I might be starting a job where I'd need to provide some of my own tools. I might try to source most from HFs higher end brands.
Harbor Freight
- Thread starter qwerty
- Start date
It will probably impact them some, but Ace has way more variety of things than HF. Harbor freight is more of just a tool store rather than a hardware store. You're not going to go there and pick up all the supplies you need for a house project.h
They also only carry house brands, so you'll still have people that go to Ace for name brands like Milwaukee and Stihl.
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Wish I could find it, but some guy added names to his toolboxes. Washington, Grant, Pershing, Eisenhower, etc. Great stuff.
Not everyone pays others to fix things for them.
I own a heavy duty repair business. Harbor Freight tools are fine for the most part. The icon brands are just as good as other brands out there at big box stores. Tool truck tools are higher quality, but I honestly quit buying from tool trucks.
The cost vs quality between snap-on to icon has a way larger price gap than quality. Torque wrenches, precision measuring tools, and some specialty tools are worth buying top quality. You wouldn't catch me buying wrenches, sockets, hammers, etc off of a truck.
A lot of good quality tools can be bought online as well. ATD, Sunex, Neiko and other companies make tools that hold up very well.
Northern Tool is a good spot too.
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I've had good luck with Harbor Freight tools. I've bought a compressor, car jack, jack stands, skill saw and jigsaw from there. I think that if you're buying tools you aren't going to use a ton, maybe a handful of times per year just on house projects, it's a good place to go.
If it's tools you need to use weekly, I'm guessing you get what you pay for.
If it's tools you need to use weekly, I'm guessing you get what you pay for.
I love Ace. Still has the feel of a small town hardware store vs. the giant stores of Home Depot or Lowes where it takes 30min. to find what you're looking for, then another 30min. to decide which part actually fits what you need.
FYI: Project Farm on YouTube is great for tool comparisons.
I must not be trying hard enough, I've had tools for 30 years and have never broken one. I have a tendency to lose them, replace them, and then find the old one.
I've shopped at Harbor Freight for years and have had almost zero issues. It's cheap and it works. I think most people who hate on HF do it because other people do it, not because they've actually had an issue with their products.
I think most people think of HF as "cheap Chinese tools."
Sounds like many are happy with the Icon brand.
To me, I think about something like a tarp, work gloves, bungee cords; this would be a gold place to go for that stuff.
When I tiled our house, I needed most everything including a 6 ft level. I went to Home Depot and the level was $80. At Harbor Freight it was $11. Excluding the saw, I bought EVERYTHING I needed at Harbor Freight including the level and it cost me less than just the level at Home Depot.
I bought their dust collection system a couple years ago and have been happy with it. It was 1/2 or maybe even 1/3 the price of the name brand version. I think it’s slightly louder but it works just fine for this hobbyist.
The only thing I ever got there that I can say was not worth the money were the Pittsburgh brand vice grip pliers.
I think there is a new one opening in CR on the NE side too. Where Bed, Bath, Beyond used to be.I see Harbor Freight will be opening a store in Ames. I have been going to them in eastern Iowa for close to 20 years. They are OK for low cost items. Not exactly commercial quality, but their upper brand tools are good for home use. At least it gives another option, and are comparable to low cost tools at Menards, Lowe's, etc.
Fastest-growing hardware retail company plans store at North Grand Mall
A fast-growing company is coming to Ames and the North Grand Mall. The tool company recently opened its 1,500th location.www.amestrib.com
Harbor Freight is the perfect store for me to buy hand tools and tape measures for the school shop. Low cost and you know the kids are going to beat the hell out of them.
I have some connections to Ace. I thought the same thing. That sucks for them. But honestly I don’t always go there due to stupidly high prices on some things. If you are in a pinch though and need some weird screw or something, they are a life saver.
