When to buy harbor freight tools [Archive] (2024)

underthetire

4th May 2016, 10:34

Mal

4th May 2016, 13:00

scottns

4th May 2016, 15:18

I got this tap and die set for $16 (little less actually. Had the 20% off coupon too) to clean up the thread on my damper. I may never use it again but it will solve my problem. I think I'll get my money's worth. :D Very convenient having a store a few miles from me.

http://users.wpi.edu/~ss/images/Miata/tapdie.JPG

Mal

4th May 2016, 19:36

Keith Green

4th May 2016, 20:40

^ Don't use it to tap threads in anything you care about. Ask me how I know.....

I've had two sets from HF now for many many years (SAE and metric). It actually was one of the first items I bought there. Though rarely used, they have served their purpose well.

underthetire

4th May 2016, 21:02

^ Don't use it to tap threads in anything you care about. Ask me how I know.....

Ya, those taps break easily.

Ziataguy

4th May 2016, 21:02

OSULemon

4th May 2016, 21:04

Agree, except Craftsman has plunged so far downhill it's hard to call it a step up any more. I like more Pittsburgh Pro hand tools than I do Craftsman.

What is happening to me...

scottns

4th May 2016, 22:06

^ Don't use it to tap threads in anything you care about. Ask me how I know.....

Only using it to clean up existing threads. Should be fine.

flylow7f39

5th May 2016, 11:02

Only using it to clean up existing threads. Should be fine.

Best to use thread chasers to clean up existing threads. They don't remove metal and are the preferred tool for the job.

The tap/die set is mostly intended for cutting threads, so if you are trying to straighten or clean a thread it may take off material you really wanted to keep. I have both and have found them both invaluable.

Those that use tap and dies for existing thread would, IMO, be better off using something like the made in the USA Lang (formerly called Kastar) set (http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/-48-pc-sae-metric-rethreading-kit/0000000030740) I use.

scottns

5th May 2016, 15:13

Best to use thread chasers to clean up existing threads. They don't remove metal and are the preferred tool for the job.

The tap/die set is mostly intended for cutting threads, so if you are trying to straighten or clean a thread it may take off material you really wanted to keep. I have both and have found them both invaluable.

Those that use tap and dies for existing thread would, IMO, be better off using something like the made in the USA Lang (formerly called Kastar) set (http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/-48-pc-sae-metric-rethreading-kit/0000000030740) I use.

Trying to clean this up...

http://users.wpi.edu/~ss/images/Miata/threads.JPG

scottns

5th May 2016, 18:55

MMoondog

6th May 2016, 20:10

I didn't notice the choice, "When Hell freezes over" :rofl: :rofl:

This is such a sensitive subject between devotees and the over my dead body types I was going to just let it go because its the weekend.

I guess I WILL just let this go. :rofl: :rofl:

Pavement Narrows

6th May 2016, 22:58

I've still got one of those Budweiser t shirts: Let it go Louie, let it go.

I buy the cheap stuff when it seems like I would be an idiot not to. The problem with Snap on is I would feel like an idiot to pay those prices. Depends on what it is and the odds that someone else is going to get their hands on it.

I couldn't say how cheap tap/dies work, never having tried any. But I tried Chinese end mills and they didn't last. I bought a 7/16 tap from Fastenall and paid $23 for it and have to say that it works pretty well so far. But it is marked 'made in China'. HSS, of coarse.

Rich Wilkman

7th May 2016, 10:44

You don't own the tool for that job. Or it's an Inigo Montoya moment of "you keep using that word..." There's no material to "clean up". :)

If the threads at that end of the fastener matter, replace the fastener.

-Rich

Trying to clean this up...
http://users.wpi.edu/~ss/images/Miata/threads.JPG

scottns

7th May 2016, 11:02

Ski-Patroller

11th May 2016, 14:05

I realize that I buy quite a few HF tools. Some motorized ones like a Plate Compactor that are quite expensive, and some others like a set of punches, hole punches, or Alpha Numeric stamps that are quite cheap.

I know you mostly get what you paid for, but I've generally been pretty happy. My Plate Compactor and Log Splitter have been very good. I needed a couple of punches yesterday and found I had a full set, including the sizes I needed. If I did this stuff for a living, I might want higher quality, but most of these have served me well.

OTOH. I would never buy a circular saw, table saw, band saw, router, or any serious cordless tool from HF. I use my Wood shop and construction tools a lot and it is important to me that they are very accurate, work very well and feel good in the hand. If I just needed them for one or two jobs (like the HF SDS roto-hammer) I might still buy HF stuff.

Cookie_Monster

13th May 2016, 12:34

Yup, it's about my thoughts for tiers of tools as well:

1 Grade: Snap-On and some other Made in USA misc tools (I can't think of the brands off the top of my head)
2 Grade: Craftsman (sears), Husky (HD), Kobalt (Lowes)
3 Grade/Disposable tools: Harbor Fright / Dollar Store

The thing that really pisses me off though is Craftsman used to build near top grade tools, back when they were all Made in the USA. And bc of the volume Craftsman used to sell at, the prices were pretty good. Some of the best prices for made in USA tools.

Now that Sears is a basically a skeleton of it's old self, run by a crappy investment banker, Craftsman sold itself out to China and the quality has REALLY gone down in the past 8 years. As a matter of fact sometimes I wonder if they contact the HF factory in China and ask them to paint some tools in Red and Black to sell.

underthetire

13th May 2016, 12:57

revrico

13th May 2016, 13:03

Oddly enough, it's tool accessories that keep me going back to HF even more than tools. socket set cases in particular. My crapsman one was the most frustrating hunk of plastic I've ever dealt with. Spend 2 hours putting everything where it goes, close it, and everything falls to the bottom. GARBAGE.

Unless it's a life or death kind of tool, HF is just the way to go, especially now that there is one 15 minutes away. Pittsburgh Pro line has outlasted many junk Kobalt and Crapsman tools for me already, and even Husky has been suffering from quality problems lately.

truck brand tools just aren't worth the premium anymore. Everyone has cheaped out the past few years EXCEPT the cheap brands, those have definitly gone up in quality.

SnapOn, Mac, Craftsman, these words used to mean quality. Now they just mean premium crap.

whitrzac

13th May 2016, 17:53

As someone who works with their tools everyday, craftsman is still better than hobofreight.

I had a hf prybar handle break with just my wight on it, flew 25+ yards and almost hit a car. Had it hit someone I would have been in deep crap.

The ratchets are massive and have 4? teeth on them, same with the ratcheting wrenches. The rachets included in the craftsman kits are not as nice as the ones hanging on the wall.

Sockets are not as precise as craftsman, and are thicker.

Screwdrivers are hit/miss. At least the craftsman ones look nicer.

drill bits/Bits/chisels/etc is no comparison hobofreight does not do hardened metal at all.

Cookie_Monster

14th May 2016, 11:26

^^^ Yea it's totally dependant on the tool now. It's hit or miss for me on half the craftsman stuff these day. I've pretty much stopped going to sears since they sold out craftsman. (Most sears are just graveyards anyways these days)

The worst is when I see BLATANT same tools just painted a different color. For example, jack stands... HF, Craftsman, Husky... same factory in China just painted different colors. HF sells them cheaper, which is hilarious considering its the SAME jack stand.

Unusualdesigner

14th May 2016, 19:59

Everytime I go by a pawn shop and have the time I wander inside and look at their tool selection. Most of the times the old, used stuff, Proto, Snap-On, etc is passed over by people looking for "new" stuff.

I have found -and bought- several pieces that way at way under even Harbor Fright prices.

facelesS_el

22nd May 2016, 19:41

TopDownIfNoFrostBite

29th May 2016, 13:31

underthetire

29th May 2016, 14:57

Made a HF run yesterday.
5 drawer tool cart (or rool cart as it says on the box) for tools that I need in the garage and the race trailer. $170 with the June coupon.
Also got the extension tray.
Another pair of the aluminum jack stands.

Ha, me to. Bought the ac gauge set, as my plastic one decided to leak and drain my can.

Hurt

13th June 2016, 09:22