Harbor Freight Tools

If you want cheap stuff, and a lot of it, this is the place to go. But please purchase with discernment because cheap tools are far from quality. But sometimes you actually need something cheap and cheap will do. So just be selective about what you purchase here: use logic.

My fav hardware store in town. Great prices as always, sign up for coupons and you are in business. Stuff is always in stock and discounts are always on!

Their recent sale flier says «Quality tools at ridiculously low prices» and I was lured in by something that I just had to have but probably would have never thought of buying, had I not read the ad. Confirming that almost everything I looked at is made in China. I think you can actually find some of the same items at the $ 1 store next door. Service was nice and friendly. They have some interesting toys as well like model airplanes, etc.

A pretty good place to buy tools that you don’t use very much. not everything is from China in this store, but most of the merchandise is. They can make some good products in China, but the average quality is pretty bad. Poor quality steel and unreliable electronics.
For example, I bought a wrench in HFT to shut off water supply to the house. When I really needed it, the steel twisted and failed. Their adjustable pipe clamps break when you try to tighten them. The list goes on and on. So don’t buy something here that you really depend on for long term service. On the other hand, occasional use tools are very cheap and usually adequate. The trick is knowing the difference.
I also try to avoid anything with even slightly complex electronics. A solar electric fence charger I bought had to be exchanged twice before I figured out that it just wasn’t going to work because of faulty electronics.
I bought two power generators there before I learned that they don’t work correctly either.
The good news is that the store has a good policy on returns and the employees are helpful. Just shop carefully and you’ll get some good bargains.

Harbor freight is what it is, and that is a cheap tool store. I am not a professional looking for professional tools. I just need basic tools at prices I can afford. Tools that I will use heavily a few days a year and then put them back in the box. That is what harbor freight is for– tools that you want to keep just in case you need them.
As for quality…
Last year, I bought a number of power tools to remodel a house thinking that they would last the project and be done, but they are still in remarkably good shape without any sign of fatigue. The only issue I have had is that I have had to replace a couple of cordless drill batteries.
You can feel especially comfortable with basic tools like pliers and snips that won’t receive a lot of use. I mean, a pipe wrench is basically a hunk of steel. Not exactly high tech. At harbor freight, I bought an 8 inch pipe wrench for $ 2.99. Home depot wants $ 15! At those prices I can buy two just in case and still save $ 9.
The stuff may be from China, but look at the tools you buy elsewhere– they probably are, too. It makes you wonder why a pair of consumer grade pliers should ever cost $ 20 and why anyone within driving distance of Harbor Freight would ever pay that much.
One warning based on my experience with other Harbor Freight stores: If it is in the ad, it will probably be on back order. Expect rain-​checks.

I don’t care if people make fun for my liking this store.
I recently needed to buy a flare-​end wrenches to replace a brake hose, and within 1 minute, zingo!, I scored a set with offset ends. I doubt that this town’s puny Sears would have it. I’d have to buy it at Autozone or O’Reilly, and I’d have to check the connector in the wheelwell to figure out the size. Instead, I got a set, with different sizes on both ends for the same price or less than I’d pay for one at an auto parts store.
Oh, I only spent 35 minutes browsing this time, fining safety goggles 3 for $ 3, a stubby hammer for my toolbox, and some zip-​ties.