Note to self - avoid Harbor Freight tools.....

A rant to make myself feel better.

Note to Self: Don't buy tools from Harbor Freight.

While working on a project, the other week, I found a seriously rounded off screw.

I jumped online and ordered the Screw Extractor set from Harbor Freight.

I've used some Harbor Freight tools before (clamps), they weren't bad. They seemed to cost less than other sets (grizzly, local hardware, etc) I figured the project could be placed on hold for a week, while I waited delivery.

The set arrived yesterday - so I set up to work on the extraction.

Cheap, unreliable, and a waste of time and money (the drill bit broke)

If I was in Denver I would have gone to their store to check the extractor set out. (likely would not have bought it)

If anyone has a good idea of where to buy a GOOD screw extractor and drill bit - let me know
(car parts store?)

So you are just now figuring this out?


Quality Costs $$$.

Harbor Freight has it's place. Cheap crap for a cheap price. I needed a 4" grinder for one project. I bought one at HF for about $14. It did the job. That was about 10 years ago. It's still going (although it's noisy). I've since found out what usefull tools they really are and my next one will be a quality brand.

I don't order online though. I go to the store at 88th and Sheridan.

There is a Harbor Freight down by Southwest Plaza.

Tool King - right on 6th Ave in Lakewood. They have a website [url=http://www.toolking.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]www.toolking.com[/url]

The store will honor the internet prices


Grizzly - website only unless you live in Washington, Pennsylvania or Missouri

[url=http://www.grizzly.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]www.grizzly.com[/url]

Most of the stuff in my garage came from these two places.

pacamom wrote: Tool King - right on 6th Ave in Lakewood. They have a website [url=http://www.toolking.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.toolking.com[/url]

The store will honor the internet prices

I have to stay away from Tool King. the discount tables in the middle of the store always get me into trouble.

Sears Craftsman brand has a good "semi-professional" line of tools that are affordable. All hand tools have a lifetime guarantee. OTC and KD tools are somewhat more professional and offer the same lifetime guarantee. If you want something like an extractor set that will really "work" and last, buy Snap-On. Very expensive but you will extract any rounded off bolt or screw.

Sears Craftsman. Lifetime guarantee.

my husband helped a friends' kid with his science project this year. He wanted to test "name brand professional" screw drivers against the "cheap ones". There were a few tests and one that he was most interested in was putting the screw drivers in a hydraulic press and seeing which broke first.

interestingly, the cheap Chinese knock offs (sold by places like Northern Tool) did the best. I'll see if I can get a hold of the study and publish it here.

A lot of value depends on what you are using it. Since I hardly ever use tools, if it gets me though one project at little cost, that is usually good enough for me. If it is tools I use a lot like drill bits, then I will splurge for the good stuff.