Harbor Freight - Love it or Hate it

[desertrefugee]

Not looking to start a cheap import flame war, but I'd bet that each of us has patronized our local Harbor Freight at least once. To me, it is hard to ignore the prices on some of the things they carry - stuff that you might not otherwise purchase at "regular" prices.

This weekend, they are having a "Blowout Sale".

They're not kidding. I have been eyeballing their motorcycle lift table for several years. I even knew that they'd changed the "safety bar" after a few of them actually bowed on some folks with fat bikes. Like, maybe, a dressed Goldwing.

Anyway, these used to be $599 and then went to $499 and have stayed there. But, this weekend, the units are $295. That, boys and girls, was too low for me to ignore any longer:

[Lucien Harpress]

Nice. I've been looking at some of their lifts, just for fun, but nothing has been a good enough deal for me to pull the trigger yet.

My opinion? You get what you pay for. I got an engine lift from them, and while it will work fine for what I'm using it for, I can also tell it's not a heavy-duty professional model. I think most of the hate comes from those who feel that "if you want to do a job, you do it right the first time", rather than just the occasional use Harbor Freight caters to. (My dad's a mechanic and that's exactly how he feel about that place)

If I'd do anything on my lift, I'll probably swap out all the bolts with Grade 8 at some point, and replace the chain and hook with one a little larger. Still, my 1 ton lift hoisted my 250 pound (about-ish) KZ1300 motor like it was nothing, so I can't complain.

[Whiskerfish]

Try a search here. One of our members bought one a couple years ago and had some serious safety issues. As I recall he fought with the Company and they sent him some parts to make it better and were working an upgrade for their production line.

[hacksaw1945]

I also have a Harbor Freight bike lift like your's, and I also bought the front wheel stand chock, with I-bolts on the end and I use ratchet tie-downs. I feel good about the product and did have doubts at first, and friend of mine had one he was happy and that is what sold me, P.S. My son-n-law calls the place China Freight.

[desertrefugee]

Try a search here. One of our members bought one a couple years ago and had some serious safety issues. As I recall he fought with the Company and they sent him some parts to make it better and were working an upgrade for their production line.

I did a significant amount of reading before buying this lift. I've almost pulled the trigger several times in the past and finally did. I believe the safety issue you're referring to was the lock bar on an earlier version would "bow" when supporting the weight of a heavy bike. Gave some folks pause, but I'm not sure a bowing piece of 7/8" steel (Chinese or not) is an automatic indictment of the lift. Even so, I found that the bar has been upgraded to a higher grade. It also sports the full "C" section lower frame rails. I haven't put the Aspencade on there yet, but I believe this table to be a solid unit for the "casual" user - and certainly worth the money. Many of the more expensive models (much more expensive) are also made in China.

If I had to shell out $1000+ for a lift, I would not own one. If my $300 dollar table collapses, I will be sure and report it here.

[chewy999]

My opinion? You get what you pay for.

That is exactly right, always try to buy the best I can afford.

As my CB1300 didn't have a centre stand I bought an ABBA stand - http://abbastands.co.uk/product-detail. ... tand&pid=1

Cost around £90, but that was about £50 cheaper than buying a centre stand and associated parts! (If I'd bought it in Brazil, it would have had one fitted!)

[Apatton]

Every big brand tool manufacturer has some stuff made in china; snap-on mac and matco have tons of chinese made tools in their line ups, welders, jacks engine hoists, are some of the chinesenofferings they provide. I used to bust out the mac and snap-on guys for their "american made" sales pitch when they slung their wares at the shop i worked at; dont get me wrong, much of their HAND tools are american made. Their Ingersoll Rand rebranded air tools? Uhhh, Ingersol manufactures in China, says it on the guns. Hell craftsman just made the switch to China made not too long ago.

And BTW, we used an older MAC engine hoist (USA) that sucked! Was properly maintained and had the cylinder reconditioned by mac. My harborfreight engine hoist works better than I remember that one ever working. So, it all depends really, if you look at something thinking it will break, it probably will.

[ericheath]

Here's the thread, http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic. ... eight+lift

[CYBORG]

I get all the Harbor Freight flyers in the mail, and they opened one just down the street from me. And I find it hard to drive by without stopping to see what the latest prices are on stuff. Seems they change every day or so. You have to be a wise shopper and evaluate the prices/quality to meet your own needs. The one near me has become a sorta hangout/meeting place for the senior generation of men, who are more then willing to share their experiences with different products. Its a fun place to go. I think the $300 price on the lift is a value. If I had the space I would get one, cause I don't think I could build one for that. Mostly I buy consumables. Tye raps, rags, paint brushes, etc., and find the prices better then anyone else nearby. And I don't really care where they are made......we live in a global community.....get used to it

[robin1731]

First sentence in desertrefugees original post, "Not looking to start a cheap import flame war".

Let's keep it that way.

[Brant]

Difficult sometimes to find the line between what I can afford and what I want. Wish I had a Harbor Freight closer to me. For me it's the tractor and farm stores to shop around in.

[CYBORG]

I've always enjoyed poking around in a Tractor supply store as well

[miltoncaniff]

Difficult sometimes to find the line between what I can afford and what I want. Wish I had a Harbor Freight closer to me. For me it's the tractor and farm stores to shop around in.

Not to promote a sale for HF, but no matter what I have bought from them, shipping has always been cheap. You don't have to be near one. If you wonder how good a tool is, ask if someone else has bought one. The comments on each tool is usually pretty truthful online.

I have the lift but bought it used for $100. Pretty hard to pass up! Works good. With a Wing or a Harley, I would suggest putting anchors in the floor and strapping the bike to them when the lift is fully up.

John

[robin1731]

I've always enjoyed poking around in a Tractor supply store as well

I have a TSC (Tractor Supply) and also a Rural King both in my town. They have both gotten some of my money.

[Neil]

I've purchased quite a few tools from Harbor Freight and a few have broken or bent but overall have had success with them. Love all the consumables they have and can't beat the prices. When my boys (4 of them) were old enough to be on their own I used HF tool boxes & tools and filled them with enough to get started with.
Where I live we have a HF, Tractor supply, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, and all the other usual suspects. Just recently my one son got into wood working and when he came to visit we went to HF and picked up a router, bits, palm sander, sand paper, etc., for his birthday. Unless you operate a professional business the HF tools work pretty well. Late last year I had to replace my hand grinder and I went to HF and got one almost identical to the one I originally purchased from them over 20 years ago so I'd say for the average home owner/home mechanic HF works pretty well.