Is there anything wrong with...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Is there anything wrong with...
Using air tools from princess auto (Canada version of harbor freight...almost exactly the same)? I mean, I'm not going to be using the air tools for industrial purposes...I'm only going to be building one car. They have a lifetime return policy, no questions asked. Plus, the prices on air tools from them are extremely cheap. So If I buy an air tool and it stops working or something...I just have to return it and I get a new one no matter what! Their tools seem to be designed exactly the same as major name brands...just with a different sticker on them. Has anyone gone this route and are the results of projects any different from using brands such as chicago pneumatic? I like to have as many air tools as possible. I can buy more tools and save tons of money if I go this route...
Any comments?
Any comments?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
I found that, even though a lot of Harbor Frieght stuff is "Made in China" stuff and would not stand up to commercial use, if you use it once in a while, then the quality/price ratio could be justified. I don't scrimp on quality hand tools (I only get Craftsman or Mac) but I purchased a parts washer from them and have been happy with it and I use it about 1-2 per month. It's not "commercial grade" but it does the job I need it for. Good Luck. 
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: McComb Ms.
this post reminds me, i went thru some receipts i had and a few of them were useless becasue the ink had disappeared. i guess thats the new fad in eluding their warranty, no reciept no return...gotta love this country's new age business tactics
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: San Clemente CA
I had a 50.00 credit on a receipt at Best Buy in my wallet for a few years. I was there last week pulled it out and the front side was blank, the back side with the Best Buy logo was perfect. It was to light for the computer to scan it and the manager could not make it out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
i rebuilt my entire...and i mean ENTIRE 81 in my logo/avatar using 99% harbor frieght tools.
during/at the end i replaced the following.
1. tranny jack. My fault i used a impace wrench on the drive for an emergency
2. 1/2 inch drive rachet.....still worked, but screw fell out of the head.
3. couple extenstions-probably used it over what it should have been used.
4. couple universal joints- same as above/couple the connecting pin came out
thier tools are ALOT better then they were several years ago. I have a harbor freight walking distance from my house so makes it VERY nice.
best tools for the money they have
1. Air compressor
2. blast cabinet
3. paint guns
4. air tools
5. thier rachets....AWESOME
My $3000-4000 tools ive bought from them would have cost me 4 times that at snap on or mac. Best part.....i finished the car using thier stuff and still have the tools for the next one
during/at the end i replaced the following.
1. tranny jack. My fault i used a impace wrench on the drive for an emergency
2. 1/2 inch drive rachet.....still worked, but screw fell out of the head.
3. couple extenstions-probably used it over what it should have been used.
4. couple universal joints- same as above/couple the connecting pin came out
thier tools are ALOT better then they were several years ago. I have a harbor freight walking distance from my house so makes it VERY nice.
best tools for the money they have
1. Air compressor
2. blast cabinet
3. paint guns
4. air tools
5. thier rachets....AWESOME
My $3000-4000 tools ive bought from them would have cost me 4 times that at snap on or mac. Best part.....i finished the car using thier stuff and still have the tools for the next one
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
If its something you plan on pulling out once a year, then I would consider cheap Princess Auto tools.
However, if your planning on putting them to work full time, I would consider better stuff.
It sounds like your just getting into the air tools.
If so, you might want to take a look at your compressor before you start investing in more air tools.
A small compressor is fine for a nailer, stapler, or small paint gun. BUT it can't keep up with much else.
Not much point in springing for an air ratchet only to find that it runs down the compressor on the first wheel bolt.
You can probably put the other four in by hand faster than the compressor recharges.
Princess Auto is one of my favorite stores BTW, I love the surplus electronics.
They are really good for standing behind their warranty and I've never had any trouble returning anything.
However, a really cheap tool with a good warranty means your making a trip back to the store every couple months.
That's a hassle.