Harbor Freight Tools Gilford (new)

[MAXUM]

For those of us that like real tools, and speaking of screw drivers, I have one of these and it is by far the best screwdriver EVER. Now they get $71.00 for one new, when I bought mine it was back in 1994 and they were about half that. Use it all the time and absolutely love it.

I'm sure you can get a crappy one at HF for a few bucks and it will last about 10 minutes before it breaks.

[8gv]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

For those of us that like real tools, and speaking of screw drivers, I have one of these and it is by far the best screwdriver EVER. Now they get $71.00 for one new, when I bought mine it was back in 1994 and they were about half that. Use it all the time and absolutely love it.

I'm sure you can get a crappy one at HF for a few bucks and it will last about 10 minutes before it breaks.

I had that one and it was my favorite.

It died when I left it in a bucket of degreaser and water a little too long.

Since I had such success with it I sought another but found the price to be too dear.

The replacement came from Home Depot or Lowes and has served me well for about fifteen years.

I no longer need to give my tools degreaser baths and I often use my JIS screwdriver instead so it might be my last.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by 8gv

I had that one and it was my favorite.

It died when I left it in a bucket of degreaser and water a little too long.

Since I had such success with it I sought another but found the price to be too dear.

The replacement came from Home Depot or Lowes and has served me well for about fifteen years.

I no longer need to give my tools degreaser baths and I often use my JIS screwdriver instead so it might be my last.

They have a lifetime warrantee you could have gotten a free replacement. Yes even with what you did to it.

In some cases, they will repair it, but generally speaking you get handed a brand new replacement.

[8gv]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

They have a lifetime warrantee you could have gotten a free replacement. Yes even with what you did to it.

In some cases, they will repair it, but generally speaking you get handed a brand new replacement.

I bet I tossed it not knowing this.

I shall hunt for it anyway!

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Does anyone know when the Gilford HF will open? Thanks.

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Does anyone know when the Gilford HF will open? Thanks.

Maybe a few months or more? I don't recall seeing an opening date on the banner they had there. It also appeared that the renovation was just starting, as they were just starting to open up the block wall to put in the door opening. I also just googled "Gilford NH HF Opening" and didn't find any dates, but did find some job postings for the store. In any event, it is certainly not imminent.

[Mr. V]

I've patronized HF for many years and have had no failures with the products I've bought, and I am an active "shade tree mechanic" that works nearly daily to maintain and repair my fleet of four older vehicles ('82 - '01).

China-phobes need not shop there.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

I've patronized HF for many years and have had no failures with the products I've bought, and I am an active "shade tree mechanic" that works nearly daily to maintain and repair my fleet of four older vehicles ('82 - '01). China-phobes need not shop there.

My experience as well, although it was with some temerity when I stored the extra set of brushes that came with HF's $7.95 four-inch electric grinders.

The Blue-Point brand mentioned previously sells a polyurethane hammer, used to separate delicate metal or wood fittings. At its center is a small steel cylinder, filled with oil and lead-shot. Its purpose is to deliver forceful hits without damaging the work product. However, after a few years, the molded polyurethane covering weakens, and will send large chunks of orange polyurethane all over the shop. (And this is how I found out about the small steel cylinder, filled with oil and lead-shot inside).

No warranty, of course.

Harbor Freight sells a cordless saber saw. For less than $20, it comes in handy when something needs trimming beyond the reach of an extension cord. It's only OK in trimming smaller branches.

My major gripe is that the chargers again look the same, but are not marked, and the voltages are different between HF's saws and HF's drills.

That may change with the introduction of Lithium-ion batteries in place of the cheaper Ni-Cad batteries. Prices, in the newer brands have already gone up on the order of 50 percent.

[jbolty]

anything cordless needs to be Makitia, Dewalt or Milwaukee. Any other brand changes batteries, or volts or chargers and you get stuck with junk you can't use or a bunch of different batteries.

[Biggd]

I prefer corded tools, they never stop. But I do have both. Sometimes you're just too far away from power.

Originally Posted by jbolty

anything cordless needs to be Makitia, Dewalt or Milwaukee. Any other brand changes batteries, or volts or chargers and you get stuck with junk you can't use or a bunch of different batteries.

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[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

I've patronized HF for many years and have had no failures with the products I've bought, and I am an active "shade tree mechanic" that works nearly daily to maintain and repair my fleet

Taken from monthly Harbor Freight newsletter.

"For the last several years, you’ve likely noticed in our stores a poster of a smiling teacher holding a big check for $100,000 after winning the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. Every year, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools awards over $1 million in cash prizes to be shared among 18 outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs."

The company does much charity work.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Taken from monthly Harbor Freight newsletter.

"For the last several years, you’ve likely noticed in our stores a poster of a smiling teacher holding a big check for $100,000 after winning the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. Every year, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools awards over $1 million in cash prizes to be shared among 18 outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs."

The company does much charity work.

That's pretty awesome, not just for the education support, but for the trades aspect of it, which is sorely needed.

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[fatlazyless]

Great news Harbor Freighters ...... no need to wait ...... www.jrs-discount.com at Exit 23, New Hampton already has that high quality steel, high quality rubber handle, large screwdriver with either a slot or a Phillips ...... for just two bucks!

I am so glad I stopped in and got mine before all you very el cheapo bargain buyers rush in there and buy them out ...... open four days/week .....Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon ..... 9-5 ..... and DEFINITELY worth the visit, there! .....

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Great news Harbor Freighters ...... no need to wait ...... www.jrs-discount.com at Exit 23, New Hampton already has that high quality steel, high quality rubber handle, large screwdriver with either a slot or a Phillips ...... for just two bucks!

I am so glad I stopped in and got mine before all you very el cheapo bargain buyers rush in there and buy them out ...... open four days/week .....Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon ..... 9-5 ..... and DEFINITELY worth the visit, there! .....

It is a great store for tools tarps and whatnot!

[AC2717]

I like JR's A lot, and its a great mom and pop store, perfect for that type of stuff for camp use. My problem is that its a 40 minute round trip for me not counting the time in the store. So unless I am heading in that direction which is rare, I tend to not make the trip for a small item and I usually need it when I'm looking for it.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

They have a lifetime warrantee you could have gotten a free replacement. Yes even with what you did to it. In some cases, they will repair it, but generally speaking you get handed a brand new replacement.

Snap-On tool warrenty varies with the vendor.

I took a screwdriver back for "repair or replacement". The vendor said, "We'll replace the handle, but not the blade". Now I have a shiny new handle on a useless screwdriver.

Snap-On sells Blue Point, which are not guaranteed.

A friend in auto repair tells me both Craftsman and Snap-On tools are China-made today.

Sometimes, HF screwdrivers are free, and sometimes, $2. Either way, you get four strong reversable blades and two sizes of sockets--all self-contained in one handy tool. (The larger socket tightens hose clamps).

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by ApS

Snap-On tool warrenty varies with the vendor.

I took a screwdriver back for "repair or replacement". The vendor said, "We'll replace the handle, but not the blade". Now I have a shiny new handle on a useless screwdriver.

Snap-On sells Blue Point, which are not guaranteed.

A friend in auto repair tells me both Craftsman and Snap-On tools are China-made today.

Sometimes, HF screwdrivers are free, and sometimes, $2. Either way, you get four strong reversable blades and two sizes of sockets--all self-contained in one handy tool. (The larger socket tightens hose clamps).

All Snap-On branded hand tools, storage chests and pneumatic tools, are all made in the USA. Some auxiliary items and compressors are are made overseas or rebranded. The lifetime warrantee remains lifetime on all items made in the USA. That said the warrantee extends to the original purchaser only.

If a replacement is needed and a guy in a truck (independent franchise owner) has the discretion not to warrantee an item directly and most won't if you don't have an active account with them. However Snap-On cooperate will just have to call them directly. Very easy to do but if you think you can buy something used off eBay or a yard sale then warranty it forget about it. You have to prove you are the original purchaser.

Blue Point is a "budget" tool line - the key distinction is they are distributed by but not manufactured by Snap-On. That creates a lot of confusion where many think they are equals and the reality is they are far from it.

[Biggd]

Snap On tools are sooo overpriced. You're paying a premium for all the mechanics that leave their jobs and screw them out of money owed.
I was in the auto business for 50 years and I agree they have some of the best tools around but their finance charges are built into their prices. So if you're one of the rare few that pays in full up front you are subsidizing the losers that leave their job and stop paying. I stopped buying Snap on hand tools a long time ago but I still bought their specialty tools up until I closed my shop last year.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

For those of us that like real tools, and speaking of screw drivers, I have one of these and it is by far the best screwdriver EVER. Now they get $71.00 for one new, when I bought mine it was back in 1994 and they were about half that. Use it all the time and absolutely love it.

I'm sure you can get a crappy one at HF for a few bucks and it will last about 10 minutes before it breaks.

If I have to use a ratchet screw driver I'm pulling out my 18V Makita impact.

[bobkatfly]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

For those of us that like real tools, and speaking of screw drivers, I have one of these and it is by far the best screwdriver EVER. Now they get $71.00 for one new, when I bought mine it was back in 1994 and they were about half that. Use it all the time and absolutely love it.

I'm sure you can get a crappy one at HF for a few bucks and it will last about 10 minutes before it breaks.

Found one of these for free at the local dump swap shop. Very handy. Use it all the time. Love the fact that it's a ratchet design.

[fatlazyless]

www.jrs-discount.com on NH Route-104, New Hampton ...... close to Rt 93-Exit 23 is MOST definitely worth a visit ..... you will be happy you did!

This is the place to go for a high quality, large, slotted screwdriver at a reasonable price ....... like, who needs Harbor Freight ....when you got JRs .... already here.

Attention everybody: ....... you are hereby ordered to go directly to JRs on Rt-104, New Hampton, and spend a minimum of 50-dollars ....... this is a direct order ...... you understand ........ hut-hut-hut .. !

[dpg]

Harbor Freight and Wally Mart beside each other that's just great. I can see the cheap Chinese manufacturers smiling already.