I don't know if I'm the first to post this or not, but here is a hilariously accurate rundown on Harbor Freight tools.

jalopnik.com/5959822/i-love-you-harbor-freight-but-you-smell-like-plastic-hell?post=54300088

Honestly looking at what I have from HF I can't say I'm disappointed in any of my buys from them. Yeah some of the really chincy crap I've gotten has failed, but most of it has surpassed what I would consider a good lifetime for a Chinese tool.

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I have a lot of HF stuff. Their $4 multi-meters end up in my glove compartments to check glow plugs. I like the little butane torch which cost like $5 and does a ton of stuff. I buy their cheap paintbrushes by the boxful. I use their latex gloves. I wouldn't own a gasoline powered 1200 lb impact wrench if HF didn't sell them.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I've owned two of their 1" clear water pumps and they just keep going, in spite of having incredibly nasty stuff (methoxide) run through them...

I was happy with a transmission jack I bought from them, too.

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Lots of diesel W126s in the past
Current: 1991 Toyota 4Runner with an OM603

Enjoy this little thread .


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/open-discussion/326168-harbor-fraught-tools.html

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I loved the Hazard Fraught tools ad. On the other hand in the last few years I bought roofing nail gun and a slide hammer for less than the rental price. They worked well and I managed to resell them on Craigslist after I was done with them.

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1983 300SD "Guderian"
1987 MR2
2015 Camry
2015 Chevy Spark
2006 Hyundai Tucson

im always entertained by the craigslist adds selling harbor freight tools for more than they cost new

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

What I enjoyed most was the people who didn't catch on that it was a parody...

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Perfect timing, I was just looking for a good sized floor jack. Any recommendations?

SirNik, what was the floor jack you got?

Apparently, it seems like Sears is suffering the same fate.

Never bought anything from them.
Always buy the best tool I can afford, and would never trust my life or limbs to something cheap and chinese.

Life is too short to use crap tools.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

I'm in the same camp. Been collecting tools for right about 50 years. I have two medium sized, one HUGE tool cab and now have my Dad's big box. You won't find much of anything in any of them that isn't Mac, Snap On or on the low end there is SOME Craftsman.

When buying tools, buy top quality, DON'T lose it and you have tools for life.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I appreciate all you on the forum who insist on nothing but the best, and I respect that.
However for us occasional wrenchers, HF can provide some effective tools for a budget price, if you shop selectively.
I recently bought their 110V electric impact wrench for less than 50 bucks, and right out of the box it performs great with rotating tires, brake jobs, etc. 270 ft lbs of torque and you don't need to go messing with an air compressor to get the job started. Yes it's big and heavy, but it gets the job done. I have yet to try the interference lug nuts on the F250, but I'll report back.
A full set of SAE impact sockets for 23 bucks and you're set.
I also bought their "rickety aluminum greenhouse" but if you screw it down to a set of stacked 2X6 risers to raise it 11" off the ground it gets rigid in a hurry.
Nitrile gloves FTW.

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Nate Stanley
(Currently Benzless)
1985 F-250 6.9l 170K
2009 SCION XB 36.5K
2003 LS430 78K
2012 Kubota B 2320

I would never buy an HF floor jack or jack stand(s). Safety reasons already mentioned.

But - they sell a lot of "specialty" automotive tools for dirt cheap. 99 times out of a 100 they work and if only once it saved you the cost of hiring a shop to do what you can.

I'm glad they're around.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

I bought a floor jack and jackstands from HF 5+ years ago, and they are still in perfect condition. I use them often, like weekly.

Granted, there are some that I would not trust under ANY circumstance, but you can kind of tell which ones are crap, and which ones are not.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

I understand that concern. I deal with the safety issue by buying far more capacity than I need. IOW--6 ton rated jack stands to support a vehicle that doesn't weigh more than a little over one ton.
And of course, NEVER getting under any vehicle supported only by a jack--ANY jack! Even a Hein jack can suffer catastrophic failure.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I've got one of their electric impacts and it's turned out to be quite handy. Got the steering wheel off my 116 in a hurry. I think I paid $20 on sale. Got one for my BIL at the same time. Makes changing out my snow tires quick work.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13