The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Harbor freight engine lifts & stands

wow, learn somethin' here everyday. i don't dislike them, i just don't want my life hangin' by anything they sell. well anymore than 16 inches that is. i like to look at the store now and then, they have one in my town.

i use matco engine stand.which does cost more but much easier to turn the engine over.http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2425&page=1&#31058

I'm getting into the thread a bit late. I've bought a few tools at HF and the rule of thumb I use is "if my life or livelyhood depend on it I don't buy it at HF". A buddy of mine here in town swears by HF. He's a handyman by trade (retired from his real job). It doesn't bother him a bit to buy a small hammer drill on sale at HF for $20 & get a few uses out of it before it breaks. I'd rather spend $100 once and use it for a lifetime. I would never buy a jack of any kind from HF. I'm not willing to bet my life the $1 a day slave that built it has my well being in mind.

I try to buy American, but have had good luck with most Harbor frieght stuff - engine stand + lifts. Made in the USA is all but extinct, I pick up from wharehouses every day and everyone of them is full of made in China. All the American ones have left the state or country. Just dont see anyway we can compete, not with our standard of living what it is. I dont see it getting any better, also it seems our skilled labor is dissappearing to. Sorry for rambling.

I bought an engine hoist and a motor stand from HF. I have used both of them several times and have been happy with the purchase. There are nicer, more nifty version on the market, however I have seen some home-made contraptions that look like they would fall apart without any weight on them, but they last a lifetime of use. All of the items sold by HF may be made in China, however if a tool fails and causes bodily injury, the purchaser would have recourse with HF under product liability laws.

For the money, I am happy with the purchase. That being said, I stay with the name-brands on major mechanic's tools and portable hand tools. The name is a bit more costly, however I have a good relationship with many of the suppliers in my area, that I purchase tools from and they would replace a faulty tool, if that occurred.

Good luck with your tool purchases.

Tony

Bottom line buy what you want, what you can afford but just because we americans outsource tools doesnt make it unsafe. Buyer beware is the best advice. Remember Craftsman is now made out of the country!

Does anyone have a comment about the HF 1000 pound hoist on sale currently for $95.99? I had been eyeing the 2,000 lb hoist and it was on sale with a 15% discount for $127.50 several weeks ago. Probably should have bought it.