HF what do ya think?

[DarthTAiness]

A lot of there tools are very hit or miss. I've got socket size adapters from them that have been used on 5 different cars, and I've got others that sheered off the first time I put any torque on them.

[Bustedknuckles]

I've bought a ton of stuff from HF, but recently started buying higher quality items because of the hit or miss nature of their products. I bought a Pittsburgh socket set and found that many of the sockets werent very accurate. Many were fine but many had way too much wiggle room, and I found that I was stripping bolts.

I've bought some power tools from them too. (4 inch angle grinder, reciprocating saw, large corded drill.) While these tools are DIRT cheap (basically disposable power tools) The drill head got bent after only a few months and now wiggles so much that its unusable. The saw is still trucking along but is infrequently used. and the angle grinder has been used a TON but is staring to excessively vibrate internally and the locking button is falling apart.

I've also purchased pic sets, impact driver sets, air tools, engine hoist, slide hammers and bearing pullers, and many other things with great value and reliability. So its not all bad.

I love Harbor freight but just like many other people have said, Its pretty hit or miss.

[tkent02]

Are their compressors any good?

[bbjumper]

A friend has one of the of the vertical models. It works ok but the noise is defining . We can't talk while it's running.

[tkent02]

I just need a new pump for mine, they cost quite a bit elsewhere.

[Scout]

Tools

In another lifetime I went to MMI and had the full complement of Snap-On tools because you could get them at a "discount" for being a student. I ran into an old classmate from MMI last week and he apparently is still wrenching but switched to cars and got certified. He told me last year he went to buy a home was was $5000 short on the down payment and he sold his Snap-On hand tools (except specialty & boxes) and raised just short of $8500. He said he replaced every one tool for tool every piece he sold with HF & Craftsman. Spent $630 on HF and $150 at Sears. Says he is quite pleased with HF and although he does break some periodically the exchange process is actually easier.

[mrbill5491]

Are their compressors any good?

We were looking for a new compressor for our shop here at work. Went down to the HF and looked at what they had, tanks looked fine, the compressor itself was crap. We bought a Sears Craftsman instead. The last one we had went for 16 years before the piston ring and sleeves gave out. It could have been fixed though the boss wanted new. We got new lol.

[niclpnut]

I've been looking at the 60 gallon 2 stage compressor.

There is a coupon now for $749.

It's gotten great reviews and I looked over alot of different forums and it seems to be well received from those that actually have and use the unit.

tank, motor, assembly= USA

Pump= Italy.

I really need a new compressor, and have been strongly considering this one.

Nic

[mikerophone]

It's only rated 3 and half stars, but I bought this 2.5HP 21 gallon compressor there about 4 years ago and it still is rocking fine. It won't go much above 110 PSI and is LOUD and runs constantly if you are grinding or polishing something but what can you expect for $180?

Also not a pro otherwise I would buy pro stuff.

I do buy tools from HF here and there, and like most people say, some of their stuff is good, some is junk.