I know we've got a pretty handy group of guys out there so I figured I'd put these question out there as I'm looking to purchase a few items for around my garage/house....

What are some good things you've purchased at Harbor Freight/would recommend:_______________

What are some things that you purchased at Harbor Freight that you probably wouldn't recommend:_____________

I do about 1/10th as much automotive work as I used to do, but I did buy a $70 Acu'something brand OBD II scanner/code/data reader that works fine for what I use it for.  Also bought a mechanic's roll around seat for about $20 two years ago that is still on the job.  Probably best of all was a $6 Digital Volt Ohm Meter that for most functions works just as good as my $300 Mac Tools multifunction DVOM that I still have from almost 30 years ago.  I also had bought the fold up/fold down aluminum ladder a while ago that if you don't pinch your fingers, works as advertised, and doesn't take up much space when done.  Also bought the fold out aluminum ramps for wheeling dirt bikes/other onto the back of a pick up which also was a good purchase.

I bought a cheapy electric chain saw that I think only lasted one or two times out, but it might also have been partially user error! .  I also bought a battery fluid transfer pump for when changing the water in a turtle tank (Don't ask... my kid got two turtles about 15 years ago... kid now grown up and moved out...  I now have two turtles in a tank that will probably out live me.)  I've gone through 3 of the cheapy pumps, but for under $10, I don't think I have much to complain about.

Next up, I'm looking at getting some kind of pressure washer for steps, sidewalk and deck.  Also thinking about getting a 1/2 drive air gun.  (Like I said, I don't do as much as I used to, so don't need something that's going to be used everyday.... Probably more like once a month if that!)

So... What have you bought that you'd recommend?

What did you buy that you probably wouldn't recommend?

Comments welcome!

I have purchased a tent to cover cars at work, also a floor jack, and sawzall and, some other misc items. Knock on wood never had an issue with anything purchased there. You can probably pick up a good used 1/2 drive impact gone on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. 

My OBD code reader from HF also been working fine for years. I've been through a few in-line die type grinders from them. But, I put them through hell. $50 welding helmet still working. I keep saying I'm going to upgrade. All my cordless tools are Ryobi. A big selection, available at Depot and all the batteries match. My corded power washer is also Ryobi. 
And speaking of something that will pinch and make you bleed. My wife bought me one of those folding steps that goes over your truck tire so you can reach under the hood better. OMG, got me twice! 

Far more good than bad............definitely good bang for the buck.

My summary is you get what you pay for.  Search tool reviews before you buy.  I bought a small benchtop drill press a year ago.  I read about the HF model that the spindle had play and verified in person,  Bought one from Home Depot that had a good review and it works fine.  I bought a home owner grade stepladder from HF and it is good for just that - light infrequent usage.  I'm sure if it was used heavily every day it would loosen up and become dangerous.  Joe, I would check out the pressure washer carefully - again read reviews.  A lot of them have issues with pump and seal failures.  If you need some rather expensive power tool for single or infrequent use look into reantal from HD or a local rental source.

I own three of the harbor freight 2500 winches,

One mounted in my garage to pull the racecar in onto the lift

One modified to wind the landing gear on my gooseneck trailer up and down

and one inside the trailer incase I need to pull the car in, I would recomment them ( better when they are on the $59.00 sale price)

Pressure washer I would go to costco, if ANYTHING happens to it you bring it back and get a new one

1/2" Impact,  I would buy an battery powered impact instead, 

Bought the 2 ton aluminum floor jack about 4 years ago, works fine. 1/2 inch big breaker bar for lugs on my truck and also  the 3/8 72 tooth swivel long ratchet, both do the job. Joe the good thing about the depot is their return policy, specially with their Husky brand. No questions asked.

Only thing I ever bought there that actually broke was a chain breaker, and it turns out I was using it improperly. 11 years ago when I got into karting I bought an electric impact wrench, still use it often. I use their airbrush for my lettering, as do some of the top custo painters in the country. $23 apiece VS $175 for a name brand. It starts giving you trouble, toss it. I keep a spare always. All my hand tools that I've bought are all still working, including ratchets. Also I use a lot of the little snap off utility knive, $.59 per, buy several at a time. No problem at all, possibly my favorite store.

I've  bought quite a few things there over the years, an aluminum racing jack and a sawzall were among the best, although neither gets used a lot.  Folding aluminum ladder was another good purchase. I don't think I would buy precision tools there

I started my business with their 3600watt generator. I since switched to a Briggs quieter one. I think HF has a equall quiet one now. I would buy it in a pinch. I also have their aluminum jack and swore that I would never pick up my Tahoe with it. But I do. Lol

Although I try not to buy anything from China , HF has it's place  in the marketplace. Most of their stuff works ok and can get a job done at a lower price . I did learn that if you are going to buy mechanics hand tools , pay a little more and buy their Icon brand .

I bought those special sockets for the special bolts that GM cars have on their motors. I think the set cost around $10.00. Can't go wrong for ocasional use. But the everyday professional should buy professional brand tools. I do have those plastic saw horses that fold up. They work great! Just watch your fingers when you fold them up. 

When it was time to paint the 9c I needed a spray gun to prime the body. My 35 year Devilbis was all dry rotted so I went Harbor Freight. They had a $ 15.00 purple spray gun and I had a coupon that dropped it down to $9.00. I had no intentions of spraying the color coat on the car with it, but the primer went on so nicely that I decided to give it a try on the backs of the panels first. It went on great so I sprayed the rest of it with my $9.00 spray gun and the rest is history. If anyone needs one, I'll sell it to you for $8.00, lol. I also bought a buffing machine, a torque wrench, DA paper (impact sockets, those weren't so good). 

After retirement I spend all of my time in my shop.

I have been able to do things that I never would have been able to do (afford) without Harbor Freight.

The infared laser thermometer works great. 

I buy roll after roll of Vulcan .035 mig wire.  I buy the ten dollar 4" grinders and throw them away when they burn up.  Still cheaper than burning up a $100.00 DeWalt which I have done.

In one of my recent YouTube videos,  I turn a $55.00 tool cart into a welding cart for my plasma cutter.  Recently on sale for $45.00 I could not build the cart for double the price.                                                       

Here's the video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgwpqA29Vm4

Tom, buy the cheap 2 year warranty on them, they will replace them no questions asked.  It's the only place that sells warranties with no hassel. I just replaced a little battery jump unit that was 18 months old on a two year warranty and they gave me the upgraded one because the one I had was no longer available. 

Thank you kjeyres for the warranty tip. 

Thank you Joe for posting the video link.

I have also purchased several of the Predator motors including two of the 22 horse power V twins.  They have been fantastic.  I have had a 5 horse power predator on a wood splitter for ten years that runs great.

I bought a Predator 22 horse power motor and they gave me a discount plus a one year club membership.

The AA batteries at Harbor Freight are terrible.

A fun thread Joe, Thank You.

A guys friend purchased some sandpaper and a straight-line sander at Hobo Freight. I'll be dipped how good that thing worked ;>)