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Started By
Message
How much cheaper is Harbor Freight than Home Depot/Lowes?
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:22 am
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:22 am
I know their power tools are poor quality but I was wondering if they are significantly cheaper on other items like sledge hammers, hand saws etc.
7
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:29 am to mouton
I buy a lot of hand tools, drill bits, clamps and other random things from there. If it has a motor, go somewhere else but everything else seems ok.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:39 am to mouton
If I were a contractor or used them on a daily basis, I may shy away from HF. But for the weekend warrior homeowner that uses them for small projects around the house, I don’t think they’re that bad
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:55 am to fillmoregandt
Yep. Got an oscillating demo tool and a sawzall for the occasional home use.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 11:01 am to Drunken Crawfish
quote:Their drill bits suck arse. I have two different boxes of them. I haven't snapped any, but they almost never start cutting into what you're drilling into. They really only get used on wood, fiberglass, and plastic in my drill press. They just walk all over on metal.
drill bits
Drilling in metal, I use a step bit almost all of the time...unless it needs to be a clean, uniform hole. Then, I grab a better bit (DeWalt or Bosch). For wood, I grab one of the aforementioned kits if I'm doing something that needs a straight drill bit.
The prices between cheap and better bits isn't really that much of an issue if you're doing everyday drilling.
Eta: I do use their pro 1/2" impact sockets. They are a little rusted, but I haven't had any explode yet
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 11:03 am
Posted on 8/21/19 at 11:20 am to Drunken Crawfish
quote:
I buy a lot of hand tools, drill bits, clamps and other random things from there. If it has a motor, go somewhere else but everything else seems ok.
The Predator engines have become pretty stout. I have 2 Predator inverter generators that I run in tandem on my 5th wheel and around the house. They are really good for the price.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 11:28 am to mouton
Their tool storage systems are really good. My late wife's uncle is a snap on dealer, and when I talked to him about buying a tool cart, he recommended i buy from Harbor Freight. He said with his discount id still spend three times as much on the snap on stuff, and while the quality was better, it wasnt that much better.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 11:40 am to El Segundo Guy
quote:
The Predator engines have become pretty stout.
Just bought the 6.5 HP as a replacement on the kids go-kart. Only had it a month now, but it seems to be as good a quality as the original engine, quieter for sure. For $120 and how easy it is to swap out it was worth the dependability risk, as a similar Honda was nearly $400.
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 11:58 am
Posted on 8/21/19 at 12:01 pm to Dock Holiday
They are called Honda clones, because they are very much alike. It's why Honda sued them
Posted on 8/21/19 at 12:10 pm to Hammertime
quote:
They are called Honda clones
Yeah, that's what I hear. I was told its called a "Chonda" for a reason... Did not know there they were sued.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 12:36 pm to Dock Holiday
THey don't sell any landscaping stuff do they? Like pavers , mulch etc.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 12:50 pm to mouton
No, I haven't ever seen any of that at HF.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 1:07 pm to mouton
quote:
I know their power tools are poor quality
Some of their power tools are cheap, poor quality, but their hercules line of power tools have been getting some great reviews online.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 1:10 pm to Drunken Crawfish
quote:ok
I buy a lot of hand tools, drill bits, clamps and other random things from there
quote:their predator line of motors are probably some of the best deals in that store.
If it has a motor, go somewhere else
Posted on 8/21/19 at 1:39 pm to mouton
Rule of thumb for harbor freight is if you need a new power tool that will get minimal use, get it from HF. If you use it enough for it to finally break, go buy a good one. I bought set of Jack stands for 18.99 there last night to change my trailer bearings. Will likely have the rest of my life. Also own a number of HF minimal use power tools - grinders, sanders, electric chain saw that have worked for years. Hand tools like hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc for home use. Buy them there all day long. Their sandpaper and drill bits do suck.
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 1:40 pm
Posted on 8/21/19 at 4:17 pm to Dlawnboy
quote:
grinders, sanders, electric chain saw
I'm contemplating getting a 6" belt sander from there but was hesitant b/c of the quality. It's only 77 bucks so I'll probably just go ahead and get it
Posted on 8/21/19 at 4:21 pm to idlewatcher
For a small, cheap one, I've used a Ryobi several times with no problems
Posted on 8/21/19 at 4:36 pm to RollDatRoll
quote:
Some of their power tools are cheap, poor quality, but their hercules line of power tools have been getting some great reviews online.
I bought an electric impact wrench from them that worked well the few times I have used it.
I also bought one of their boxed 6.5hp motors to replace the one on my log splitter. Works great so far.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 4:58 pm to fillmoregandt
quote:
If I were a contractor or used them on a daily basis, I may shy away from HF. But for the weekend warrior homeowner that uses them for small projects around the house, I don’t think they’re that bad
Sound advice here. The tools HF sells are knockoffs and won't hold up to daily hard use that a contractor would put them through.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 6:05 pm to gumbo2176
How's Northern Tool compare to HF, Lowes, or HD?
I see they are opening a Northern Tool store on Veterans in Metairie.
I see they are opening a Northern Tool store on Veterans in Metairie.
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