[themoose]

 I was having a conversation the other day with a couple of guys about tool quality. Everyone agreed that for the most part the quality of tools offered by various name brand manufactures has gone downhill .That being said I’ve found that some cheap tools can get the job done just as well as their name brand counterparts  for a fraction of the cost. When I started my last project I needed a new 4 1/2 inch angle grinder. I looked at a couple on name brand units and the price was over a hundred dollars. At the time we had just gotten a new Harbor Freight store in the area so I said what the heck I might as well take a look. They had a grinder on sale for the ridicules price of $9.95. I figured that for that price if it only lasted a week I’m still ahead of the game. Well I’ve used for hundreds of hours and it’s still going strong so apparently it’s not that badly made. I would rather buy tools made in the USA but if you do your homework you’ll find that most all tool suppliers are manufacturing overseas and the quality is nothing to brag about. What’s your experience been with cheap tools?
Moose

[TFoch]

When I can I try to buy "Made in the USA".  I have shopped at Harbor Freight but haven't bought much.  My Woodward Fab bead roller was made overseas.  My Shrinker Stretcher from Eastwood was probably made somewhere else also.  It is hard to find some tools made here.
This does mean a lot too me because I'm a tool designer for Burndy LLC.  We make electrical connectors and the tools to install them.  Our tools are designed here in Manchester NH and proudly assembled in Littleton NH.
I hope that more companies will be bringing manufacturing back here where it belongs.

[EDNY]

I have seen two distinct qualities of wrenches. sockets etc (non power tools)....either real good or real bad. Noticed that if the tools - like sockets have sharp engraving and quality finish (chrome)...their quality is the normally good.  If the engraving is just punched and not sharp..the tools generally don't last.

From experience I won't buy any more HF angle grinders...they vibrate like heck and mine broke when I needed it!  I keep my eyes open for DeWalt, Milwaukee, Sears etc on sale. Like to have at least two available, ie grinder and a sander. Need one more for my wire brush.

Ed

[32chevy vett]

Moose  I bought 3 of those makita look a likes. The first one lasted for a long time. The other 2 were junk in on time. I later took them apart to see why they did not last. The first one had sum grease on the drive gears. The other two had just a very small trace of grease.

[chopper526]

All of my air tools have come from Harbor Freight. For the price, they are well worth trying them out, even if they might not last as long. I have about half dozen and they have been working great for the last three years. That being said, I bought a cheapo 4 1/2" angle grinder from H.F., like Moose, and it lasted two weeks. So, go figure. When I worked in the trade it was only name brand; Craftsman or MAC and Snap-On if I had the cash. Now, for my hobby J.A.Pan tools are usually worth a shot.

[themoose]

Sounds like I was lucky with my grinder lasting as long as it has...Now that I that know all of the ones that you guys bought turned to junk in short order mine will most likely die the next time I use it....Thanks a lot!!

[chopper526]

Sorry for the jinx, Moose. Everything else I have ever bought there has worked well.....really

[EDNY]

Sounds like I was lucky with my grinder lasting as long as it has...Now that I that know all of the ones that you guys bought turned to junk in short order mine will most likely die the next time I use it....Thanks a lot!!

The good news is that we have plenty of parts for ya!

[themoose]

Sounds like I was lucky with my grinder lasting as long as it has...Now that I that know all of the ones that you guys bought turned to junk in short order mine will most likely die the next time I use it....Thanks a lot!!

The good news is that we have plenty of parts for ya!

Ed...Your right!! I never thought of it that way! I feel a lot better now!!

[Coley]

I go to 2 or 3 household sales per week, all year round.
I find the best tools for a lot less than you can even buy cheap tools new and if you look them over they are a good buy.

We have a local auction near here called Chana Sale.

If it was ever made in this country, it goes through this sale sometime.

I was going to build a roll around stairway like the big stores have to work  on the ceiling lights etc. in my shop.

Found one for $20 at the Chana sale.  Brought it home and put a pair of wheels on one end and it works great.

I even put it in the back of my truck to get on the roof to do some light repair.

I have bought a kiln, vulcanizers, band saws, drill bits, bench grinders etc. for almost nothing.

I hardly ever buy new anymore.

[billy]

for some things it doesnt make sense for me to buy high dollar.
for instance a $4 harbor frieght deadblow hammer will probably last me the rest of my life
i like going to pawnshops ,yardsales etc. and keep my eyes peeled for professional grade power tools.
but i dont have the money to buy new anything

[62131]

I started on my 38 Chevy three years ago and a buddy of mine who is a bodyman by trade gave me some tips on doing the body work. He also gave me a list of air tools I was going to need to do the work. He suggested HF because his thoughts was they would last long enough to get through the project.  I completed that project and now started on my 32 sedan with the same tools. My thoughts are that the pneumatic tools are decent, I keep them oiled.
My Dewalt grinder quit working yesterday, and I was thinking of buying one from HF to get this project done.

[ghost28]

I bought a Harbor freight puncher, flanger tool the other day. It lasted through about 6 flanges and blew the top of the tool off. I did buy the extended 2 year waranty because of past history with this tool. Well I went back and got a free replacement and this one worked all afternoon with no problems and was told the waranty starts all over with the replacement. Sometimes ya just get a bad tool I guess....John