BebuLamar

I think you will like what they sell there.

rcarol

And yet a contractor that I know only buys the least expensive line of tools from Harbor Freight because his tools routinely get stolen while on the job. So, why invest in the more expensive tools only for them to land in somebody else's hands.

BebuLamar

I buy the best tools to keep and use at home. I only buy reasonably good tools for work because can't use tools that are too bad makes to job too difficult but I lose tools so often that it gets too expensive.

Ollieboy

They use Chinese steel. Usually not good. (Can be dangerous to use too). I speak from experience.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

BebuLamar

How do you know a tool not made from Chinese steel?

tramsey Loc: Texas

Whether or not we want to buy things from China most things are made in China.
When something is made in America, ABC is notified and they put it on television.
I like Harbor Freight. They have a large variety of stuff, never have enough stuff. If it breaks just chuck it, not much money lost any way. Some of their stuff is good. I bought four wheels for a cart that I built and they are still working fine, same with an extension ladder and a set of combination wrenches and a socket set except for the ratchet but I didn't like it from the get go. So I went back to HF and bought a decent ratchet and now I have a good set about ten years old or so

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

OK, but watch out. Lots of cheap crap to go with a few actual bargains.

Ollieboy

By the brand name. Not too hard to figure out.

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

Be sure about the resistance.
I visit one of the three Harbor freight stores in the area frequently and it's easy to lose track of how much you spend.
I do however have items that I bought over twenty years ago and still use fairly often.

Red6

You have to approach Harbor Freight in the correct frame of mind. I buy some tools there but I consider the tools purchased to be disposable or for one-time or temporary use. If I get more than one or two uses out of them then I got a good deal.

I had a small sanding job that would have taken me many hours with sandpaper and sanding blocks. As I was under a time constraint to get this job completed, I went to Harbor Freight and bought a small orbital sander for less than $20 and had the job done in an hour. Since then I have used the sander several times and it is still going strong.

I also purchased a small tire inflator recently and so far it has worked very well. I was able to get all the tires on my car back up to their recommended pressures in a reasonable amount of time. So we will see if it works out.

Other items I have purchased have been less successful. I purchased a small Dremel-like tool that would not drill or sand through a stick of butter. It ran at high speed but the moment it touched any material it slowed to a stop. It went into the trash can pretty quickly. I also would NOT buy any tools or devices that could present a safety hazard such as high-speed grinders or cutting tools. I used to be the safety officer in the company I worked for and read a lot of OSHA reports on industrial accidents. Many people are injured in the US by high-speed grinders, lathes, and other rotating or cutting tools. So it pays to buy quality, well-made tools in this category.

So that is my experience with Harbor Freight. Go in the frame of mind that these are disposal tools. Use once or twice and move on. I rent tools when I can but when I cannot I will buy just what I need to complete the particular job I am working on. I really do not want to own any more "stuff" than I have to.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

They make a lot of NOISE in DC....

BebuLamar

How do you tell if a tool is made from Chinese steel or not by the brand name? The brand name tells you nothing about how and where it's made or where the material comes from.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I keep some tools in the house that aren't necessarily top quality, just for quickie jobs. I also have Craftsman tools in the garage - sockets and wrenches - that I bought in about 1960.

You probably know about "Project Farm" on YouTube - excellent tester.