Harbor Freight called me after my last video! Here is what we talked about... 

What I respect - in this case - is that you found a company that is willing to listen and find out areas to improve.

I'm impressed that Harbor Freight called to have an honest discussion with you instead of going to some cease-and-desist or other heavy-handed method. That speaks well of the company. Plus, it sounds like you had a non-confrontational, informative conversation wtih all involved.

I've been a Harbor Freight shopper for a number of years, and I've really seen an remarkable improvement in the general quality of their tools. I still tend to go for name brand power tools.

HF aside, you make EXCELLENT videos. Clear, easy to understand, no annoying background music/noise, no silly extended intros, no infantile pop-up photos, I wish others did this.

I am impressed that HF called you and talked with you in such a honest way!!

Good video! I stopped in the middle to make this statement. As a 72 year old guy restoring a 56 Chevy, after having a house fire many years ago and losing all my tools, Harbor Freight is a God Send!! I am able to stock my new small shop with all the tools I need to restore my Classic Chevy and not have to break the bank like I use to when I bought my tools off a tool truck! If it were not for Harbor Freight, I would not be able to enjoy my retirement project! :)

Their 3 ton floor jack is also an amazing purchase. I have been using one for past ten years no problems, no hydraulic leaks, still going strong. I've seen those floorjacks in several professional garages.

Today's cheap tools are head and shoulders better than cheap tools 20 years ago, when I started my career Craftsman was the norm for a beginner professional mechanic and there weren't any viable cheap options that weren't absolute garbage, nowadays the us general wrenches and sockets are on par with those craftsman professional from them and are perfectly serviceable for someone starting out as a mechanic My nephew came to me a few months ago asking what tools he should buy starting out at his first mechanic job and I pointed him towards a harbor freight wrench and socket set, the guideline I gave him was whenever he breaks something to then replace it with a higher end replacement, that way he hasn't wasted money on expensive versions of tools that rarely see and use or abuse, because every mechanic has those tools in his box that haven't ever been used. I wish someone had given me the same advice a long time ago probably would have saved enough to buy a car at this point lol

I'm a service plumber. I bought and continue to buy my "beater" tools from harbor freight. I have noticed that their hand tools have improved dramatically in the last 5 years. I have also noticed that on some occasions the HF tools have been better than Home Depot. And in some instances, for example my close quarters pipe cutters, were the exact same thing, but $12 cheaper

Yeah, the quality of tools has been improving over time, but what I like best is that they offer the good, better, best options so you can decide depending on your needs.

My two sons used to give me a hard time about buying at Harbor Freight. But as both came of age and started raising their own families, they've come to realize the need to buy smart. If you aren't going to use something all the time or work the tool hard, get the least expensive. You also aren't losing much, when you loan it out. I bought a Bauer hammer drill a couple of years ago and used it twice so far. My neighbor borrowed it last year to bust up concrete in his cellar and a slate deposit down thru his yard, to put in a new sewer line. I got it back to use a few weeks ago and it's definitely showing significant wear and tear, but it still works. He has it back again. This isn't a jack hammer....it's a large hammer drill.....not exactly what it was intended for, but...... my cousin has an auto shop and he told me years ago that he stopped buying Snapon screwdrivers and such, because of the price and started buying HF, because they lasted about as long. My oldst son has a small business building IR lights for ghost investigations and he now has numerous HF tools, including the combo disk and belt sander shown in the video. We all three have HF floor jacks have no complaints about them. I figured out years ago, that when you look at reviews for various brands of a given tool, you're going to find a certain number of one and two stars for any of them. A certain percentage of people are idiots and don't know what they're doing.....a certain percentage of tools, no matter what brand, are going to have design or manufacturing flaws. As the consumer, you have to weigh the available data against your needs to make an educated decision about your purchase. As far as country of manufacture, I buy American if available and if I can afford it, figuring sooner or later, my sons will get it. But they'll get the HF ones too. And most name brands are made in China too, so........ Thanks for the video. Very informative and well done.

I run a mechanic shop, we install millions in parts. Their icon tool brand lasts better then expected. No hassle warranty. I’ve switched from snapon to icon. I’d say 90% as good at 20% of the price. Their tool boxes are incredible good for the price.

I have shopped at H.F. for a couple of decades at this point and have seen a remarkable transformation in the quality of their tools. Many of the tools they sell now I believe to be superior to tools sold by legacy tool makers. The price point is always better.

I've used HF tools for decades. With this follow-up, I think you've hit the nail on the head. I buy HF when I need a cheap tool, especially a specialty tool for highly-occasional use. My workhorse tools are premium (frequently Hilti or Milwaukee). Most HF tools represent a good value if you keep your expectations in check and read reviews. I was just there last weekend, and will be again.

They’re getting a lot better every year. It’s impressive.

I have not been disapointed at all with their tools. What I have bought works perfect for what they were intended for. Love the prices and will continue to buy from HF.

Yes, I do think the quality of HF's tools and accessories has improved compared to years ago. I have HF items within my tool arsenal. I do not misuse my tools and so far have not had any problems. Thanks for this video. I am impressed that HF reached out to you and kudos to you for creating a video explaining to viewers "the rest of the story". I will continue to support HF. After viewing your video, I have a deeper repsect for HF. Have a fine week and have a prosperous New Year. Conrinue to be truthful, thoughtful, and fair. Full-watch. 👍🏽🤠 12/26/22

I have shopped at Harbor freight tools since the mid-80s. I started out ordering from the catalog until they open their first store near me and I definitely believe the quality has gone up tremendously from when I first started buying tools from them, especially their cordless tool line. I love to shop there, because they almost have everything that a DIY’er would need around the home.

An excellent video, Dave and much appreciated. Kudos to Harbor Freight for reaching out. I do buy Harbor Freight on occasion and have had good luck with them. What is impressive is that they are extremely good about replacing things that break and they do have pretty decent warranties. As such, I don't mind doing some QA testing in exchange for a better price. The funny thing is that their overall quality did take a turn for the better around the same time that Craftsman hand tools got moved over to China. My primary hand tools are older U.S. Craftsman as well as a lot of S-K, but if I need to quickly buy an impact socket or odd-sized deep-well nowadays, odds are that the retail brands are made in China anyway, so the retailers (like Lowes and their Stanley/Craftsman "made in the U.S.A. someday" deal) has helped drive me to Harbor Freight. This is a good time to give props to Channellock for keeping its pliers manufacturing in Pennsylvania and Milwaukee for building up capacity in Wisconsin (though still waiting for U.S. tools to show up).

Their quality has gone up on certain items but their prices also have, and that’s to be expected. I think they have definitely got a better lineup of tools in the last few years.

I like the way this interaction went, overall. You expressed your opinion in a public forum, which is your right to do. The company took some issue but, instead of overreacting with a cease and desist order, they contacted you and in a non-confrontational manner. My belief is, if they have made major strides in quality, etc., then it will eventually be reflected in the marketplace and with influencers such as yourself.

One thing people forget is that tool stores that carry such a huge selection are not readily available especially as Sears is gone and what is being sold under that name is a fraction of what there used to be. I own tools from many companies including the tool trucks and those brands aren't easily replaced when they break and they DO break, HF is great about replacing broken items. Like what you said paying attention to the level of quality and use will leave you much happier. I will say is that I'm extremely happy with the Hercules line.

I have used the Hercules 12 inch miter saw, and it has been outstanding no matter what I needed it to do. Very precise and very powerful.

Thank you for sharing what you've learned. Yes, Harbor Freight's quality has improved tremendously over the years but don't expect lifetime service from what they sell.

HF has improved over the years. It’s always been about being selective w your purchases based on the job you need to do. That said there is still plenty of room for improvement. Personally I recently needed a pole saw to do a one time tree trimming for a local landlord. That saw lasted to the end of the job and then had to be returned. I got the job done and got paid tho and the replacement one is holding up just fine. Moral of the story is don’t forget your good tools and you won’t have to use a $20 pole saw from HF.

You do a great job of providing thoughtful, unbiased reports - thank you Dave.

Dave, I really enjoyed your Harbor Freight videos, the Ugly Truth and the subsequent one after they called you. I have been fortunate to have been able to shop at one of the earliest stores nearby since 1994 and I can attest that the quality of their tools has improved by leaps and bounds. I have learned a lot like you as to how to maximize my purchases to my needs. One point that needs to be made is if you buy something that you don't regularly buy from them, don't let it sit around until you get to it only to find that you are past the return date. I read all the reviews and I am astonished by how many purchases could have been returned if only they checked it out in time to return. Keep up the good work and I will be following more of your vides as I enjoy your great presentation skills.

I like that you issued this update, and I think it speaks well to you, and your own standards. I also thought it was interesting to see a little bit into what goes in to HFT's own processes.

Another great well reasoned and thought out video. You are a great consumer advocate for us and I'm glad your previous video had such an impact. Keep up the great work!

I absolutely believe that their quality has gotten better, I have no issues buying from there. I've bought cherry pickers, floor jacks, Jack stands , sockets, air impacts. I'm happy with the quality and the good , better, best option really helps to fit the right tool for the right job. Have I had tool failure, yes, but most times it was user error.

I have been using their tools with hardly any issues for example their dremel type tool. Mine after a few years of abuse the tool quit running my first thought was brushes and they take 5mm x5mm x 10mm that i got 20 for less than $10.00. Took the tool apart and cleaned everything up and was amazed at how well the tool was built. I also have one of their 4" angle grinder and have had the tool or over 20 years and it is still going like it is new. They do have a few bad tools but not many. The value of their tools is their best selling point MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK!!. I love the place and will continue to shop there first.

I agree that HF tools have gone up in quality. They used to be almost literally throw-away tools. Especially their “Best” tools, which I find every bit as good as name brands. They’re not insanely cheap, merely good value. I also agree that for hand tools like wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, etc. they’re great if you’re a shade tree mechanic or DIY woodworker. I love HF and have a good sense for what I’m getting when I buy from them.

Small but really big story I personally had with harbor freight. Some years ago I had a manager tell me he was not going to open a new item so that I could look at it unless I purchased it first. Now understand this was a large item and let's say over $300.00 dollars. Needless to say I was beyond unhappy that the display unit was not the new version and I could not really see it anyway in the place it was on display! Unhappy and bitter. Sitting in the parking lot I called harbor freight corporate office! And to my surprise they not only listened but had a district manager call me back! After a long explanation again he informed me that the man who introduced himself as the manager was not and if I was willing to go back or to any other harbor freight store he assured me not only would I see it but I would be happy with the price. Now the good part! Yes I did go to another store and I was met at the door by the store manager and he introduced himself and called me by name. The item turned out to be exactly what I wanted and the district manager had left orders to take $200.00 off the $300.00 dollar bill. And yes I did buy other things then and since then. Great customer service. I would usually say you get what you pay for however on another item I purchased a cheap cheap drill to crank up my pop-up trailer since it would probably not make it past vacation a $25.00 drill was not a big deal if it was trash at the end of 40 minutes of running! Ya well that was 6 maybe 7 years ago and I have used it to drill put furniture together and who knows what more and it still works. Long read but I in the end still go to and buy harbor freight tools. Just realize what you need the tool for. Long time use or is it something use once and put it on the shelf! As for my view harbor freight is a good place to buy from.

I have been using HF tools for decades and for the most part have been very happy. I can not afford the really expensive other company tools. HF tools have improved in quality and features; the price and choices have gone up but some of the less expensive tools are still available and quite usable. I am a regular shopper at HF and will continue to be so as well as keeping close track of the comments and evaluations. 😉

Quality has improved significantly. As you point out, some items are great and others not so much. As a contractor we buy a lot of things such as electrical tape, zip ties, drop cloths, etc.. Basic hand tools are also great. (Exception is sheet metal snips). We also buy a lot of electrical tools if they are not daily use. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of their generators. Tool boxes... well, we bought 2 and both were missing pieces and one was completely bent out of shape. They may look like snap on, but the thickness of the metal is no comparison.

I needed to drill about 200 1/2" diameter holes through 4" of concrete so I purchased a large, inexpensive Bauer hammer drill from Harbor Freight for this job. Not only did it do an outstanding job (about 15 effortless seconds per hole) but it is stored in the box I purchased it in waiting for the next job. I was skeptical at first when I bought it because of it's very low price but that item made me a believer in Harbor Freight's power tool quality.

I have used their equipment since the 80s. The quality has definitely gone up. Their tool replacement has gotten easier over the years and even beats out name brands. Now when I have a wrench break in a set, they replace the entire set. The biggest problem I had was with their battery op drills and drivers until they came out with Bauer and Hercules. It was always the cheap chargers that failed, not the tool or the battery. But the chargers. I told them of that after taking back batteries and charger and tool three times.

it is so refreshing to see fair and balanced reporting. thank you. my first time here very enjoyable.

Thank you for your posting

Thank you for doing the footwork and delving into this. In one part of my world, I manage maintenance workers who sometimes laugh at me if I don't source from HF, but in my other life, I do fine finish carpentry, and I am inclined to stay away. I have had to learn the difference and when to go to HF, and thankful they're there for their purpose, but echo also, know what you are buying, and use it appropriately.

This is the first of your videos I've seen and I am very impressed by your fairness and honesty. I'll be watching a lot more of your videos soon.

My husband is the woodworker and general handyman around the house. Like you, we used Harbor Frieght for entry level tools. Some of the tools are pretty good and others weren't worth the money we paid for them. Since we are not professionals, we don't use them in the same capacity as a professional would. When my husband's driver broke, I bought him a Dewalt. He could immediately tell the difference. My opinion remains the same. Great place for entry level tools. We never bought the Hercules line so don't know about that comparison.

Thanks for the info, lve learned a lot.

I don't have a Hbr Freight near me, so, for me, it's like I'm a kid going to a toy store; after I get what I made the trip for, I walk all the aisles and pick up some angled picks, tape, 2# sledge, glue, tent pegs, coal chisel, and the best deal anywhere on new wheels for my dolly/hand truck (it's cheaper to buy a tire ON the rim than it is to fix the flat! I keep a spare wheel in the shop! (not that I've had excess flats with HF wheels; I'm pretty hard on my gear). I'm a boat builder and own 6 or 7 different grinders/sander-polishers (I keep them loaded with different pads, grits, & discs so I can change tools instead of changing discs/sandpaper): 4", 6, metal grinder, hard disc, soft pad, polishers, buffers: I've got three Hbr Freight tools in the mix (Makita, B&D, Milwaukee) and I've never had a HF tool fail. I actually like the ergonomics best ever on one of them, and the simpler on/off switch lets me feather the disc speed to taper off when sanding to a fine edge or wet sanding: also, speed settings so I don't wind'er up to "too fast". I don't use ANY Velcro discs (just don't care for them); HF's self-adhesive discs stick and stay stuck until you decide to peel them off, and they usually load-up before the lose their cutting power. The belt sander belts are terrific. The only disappointment I can recall is a big drill index: just not up to snuff.

After using Harbor Freight for years, I’ve learned that if I’m buying a light use/“couple times a year” tools I’ll easily buy from them. I’ve also found that unless you’re buying a more high end tool, HF is just as good as most big box brands

I’ve purchased tools from them for years. If I need a tool that is essential for many projects, I usually go with a big brand name however, in the past two years I’ve noticed a better quality product from HF. Their contractor tile saw is pretty darn good for the money. I’ve been using the oscillating cutter since it first came out and it’s a work horse. Recently I purchased a cheap welder. I could not get it to work so I called technicial support and was blown away at how patient the man was assisting me and even though I was doing something pretty stupid, he didn’t make me feel like an idiot. Overall, I will continue to buy from this store. Pretty hard to beat their prices and quality. This was a very informative video.😊

I do agree that the quality if HF's tools has gone up. More importantly I definitely agree that their quality is great in reference to their Daytona jacks. My dad is a mechanic and a huge Snap-on guy and even he was impressed by the Daytona jack. So impressed that he went about bought one.

Yes, tool quality has improved over the years. Yes, little used simple tools are fine. Really extra exam on tools needed for heavy or frequent use. Kudos to you and the company. They cared enough to contact you. You asked the hard questions.

As having worked as a professional mechanic and having bought expensive good tools, I can say that HFs tools are great for the average person. I have many replacements bought there and never regretted any purchase

Harbor Freight has definitely stepped up their quality big time over the last 10 years…much much better than in the past. I really like that they have several stores in my area. I no longer feel the need to “stock up” on consumables every visit as I don’t have to drive over an hour to shop…so much better on all fronts…

Appreciate both the HF videos you made. I have a number of HF tools that have lasted years and never broken. I watch a bunch of off-road recovery guys in Utah and one in Oregon, and they all have the HF Badland brand winches. The guy in Oregon swears by them and got rid of all his Warn winches after they wouldn't honor the warranty on a brand-new winch that broke. Bought our first Badland winch this week.

Harbor freight has improved and I love their tools for my home owner use. I love them. They’re my first stop

Like others, I've used HT tools for years. I started buying them because they were inexpensive and "did the job". I've had fairly good success with hand and power tools. My main complaint is not that the tools don't last - it is that, since they have started the "good-better-best" thing, they seem to have dropped many of the cheaper tools I went there to buy. Also, they used to have very good coupons ... now, the coupons exclude so many tools/brands/lines that they are almost useless. Yes, when it comes to their cheap tools, you get what you pay for - but, when I only need a cheap tool, I don't want to have to pay DIY prices because HF decided to drop the whole reason I shop there.

Good morning, and thanks for making this video. I saw your other video as well, and am glad someone from HF contacted you. Honestly, I thought you were a little harsh in your initial assessment, and I appreciate you coming back for this update. I've shopped at HF for years, mostly for things I needed short notice or that I knew were going to be one time use. I've had some great experiences with most of the things I've purchased at HF, and some not so great experiences with others. A couple of those negatives, I have to admit were my own fault (buying a very cheap electric drill and expecting it to mix tile set for a home project). I knew better, and it started smoking after the second batch. One negative that wasn't on me though, was a Pittsburgh ratchet that kept slipping because the screws that held it together would back out with light use. Tightening them made the ratchet not work at all. So I replaced that ratchet with a Kobalt and went on with my day. That was a few years ago though. However, over the last 6 years, I've turned what was a hobby into a career and have needed tools for use in a professional setting. I'm in the autobody industry (body man, fabricator, welder, painter) and need lots of tools and tool storage. Admittedly, I have a lot of tool truck tools, but mostly very specific things for very specific uses. My basics though, like hand tools (ICON), and most of my cordless (Hercules), came from HF. My storage, a 56" double bank box, a 34" full bank service cart, and 30" 5 drawer mechanics cart are all American General. My welders, an OMNIPRO 220 and a PROTIG 205 were bought as factory refurbished units more than 2 years ago and work great, plus I got crazy good prices on them as refurbs. I said all that to say this. As a professional tradesman, I see coworkers paying stupid money for tool truck tools and storage, having to pay hundreds of dollars every month for years on end to pay them off, and in some cases even seeing them repossessed for whatever reason. Most justify these purchases by claiming quality and lifetime warranty, but HF has a lifetime warranty as well, and the quality has come up drastically over the last decade or so. I've never had to return any of my ICON tools for breakage, and if I ever have to replace any of my cordless tools, I could do it a few times over for the cost of some of the tool truck brands. My storage locks just like any other box does, and I've never heard of anyone who's ever had their box broken into. I personally don't think that as a professional you have to have tool truck equipment to show that you're successful. The quality of work you do speaks for itself, and your customers don't care at all whether you use Snap-On, or HF tools to get the job done. They want quality work at a fair price, and HF helps me provide that.

Thanks for sharing! I feel like Harbor Freight has improved over the past few years and I am not afraid to shop there. I do try to pay attention, though, and not expect the "probably will do a job once" tool to last forever and do many jobs for many years, so I get that. There are times when I'll want a higher quality than they sell and at a much higher price. But we do what we can with what we have available to us. These types of conversations are helpful, though.

Very impressed with how harbour freight handled this interaction with you, glad it's US owned!

As a tradesman I can say that several of HF tools ,tarps or consumables have made it into my tool box. Things I like are drop cloths, zip ties, chip brushes, latex gloves and their tarps , and I buy them frequently. I have purchased a couple of the Chicago Electric tools just to try out something before I spend the money on a higher end brand. I like the Predator generators and I have one of the Pittsburg Automotive floor jacks that have worked for what I need. Things I would never buy are any battery powered tool because I am already invested in a battery platform and I have learned my lesson over the years with that. I would probably look for used Milwaukee , DeWalt or Makita when it comes to any shop tools. I just feel like I can rely on them better to hold up and if I need parts it is much easier to find them.

A lot of times, I’d buy a Harbor Freight tool to see if I would use it often enough to make it worth upgrading. In most cases those tools are the ones I’m still using ten years later. Not all we’re winners, but a lot of them have been.

I agree that HFT quality has improved with time. As a DIYer, their tools are a great value. If I were in a day-to-day situation, I'd be more likely to buy the more "popular/expensive" brands.

Last January I bought the lower priced riding lawn mower lift, it is perfect. I commented to my friends about the heavy duty parts, and, "how can they say in business selling such a heavy duty item so cheaply?" I offered all my friends they could borrow it anytime. It is great. The "lower priced" unit was what I needed to lift my Cub Cadet.

This is an excellent way to get the point across, that you get what you pay for. Harbor Freight is probably a good place to get something to learn on, but sometimes their tools can surprise you.

There are some tools from HF that have outlasted much more expensive tools. I'm not easy on my tools. But the one that has been great is the 1/2" torque wrench. After 2 years, I had it tested. It was still spot on.

I bought a $400 powered 50' snake from HF a few months back after getting a quote that was 2x that from the plumber. I snaked every pipe under the basement floor and out in front of the apartment building. The machine worked perfectly. I'm really happy to have a brand new Harbor Freight just a mile from down the road now too. Welcome to the neighborhod Harbor Freight!

IMO, a very good and honest video. Thank you.

They have definitely improved over the years even the low end warrior line has been improving. I bought the $25 drill light pack about 3 years ago and I barely got the battery to last for a light duty project (10 min run time against plastic.) I also picked up the new warrior drill a few months back and is easily 3 times the usability on a more efficient battery.

The quality of HF tools has indeed improved over the years. I buy a lot of tools at HF for mission trips and for the most part they hold up well and provide a good value. They are much appreciated by my Cuban brothers. Darlington, South Carolina

I’ve been a loyal harbor freight customer for many years now. I own almost every 20v Bauer tool they make and they have all done a great job and have lasted me a long time!

Also, too, especially when you're looking at woodworking power tools/machines, Harbor Freight has several items that are exactly the same as the higher priced competitors. It's all just rebranded. You can easily find stuff that Shop Fox, Grizzley, Wen, and others sell in their entry level lines, just with a different paint job. Those other brands tend to sell them for a much higher cost. I bought a lathe from HF a couple of years ago after doing a ton of research. Turned out, it was exactly the same lathe Shop Fox, Grizzley, Delta, and Wen had. The HF ran me about $220, whereas the others started at over $400. You also have the Daytona floor jacks. Snap-On took HF to court a few years ago over it. Snap-On lost. Apparantly, both jacks were made in the same factory in China (remember, Snap-On loves pandering to the patriotic with their Made in The USA claims). But, I think HF's hey day is coming to an end since their prices aren't as great as they used to be. Killing off the 20/25% and freebie coupons signalled the changes.

I have been shopping at Harbor Freight for around 15 years, I think. (From when I first became aware of a store in my local area - that is, within about 20 miles of where I live.) I will agree that quality of most tools (and a lot of other products) has definitely improved over time. Yes, they also have the new higher-priced brands, But as a retiree home handyman/woodworker I can't afford them, just like I can't afford Skil, DeWalt and other expensive brands. I have also seen a considerable amount of innovation in products. earlier this year I noticed a new style of eye protection goggles, with what I call a wide-angle "hemisperical" field of view. I bought one to try. The next time I was there I got four more, so now each of my major tools has one dedicated to that tool. There are also problems. I recently bought their lowest-price hammer drill, because I needed to drill one hole in concrete. (I had sold my previous hammer drill years ago in a moving sale.) This one lasted exactly as long as I wanted it to - by the time I was finished with that hole, the hammer function had failed. There are some things they sell that I will not buy, because I feel they may be unsafe FOR ME. (Other people may think the same tool is perfectly fine. But I haven't lived for 73 years without learning a few things about myself!) And some of those things I would not buy from a higher-priced retailer either, for the same reson.) There are whole sections of Harbor Freight that I just ignore. For example, I have not worked on our own vehicles for about 30 years, so I have little or no interest in products in that area. But I do use a few air-actuated tools in woodworking, and d there again I can generally buy 2 or 3 of an item from HF for the price of one from other stores. Overall I am happy that Harbor Freight exists; they have a lot of good products that I can use, and I normally shop as an "informed" customer - meaning I check ratings of a product, alternatives from other sources, and look around online first. Also it is good to know that there are actual caring humans at levels above the local store.

Absolutely. HF ain't what Craftsman was when I was a kid, but they do have much better tools than they used to.

You said it best at the end. Make sure that you get the right tool, for the right job.

I began shopping at HF around 10 years ago when a store was built close to where I live. HF sells tools, items related to tools and stores easy to access. I am most always greeted when I walk into the store and help is generally easy to find. I've had good experience with tools from HF but I also take care of my tools keeping them clean, dry and maintained.

I think your video and opinions expressed are spot on and accurate. That being said, I will say that I think HF has improved the quality of some of their products. There is definitely plenty of room left to improve,and I hope that is the way the company continues to trend.

I owned my own business for 53 years and shopped at Harbor Freight for most of those years. I generally did what you talked about, I bought most tools acording to what I was using it for. Larger more important jobs got more expencive tools, and some small jobs got a tool that wal not likley to be used much. I have noticed that the quality of items has improved greatly over the years. I still have a couple tools, like a drill press, that I have had and used for over 10 years. Of course most of my long life tools have come from large tool stores and have had most of them for many years, of course at a much higher cost. Nice to hear that they listen to customer input.

Yes, they have improved. Love the hand tools-ratchets and floor jacks.

Yes I would agree that the quality of certain items have increased. Icon tools, Doyle tools, Tool boxes and generators are a very good value for the money. Floor jacks have also improved dramatically.

Been a general contractor for 40 years. I generally avoid HF. However, if you need a tool for a one off project, they are a reasonable option. Also if the tool is going to get used in super harsh conditions again it is worth considering. I have had a few surprises. Their bottle jacks and bar clamps have worked well and were good values.

We don't have HF here downunder but I'm a hobbyist and a pensioner. I buy bargain store gear and mostly it stands up to my lower usage pretty well. So yeah. BTW I watched that previous video of yours only days ago and got this one in recommendations, and just subscribed, too. Thanks for making useful videos for us!

Originally I went to HF to buy consumables but, as time has passed, I find myself buying more and more items from there. They have always been very courteous and willing to help in any way possible.

I’ve been shopping at Harbor Freight for years and their quality has definitely improved. That being said, I mostly buy from their “best” line because I have bought some total duds from their “good” line. Your recommendation of looking at the reviews is spot on and something I myself do regularly.

My experience with Harbor Freight is you have to be selective with your purchases. Most of their hand tools, heavier equipment, air tools, and predator engines are usually solid performers. Toolboxes, carts, and stuff like that can vary a lot in quality so make good choices. The low end electric tools are way too prone to failure, don't buy. NEVER buy abrasives from them, like sand paper or grinding discs, total junk. Most of their consumables aren't worth purchasing, some welding supplies are an exception.

I have the same green belt sander you showed. Bought it probably about 1983 and it hasn't let me down. Same with a large drill press.

Great video here. Harbor Freight has definitely improved in the quality of their tools. Been using them for 12 years. I now go there first before I go anywhere else. I am a DIY person but care about quality and safety. So far I have had nothing but good luck at HFT!

Harbor Freight is exactly what it is. I feel like folks that shop there know where they are, what they need and the quality of the items they purchase. They are a godsend for people on a budget who need tools for one off jobs and don't need top of the line stuff to do it. If you go in with gold standard expectations on durability and quality you are going to be dissapointed. Thank you Harbor Freight for providing a source for budget friendly tools!!!

I think it says a lot for HF for reaching out to You. Now that they do have some higher end tools really the choice has been put on the consumer. I think some of their tools are just as good as other name brand ones.

I'm a long-time HF customer. The quality has definitely improved in the last few years. The HF "Titanium" welders are a great value and have worked great for me at a fraction of what a Lincoln would cost. The Daytona floor jacks are a great value. Consumables like zip ties, paint brushes, tarps, rubber gloves, etc. are a good value. Low tech heavy metal tools are a great value and work fine, for example sledge hammers, pry bars, chisels, axes, garden tools, etc. The basic mechanic hand tools like wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, clamps, etc. are actually pretty good and definitely a great value. Of course, the quality is not the same as high-priced tools. But if they break, not a big deal because you can beat the heck out of them and they're so cheap they're basically disposable. The name brand tools can break too. Plus, at HF you can afford to get a huge variety of hand tool sizes and configurations that you could never afford in premium tools. Items where the quality of steel is critical, like drill bits or saw blades, are not so good and generally won't last. Avoid their "Chicago" brand, as that stuff is the absolute cheapest quality and really not worth the savings. The cordless power tools are very hit and miss.....I stick to name brands. I haven't tried the new "Icon" brand tools, because I'm skeptical about paying a premium price for any tool at HF. I don't really consider anything at HF to be "professional grade". Always check the online reviews and you'll find some gems. I have to laugh that you described yourself as a kid in a candy store at HF.....I'm the exact same way, and always walk out of there with a bunch of impulse buys. But I always use the stuff I buy, and I go back for more year after year, so you can count me as a satisfied customer!

Barbour Freight tools have increased in quality over the last few years. You have to match any tool you buy against the job you require it to perform. Doesn’t matter which brand you are considering.

This was a great video that makes me feel better about HF. They fill a huge gap in market needs. Their Predator generators are fantastic as well as their tool boxes. Sometimes I just need a tool to use once or twice and I don’t want to invest a fortune in it. HF always seems to have a tool for that job.

I'm very happy with the products Harbor Freight provides. I'm not a professional and torture my tools but, I'm a DIY'er and the quality is more than adequate for my purposes

Seemed like a fair assessment

This video is spot on, just as the first video about HF was. Good job.

This is a great video Dave - thank you. I can only speak for myself, but when it comes to tools, I have learned to buy the best that I can afford. It saves me money in the long run...

I've had really good luck with HF products. Although I don't use them on a professional level, I have had some big projects and when the tool broke, I simply took it back and got a replacement without any issues or hassle from the staff. I love this place!

I think HF is the best thing since sliced bread. I'm not a professional who does the same thing over and over every day, but I do have a never ending list of different things to do. Very happy with products and staff.

agree, feel and think there tools have improved over the years. i too just bought the auger for posts and it was amazing.

By far their quality has gone way up, So has their life time warranty on some tools. I don't think it's so much that you get what you pay for as it's you can buy what you need. Huge thumbs up to Harbor Freight for taking time to talk and explain things with you. And they do more then just tools , They try to help the community and fundraising groups. Keep the videos coming Dave and tell HF thanks.

I bought a few Harbor Freight power tools over the years. They've been occasional use tools. For tools that I used regularly and when I was in business, I bought Dewalt. I haven't been disappointed with either.

Two very interesting videos, thanks for taking the time to produce them. One thing I would say..often, talking to a marketing rep about a company's quality and practices is akin to listening to a fox talk about how great it is to be a chicken. I don't personally buy from HF, but no quarrel with those that do. I'm actually more concerned about how the major brands have apparently lowered their standards to compete with bargain prices found in box stores and discount places. I've had unexpected failures the past few years, basic QC and cut corners, and it hasn't been just a few.

Solid facts Dave. Thank you for being Dave and not another critic on youtube. Harbor Freight's strategy of good, better best works. I researched many tools and have used H.F. as well as other tools from offshore. The quality has increased over time with Bauer tools added to the selection. I break drills on a regular basis. These are middle of the road tools at a good price and in my experience, Harbor Freight honors their warranties.

I’ve been a customer for about 10 years now and yes I agree that their products have been getting better in quality. Their prices are the reason I shop there but what you pay, you get almost the same or the same in productivity as you would any other product if you’re a DIY guy like me. Happy customer.