Latest tool buys

[OldCarGuy]

Fifty years ago Harbor Freight was only mail order. And the tools that my co-workers purchased there were pure junk. Forty years ago they opened a Cleveland area branch. Being in the market for a roller tool box I stopped by to look at their US General. And quickly decided it wasn't worth the effort to load in my truck. Even if it was free. Additionally the only items I'd likely purchase there were Goodyear air hoses and some Channellock products. I had to wonder why they were only tools locked up in a display case.

Thirty years ago I paid $50.00 for hardwood floor nailer from them. What did I have to loose, it was less than renting one. It has installed thousands of square feet of floors in four homes. And still ticking.



My 24' by 30' living room with solid 3/4" Bruce urethane coated oak flooring 25 years ago. 


I ran out to purchase this 1/2" stub impact wrench because none of my Ingersoll Rand's would fit into the tight place in my motor home.



Two other air tools I purchase from Harbor Freight in the past ten years. I purchased them substantially less than major name brand. And they do their job..

Air hammer once again and sheet metal crimper...


Sheet metal crimper used on my grandson's F150 installing patch panels... 








I replaced both front fenders rather using patch panels... Far less work..


I do believe that Harbor Freight does sell some decent quality tools. That will get the job done, at far less cost than the big name brands. You need to purchase wisely. 

[Hickory n Steel]

HF definitely has some stuff that's worth buying.
With very few exceptions I stay away from their hand tools because I prefer to buy American whenever possible, but there aren't a lot of stationary power tools made in the US today.

[OldCarGuy]

Don't take me wrong. I'm saying fifty years Harbor Freight products were inferior. And I wouldn't purchase anything from them. They improved their products over the years. And I have purchased some tools. Like the examples I posted. However I would never purchase a jack stand from them. Nor a car lift if they offered it. I value my well being far more than saving a few bucks. 

[Hickory n Steel]

Don't take me wrong. I'm saying fifty years Harbor Freight products were inferior. And I wouldn't purchase anything from them. They improved their products over the years. And I have purchased some tools. Like the examples I posted. However I would never purchase a jack stand from them. Nor a car lift if they offered it. I value my well being far more than saving a few bucks. 

A lot of their stuff is better than it was  just 15 years ago even.
Like every retailer that sells tools they have stuff I will buy and stuff I won't.

[Uncle Buck]

I have had great success with their air tools i will say, very impressed. The rest has been hit and miss and I remain skeptical and far from a devotee for the most part.

[Hickory n Steel]

I have had great success with their air tools i will say, very impressed. The rest has been hit and miss and I remain skeptical and far from a devotee for the most part.

I haven't really had a need for any air tools, but I did find the need for a pin nailer.
I bought the Banks 23ga pin nailer from HF a few years ago and have been extremely happy with it.

[Hickory n Steel]

Yesterday I picked these 2 up from good ol' Bargain Smart ( the place down by my mom's house )


The little PROTO lockback is a rebranded UTICA Kutmaster, these were discontinued a few years ago but can still be found in stock at random supply houses.


I knew what I was looking at from a glance, and really only ended up buying it because of the PROTO tang stamp.
It's not a bad knife, just not quite as good as a Buck.

[Hickory n Steel]

This cool little guy came in the mail today.


They don't really suggest any sort of uses, it just comes with the little quick release keychain to carry it with and expect you to use your imagination.

I'll post more details in my 1/4dr thread.

[Hickory n Steel]

You guys know I'm a huge Channellock fan, and I recently learned that they had changed their little #524 slipjoint pliers & 424 ignition pliers so I just had to order a pair of each.

These are what I expected to get.




This is what I got.


They are much nicer in finish and consistency ( they appear to be using a M.I.M process for the little ones now ) , but I expected the markings on the 524 to actually be in the steel which is the main reason I wanted them.






The 424 are also a bit thicker overall too which is nice.

The one real problem I have is that they are just market with a light lazer etch or something, and they also don't even have the forged in die numbers or whatever these were previously.


They're probably under the grips on my old pair of 524, but the current pair definitely doesn't have any.

They have eliminated the need for fitting and surface finishing which has been a problem for them on their little ones these days and I'm happy about that, the markings are initially easier to read and should stay more visible for longer, but they lack any other permanent markings which I don't really like.

These 2 pairs I received directly from CHANNELLOCK were dated 4/23 & 9/24 on the packaging, and I don't know when Channellock actually made the switch in manufacturing on these.
I bought my original pairs at least 5 years ago I believe, and since they were bought from HJE they came as open stock in baggies instead of the consumer retail blister packaging so I don't know when they were exactly made.

I have no clue if their stock photos are supposed to be exactly current or not.
Did they start with the markings on the 524 manufactured into the steel then move away from that, or have they more recently switched and I just got an older stock pair.
If it's a previous generation I can maybe order another pair from somewhere else where stock sits longer and have a chance of getting a pair of them.


I was watching a video from one of the EDC related channels I occasionally watch ( not often, because he thinks the micro knipex are the only relevant pocketable pliers which I don't remotely agree with ) and saw that the pair of Channellock 524 he showed were different and marked into the steel.
I remember when he first bought a pair he got the old ones like mine, so I don't know when he got those newer ones.

Maybe I should just message Channellock on Monday and find out ?

[Hickory n Steel]

I pulled the grips so I could strip off all that protective clear coat that gums them up, and I discovered that the 424 actually do have some production or die codes on them.


I can't imagine why the 524 don't, but I checked and my old ones actually don't either.