After hearing about Harbor Freight in this newsgroup, I authorized them
to email me their catalog and sales literature.

As it turned out I wasn't really interested in the quality of
mechandize that they were selling, but their email advertisements
continued to arrive at the rate of 2 or 3 each week.

This went on for about 3 months. Last week I sent them an email reply
with the words REMOVE as the subject. Believe it or not, they
immediately took me off their mailing list.

A firm with ethics like this deserves special reconition! While I can't
get into the products that they sell, I really have to respect their
business ethics, and now feel almost obligated to buy something from
them, not because I want the product, buy just to show them my respect.


Harry C.

wrote in message
ups.com...
After hearing about Harbor Freight in this newsgroup, I authorized them
to email me their catalog and sales literature.

As it turned out I wasn't really interested in the quality of
mechandize that they were selling, but their email advertisements
continued to arrive at the rate of 2 or 3 each week.

This went on for about 3 months. Last week I sent them an email reply
with the words REMOVE as the subject. Believe it or not, they
immediately took me off their mailing list.

A firm with ethics like this deserves special reconition! While I can't
get into the products that they sell, I really have to respect their
business ethics, and now feel almost obligated to buy something from
them, not because I want the product, buy just to show them my respect.


Harry C.

Harry, don't discount all their products. They sell American built things
along with the Asian stuff. You likely noticed name brands along with the
other stuff, although there's not exactly a lot of it. Still, there's some
outstanding buys.

Like you, they have my respect. They have always been very honest people
with which to conduct business. Smart leadership in management.
Sears, Penney's, and many others could learn something from that operation.

Harold

Thanx, Harold for a "voice of reason" reply. I always respect your opinion
and often look to it as advice from an expert. All too often, many posters
betray their naiveté by out-of- hand comments re. Harbor Freight and other
discount suppliers. I wonder how many of those shop at Wal-Mart. I'm not a
particular advocate of Harbor Freight, but like you, I refuse to bad-mouth
them in the belief that others will look up to me as more sophisticated than
I really am.

Bob Swinney

"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
ups.com...
After hearing about Harbor Freight in this newsgroup, I authorized them
to email me their catalog and sales literature.

As it turned out I wasn't really interested in the quality of
mechandize that they were selling, but their email advertisements
continued to arrive at the rate of 2 or 3 each week.

This went on for about 3 months. Last week I sent them an email reply
with the words REMOVE as the subject. Believe it or not, they
immediately took me off their mailing list.

A firm with ethics like this deserves special reconition! While I can't
get into the products that they sell, I really have to respect their
business ethics, and now feel almost obligated to buy something from
them, not because I want the product, buy just to show them my respect.


Harry C.

Harry, don't discount all their products. They sell American built things
along with the Asian stuff. You likely noticed name brands along with
the
other stuff, although there's not exactly a lot of it. Still, there's
some
outstanding buys.

Like you, they have my respect. They have always been very honest people
with which to conduct business. Smart leadership in management.
Sears, Penney's, and many others could learn something from that
operation.

Harold

I buy some stuff at Harbor Freight too. I have bought 4 of their 110# cast
steel Russian anvils (all for friends) which is a much better deal than you
can get anywhere else on a small anvil. I am as much of a tool snob as anyone
but I think their "Pittsburgh Professional" series wrenches are very well made.
Hard to find, though. You pretty much have to go look in person. I had a buddy
who bought a 4" angle grinder, got about an hour out of it. Gunner told me
recently that you don't want the blue one, you got to get the orange one for
about $5 more, that one lasts for 3-4 years. I bought a little propane tank
cart for my weed burning setup - it's built OK and there's *no* way I could
build it for that price. I also buy their yellow handled ball peen hammers.
They seem fine to me, and at maybe $8 for the whole set I can't lose.

I recently went out on the banana peel and picked up their 1" SDS hammer drill.
I haven't had it out of the box yet. It was *so* cheap.

GWE

On Thu, 07 Apr 2005 09:33:40 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:

I buy some stuff at Harbor Freight too. I have bought 4 of their 110# cast
steel Russian anvils (all for friends) which is a much better deal than you
can get anywhere else on a small anvil. I am as much of a tool snob as anyone
but I think their "Pittsburgh Professional" series wrenches are very well made.
Hard to find, though. You pretty much have to go look in person. I had a buddy
who bought a 4" angle grinder, got about an hour out of it. Gunner told me
recently that you don't want the blue one, you got to get the orange one for
about $5 more, that one lasts for 3-4 years. I bought a little propane tank
cart for my weed burning setup - it's built OK and there's *no* way I could
build it for that price. I also buy their yellow handled ball peen hammers.
They seem fine to me, and at maybe $8 for the whole set I can't lose.

I said the orange ones last at least 3-4 yrs, cause thats how long Ive
been using mine..and they are still running strong G

I recently went out on the banana peel and picked up their 1" SDS hammer drill.
I haven't had it out of the box yet. It was *so* cheap.

I install a lot of machine tools, lots of redheads drilled into the
floor, and a couple years ago, I bought
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90340

It was on sale for $39 or so. Mine is white, rather than orange or
black.

The ad says no bits. Mine came with 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, a drill chuck, a
star drill and a chisel, all in a rather nice case.

Last week, I sank (24) 1/2" redheads into a concrete floor and bolted
down 3 hydrostatic bar feeders. The same sds bits that came with the
drill originally. Been working find and dandy for at least 2 years of
commercial duty. The 3/8 bit is getting dull though. Its done at
least 200 holes. Shrug

Gunner


GWE

Rule #35
"That which does not kill you,
has made a huge tactical error"

Gunner wrote:

On Thu, 07 Apr 2005 09:33:40 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:

I buy some stuff at Harbor Freight too. I have bought 4 of their 110# cast
steel Russian anvils (all for friends) which is a much better deal than you
can get anywhere else on a small anvil. I am as much of a tool snob as anyone
but I think their "Pittsburgh Professional" series wrenches are very well made.
Hard to find, though. You pretty much have to go look in person. I had a buddy
who bought a 4" angle grinder, got about an hour out of it. Gunner told me
recently that you don't want the blue one, you got to get the orange one for
about $5 more, that one lasts for 3-4 years. I bought a little propane tank
cart for my weed burning setup - it's built OK and there's *no* way I could
build it for that price. I also buy their yellow handled ball peen hammers.
They seem fine to me, and at maybe $8 for the whole set I can't lose.

I said the orange ones last at least 3-4 yrs, cause thats how long Ive
been using mine..and they are still running strong G

I recently went out on the banana peel and picked up their 1" SDS hammer drill.
I haven't had it out of the box yet. It was *so* cheap.

I install a lot of machine tools, lots of redheads drilled into the
floor, and a couple years ago, I bought
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90340

It was on sale for $39 or so. Mine is white, rather than orange or
black.

The ad says no bits. Mine came with 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, a drill chuck, a
star drill and a chisel, all in a rather nice case.

Last week, I sank (24) 1/2" redheads into a concrete floor and bolted
down 3 hydrostatic bar feeders. The same sds bits that came with the
drill originally. Been working find and dandy for at least 2 years of
commercial duty. The 3/8 bit is getting dull though. Its done at
least 200 holes. Shrug

Gunner


GWE

Rule #35
"That which does not kill you,
has made a huge tactical error"

Now that I have a HF store within reach so I can see things in person
I'm a lot more comfortable with buying from them.

On a recent trip I picked up two of the 6" digital calipers at $16/ea.
Those things are amazingly nice for the price.

The quality is far better than you would expect. It's nicely finished,
no rough edges and burrs. There is no little gold "Made in China"
sticker, it's now laser etched in the SS on the back. The plastic
housing for the display is well molded. Auto on when you move the slide
and it even holds the zero. Even the case is well made.

I don't have a gauge block set, but checking some drill bits and
comparing reading on larger stuff to my dial calipers it seems plenty
accurate. Perhaps not a Starrett or Mitatoyo, but not far behind and a
minute fraction of the price.

Back when I did CNC service I dealt with a lot of very good Japanese
machines and we also had a line from Taiwan. Those Taiwan machines were
*not* crap at all, they compared quite well to the Japanese ones.

The quality of the Chinese / Taiwanese stuff is definitely improving.

Pete C.

"Robert Swinney" wrote in message
...
Thanx, Harold for a "voice of reason" reply. I always respect your
opinion
and often look to it as advice from an expert. All too often, many posters
betray their naiveté by out-of- hand comments re. Harbor Freight and other
discount suppliers. I wonder how many of those shop at Wal-Mart. I'm not
a
particular advocate of Harbor Freight, but like you, I refuse to bad-mouth
them in the belief that others will look up to me as more sophisticated
than
I really am.

Bob Swinney

Thanks for your kind words, Bob. The truth is there are some very good
buys at HF---even the import items. I can't tell you the number of times
I've been bailed out by buying one of their inexpensive offerings.

Sure, often the tool in question is not nearly as nice as something that
sells for several times their asking price, but for a one time use, it beats
not having one, and it's often superior to something that you might rent.
I've been the route of renting tools that are poorly maintained and are
nothing but trouble. When the smoke clears, the rent center has your
money, you have an empty pocket, but the task at hand still remains. A
cheap tool often gets you through the crisis, and you have it for future
use, should a need arise. Makes sense to me. A good example is the 1/2"
hammer drill I purchased recently. It replaced a Hitachi that I bought
yours ago, a Hitachi that was not worth the price I paid. The HF thus far
has performed no worse than the Hitachi, and it cost 1/4 what I paid for the
Hitachi with dollars that *were* still worth a little, not the worthless
dollars of today.

I can't imagine anyone that is more snobbish than I am when it comes to
machines/tools, yet I still manage to frequent HF fairly often. Some
times you simply have to let good sense rule. I just don't set my
expectations high when I make a purchase at their stores.

Harold

wrote in message
ups.com...

A firm with ethics like this deserves special reconition! While I can't
get into the products that they sell, I really have to respect their
business ethics, and now feel almost obligated to buy something from
them, not because I want the product, buy just to show them my respect.

You don't have to feel guilty about buying from Harbor Freight. While some
of their stuff is definitely crap (particularly cutting tools like saw
blades and drill bits), they also sell some things that are just fine and at
a great price. It's up to you to be a discriminating buyer.

For example, you could get a brass or copper head hammer from them and it
will be as good as most other similar hammers at more expensive outlets
(probably even made by the same manufacturer). Or you could buy some welding
supplies. Or a shop crane. Or even a decent Chinese mill-drill (not as good
as the true Taiwanese Rong-Fu, but probably as good as any other Chinese
mill-drill of that design).

And Harbor Freight does stand behind many of their products. I bought a pair
of bearing press plates from HF a number of years ago (in Southern
California). Recently, a piece broke off the thin edge. I took them up to
the local HF (in Northern California), and without a receipt, they exchanged
the broken set for a new pair.

And lest you think HF only sells cheap Chinese tooling, you should know that
they also sell name-brand tools at good prices. I bought a high-end
Ingersoll Rand air impact wrench from them a while back at a very low sale
price.

Give HF a try, not just because they practice good business ethics, but
because they offer a good value for your tooling dollar.

(Standard Disclaimer: I have no interest in HF other than being a satisfied
customer.)

Regards,
Michael

I have to agree with the previous comments. Buying from HF can be a
crap shoot, but I have some excellent Chinese machine tools, quick
change toolpost, adjustable reamers, boring bars, etc. I avoid the very
cheap cutting tools. Picked up a nice set of magnetic welding jigs for
$0.99 ea. at the grand opening of a local store. This company knows how
to sell and stay in business.
Bugs

I've brought a couple things from HF over the past 25 years or so that
have been junk and they took them back and paid for the return
shipping.
What more could you ask?? B.G.

Bugs wrote:
I have to agree with the previous comments. Buying from HF can be a
crap shoot, but I have some excellent Chinese machine tools, quick
change toolpost, adjustable reamers, boring bars, etc. I avoid the
very
cheap cutting tools. Picked up a nice set of magnetic welding jigs
for
$0.99 ea. at the grand opening of a local store. This company knows
how
to sell and stay in business.
Bugs

Have bought a lot of stuff from HF over the years. Most of it is pretty
good. BUT, my rule is "Never buy anything with an edge on it; it won't have
one for long..." I've had a couple things fail (small vise, 3/4" rachet)
and they exchanged them with no hassle. A lot of things will need "some"
work, but at the price, one can well afford it. I bought a wood lathe that
vibrated like crazy. Turns out, the drive belt had a little "S" curve in
it. A good one from the auto parts store ($2.75) and the machine works
great. A small, metal cutting bandsaw went through its original blade in
about two turns. I run Starrett blades on it and have had nothing but great
service from it. A few things have been absolute junk, but, overall, my
experience with them has been very positive. The price on a few things was
so low that I figured they wouldn't last long, but worked well, so I went
back and bought a spare. In every case, the spare is still in its box...

Jerry
"DeepDiver" wrote in message
...
wrote in message
ups.com...

A firm with ethics like this deserves special reconition! While I can't
get into the products that they sell, I really have to respect their
business ethics, and now feel almost obligated to buy something from
them, not because I want the product, buy just to show them my respect.

You don't have to feel guilty about buying from Harbor Freight. While some
of their stuff is definitely crap (particularly cutting tools like saw
blades and drill bits), they also sell some things that are just fine and
at
a great price. It's up to you to be a discriminating buyer.

For example, you could get a brass or copper head hammer from them and it
will be as good as most other similar hammers at more expensive outlets
(probably even made by the same manufacturer). Or you could buy some
welding
supplies. Or a shop crane. Or even a decent Chinese mill-drill (not as
good
as the true Taiwanese Rong-Fu, but probably as good as any other Chinese
mill-drill of that design).

And Harbor Freight does stand behind many of their products. I bought a
pair
of bearing press plates from HF a number of years ago (in Southern
California). Recently, a piece broke off the thin edge. I took them up to
the local HF (in Northern California), and without a receipt, they
exchanged
the broken set for a new pair.

And lest you think HF only sells cheap Chinese tooling, you should know
that
they also sell name-brand tools at good prices. I bought a high-end
Ingersoll Rand air impact wrench from them a while back at a very low sale
price.

Give HF a try, not just because they practice good business ethics, but
because they offer a good value for your tooling dollar.

(Standard Disclaimer: I have no interest in HF other than being a
satisfied
customer.)

Regards,
Michael

Jerry Foster wrote:
Have bought a lot of stuff from HF over the years. Most of it is pretty
good. BUT, my rule is "Never buy anything with an edge on it; it won't have
one for long..."

snipped

Well, my experience today contradicts that.

I couldn't resist buying an assortment of 10 metalworking chisels and
punches from them when they were on sale for less than $5.00.

The chisels are the standard "cold chisel" style, with blade widths from
1/2" to 7/8" and there were a few flat ended round punches and a couple
of cone pointed round ones in the mix. The longest chisel was the 7/8"
wide one, at 9-1/2". All stamped "China".

Today I had to replace a brick in the bottom riser of our front steps.
Water must have gotten into it and frozen last winter, 'cause a big
chunk about half the length of the brick was missing, leaving an ugly
hole that kept catching my eye every time I walked toward it.

I didn't want to use one of my "good" chrome plated chisels so I grabbed
one of the HF ones and a hand sledge to knock out the rest of that brick
and its mortar. It was a PIA to reach, being only one course up from the
front walk. I was stuck with lying on my side most of the time so I
could see what I was doing.

When I was putting the tools away I looked at the business end of that
HF chisel and it was barely dulled. The striking end was a little
mushroomed but 30 seconds at the bench grinder had both ends looking
fine again.

I think I got my money's worth that time.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in public
schools"

I've bought stuff from them and been very happy with the results.
Usually I get simple tools, like hammers, clamps and such. The solar
powered auto-dark welding hood was a good buy, as was the dual 151 mig
welder (for $200). I've used both a lot, especially the welding hood.
Everything has perfrmed great.

I needed an extra drill chuck and arbor. called HF with the model number
for one of their drill presses, got a 5/8" chuck, #2MT arbor to fit, and
2 chuck keys for $9 plus $3 S&H. OK with me.

wrote:
After hearing about Harbor Freight in this newsgroup, I authorized them
to email me their catalog and sales literature.

As it turned out I wasn't really interested in the quality of
mechandize that they were selling, but their email advertisements
continued to arrive at the rate of 2 or 3 each week.

This went on for about 3 months. Last week I sent them an email reply
with the words REMOVE as the subject. Believe it or not, they
immediately took me off their mailing list.

A firm with ethics like this deserves special reconition! While I can't
get into the products that they sell, I really have to respect their
business ethics, and now feel almost obligated to buy something from
them, not because I want the product, buy just to show them my respect.


Harry C.

I bought stuff from HF and - when taking into account what I'm buying and
how much I'm paying for it - have generally been pleased.

I have to comment that it is truly astounding how much mail I get from them.
It seems that more days than not, I'll get a catalog or a flyer or
something.... I can't believe that they don't mail away all their profits.
I know there must be marketing numbers that justify this tactic, but I
figure that a catalog's got to be good for a couple of weeks, at least. I
get at least a couple a week. Amazing.

Peter

wrote in message
ups.com...
After hearing about Harbor Freight in this newsgroup, I authorized them
to email me their catalog and sales literature.

As it turned out I wasn't really interested in the quality of
mechandize that they were selling, but their email advertisements
continued to arrive at the rate of 2 or 3 each week.

This went on for about 3 months. Last week I sent them an email reply
with the words REMOVE as the subject. Believe it or not, they
immediately took me off their mailing list.

A firm with ethics like this deserves special reconition! While I can't
get into the products that they sell, I really have to respect their
business ethics, and now feel almost obligated to buy something from
them, not because I want the product, buy just to show them my respect.


Harry C.

In article . net,
"Peter Grey" wrote:

I bought stuff from HF and - when taking into account what I'm buying and
how much I'm paying for it - have generally been pleased.

I have to comment that it is truly astounding how much mail I get from them.
It seems that more days than not, I'll get a catalog or a flyer or
something.... I can't believe that they don't mail away all their profits.
I know there must be marketing numbers that justify this tactic, but I
figure that a catalog's got to be good for a couple of weeks, at least. I
get at least a couple a week. Amazing.

I gave them my Yahoo spam address, and get a couple of mailings a week
from them... they come with a laundry list of sale stuff, and most have
a $5 off $50 dollars or more, or $10 off $100 dollars or more coupons
you can print and take to their brick and mortar stores.

I've bought some odds and ends from them, and generally have been happy.
Got one of their steel 110 lb Russian anvils... they were on sale, and I
used a coupon on top of that. Don't remember what it came to, but it was
a smoking deal. Wish I was able to get it back in the early 70's...
would have been just the thing for ton's of stuff I've done.

Another poster noted the Chinese stuff is getting better. Must admit I
agree. They're still a rough around the edges, and have a way's to go
still, but definitely better!

Erik

On 6 Apr 2005 21:16:00 -0700, wrote:

After hearing about Harbor Freight in this newsgroup, I authorized them
to email me their catalog and sales literature.

As it turned out I wasn't really interested in the quality of
mechandize that they were selling, but their email advertisements
continued to arrive at the rate of 2 or 3 each week.

This went on for about 3 months. Last week I sent them an email reply
with the words REMOVE as the subject. Believe it or not, they
immediately took me off their mailing list.

A firm with ethics like this deserves special reconition! While I can't
get into the products that they sell, I really have to respect their
business ethics, and now feel almost obligated to buy something from
them, not because I want the product, buy just to show them my respect.

I sure like their 6" digital calipers. I have a Mitutoyo DigiMatic,
can't see that it's any better or more accurate than the ones from HF.
I've had a couple of the HF jobs for at least a couple of years with
no problems so far. They're cheap enough to throw one in the glove
compartment of the truck, etc. They get no respect, but they still
keep working!

I had a MIG welder from HF that was a POS, but that was several years
ago now. It was made in Italy, not China.

My orange 4-1/2" angle grinder sounds like it's self-destructing, but
it keeps working. I just wear shooter's earmuffs when using it.
I've already used it enough that I don't figure it owes me a thing,
considering what I paid for it.

OTOH, I've found that their drills and taps are worthless.

I bought my 7x10 lathe at Harbor Freight two years ago. Last year, I
bought an eight inch drill press there. I'm going to use these tools
to build the PM Research machine tool models. After that, I'm going to
build the PM Research tools in their original sizes. That ought to
keep me busy for awhile.

"MikeMandaville" wrote in message
oups.com...
I bought my 7x10 lathe at Harbor Freight two years ago. Last year, I
bought an eight inch drill press there. I'm going to use these tools
to build the PM Research machine tool models. After that, I'm going to
build the PM Research tools in their original sizes. That ought to
keep me busy for awhile.


Way cool. Are there any published how-to plans or articles for building
such machines full sized?

John

John Horner wrote:
"MikeMandaville" wrote in message
oups.com...
I bought my 7x10 lathe at Harbor Freight two years ago. Last year,
I
bought an eight inch drill press there. I'm going to use these
tools
to build the PM Research machine tool models. After that, I'm
going to
build the PM Research tools in their original sizes. That ought to
keep me busy for awhile.


Way cool. Are there any published how-to plans or articles for
building
such machines full sized?

John

Hello, John.

I am assuming that you probably already know about the Gingery
shop-from-scrap series, though, just in case you don't, here is the
link:

http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/series/index.html

Just to save some time, I've been thinking about doing the casting by
using the thermit process:

http://www.lindsaybks.com/bks4/thermit/

I can buy all of the chemicals to make thermit from Skyliter, though
that would be an expensive way to go, so instead, I plan on purchasing
all of my materials locally. I will be able to get the iron oxide at
my local ceramics supplier, and then process it with a homemade ball
mill. Now all I will need to do is to determine the most efficient
means of pulverizing the aluminum. Any suggestions?

:-)

Mike Mandaville
Austin, Texas

"MikeMandaville" wrote in message

I am assuming that you probably already know about the Gingery
shop-from-scrap series, though, just in case you don't, here is the
link:

http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/series/index.html


I am new to the metalworking thing, though I am a long time woodworker and
DIY auto mechanic. Thanks for the reference, I have ordered the books!

Just to save some time, I've been thinking about doing the casting by
using the thermit process:

http://www.lindsaybks.com/bks4/thermit/


I've long thought how great it would be to be able to do some small part
casting. Hmmm!

John