Harbor Freight Tools, Again

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
i just picked up the 1 ton engine hoist, i love the new grey/red paint job versus the orange. almost always have had good luck with HF hand tools as well, they will continue to get my business.


I have only a few of their hand tools and have found them to be excellant. Most of my tools are older USA name brand stuff. Several have had my 1/2 impact on them with no problems.

 

[sciphi]

Some of their stuff is good, some is junk. Their hand tools I've generally had no issues with. Even their cheap $15 angle grinder made it through some hard use intact. For something like an angle grinder that appear the same everywhere, I'll spend $15 at HF instead of $50 at Home Despot for the same tool with a "name-brand" label.

I also like their CAN scantool. I have the Autel 5100 that is the same thing just more expensive there, and it is a pretty powerful tool for the $60 I paid for it direct from China. An equivalent "name-brand" tool would cost 3x as much to get the same functionality, and still be made in China.

 

[Win]

They are using the airless paint sprayer tonight, and, so far, it seems to be working very well.

I don't know what it cost.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

And I'm sure the fine folks of China thank you for helping make the world see them as the leading economic power on earth.

Originally Posted By: Pew Research Article

For the first time, people responding to a global survey are more likely to view China and not the United States as the world's leading economic power.

The 21-nation poll found that 41 percent of people said China was the world's economic power, while 40 percent favored the U.S. Among the 14 nations that were asked the same question in 2008, the margin was wider: 45 percent placed the U.S. on top four years ago, with just 22 percent for China, but in the latest poll China was favored 42 percent to 36 percent.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Originally Posted By: Greggy_D
I love me some Harbor Freight. I like my composite ratchet is the bee's knees.....

Yep, that ratchet is sweet. I like the cushioned handle and fine tooth action on my 3/8".

And based on the linked thread, it's a Bitog favorite.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2144918&page=1

I've had good luck with all three sizes, a nice tool for the money.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
And I'm sure the fine folks of China thank you for helping make the world see them as the leading economic power on earth.

Some people wont wake up till the US slips past Zimbabwe then stand there in amazement wondering what happened.
Joy joy feelings and salutations citizens.

 

[jcwit]

In reality Harbor Freight is a very small speck in the grand scheme of things lowering the U.S. trade and economy situtation.

Our problems here in the U.S. go much much deeper than the imports and sales of Harbor Freight. In fact it barely counts at all.

 

[Trav]

Fat people get fat one gram at a time, it has to come off one gram at a time.

 

[jcwit]

And poping the pimple does not cure the cancer!

Finances/imports alone are not even the beginning of our problems.

 

[mmack66]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
In reality Harbor Freight is a very small speck in the grand scheme of things lowering the U.S. trade and economy situtation.

Our problems here in the U.S. go much much deeper than the imports and sales of Harbor Freight. In fact it barely counts at all.


+1. It's hard to compete when your own government is working against you.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
Finances/imports alone are not even the beginning of our problems.

No one will deny that. A 200% import tax on Chinese goods would be a heck of a good start at stopping the bleeding though.

IMHO HF is missing a golden once in a lifetime opportunity.
If they carried better higher end stuff made in first world countries they will clean up since Sears, lowes, HD, Walmart and most parts store chains have all jumped on the Chinese tool bandwagon.

Contrary to popular belief here on BITOG i would find no joy in seeing HF go down the tubes.
I would like them turn their business model into something more than a dumping centre for cheap Chinese goods, instead a real alternative to internet sales and tool trucks.
We would all benefit from that.

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Contrary to popular belief here on BITOG i would find no joy in seeing HF go down the tubes.
I would like them turn their business model into something more than a dumping centre for cheap Chinese goods, instead a real alternative to internet sales and tool trucks.
We would all benefit from that.


Very possible, and also very improbable. I believe their business model is working out very well for the family that ownes them.

 

[Trav]

Exactly the point. That's why if people stop buying from them and hurt their bottom line they will be forced to change their business model.
This isn't just HF either.

 

[jcwit]

Not an argumentative statement here, just a fact. Ain't gonna happen!

 

[Win]

Originally Posted By: Trav
.... A 200% import tax on Chinese goods would be a heck of a good start at stopping the bleeding though.
....


Don't the Chinese float their currency? How would that even work?

 

[Win]

Originally Posted By: Trav
IMHO HF is missing a golden once in a lifetime opportunity.
If they carried better higher end stuff made in first world countries they will clean up since Sears, lowes, HD, Walmart and most parts store chains have all jumped on the Chinese tool bandwagon. .....

There's nothing to stop someone from starting such a business.

Maybe the absence of such a chain speaks volumes about the lack of demand or poor market for this particular type of product relative to its competition.

 

[jcwit]

I believe much of it is from the HUGE difference in pricing. If it was even somewhat close personally I would chose the U.S. made but the pricing makes me many times chose the less expensive so I can also spend money on my other endeavors. Even then I usually have to chose import products, example one of my hobbies it precision target shooting both rimfire & high power. No U.S. manufacturer makes a quality and accurate .22 rimfire round. I have to purchase imported, or simply do without.

 

[Trav]

I have no idea but it works.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2646853#Post2646853

 

[bmwjohn]

just a little diferent but I wish HFT would reimport the burlap covers they used to get from Pakistan, AND find ways to make their mix less Mainland Chinese. Many 3rd world countrys might be friendlier if the average guy over there realized that we are their customers, even on a small scale.Buying oil or minerals, 1 big business to another, is not the same.

 

[morris]

they have two different small red VOMs. the prices went up latly but not much. the VOM is cool cause you can leave it hooked to a circuit and switch it off with the sw.