There is a Northern Tool less than 5 miles from house. My wife don't let me go there by myself anymore.
When I want to spend money that is when Im glad that im not married and have no kids, but i guess thats why I dont get into a relationship...lol
I stop in the Harbor Freight store in Springfield IL about once a month and buy something... bought a 10 ton porta power last visit. Got a totalled out 94 Crown Vic that is hit in the right rear,, bent up the left side too, hard hit, frame is straight,, gonna just push it all back out,, may have to replace portion of r qtr. Dan
I'd rather pay Kobalt or Husky prices than Matco or Snap on prices. Damned fine tools, but $72 bucks for a socket (axle nut on late model full sized Dodges = 46MM) hurts in the wallet and the rear end...
AS a guy who was a professional mechanic for 35 years I have quite a few Snap-on, MAC and Matco tools. They are the tools that you can't get anywhere else. I have a ton of Craftsman tools and have never had problems with their tools or their guarantee. I have some "cheepie" tools too but those are the ones that I have modified for some "once in a lifetime" use. I hang on to the ones that hold up and remember the limits. I won't buy any "precision" tools for Harbor freight. I have good torque wrenches and when my son cam over with his "click type torque wrench" from harbor Freight we tested it. It was a joke! It was so far off that it was useless - Brand new, but worthless.
Yeah, it's probably hit or miss with stuff like torque wrenches. A guy had a Harbor Freight torque wrench at work, said all he needed to do was tighten a bolt to 70 lb ft. We put it on the torque tester and it pulled 69 1/2 lb ft when set to 70, close enough for what he wanted. But I too have seen some that were way off.
I do the same thing Paul. I buy wrenches and sockets out of the dollar bin at the pawn whop to make stuff with.
I buy from them, sand paper, cur off wheels. Their stuff will last for the occasional use not the daily use for a garage. I havea 20ton press, a 5 ton arbor press, a little sand blast cabinet (loaded with walnut shells for rubber, etc.). sledge hammers, rubber mallets. Their price is right, They have a really neat LED flashlight with a flexible shaft and magnetic base. It is great for working under the dash, tight spots, I even have one by my stereo so I can see the controls. I think they are about $7 unless on sale. Great christmas presents for gear heads.
just got there latest flier. the 4" 9 led mini flashlight is on sale for $3.99. reg $9.99. i see that my wife already has it marked. she spends more there than i do.
Those LED lights are pretty good. The batteries last almost as long as they do on the shelf with no use and the lights last for 20 years or so. This is one of those things that it is hard to go wrong with.
