I just found out today that if something you bought from Harbor Freight broke them most likely you can buy a replacement part for it. They have a list you can download and look through and find the part you need and can call and order it. Here is the list:

https://www.harborfreight.com/parts

  • RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world
    71·
    1 year ago

    As a professional auto mechanic, Harbor Freight has some of the best tools you can buy. But you have to know which ones and how you use them, because they also have some really poor quality control.

    For example, their socket sets and wrenches are great for sacrifical tools that you know or expect will be destroyed in the process, or for tools you dont really care about (loaners). Their Daytona floor jacks are pretty good. Their consumables like gloves, paper towels, grinder discs, etc are also quite good.

    Their other tools are mostly good for keeping in your trunk for roadside repair. Pittsburgh torque wrenches, cordless impact, and basic tools set are all perfectly acceptable for roadside use. Makes changing a tire or replacing a belt much easier.

    US General toolboxes are also quite nice. I have the triple bay, and while it isn’t quite as nice as a SnapOn or Matco box, it does not break the bank like a SnapOn or Matco box.

    • Candelestine@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      Yeah, I feel like Harbor Freight is for the stuff where you wouldn’t be that upset if it was stolen. I guess I never needed a floor jack though.

      They’re cool. You get what you pay for.

    • elektrodan@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thanks for the tips on what is good to buy there. I have noticed some of the electric tools can be cheap quality so you do have to use discernment when buying there. I have an ac manifold set that I bought 10 years ago and one of the knobs broke since it’s plastic and I was looking at them here recently and low and behold they are metal now so I was talking to one of the workers there and he was telling me about the part’s replacements I could get and to look on the HF website.

    • Bonehead@kbin.social
      1·
      1 year ago

      Probably. I’ve been noticing it a lot more lately. Random post from a seemingly normal user, but its always about something they bought and how you should buy it too. It’s the next generation of stealth advertising. And it’s only going to get worse with AI…

      • nightauthor@kbin.social
        0·
        1 year ago

        Yeah, I was using openAI’s ChatGPT and it’s surprising how naturally it can sound, and it does it quite consistently. If you haven’t checked it out, you can use it for free, though they also have a paid version that’s supposed to be even better as it uses a newer better model.

  • tallwookie@lemmy.world
    3·
    1 year ago

    eh… ymmv. I’ve gotten some useful things from HF (cargo bars), and some really garbage-tier chinesium products too

  • Tools4toys@lemmy.world
    2·
    1 year ago

    I had bought a metal cutting bandsaw from HF, and it worked fine. After about 2 years, one of the bearings failed, and I contacted HF for the repair part listed in the parts list which came with the tool. Soon after I requested the part(s), HF notified me they couldn’t get the bearing and told me to contact Grizzly Tools to get it and the parts. So unfortunately, they don’t always have the parts you may need! After the fact, I also found a local store where you can buy bearings in any size, expensive based on shipping, but at least they have any size you need.

    I should add I also have bought several tools from Lowe’s, with the Kobalt brand name, and I couldn’t even get or order replacement blades from them and they suggested the manufacturer of the saws - they said no also. It isn’t just a HF problem, but does show if you use your tools, you might be better off buying a better known name brand to ensure you can repair them if needed.