Harbor Frieght tools

[Paul Greathouse]

Has anyone had any experience with the power tools and pneumatic nail guns that Harbor Frieght sells. I normally don't buy anything but the big name brands (porter cable, bosch, dewalt, senco, ect) but Harbor Frieght just opened a store in my town and I thought maybe, for the price, some of their tools may be OK for occasional use. Their nail guns appear to be Duo-fast copies.
I know the old line... "You Get What You Pay For" but I was wondering if their tools might be an exception to the rule. Any comments would be appreciated...Paul

[John Branam]

I have been disappointed with some of the power tools from Hf that I have used, I have been very pleased with the 2hp dust collector. The few hand tools I have gotten from there are ok, I have used better and worse.

[Sonny Porter]

I had good luck with a small air compressor, a stapler and a brad nailer. The compressor was only $89 on sale, marked down from around $129. It's an oil bath unit and has performed well for a couple of years now. It kept the nailer going much better once I got good Husky fittings, the HF air fittings leaked so bad, the compressor went on every ten seconds.

The nail guns have worked great, no jams and the nails are cheaper than Home Depot.

[Scott D Johnson]

I buy quite a few tools from them. I am just a hobbyist, but here's my partial list of what I would consider best buys. I have owned quite a few of these tools for over 2 years with regular use and have not had any problems.

1/2" hammerdrill ($25)
8" drill press ($40)
48" alum bar clamps (~$5)
2 hp DC ($170)
14" bandsaw ($235 upgraded to link belt and cool blocks from Woodcraft)
1/2" pipe clamps ($3 each)
Twin tank 2 hp 5 gal compressor ($89)
18 gauge brad nailer (~ $15)
18 guage brad/air driven stapler (~ $20)
6" digital caliper ($15)
HVLP sprayer -turbine style ($80)
many other small "low use tools"
air hose
2 wheel dolly

[Allen Bookout]

Have two of their 6" calipers and they are great.

Bought one small angle grinder and it was toast before 15 minutes was up. And I mean smelly, smoking metal toast. I bought it for a one time emergency use so it worked out OK.

I personally would not buy anything from them that has a motor or a tool to cut something with. Maybe I should say it it cuts or goes round and round, forget it.

[Brad Townsend]

This is my favorite Harbor Freight tool - the $3.00 electric fly swatter.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/40100-40199/40122.gif

[Kent Fitzgerald]

HF has plenty of junk, but also a number of far-better-than-they-have-a-right-to-be-for-the-money bargains for the selective shopper.

I've gotten good use from my HF lathe, turning tools, stationary belt sander, HVLP sprayer, air compressor, nailers, hammer drill, trim router, clamps, and digital calipers, among others. I'll admit that I dropped $6 on the air impact hammer just for entertainment value, but it turned out to be an absolute lifesaver for removing a very stuck machine bearing.

They're also good for stocking up on supplies like disposable gloves.

Don't pay full price, because most of their popular items go on sale every few weeks.

[Brian Hale]

I bought a $29 brad nailer from them and used it long enough to load the magazine twice. Part way through the 3 load it started to jam every 3rd or 4th brad. After about an hour a futzing around with it i tossed it across the shop and into the trash can, climbed in the truck and went to the BORG and bought a PC nailer. That was 4+ years ago and haven't been back to HF since. YMMV

The most expensive tool you can buy is the one that cost the least.

Brian :)

[Tom Hintz]

I also had less than good luck. See the link below for the review. Incidentally, I did the reveiw after several woodworkers offered to send me their guns to see how big of a dud they were.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/hfbrdstplrrvu.html

[Bryan Rocker]

As with all things, buyer be ware. I had the opportunity to go to the Grizzly tool store in Springfield MO. What I saw there was a lot of nice tools. More importantly I saw a number of things that I had to take a second look at to make sure they weren't HF stuff. I bought a 15A tile saw a month ago, it was $100 off at the time. It cut all the Kitchen granite and wall tiles with ease. I would recommend it again. Not all my experiences with HF have been so good. For most of my tools I spend the money and buy the better stuff. Just shop around and you will be alright.

[John Piwaron]

I've gotten stuff from them in the past, and few things in the present. All the hand tools I've ever gotten from them are still with me. All the pneumatic stuff too, thought I must point out my use of them (air ratchet, impact wrench) is rare. The 1/2" electric drill I bought broke very soon after it's purchase. The thing with that drill is that it made the one hole I absolutely had to have.

My current purchases are a furniture dolly (the kind like a low frame on wheels) and a die grinder. I love the dolly, the jury's out on the die grinder.

In my humble opinion, these are o.k. tools for light use. If I think I need a tool and also think it'll get a lot of use over time, I get Porter Cable, Bosch, ect. If I have an immediate need for something to "get 'er done" and don't plan on using it much if ever afterward, or am just learning, then I think Harbor Freight is o.k. But I don't think much of their powered tools and I don't expect much from them either.

As a point of illustration, I think Craftsman power tools are better. And we all know the kinds of opinions some hold on them.

[skip coyne]

I just bought one of the furniture dollies too , I was going to make one but for 15.00 why bother ?

it was great moving cabinets the other day .

I dont expect the same quality from the 7.50 angle grinder that I bought as a 75.00 bosch but it fit my needs

sign up for their email list they send 10 and 20 % off coupons on a regular basis they send email specials about once a week.

just be carefull what you buy , realize it will do limited duty (which is all a lot off us need from certain tools ) and you will be allright.

[Mark Pruitt]

Like many others are saying, be picky about what you buy. The 34706 lathe is a respectable piece of equipment and it happens to be on sale this month IIRC. I bought their 12" disc sander on sale for $75 or $80, a great buy. I've bought drills (corded and cordless) from HF which have been great, and they have good buys on clamps when on sale. But there is also plenty of junk that is a waste of money. Check it out well.
Mark

edit: HF also sells an HVLP spray gun that is dirt cheap when on sale, and actually does a great job.

[Barry Bruner]

I bought the brad nailer that Brian mentioned and a scroll saw, brad nailer had no depth adjustment and no safety tip, don`t get a twich in your finger or its a assault rifle. The scroll saw flew apart after about 15 minutes. Sure wasn`t impressed, I`m sure they have something that is OK but I`m not planning on looking for it.BARRY BRUNER

[Rich Tesoroni]

Picked up a 2lb slide hammer last week to remove a pair of bearings from a bandsaw wheel hub. The cast metal jaw snapped looking at the bearing!

Also have a buffer from when I had a boat. Though it sounded like the bearings were going to fly out, they never did. For $20, it was OK.

Rich

[Charlie Velasquez]

You have to be selective. I like to shop there for stuff that is hard to screw up: loggers' chain and clevis, welding rods, and such. Wife bought me an LED flashlight that attaches to my head (for all my bright ideas).

Best purchase was the furniture moving dollies rated at 1000 pounds. Regularly $15, on sale for $9, plus a $2 off coupon through email. Took the casters off and used them for a material cart I needed. Easily loaded about 800 lbs. (10 sheets of plywood) on the cart and the casters were great. They don't lock, but I don't need them to. Other casters rated at #250 or more were retailing for about $7.50 each.

[wallace chapman]

The 2HP Dust collector is excellent when you can catch it on sale. I also picked up the furniture dollies, excellent for moving cabinets around the shop.

They also have great prices on smaller supplies like clamps (excellent), latex gloves, air tool accessories, etc..

[Paul Greathouse]

Thanks for all the responses, they will be helpful. If someone could advise on one more tool specifically, Harbor Frieghts framing guns. My old Senco 325 will only shoot up to a 12d nail. Since hurricane Rita passed through last fall, they have increased code requirements around here.
We will soon be building a 30x60 shop for my son, so I will need a gun that will shoot 16d nails. I don't do any framing contracting anymore so my senco will still take care of any misc. framing nail driving on other projects, so I will just need a 16d gun for this one project. Does anyone know how their framing guns hold up and more specifically which gun do you have. I noticed at least 4 or 5 different models the last time I was in their store, ranging in price from around $70 - $150.

[scott spencer]

HF stuff is hit and miss. Some items are better than others, but there's higher variability overall than with most brands b/c their QC is poor. Their liberal return policy helps offset the risk. With some items there's very little price advantage to offset the risk, plus the prices fluctuate alot, so you really need to know their pricing to take advantage. I like the $99 mortiser, but my 18 gauge nailer just broke last night after firing less than 100 nails. I've had poor results with their drill bits, but I think the Pittsburg bar clamps for $2-$4 each are great. The 6" digital calipers are great. I've had items like flash lights and hair clippers that were a total waste of money, but the DP vise for $4 is a winner. The allure of cheap tools lives, and HF is the Amsterdam of cheap tools! :rolleyes:

[Stan Mijal]

Thanks for all the responses, they will be helpful. If someone could advise on one more tool specifically, Harbor Frieghts framing guns. My old Senco 325 will only shoot up to a 12d nail. Since hurricane Rita passed through last fall, they have increased code requirements around here.
We will soon be building a 30x60 shop for my son, so I will need a gun that will shoot 16d nails. I don't do any framing contracting anymore so my senco will still take care of any misc. framing nail driving on other projects, so I will just need a 16d gun for this one project. Does anyone know how their framing guns hold up and more specifically which gun do you have. I noticed at least 4 or 5 different models the last time I was in their store, ranging in price from around $70 - $150.

Paul,
I have not used one of their nail gunsbut for about $200-225 you can get a Porter Cable FR350 nailer. Many find these quite reliable (I also have one and have shot over 20,000 nails through it with no problems) and parts/service are easily accessible (dont know about ordering parts from HF).

Check the local ordinances. in many areas subject to hurricaines and high winds, the codes require round head nails (not clipped) . Reasoning being, a full round head has more resistance to pull through the wood than a clipped head with smaller area. better to check on this in advance rather than get a gun you have you sell and replace.

[Michael Merrill]

HF Sucesses

2" nail gun, ($24) working for a bout 4 years now
Biscuit Jointer ($29) working fine for about 3 years
Electronic 6" Caliper ($19) just purchased but a life saver on current project
Fostner Bit set (~$20) going strong
Aluminum bar clamps (~$7) no problems

Various other things like gloves, sanding discs, disposable brushes. I think it's a good place for some items, especially the tool you'll use occasionally

[John Piwaron]

A nailer is something that falls in the category of "a lot of use" since a project like a large outbuilding or house will require extensive use. In that case my own choice would be to buy a name brand like Senco or Porter Cable.

YMMV

[Joe Scarfo]

Paul,

For me, stuff there is truly hit or miss. I have their 15 amp 40' auto retracting extension cord which is great...

I've picked up pnumatic connectors which were absolute crap.

For your one time use... why not just rent a gun? Or keep an eye out for a used one. The used one you can keep or sell when you're done.

If you were near me... I would likely loan you my Bostitch N80C. I picked it up used for about $150 and I've had it for over 15 years....

Tks
Joe

[Matt Meiser]

Echoing the sentiment of many others, they do have good buys. I have a HF brad nailer that I bought because it could shoot shorter brads than my PC nailer. It has worked fine whenever I've needed it. If you've got a local store, buy it, keep the receipt, and try it. If its junk, take it back.

[Roger Bell]

I have been a HF customer for at least 12-13 years. In terms of power tools, I buy HF when I need a "second" tool to back up my primary higher grade tool...such as their $20 trim router and their $12 angle grinder. I also have backup hammers, pliers, prybars, tape measurers, drill bits, extension cords, etc. that HF does well enough for the price..... and it is always handy to have several of these kinds of items scattered around the shop, the barn, the shed, the basement, the kitchen drawer, the office, the vehicles. My wife has her own set of HF hand tools so she doesnt need to use anything of mine. HF tools also make great loaners for neighbors and relatives. I can be a nice guy thanks only to HF. I will also buy HF for those tools that I don't plan on using very much (such as metalworking stuff and oddball wrenches, etc.). My justification here is that it is better to have a cheap one than none...especially if it is very rarely used. I have had pretty good luck with most HF bar and pipe clamps....which come in handy when the Besseys are all deployed and I still need more clamps. I have HF wrenches and hand tools in the trunks of my vehicles. If they get stolen, so what. But they are there for emergencies. Sometimes I will buy HF when I simply can't afford a nicer tool and I am not sure that owning the high end version is justified. My HF lathe is a good example of that. It served me well until I got really serious about turning, then I sold the HF for 50% and upgraded. Money well spent, I thought.

HF has some really good deals on certain kinds of consumables, such as nitrile and latex gloves, disposable paint brushes, acid brushes, bungee cords, rope, tarps, buffing accessories, etc.

On those rare occasions where I have had to return something, HF has been outstanding in refunding or replacing. So I must conclude that I am a big fan of Harbor Freight. HF has it's place. I don't have a problem with not "buying American", since HF is strictly for secondary stuff and perhaps gets 5% of my tool and shop purchases...........and, every time I visit, I see American citizens earning their livelihood there.

All that said, I also firmly believe that for major power tools and heavily used tools of any kind, you should strive to buy the very best you can afford. That is also the case for any tool that depends on a fine cutting edge, like chisels and most saw blades. If you are really on a budget, consider used tools ahead of the third class HF stuff for what's important.

[Bruce Page]

Here’s my take on HF tools after trying a couple of them. Ya get what ya pay for. If you’re not expecting too much, you won’t be disappointed.

[Randy Meijer]

I bought one of their HD drill presses(BT model). Don't use it a lot; but it seems to bed reasonably well built....although not very pretty....and has not given me any trouble, yet. I bought one of their inexpensive angle grinders...about 20 bucks...and every time I use it, it sounds like it is coming apart. It gets used about once a month for light duty stuff. Were it to be used on tough jobs or on a daily basis, I'm sure it would be trash in a hurry. Some of their stuff is OK and some of it is junk. If I were using tools to make a living, believe I would invest in higher quality products. For hobbyists, a lot of their stuff is more than adequate; but some is quite disappointing. Trick is figuring out which is which!!:D :D

[Mike Null]

If you register online they will pester the life out of you with coupons but they'll save you money.

I have found the furniture dollies to be worth much more than the $15 I paid. Also bought stapler/brad gun which works well. I have a PC brad nailer which is better but doesn't shoot staples.

Also have a small touch up gun which is very good.

If I were making my living with these tools I'd buy better but sometimes these make sense.