Defunct harbor freight compressor

At least when you buy at H.F. you know what you are getting and your recourse when it breaks. I receive pallets of broken central pneumatic, air compressors and other power tools that are purchased in bulk from H.F. And sent to me for public auction. That said... I also receive pallets of broken and unused tools with names like Honda, Stanley, Black and Decker to name a few that are suspect of being counterfeit.

Also for a brief period of time I was a MAC Tool Distributor and when H.F. opened its doors in town, it was hard to sell a $120 Ingersol Rand air ratchet when they offered otherwise disposable CP ratchets for $15.
 
I bought my CP air ratchet back in the early 70's when they were good, but after hearing an Ingersol Rand work one day I later bought one. It's kind of like listening to a Sears electric drill run, then listen to a Milwaukee drill run. Just by the sound you can tell which is the better quality.
 
I agree H.F. stuff can blow, but I've had good luck with their air tools. I bought a floor nailer for less than $100. Did my floors, loaned it to friends and both said it works great. I couldn't have rented one for that. Also, my Ingersol 1/2 impact was getting tired and didn't want to spend $500. from the tool truck. I bought the Thunder Gun. $110. Five years ago. Still works great. When my co-workers can't get their expensive guns to break loose frozen bolts they ask "Can I borrow that POS impact gun?". It always does the job.
 
MikeK said:
Ya missed the point, Bill. You "Spec" something, the samples come through that way and you OK them, then when it's time to fill the cargo containers and direct ship to your distributors, they live up to their motto: guà yáng tóu mài gôu ròu. Materials and quality control turns to crap.
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I think Bill had it right the first time. Your way would not get many repeat orders. modern factories and American technology mean the "Chinese" can build it any way you want. But the average American wants Walmart pricing, so you get Walmart quality. Sadly, American workers often appear to have a bad attitude.

You need to find someone who "prices to the quality" not someone who "builds quality to match a price". Hard to do somedays.

FWIW, Harbor freight tools generally meet or exceed my expectations-but I don't expect much. If i need a high quality tool, I go find something made 50 years ago.
 
I have one of their straight electric die grinders. I love it. Figure it won't last forever, so I bought a second one when they were on sale "just in case."
 
PeteVS said:
I have one of their straight electric die grinders. I love it. Figure it won't last forever, so I bought a second one when they were on sale "just in case."
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I got one too and like it. One advantage is I don't have to run the compressor to do small jobs.
 
Terry said:
Harbor freight stuff is crap! Everything I ever bought there broke in a short time> It's garbage!
Terry
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I agree fully. Some people cant get that "I don't want to spend much money" idea out of their heads. They deserve what they get.

Mel
 
Terry said:
Harbor freight stuff is crap! Everything I ever bought there broke in a short time> It's garbage!
Terry
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Then why did you keep going back if EVERYTHING was crap/garbage/or always broke? We all know that most of their stuff is not Industrial or Professional Quality. Bill W.
 
Simple! Hope springs eternal! Each time I bought something and it failed, I thought it was a one time thing, A freak. After it happened a few times, I learned my lesson. It isn't even "Hobbyist" quality IMO To be fair, I have one of their osscillating saws and I do like it.
Terry


BILL WILLIAMSON said:
Then why did you keep going back if EVERYTHING was crap/garbage/or always broke? We all know that most of their stuff is not Industrial or Professional Quality. Bill W.
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Installed the new control box on my Harbor Freight compressor. It came adjusted low (30 LBS) probably for safety. Gradually adjusted it up to compressor's normal 120 LBS & all is well. 10 MM. adjusting screw under the cover is clearly marked + or - (No instructions with it) Bill W.
 
HF has +'s and -'s. And like was said, you get what you pay for. This last comment applies to anything you buy now days regardless where made.

HF has opened a new store in our area. It is very well stocked, organized, staffed with "real" people who can communicate and is a great place to shop. Yes some of the stuff is cheaply made and may not last. But I may not last either. So why spend a fortune on something I may use only once or twice.
 
I agree with Fred K. For a few dollars more you can get extended warranty. The way it was explained to me was if the item fails while in warranty it will be replaced and the warranty starts over. If the item is brought back before the time is up this can sort of be like a lifetime warranty.
 
The real question is "Why does Ingersoll rand charge so much for their air ratchets? Putting the two side by side, there is enough differernce between them to justify the price difference. It's company policy. The Chinese are following Henry Ford's pricing policy of lowering the price as costs go down and making very little per unit. American companies got greedy when they had the markets all to them selves and now they find it very hard to backtrack.
Terry





lance leblanc said:
At least when you buy at H.F. you know what you are getting and your recourse when it breaks. I receive pallets of broken central pneumatic, air compressors and other power tools that are purchased in bulk from H.F. And sent to me for public auction. That said... I also receive pallets of broken and unused tools with names like Honda, Stanley, Black and Decker to name a few that are suspect of being counterfeit.

Also for a brief period of time I was a MAC Tool Distributor and when H.F. opened its doors in town, it was hard to sell a $120 Ingersol Rand air ratchet when they offered otherwise disposable CP ratchets for $15.
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I mostly buy old tools, even air tools and rebuild them. I use them for a living and A LOT of the "new" stuff is made overseas, the tool truck air tools are re branded IR stuff and IR is made overseas. Funny how I remember seeing tools in the 80's that where made in Japan and thinking "Wow these are junk", now those same tools are high quality.
 
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1oldtimer said:
I mostly buy old tools, even air tools and rebuild them. I use them for a living and A LOT of the "new" stuff is made overseas, the tool truck air tools are re branded IR stuff and IR is made overseas. Funny how I remember seeing tools in the 80's that where made in Japan and thinking "Wow these are junk", now those same tools are high quality.
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Back in the early '80s, when I did my Diemakers Apprenticeship, if you showed up with foreign tools, your commitment to the Trade was questioned-the Journeymen wondered if you were really serious about being a Diemaker. By the time I retired two years ago (as a Pipefitter!), guys had Harbor Freight tools in their boxes, and used them with no shame at all-myself included.
 
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