a good source with the lowest prices around: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/ They were far cheaper than Harbor Freight on the air ratchet I just bought and don't charge freight if the first order is >$100.

a deciding facot on Harbir Freight..... They pay the freight on orders over $50.0... Once ordered an anvil.... the freight was more than the cost of the item....