Their Quinn/Doyle lines are frequently TW, too, and you can tell a huge difference versus Pittsburgh/Pro that are CN. I am not 100% if they bin batches differently, or if specific products switch from TW/CN and back. The TW Pittsburgh tools (some of the 72 tooth ratchets, 6pt sockets) are decent quality for their price-- but you still should feel them and inspect to get an idea (e.g. the foam used in grips for Pittsburgh pliers is junk, wobbly joints, poor finishes/grinding).
The things they offer lifetime warranties on keep getting better. Some things I wonder about though. Their 200amp multi process mig welder is only $200 less than a Hobart or Lincoln-- but who knows how long HF will sell replacement parts, their warranty process for OOS items and what will actually break, so the gamble to save 10-20% doesn't seem worth it.
Apex (Crescent/Gearwrench) are mostly TW and come in a little higher than HF's 2nd tier, but are solid quality for most of their hand tools.
The things they offer lifetime warranties on keep getting better. Some things I wonder about though. Their 200amp multi process mig welder is only $200 less than a Hobart or Lincoln-- but who knows how long HF will sell replacement parts, their warranty process for OOS items and what will actually break, so the gamble to save 10-20% doesn't seem worth it.
Apex (Crescent/Gearwrench) are mostly TW and come in a little higher than HF's 2nd tier, but are solid quality for most of their hand tools.