Owning their tools is like being a kid a couple of days after Christmas when all of the Chinese toys are trashed.
I’ve built an entire woodworking and automotive shop with mostly their tools. I’ve replaced starters, AC compressor, steering racks, etc., and the only broken tools have been a drill and saber saw, both abused.
That’s funny, but I have a bunch of HF bench tools, and they work fairly well. The worst is the drill press, it works, but the bit tends to be wobbly, good enough for most jobs, but I just can’t seem to center it perfectly.
...a week before all of them are either worn out or broken.
Yes, some are crap, but with eyes open there some good deals to be had.
They had magnetic parts trays for a buck each.
I gave one to most of the adults on my local Christmas list! Not just gear heads, also hand for sewing, anything with small parts...
Cheaper than Christmas cards!!!
$1000 worth of Harbor Freight tools should last about a week before all of them are either worn out or broken.
I only buy harbor freight tools for stuff I rarely need to do.
For example I bought a large heavy duty hammer drill that you can blow 1-2” inch holes through concrete like it is butter. I paid a $100 for it after coupon. I have only used 2 times so far. If I bought the dewalt version it would have been around $700 give or take. I will probably use this drill 4-5 times in my life. And it seems like it at least last that long.
For rare uses, I will buy HF
Stuff I will NOT buy at Harbor Freight
-battery powered tools, they are really cheap made and you can actually buy hitachi, porter cable (lowes brand) or even low end dewalt stuff for about the same price or $5-20 more
-Car jumpers, I can buy brand name stuff for about the same price or less
-OBDII scanners, I can buy brand name for about the same price
-drill bits, they all suck, except for certain single use stuff like concrete bits or long extension bits I rarely use.
-batteries, they just suck, I can buy better brands on amazon for less money shipped to my door in 2 days (unless you are getting them free with coupon, then go for it)
-multimeters, they suck, I can buy better stuff at home deport/lowes for about the same price, unless they have the free with coupon one. however I found these meters to not be the most accurate.
- Air compressor, again, home depot and other places have them for about the same price. Even Tractor Supply has better brand ones for sometimes less if they run a sale.
- Generators/Power Washers- home depot, lowes, etc sometimes does better with name brand engines.