Man our fine city just emerged from the stone age.

A Harbor Freight Tools store just opened yesterday.

I know, its full of imported junk, but I was able to actually find a few Made in USA items too.

I don't usually buy China tools if I can help it - but some times, they are OK to use - say you need a chisel and all you got is a screwdriver...

if you know what kind of tools they have to offer, that place can be a huge help,
and the one that i've used here a few times has some friendly and smart staff working the counter, and i can't always say that about my local hardware store

I LOVE Harbor Freight. I came to the realization years ago that I do not need Snap-on quality tools to do the stuff I do around the house. I usually buy Craftsman hand tools, but pick up all the "other stuff" at HF.

They must like me 'cause I get about 1-2 sale flyers a week. I read them as thoroughly as most boating magazines.

I've got several HF tools that I bought for once every five years type projects (like automotive spring compressors). They're obviously low quality, but I've had pretty good luck with them. All my air tools with the exception of my impact wrench(which is an IR) are from HF too, and I haven't had any problems with them. They're a good inexpensive resource if you shop carefully.

I am in complete agreement with you guys, which was my attempt at commenting if I needed a chisel and all I had is a screwdriver.

When I needed a pair of air-powered tin snips, I bought them from Grizzly, which is essentially the same kind of stuff.

I have only used the thing a couple of times. But the times I did, it performed satisfactorily.

But for something I use a lot, such as a cordless drill, I stick with DeWalt, etc.

I bought some pistol grip clamps from HF. I told myself, if they last for this one project, then that will be good. Well they didn't last and I returned them. Ever since, I have been getting weekly flyers from them.

I buy disposable stuff from them i.e. sand paper and tape as they all pretty much do the same stuff for a fraction of the price.

HF has some good stuff and some bad stuff.

I've had good luck with welded equipment - I have a tire bead breaker I bought from them a floor jack and an air hose reel and an arbor press. Also stuff like zip ties, gloves and wrenches. I have a small metal cutoff saw that is good, and a 4 inch grinder that works well. My electric impact wrench works well since I resoldered all the internal connections - but it was unreliable before that.

I've also bought some stuff there that is complete garbage - their quick clamps are terrible. I bought a garden hose reel which works well, but the tires on it won't hold air. Anything that is supposed to be sharp won't hold an edge - other than drill bits - good luck with those.

I think the problem with knife edges is the quality of steel and the heat treat. Which brings me to another point - don't ever buy things like chisels, punches or other hammered tools from anything but a highly reputable company - If they break, it can put out your eye in an instant.

Glad to see this topic. There is a HF not too far from me, and I've yet to go in but plan to for something to do one day. Now I know to look closer at the quality of anything I buy, and any disposable type product like tape, wire ties etc is as good as anyone else's!
Thanks!

One comment on zip ties, and its not necessarily limited to Harbor Freight, but also Home Depot, Lowes, and any other place you find them.

There are two basic kinds, one has UV protection and one does not. Typically, those bundles you buy for six bucks in a plastic tube are often non-UV.

They are OK for indoors, but for any zip ties that sits outside and is exposed to the sun, they should be UV rated.

I buy some stuff there. Generally stuff with non moving parts. Ball joint tools, bearing race drivers, etc. I know the quality I am buying and am ok with that. STuff that will get very rarely used, but will help a lot on the project.

I have only bought one power tool from them. IT does what I ask, but that's about it.

I buy a lot of nitrile gloves from them.