HF coupons

[Kerf]

HF 20% on any 1 item , Free 7 function digital multimeter and some decent prices on other stuff

[Ozzie]

In my humble opinion, most of the tools are low quality. But, if you will use them very little, like once or twice a month or less, they are worth the price. However, if you want high quality service, then pass them up. If you are looking for a specific tool and do not need it immediately, the 20% coupon is not worth it because HF will usually run a "special" on that tool sometime and the price will be 50% or better discounted. I have had both good and bad experiences with their products. Be advised, you can not use a % off coupon on an item that already is priced lower because of a different coupon.

Good Luck

[Stytooner]

That isn't always the case. I have had them accept the coupons on sale items more than a few times. Sometimes after talking with an associate, but sometimes the computer just does automatically.

HF has some pretty decent tools. I have been using a $12 butterfly impact wrench multiple times a day every day for 4 years so far. I use it to loosen and tighten the draw bar on my cnc mill.

There was a thread on here that listed the Gems and not so gem like tools from HF.

I use those multimeters often. I have better ones and have tested the readings and they are just as good. Hard to beat free. When the battery runs down, I just toss them.

[cabinetman]

The ad looks the same as one in one of my periodicals. Does the "free" meter info say "free with minimum purchase of $9.99"?

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[Bill in Buena Park]

Yes it does - free with min purch of 9.99. I picked up my 3rd today.

[woodturner]

HF has some pretty decent tools. I have been using a $12 butterfly impact wrench multiple times a day every day for 4 years so far. I use it to loosen and tighten the draw bar on my cnc mill.

I agree, that has been my experience as well. Before we went "Cadillac" and switched to the Bosch Bulldog, we used hammer drills. We would go through four or five Makitas for every one of the HF hammer drills. We eventually stopped buying the Makitas and bought just the HF's since they lasted so much longer, as well as being cheaper.

I use those multimeters often. I have better ones and have tested the readings and they are just as good.

We use them at our university - we give them to the students so they have their own meter. If you are calibrating lab equipment, buy the $3000 meter that will provide better accuracy, but for nearly everything else, the HFs are fine.

[RAFlorida]

I am as cheap as cheap can get, and

HF has some decent tools that take a lickin' and keeps on a tickin'! The mig welder and auto darkening mask I bought a few years back still works great. I have used those two things a lot and find them worthy of their price. The duty cycle is low for the welder, but that's not a problem since I'm no doing assembly line work. By no means am I saying that they DON'T have SOME tools that fail fast and soon, but the ones I've bought are still active. And I hope to get their multifunction tool this coming Wednesday; so, knock on wood, it too will be a gem.

Here's the GEM link:

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...highlight=gems

[cwsmith]

I have to admit that, I too, had a rather negative opinion of HF. Not sure how I arrived at that, except that their prices seemed ridiculously low and I got my opinion from others who had alledgedly used many of their tools.. but I had not.

Then a couple of years ago, we got an HF store in our area. I do visit it quite often and personally I'm impressed. While I much prefer to buy "American-made", you'll find only a few things at HF that aren't from China. But frankly that is the case almost everywhere these days.

But with regard to HF specifically, they are very much like all stores/brands. Some things are good and some bad and in the case of HF, the low price makes for some astounding buys, and at least in my area, they are the only "local" place to make a some purchases. (Like who else carries many of the HF offerings?

The 20% coupon is not a big deal, IMO... as they can be found everywhere. I get them in the local HF flyers, the monthy mailings, and they are always in the local newspapers, magazines, etc. I even have a couple of 25% coupons, which only seem to show up a couple of times a year. From my experience, you can always use a discount coupon, even on sale items, EXCEPT when the sale item is via another coupon. Rule is you can't use a coupon with a coupon... and also, the discount coupons have exceptions, like tool cabinets, compressors, generators, and a few other items. These exceptions are usually stated on the coupon.

In any case, I've become a real HF fan. Their service is terrific, people are friendly, great warranty options, and returns are never questioned (but, I've only ever had to make two returns).

CWS

[phrog]

I use those multimeters often. I have better ones and have tested the readings and they are just as good. Hard to beat free. When the battery runs down, I just toss them.

I agree with use of the multimeter but buy batteries at the Dollar Tree and keep on using the same one. (9v are 2/$1) I've given several away.

[woodturner]

I agree with use of the multimeter but buy batteries at the Dollar Tree and keep on using the same one. (9v are 2/$1)

HF also sells batteries - I think the 9V are 4/$1 or something like that on sale.

[Stytooner]

I don't buy cheap 9V batteries. I keep a supply here that I use in our Smoke alarms and LOML's alarm clock. They cost almost as much as the multimeter when it is on sale for $2.99.

The reason I don't swap batteries is I tried twice with two different meters and both times the battery connection wires pulled loose.
I don't even mess with it anymore.

[BigguyZ]

Love HF. I have one of their compressors, and while I haven't had much chance to do a lot of duty with it, it seems the same quality as any compressor at the big box stores.

I wouldn't get their cordless tools, but a lot of their hand tools are nice. Love their deadblow hammers. Their nitrile gloves are cheaper and better quality than the ones I've bought at Home Depot. Their dark handled turning chisels are widely known as being a fanstastic deal for the beginning turner. I have a spooled extension cord that's worked well from them. And their HVLP unit is a good buy when on sale. Oh, and their Paint Pot is also very popular with people doing castings and stabilization for small pieces (like pens). Oh, and their multi-tool is rediculously cheap.

But these days, when it comes to bigger things, I do try to buy better quality. It just depends on what you're looking to get and how often you use it. I bought the multi-tool, found that I use it a lot, and I bought the Rockwell version. Now, if that Rockwell version ever craps out on me, I think I'll upgrade again to the actual Fein, as I hate the way the (older) Rockwell uses a bolt and allen wrench to attach the blade.

[Kerf]

since I started this thread I found the HF coupon motherload.
25% coupons ready to be printed, coupons for free stuff etc everything listed and organized
I hope somebody can find it useful
Cheers
Slickdeals link

[durango dude]

I'm hit/miss with HF tools. Here's the more memorable items:

I'm generally pleased and would not mind recommending:
- HF bar (F) clamps (NOT the ratcheting bar clamp knock-offs)
- Brad-point drill bit set

I make do with - but don't necessarily recommend
- Caliper (after I straightened it out)
- Dowel Jig (after I de-greased and re-centered it)

I do not recommend:
- Ratcheting bar clamp (junk - save your time/money - buy Irwin )
- Buffing kit (rouge is fine - but the buffer shredded first use)

[LCHIEN]

...

I use those multimeters often. I have better ones and have tested the readings and they are just as good. Hard to beat free. When the battery runs down, I just toss them.

I'm a professional electrical engineer, I make my living with electronic instruments and measurements, and I can sure tell the difference between a quality handheld meter and the ones that HF sells or gives away.
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...+agilent+Fluke

I would not say the readings are just as good. However, I can agree that for the casual homeowner that the difference to him would be totally negligible.