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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I never go to HF for anything, but the other day I did find a holder for the mig welder torch that I dont think will fail or wear out. Picked up some other stuff that I dont know anything about. I dont like their motor driven drills and such. To cheap to work to long. It is the throw of the dice....any commemnts.
 
I bought a good looking drill bit set there a coupe months ago.After about 30 seconds of drilling metal they are dull.I put a bit in my vise and bent it over 90 degrees with a hammer.I bought one of those 2 quart paint guns last summer that had so may leaks i could not use it.I'll go to napa and pay a lot more,but get something that works.
 
everytime i go there or odd lots i try to find something worth bringing home, nine out of ten times i come home empty handed.
 
It's not only harbor freight, I got a set of Dewalt drill bits, the first time I used it a bit bent. so much for quality.
 
I stop at an HF store on occasion because it's located where I go past frequently anyway.

There are good deals to be had and some not so good deals. You just have to know your merchandise, be able to spot what's decent, and pass over what isn't. I've bought a fair amount of stuff and have rarely been disappointed. They once had 1/2 inch air impact wrenches on special for $9.99. For that price, I just had to try one. It's been flawless and easily out-performs a Black and Decker unit I've had for years.

Their DA sander discs are great--until you try to peel them off the pad. Those suckers lock onto the pad like you wouldn't believe. They come off in pieces.

Like I said, you just have to be able to spot the good from the bad.
 
That's where ya went wrong. NEVER buy cheap drills. They'll always be made out of high carbon teel, not High Speed Steel and they won't last, even in wood.

Most cutting tools from HF aren't worth the money. We did buy a 10 pack of grinding wheels for our angle grinder and while they don't last as long as a better brand name wheel, they're ok. I also bought a needle file set there and so far they're much better than I thought. Snapped 2 because they are nice & hard and they don't bend much.

I have a 90* die grinder that I bought 2 years ago, and so far so good. Use it on a regular basis and oil it every time I pull it out. I also have a couple magnetic pickup tools, and a small mirror for use in the machine shop. No complaints from me, but I know what I'm looking for and don't expect much from them so I'm rarely truely disapointed.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
When you can walk out with a four inch angle grinder for around $10.00, I consider it a good deal even if you only use it a few times. I have a lot time on that grinder already.. Different story on the hvlp paing gun, a total piece of junk. I guess some times you win, and some times you lose. Stan
 
I bought a 4 1/2" angle grinder for about $18.00. I've used the heck out of it for over a year, both as a grinder and with a cut-off wheel to cut sheet metal while doing body work. It's still going strong.
 
I just bought a 20 gallon parts washer there last week. So far it works fine. Seems to be a good machine. For the price, if it lasts me through rebuilding my tractor engine, I will have got my money out of it.

Adam - WI
 
I put bamboo floor in my vacation house last summer. To rent a flooring nailer woulda been about $40/day. I went to HF and bought their flooring nailer and a pancake compressor for about $225 total. Gave the compressor to my son in law when I was done, and I'm keeping the nailer for when I put hardwood in my main home in the next couple years. Never had a moments trouble with it, at least nothing I can blame on the nailer.
 
I have bought a lot from HF over the years. Like said, know what you are looking for, know what a comparable unit cost retail, know how you are going to use it, know how long you expect it to last.

I have purchased a concrete mixer, oxy/acetelyne torch rig, aluminum floor jack, jack stands, numerous air tools including a HVLP gravity gun, small parts storage bins, various specialty hand tools to use occasionally. I shy away from their power tools, they are horrible. Most air tools and paint guns (professional... series) are of good quality for the price.

Just remember, buyer beware. Use your judgement as for the quality varies. I like to examine each item before I buy, sometimes a lemon lies in the box. The HVLP gravtiy gun I bought (20 oz, Purple Gun) is EXCELLENT! It lays down a fine finish.

Charles
 
The hvlp gun I purchased would always leak around the top. It would never tighten. The nozzle had a air leak, thet would never seal. You must have got a good one. Stan
 
You usally get what you pay for. I buy alot of this and that from H.F. I always keep the receipt and I will return the item if I'm unhappy or it does'nt work as it should. Just remember to do it within 30days and you won't learn the hard way as I did. I buy alot of the cheap wenchs and hand tools to put in my tractor tool boxes, 5th wheel camper, flatbed trailier box, various different locations where I may need a tool for a guick fix. The price is right and if its lost or broke its not a big deal. I then keep all my good tools at my main work shop for the big jobs or repairs.
 
I've bought quite a few items that have worked well. Bought several cheap wrench sets and put them in tractor/combine tool boxes. Used one set quite extensively and never had a problem. The cheap air grinders don't have much power but have use them quite often on easier grinding. Bought the heavy duty "sawzall" for a cutoff job I needed done and it worked fine. Many clamps and the anvil (better to beat on than my vice) work great. Bought the drill press that someone recommended on another forum, and for it's price, it also works great. Drilled and tapped a couple of hardened drive couplings for grease zerks on the combine, and saved $120. Don't know if I would buy drill bits, or machine tools but for limited/casual use Harbor Freight can work.
 
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