The Truth About Harbor Freight Tools in 2024

Dive into our latest video where we uncover the reasons why Harbor Freight is your go-to destination for quality tools at unbeatable prices!

From power tools that punch above their weight to hand tools with lifetime guarantees, we're spilling the beans on how Harbor Freight keeps both your toolbox and wallet full. Whether you're a seasoned craftsman or just starting your DIY journey, this video is packed with insights, comparisons, and real-user experiences that will make you rethink where you shop for tools.

Don't miss out on stretching your dollars further—click play now!

____________________________

📱Follow us on social media:

[zapapnt]

I have always been a proponent (for myself) of buying
quality tools, to last a lifetime. However, as I got past
50, I realized, I can buy less expensive tools and they
will (for me) still last a lifetime. 😁✌🖖

[ToddReuterOutdoors]

95% of the tools or gear I’ve purchased from Harbor Freight have been great quality for the DIY weekend warrior that I am.

[asbrand]

I have an old Chicago Electric handheld belt sander (orange plastic body) that I bought at Harbor Freight over 20 years ago. I paid maybe $15-20 for it. Still works to this day.

[demghgl]

I bought both Bauer and Hercules tools and like them both. I got at least 25 cordless tools and a dozen batteries. You can't beat the deals when they give you a free tool for buying a battery and charger. Best Bang for the buck!

[ElectroAtletico]

HF has pretty much taken on the DIY market and caters to it. Their products are "good enough", and for me, that's good enough.

[timyarbro]

I've been shopping at Harbor Freight for 20 yrs or more now and I actually bought few tools from them and used them more than once. Then a long came the Icon brand and Chief and Earthquake. It has now became the place that I go to first when looking for a tool.

[rawbacon]

The Father's retired alright, he died in 2016. I have tools I bought mail order from HF in the 80s-90s and they still work great. Overall hand or power tools have worked well.

[dart]

My philosophy of use is disposal. For cost of using DeWalt and Milwaukee, you can get about 1.5 - 3x the stuff from Bauer and Hercules without the extra bell and whistles. For a single dewalt 5 amp battery (100 bucks normal price) i can get a bauer 5amh Battery, a single charger, a saw and a blade on a regular bauer or Hercules sale. A DeWalt charger is like 120 and the saw is 100. I would rather spend the 300 on two bundles and an 8amh battery (100) to keep in the car for road side assistance. Such as cutting up curbside furniture on trash day. One man's bed frame is now one of my work benches.

[BobLovesKaren]

I share the philosophy that you buy the HF model until you use it enough to break it, then step up.

I have a few HF pneumatic nailers that I fully expected to die quickly due to the price and they are still going strong after 8+ yrs.

But I’m just a weekender.

[jimtownsend]

Harbor Freight also sells non-resident brands. I bought a Franklin stud sensor which is also sold at Home Depot (for $8 more, I might add). One can also purchase Bremen (Bessey) clamps, PB petroleum products, WD40. I think the current owner is making a concerted effort to: a. Incorporate more name brands, and b. Improve the quality of resident brands to compete functionally with brands found elsewhere, including tool trucks.

[geauxtigers]

I can’t lie, I have a 1/2 inch impact that I’ve used for several years now. Never once has it malfunctioned and it does exactly what it said it would. I can’t complain.

[craigsudman]

I like Harbour Freight brands because when they break or wear out, they are easy to fix with shop fabricated parts (like making a new handle for your clamp which broke). Great video thumbs up.

[GrowLLLTigeRRR]

I love my Hercules dual bevel miter saw.

[nicholasdavis]

I was literally there yesterday and saw those chisels you mentioned. I had the opposite reaction as you, which was that they’re so cheap, I might as well give them a try.

[michaelkaplan]

I concur with your assessment. Buy the brand that works for you. As a DIYer, I don’t depend on my tools so day in, day out use and dependability are not requirements for me.

I have bought both low end and high end hand planes. They all work but the high end ones are easier to precisely set and keep that set up more consistently. While the time isn’t critical to me, the satisfaction of knowing the high end tools are more enjoyable to use makes a difference.

Having said that, I have bought several HF tools and every one of them have served my needs well.

[MickeFoppa]

Thanks for the info and yes I agree with you about how to spend and for what purpose and how many projects you need the tools etc. Awesome thanks 😊

[berniestewart]

Great stuff sir. I got a Chicago electric drill over 5 years ago because I was going through life stuff and needed a drill. Not everyone should use an electric drill. The video is very helpful since I have the woodworking bone back. I used to work for a high end cabinet shop 20 years ago and went to work for the gubment. After building a couple things for my lovely bride to be I want to get back into it.

[RJSearson]

Excellent video! Thanks to this, I will definitely be giving some serious thought to Harbor Freight tools in the near future. I'm about to close on my first house, and it needs quite a bit of work, so I'll be needing some new tools. I've been there in the past for some small things (hardware, socket sets, etc.) and I noticed that all of the products were in-house brands, but I never thought too hard about what that meant for their business model. Makes sense that there's some savings there to be passed on to the consumer.

[ScottTaipaleRail]

If you’re (I’m) buying Chinese made tools might as well buy low cost. Just got the Hercules planer. It does its job admirably. I went out looking for a table saw too. I didn’t see anytime in the Dewalt that would make me choose it so the Hercules came home with me. Plus the 20% off sales on both helped my bank account.

[jontnoneya]

Great vid - I was a bit on guard based on the title cuz I've seen some tool snob channels that really run down HF. But you seemed to give an honest assessment. Not all good, not all bad and you helped to give context around buying decisions. Well done.