Harbor Freight, who owns what from there?

I know that they seem to be known for cheap tools, but it does seem like people like em. They have a lot of stores, I personally only own some screwdrivers and some tarps from there, but has anybody gotten anything like their Sawzall, miter saw, grinder, or any other power tools they offer? I also saw a cheap little wood stove in there before that looked decent for a camp or garage, and I love their free coupons haha. Take some pictures if you have any of their tools. Have a good weekend everybody! 

Most people here tend to stay away from their power tools, but will buy some hand tools and consumables from them. They are also one of the best places to get an automotive jack and mechanics tool chest. Harbor Freight has the best bang for your buck.

I bought 1 year ago the dust collector for $150 (25% coupon).

I actually just needed the blower motor for my project and its still running.

the rest from the dust collector I don’t really use.

was cheaper do buy the whole kit instead of just the motor somewhere else.

I have a couple of ratchets and a floor jack, my son has a screwdriver set and a pocket tape. I am pretty choosy what I get there, but what I like I really like.

I remember buying a drill press there, I returned it 4 times because every time something was wrong with it.

at the end I didn’t buy it because it was just too annoying.

I have their new professional ratchets, digital caliper, temp gun, and some gloves. I have bought my grandpa an angle die grinder and a right angle air drill and they aren’t that bad. Like DR said their aluminum jacks aren’t bad at all. I haven’t been around their steel ones though. The professional tool boxes are great for the price.

i even paid $70 more for a drywall lift and went with HD. Just looked better in quality to me

I bought there 12in double bevel sliding compound miter saw last week to take to a job site in the ghetto <disclaimer: not meant to be a racial slur since peeps are way to sensitive >.  Only reason I did, I didn’t want my Dewalt to get stolen like my table saw did.  I have to say, 134 bucks that damn thing ran true and didn’t skip a beat.   But then again, I only have 15 hours on it.  

i can totally understand that – i would do the same. or just get a “cheap” one from HD

we have tooltown here that is pretty much same as HF…….yes lots and lots of second rate hand tools power stuff but I manage to buy something every time……zip ties, foam brushes knick knacks…ect ect….in fact last time i was there they had dust cover pads for a whopping nickle each pack so for less than 1 penny ea as 6 are in a pack ……perfect for wiping down wood before treatment/stain/clear coat…….I bought all they had for $1.30….lol

oh i also have the HF 1100lb electric hoist

I bought my first cordless drill from there many years ago and till this day my father in law still uses it for lil jobs but the damn thing still runs I took a pic of it but I think it was on wifeys phone I will try to find and post, as for the aluminum jacks they are awesome we use them at the shop a lot for securing cars on the frame rack at work as there so light to pick up and take down easily.

I get there catalogs once in while. Just never picked anything up from them.

I figure a good rule of thumb (excluding the tool boxes) is that the only HF items I’ll buy are made in Tiawan. I’ll mostly skip most of the Chinese and all of the India made stuff.

I was wondering how that miter saw was. And always heard good things about their jacks, and jack stands.

They have a niche no doubt.

I buy their small 7×9 tarps whenever they give the coupon for like $2.50. Their moving blankets, while not the most durable are great for the sale price of around $9 and even better when they have coupons

I buy their 5 mil nitrile gloves often

Their pen style pocket blow gun is great to keep in the tool bag/pouch and for the usual sale price of $2 is impossible to beat

I have heard great things about their purple colored hvlp gravity feed paint gun.. I own one but haven’t used it yet

I own several clamps from HF.  I also bought a sledge hammer, a workbench brush, zip ties, featherboard, air hose connectors, and a furniture moving dolly.  I have avoided anything that has power (battery or plug).

How are their clamps?

I own their ratcheting bar clamps and quick release bar clamps and they work pretty well so far.  I did have one ratcheting clamp fail.  But for the price you can get them on sale I can handle a failure.  The HF 12 inch quick release bar clamp is $3.99 and the Bessey 12 inch is $11.97 at the HD.  I do want to get a few Bessey K body clamps.

you will probably want to go in the store and play with the clamps to see what you think.. i looked at them once and ended up passing.. the bars all seem to flex quite  bit and the jaws didnt seem to be parallel to eac hother.     im definitely not saying that they wont work, im sure they will serve a purpose, just assess your needs and go from there.

they definetly are much cheeper

i have irwin quick clamps that are quite old and keep on ticking and Bessey K-body Revos in both 50″ and 24″   the besseys are slick!

I also have the 10×10 pop up canopy for use on the jobsite to provide shade and or protection from crap weather and the solid rubber wheel chocks for my trailer 

both of these items have been great also. 

Right on, thank u!

I just got a set of 29 brad point drill bits for 11 bucks with a 20 % off coupon. Haven’t used them yet but they seem good for the money. That would change it they don’t hold up at all, but at that price point I can’t go too wrong. I get there paint brushes for touch up stuff and just throw them out instead of cleaning them. Good for a quick touch up. They will leave brushes in paint at times. HF has it’s pro’s and con’s that is for sure. If I am in the area I stop and look around.

I always pick up the free tarp from there

yea the free tarps are a nice pick up. my buddy at work just picked up a set of the 1/2 impact set and we’ve been using those to tightin the the clamps on the frame rack there not to bad I just don’t remember the price he said but I know they weren’t that much

Gotta love the tarps!

I own their 21 gallon compressor, an “earthquake” impact wrench and 3 ton floor jack plus various smaller tools. While it is not my favorite brand, I have never had any of their tools fail me. So I guess that they are pretty good if you are trying to save a few bucks.

A good friend swears by their 10″ saw blades. Never used them myself but he said for the price you don’t feel quite as bad tossing one and they do a pretty solid job.

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I had the 21 gallon compressor and I ended up returning it, due to the fact that the AMP draw at startup was too high for my garage. My detached garage has a single 15 AMP line running on 12-2 too it. So the compressor would draw too much AMP’s and either not start or trip the breaker. I ended up buying a Craftsman Vertical 30 Gallon Oilless Compressor. I’ve nicknamed it the “Mind Eraser” due to the decibel level when it’s running.

I loved the 5 drawer tool cart, that thing was awesome. Best value currently on the market. Also have a lot of the hand tools as well as the 3 ton floor jack and the stands. No issues with them.

I tend to stay away from their power tools, however I do have the 1/2 drill which I’ve completely abused and it’ still working quite well. 

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-low-speed-electric-drill-97594.html

Also picked this Angle grinder up. It’s such a huge POS (1/2″ of backlash in the gearset) but the thing just won’t die. I’ve actually started to respect the little guy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-in-43-amp-angle-grinder-69645.html

I picked up a couple of canvas drop cloths. I figured it is hard to mess up canvas.

Definitely seen some decent stuff come outta there!!

It’s like a dollar store for men!!!

I have earthquake impact like others mentioned

Digital caliper, 3/8 torque wrench, impact sockets, 24″ crescent, compressor, reciprocating saw, among other nick nacks(all for home only use!!)

For my GC work I got the 2-1 brad/stapler & wet tile saw..

Brad gun was awesome to begin with and actually preferred it over $89 cobalt a buddy had..after 6 months of daily use and lots of brads it has lost its punch..leaves heads about 1/4 out..but we put that $20 gun through hell and definitely got the money back

The wet saw is still kicking great..had it ab 5 months with regular use & it’s definitely made its money back!!

Best I can say w HF is have low expectations and you won’t be so disappointed when something fails!!

TIP: Always Google HF coupon on ur phone and you can get 20-25% and jus scan from phone or give coupon #

Always use a free item coupon..always needs cheap tarp!!!

I have a bunch of their magnetic bowls and tray,  sometimes you get coupons to make them like a dollar or something.  I have a bunch of zip ties, and few grinder wheels, anything that I dont HAVE to have something super good on.  My buddy has one of the big compressors,  he looked online before he bought it and they recommended running a bunch of this cleaner stuff through it before use.  HE did and got a bunch of metal shavings out, now its been running for 2 years no problem.

The best HF Coupon Site.

http://www.hfqpdb.com/

moving blankets and that is all i will ever buy there

I have their clamps, and they work great. I also have a huge supply of their sanding sponges, and I think they are every bit has good as the 3M ones at less then 1/2 the cost.  I also buy consumables from there like shop towels, epoxy glue blushes etc etc