This is why I buy nothing from Harbor freight. If I need tools I purchase made in America brands. It costs a bit more, but I feel in the long run its worth it to not “bust my knuckles” when a piece of junk Chinese wrench rounds off on a nut and slips.
-JM2B
“This is why I buy nothing from Harbor freight. If I need tools I purchase made in America brands. It costs a bit more, but I feel in the long run its worth it to not “bust my knuckles” when a piece of junk Chinese wrench rounds off on a nut and slips.”
I haven’t bought from Harbor Freightg in probably 12-15 years because of that. Almost 30 years ago, Harbor Freight sold Japanese made tools, then it went to Indian made then to Chinese. The drop in quality is astounding.
You’re absolutely correct.
The thing that the average consumer doesn’t understand is that the quality of Chinese steel is crap. Utter and complete crap, and when you need a tool to hold up, you could be rudely surprised, injured or killed.
Here’s a little indication about the difference between ChiCom steel and US steel: on several of our farm machines, we use roller chains - from size 50 up to size 80 chain.
I had a US-made chain snap recently (I overloaded the machine, something had to give). Bought some bulk roller chain at True Value — of course, it was made in China.
The Chinese chain lasted all of five hours. Almost all the rollers came off the chain - the steel is simply too soft to be on a roller chain.
I generally avoid buying tools at Lowes/HomeDepot. The "house brands" are all made in China. I go to Sears ... Craftsman is still made in USA.