Wow, a tool thread!

[giles]

How do we not have this for standard tools? Crazy

I've had a long time relationship with my craftsman hand tools. My milwaukee battery tools have been a great replacement to my Dewalt tools. But I now have a kid learning the industrial mechanics trade. I have found that spending my money in harbor freight hand tools to be well worth it. Craftsmanship of the tools has really come a long ways. I would rate them higher than craftsman tools today. Even the tool boxes are better crafted than the craftsmans I just purchased. They were also a little more expensive, but I have doubted myself for buy the craftsman since I did. I guess time will tell on that. I bought kody the harbor freight brand a couple of months ago. He is also in his all day at school. So we should have a good idea in a couple of years (if this thread grabs traction) of what was better.

Could the battery tools be along the same line? Looking at them online and reading it seems like the Hercules line would be what I purchased him for Christmas. Thinking he needs a 12V rachet, 12V 1/4" impact, and some 20V impact drivers 3/8 & 1/2". I can't bring myself to spend the money on milwaukee if this is the better band for the buck. I can buy all 4 tools cheaper than the milwaukee 1/2" impact, lol.

 

[hickslawns]

Harbor Freight has their place. For years the only thing I bought from them were disposable items. Electrical tape, zip ties, etc. Will also buy one time use tools, tools I will be modifying, or tools for my guys to lose in the field. I will speak very highly of the US general toolboxes. They have been excellent. I have also noticed some of their hand tools have come a long way. They have some higher end lines available.

 

[giles]

Yes, that's the name of the tool boxes, lol. US General

They are easily built twice as good as the craftsman boxes i just bought.

 

[Bankfish]

I recently bought the Hercules impact and hammer drill, as well as an oscillating tool. Was never a fan of Harbor freight but these tools seem very well built, heavy, and the 20v battery charge lasts a long time.

 

[giles]

I recently bought the Hercules impact and hammer drill, as well as an oscillating tool. Was never a fan of Harbor freight but these tools seem very well built, heavy, and the 20v battery charge lasts a long time.

Awesome! Great to hear!!!

 

[5Cent]

Thought this was the main one from '18?

FYI - The Tool & Implement Thread

Yup, I have the battery pole saw. Looking for the pruner like Jamie mentioned. I don't want to take away all of the cover, just enough to clear the camper in the driveway. 👍🏾

theohiooutdoors.com

 

[Hedgelj]

I have a blend of harbor freight and ryobi. I find that they work well enough for my uses. I'm not a big tool guy though.

 

[giles]

Thought this was the main one from '18?

FYI - The Tool & Implement Thread

Yup, I have the battery pole saw. Looking for the pruner like Jamie mentioned. I don't want to take away all of the cover, just enough to clear the camper in the driveway. 👍🏾

theohiooutdoors.com

That was more designed around yard and garden. But yeah, okay. You are right. My bad.

 

[5Cent]

That was more designed around yard and garden. But yeah, okay. You are right. My bad.

Not about right or wrong, thought it was brand/hand tool related is all. I just knew there was another tool thread lol.

 

[Sgt Fury]

Harbor freight has some good stuff, but I suggest you avoid anything made by Chicago electric…..I bought a grinder/cut off wheel to cut through a couple pieces of rebar….burned one out after getting half way through the first one. Thought it was a lemon and went back for a second. Burned that one up also….and I was going easy on it. Their hand tools and tool boxes are great. Also odds and ends like tie down straps have a good selection.

 

[Sauger]

It truly all depends on what your looking for, how much use, the expected life span, and of course the price.

I have a mixture of Milwaukee and Dewalt, and harbor freight. If I want use and life span I want Milwaukee and Dewalt. If I want price it's HF. Me personally I like the Dewalt for drills and 1/4" impacts. Anything larger i prefer Milwaukee. If I have a tool I know am only using a few times it's HF.

For a cheap started HF will probably work but don't expect it to last like the big name brands.

Just my 2 cents

 

[cspot]

Little surprised this one hasn't gone off topic yet with the title.

I agee with @Sauger that if only using sparingly then I will buy cheap. If I use alot then I will buy quality.

 

[giles]

I am wanting to just help him get started. But also not waste my money on complete junk. I am a big milwaukee fan boy.

 

[Chancegriffis]

It truly all depends on what your looking for, how much use, the expected life span, and of course the price.

I have a mixture of Milwaukee and Dewalt, and harbor freight. If I want use and life span I want Milwaukee and Dewalt. If I want price it's HF. Me personally I like the Dewalt for drills and 1/4" impacts. Anything larger i prefer Milwaukee. If I have a tool I know am only using a few times it's HF.

For a cheap started HF will probably work but don't expect it to last like the big name brands.

Just my 2 cents

This.

 

[Clay Showalter]

The guys have done lots of tests comparing harbor freight icon tools to snap on and boy did they piss off the snap on fan boys.

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[giles]

Yeah, the hand tools have come up to another level. I think they have 3 levels/names of tools now. With the Icon being the best they offer. The cheapest being what we all remember them selling, lol.

 

[Chancegriffis]

The guys have done lots of tests comparing harbor freight icon tools to snap on and boy did they piss off the snap on fan boys.

TikTok - Make Your Day

Being in the mechanical field for the past decade I can say wholeheartedly that I am impressed with the icon line of tools. Very competitive to the big tool brands. If you want good electrics, stay away from yellow. Buy red. If you want hand tools that’ll last then spend the money on them. For your average home owner, backyard mechanic, harbor freights icon line would be the one, IMO. If you’re doing it for a living, Mac and SnapOn are the way to go. Tool boxes, I’m quite impressed with the new us general from harbor freight but I have had a snap on box in my garage since I was 17.