“Harbor Freight is junk that even WalMart won’t sell.”
If you can show me a set of tools I can buy that won’t bleed me dry, I’ll be more than happy to check them out. I don’t mean to be snarky ... I am dead serious.
Everything in the cheap-to-midrange grade of tools is made in China these days. The stuff that isn’t made in China is professional grade equipment that I cannot justifying buying.
I am not a mechanic ... I just want a set of tools to get various jobs done that don’t cost a fortune. If you have any suggestions, I am all ears! :-) If I can avoid funding China, I’m game! :-)
Buy used high end tools.
Not a sarcastic comment.
It’s what I do sometimes to get a product that I could not afford new.
I have had pretty good luck with it...cars, phones...
Many hand tools, suitable for the work bench, are made in India. The quality runs the gamet, and prices are low. Look through HF for “complete sets” of sockets and wrenches.
Try Home Depot or Lowes. I can’t stand the Depot but they do have decent hand tools. I like Menards but their tools are junk.
I hear you loud and clear. The tools are low quality, no doubt, but they’re probably good enough. I don’t buy anything from there, I can’t stomach the thought.
These guys sell mostly American tools, some a decent surplus prices.
https://www.harryepstein.com/
Another one you might not have heard of:
https://www.tekton.com/
Some of their tools are made in USA, everything that is not made here is made in Taiwan.
I get much of my tool kit at the flea market, or did before the present CCPV unpleasantness.
SK Tools.
Pretty much anything from a chain auto parts store or Home Depot/Lowes is decent. Still China but 10 times better than HF.
There’s just not much made in the USA any more. We can’t compete globally for cheap stuff with the likes of China, India etc.
SK tools are still made in the US. They’re more expensive than Harbor Freight wrenches, but are stupendously better.
Mrs.Lucky bought me a set of SK socket wrenches for my birthday the 1st year we were married. Almost 50 years later, they’re good as new (and I’ve used ‘em hard)
I have bought good used American made tools (MAC, SK, Snap-on, Proto) on eBay for a reasonable price.
A lot of tools that say made in China, actually are made in Taiwan. A lot of really good tools are made in Taiwan.
We often don’t have choice which is why the USA needs a uniform across the board import tariff of 20%.
Watch for local auctions and estate sales..be sure to check both “on site” and online auctions. I have done many auctions where the owner of a car repair shop was going out of business or had to retire for health reasons. The high-end tools won’t be “cheap” but they will be about 20-40% of new cost depending on the other bidders and the popularity of the tool.
However, if you keep a REALLY close eye on estate/downsizing sales...there are many guys who just like to work on cars who have accumulated Snap-On & Mac tools for their home garages. Those sales don’t attract the guys who have racing shops or existing shops, because there is not a large quantity...just this and that, but many basics. The tools at those sales can go for 10%-15% of new prices (they may be older, but that might be a good thing)! Plus, you can often pick up nice, older Snap-On & Mac tool cabinets.
Look at Auctionzip, Hibid, or Proxibid to find local sales. Might take you awhile, but you too can accumulate the vast array of really nice tools that I’ve seen in dozens of home garages. I’ve talked to the owners..that is exactly how they aquired them:)