question

[Wizzard]

I know many here bitch and moan that we should boycott Chinese made stuff but how many of you buy stuff at Harbor Freight because almost all of their stuff is made in China. Just a thought.

[Jess from VA]

So much stuff is made there (and sold here) it's pretty hard to check every light bulb or Walmart widget you may buy.  And a lot of stuff is not marked at all.

What I've tried to do for quite some time, is to at least try to buy American (or not Chinese) whenever I'm spending larger money on something (like $50+).   Or for things I need to be reliable.

I only have one Chinese rifle. 

I never bought anything from Harbor Freight. I think I owned most of my tools before there was a Harbor Freight (otherwise, I like to go the store so I can examine it before buying it).

[Jersey mike]

So much stuff is made there (and sold here) it's pretty hard to check every light bulb or Walmart widget you may buy.  And a lot of stuff is not marked at all.

What I've tried to do for quite some time, is to at least try to buy American (or not Chinese) whenever I'm spending larger money on something (like $50+).   Or for things I need to be reliable.

I only have one Chinese rifle. 

I never bought anything from Harbor Freight. I think I owned most of my tools before there was a Harbor Freight (otherwise, I like to go the store so I can examine it before buying it).

I have to agree with this. My small part of boycotting China has been to refuse to buy tires made in China.

I’ll buy Cooper, Michelin, Goodyear and maybe Firestone. If something has changed in the production of those I’m not aware of it.

[h13man]

I purchase from HF out of necessity and how often I use said item. If I use an item a lot, I purchase quality products like Snap On screwdrivers as a example. Buying USA made products involves a lot of online shopping for sure. I try to buy local as much as possible but times like now, it's a little inconvenient but hasn't shut me down.

[Patrick]

I've been to one HF, didn't buy anything. I doubt I ever will.

I try to look for quality, if I find it and its made in china I might buy it. I don't think I have yet. That said it meant for tools, stuff thats to be kept and used. I try not to buy chinese crap. There are many things that you don't really care much about and buy, and, a lot is made in china. But, I'm looking at labels even more now. I don't want to buy a thing from them now.

[MarkT]

It's a pretty futile mission.  Most things now, China makes a version.  Often it's anonymous. If an ad doesn't brag it's specifically American, its a good bet - China.  "Imported" with no other info - China. Apple products - China.  All vehicles are internationally sourced.  Betcha a beer you can't find one that has no parts from China - except maybe some classical bikes.  Nowadays - computer chips - China.  When I need quality tools, especially powered - I buy American, or sometimes European, typically German. The computer parts inside - China.  I have a lot of hand tools from HF.  I also have Jap tools, eg JIS screwdrivers. Snap-On et al is too rich for my budget - even though I lived in Kenosha and my ex retired from Snap-On.  Except my Snap-On table lift.  Guns - when I used to buy them, generally American - none were Chinese.  Some from nearby - Armscor/Rock Island Arsenal is in Manila.  Quality guns, BTW.  The Phillipines are (sort of) American, politically.  Some guns were from Europe - Belgium, Germany, G.B., Spain.

Lately I'm paying more attention to this and trying not to support the bastids.

[old2soon]

        My Smith and Wesson's and my Kel Tech and my High Standard are American made. When I do put out my American Flag it IS American Made. I have a mix of Craftsmen tools and H/F tools. My old Black and Decker 3/8" electric drill bout as tough as a Mack truck. Ask questions the next time yer in yer favorite auto parts store. Most parts are chinee imports. Good ol Bell helmets sorry to say-chinee imports now. The thing that bothers me quite a lot is how many pharmaceuticals are chinee inports along with most of the PPEs. Used to pick up American made cloth down south. Comes in on containers now from-duz ya gotta be told? RIDE SAFE.

[Bighead]

It's a pretty futile mission.  Most things now, China makes a version.  Often it's anonymous. If an ad doesn't brag it's specifically American, its a good bet - China.  "Imported" with no other info - China. Apple products - China.  All vehicles are internationally sourced.  Betcha a beer you can't find one that has no parts from China - except maybe some classical bikes.  Nowadays - computer chips - China.  When I need quality tools, especially powered - I buy American, or sometimes European, typically German. The computer parts inside - China.  I have a lot of hand tools from HF.  I also have Jap tools, eg JIS screwdrivers. Snap-On et al is too rich for my budget - even though I lived in Kenosha and my ex retired from Snap-On.  Except my Snap-On table lift.  Guns - when I used to buy them, generally American - none were Chinese.  Some from nearby - Armscor/Rock Island Arsenal is in Manila.  Quality guns, BTW.  The Phillipines are (sort of) American, politically.  Some guns were from Europe - Belgium, Germany, G.B., Spain.

Lately I'm paying more attention to this and trying not to support the bastids.

+1 on RIA weapons. People try to put them down because of pricepoint but I loved the ones I had before the boat sank

[Jersey mike]

Didn’t they pass a trade law several years ago approving to remove labeling country of origin on products because it was unfair trade. If that’s so it should seriously be reconsidered.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Didn’t they pass a trade law several years ago approving to remove labeling country of origin on products because it was unfair trade. If that’s so it should seriously be reconsidered.

I doubt it. We had new laws a few year back having to list country of origin on beef, pork, poultry, and seafood.

[sheets]

I'm guessing its been about eight or ten years ago . . . needed to drill a precision hole in something I was doing. HF is the nearest - 50 miles - store that has tools and such. Procured a small bench-top drill press. Drove home . . .  plugged it in to drill said hole. Device immediately started spewing electrical sparks from every orifice near the motor. Looked like a Chinese fireworks factory going up in flames in my garage. Took about three seconds to kill it. Loaded it up and drove the 50 miles back to town to deposit said piece of junk on their counter. No replacement - thank you, I'll take the refund. Did purchase simple jack stands a few years ago. Figured no electronics so should be relatively safe - what could go wrong! Current day - recall on HF jack stands that are subject to fail. How handy it that. I have four that qualify. They are going back to HF next trip to town. Lots of stuff manufactured in China. Like anything constructed by way of a contract specification, depends on who drafted the specs on manufacturing . . .and who is minding the store to ensure the product delivered is what was spec'd to begin with.     

[ridingron]

I never bought anything from Harbor Freight. I think I owned most of my tools before there was a Harbor Freight (otherwise, I like to go the store so I can examine it before buying it).   

I don't know if they had store fronts but Harbor Freight had mail order in the very early '80's.

[Wizzard]

We have a storefront right here in town. Years ago bought a cheap hammer drill there. Took it home, plugged it in and pulled the trigger. Sparks started flying out everywhere and it smelled terrible. Went back and got a refund and bought a Milwaukee. More money but it works.

[Patrick]

"It's a pretty futile mission."         Yup, sure is.

[cookiedough]

I bought a plug in drill from not harbor freight but one of those tool sale stands they use to have locally outside in a parking lot.  It was cheap enough but knew better but still bought it since I needed a replacement cheap hardly used plug in drill at the time.  Used it ONLY a few times before the trigger switch would work then not work off and on until it finally quit working.  Was made in China am sure.  ONLY got a few uses out of it and quit.  Luckily was throw away money like 20-30 bucks is all.  LIve and learn.  HOwever,  some China made stuff if not used daily or weekly but once or twice a year works for me so far. 

Heck,  I even broke a made in USA 1/2 inch socket Craftsman quality long ago when made in USA not overseas it cracked the casing around that one socket.  Took it back to Sears before they were going out of business and since it said Craftsman right on it,  bought NOT the identical Craftsman but now no longer says Craftsman on it and was NOT made in USA so chances of getting another FREE socket from Sears is probably not going to happen.

Agree,  I bet 75% of products we buy are made overseas if not China, elsewhere like the Phillippines, etc. 

[Gavin_Sons]

The only thing powered i would buy from harbor freight would be a generator. I have never trusted their power tools. Buy quality the first time and be happy. I have a ton of their hand tools and screwdrivers and sockets and ratchets. For what i do around home they are fine. I use snap on at work.

[h13man]

Didn’t they pass a trade law several years ago approving to remove labeling country of origin on products because it was unfair trade. If that’s so it should seriously be reconsidered.

I doubt it. We had new laws a few year back having to list country of origin on beef, pork, poultry, and seafood.

Now that's trying to be changed but any thing with good common sense is being/or trying to be changed. Anything to pad a politicians pocket and/or getting votes.

[Alien]

A total boycot of Chinese made products really isn't workable.  Even if you buy an American made product, chances are components of it are made in China.  As far as Harbor Freight goes, I have noticed that their quality has improved drastically over the past few years while Craftsman and the like have gone down in quality.  It's a crapshoot really.  If you know what makes a good tool, buy it where you find it.  Harbor freight is great for the consumable stuff that we all use, zip ties, electrical connectors, cut off wheels etc.  I have an angle grinder of theirs that I bought in 2008 for $14.99 and it's seen some heavy use with no problems.  The bulk of my hand tools were passed from my grandfather to my Dad to me.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Wizzard]

The point of the whole thread is how people say one thing but when no one is looking do another thing.

[sheets]

Took my four jack stands back to HF today. Counter person didn't question it. Got in-store credit for the exchange. Next trip to town I'll find something there with no moving parts.     

[h13man]

Took my four jack stands back to HF today. Counter person didn't question it. Got in-store credit for the exchange. Next trip to town I'll find something there with no moving parts.     

Mine are sitting in the garage ready to go back when I remember them when going to town. 

[shortleg]

   This conversation makes me appreciate the Craftsman tool that I use on
my bike because they were my Dads and bought in the 50s and 60s.
  So I am going with thinking they were made here.
  Back years ago the Japanese  built a town for manufacturing by
the  name of USA so they could stamp them that way. 
  That is not a joke. It amazing when my my dad brought  home some
brass bowls he said that they were all made from old 155mm shells.
  Don't know if that was true but as a kid I always let go on.

[3fan4life]

Didn’t they pass a trade law several years ago approving to remove labeling country of origin on products because it was unfair trade. If that’s so it should seriously be reconsidered.

I doubt it. We had new laws a few year back having to list country of origin on beef, pork, poultry, and seafood.

The ONE place that I absolutely DON'T want my food to come from is China.

[sheets]

The evidence of potential failure . . .

https://www.thedrive.com/news/33679/scary-photos-of-recalled-harbor-freight-jackstands-show-just-how-dangerous-they-are