Harbor Freight Tools Review System and Northern Tools Review

RANGERDALEXP · 2011-05-26 17:31:37

I thought I would start an off topic thread regarding tools. We have a tool distributor called Harbor Freight Tools in California and back east one called Northern Tool Company, I do a lot of business with both including Sears as well at times. Back in the day I also was involved with buying of the tool trucks but the cost has become way over the top with them and now days I have found that a lot of the china made stuff has become almost as good as the tool trucks and at least as good as Sears for 1/8th to ¼ the cost of the tools. I do hate to buy china stuff but I recently bought a 36mm wrench from Northern Tool that cost $12 and sears wanted $70 and car quest wanted like $85 for an SK brand. The NT has the same warranty as Sears as well as equal build quality.

In regards to warranty and having to return broken stuff. I have found that Harbor Freights warranty is as good as Sears in there return policy and in some cases better then Snap On. The last time I broke a Snap on ratchet; the guy did not give me a new one but replaced the broken parts. I have heard this from my other mechanic friends as well in the business and they have started to do business with companies like NT and HF.

I do have one major problem with Harbor Freight and that is they have an online Rating review system that people are supposed to submit reviews about products. In a lot of cases I make decisions on whether to buy something or not from those reviews. When they started that review system over a year ago I submitted one that was negative on some welding gloves and for over a month it was never posted. I contacted Management and raised Hell with them an accused them on only submitting good reviews and tossing out the bad reviews. I also mentioned that if this was there policy, that they should eliminate the review system all together. After that they did post the review. Just last month I sent them four reviews and none of them were posted again. One was a real bad one regarding an air reciprocating saw that I thought was pure junk. I also submitted some very good reviews on the 3/8 Earthquake air ratchet and the ¼ inch Earthquake air ratchet. Also another good one on there ¾ drive air Impact tool. None of the reviews have been posted but I think the Earthquake brand that they carry is being discontinued which is a shame because I think it is one of the best products they have ever carried. I did contact them in regards to the reviews not being posted and they responded several weeks later saying that they randomly pick reviews and post them. I then replied back and ask for what they mean by random? And if random meant only favorable reviews will be posted, they never did respond back to my question.

In regards to Northern Tool, I have been very happy with them in the quality of the tools and they have a well running review system to help with choices. I have posted good and bad on there site and all have been posted except for one that I included a website and they do not allow that. After I removed the link, it was submitted.

I know this is a little off topic but the site has been a little slow lately and so I thought I would stir it up a bit and maybe some of you can add to this thread as well….

Fasttrax · 2011-05-26 21:12:12

I will say that harbor freight is good on tools that you don't use constantly. My bandsaw works great, the blade wasn't worth crap, compressors has been better than cambell hausfelds, along with their nailers and other tools. I am in the woodworking field and use clamps that I bend or strip and they replace them. Trail tools are great since you loose them and no hard feelings, my craftsman tools I would throw a fit about.
I have bought a lot from grizzly tools over the years, northern is real close to the same. I would put most side x side with American tools unless it has a motor. All the china stuff is so overrated when you look at RPMs and amp ratings.

It's just very sad that our technology has came down to foreign products. The machinists and craftsmen are gone replaced with a programmer and a machine operator.

RANGERDALEXP · 2011-05-27 11:13:14

I will say that harbor freight is good on tools that you don't use constantly. My bandsaw works great, the blade wasn't worth crap, compressors has been better than cambell hausfelds, along with their nailers and other tools. I am in the woodworking field and use clamps that I bend or strip and they replace them. Trail tools are great since you loose them and no hard feelings, my craftsman tools I would throw a fit about.
I have bought a lot from grizzly tools over the years, northern is real close to the same. I would put most side x side with American tools unless it has a motor. All the china stuff is so overrated when you look at RPMs and amp ratings.
It's just very sad that our technology has came down to foreign products. The machinists and craftsmen are gone replaced with a programmer and a machine operator.

I had bought a porta band saw from HF 5 years ago and remember the blade being junk as well that came with it. The saw was a copy off the discontinued Milwaukee saw that was replaced by a newer updated model. It has been a very good saw and since it was a copy of the older saw it runs the Milwaukee blade. I would consider another one since it has been real good so fare. I would also agree that they do not rate there Electric Motors properly as well.

Badley · 2011-05-27 11:31:12

My experience with Harbor freight has been good. I usally only buy tools from them that are only needed occasionally but good to have around - example a biscut joiner, I use rarely but it is good to have one. Chicago brand is not super accurate but good enough to get the job done and reliable. When you can buy a tool at 1/4-1/3 the cost of a brand name it is hard to pass up.

Most of my woodworking stuff is brand name - Craftsman Mitre saw, Delta planer, joiner, band saw, sander, drill press, etc. I did buy a tile saw from Harbor (Chicago brand) that has a rather larger fixed bed with moveable head and will cut 22". It has been perfect, did my house and a rental and even loaned it out for another house and is still a great saw. Mixed results with their hand/power tools - prefer Porter Cable sanders, etc.

RANGERDALEXP · 2011-05-29 16:13:36

I thought I would add a good recommendation on there 1.5 amp 3 stage battery charger and maintainer. I purchased one last year and tested it out and since then bought 3 more of them. It does a real good job on the Polaris batteries and maintains them at around 13.5 volts. It also has a high frequency charge circuit that helps prevent sulphateing. There is one thing I do need to mention though about them. you either need to install a battery disconnect switch in-line on the red lead or remove it from the battery when it is not plugged in. It will discharge the battery :idea: ....

#1 2011-05-26 17:31:37

Re: Harbor Freight Tools Review System and Northern Tools Review

#2 2011-05-26 21:12:12

Re: Harbor Freight Tools Review System and Northern Tools Review

#3 2011-05-27 11:13:14

Re: Harbor Freight Tools Review System and Northern Tools Review

#4 2011-05-27 11:31:12

Re: Harbor Freight Tools Review System and Northern Tools Review

#5 2011-05-29 16:13:36

Re: Harbor Freight Tools Review System and Northern Tools Review

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