I've bought hand tools at HF and they hold up well. The only electric tools I bought was a heat gun, and it blew up the one time I used it. It was only like $20, so no biggie. Ended up using a hair dryer. The other was an impact wrench, and it still works to this day. If you buy an electric tool from them, just be sure to use it within the return period. I don't think I'd buy any tool from them that costs over $50.
The only electric tool I've bought from them is also a heat gun, which I've used a few times. I also have a hair dryer, which I use at times. The heat gun has a scraper attachment, so you can use it to scrape paint. It works. I know a guy who bought a table saw from them, he waited for a deal, he seemed to know what he was doing.
I scan their ads for the coupons, principally the 20% and occasional 25% off one item coupons and I save them until they expire. I also keep the free-item coupons, but you can only use one/visit. The free multi-LED flashlights are complete shit, they don't give much light and they wear out batteries like nobody's business. I had a few and threw them all out. Most of their freebies are just crap, with rare exceptions.
Some things I've found worth getting are:
The cheap tape measures. They're OK.
I like some of their gloves, decent quality and excellent prices.
The cheap multimeters (e.g. $2.99). Not for prime time but OK for a lot of stuff, and my commonest use is to measure the voltage of batteries, rechargables or alkaline.
I've gotten dremel accessories cheap, but got my dremel at Home Depot. I just don't think I'd buy a drill there or similar. My experience with their drill bits isn't good if you care about them remaining sharp. I'll buy drill bits elsewhere.
I buy tarps, their prices are better than the big box stores, quality varies, I get the best, silver. Some of those have lasted a lot longer than others. The last 19x29' silver I got from them lasted
almost 2 years, really really good.
I bought a set of box end wrenches cheap. I use them only rarely, but they have been up to the task. Many of their non-electric hand tools are a bargain compared to what I've seen for sale elsewhere.
I have bought various tape there, including multiple rolls of really cool 2" yellow plastic tape that I use for a lot of stuff.