Harbor Freight acceptable tools list

just look up harborfreight.com and you will see what they have on sale

I’ve got the digital caliper… I’ve tried to replace it with more expensive ones, but so far the HF one outlasts the “better” ones, it’s a crazy-good cheap tool. You’ll also want to get a HF Multi-tool… there on sale locally for $34.00. Sands, cuts… works incredibly good. I’ve also have a HF finish nailer that is probably 15 years old and does a great job… but I’ve had two other HF nailers that just barely made it home until the broke…

-- There is a fine line between eroticism and nausea...

GMman, I am not looking for the sales items… I am looking for a list of products that HF sells that are better quality than their typical junk.

Thanks iamwelty, I am relieved to hear that the calipers aren’t junk.

-- San Diego, CA

How funny :-)

I wish it were that simple.

There’s a place in MY world for HF, but … it’s not enough to list the acceptable tools. You have to be really vigilant, and really lucky.

Even within the good tools, you have to get a good one.

In other words, their quality is all over the map. People might recommend their bar clamps, but … spend a little time going through their stock. You’ll likely find BIG differences in finish, machining, precision, etc.

IME, that’s the HF game: You gotta’ be asking yourself ONE question: Do I feel lucky?

Well?

Do ya’ ... punk? :-)

[I hope it’s clear that was a “Dirty Harry” line, and not an insult :-)]

-- -- Neil

LOL… I got the reference NBeener :)

-- San Diego, CA

Well I would say that most if not all is junk I got some of their tools and after a few use the go to the dump, don’t go waste your money.

I have heard some people have real good luck with their stuff, but I hear a lot more people that don’t.

If it’s something that you plug in, hit it with a hammer or sharpen, I will avoid it.
I would rather spend more to get something reputable.

Their “C” clamps, wheels, gloves and things like that I have no complaints about.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

This is a horrible fright gem:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42340

It gets a lot of use on my lathe. I go there for rubber gloves and Titebond glue.

-- It must be jelly baby, cause jam don't shake like that...

I have the digital caliper too… they work just fine.

I also have a hose real and it works good.

I also have about 30 of the 6 in clamps from china and love em.

I have a framing nailer and roofing nailer that are as good or better than my bostish gun.

that’s a good start on list… I also have covered my floors in their mats when on sale.

Good luck,

Grub

-- Science Teacher by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

I actually have that Chuck hairy… can’t beat $7.99 for how much I use it.

Oh, and the fact I have a coupon for 66% off the calipers isn’t bad either :)

-- San Diego, CA

I have purchased their 2 hp dust collectors , 3/4” pipe clamps (lots of them) digital calipers. All of these items I have found to be good tools considering their cost and I would buy them again. On the other hand I have returned many other tools of theirs because they were junk.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Google harbor freight gems and you will find some lists.

http://woodworkerszone.com/wiki/index.php?title=Harbor_Freight_Gems

-- ALS IK KAN “to the best of my ability,”

Neil: Ha. That’s funny you quoted Dirty Harry and then had to explain it.

It’s funny because I just quoted Wesley Snipes line from “White Men Can’t Jump” to a friend of my daughter’s that I don’t know that well, but I called her first to make sure it was okay. He finally beat me in a game of Words With Friends on our iPhones so I told him “The sun even shines on a dog’s ass some days”.

Interpim: I am happy with the digital dial indicator (shown here: http://lumberjocks.com/Bothus/blog/11179). But I agree with most people here about their quality.

Did you search LJ for “Habor Freight”? I just did and there are a lot of reviews of different tools.

Good luck.

Bothus

-- Jerry Boshear, Professional Kitchen Designer, amature woodworker.

Grub32: I was planning to buy their hose reel. Glad to hear you are happy with it.

Bothus

-- Jerry Boshear, Professional Kitchen Designer, amature woodworker.

Im with a1jim, I purchased one of the 2hp dust collectors not to long ago and it works great in my shop so far. I am looking to replace the bag filter with a wynn but other than that it was hard to beat for $140. I will also have to agree with the others, gloves, hammers, items with non moving parts I would purchase. The other items I would take a very close look at prior to purchase. You can always search the forums to see what kind of luck others have had with a certain tool.

-- Greg Elam - Berea, Kentucky