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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

I love harbor frieght!

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ddsinc

01-11-2007 23:08:44




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I just went to harbor freight to pick up a few things that I needed around the new shop. Boy i tell you what. I left with a pickup load of items for 400 bucks. air reels, a grinder stand, shelving, supplies for grinding and welding, organizer things for the tools, a vise, and a whole bunch more little things.

A friend has a 110 volt welder, used without any problems. Another freind has a press that he got, and it will function just like any other.

I've bought a few air tools, and after like 5 years of hard use, some of them broke. HEY! NO SWEAT!! for the price you pay, i'd just throw it away and buy another one, and you'd still be in business!

Granted, the real professional stuff is great, i have a few things from snap on, craftsman, matco (all my hand tools, really) but the HF stuff is lighter on my wallet! There's more things to life than real expensive tools!

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Don L C

01-14-2007 17:16:56




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
----no dought Harber Freight things have greatly improved..... I find myself buying more and more..... .



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jackson knight

01-13-2007 05:03:35




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
I'd like to see china take my truck driving job or maybe I will let them have it.I buy some harbor frieght.I do not make union pay never will.So I have to make my money goe as far as it can.Far as I can see unions did it to themselves.



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mlauk

01-13-2007 13:38:30




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to jackson knight, 01-13-2007 05:03:35  
You might loose your truck driving job when our economy goes to hell because America isn't manufacturing anything. If nobody has a job to buy anything, what are you going to haul?



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jackson knight

01-14-2007 06:16:56




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to mlauk, 01-13-2007 13:38:30  
I will haul at that chinese made stuff were buying now.My load is 90% that now.Its not going away at this point in time.Times are always changing you just have to go with flow.Not worth the stress worrying about it in my book.



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Davis In SC

01-13-2007 18:29:09




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to mlauk, 01-13-2007 13:38:30  
At the rate we are going, trucks will just be hauling stuff from the ports to Walmart and Harbor Freight, and then hauling scrap metal and garbage back to the ports, to be put on the ships going back to China.. Yes, China is even getting our household garbage shipped in, so they can pick out metals, plastic, paper, etc, to recycle..



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Mike M

01-12-2007 18:17:12




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
Alot of people upset about buying overseas products. Well I hate to see it to ,but with corporate greed and record high stockholder profits demanded as well as HIGH executive salaries thats where we're at. Example-- At work our GM AC/Delco brake rotors some were actually USA made,alot from Canada too. But now they are changing all the part numbers BUT NOT LOWERING the prices on the new ones coming in marked CHINA. They were makeing money on them before just not enough so now they make even more ! so when is enough enough ?

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Tnau664

01-14-2007 05:02:17




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to Mike M, 01-12-2007 18:17:12  
To the point, HomeDepot CEO retires with $210 Million. No wonder we need to go to places like Harber Freight and Homier.



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Vern-MI

01-13-2007 02:52:43




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to Mike M, 01-12-2007 18:17:12  
Raybestos rotors are also now made in China. These are the premium rotors. I don't think you can buy american made rotors anymore. The EPA, high union labor costs and shareholder greed drove them all out.



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cornfarmer

01-12-2007 17:43:13




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
Form follows function. I have Snap-on, Proto, Craftsman, S-K, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ingersoll-Rand, etc. Just bought a Hobart mig welder, and ordered one of their plasma cutters. I also just recieved a new Harbor Freight flyer in the mail today. I plan to hit their nearest retail store this weekend, weather permitting. I have quite a few of their air tools, as well as a few hand tools. With the exception of one questionable angle wrench set, I have been well satisfied with the value. On the other hand, the last two milwaukee tools I purchased were expensive crap. The cord was bad on a brand-new Sawzall, and the end broke off an electric impact wrench after 10 minutes use. Yes, replaced under warranty, but now mostly sit while their dewalt counterparts are used everyday. Point is, high priced tools can be junk, and "cheap" tools can be quite functional. I try the import tools for applications where my use is infrequent, and if I like and use it a lot, I can replace it with a "brand name" tool if it breaks. I bought a HF 3/8" impact wrench to see if I would use one that small, and turns out it is extremely handy. Only problem is, I haven't been able to break it or wear it out, and it is probably my most-used air impact wrench. With all the talent and experience of the US workforce, why can't we produce a line of reasonably-priced quality tools. Snap-on makes a fantastic wrench, but how can you justify the price over, say craftsman, if you don't use it every working day?

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JT

01-12-2007 12:52:26




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
You can all call me stupid, but I cannot for the life of me, figure out in my little pea brain, why anyone would want to buy anything manufactured in a countyr that is taking America jobs away, and try to destory the economy of this country. One of these days when your job is sent to China, maybe you will not be so quick to buy that kind of "junk", but, by then it will too late, America will be owned by third world countries and the freedom and rights we have fought to have will be history.
As for "there is more in life than expensive tools", how would you feel if your boss decided to go with that opinion, and your job was now in China being done for $.50-$1.00 per hour.

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Tnau664

01-14-2007 05:05:42




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to JT, 01-12-2007 12:52:26  
To the point JT, those of us that don't work Union Jobs that go on strike for $25 an hour can't afford the products these Union companies make and sell. Case in point, I can't buy Goodyear Tires.



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JT

01-15-2007 11:44:05




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to Tnau664, 01-14-2007 05:05:42  
I do not work a union job, I am self employed and have a hard time making ends meet, but I am very picky about where I buy and do not buy Chinese anything, unless I am tricked, or buy it with out my knowledge. You are right, unions are ruining this country, there are too many overpaid people, then the sad part, they do not support the very companies they work for and demand the high wages from.

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Crem

01-12-2007 18:42:56




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to JT, 01-12-2007 12:52:26  
You are right that the third world countries will own us. Also the Japanese will own most of the auto manufacturing facilities (Which we gave them) in the not too distant future. Then the $hit will hit the fan when they start telling us what we will do.



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Stumpalump

01-12-2007 15:53:53




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to JT, 01-12-2007 12:52:26  
JT' China will overtake this country. It's not if it's when. Nothing we can do about it. They have cheap labor not union labor. Let me guess you are one of the people who complained about our borders. How dare they let cheap labor into this country! Now we have the Dems in control. Whats one of the first things they do. Raise the minimum wage? My money is sadly on China. I was even excited when they started to offer Chineese language at my kids High School because if you can speak chineese and english you can write you own ticket. Get used to it. Gota love those prices! God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Sometimes it's hard.

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JT

01-15-2007 12:00:28




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to Stumpalump, 01-12-2007 15:53:53  
Nope, I don't complain about the borders, the people coming across the southern borders into the US are what is keeping things where we can afford to live, the lazy a$$ people in this country do nto want to work for the meager wages these folks get paid, But these people are in OUR country, working for US, supporting our economy, not the economy for another country, Yes, minimum wage neede to be raised, cound you work for $5.15 per hour?? don't think you would, the part that really makes me mad is the union people, making $25.00 per hour, but they want to buy the cheapest thing they can buy, and will not support the compnay they work for, then they whine like a gut shot cat when their job goes to China, just does not make good sense to me. The reason we need the immigrants to make this country survive? when I was growing up, I worked for very low wages, bucked bales for .02 per bale, walked beans for 2.00 per hour, but I learned what work was, the kids today get everything handed to them, free, they do not have to work, or, they can collect a welfare check. I work now for a low wage being self employed, but I would just as soon work, whatever the pay and have pride that I support myself,than not work and wait on a handout.

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Davis In SC

01-12-2007 14:46:11




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to JT, 01-12-2007 12:52:26  
The sight of cheap Chinese imported items makes me sick! I have spent my life in manufacturing, and seen the results of imports. Almost all of the textile mills are gone from our area, now the other manufacturing plants are fading fast, at least once a week, there is news of another closing. I see items selling retail, for less than the raw materials cost here. No way that US factories can compete...

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derek mcpherson

01-12-2007 06:16:40




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
I like harbor freight as well, I buy welding
supplies there, no prob's either. I'll admit
a large portion of their product's aren't worth
2 cents. But I have bought a angle grinder that
lasted good, considering how hard I worked it. I have a porta-band from there, it works great.



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graygander

01-12-2007 06:07:45




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
Harbor Freight is OK. They make no secret of where their stuff is made and the price reflects it. What pisses me off is all the name brand stuff that is now made in china, durn near same price as when it was made here. They just shipped all the tooling from the plants here to over there I think. Black&Decker/Dewalt and Cooper(Plumb&crescent) are two of the worst in my opinion.....



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Dick2

01-12-2007 06:05:32




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
Some of their stuff is better than others; It's up to you to sort out which are good and which are poor quality. Overall, their quality has improved over the years on many items.

But it's just like everything else: "You make the decisions, pay your money and take your chances."

After fighting continuous problems with Ford vehicles, I now drive Toyotas and enjoy the respite from all of the problems I used to have with vehicles.

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dan hill

01-12-2007 05:29:37




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
My son was building a house.we dug a well with a back hoe.He needed a hand pump to get water.I took my old hand pump and pipe and put it in his well.I always like to have a hand pump on my well in the summer time.Neighbors like it when the power is off.Ordered out a hand pump from harbor fright.The top was off the pump body .I soon found that the top needed a lot of grinding to make it fit.Got that fitted ok.The water it pumped tasted like an old rubber hose. took it apart and found the cup leather and foot valve were made from an old car tire not the usual leather.Couldnt drink the water.It worked for a while until the rubber parts jammed up.Gave it to a friend who wanted it for a lawn ornament.Found a new Columbiana pump with a brass cylinder for 8.00 at a yard sale.Found that the columbiana pump co was out of business be cause of cheap china junk pumps.Gave up on harbor fright after that.All the TV business went to China.I did well selling and repairing US made TV sets.I gave up about 10 years ago and most small shops closed around here.When your job gets sent to china you will understand.GM and Ford auto workers know why..

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railhead

01-12-2007 04:00:19




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
Hope you have better luck with their stuff than I have. I don't buy there anymore.



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MarkB_MI

01-12-2007 03:58:56




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
Glad you are happy with your purchases, but don't complain when your job goes to China. Personally, I'd rather do without a tool than buy that cheap junk at HF.

Example: I have a Harbor Freight air drill. (I didn't buy, a got it when I bought an airplane project and the seller threw all of his tools into the deal.) This drill is loud, doesn't have much torque and it has an "on-off" trigger that is so bad it makes the drill unusable. I think these go for about 30 bucks at HF. I also have a Sioux air drill, purchased brand new off eBay for 100 bucks. It is quiet, powerful and has a very nice "teasing" type trigger. The Sioux drill is a joy to use and made in the USA. So I can spend 30 bucks for something that is useless, or 100 bucks to a top-of-line made in the USA tool. It's not a hard choice for me.

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IH2444

01-12-2007 09:04:31




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to MarkB_MI, 01-12-2007 03:58:56  
Too many times now-a-days if you buy an American brand of tool it is also made in China.
Chinese parts are in virtually everything we buy, regardless of where it is made.



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Richard Fazio

01-12-2007 05:21:59




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to MarkB_MI, 01-12-2007 03:58:56  
Mark what plane project did you get? Just curious. It's amazing the diversity of guys on this board.



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MarkB_MI

01-12-2007 18:22:42




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to Richard Fazio, 01-12-2007 05:21:59  
Richard,

It is a Bushby Mustang II. Not too much different than your RV. I just have the center section kit, which is the center 8 feet of the wing. (M-II's have a three-piece wing.) The previous builder hadn't done much with it, so it was basically a new kit. Just started last year and I have a lot of work ahead of me. I does give me some appreciation of the work you put into your RV.

Hope to see you at Oshkosh this year! (You'll be flying and I'll be driving.)

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Richard Fazio

01-13-2007 09:44:18




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to MarkB_MI, 01-12-2007 18:22:42  
I doubt I'll make Oshkosh. Even if I get it in the air this spring I'll have to fly off my 40 hours. I'll be happy just to get it in the air this summer. Next summer will be my travel with it year. I always tell people that ask if I'm going to Oshkosh or Sun & Fun that I'm going when I can fly there. Good luck with the Mustang. They are cool looking planes.



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hay

01-12-2007 03:07:14




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
"the sweetness of cheap prices is forgotton sooner than the bitterness of poor quality".



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Dannie

01-12-2007 02:24:37




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to ddsinc, 01-11-2007 23:08:44  
Ever have an expensive tool repaired, it is very expensive.



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JT

01-12-2007 12:44:12




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 Re: I love harbor frieght! in reply to Dannie, 01-12-2007 02:24:37  
Ever had a cheap tool repaired??? You can't, you buy a new one.



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