Knowingly Buying Cheap Tools

[fritz eng]

How many times have you bought tools knowing that they are cheap quality but sufficient to get the job done and of occasional use? I recently bought a half-round rasp and I only wanted it to hog out a hole but didn't want to spend the bucks for a large diameter forstner bit.

[BOB OLINGER]

Lots of times, like a flooring nail gun and roofing nail gun from HF to name a couple - cheaper than renting, plus more flexibility. Just bought the cheapest large pad sander that I could find to surface a counter top.

[Doug Dawson]

How many times have you bought tools knowing that they are cheap quality but sufficient to get the job done and of occasional use? I recently bought a half-round rasp and I only wanted it to hog out a hole but didn't want to spend the bucks for a large diameter forstner bit.

That's what Harbor Freight is for. For anything I might use again, not. For anything that might hurt me if it breaks, not. For big dum lugs, like an engine hoist or an anvil, maybe, but I still don't trust the hydraulics. For anything that requires precision, not.

By way of example, I was once given a gift of one of those Harbor Freight rotary chain saw attachments for my angle grinder, because the giver had seen someone else use one for cutting brush very effectively. I asked, what did he look like? Well, he only had one arm. I returned it.

Gimme a sandwich.

[mike stenson]

That's what Harbor Freight is for. For anything I might use again, not. For anything that might hurt me if it breaks, not. For big dum lugs, like an engine hoist or an anvil, maybe, but I still don't trust the hydraulics. For anything that requires precision, not. Gimme a sandwich.

I've used a lot of HF jacks. Including my current jack. Both in the shop, and in the paddock. Also jack stands, for that matter. They also seem to be the most common ones I've seen in paddocks.

[Doug Dawson]

I've used a lot of HF jacks. Including my current jack. Both in the shop, and in the paddock. Also jack stands, for that matter. They also seem to be the most common ones I've seen in paddocks.

I've seen them drop cars. It happens so fast you don't even see it, and God help you if you're under it without auxiliary support. If you see somebody using one for your car, I'd suggest going somewhere else.

[johnny means]

Define cheap. There's affordable, then there's poorly made.

[Doug Dawson]

Define cheap. There's affordable, then there's poorly made.

The operative phrase was "cheap quality".

[Erik Loza]

Got my share of HF tools. But I if I needed a Mafell or Snap-on, I would probably buy one instead. Price has to justify the cost.

Erik

[mike stenson]

I've seen them drop cars. It happens so fast you don't even see it, and God help you if you're under it without auxiliary support. If you see somebody using one for your car, I'd suggest going somewhere else.

Why would anyone work on a car only supported by a jack? That is pretty much the definition of stupidity.

btw, I've seen more than a couple jacks fail. Some with pretty expensive names on the side.

[Prashun Patel]

i buy plenty of cheap tools but only when I don't need them to perform like expensive tools.

If you know what to expect, then there's no controversy.

[Doug Dawson]

Why would anyone work on a car only supported by a jack? That is pretty much the definition of stupidity.

It's not just the person lowering the car (after reaching in to pull out the stands or whatever.) It's the car itself. Cars have feelings too. They can be hurt. :^)

And just because somebody is stupid, doesn't mean they deserve to die a slow agonizing death. The world would be a much smaller place.

[mike stenson]

And just because somebody is stupid, doesn't mean they deserve to die a slow agonizing death. The world would be a much smaller place.

Yea, that is true. Doesn't change what I said. Most of the time I've seen jacks fail, they've been ignored and failed by neglect. That includes the HF ones.

[Doug Dawson]

Yea, that is true. Doesn't change what I said. Most of the time I've seen jacks fail, they've been ignored and failed by neglect. That includes the HF ones.

The problem with the HF jacks is poor control of tolerances with the hydraulic seals. The better manufacturers will have QC at the point of production. With HF, what comes off the boat is what you get.

[Ole Anderson]

Lets see, I have a Harbor Freight:
-chainsaw sharpener
-carbide blade sharpener
-1-1/8" SDS impact drill/hammer
-Flooring nail gun
-pneumatic stapler
-T-handle hex wrench set
-60" F-style aluminum clamps (Four of them)

Not for frequent use, but all have served me well.

[Matt Day]

We got it Doug, you don’t care for HF hydraulics.

[Brian Holcombe]

Not at all, I’d rather buy good used if my budget won’t accommodate good new. I admire thriftiness but I think buying single use tools ends up being the opposite of that.

[Andrew Seemann]

Back to the original question.

Yes, I have bought something cheap enough to get the job done knowing it is cheap and because I wouldn't use it much. And sometimes I have replaced it with a better item. I think people sometimes get too hung up on the "buy the best once, pay once" thing. Not everything you own needs to be the best, and not many people have the resources to always buy the best. Not to mention you don't always know what you will end up up liking and needing better, or only using once.

I bought one of those cheap short radius tubing cutters for a specific project. I ended up liking it and using it far more often than I thought I would have, to the point of starting to wear it out, so I bought the better Ridgid version. Would it have been cheaper to have bought the Ridgid one first, well yes, but I had know way of knowing that at the time. Yet I bought the cheap HD version of the good Ridgid flare tool rather than the good Ridgid one, because I am quite certain I will probably only do a few dozen more flares in my life, and it would have been a total waste of money to spend the extra $100 on the top quality Ridgid one.

[Jacob Mac]

I have a lot of nice tools accumulated over the years on deals, discounts, used etc. Even new when nothing panned out for getting things cheap.

But I also have a lot of HF tools. Some are exceptional, some are really solid, some break quickly. It has served me well, especially when I was in my 20s and was poor

[Jim Dwight]

I bought a HF angle grinder to cut some ceramic tile thinking it should last through that project. I still have it and it works fine. I also have HF pneumatic nailers including flooring, framing, 15 gauge finish, three other staplers, etc.. The flooring stapler/nailer leaks air but works. It has done 1000 ft2 or more at this point. I am pretty sure I can fix the leak.

I also have a HF floor jack. It does not lower cars gracefully. Unless I want to spend >$300 on a floor jack, I don't think I can get one that works better. It used to work better than it does now but works OK. I jack cars up with it but I put a stand under the car before I go under it. If I had a $500 floor jack I still wouldn't work under it without a stand. My jack raises the car just fine. That is it's job. It is sturdily made with good sized castings and flat stock. If the hydraulics ever start leaking where it won't raise a car and hold it while a stand is inserted, I will rebuild or replace it. My stands are also HF and I do work under the car with them supporting it and I don't worry even a little bit about it.

I've also wasted money on junk at HF before. Things that did not work. But their tools seem to be getting better. I still do not want a CMS from them, or a bandsaw, or other important tool. But for many things, they are just fine. It's OK to be a HF hater, but it means you will waste some money.

[Tom M King]

The 1/2" breaker bar, currently on sale at HF for $14.95, is actually a decent one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmvK7h7ZL2A

Recently, I needed a second floor jack, so we could jack up one end, or side of a 40' shipping container without getting in harm's way with a bottle jack. First I checked CL. There was a SnapOn for $400. Then I checked HF. They had the Daytona jack for $99. It looked identical to the SnapOn. It did the job just fine, and even lowered nicer than my old reliable. My favorite tire dealer uses four of them in each bay, and cars, and trucks are lifted quicker than if they used lifts. So far, I'm pretty impressed with the Daytona jacks, but am still leary of the Pittsburgh anything, except for that breaker bar.

I recently had to cut some !"-8 threads in cast iron. The regular breaker bar was too uncomfortable with the small, all metal handle. The comfortable handle worked good.

Before there were HF stores around here, I have used the 24.95 4-1/2" grinders, sold in Walmart, for cutting flashing slots in old chimneys, and stone foundations, using a water hose. I didn't want to use a good grinder in that environment. Even those grinders, used half under water, last Way longer than I ever expected them to.

I don't mind spending money on tools, but I try to make it go farther.

[Myles Moran]

Most of my sockets and wrenches are from harbor freight. I've had very good luck with them and the lifetime warranty is great. They are really taking over that market segment craftsman used to dominate in. I've also got a fair number of clamps from them. They're not k-bodies, but they do a very nice job for the bar clamp that they are.

[Darcy Warner]

I can't afford to buy cheap tools.

[Carl Crout]

I have a 20 ton pneumatic over hydraulic HF Jack. I have used it to lift numerous farm equipment over the past 8 years and it still doesn't leak. They also included a replacement seat of o rings if needed.
Last year I bought a HF Daytona floor jack. So far so good!

I will not buy their power tools or welders. I did just buy their drill press and it looks nearly like my 30 year old Craftsman