Harbor Freight

chessie4905 · March 24, 2020, 05:42:40 AM

https://www.harborfreight.com/help-us-help-your-hospital.html

oltrunt · March 24, 2020, 12:03:41 PM

While I'm certain the offer is given in the right spirit I just can't get past the quality issues I've had with HF offerings. That said, when were in the crunch anything is better than nothing--I hope. Jack

DoubleEagle · March 24, 2020, 07:13:42 PM

I am super surprised that Harbor Freight carries N95 masks that would meet medical standards, but then, a lot of medical supplies do come from China.

Dave5Cs · March 24, 2020, 10:01:29 PM

Most supplies and most US drugs are made in China.

dtcerrato · March 25, 2020, 10:47:41 AM

Scary but true.
More scary than that is some of the software intelligence in our largest war machines (ships) originated in China. I read an article a couple months ago about the USN was looking into it. Geeze! Ya think?

Fred Mc · March 25, 2020, 07:52:44 PM

95% of antibiotic ingredients come from China
AND
they have threatened to cut it off.

DoubleEagle · March 25, 2020, 08:28:10 PM

I thought India was producing a lot of drugs for us.

bronson · March 26, 2020, 05:04:59 AM

I might be a little biased as my school and I won $100000 in the harbor freight tools for schools program. As a winner I was invited to UCLA last summer for the Let's Build It Institute by Tools for Schools. I have never met such dedicated individuals and awesome people in general. They are truly dedicated to change career tech education. Founder of HF Eric Smidt was a career tech student himself and came up wit Tools for Schools to give back. Recently they offered additional funds up to $10k to all of us previous winners for additional projects. I declined because I had not spent the original 100k. While in California we also visited their R and D facility. I can say they truly are trying to build better tools. The latest initiative that they are involved in is the harbor freight fellows. Basically it's a grant to get a kid started in an internship. It provides a student with $1200 for completing a 120 he internship. They also get an additional $250 for tools. Mentor at employer and school gets $500 .

chessie4905 · March 26, 2020, 06:14:59 AM

Glad to hear this. I've seen this reported from HF emails, but haven't seen any examples till this. Thanks.
Btw, they are beginning to offer a premium line of tools and equipment, which command higher prices. Wonder if these items are still made in China though. If it isn't, maybe they could brand it as Clifford.😁

luvrbus · March 26, 2020, 06:34:08 AM

LOL funny John they now offer better tools at a higher price,some of the HF stuff is ok I bought a 10 pack of 4 inch cutting they didn't last as long as 1 wheel I get from the welding shop for 5 bucks.They have changed their warranty policy too I get no more free replacements( inspection camera or code readers) unless I buy the insurance.HF is convenient for me so I do buy some stuff lol but they still have a store full of junk

oltrunt · March 26, 2020, 09:11:12 AM

Smidt got rich selling ify tools so I remain a skeptic. I've had too many knuckle bustings thanks to HF's tools lousy quality. Glad to hear they may be starting a "quality" line of tools. They will need to post signs pointing out the higher grade tools----like "These 'uns here be quality, these 'uns here not so much. Jack

Dave5Cs · March 26, 2020, 09:30:04 AM

ICON brand tools are their new line of good quality hand tools. A little more but worth it.

Jim Blackwood · March 26, 2020, 09:47:06 AM

When Harbor Freight came on the scene I said they were acceptable quality tools for what they cost and a bargain in terms of letting the public buy tools they otherwise could never afford. They were very influential in making tools affordable for the masses by influencing overall prices downwards. I also said that would change, and it has.

As a result most of us can now afford some very respectable assortment of good usable tools whether they come from HF or elsewhere. Usually not as good as from top of the line suppliers like Milwaulkee, but for a homeowner and part time mechanic, plenty good enough most of the time. As a whole we are incredibly fortunate to be in this situation.

Jim

luvrbus · March 26, 2020, 10:05:15 AM

The new line of hand tools the finish is pretty rough on the wrenches ,I sold my SnapOn tool boxes and all back to a dealer for more than I paid.I have a lot of Wright Tools now real good quality and affordable made in the USA

DoubleEagle · March 26, 2020, 10:43:44 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on March 26, 2020, 10:05:15 AM
The new line of hand tools the finish is pretty rough on the wrenches ,I sold my SnapOn tool boxes and all back to a dealer for more than I paid.I have a lot of Wright Tools now real good quality and affordable made in the USA

In Ohio, don't forget that part.