re: Harbor Freight good and bad

Posted by iwyLSUiwy

I'm your huckleberry

Member since Apr 2008

38203 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 10:22 am to BottomlandBrew

quote:
Their 3500W quite Predator generator has actually been very good to me.

We had two Hondas we ran 3-4 days a week for most of the day for work. One of them got stolen and we needed another one as well so I started researching all the brands. Pulled the trigger on two Predators and they are even quieter than the Honda, start super easy, and run like a champ being put to work a lot. Very happy with them and will eventually be buying a big one for my house.

Posted by LanierSpots

Sarasota, Florida

Member since Sep 2010

66424 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 11:49 am to Sus-Scrofa

I am planning on buying a wheelbarrow this weekend. i was planning on Home Depot.

Any change Harbor Friend has one that the wheels wont fall off?

Posted by Dandanthegreatest

Metry

Member since Oct 2016

99 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 11:56 am to Sus-Scrofa

Good
-finish nailer
-floor jack
-orbital polisher
-ratchet clamps

Bad
-detailing pads
-angle grinder
-flashlight

Posted by BLP

In the woods

Member since Jul 2022

147 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 1:26 pm to Sus-Scrofa

I've bought a number of things over the years that still work. Most recently a 1 Ton Arbor Press that's good for what I use it for. The bad would be like others mentioned clamps, had locking pliers break on first use. Also their anvils are poorly made and bad areas / cracks are filled with bondo.

Posted by TexasHand

Mississippi

Member since Sep 2013

1246 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 3:04 pm to Sus-Scrofa

Good-
Super Glue
All the lights
Bauer heat gun
Purple paint gun
Plug in hand held paint gun
T Handle Set
All of the magnetic tool box attachments

Bad-
Zip ties
Impact bits and drivers
Duct tape
ATV ramps

2 ...

Posted by TU Rob

Birmingham

Member since Nov 2008

13141 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 5:26 pm to TexasHand

Good:
Pancake compressor and finish nailer have been solid.
Also bought a sawzall that won’t die and I’ve abused it.
Furniture dolly has come in handy.

Bad:
Drill/driver set is underpowered and doesn’t hold a charge like my Porter-Cable set.

Posted by agilitydawg

Member since Aug 2022

158 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 5:59 pm to Sus-Scrofa

Good
On sale oscillating tools - $15 and a couple on clearance for 10. One has died but for the price but for what I got out of it, I have no complaints
Heavy duty 3/4 inch drill -- Bought it to mix buckets of grout for tile jobs.
Heavy duty wet saw -- Still going strong and lots of 3-inch capstone cuts on it
leaf tarps - free
magnetic tool bars - used to be free
corded hedge trimmer -- since graduated to ryobi battery
On-sale drill bit sets - $10
Torque wrenches

Bad
Plastic Welder
Screw driver set - handles stink like toxic waste

Posted by Spankum

Miss-sippi

Member since Jan 2007

58416 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 6:00 pm to Sus-Scrofa

Good:
Pancake air compressor
Floor jack
Lift straps
Suction-cup dent puller

Bad:
Power tools
Hand tools

My rule of thumb is, if I am going to use it only once or very infrequently, I’ll buy it at HF. Anything more than occasional use, I’ll go for higher quality.

Posted by armsdealer

Member since Feb 2016

11956 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 6:10 pm to Splackavellie

quote:
quote:
Good:
Knockoff pelican cases

Bingo. Extemely good for the price when compared to the real things

Here is the thing with Pelican, if you damage a case a decade from now they will replace it, no questions asked. You can grab many sizes on sale for not much more than the HF version.

Most of the HF Icon line is available on Amazon, Ebay, Temu, Ali express etc for much cheaper. Its pretty easy to find the exact tool if you are willing to look.

Posted by SirWinston

PNW

Member since Jul 2014

95699 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 8:23 pm to Sus-Scrofa

I got a really nice garage cabinet on rollers from Harbour Freight

Posted by LanierSpots

Sarasota, Florida

Member since Sep 2010

66424 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 9:45 pm to SirWinston

I will just say that if you buy one of these at HF to cut speaker holes in a bay boat, you are going to be incredibly disapointed and will be using your 30 year old jig saw after about a half a hole

Just saying

Posted by Cosmo

glassman's guest house

Member since Oct 2003

125474 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 10:01 pm to TexasHand

Are the big rolling tool chests any good?

Been looking for better organization

2 ...

Posted by Art Vandelay

LOUISIANA

Member since Sep 2005

11157 posts

Posted on 10/2/24 at 10:04 pm to LanierSpots

They have a wood work bench that can’t be beat for $179. They went on sale for $125 once. I bought 3 and put two in my shed and one inside to work on my guitars.

Posted by pdubya76

Sw Ms

Member since Mar 2012

6380 posts

Posted on 10/3/24 at 5:55 am to Sus-Scrofa

Good:
Predator generators have served me well.
Badland winches. I have 3 and no issues when I’ve used them.
The floor jacks serve the purpose. I’ve got one that’s probably 10 years old and no issues .
The chain binders for equipment work great.

Bad:
The low end ratchets are cheap and the gear breaks easily . I know it’s low end but should get more than a few weeks out of a 1/4” lol.

Posted by Napoleon

Kenna

Member since Dec 2007

70910 posts

Posted on 10/3/24 at 6:34 am to Sus-Scrofa

Good

Anything Icon
Decent battery tools
Great choice for specialty tools.

Bad. Most electric stuff
Welders
Low end tools

Posted by Sus-Scrofa

Member since Feb 2013

9742 posts

Posted on 10/3/24 at 6:42 am to Art Vandelay

quote:
They have a wood work bench that can’t be beat for $179. They went on sale for $125 once. I bought 3 and put two in my shed and one inside to work on my guitars.

I have one of these. With sales I got it for like 100 bucks. Not bad at all.

Posted by YOURADHERE

Member since Dec 2006

8250 posts

Posted on 10/3/24 at 8:06 am to Cosmo

I have several of their floor jacks and jack stands, no complaints, does the job just fine. No issues with their dremel tool. I like using them for those specialty tools that I may only use once or twice but prefer to own them, I've gotten my money's worth out of their ball joint press, ball joint separator, tie rod end tools, etc.

quote:
Are the big rolling tool chests any good?

Been looking for better organization

The US General boxes are usually pretty highly regarded and the Icon boxes are supposed to be Snap On level good, though I own neither.

Posted by lsuCJ5

Holly Springs, NC

Member since Nov 2012

1056 posts

Posted on 10/3/24 at 8:19 am to YOURADHERE

I've had a 10 gallon central penumatic aircompressor for 12 years. It is loud as hell but works. I used it to spray the inside of my jeep and it ran for an hour straight. I do drain the tank from time to time. The red daytona 2 ton floor jack has been very usefull as well.