harbor frieght tools that don't suck

radioman

radioman

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Does anyone here go shopping in this store and get stuff from them? I am looking for stuff from that store that is worth the time and money to buy. There are some things I am afriad to buy due cheap crap. However, there were a few things I got there that really was worth the money and I can't seem to figure out how they can sell it that cheap for the materail costs alone. The tire changer is one of them. I love the tire changer, and when its on sale with 20% discount coupon, I don't see how they can make a profit on it. Oh well- At least I got stuff that is useful.

What have you guys/gals bought that you liked from harbor frieght?
 
radioman said:
Does anyone here go shopping in this store and get stuff from them? I am looking for stuff from that store that is worth the time and money to buy. There are some things I am afriad to buy due cheap crap. However, there were a few things I got there that really was worth the money and I can't seem to figure out how they can sell it that cheap for the materail costs alone. The tire changer is one of them. I love the tire changer, and when its on sale with 20% discount coupon, I don't see how they can make a profit on it. Oh well- At least I got stuff that is useful.

What have you guys/gals bought that you liked from harbor frieght?
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Can't recall off-hand what I have bought from there but what I have purchased are those things that I might use once a year.....otherwise, I get better quality tools at Sears but not the even better quality than Sears found elsewhere. All depends on how often you will use a particular tool....
 
Tousi said:
Can't recall off-hand what I have bought from there but what I have purchased are those things that I might use once a year.....otherwise, I get better quality tools at Sears but not the even better quality than Sears found elsewhere. All depends on how often you will use a particular tool....
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Good call.
 
Beowulf said:
Meh, I buy my tools in bulk from pawn shops.
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Are you sure those items were not stolen? I used to have this class in agriculture, this teacher's tools were stole from his back of truck and one of his student bought those stuffs at swap meet. Of course he gave those tools back to his teacher.
 
radioman said:
Does anyone here go shopping in this store and get stuff from them? I am looking for stuff from that store that is worth the time and money to buy. There are some things I am afriad to buy due cheap crap. However, there were a few things I got there that really was worth the money and I can't seem to figure out how they can sell it that cheap for the materail costs alone. The tire changer is one of them. I love the tire changer, and when its on sale with 20% discount coupon, I don't see how they can make a profit on it. Oh well- At least I got stuff that is useful.

What have you guys/gals bought that you liked from harbor frieght?
Click to expand...
It is my husband's favorite store, we go there all the time. He looks for anything is on sale then he goes there to buy stuffs. I am waiting for the red wagon with big tires to go on sale to buy for my grandson to pull around in our backyard.
 
jazzy said:
Are you sure those items were not stolen? I used to have this class in agriculture, this teacher's tools were stole from his back of truck and one of his student bought those stuffs at swap meet. Of course he gave those tools back to his teacher.
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That is why I don't buy at pawn shops...... stolen stuff. Even the legitimate stuff was taken from people down on their luck often at a price of 20% PER MONTH interest.

Just feels bad to me.
 
TXgolfer said:
That is why I don't buy at pawn shops...... stolen stuff. Even the legitimate stuff was taken from people down on their luck often at a price of 20% PER MONTH interest.

Just feels bad to me.
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Ooops, that's right...I think I've been in a pawn shop once and it felt creepy. As for my post above, I was thinking of thrift shops. Do any of them have tools? I don't recall seeing any...
 
I have a bunch of HF power tools and hand tools.

My experience:

Their power tools will get the job done, but if I had to make a living off power tools, get name-brand tools. Their tools are good for once in a while use.

Their sockets & ratchets are pretty good (only use the Pittsburgh Professional, not the other brand). Wrenches seem fine to me.

Their screwdrivers suck. Metal is too weak.

Their saw blades suck. Don't last as long as name brands.

Bottom line: for light duty or occasional use, their stuff is fine, but for hardcore, heavy duty use, get something else.


p.s The main reason I have a bunch is that I compare renting tools vs. buying them. It was a lot cheaper to buy HF power tools than to rent for a couple days.
 
jazzy said:
Are you sure those items were not stolen? I used to have this class in agriculture, this teacher's tools were stole from his back of truck and one of his student bought those stuffs at swap meet. Of course he gave those tools back to his teacher.
Click to expand...

TXgolfer said:
That is why I don't buy at pawn shops...... stolen stuff. Even the legitimate stuff was taken from people down on their luck often at a price of 20% PER MONTH interest.

Just feels bad to me.
Click to expand...

Tousi said:
Ooops, that's right...I think I've been in a pawn shop once and it felt creepy. As for my post above, I was thinking of thrift shops. Do any of them have tools? I don't recall seeing any...
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I personally know the owners of two pawn shops, and the tools I buy are pretty well-used. It is far cheaper using them than buying new ones, and I have a deal with them to buy out hard-to-sell items at a big discount. I am sure some were stolen but the owners have no way of knowing. A lot of people buy new tools and sell their old ones, so...
 
Beowulf said:
I personally know the owners of two pawn shops, and the tools I buy are pretty well-used. It is far cheaper using them than buying new ones, and I have a deal with them to buy out hard-to-sell items at a big discount. I am sure some were stolen but the owners have no way of knowing. A lot of people buy new tools and sell their old ones, so...
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They might not "know"....but they know

To each his own. Doesn't feel right buying from those places to me.
 
Tousi said:
Ooops, that's right...I think I've been in a pawn shop once and it felt creepy. As for my post above, I was thinking of thrift shops. Do any of them have tools? I don't recall seeing any...
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:dunno: Best places I know for deals are tool rental places. They often sell their used power tools at a good discount.
 
TXgolfer said:
They might not "know"....but they know

To each his own. Doesn't feel right buying from those places to me.
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That's an over-generalization. Are they psychic?
The pawn shops here charge 10% interest btw.
 
TXgolfer said:
Per Month...... what a deal!!! :lol:

And no, they don't have to be psychic.....
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Get a loan of 100 for an item, and one week later get it back for 110. That's about what a bank would charge anyway.
But yeah, per month. It does add up.
 
Beowulf said:
Get a loan of 100 for an item, and one week later get it back for 110. That's about what a bank would charge anyway.
But yeah, per month. It does add up.
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First....I don't know of any banks that will loan $100 against a tool. But I love to see a bank try to charge 10% interest on a one week loan.


It's amazing to me people bitch about bankers yet look the other way when pawn shop thugs take advantage of the poor.
 
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