Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/441929
January / February 2015 16 #3: Harbor Freight tools are crap. There I said it. Their tools, and other outfits like them, are cheap and junk. Now, that doesn't mean some of them don't have a place in your toolbox. There are going to be jobs you might do once in your life, or once a year. You don't need to buy the best tool for something you will rarely use. Bearing pullers, compression testers, dead blow hammers, coolant pressure testers, floor jacks, hydraulic presses, etc can all be picked up cheap from HF and you will get great use out of them without breaking the bank. With that being said, if you have tools, you need a place to store them…..and if you want a great home toolbox for a great price, they have some really nice heavy duty boxes for the money. Many places are using the same box manufacturer and everything gets relabeled based off store. Nice ball bearing, heavy duty drawers, etc. "It's all ball bearings nowdays." I recommend the longer waist high tool boxes that can also double as a workbench top, since most of us have limited spaces in our garages. #4: The oddball tools make the job. Beyond your basic screwdrivers and wrenches are the oddball tools. The sockets with built in swivels, socket adapters, ratcheting wrenches (likely one of the greatest creations of the modern world, but make sure to get the reversible direction style), really long extensions, jewelers screwdrivers, stubby wrenches etc are all great compliments to a box. Mid grade tools are just fine for these applications. #5: There isn't anything wrong with buying good quality used tools. Ebay, estate sales, Craigslist and the like always have guys selling off tools for pennies on the dollars. Warranty still applies to the tool, so if something breaks down the road….I said….if something breaks down the road…… it can be exchanged for a new tool. In years past, craftsman was such a great option for the home user because if it broke, you just took it to the local sears to exchange. With these stores being fewer and fewer these days, exchanging is a little tougher, so finding a local tool truck isn't much worse. Once you find a tool truck local to you, get his card, and if you need a tool repaired, give him a shout and see when he is close to you on his route. Pretty easy to track down actually. Whenever I have to have a tool repaired, I always try to buy something as well. I figure even if it is warranty, if they are replacing it for free, I try and throw a little business at them for their time. Doesn't have to be anything big or expensive, but the key is always adding to your tool box a little at a time. Next thing you know, you have a nice compliment of tools and the jobs you tackle become easier and easier (P.S. You can hang great grandpa's crescent wrench on the wall and save it for nice). - KARL