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Harbor Freight 301 pcs. Kit quality

88trailcrawler

NAXJA Forum User
Location
OC SoCal
My sockets, screw drivers and others have been reduced to random mis-match pieces, I spend as much time looking for tools as I do turning wrenches.

I have been keeping my eye out at Lowes (Kobalt) and Sears (Craftsman). Some big sets are tempting, but have so much fluff I don't really need, picking and choosing replacements individually quickly adds up.

The pieces included on this Harbor Frieght set seems to fit my needs

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

Question is if anybody has experience with the feel and quality of this line. I don't need pro-grade, but do want stuff that feels good, fits right holds up and operates good.
 
Im a mechanic for a living and turn a wrench on a daily basis, not just the weekend like many guys on here. I use pittsburgh pro rachets and so do all my coworkers and we love them. I have used my current one daily for a year. I also use their socket driven allen keys and hex bits, however I would never reccommend using their sockets or open end wrenches unless you like bloody knuckles. Just my .02.
 
I have the exact kit from hf. I like it better than my craftsman set. It has more tools in it and most of the sizes that are uncommon in other sets. I've been happy with it. It was worth the money I spent.
 
Took a trip to HF ended up buying individual sockets/ratchets/accessories.

Spent a bit more, but took home no unnecessary fluff or duplicates.

I bought all impact sockets, figuring they would be stronger??
 
Took a trip to HF ended up buying individual sockets/ratchets/accessories.

Spent a bit more, but took home no unnecessary fluff or duplicates.

I bought all impact sockets, figuring they would be stronger??

impact sockets are made of less brittle metal. it will deform more readily, but it reduces the risk of the socket splitting and shattering when you're using it with an impact.

the regular chrome stuff is stronger. it's not likely to matter.
 
I use an impact at work a lot, most of the bolts i deal with are 24 or 30mm and Ive broken a few chrome vandium sockets as a result of being too cheap to buy impact sockets.....that said unless id be amazed if u stripped out an impact socket with a regular rachet unless you had like an 8ft breaker bar on it lol.
 
HF/China impact sockets and extensions work very well--while I have lost/misplaced some over the years I never have broke a single one.

Most of my tools are Snap-On, Mac, or Matco, but I have a large number of Craftsman tools I keep in my vehicles and at home. If its Craftsman, and it breaks, they replace it NO QUESTIONS ASKED, and if the store doesn't have it in stock they will ship it to your for FREE--that has kept them on my good side a lot of years. That said, I have broken plenty of them--with abuse--along the way.

Stanley makes some good stuff, Wallmart has them around here.
 
Not sure the last time you tried exchanging stuff at Sears but they arent as friendly about it as they used to be. I had them deny me or try to because they said the tool looked abused and then to top it off they give you refurbished China junk even if its an old made in USA tool.
 
Not sure the last time you tried exchanging stuff at Sears but they arent as friendly about it as they used to be. I had them deny me or try to because they said the tool looked abused and then to top it off they give you refurbished China junk even if its an old made in USA tool.

It would make sense that they would replace your old USA with whatever is current production, and yes, that would likely mean something from the People's Republic of RED China.

However, "Walk your post from flank to flank, and take no S* from any rank!" In other words, don't take bull from a counter monkey, the warranty is in full force and I have mangled a lot of Craftsman "chrome" sockets with impact guns and large cheater bars. Haven't got any lip yet.
 
301 pieces seems like a lot considering our jeeps need a grand total of like 15 different sized sockets ;) I bought 2 kobalt sets their 1/2" socket set with 3/8-1-1/4 sockets and 10mm-24mm sockets with 3 different extensions a swivel a breaker bar and a ratchet, then I got a 1/4" kit for all the little stuff, got a hf screw driver set, and just yesterday I got the sae and metric 11piece kobalt wrench sets I have some old pliers and crescents I've picked up over the years, other than that basically my entire tool box(minus air and specialty tools) fits in the back of my jeep...
 
301 pieces seems like a lot considering our jeeps need a grand total of like 15 different sized sockets ;)

Some people only have to work on their own stuff! :eyes:
 
OSH (if in your area) or Kmart (now owned by Sears) will replace your craftsman tools as well.
 
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