Harbor Freight or Northern Tool???

924Sman · 07-13-2007, 06:42 AM

Which one is the better of the 2? NT sounds a bit better.

tia!
Dal

nynor · 07-13-2007, 06:50 AM

sixes.

924Sman · 07-13-2007, 06:53 AM

Went over my head!

nynor · 07-13-2007, 07:01 AM

its all the same.

Icey1174 · 07-13-2007, 07:13 AM

What kind of tools are you buying? HF is cheap BUT everything is made in China. I like Craftsman because it's good quality, there is a Sears everywhere, and if something breaks you exchange it with NO hassles. You DO get what you pay for. I have bought some things from HF. Things that are not high torque and things that I do not use all the time.

nota · 07:22 AM

look at the tool where was it made
does it look right or ruff crap
japan is better then tiwan but rare now in tools
most of the jap CORPs moved to other asian countrys
next is korea and singapore and tiawan
tiawan ect is better then china and some stuff still is made there esp by USA jap or EURO brands as they have better quality controls
china while crap is a little better then india
but avoid all china brands

now I am sure some china stuff is ok BUT I really avoid their tools for the above countrys tools
and india make make some good tools I just have never seen one

yes NORTHERN { CHINA } tools are better then
harbor [CHINA] FREIGHT

I mostly buy at swap meets and garage sales
and get older USA or EURO made tools cheap

Icey1174 · 07-13-2007, 07:18 AM

They do have some "decent" quality stuff. Somethings you only want to buy once though. And there's NOTHING worse then braking a tool in the middle of a project on a Sunday afternoon. I don't know that the cost savings is enough to uy the lesser quality tools anymore. They used to be a fraction of the price, but now it's a much slimer difference.

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

I have bought allot of tools off Amazon.com.

I got a S&K 1/4 drive set, 45pcs, metric and English, standard and deep well sockets in a nice plastic case for $70 shipped.

I also got an 1/2 impact wrench, 3/8 drive air rachet, 6 English and Metric impact sockets, accessories and case for $45.00.

Amazon has a wide variety of tools, prices and brands. I don't automatically go cheap until I do some research. I look for value for the price.

924Sman · 07-13-2007, 08:31 AM

I have Snap On for my essential wrenches and alike but looking at things like compressors and jacks, creepers. And some of the power driven tools as well. Just seems NT has a bit higher line of stuff like S/K not that it is all that to brag about but better than the rest of the imported stuff.

thanks!
Dal

Dana Norris · 07-13-2007, 12:03 PM

I bought a 20 gal. electric powered parts washer at Harbor Freight in Fort Collins Colorado, also some Air Tool accessory kits and even a DA Sander in 1999 and every thing is still working fine.

______________________________________________

1986 944 NA Black

Icey1174 · 07-13-2007, 12:06 PM

Those types of tools should hold up well. I would get your sockets and wrenches from a better source though.

Dana Norris · 07-13-2007, 12:31 PM

I do,I only buy Craftsman or Snap On for special hand tools.

__________________________________________________

1986 944 NA Black

924Sman · 07-13-2007, 03:52 PM

There is a 21 gal. air compressor FS here for 50 bucks, practically new hence I question their quality since the guy iis dumping after little use, so he says but it looks new. I dunno!

Dal

Icey1174 · 07-13-2007, 03:57 PM

A tank is a tank. Usually it's only a diaphram (spelling??) that goes on them and it's pretty easy to fix. MOst people don't have a daily use for their air compressors. Maybe he bought and don't have a use for it anymore. Sounds like a decnet deal depending on the tank siz and HP.

924Sman · 07-13-2007, 04:08 PM

Well that is correct and well could be the case. Big tank, upright model, 12v. I do think it is a bit under on SCFM to run pneumatics.

Dal

Icey1174 · 07-13-2007, 10:39 PM

Depends on what tool you're running and for how long for the SCFM. Air wrench or impact gun should be ok. They do not need to run continuosly. A paint gun might be a different story. I think I have a 12 gallon tank and it holds up fine for my ait tools. It wouldn't last long for a grinder. But for lug nuts and a few nuts or screws that I use the air wrench for it hols up fine. It kicks on a little more often with the lug nuts, but nothing it can't handle. I always check the lugs with a 4-way anyway.

fast924S · fast924S's Garage

Im a ase Master tech for toyota, I use Snap-on and only snap-on, why cuz they are the best. I have been using their tools for about 6 years without a problem, Evrything from Compressors to sockets and screw drivers, Yes they do cost more, But they are the best

924Sman · 07-14-2007, 12:52 AM

John..You hit the nail on the head. This unit is at 3.5@90psi. Most small airtools are 3 to 4, larger 5 and up so this unit is right on the border and would serve well for the little things, may pull the trigger, 200.00 new so 50 is not hard to buy it.

Snap on....Yes I am into them for a mortgage for my wrenches but not going to give up my first 2 newborns to swing their hi end stuff! I own a Porsche and want to drive it, $nap on can kill that idea!!

Dal

Icey1174 · 07-14-2007, 06:34 AM

Fast, you use your tools every single day all day long. For some of these tools that don't really take a beating and are only used once a month, if that, the lesser expensive brand names will work just fine. One of your tools will see 20,000+ screws a year where their's will only see maybe 100 at the best in a year.

I use some Snap On tools, but mostly Craftsman. I have Kennedy tool boxes at work. I do not have Kennedy tool boxes at home.

The home stuff just does not get the use and abuse as my tools at work.

Snap On is high quality and they cater to the automotive industry. They drive your new tools right to you.

I'm sure your company gets a huge discount on their tools as ours does too. That makes it even easier to buy them. Now add a bigger price tag to a tool that a guy uses randomly at home and it doesn't make a lot of sense. Not to mention that the guy at home does not get a tool allowence from a company either. Snap On beats out Craftsman because they deliver.

Pros and Cons to everything.

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

All of you have great points. In my world, it comes down to commercial/industrial and residential tools. If my work required tools, no question, I would get the best. I use a computer for drawing, photos, etc, I built my own. I got the best components and put the thing together. Did it cost more than an 'off the self brand', absolutely. But this thing does what I want it to do and it won't be obsolete for a few years. When it needs an update, I can do it.

I have tools over 40 years old; American made Craftsman and Snap On. Wrenches, sockets and the like. No one does it better. Recently I have spent money on tools to fix my Porsche. Pneumatic tools and impact sockets. I have S&K and some cheaper ones. Will they last as long as Snap-On, no they won't but it is good enough for my garage. I have a small 3 gal compressor. It's good for tools, but not for painting. I have a hand drill from my Dad thats over 60 years old; I can still use that tool.

I plan on passing my tools onto my sons, just like my Dad did. It's not a bad investment