An affordable toy store
Written: Aug 27 '05
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| Full Review |
Let's get something out of the way up front. With very few exceptions, Harbor Freight (hereafter referred to as H-F) does not sell "brand name" tools.
This does not mean the tools are necessarily inferior. There is a perception that "brand names" are automatically superior somehow to lesser known brands.
There are, however, differing levels of quality within their tool lines. This was most evident for me with their power tools, although some of the hand tools are plain junk.
What I've bought:
Sockets, breaker bars, open end and box wrenches, screwdrivers, vises, pliers, "locking pliers", drill bits, router bits, forstner bits, spade bits, saw blades, pipe wrenches, clamps, air compressor, a variety of hardware (casters, wheels, etc), chisels, snips, gear pullers, pipe benders, pallet jack, reciprocating saws, 1/2 drills, 14" band saw, and a bunch of other stuff.
I can compare relative quality, since I have "brand name" versions of all the above purchases, with the exception of the band saw, pallet jack & pipe bender.
The "pittsburgh pro" line of hand tools is very good. I have not broken or bent one yet. As noted, the power tools vary in quality. The $37.99 "industrial" version of the reciprocating saw is _almost_ as good as my Milwaukee. The $24.99 1/2" drill was junk (bad switch). The 14" band saw is a ringer for a Grizzly unit, and works very well, with the _right blades_ . (Tip: Use Timberwolf blades, available elsewhere).
Best purchase:
Stainless locking pliers, band saw
Miscellaneous ramblings:
Note that the assembly instructions for a few of the items range from dead wrong to barely acceptable. ( The band saw instructions were dead wrong. I contacted them & they advised me to download the correct instructions.) If you rely entirely on instructions, this is not the place to buy.
Customer Service:
On the few times I've contacted them, is generally poor. They have promised to deliver some missing parts, "as soon as they become available". They haven't. If I couldn't "rig" the things to work, it would have been very annoying.
Order accuracy:
Good. All my many orders were filled peoperly, IF the item was in stock. If the item was NOT in stock, you could wait a long time, AND they will drop low cost items from the order, even if they have to ship a more expensive piece that was on backorder.
Delivery Speed:
Below average. For items in stock, a week to 10 days. Out of stock? Anyone's guess. WIth the exception of low cost items, back orders will get shipped eventually.
Overall satisfaction:
I'm satisfied. Since H-F opened a franchise unit here, I can go look at whatever it is I'm interested in. Sometimes I buy at the physical store, sometimes online. The first time you buy something, it's probably on faith and the low prices. After you develop some experience with a particular line of tools that H-F offers, you become more comfortable with the quality baseline YOU have established.
Summary:
Generally, the web site has good descriptions of their stock. Great place to stock up on "loaner" and specialty tools. Acceptable quality on most of their stuff, keeping in mind that their offerings are _not_ "top of the line". Their "Insider's Club" is worth the $20 or so they charge per year, with specialized "sale" or "clearance" catalogs.
By the way, note that any given catalog may have 4 different prices for the _same_ item, noted by a different 4 digit part number suffix. I guess that's to encourage you to read the whole catalog.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? A large variety of hand & power tools
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Epinions.com ID:
Arlo_J
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Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 1 member
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