[AT] Critique of TSC was Antique tractors anyone?

[deanvp at att.net]

IMHO  Harbor Freight tools are ok for somebody like me who at best could be called a shade tree mechanic.   Their tools have improved the last 20 years and some of the other better manufacturers tools have gone downhill. Craftsman is an example.  I still own probably 95% of a set of tools I bought when I was in High School.  Craftsman of course.  I compare those to what is being sold now under the Craftsman name and there is a substantial difference in quality.  An example. I've worn out newer 3/8" ratchets with limited use when my original 3/8" ratchet still plugs away. And I am a low usage owner. I have considered HF's move into higher priced and supposedly higher quality tools very suspect. I don't think of going to HF to buy quality tools. I go there to buy tools that are not going to get much usage and are cheap. It would seem to me that professional mechanics are going to be very slow in moving toward HF "quality" tools.    But.... maybe the other manufacturers will reduce their quality enough to make HF look good to them. Don't know but I think it is a gutsy move for HF to try to sell higher priced/higher quality tools. That isn't who their current customers are. 

Dean VP
Snohomish, WA 98290

-----Original Message-----
From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> On Behalf Of szabelski at wildblue.net
Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2019 8:36 PM
To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] Critique of TSC was Antique tractors anyone?

Purchased quite a few things from them, and the freebies are a nice thing along with the 20% off coupons.  I’ve collected a lot of their flashlights, screw driver sets, etc and give them to friends and family. All my kids have a small assortment of tools to carry around in their cars in case of emergency.

If you’re into wood working, their mortise drill set is great, good clean holes with no tear out.

Their 4” angle grinder is also good and they always seem to have their grinding wheels on sale. I’ve taken the guard off and used their 4-1/2” grinding wheels and flap disks on it as well.

I’ve only broken one of their impact sockets (was in a hurry and used it with a breaker bar). They replaced it no questions asked.

Their auto dimming welding helmet is great. All you have to do is set it for wire or stick welding, and for the ampacity rating of the welder. I bought the plain Jane version, no fancy flames or such.

Won’ t go into everything I’ve gotten from them, but I’m pretty happy with most of it.



----- Original Message -----
From: Cecil Bearden <crbearden at copper.net>
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Sent: Sat, 19 Oct 2019 22:06:09 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [AT] Critique of TSC was Antique tractors anyone?

I use their impact sockets regularly.   I also have several sets of their combination wrenches.  Their 1/4 to 1/2 sockets I have some, but I really inspect them before I buy.  There are some sets that are not worth taking home.  Their large wrenches ( over 1-1/2") I have a couple of sets.  Their pipe wrenches are OK..   I have several 3/4 drive sets, I keep one in each towing truck and in my pickup and in the tool trailer.  I use the 3/4 and 1in drive sets with the impact wrench with no problems.  I buy their goatskin leather gloves 5 pairs at a time. Their automatic welding helmets work great.  Their sandpaper is not worth taking home.  I use their wire brushes.  Their 110v lights are ok and also their LED lights are so far so good.

Cecil

On 10/19/2019 6:09 PM, Dennis Johnson wrote:
> I like Harbor Freight tools. Most of the spare set of tools in my cabin is from there. Some specialty tools in my main shop are from there also. Also a few tools I keep in my wife’s car are from there. I like there impacts, and plan to get the 1” one soon.
> They have a new ICON brand that is supposed to be tool truck quality -my son just got one of these ratchets to carry in his pickup.
> Have not tried there welders yet, but some look to be good.
> Got a sliding mitre saw there for my son and he was not impressed with it.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Oct 19, 2019, at 3:46 PM, "szabelski at wildblue.net" <szabelski at wildblue.net> wrote:
>>
>> I’ve had pretty good luck with HFT tools and their warranties. I usually read all the reviews beforeI buy anything, and sometimes you can see that tool failures are due to user error or abuse. Not swearing by anything, or defending them in everything. They do have some items that are not worth using more than once, but that’s usually all I need it for. You do get what you pay for in some instances. If I were buying for the purpose of going into business for myself,  I would definitely go big name and high price.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Cecil Bearden <crbearden at copper.net>
>> To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
>> Sent: Sat, 19 Oct 2019 16:00:39 -0400 (EDT)
>> Subject: Re: [AT] Critique of TSC was Antique tractors anyone?
>>
>> Don't pick on Harbor Freight!  They have got me out of a bind many 
>> times when I needed a large wrench or when my Ingersoll 1in drive 
>> impact got water inside and rusted.  Harbor Freight's Earthquake 1in 
>> drive impact had twice the torque the old Ingersoll had and was $100 less than the
>> parts to fix the Ingersoll.   I have had their impact sockets and
>> wrenches for several years now, and have no problem with them.  Their 
>> impact wrenches give good service for a lot less .
>> Cecil
>>
>>> On 10/19/2019 9:17 AM, James Peck wrote:
>>>
>>> Sort of a tractor oriented version of Harbor Freight.
>>>
>>> [Dean VP] <snip>  I’m actually surprised that TSC sells and uses 
>>> such good paint. Maybe they are putting lipstick on a pig. IMHO, the 
>>> small trailers TSC sells are pieces of junk. Maybe that isn’t Valspar paint.
>>> Might be electrostatic. Really poorly built trailers with cheap 
>>> materials. I’ve noticed some other products at TSC that are not 
>>> worth writing home about either.  My limited experience with TSC 
>>> products is they are higher priced and lower quality.  <snip>
>>>
>>>
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