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Harbor Freight has been running ads touting their quality tools. They must be trying to improve their image.

John

I've never seen a Harbor freight ad in my life.

Seen a few of those lately.

I think they pushing Icon brand???
I have heard a couple good remarks from at least one lifetime mechanic.....and for the money?
Maybe be worth buying a couple to try.

I have picked up a few HF tools for my "go bag" (The Snap On stuff stays home ). The ratchets look like Snap-on copies. The automotive tools (like sockets and wrenches) seem okay. I got an impact socket set to go in the van with the big DeWalt impact gun (for tire changes, etc). After a few outtings and some use, they haven't cracked yet. I even tried one on the Peterbilt. Did fine ... 1 time ...

The quick release wood working bar clamps (Pittsburg branded) are junk. I had bought a few when they had their big sale a year or two ago. They wouldn't hold at all and would release as soon as they became even the slightest bit tight. I threw them away and bought some Jorgensen brand clamps. FAR superior!

Me too.

I just heard a HF ad on the radio as well.

I have heard that HF's floor jack is made in the same Chinese factory as Snap-on's. They were apparently sued by Snap-on and lost.
HF has some junk, and some adequate tools. I have a couple cheap HF angle grinders that have survived for 8 years or so, with some repairs.

Harbor Freight aka Horrible Freight----so-so junk not so cheap.

I agree with Kevin.

The Good:

• 7 mil Nitrile gloves
• Aluminum 2 ton floor jack
• 2 ton engine lift
• 2/10 amp battery charger w/50 amp boost
• Hardy Work Gloves
• 50’ wall mounted Hose Reel (10 years and still going on strong)

The Bad:

• Battery Maintainer
• 5 mil nitrile gloves (tear easily while trying to get my hand in)
• leather gloves (inner seams too big and dig in to your fingers.
• Battery Operated Fuel transfer pump (I continue to buy these because they’re inexpensive and really handy but used in gas they start to leak in about a year.
• Pneumatic Hose Fitting (seem to leak or just fail allot)
• Their Batteries

This is only a partial list that I can remember off the top of my head. The point is they do really have some decent tools but they have allot of crap too.

I've found that basic things with no electronics and few moving parts are pretty good and inexpensive.

Pry bar/flat bar
Chisels, log splitting wedges
Screw drivers and other hand tools, wrenches
Diablo air compressor hose


Bauer impact driver bearings started going out in a year or so.

I have a $10 HF angle grinder that I used a cup style wire brush on, and it ate up the spindle bearings pretty quickly. It still works, just makes a lot of noise. The two $20 angle grinders I have are still running. Both needed helicoils in the head for the side grip right out of the box, so quickly became a little more expensive. One let out the smoke, but was fixed and is still going. I suppose if I had bought Milwaukee or other known brand grinders they wouldn't have needed fixing, but what's the fun in that?
My HF 2 ton engine hoist works OK, but the casters aren't all hitting the ground when the legs are folded up, so it rocks a bit. No big deal, just annoying.

I'll add to the good list.
*small pneumatic air grinders. It takes a long time to wear one out.

Bad list:
*their corner clamps. 2 out of 6 would not stay tight.

I always laugh when they ask if I want to pay extra for extended warranty. I just tell them that I will just throw it away if it fails and buy the next one at Northern Tool.

Carl, I bought one of their $10 pneumatic die grinders. It lasted about an hour's running time. So it's on the bad list.

Yeah, the extended warranty is just buy stuff by the pair. LOL! I have a second $10 die grinder that hasn't been used yet.

I have one of their $9.99 HVLP spray guns. IF (emphasize the word greatly) you take it completely apart, clean it of all bits, dirt and leavings from machining, etc, polish all needles, jets, etc and put it back together correctly (check to be sure o-rings weren't forgotten when it was made) and if you clean it well after every use and pay close attention to your adjustments it isn't a bad spray gun. Good to adjust and use for narrow items, wheels, etc where you need a small pattern. Now to claim this is an actual HVLP gun...well, no you'll have to spend more to get one of those but it is certainly worth $10.80 (sales tax included).

As for the socket pieces...if you aren't using much torque, they're ok. Otherwise, you might get to buy some others.

Engine stand...use common sense with that thing. Especially if you are rotating an engine. This stand was not designed for long inline sixes, by the way. I made a heavy wood support for the outbound end when working with a 235. Also modify the rear attaching part so that you can connect with the 235 better.

Engine hoist...use common sense and remove your engine after you pull it. There are hoists on which it is fine to leave an engine suspended. This isn't one of them.