Northern Tools - good/bad? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jimbotronics · 10-24-2006, 08:30 AM

We have a Northern Tools store opening soon. Anybody have any experience purchasing from them?

Old Dave · 10-24-2006, 08:55 AM

I have bought several things from them and have been very pleased. The big item was a 3,000lb 115v winch to pull our boat into the boat house. It was good quality and made in the USA.

86swb · 10-24-2006, 08:57 AM

Northern has good stuff.

glock35ipsc · 10-24-2006, 09:23 AM

I use Northern alot. I just finished building a log splitter and bought the hydraulic ram and pump, lovejoys, gauge, etc from them for a fraction of what I could get them for locally. Keep in mind that some of their stuff (pipe benders, jacks, shop equipment) branded with their name is the same stuff as Harbor Freight, but the quality of what they send out if FAR better then Harbor Freight. I also got a propane heater for my snowmobile trailer form them last month. Works awesome!

I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them, and have for years.

Jimbotronics · 10-24-2006, 09:49 AM

Thanks fellas - that is all good news! We have a Habour Freight too, which I shop at now and then but I was hoping to hear Northern was a little better quality than them.

glock35ipsc · 10-24-2006, 11:16 AM

For the most part, yes, they are better quality. But just do your homework on whatever it is you are going to buy. Like I said, some things are identical, just a different decal. But I still will buy from them anyday.

shifty · 10-24-2006, 12:37 PM

When you walk into the stores, they both look identical and lots of the things they have are the same (casters, generic boxes of bolts/nuts/washers/etc), they're just rebranded. I can't lay claim to the quality of one versus the other, I usually won't buy my power tools from either one.

phlegm · 10-24-2006, 02:51 PM

Northern has better quality on the big stuff, from my limited expierence. I got an areator and a couple of other small things from there. My only purchase at harbor freight I was not happy with.

curbyk · 10-24-2006, 03:06 PM

I think over all they have better quality than Harbor Freight.

72freak · 10-24-2006, 05:56 PM

I have one 1 mile away..........I have foundthe prices to be average and the quality to be the same. Do not buy anything "Northern brand"..... ITS JUNK

**LockDoc** · 10-25-2006, 12:55 AM

My biggest beef with Northern (at least the one in my area) is that every time I go to get something they are out of stock on it.....

Never had that problem with Harbor....

LockDoc

72freak · 10-25-2006, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

My biggest beef with Northern (at least the one in my area) is that every time I go to get something they are out of stock on it.....

Never had that problem with Harbor....

LockDoc

Yep..........shelves are always empty!!!!!!!!!

10-24-2006, 08:30 AM	#1
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Northern Tools - good/bad? We have a Northern Tools store opening soon. Anybody have any experience purchasing from them? __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

10-24-2006, 08:55 AM	#2
Old Dave Is a bullfrog waterproof? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: OLATHE, KANSAS Posts: 1,130	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? I have bought several things from them and have been very pleased. The big item was a 3,000lb 115v winch to pull our boat into the boat house. It was good quality and made in the USA. __________________ "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Ben Franklin __________________ 1970 Chevy shortbed 2002 Harley Custom Chopper (Long sucker) 1998 K2500 5.7L 5-speed Longbed 1st two are My son's toys...they just live in my garage! 1997 GMC K1500 Suburban 1993 S-10 Blazer 4D (youngest son's daily driver) 2000 Dodge Ram 4WD Ext. Cab (5.9L) Wife is a late year 1951

10-24-2006, 08:57 AM	#3
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? Northern has good stuff. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

10-24-2006, 09:23 AM	#4
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? I use Northern *alot. I just finished building a log splitter and bought the hydraulic ram and pump, lovejoys, gauge, etc from them for a fraction of what I could get them for locally. Keep in mind that some of their stuff (pipe benders, jacks, shop equipment) branded with their name is the same stuff as Harbor Freight, but the quality of what they send out if FAR better then Harbor Freight. I also got a propane heater for my snowmobile trailer form them last month. Works awesome! I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them, and have for years. __________________ Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

10-24-2006, 09:49 AM	#5
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? Thanks fellas - that is all good news! We have a Habour Freight too, which I shop at now and then but I was hoping to hear Northern was a little better quality than them. __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

10-24-2006, 11:16 AM	#6
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? For the most part, yes, they are better quality. But just do your homework on whatever it is you are going to buy. Like I said, some things are identical, just a different decal. But I still will buy from them anyday. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

10-24-2006, 12:37 PM	#7
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? When you walk into the stores, they both look identical and lots of the things they have are the same (casters, generic boxes of bolts/nuts/washers/etc), they're just rebranded. I can't lay claim to the quality of one versus the other, I usually won't buy my power tools from either one. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

10-24-2006, 02:51 PM	#8
phlegm Still Green but learning Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,895	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? Northern has better quality on the big stuff, from my limited expierence. I got an areator and a couple of other small things from there. My only purchase at harbor freight I was not happy with. __________________ -- Cory 71 Cheyenne 10 - SWB, 350, "3 on the tree" AC cab 07 Suburban LTZ 4x4 2010 Acura TL 98 Mastercraft "FrankenStar" 225 27253 UPS/USPS IIOY....nope never was

10-24-2006, 03:06 PM	#9
curbyk 69 C-10 project Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 184	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? I think over all they have better quality than Harbor Freight. __________________ 69 C-10 Work is complete

10-24-2006, 05:56 PM	#10
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? I have one 1 mile away..........I have foundthe prices to be average and the quality to be the same. Do not buy anything "Northern brand"..... ITS JUNK

10-25-2006, 12:55 AM	#11
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,815	Re: Northern Tools - good/bad? My biggest beef with Northern (at least the one in my area) is that every time I go to get something they are out of stock on it..... Never had that problem with Harbor.... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -



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