JHZR2
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New in box...
Imagine if someone was trying to pull a stuck ball joint?
Imagine if someone was trying to pull a stuck ball joint?
Why I hate most HF tools
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Looks like a casting defect with the pig iron. They really should be x-raying these things.
Is it made in China ?
What is HF? Hot forged? Looks like a styrofoam core.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Is it made in China ?
It's from Harbor Freight, so of course it is.
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
What is HF? Hot forged? Looks like a styrofoam core.
HF = Harbor Freight AKA China Freight. It's a store that sells Chinese and Taiwanese tools.
Is it made in China ?
It's from Harbor Freight, so of course it is.
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
What is HF? Hot forged? Looks like a styrofoam core.
HF = Harbor Freight AKA China Freight. It's a store that sells Chinese and Taiwanese tools.
JHZR2
Staff member
Looked unused...
Looks like Three Musketeers bar!
Yup, seen that before.
The Chinese really are getting better about it.
I would attribute most of China's manufacturing success to most of the planet perfecting the process of manufacturing that item at home then offshoreing the operation for cheaper labor.
Edited to add: I have had a set of wrenches for about a decade that look cheap, but have suffered some serious abuse and held up well.
I also purchased a Ryobi string trimmer for home use 2 years ago that about 5 minutes after starting it threw a bearing and wouldn't start again.
Turns out that 26 other reviews on Amazon. had the same issue. I returned it and got an ECHO, couldn't be happier with it.
Funny thing is that even with Chinese products there is still some "You get what you pay for."
Last time I checked Craftsman tools were not "Made in the USA". They couldn't compete with overseas prices and since they couldn't beat them... they joined them. They do make pretty good stuff, just still pretty pricy.
HF stuff beats everyone price wise, but a bunch of their stuff leaves you wishing you bought the good stuff once instead the bad stuff 2x or 3x
The Chinese really are getting better about it.
I would attribute most of China's manufacturing success to most of the planet perfecting the process of manufacturing that item at home then offshoreing the operation for cheaper labor.
Edited to add: I have had a set of wrenches for about a decade that look cheap, but have suffered some serious abuse and held up well.
I also purchased a Ryobi string trimmer for home use 2 years ago that about 5 minutes after starting it threw a bearing and wouldn't start again.
Turns out that 26 other reviews on Amazon. had the same issue. I returned it and got an ECHO, couldn't be happier with it.
Funny thing is that even with Chinese products there is still some "You get what you pay for."
Last time I checked Craftsman tools were not "Made in the USA". They couldn't compete with overseas prices and since they couldn't beat them... they joined them. They do make pretty good stuff, just still pretty pricy.
HF stuff beats everyone price wise, but a bunch of their stuff leaves you wishing you bought the good stuff once instead the bad stuff 2x or 3x
Last edited:
The Chinese can build high-quality if they want. Look at Apple computers -- made in China. Excellent build quality. Americans just want stuff dirt-cheap and as a result they find ways to cut costs.
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Originally Posted By: dparm
The Chinese can build high-quality if they want. Look at Apple computers -- made in China. Excellent build quality. Americans just want stuff dirt-cheap and as a result they find ways to cut costs.
They are assembled in China. As are most motherboards and other computer components. It doesn't mean the components ON the board come from China.
Apple computers are also ridiculously expensive for what you get. But of course a portion of this is to cover the cost of QC. That is part of the reason they are expensive. When you are shopping at Harbour Freight... I don't think "expensive" likely describes anything at the store.
It is not about the Chinese building high quality if they "want to". It is about a company setting a quality level and forcing them (those performing the manufacturing) through strict process to maintain that level. Quality Control. Only thing here is that this costs money. Hence you won't find products with this sort of QC being sold at the prices you see at Harbour Freight. Which brings us back to the original posters observations and yours about Apple. Apples and Oranges (pardon the pun
)
Your last point rings true however. These products would not exist if there wasn't a market for them. If everybody purchased good quality, American and Canadian tools, and didn't go out and buy this junk in the first place just because it is cheap, these products wouldn't be here.
It is through our gross consumption of [censored] wares at bargain basement prices that this monster feeds and grows. Our seeming inability to restrain ourselves from buying what we KNOW is junk just because it is inexpensive. Because it is cheap. And the former does not always imply the latter, but in the case of these goods it almost always does. People turning a blind eye to the shoddy build and complete absence of quality control (cheap) because of the prices that these garbage items are sold at.
The Chinese can build high-quality if they want. Look at Apple computers -- made in China. Excellent build quality. Americans just want stuff dirt-cheap and as a result they find ways to cut costs.
They are assembled in China. As are most motherboards and other computer components. It doesn't mean the components ON the board come from China.
Apple computers are also ridiculously expensive for what you get. But of course a portion of this is to cover the cost of QC. That is part of the reason they are expensive. When you are shopping at Harbour Freight... I don't think "expensive" likely describes anything at the store.
It is not about the Chinese building high quality if they "want to". It is about a company setting a quality level and forcing them (those performing the manufacturing) through strict process to maintain that level. Quality Control. Only thing here is that this costs money. Hence you won't find products with this sort of QC being sold at the prices you see at Harbour Freight. Which brings us back to the original posters observations and yours about Apple. Apples and Oranges (pardon the pun
Your last point rings true however. These products would not exist if there wasn't a market for them. If everybody purchased good quality, American and Canadian tools, and didn't go out and buy this junk in the first place just because it is cheap, these products wouldn't be here.
It is through our gross consumption of [censored] wares at bargain basement prices that this monster feeds and grows. Our seeming inability to restrain ourselves from buying what we KNOW is junk just because it is inexpensive. Because it is cheap. And the former does not always imply the latter, but in the case of these goods it almost always does. People turning a blind eye to the shoddy build and complete absence of quality control (cheap) because of the prices that these garbage items are sold at.
What did you expect out of a harbor freight tool? I think one word describes everything in that store "disposable".
They are good for buying a niche tool to get a job done, then throw the tool away, or break it in the process of using it.
What was the price on that ball joint press versus a name brand one?
Harbor freight has saved me quite a few times, with oddball tools. I needed a spark plug boot puller to get plug wires out of a f150 pickup where my hand would not go. I also needed a universal joint adapter for a socket. I got both tools for ten dollars, and ended up breaking the boot puller in the process, but I got the job done.
Worth the ten dollars to me.
They are good for buying a niche tool to get a job done, then throw the tool away, or break it in the process of using it.
What was the price on that ball joint press versus a name brand one?
Harbor freight has saved me quite a few times, with oddball tools. I needed a spark plug boot puller to get plug wires out of a f150 pickup where my hand would not go. I also needed a universal joint adapter for a socket. I got both tools for ten dollars, and ended up breaking the boot puller in the process, but I got the job done.
Worth the ten dollars to me.
There are some things in HF that will get the job done, as well as some things not worth taking a chance. I have had good luck and bad as well.
When it comes to a tool that needs precision for the applications or something more or less critical in pressures etc, then that is when I wont go HF. I don't use HF air tools or the electric either, I have what I need anyway for the most part.
One exception (my experience) is the black impact sockets (impact shock/torque), I have to say, I have not busted a HF impact socket yet. Can't say the same for some of my others.
Lately, I have been impressed with some of the ratchets, sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers. Not all, but some have gone up in quality & finish.
There are a few things that do fine from HF for me, but most things I'll pass and buy elsewhere.
I have replaced the motorcycle carry-on tools with HF tools. Should the tool bag get stolen from the bike, it will be less of a hit value wise, and won't be a big impact replacing them. I have been using those tools working on the bikes and so far they have all got the job done.
Have to choose carefully on the tool & application.
When it comes to a tool that needs precision for the applications or something more or less critical in pressures etc, then that is when I wont go HF. I don't use HF air tools or the electric either, I have what I need anyway for the most part.
One exception (my experience) is the black impact sockets (impact shock/torque), I have to say, I have not busted a HF impact socket yet. Can't say the same for some of my others.
Lately, I have been impressed with some of the ratchets, sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers. Not all, but some have gone up in quality & finish.
There are a few things that do fine from HF for me, but most things I'll pass and buy elsewhere.
I have replaced the motorcycle carry-on tools with HF tools. Should the tool bag get stolen from the bike, it will be less of a hit value wise, and won't be a big impact replacing them. I have been using those tools working on the bikes and so far they have all got the job done.
Have to choose carefully on the tool & application.
Some HF stuff is great. Other stuff isn't worth the materials used in it.
Caveat emptor.
Caveat emptor.
It looks like a cheap knock off of the OTC on the right.
The one on the left is a German Hazet.Both work very well even on really stuck joints without damage to the joint or boot.
The OTC is only $40 at ToolTopia,the Hazet is quite expensive,i paid about 100 Euro for it but both are worth every penny.
The one on the left is a German Hazet.Both work very well even on really stuck joints without damage to the joint or boot.
The OTC is only $40 at ToolTopia,the Hazet is quite expensive,i paid about 100 Euro for it but both are worth every penny.
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Some HF stuff is great. Other stuff isn't worth the materials used in it.
Caveat emptor.
I do like HF for the prices.
Unfortunately, sometimes you can't tell what is good or bad until you already have it home and are using it for the second time....
I think I've returned more HF stuff than I've returned stuff from any other store.
Some HF stuff is great. Other stuff isn't worth the materials used in it.
Caveat emptor.
I do like HF for the prices.
Unfortunately, sometimes you can't tell what is good or bad until you already have it home and are using it for the second time....
I think I've returned more HF stuff than I've returned stuff from any other store.
Looks like crystallized steel to me. Worked in the Hardware business for 20 years and saw this in U.S. and imported tools every now and then. This is one reason manufactures, importers, and stores have lifetime quarantees.
As the old saying goes "blank" happens.
As the old saying goes "blank" happens.
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