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One reason to avoid cheap tools

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2,198
1,065
Bay Area
Harbor Freight has great prices on their stuff...Just be careful what you're looking for...I hate Sears Craftsmen tools hasve disappeared from my area..............
You have Lowes near you? That’s where Craftsman is but it’s not made in the US anymore. But at least you get a lifetime warranty
 
2,198
1,065
Bay Area
I have used craftsman tools for 50 years never had a problem with them. Now that they are not made in the USA I will not buy them. Snap on are so over priced. I own a hand full only.
Beside Snapon, SK, Klein, and a few others I don’t recall the brand name who makes tools in the US? MAC has some made here but a lot are made abroad. I think most of my craftsman tools are made in the US but I’m at the point where I can’t dwell on where my ratchet is made when I need a ratchet. When it comes to support such as a jack stand, well I use my quick jack Or race ramps. I’ve always been weary of the Harbor Freight stuff and usually use it to break it.
 
1,161
2,116
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
SoCal
Craftsman hand tools will be available at NAPA in the very near future, with emphasis on having as much of the line built in the US as possible. Lots of new innovation and improvements, especially in the ratchets. Nature of the beast anymore - even the brands that are “made” in the US are largely assembled here with import components.
 
100
109
Utah
I occasionally buy stuff/tools from Harbor Freight. But if your "Job" or your "Life" depends on that tool,, buy a real quality tool and not a Harbor Freight "cheapie".
 
My Craftsman Black Tool box is so full of stuff that I can hardly lift it anymore...it don't help that Hon buried it the garage somewhere because she doesn'.t need it like I do sometyme.............Heaven help me......................
 
1,289
1,113
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Philly Metro Area
If I have to buy from Harbor Freight I try to buy the stuff made in Taiwan vs mainland China. Many of their ratchets & sockets are made in Taiwan and their higher end Doyle pliers are also made there.

I may be deluding myself but I figure the quality of items made in Taiwan is generally better than those made in China. Also, its another reason to avoid buying stuff made in mainland China...
 
HF has a new Icon line that I am told is Snap-On build quality and design. I bought a 3/8 ratchet and it is very smooth and well built. I agree much of their stuff is cheap but they do have some very competitive items. I have several of their top line blue (forgot name) lithium power tools and they are great as well as the Earthquake pneumatic impact gun. Much less than the competition and been working for a couple of years without fail. I don't recall where the Icon brand is made.
 
2,198
1,065
Bay Area
HF has a new Icon line that I am told is Snap-On build quality and design. I bought a 3/8 ratchet and it is very smooth and well built. I agree much of their stuff is cheap but they do have some very competitive items. I have several of their top line blue (forgot name) lithium power tools and they are great as well as the Earthquake pneumatic impact gun. Much less than the competition and been working for a couple of years without fail. I don't recall where the Icon brand is made.
I believe Icon is made in China as well. just because a tool is made in China doesn’t mean it’s crap. My old company manufactured spinal implants in the US for 15-20 yrs. (Some of you might be customers). We kept our prices competitive to keep it in the US. After many many cost analysis there was no way the company could compete with China. All the stuff was sent there and it’s still the same quality as if it was made in CA. We sent teams over for days, weeks, months to ensure quality and GMP was to the same standard required by FDA.
 
1,040
1,088
Monaca Pa
Almost all the jack stands I see look just like HF stands. I have 3 Walker stands and some HF stands that are being recalled. I can’t find Walker Quality ones. The walker stand is rated at 2 tons and HF is 3 tons lol go figure. The walkers got to be 60 years old.AE466437-9622-40BA-871C-71BF8181C339.jpegC1F61AB0-6100-42D2-A169-B495FE88BFE3.jpeg
 
I had a set and a week before this story broke I tossed them. I just never trusted them. I'm using some more robust stands with locking pins now.
 
You have Lowes near you? That’s where Craftsman is but it’s not made in the US anymore. But at least you get a lifetime warranty
I still buy Craftsman tools on ebay. Used vintage ones made in the US. I have some Snap-On stuff too but I like S-K and that's the second most common brand in my tool box.
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
8,424
8,349
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Blair, Nebraska
Thanks guys, I have two sets of jack stands and one of them is from Harbor Freight and..........................they are one of the affected models. You never know when your friends at TMO will come to your aid!

Much appreciated !
 

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