They aren't the best, but honestly most of the cast metal tools I have from Harbor Freight (wrenches, pliers, sockets, screw drivers, t handle drivers, some clamps, etc.) have held up well. I have only ever broken one HF tool working on my bike, and that was a 1.5 mm t-handle hex wrench which I broke last night when I accidentally stepped on it.
I don't trust HF tools with plastic parts, am somewhat suspicious of anything you plug in (but to be honest, some of their newer high end stuff is pretty nice) and had a marking gauge and folding saw that were among the most worthless tools I've ever bought. But really, I've been pretty darn pleased with most of my Harbor Freight tools. It's not that I can't tell the difference between the HF stuff and nicer tools, it's just that for how often I use them as a hobbyist and home owner, it's unlikely I'll ever be held back by the tools.
Note: This logic in no way applies to my bike and I definitely, totally need a carbon frame, Fox Factory suspension, and at least XT if I want to make it down even the easiest of greens.
April 3, 2023, 4:03 p.m. - MarcusBrody
They aren't the best, but honestly most of the cast metal tools I have from Harbor Freight (wrenches, pliers, sockets, screw drivers, t handle drivers, some clamps, etc.) have held up well. I have only ever broken one HF tool working on my bike, and that was a 1.5 mm t-handle hex wrench which I broke last night when I accidentally stepped on it. I don't trust HF tools with plastic parts, am somewhat suspicious of anything you plug in (but to be honest, some of their newer high end stuff is pretty nice) and had a marking gauge and folding saw that were among the most worthless tools I've ever bought. But really, I've been pretty darn pleased with most of my Harbor Freight tools. It's not that I can't tell the difference between the HF stuff and nicer tools, it's just that for how often I use them as a hobbyist and home owner, it's unlikely I'll ever be held back by the tools. Note: This logic in no way applies to my bike and I definitely, totally need a carbon frame, Fox Factory suspension, and at least XT if I want to make it down even the easiest of greens.