I still drill some holes with HF drill bits. Well my 115pc set is HF cobalt, I don't use them that often but they work for me. I've got a decent sharpener too. Their other drills really do suck though.
Can't believe I'm saying this but I don't mind buying from HF now that Sears is gone (for certain things). I'm not ashamed to admit it either like I used to. My first lathe was a HF 8x12.
HF has came a long way since I first bought from them in the late 90s. Took me a while to accept that they have actually improved a lot for various things, but not all. I still see a lot of people who will never accept that they have gotten better & automatically assumes everything they sell is made in China. I vowed to never by hand tools like ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, or electric power tools from them. Fast forward to today I still won't but only cause I don't need to. Some of those things I have purchased for my current job.
Speaking of my current job, my work supplied us with some basic HF tools, some things I bought myself from HF. I use the heck out of them & don't treat them nicely. Surprisingly they have been holding up very well. I use their chrome sockets with an impact driver, haven't broke one yet, I did just round one off though after 9 months but it still works. And I can get it warrantied with no questions asked too if I wanted.
Funny how the tables have turned. I still have all my Snap-on, Matco, & other quality name brand tools from my previous job working on cars 20+ yrs ago but I keep/use it all at home. My current job (automotive but not repairs), 90% of what I use are cheap generic brands tools.
They seem to be replacing/upgrading various items over the past years. Wonder why they haven't done so with the bench grinder stand. People haven't complained enough about them or are they a low sales item?