Has anyone had any luck with their tools?

When did "Harbor Freight Salvage" drop the "salvage" part? I guess it did sound a bit funky like they salvaged the stuff from the harbor bottom.

I had the 10" sliding compound miter saw that they have on sale regularly for $100, and it was a gem for the price. I used it for 3 years and sold it for $75 when I received a 12" DeWalt as a gift. There have been times I wish I still had it. I bought a heavy duty hand truck for around $25, and it's served me very well for 5 years. One year I used some fix a flat in the tires, but no other problems. Other items I've purchased and used regularly are moving dollies, a benchtop belt sander, an angle grinder, a couple of wrench sets, casters, a farm jack, a digital caliper and other odds and ends.

I've known several woodworkers who have had praise for their bandsaws, dust collectors, drill presses and lathes. I've heard not-so-pleasant things about their cordless tools, and many of those and their accessories as well are the same sort of generic tools that can be had on eBay for the same price or less. Cheap batteries, cheap chargers, cheap construction, low torque regardless of voltage ratings, etc. You can buy a 12V DeWalt tool and it will have as much or more torque or effective power than their 18V tools and be better made.

My perspective is somewhat limited because most of my purchases are WWing related. I've not used their air tools, plumbing or mechanics gear. I've heard good things about some of their air paint sprayers, though.

Now if you make a living go get some better stuff.

I bought a pack of three 1/4" cobalt drill bits because I needed to drill out some bolts on a wood stove (6 I think). It was slow going, but I got all of them with one bit. Then, a week or so ago I used the same bit to drill a couple of holes in a fairly thick frame on a garden cart. I don't know about their regular bits, but their premium bits are OK in my book.

My dad used his tools to make a living installing and repairing industrial boilers and air-handling units. To buy anything other than Craftsman, Crescent or Milwaulkee was tantamount to treason.

Things are a bit tight around home lately, causing me to try more of my own repairs, and those HF prices sure look good. Think I'll give them a shot for a few things and see how they work out.

Todd

I recently purchased a, Referbished 4 cycle String Trimmer Plus from them for $79.97 and was a bit leary but the engine seemed to turn over with plenty of compression and even though the unit only carried a 3 month warranty they did offer a year or two extended warranty for $12.00 extra per year which seemed in line. The Trimmer appeared to be the same as a Troy-Bilt unit but with a different lable on it. Later that afternoon I went to Lowes with a buddy looking for a pole Chain Saw attachment and saw the exact same unit by Troy-Bilt for about $150.00. I've used mine a fair amount already including the pole chain saw and it works great with more than enough power, runs smoothly, and very quiet.

So I have to say that I'm pretty satisified with what I've bought from them. If I have to return this Trimmer for some reason that will be the real test of dealing with them.

I wouldn't trade my milwaukee drill motor for the half-dozen or so HF drills I could get for the same money, but dollar-for dollar, that store is a great place to find something to "get the job done" without destroying your budget (especially items "on sale").

As a matter of the fact, the only item I have ever had a problem with is their 2 million candle power rechargable spot light - returned it w/ no problem.
In my humble opinion, buying tools anywhere else is like flushing your money down the toilet. I could not be happier with Harbor Freight.

I bought a HF Cement mixer and mixed about 100k lbs of cement with it and still have it.

The rest of my tools are name brand.Dewalt,Milwakee,Craftsman,Bostitch,Echo