I Bought The CHEAPEST TOOLS On The Internet (So You Don't Have To)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
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Today, Jared buys some tools. A LOT of tools. Are they worth it?
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Today Jared shares some wisdom about tools and what you should spend on your first set
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Hey, i need a slip joint pliers. Dont throw them away. Send them to me. They do great using them as mini hammers on small stubborn bolts.
LMAO!
Not much else use for them 😂
They work soo well with almonds, slip pliers serve me well every Christmas when some nuts need busting, I call mine 'the wife' ,lol
The Wizard has spoken!
If only he knew someone with a helpful list of tools that can be used in a shop, on some kind of website where he could order them? That person could even get some sort of financial compensation for creating that list to help people buy useful tools...
This is a pretty solid little workbench. While once you figure out how it comes together, it is physically Easy to assemble th-cam.com/users/postUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh by yourself. But the diagrams explaining the steps are really pretty bad. I could not get the handle pins in all the way despite multiple attempts, so I just used a screw I had on hand for the 2nd handle. I could not get the first pin in further or pull it back out. You are supposed to hammer it in, but I had no leverage and the handle is plastic and I did not want to risk breaking it. I will get a lot of use out of the bench because of the convenient size and height. It does fold up nicely for storage. They even explain how to fold it so you don't get pinched...that is important!
I’ve lived my life with this tool methodology: buy the cheap stuff to get started. Replace anything that breaks with higher quality. That, of course, doesn’t include everything, but has worked very well for simple hand tools.
I agree. If you use it and it works well enough, and never breaks, then it's worth the savings. If you use it and it breaks or just doesn't cut it, then you /need/ the nicer/better/stronger version.
This is actually brilliant advice!
I totally agree. I was a mechanic at a dealership for 5 years and only replaced broken tools with higher quality ones (Matco is my preferred brand) when they broke
100%!! I've done this since my first set of tools in '08!
I’m with you for 98% the tools. The main exception is buy one nice 3/8 ratchet because that’ll be what you use for almost everything.
Bought my first house a couple years ago, and needed to increase my tools after I built my workbench. Pretty much everything is from Harbor Freight. I like was Adam Savage said, buy the cheap stuff, and if it doesn't break, perfect. If it does break, replace it with something better.
I agree with the replace with better if it breaks, otherwise work with what you got...I'm sure most, if not all of us would love to go buy everything off a tool truck if we had the funds to do so, but most of us don't, and most of us turn wrenches occasionally rather than all day long, so for that reason it makes no sense to buy tool truck stuff, unless you got those few tools that you use all the time then, maybe its worth it for those specific tools, but to buy a $20k+ tool chest for your house isn't necessary, and quite frankly a major waste of money...US General, and Icon make some really good tool storage units for a heck of a lot cheaper....my US General 44" combo unit has been on my carport that is open weather for going on 18 years, other than being dusty and dirty that tool chest combo works great, just need a larger one as I've somehow managed to fill it up LOL...the trouble I've ran into is you have to go to a very large tool chest combo in order to get several deep storage drawers...or purchase the end lockers....which don't work on my old 44" unit as they've changed the size of the new ones, they're much deeper than the old ones unfortunately...but an upgrade would be nice anyways at some point in the future. I have tools scattered everywhere because many of them don't fit in the smaller drawers is what I've ran into...and even those fancy expensive tool truck tool chests aren't any better for bulky tool storage....again you have to get the end cabinets for that type of stuff.
I will say this, cheap tools of today are light-years ahead of cheap tools from 40 years ago.
Also, unless you have money to burn, start cheap and upgrade as needed. No point in paying a premium for something you will seldom (if ever) use.
I agree with this. I still have some cheap tools that have survived that are about 30+ years old. The quality is indeed day and night difference. Most people think a $40 pair of needle nose pliers are somehow better than a $10 pair.
A chap I know is a professional truck mechanic of over 20 years. That is exactly the way he started, with a cheapish all-in-one kit, and anything he broke he replaced with snap-on or Mac. It is a bit weird to see his socket rack mostly full of budget sockets and 5 snap-on sockets.
not true for germany, I bought some cheap stuff decades ago and it they are really good tools, nothing to compare with the cheap trash stuff from china today
Agreed! And you can always find name brand used tools if you don't want to drop the cash for new.
@@oliverroedel1111 you guys always do it right the first time, here in the us harbor freight sells unsharpened spade bits
Back in the early 2000's Sears used to have a warehouse location, in Bellevue, WA, where you would go to pick up any large item you purchased at the local store in the mall. While there one day I discovered they also sold blemished items there as well. When I looked through what they had I found a new Craftsman socket and wrench set with around 250 pieces which had been discounted 50-percent because the cardboard box was crushed on one end. This was well before Sears offshored all the Craftsman tools, so I happily bought it and still consider it one of my better tool buys.
My mother worked in the Sears Hardware department back in the 1980's and early 1990's (down in Renton, WA. I would suggest she could have crushed your socket and wrench set box, but that was a little too early.)
In those days, there was the idea that Craftsman tools were for life and that you could always take your Wrench back to Sears if something happened. The name meant something. It looks like the wrenches will outlast Sears.
god damnit i miss sears
@@indyfist9466 The Sears where I live is still open but the last time I was in it, about two-years ago, they were in the process of consolidating their shrinking inventory into different parts of the store. Since they offshored all the Craftsman tools I don't have any reason reason to shop there anymore. Their parking lot is always empty and they have a big banner hanging on the building stating "We are still open." It's sad, but the only reason I shopped there was for tools and power equipment, and I no longer trust their quality.
That was a hell of a dope deal shit i miss sears.
When they went offshore they had the 250 to 300 ish piece usa sets 75% off. Great way to get all the stuff you need from time to time like sae and 12 points
Laying out your tools in your new toolbox for the first time has to be one of the most satisfying feelings
Just a side note, when there are only 2x locking/swivel wheels, they go at the handle end. This will be a real effort to turn and manoeuvre when it’s got 200kg of tools in it. Not to mention the swivel /locking wheels are at the handle end so you can press the foot lock after you’ve moved it so you don’t have to go to the other end to lock the wheels.
This set seems to be a pretty decent start or even just for the tinkerer, should last a while. Cheap stuff is getting good these days.
I noticed this too and it bugged me to the end.
I thought every mechanic would know that.
Do they make this in a 24 inch deep model?
Here's the comment I was looking for. I was thinking that's gonna be a pita to steer.
Cheap doesn't mean bad, just "questionable," if it _is_ bad at least you didn't spend a lot.
But I'd add that if it's something you think you're going to use for a long time, it doesn't hurt to spend a tiny bit extra to get something one notch better just for your own peace of mind. That's a life lesson has generally saved me from needing to upgrade a lot of things over the years.
My rule of thumb is start off cheap. If it keeps working, you got a good tool. If it breaks, then you get a more expensive/reputable one.
That's the trap most people end up in... My dad included, they are so fixated with the mindset of "well at least it's cheap" so they end up buying that same cheap stuff multiple times in a row when they could save all that money and buy an actual quality and durable product only once
True. I have a mix of affordable tools and high end tools. The affordable tools have served me well for many years.
The key phrase there is “tiny bit extra”
@Lassi Kinnunen 81 I completely understand that, and if it's for a tool that you won't always use then a cheap one is the best option. No need to overpay for a one use thing. My argument tho is more related to stuff that you will regularly use and abuse and tools you can rely on the long run.
Best "strategy" I've heard so far: Buy a cheap set, and replace the things that break with higher quality. How much higher the quality depends on how quick they break. So get a cheap set, and if that 10 mil socket breaks, get a high quality new one. If the 23 mil socket breaks after 10 years of use, the cheap one was good enough.
So, if your only working out of this toolbox the next few episodes and will go to harbor freight if necessary, at the end of each episode could you add a "Harbor Freight run" ticker for the episode, and total cost so we could get an idea of what extra value from this original purchase may be?
I second that. Im a semi professional race car driver and amateur tattoo artist that has the Harbor Freight figured out. They have the "Goldilocks principle" of "Good-Better-Best" and I've had in general a 97.25% positive experience buying only the best that mainland China and Taiwan has to offer!!
Yep
Yep
Kitty
Yep
being poor growing up, never had tools. went to school to be a mechanic, my family got together and got a 1000ps Stanley tool set. 20 years later im still making a living with them cheap Stanley tools. of course i dont buy myself Stanley tools, but im still using the socket and ratchet set. i get laughed at all the time for having cheat ol Stanley sockets and ratchets. BUT THEY WORK.! i cant see paying 10 bucks for a 6 sided socket, when a 2 dollar one works as well. very good video. im sure u helped alot of people
As a guy who has pushed his toolbox around manufacturing facilities for two decades, I have to ask you Jared- when are you going to realize the swivel casters go on the handle side? It's much easier to drive like a rear steer forklift, I promise
Go all swivel bro
@@pastaalalamborghini Harbor Freight even carries swivel casters. I put those on my Harbor Freight US General tool cart and it was so much better!
I've always put them on diagonally. Front right, rear left.
@@pastaalalamborghini i've found that all swivel casters makes the box hard to control.
Glad I wasn't the only person that noticed!
Great video, and thanks for being honest and not a “tool snob”. As a regular guy working on cars and motorcycles, it’s great to find reasonably priced tools that will get the job done and not break the bank. I’ve bought numerous HF tools and accessories and will look for fair and accurate reviews before making a purchase. You are now one of my trusted information resources.
I’m a diesel mechanic and have picked up a number of socket sets and ratchets from icon. They work really well and the deep sockets have the shoulder inside to hold the bolt at the top like Snap-on and other high end sockets. The ratchets are a 90 tooth count but only single pawl still work great with a low swing arc. Also wright wrenches Wright grip plus can be found for about $150 a set and are pretty comparable to the $1200 Snap-on “posi grip” or whatever the hell they are, set.
I'll say, I have a toolbox full of mix of tools, lots of HF stuff in there. I am just a hobbyist working on cars, motorcycles, ATV's also. I have had a few tools from HF that in the middle of trying to use I just pitched right in the trash can. But for the most part, that's not the case. On the flip side, I also have some HF ratchets that I reach for first, because of the quality feel, they have. It's nice to see someone with a professional background be able to validate the mindset, that you DON'T have to have a $400 ratchet to get the job done.
JARED! The swivel casters go on the side with the handle. IMO I only buy the sockets and ratchets I need, so I can get better quality. Those all-in-one kits have tons of odd sockets that you will NEVER EVER use. To save space mount individual socket rails to thin plywood so you can organize the SAE/Metric sets to what suits your most commonly used items.
Yeah I noticed that too, I thought I was crazy for a second. Having the caster set the way he does right now that thing is going to be up b**** to move
Oh thank goodness it wasn't just me that noticed this...
So, once piece of advice I give new mechanics as far as tools are concerned, is before you buy new, look to fb market place, Craig's list, and local listing for tools. Unfortunately alot of small mom and pop garages are going out of buisness, and you can pick up full sets with boxes pretty cheap!!
Damn, not even a minute in and Tavarish got roasted!
Balding man in a stinky charger
@@rentzusuken He pissed on your shoes or something ?
I got the Pittsburgh 301 tool set with a travel case. After 4 years I'm missing a stubby standard screwdriver. Pieces rattle around a bit but solved most of it with some sheets of cardboard. Throw some prybars, hammer and odd tools in a milk crate and I've swap 2 transmissions and and engine with the kit. The kit in the case lives in my pickup and the crate is on the shelf waiting for its contents to be customized as needed.
Are these top of the line, no. Are they good enough to do a project, act as an emergency tool kit, or a junk yard kit... yes.
I LOVE finding tools at estate sales for a fraction of the price. I found a 4 ton floor jack & paid $20 for it - all steel and in good shape = still can't believe my luck knowing they are over $150 new
OLD Craftsman 1/2" drive socket set - $20. And as little as I use them they will last a 'lifetime'. Then there is the $10 air pump that only worked once...
I love this, we need more tool talk. Not enough guys get to see what a difference the quality of tools makes, sometimes the cheap stuff end up working better. That’s mostly not the case but I would love to see this turn into a series
For a home mechanic, the cheap starter set is usually fine, find which ones you break and replace them with a better quality item.
For a pro, or at least a starter pro, go up a little bit, fundamentally as your livelihood is dependent on those tools, so something a little better is probably recommended.
I like my harbor freight stuff for my general assembly job, but I would agree that it probably would not be advised if your a mechanic.
And be wary that quality doesnt equal price (as seen with the HF daytona jack, snap-on clowning themself)
I've done very well with my Harbor Freight tools. Yeah, I've broken a few, but they were replaced under the warranty. I should note that I'm just a guy that messes around in his driveway so I don't use them daily. I've also talked to several pros that like the HF tools when they are doing the kinds of thing that are likely to damage a tool (like having to hammer a socket onto a badly rusted bolt.) They would much rather destroy a cheap tool than an expensive one. I visited a Mercedes dealer once and saw every bay had a HF tool box standing next to their nice Snap On box. The guys admitted that they do that so they can keep their expensive stuff in one and the HF beater tools in the other for easy sorting.
I can tell you one case where expensive makes sense. I bought my first socket set in 1997. I bought a Metrinch set when it was all over television ads. It does metric and standard, grips rounded nuts and have survived years of breaker bars and impact abuse. Double the function and half the space. I have since completed my set with impact drivers and 1/4 sockets as well as wrenches and adore them. Granted, my last set had to be sourced from Australia because they are not sold here anymore. My wife will never know what I paid on eBay.
Can we?
@@TJDunaway Around 400 for a set of short and long impact bits.
I bought the Metrinch socket set 20 years ago. $500 bucks and it never let me down, ever. Here's another hint, for tool buying, buy Japanese tools. They make tons of stuff and it never reaches the stores, you have to hunt for it. Specialty tool shops are the best.
I had a small Metrinch socket set many years. Complete junk
The Doyle pliers that they sell are one of Mac's old patents and they are absolutely wonderful.
It was funny seeing Robert in the middle of his GoKart debacle taking time to talk wood.
I'm honestly surprised he didn't recognize the wood as acacia, it's basically what every cheap "solid wood" piece of furniture is made out of.
Yuppers. I also recognized when that was...
Interestingly he did not make that box out of wood.
For the last 6.5 years I've been doing light assembly, all of my non power tools came from harbor freight and honestly I have not had any issues with them, I've only had to replace one wrench that I left out and was promptly stolen. I have a US general tool box that holds just about everything I need, the only complaint there is the included drawer liner lasts about 2 hours. Don't bother with the power tools, I've used a few of their drills and found them to be inconsistent in quality.
The Home Depot Husky version of that exact tool box also comes with a built in power strip with 2 USB ports (all where those "spot welds" you spotted are) for the same price! Also, that is real wood! And it's pretty resilient poly on too. I've exposed mine to all the chemicals other than acid...
Talking about Home Depot. Since Robert was on will we see a growing collection of Ryobi in Jared's boxes?
@@jayhom5385 even tho Ryobi is a brand under Milwaukee.. i really dont enjoy using their tools. And i work in construction( carpentry)
@@jayhom5385 @projectfarm just did another great review of battery powered ratchets, and Ryobi tested in at the best value for DIY'ers! 😉
@@musikdrengen02 yeah, my neighbor has all their tools, and the worst part seems to be the battery size and ergonomics. Milwaukee took a podium spot with @projectfarm testing, and I love my Milwaukees..
@@jayhom5385 oh. And hopefully he at least picks the Homr Depot Rigid brand! My Rigids are going on 12 years old and the batteries are still doing great!
When I started out as a mechanic, I spent my money on a sears Craftsmsn tools and tool box. As tools failed or were lost I replaced them with “better” brands, mostly snap-on. I am happy to say that I still have many of my tools from that time. The Craftsman tool box caused me a large loss of tools. I went to work one Monday and many of my best tools were stolen. I turned out that the “locked” Craftsman top box would pop open if you rapped the lid sharply to the left. I sold it and bought a used snap-on box, cabinet and top box for $700. I am still using that box today. The only other failure from Craftsman, were the screwdrivers and extensions. The screwdriver tips would break or round out. The retaining balls on the extensions would wear out and no longer hold the sockets. While these were replaced by Sears, I bought Snap-on sets to replace them. The snap-on screwdrivers are showing their age and the plastic handles are disintegrating. The Snsp-on extensions look like the day I bought them an the spring loaded retaining balls have never failed to hold onto a socket. I have rarely had any socket or wrench break, but I always had two of each size for when one did. The Craftsman lasted just as long as the Dnsp-on, but I found that I had fewer problems with bolt rounding with the snap-on sockets and wrenches. Perhaps there was truth to the claims about their flank drive. Though whatever patent they had on it, expired long ago, as I see that radiased design even in cheap brands today.
I was at a restaurant recently and the tables had that exact same excessive-finger joint wood top, kinda weird.
Glad you got Robert Dunn on the show, that guy is awesome. He has two channgels, Aging Wheels for cars and Under Dunn for wood working/home projects.
they use short bits of wood, is a good thing to not waste any, makes an OK top
Also easier to get a flat surface when mass manufacturing than using longer planks that can warp. It'll be real wood, but probably a fairly soft wood that'll mark easily.
The finger joints are not a problem if they're done properly with proper sealing , coming from a woodworker with lots of years experience.
They're very nice panels to work with, as they're much more resistant to warp than solid wood, and you don't need huge trees to get a big panel, but with the benefit of it still being solid wood and not just pressed sawdust or laminated cardboard hollowcore. They make 'em in a variety of wood types, but this one will no doubt be some kind of softwood.
I actually really like the aesthetic, kind of the same vibe as a chopping block?
Thank you Jared for this review! In my family’s truck shop, we’ve been using Harbor Freights Central Pneumatic 1” long anvil air wrenches for many years after our CP and IR failed. For as often as they’re used and the distinct lack of proper care, they’ve held up surprisingly well.
- they’ve held up surprisingly well
While other companies were sacrificing quality and going overseas to save a buck, HF was using its money to build better stuff and gain market share. I know they started out selling cheap tools but I'm sure they have much bigger dreams!
@ 24:04 Jared: Why does my opinion matter?
Dude we just saw you repair and glue back together a Mclaren....
You option is gold standard...
Jared, I love you're style. You are so genuine and humble. You care about the viewers and the beginners and it shows. You are the perfect addition to Tavarish's channel!
What a shot right out of the gate! Had me lol'ing instantly. RIP Tavarish!
One of the most satisfying things I've done lately was buy that cheap little $99 workbench from HF, assembling that, and organizing all my tools with the little socket rails and pegboard. Now that I've picked up an old Craftsman tool chest ($30) and rolling cart (also $30), I'm getting some drawer liners (about $40 worth) and expanding that organization to all the stuff that didn't fit in those 2 little drawers. It'll be glorious soon! I may not have a $4000 cabinet or even a $400 cabinet, but I have a place for my stuff and working out of it so far has been so much better than digging through boxes and tubs for what I needed.
I consider it a bonus when one of my favorite TH-camrs shows up on another favorite TH-camr's channel... and Robert is definitely a favorite! Didn't look rehearsed or unnatural at all...
Even as an aircraft mechanic, my tools aren’t all top of the line. In fact, snap-on only holds ~10% of my tool box space, even though they are ~30% of what I’ve spent. Great specialty tools are worth every penny. Good general tools will get the job done.
The timing of this video couldn't have been better. This helps me make my own decisions about my garage tools. Thanks, Jared!
buy master sets, you get it all in one
Im 20 and have no regrets on what ive bought
(ive only bought harbor freight tools using tip money)
Look at used snap on tools as well because they still have the warranty
If you are giving your garage a bit of a make over, I found that if you treat it just like a car build, come up with a design of what you want and layout first then start arranging it and getting the tools you need!
For the most part the $8 wrench will turn a bolt as good as a $20 wrench
Husky has a master set aswell but I'm thinking this one is probably more cost effective
Great idea for a series. As a reasonably experienced hobbyist I have basically been doing this for the last 10 years with my BMW fleet and would appreciate a pro's opinion on the gear. Most expensive stuff I have is from Craftsman or Kobalt. So far, besides specialty tools for certain BMW tasks, HF tools and entry level big box brands have been doing the job. I work out of 4 HF Yukon tool boxes as well. One thing I DO NOT recommend getting from HF... is torque wrenches. That cost me redoing a cylinder head. And on a BMW... that is not a job you want to do twice. Thanks for the content.
honestly I would always reccomend the best way top get tools is to buy second hand from someone, I got most of my tools second hand from a mechanic who retired and frankly got everything you would actually use for a 10th of what it was worth new
This is also great advice! Some of my tools came second hand and they are just as good for what I need them for.
I agree, I bought used Snap-on which is still Snap-on with a lifetime warranty - there is no way I could have afforded new Snap-on, but used - it's a fraction of the new cost, and awesome to use.
I bought a box that was over a third full of snap on tools, with the rest being Mac, Matco, SK, OTC, etc., for less than the value of the box. Guy was a retired mechanic, and was moving into a condo, and wanted it gone NOW. Snap on warrantied about $4k worth of the tools. I have a few that I have to find the mac truck for, etc. Problem was that I now need a bigger box.
I worked as a motorcycle mechanic for a little while, with a mix of Husky, Craftsman, Matco, older (like 80's) Snap-On, Dewalt 12 and 20 volt, and Tekton. Sockets, don't think you can go wrong with cheaper stuff, but when I had to borrow a tool/socket a few times, I bought from my Matco dealer. I also prefer the Matco 88 tooth locking flex head ratchets with the comfort grip, just feels better and very versatile. But cheap tools can do the job just fine, most of the time.
Thanks for this, it was really helpful. I have found thus far that the tools that I pick up from Harbor Freight have worked really well, especially since I am not working on 10s of cars a day, but just one car on the weekend. Glad to hear someone with much more time and experience say that they are decent tools. I look forward to seeing how well they work for you long term. Thanks again.
My theory on HF is that it will get the job done and provide the needed tools for most people for awhile. At which point they can go back and replace it at an affordable price or upgrade because it's used enough it broke.
I've bought a ton of tools from harbor freight and I haven't been disappointed. I normally try to buy from their better or best category. I've been able to get tools that normally would be out of my price range. It's great for hobbyists and DIY types. Nothing wrong with harbor freight 😀
Jared should do content with the aging wheels guy! They would be great together
The advice I was given when I started as a technician was to buy the best tools that you CAN AFFORD.. and an inexpensive toolbox. Pay cash and see what you use the most after 6 months and then start upgrading slowly over time. Save up and pay cash vs taking out tool truck/company credit. Most of the time if you’re paying cash the tool man will give you some sort of discount… especially if you really save up and buy multiple items at once. Oh and don’t let other techs try and pressure you into buying something you can’t afford just because it’s off the tool truck. The tools don’t make the tech, a good tech could repair a car with sockets and wrenches from Walmart as long as he has the know how. Snap on tools doesn’t mean that you’re a good mechanic. Focus on building a quality basic set,building your skills,and then as long as you can afford it… buy the fancy new snap on toolbox or whatever you want.
I loved this! Thank you! It's so nice to see this instead of just fixing car's. Not that there's anything wrong with that! That's what we all love, but this was an awesome way to switch things up👍👍👍👏👏👏👏
I've worked in the dealership game for a while & I've seen a funny things over the years. "you don't need the most expensive kit to be a good mechanic, you can have the most expensive kit in the building doesn't mean you're the best mechanic in the shop."🤣 & remember to Wrench every day & Learn every day.👍👍👍
Keep up the good work Jared 👍 10/10 solid
advice👍👍👍
You need a MIGHTY CAR MODS “In The Bin” T-Shirt
Lol that's what I thought when he did that!
I’m a residential garage door tech, I use my socket wrench everyday, but by no means does it get used a lot or under a lot of pressure. Bought a Quinn one from barber freight and within 2 months completely stripped out… replaced it with a Milwaukee one and it’s been over a year no issues!
I've been professionally pulling wrenches for about 30 years . Been working in dealerships for almost 20 years . I started out with cheap tools that mostly couldn't stand up to the daily abuse I put them through . Over the years I learnt what tools I needed to be high quality and what I could get away with cheaper brands . I also broke down about 8 years ago and bought Snap On boxes . I wanted a box to last me the rest of my career . And even though they are Snap On , I got the least expensive ones (only just over $9000 total) .
The Snap On boxes prices are a rip off.
I'm a woodworker, the reason for so small of wood pieces with finger joints is to keep costs down. Take short scrap wood, finger-joint them and presto! boards! In other words Yes top is solid real cut off lumber
Why? I learned at the age of 19 that cheap tools are... Cheap. You even destroy quality tools from time to time.
This is true of course. Though there are many types of tools where the cheap one isn't really any different than a expensive one.
While I’m not a mechanic I am a contractor. What I’ve found is harbor freight tools are in 3 categories. Junk, acceptable and good. To this day I still have harbor freight tools in my tool trailer, some are 15+ years old. Also there is some logic in buying the cheap tool if you only need it a few times or know it’s going to get smoked pretty quick. An example is for years we installed concrete siding. We always bought harbor freight circular saws because we knew they were going to be in a harsh environment and ultimately fail. The carts and tool boxes are pretty decent quality and to this day we still use the harbor freight sheet rock jack I bought on nearly day 1. Sure we’ve had to replace the lift cable a few times and one pulley but I saved several hundred dollars buying that tool and it’s performed as good as the good ones we’ve rented. Same with the small hydraulic bottle jacks still have the 2 I bought years ago.
I have the same tool box and love it. Most of my other tools are HF as well. Biggest complaint is the pliers. Havent had luck with those but the pittsburgh sockets and wrenches are great. Ratcheting wrenches Ive had issues but with lifetime warranties and how easy it is to replace in store its not that bad.
Their Doyle pliers are actually very nice and pretty cheap
Yess! These things are much better than what I started with: Diamond branded chinesium bolt rounder super cheap crescent wrench and tools. But what works, works, especially for a 16 years old starting up his trades. Love seeing tools reviews like this. Brings back memories.
Great series, looking for to the rest of the episodes! If you want a "budget" no skip wrench and socket sets I recommend Tekton. Quality and price wise they are between the tool trucks and HF stuff, but best of all NO SKIPPED SIZES. I hate skipped sizes and I found Tekton is the cheapest way to get a no skip set.
i bought a good amount of tekton sockets when i started working at a shop, still have some of them and ive never had an issue with them
The Tekton socket sets, either regular or impact are very good at a very reasonable price. The other hand tools like the adjustable wrenches are junk
There's a lot of great Cr-Mo socket sets on Amazon too. Sunex are my favorite, but there's cheaper options as well. I have the Tekton wrenches up to 32mm so far. Great wrenches.
I personally like tekton and gearwrench
starting out cheap is great. its how i began my career is an automotive technician. however, the only things i would have done differently is this, dont go cheap on 4 things: 1) ratchets. cheap ratchets have lots of play in them and have cheap internal parts. making it frustrating to get fasteners out of hard to reach areas, and the cheapos more likely to break. 2) wrenches. nothing is more frustrating than rounding off a bolt with a chinese wrench that isnt really the size its stamped with. 3) vice grips. cheap vice grips tend to have the jaws stretch apart, teeth round off, and they just fall apart. 4) power tools. cheap electric tools are gutless pieces of junk and usually just vibrate apart. buy a good name brand like DeWalt, Milwaukee, or makita. they have many different tools that all use the same batteries and chargers. cheap pneumatic tools are also gutless pieces of junk. the seals usually end up blowing out of them. buy a good name brand like Ingersoll-Rand, AirCat, and astro pneumatic.
spend the extra money on these tools and dont waste your money on the cheap ones.
The steering wheels go the side where the handle is on the toolbox and the non steering on the other.
Thats the one i was looking for before typing the same thing, haha!
It’s funny you mention the nut-type slip joint pliers. I’m just a DIYer and I started out with a lot of my dad’s old Crescent pliers as part of my toolbox. About 10 years ago, I wanted to buy new pliers for no good reason and picked up a set of Kobalts that included a pair of slip joints. They were absolute junk from the time I pulled them out of the package and suffered from the exact same problem you described. I tossed them after less than a month’s use and went back to Dad’s tried and true Crescents. The only stuff I was able to keep from the Kobalt set that was worth anything were the wire cutters and linesman’s pliers. They’re perfectly good. Not coincidentally, that was the last thing with Kobalt I ever bought, which is a shame since my Williams-made (US) Kobalt sockets and combo-wrenches have been great for over 20 years.
Wait, is the handle supposed to go on the side with the fixed casters? It seems like that would be hard to maneuver.
Always a fun video when you have Aging Wheels/Under Dunn on...
Den of Tools just did a toolkit review like you're looking for recently...
No different than a shopping cart
That drove me crazy. I'd have the casters reversed so I could maneuver the chest tight to a corner. That's something you don't do with a shopping cart.
@@Bac0n3510 The spacing on shopping cart wheels is wider on the fixed casters at the back wheels, which gives you more leverage. Since toolboxes have the same wheel spacing on both sides, not only you have no leverage, you'll also won't be able to turn it if you have more weight where the fixed casters and handle are. The vast majority of toolboxes are designed to be pulled, not pushed.
I own the cabinet version of that tool box. I'm not sure what the top is either, but I THINK it is actual wood. I say that because when I bought mine, I sanded the top down to get rid of the poly coat and then oiled it with vegetable oil. There's actual wood under the poly, but I don't know if it's wood all the way through or just a veneer with sawdust under it. Either way, I use mine for processing chickens and rabbits so I eventually put a real butcher block top on it. I've been pretty happy with the whole thing to this point.
Jared, great content. I really appreciate videos like this. I try to also do what I consider "real use reviews" with products I buy and use personally. I think these are great for beginners that maybe don't have a lot of money. Getting the best bang for the buck, while maintaining usability is key for starting a business or hobby shop.
If you have a Mendards anywhere near you, their Masterforce toolboxes are by far the best without spending snapon money. So many cheep toolboxes use the friction sliders to hold the drawers in the closed position, the masterforce has latches on every drawer. Lift the lip slightly and pull the drawer open, more secure and it doesn't jostle and unsecured tools around in the drawer every time you try to open it.
I will say I do like their ICON line of tools. I've had pretty good luck with them.
I was very surprised by ICON. That's the real deal, hands down. The fit and finish is better than 1990's Craftsman tools from Sears when that used to be THE THING most guys bought. Not a diss on Craftsman either. We used them in the Marines to repair/rebuild engines and transmissions for military vehicles all day long and they worked well.
I bought the Icon sockets and when torquing a bolt to 25 in-lbs I had the 13mm round off inside. The other ones have held up fine. I need to take it back. I'm hoping it is just a fluke since the other ones in the same pack have been fine.
Poor Freddy !! Nicely integration though Mr Pink . . . Very well played !! 🤣🤣🤣
My recommendation is buy two sets of screw drivers. A cheap set that you can destroy if need be and a good set for actually undoing screws.
Also having some cheap spinners and sockets is always good especially when you need to make a specialised tool. Like a cut down spanner etc.
Not a bad video. First thing I noticed, you got the casters in the wrong position. As others have noted when you use the handle to move it around you can't steer it properly. Flip the casters around. Second thing is, that wood top is real and it isn't made of any cheap softwood(harbor freight says solid wood top, which means no composites). It is made of real hardwood, likely oak by the looks of it. Reason why they finger jointed them together is because it is an easy method to do at the factory level to glue what is basically hardwood flooring scraps because they have machines and jigs made for that purpose. So just because the tool box has a solid wood top doesn't mean it's going to be crap. In fact it's a plus because now you got a top that is easy to run over with 80 grit, 150 grit and then up to 320 or 400 grit sandpaper to apply a new polyurethane finish ideally with one that is made for wood floors as the coatings are made to cure quickly and leave a finish that is hard to wear out. The factory that made the top likely used something similar to resist oil as you said.
I have bought some tools from Harbor and found them to be ok. Some of the HB tools I have are still good to this day, but others have indeed been crap.
On a side note: I actually had bought a cheap Black and Decker toolkit from Walmart in about 2007 or so. Out of all the tools that thing had, I still have some slip joints, needle nose pliers, and a hammer that has taken a beating a time or two. It is completely knackered but is still solid and I use it whenever I need it.
Someone here in the comments said that cheap tools of today are a far cry away from cheap tools of yesteryear. This is absolutely true.
I always thought the same: in the beginning, buy the cheapest stuff so you can get as many tools as possible, but over the years I arrived at the conclusion that it's better to get used, top of the line tools (even check them out before, if you can) and when you can afford it, buy new good or top tier ones. Cheap stuff can let you down in the most brutal way, so, if you don't have spares, you're done for. Many ratchets have replaceable head mechanisms, like my Draper ones (I'm in good ol' Europe), so they can last you a long time. Cheers!
Excited about this one. I love me some cheap tools if they work!
I saw a video the other day in which a corner of the top on one of those Yukon boxes had broken off. It actually is solid wood. Many comments called it rubber wood and said that it's taken from rubber trees that have stopped producing latex. That particular box had been stored outdoors and uncovered for several years.
Personally, I buy Channellock pliers exclusively. I've tried many other brands and always came back to Channellock. I prefer S-K for most everything else but that stuff never leaves the shop.
You've got the wheels mixed up on your toolbox. The spinners should be on the handle side.
It is preference on wheels, I like them on that side as generally it makes it easier to put along a wall
I LOVE that tool chest. It's served me well. Funny enough the barber shop I go to also uses them at each barber chair. They've found them absolutely excellent for the job of keeping all their equipment organized and having a working surface
The shipping box says "solid wood top".
My father was a professional diesel mechanic and spent 10's if not a 100 thousand dollars on tools off the tool trucks but wouldn't think twice about stopping in a harbor freight for an odds or ends piece he might need. I've learned that in these times today most everything with a high price tag is just surviving off a legacy built a long time ago when quality actually mattered. Today everything is disposable so it only makes sense that the tools we use to repair those things are disposable as well.
Being a mechanic is definitely one of the most expensive career to get into as far as personal tools thar are required. I was a professional mechanic for almost a decade I started off with about $7000 in tools & tool box & now I estimate I have around $35000 into it. You can get away with less but when you are paid by the job instead of the hour every tool that allows you to work faster can be justified within reason. On wrenches, ratchets and sockets is where the premium quality tools make the most difference so is where you should put the major of your budget when starting out.
As a professional technician with north of 6 figures in tools I have one very important tip for new technicians and that is stay away from tool trucks at first, buy it cheap and if you break it then upgrade but do spend on good diagnostic tools, don’t fall into the shop games of who has the largest most expensive toolbox because why have a $25,000 toolbox with 350 a month and cannot afford the tools you need to make more money.
Howdy. 40 year factory mechanic here. One thing you DO want to spend the money on is pliers especially channel lock types. You’ll find yourself cranking hard on them and when they fail you bleed. But yeah for sockets and wrenches you’re fine with affordable stuff ditto for boxes (if you feel ashamed to be seen with a Horrible Freight box Craftsman boxes don’t cost that much more) My own opinion is Snap on is highly overrated. The Snap on guy who came around to my last job told me they repo 2 or 3 boxes a month…When your box costs more than your car….
filing cabinets are a godsend for me, there are so many different sizes, all you need is a wall anchor and job done
I'm not a mechanic. I do know a lot of at home people who use Harbor Freight stuff. We kind of agree, that if you have a local HF store, its worth going with them, because of the ease of replacement, and how good they are about replacing things for free. Also, when you're spending soooo much less on the tools, if you replace them 10 times in a lifetime, you're probably still coming out cheaper in the end than with Snap-On or Matco. Not to mention the lower cost of jumping in, in general.
I have this box in my shop as a farm mechanic, has help up very well, didn't want anything crazy expensive because I'm on a farm. I also bought it near the holidays and opened a new harbor freight credit card at the same time and was able to get the price of the box down to $290. Was the warranty was up on it I bolted a nice vise to the top of it with no issues. Lock is a little cranky sometimes if drawers aren't line up all the way in but it works amazing and more than worth the price
yay for this, I love the budget angle, no need to waste money, a dollar not spent is a dollar you don't have to work for.
I'm a machinist (tool and die maker) in my experience, Harbor Freight's most expensive stuff is around the same quality as the Home Depot bottom of the line stuff but you end up paying less for it most of the time, the Pittsburgh pliers are all trash, if you want a decent cheap set of pliers the Home Depot Huskys haven't let me down, I've beat the hell out of my set and they haven't let me down.
I would recommend buying the Quinn set, a set of USA Channellock pliers, and some Eagle Grip lockers. When the ratchets break, replace them with Tekton or Gearwrench. As other things break, replace them with higher end box store stuff. If you want debt, buy a house. Stay off the trucks.
Wrenches and sockets hardly ever break, so going through a tool truck is pointless. I've had the same set of northern wrenches for the last twelve years and my chrome sockets are still the Channellocks from the crash kit I bought at Sam's club 20 years ago for $65.
What you do want to buy from the tool truck are ratcheting wrenches. You will break them, and that lifetime warranty is gold when you do. Harbor Freight has a warranty, yes, but you have to drive there to get it, and I've found them to break faster than my Matco ones.
I've definitely replaced sockets. some break. some just get incredibly loose and fall off extensions and get loose on the bolt side also.
11:00 The wood that you see is used in lots of imported furniture, tables, stool tops and this tool cart etc. is known as Rubberwood. Or Malaysian Oak. It is a hardwood, but not related to Oak. The finger joints or otherwise often pieces glued together and is just a way of making something useful out of small pieces. Rubber trees (literally tapped for the latex) are used on plantations. These trees are grown close together and are straight and can get a couple of feet across. Plantation hardwood is also another name for this. You see it everywhere in products because the life of a rubber tree is about 30 years. Imagine that top made from real oak. Now you have the cost of a Snap On cabinet.
I purchased a new tool box last year from Costco. I separated my standard and metric tools. I organized my box somewhat and it increased my work flow by 50%. I just work on my stuff in my garage. The box was about $600 and a remodel on my work area. Money well spent. And I never got the tool trucks, but I never worked in that type of business.
Thank you for an honest review. Personally I hate tool snobbery, I know people that buy only snap-on, Mac etc but then barely know how to hold a spanner but think they are the dogs bollocks because they have a 10 grand tool kit. I tend to buy lower mid to mid range tools and have never had cause to complain. My tools owe me around £5000 and there’s not many tools I haven’t got. I’m a semi-decent home motorcycle mechanic.
As someone who is just getting into working on cars and doesn't have an existing setup or lots of money, this was an incredibly helpful video. Also, love seeing your growth on the channel and comfort in front of the camera - keep up the great work.
As an aviation tech that’s worked in the car industry, I would always say never by base rate tools, but I would also say that unless you are buying something particularly specialist, you don’t need all the snap on and things like that… The real trick is to get a cool foundation of tools such as snap on budget sets that you mentioned earlier, then build up on top of that and specialist tools you need to the quality think you need them for the job you’re doing
There's a difference between inexpensive & cheap, inexpensive is a quality product that's made well, cheap is just poor quality & won't last long, I've been adding to my father's tool boxes since 92, some of the old stuff is holding up & there decades old, gotta love an unboxing video with Jared, Rj in Oz
A toolbox is a toolbox. The toolbox doesn't matter what's inside the toolbox matters. I probably have the cheapest tool box on the planet and expensive snap-on tools on the inside. This was done on purpose 😂
I worked in a factory that produced those finger jointed, edge jointed wood panels like what is on top of the toolbox. The primary product was trim molding. The rejects and cutoffs went to make these panels. "The left over scraps from the expensive stuff" is exactly right. Same company also used the left over sawdust to make pre-formed wood logs for the fireplace similar to Presto Logs.
I'm a mechanic at my factory and we use US general boxes (Harbor Freight brand). For the price they are surprisingly good.
Just bought this same tool box on sale. Looking forward to its arrival as they quickly sold out. I agree with your sentiment regarding tool quality. Man I LOVE high quality tools. But I am now 65 yrs old and have NEVER been able to afford them. So, I try and find the highest Q tools that I can afford. When I was in high school and just starting out, that meant going to Sears and buying Craftsman. I still have a lot of those same wrenches. Some I lost, some were stolen, some I dropped overboard, etc. But they were FINE for me for 40 plus years. This week I bought two sets of Capri sockets. Torx and Allen. They are very nice quality and will suit me just fine.
Sometimes you need to open your wallet wide, but not always.
I use those green pliers daily. To be fair, they're used solely to remove plastic caps from axle nuts on bicycles, but they work. One thing to bring up, they start to rust in an air conditioned room. No lie, one month, surface rust formed.
Harbor freight is a great store. My buddy gave me the greatest bit of advice.... Get the warranty, we'd got there and buy tools that were inappropriate for the job (wood chipper, compressors, jacks, ect.) It was great He cleared nearly an acre, restored a house, homesteading land... Harbor freight allowed that.... salute them for their service. o7
When Jared was standing in front of the bus making the video call I was reminded of Aging Wheels and then BAM! There he was! Excellent.
I started off with a 301 piece chest from Harbor Frieght and bought tools as I needed them, almost 8 years later I've now got a decent sized air compressor to run my air tools with a husky top and bottom box my parents bought me for Christmas one year. You can get a LOT done with just common hand tools! I used that HFT chest kit for many many years before needing some more sockets wrenches and specialty tools for more ambitious jobs and even then I didn't have any air tools or a big tool box to store it all.
30+ years in aviation maintenance has taught me to buy the best tools you can for everyday use. Anything used less than that and less expensive will suffice.
That deadpan shot at Tavarish during the opening was epic!