|
|
|
|
| Author |
Message |
Childfree Scott
Guest
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
 |
|
Most of their tools are OK for occasional home use.
I have one of their:
Heat gun kit, and I use it a lot and think it's great and recommend.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47269
Router, for occasional use, and it's good too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=33833
Hammer Drill, for occasional use, and it's OK. Would probably buy a
better one next time. I use it more as a regular drill so it gets
used more often than I intended to use it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45338
Belt Sander, for occasional use, and it's OK.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90045
Jig Saw, for rare use, and would recommend avoiding.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46055
HVLP Paint gun, use it a lot and love it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46719
Air Compressor, use it a lot and like it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90385
I also have one or two big wrenches from them that I use on really
rare occasions. I agree with previous posters to get better hand
tools (I buy Craftsman for that). |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
jack
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
I like the steak idea. This is great advice. !!
I think we can all agree that tools are dangerous. Lower grade tools make
the jobs we do even more dangerous. For example, I would never consider a
lower grade saw. If you think about it as simply a safety issue, I think
the extra money is worth it to keep us out of the emergency room.
If you really need to a decent tool, and don't want to pay the money for it,
then rent a high-quality tool to do the job.
"Cox West" <mpsinc@cox.net> wrote in message
news:yJFod.340255$a85.175614@fed1read04...
| Quote: |
Tools are freedom. Good ones open up possibilities and can last a
lifetime.
$29.95 is better spent on a good steak, cooked to your preference, with a
tall glass of ale.
Dave
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mac davis
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 02:36:21 GMT, kosowsky@consult.pretender (Jeffrey
J. Kosowsky) wrote:
| Quote: | Harbor Freight seems to have some very attractively priced power
tools, particularly those under the "Chicago Electric Power".
What has been your experience with Harbor Freight in general and with
the Chicago Electric brand in particular?
- How does the quality and value stack up?
- If one is a serious hobbyist who doesn't have unlimited money to
spend on tools, is it better to buy fewer name-brand, high-priced
tools or go for a broader range of Chicago Electric brand tools to
fill out my home shop?
Presumably you never get something for nothing so I imagine the
quality of a 29.95 sawzall type tool can't be as good as a $200
Milwaukee version... but that being said, is it worth buying this
stuff?
Please share your experiences and advice from a hobbyist perspective
(I know that if you use your tools professionally 8+ hours/day then it
pays to buy the best).
Thanks
|
I can give you my input on a few of their tools...
I bought their "recip" saw on sale for $19.99 and it's a great deal at
that price... but it is a piece of crap..lol
I've agonized over buying a Sawzall for years.. or to be exact, once
every 2 or 3 years, when I get in a spot where on is the tool to use
or the only one that will reach.. for me, $20 is a great investment
for this purpose, but if I was using it a lot, I'd go name brand..
I bought their $60 biscuit jointer on sale for $40, knowing that it
was going to be a piece of crap compared to the dewalt or craftsman,
but it was something to learn on without worrying about ruining it,
and a way to get into biscuits NOW instead of 6 months later when my
wife got the good one for me.. After using the HF one, I REALLY
appreciate the craftsman and especially the fence..
I bought their 2hp 8 gallon compressor about 4 years ago for $100...
It's great for the money, but I keep hoping it dies so I can get
something QUIETR...
OTOH, I bought their 6x48" belt sander with 9" disk on sale for about
$140 (with stand) about 3 years ago and hope it never dies.. great
tool..
oh.. I've tried 2 or 3 or their combination squares and both of the 6"
ones slide around no matter how much you torque the nut.. Even a cheap
Stanley is a much better deal there.. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
someone
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
I got the cheap "Chicago Electric" Wet saw for $69 (made in China)
a few weeks ago, and it has cut a few hundred 12" ceremic tiles
with no problem. The top did get some rust since I left it without
clean up for several days.
As for cordless, I got a cheap made in China ($50) 16.8V Craftman
cordless 2 1/2 year ago. I used it to finish my basement - 2 25lb
boxes of 3" and 1 25lb box of 1 5/8" screws later, it becomes
weak a bit. But it will probably last while. That drill kit includes
2 batteries, 1 hand vac and a hard carry box.
So if you are not using those tools for a living, I guess they are
just fine for your projects.
Woodcrafter wrote:
| Quote: | "Jeffrey J. Kosowsky" <kosowsky@consult.pretender> wrote in message
news:m2vfbxs34s.fsf@consult.pretender...
Harbor Freight seems to have some very attractively priced power
tools, particularly those under the "Chicago Electric Power".
What has been your experience with Harbor Freight in general and with
the Chicago Electric brand in particular?
- How does the quality and value stack up?
- If one is a serious hobbyist who doesn't have unlimited money to
spend on tools, is it better to buy fewer name-brand, high-priced
tools or go for a broader range of Chicago Electric brand tools to
fill out my home shop?
Presumably you never get something for nothing so I imagine the
quality of a 29.95 sawzall type tool can't be as good as a $200
Milwaukee version... but that being said, is it worth buying this
stuff?
Please share your experiences and advice from a hobbyist perspective
(I know that if you use your tools professionally 8+ hours/day then it
pays to buy the best).
Thanks
My personal experience is that if you are only a hobbyist, you can get away
with buying *some* cheaper tools.
For example, I would never buy cheap cordless drills because the batteries
they put on them are pretty much useless.
On the other hand, I have paid next to nothing for some corded drills and
they have lasted me 5+ years with no problems so far (just brush changes
etc).
I also have a cheap rotary tool, a couple small cheap routers I use for
trimming and edging and these have worked fine too.
You can get away with cheap air tools as well if they are only for
occassional use.
For tools like miter saws, heavier duty routers, tablesaws etc, it pays to
buy quality.
--
Regards,
Dean Bielanowski
Editor,
Online Tool Reviews
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
Over 60 woodworking product reviews online!
------------------------------------------------------------
Latest 6 Reviews:
- Festool CT22E Dust Extractor
- Fasco GN-40A Brad Nailer
- Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture & Cabinet Construction
- Milescraft SignCrafter
- Ryobi EMS1830SCL 12" SCMS
- Bessey K-Body Clamps
------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
James \"Cubby\" Culbertso
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
I tend to shy away from the Chicago Electric brand. I bought a drop light
and it fried the first time
I plugged it in. Took it back. Second one fried. Bought a heat gun.
Fried the first time I plugged it in.
Took it back. Second one fried as well. That said, I have their 4"
grinder and it seems to do the odd job
that I demand of it ok. I tend to think the Central Machinery brand is
better (have their floor standing drill press
and it works great) and I've been pretty happy with the Central Pneumatic
stuff. YMMV of course.
Cheers,
cc
"Jeffrey J. Kosowsky" <kosowsky@consult.pretender> wrote in message
news:m2vfbxs34s.fsf@consult.pretender...
| Quote: | Harbor Freight seems to have some very attractively priced power
tools, particularly those under the "Chicago Electric Power".
What has been your experience with Harbor Freight in general and with
the Chicago Electric brand in particular?
- How does the quality and value stack up?
- If one is a serious hobbyist who doesn't have unlimited money to
spend on tools, is it better to buy fewer name-brand, high-priced
tools or go for a broader range of Chicago Electric brand tools to
fill out my home shop?
Presumably you never get something for nothing so I imagine the
quality of a 29.95 sawzall type tool can't be as good as a $200
Milwaukee version... but that being said, is it worth buying this
stuff?
Please share your experiences and advice from a hobbyist perspective
(I know that if you use your tools professionally 8+ hours/day then it
pays to buy the best).
Thanks |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John T
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
I've bought a few items from HF, mostly the smaller stuff, pneumatic
drills and shears which I haven't really put to use yet. Their Central
Machinery horizontal bandsaw that often goes for about $150 or 160 on
sale is very popular with the homebuilt airplane crowd. Just get a
quality bimetal blade for it, and it works great. There also Yahoo
groups for that saw.
I've been meaning to go out and buy that 18g brad nailer (pneumatic)
which I think is (or was...I can wait) 12.99 on sale. Anyone have
experience with that?
John |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Evodawg
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
maradcliff@UNLISTED.com wrote:
| Quote: | On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 02:36:21 GMT, kosowsky@consult.pretender (Jeffrey
J. Kosowsky) wrote:
Harbor Freight seems to have some very attractively priced power
tools, particularly those under the "Chicago Electric Power".
What has been your experience with Harbor Freight in general and with
the Chicago Electric brand in particular?
- How does the quality and value stack up?
- If one is a serious hobbyist who doesn't have unlimited money to
spend on tools, is it better to buy fewer name-brand, high-priced
tools or go for a broader range of Chicago Electric brand tools to
fill out my home shop?
Presumably you never get something for nothing so I imagine the
quality of a 29.95 sawzall type tool can't be as good as a $200
Milwaukee version... but that being said, is it worth buying this
stuff?
Please share your experiences and advice from a hobbyist perspective
(I know that if you use your tools professionally 8+ hours/day then it
pays to buy the best).
Thanks
I have never bought from H. F. simply because there is not one nearby.
I have a distant friend who says their stuff is not top quality, but
swears their stuff holds up pretty well, for the price.
I HAVE purchased from another company called Homier Distributors.
They are mobile merchants and set up a sale in a tent in different
towns. I have never been so dissatisfied with any other purchases.
Their stuff is total junk, and once they got your money, forget about
getting any help or being able to return defective items, or even
having an email returned. This is the worst company I have ever dealt
with. However, this same friend has also bought from Homier and says
he has gotten a few deals from them. Of course too, he just putters
around. I tend to really use tools, and those homier tools have all
broken within one day or less.
I might consider buying from Harbor Freight if I have access. I will
NEVER buy from Homier again.
I probably did not really answer your question, but this is just some
personal experience.
Mark
|
I bought a sliding Miter Saw from them to replace the one I had stolen
off the back of my truck. It's a knock off of the Makita but not built
as well, but it only cost $99.00. I only use it off the back of my
truck. Matter of fact it's chained to the back of my truck now. If it's
stolen its not a big deal. The one I had stolen was a Dewalt. I replace
it with another higher end Dewalt but it stays in the shop. The saw so
far has worked ok but a little gutless. I spent 1/2 as much for a blade
( 50.00 Frued) for the saw which helps. I too bought their cheap tile
saw and it's worked pretty good. I didnt expect to use it for long since
I dont do tile everyday.
The tools I use everyday are: Porter Cable 14.4 cordless drill and their
combo brad and finish nailer with compressor, a Milwaukee sawzall and
corded 1/2 drill, Mikata grinder, and a old Craftsman circular saw. I
would never even think about replacing these with a HF for the obvious
reasons. I USE THEM EVERYDAY!!! I'm really impressed with the grinder,
it only cost $60.00 and it's really powerful and the Sawzall for $125.00
on sale.
Rich
--
"You can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"
Linux user #291570
Remove "nospam" to email |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John Thomas
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
John T <rcav8r@charter-for-hire.net> wrote in news:%uKod.77$jE5.67
@fe07.lga:
| Quote: | I've been meaning to go out and buy that 18g brad nailer (pneumatic)
which I think is (or was...I can wait) 12.99 on sale. Anyone have
experience with that?
|
Yeah, get it. Local store (Portland, OR) is having a day after Thanksgiving
sale (I'd guess they all are ...). I think that's one of the 'door buster'
sale items. Might be limited to AM only, or PM only -- I've got the flyer
at home, don't recall off hand.
Regards,
JT |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John Thomas
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
mac davis <mac.davis@comcast.net> wrote in
news:hdp6q0dme831hdn0qpd7cl92irk49ep9se@4ax.com:
| Quote: | OTOH, I bought their 6x48" belt sander with 9" disk on sale for about
$140 (with stand) about 3 years ago and hope it never dies.. great
tool..
|
Mac,
How stiff is the disk on that puppy? I looked at the one at our local store
a few weeks back; the floor model was broken (literally, the disk was
busted). It looked like pretty thin Aluminum, so I passed on it then.
(Still thinking though ...)
Regards,
JT |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chuck Hoffman
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
When building to a low price point, compromises in build quality have to be
made. For example, contractor-grade power tools have ball bearing
construction, whereas the Chicago Electric stuff has cheap bushings in their
place. They work OK when new but wear quickly and develop tolerances that
are unacceptable to tradesmen.
If you only use the tool once a month or so, it may last you a long time.
But if you get involved in a couple weekend-long projects where the tool
gets a thorough workout, don't be surprised if you have to make a trip to
the builder's supply to replace with with a Porter Cable, Bosch, etc.
"Jeff Wisnia" <jwisnia@conversent.net> wrote in message
news:E5qdnUMLnYduMD_cRVn-2g@comcast.com...
(snip)
| Quote: | Like the others have already said, if you are only going to use their
tools once a month or so, and aren't going to drop them onto the ground
from a couple of stories, they can do a credible job.
(snip) |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bill a
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:00 am Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
I don't think I would buy anything major from them unless you have a local
store
for returning defectives. Sometimes it is hard to predict in advance if the
quality will be adequate.
Much of their stuff is good enough for occasional use (most occasional users
are more likely to lose
tools from theft or drop damage than from wearing them out).
The average hobbyist/homeowner will use a piece of equipment a couple hours
a year, but using a really nice brand name piece is kind of cool, though, if
you can justify the extra 400% cost :>)
bill
"Jeffrey J. Kosowsky" <kosowsky@consult.pretender> wrote in message
news:m2vfbxs34s.fsf@consult.pretender...
| Quote: | Harbor Freight seems to have some very attractively priced power
tools, particularly those under the "Chicago Electric Power".
What has been your experience with Harbor Freight in general and with
the Chicago Electric brand in particular?
- How does the quality and value stack up?
- If one is a serious hobbyist who doesn't have unlimited money to
spend on tools, is it better to buy fewer name-brand, high-priced
tools or go for a broader range of Chicago Electric brand tools to
fill out my home shop?
Presumably you never get something for nothing so I imagine the
quality of a 29.95 sawzall type tool can't be as good as a $200
Milwaukee version... but that being said, is it worth buying this
stuff?
Please share your experiences and advice from a hobbyist perspective
(I know that if you use your tools professionally 8+ hours/day then it
pays to buy the best).
Thanks |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Larry Jaques
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:00 am Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 05:06:56 GMT, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61-#spamblock*-@hotmail.com> calmly ranted:
| Quote: | I've bought a bunch of stuff from Harbor Fright. Their Pittsburgh wrenches
are really sloppy, their flare wrenches are useless. Ended up pitching them
out.
|
Pittsburgh is one of the lifetime guaranteed lines from HF, so
tossing them wasn't awfully smart.
You must have changed email addresses again. Back into my filters
you go, silly Fundie.
-- Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Turkey and Drive -- |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mark Jerde
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:00 am Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
Jeffrey J. Kosowsky wrote:
| Quote: | Harbor Freight seems to have some very attractively priced power
tools, particularly those under the "Chicago Electric Power".
snip
Please share your experiences and advice from a hobbyist perspective
(I know that if you use your tools professionally 8+ hours/day then it
pays to buy the best).
|
I have a pair of HF14.4v cordless drills, which together cost less than a
new battery for my B&D FireStorm. ;-) They run out of "juice" quicker than
my B&D so I use them for drilling instead of screwing. But it's really
handy to chuck up three cordless drills, one straight bit to the desired
depth, one countersink, and one with a phillips or square drive. It's
quicker for me to pick up and set down three separate tools (with no cords
to get twisted & tangled <g>) than to use even my DW "Quick Flip"
Drill/Driver attachment.
Since the 14.4's are still on sale I may buy a couple more to be sure I have
a couple extra backup batteries (& chargers & drills <g>) that are all
interchangeable. When B&D "upgraded" my model drill to make the batteries
different the replacement battery price doubled.
IMO the HF 14.4's work ok for drilling & countersinking, but B&D / DW / ...
/ Milwaulkee / ... are needed for putting in screws.
--- Now for some philosophy --- <g>
I was in college 1977-82. I started as a mechanical engineering student but
switched to computer science my sophmore year.
(1) Increasing tooling allows greater precision.
One of the classes I had as an ME was "Intro. to Industrial Engineering." I
recall little from that class except this illustration from the very early
days of the "Industrial Revolution" that went more or less like this:
"I highly recommend Messer. _______ for the position of Chief Engineer
of your company. While in our employ Mr. _______ supervised and
directed the construction of a large steam engine. He did such a good
job that at no point could a worn shilling be inserted between the
piston and the cylinder wall."
The instructor then talked about current engine tolerances in small engines
such as model airplane engines being measured in thousandths of an inch.
"Engineering Excellence" of one era/application is a dismal failure in
another era/application.
(2) Tools reduce / negate human variation.
Once upon a time only *men* had the strength to swing the heavy sledge
hammers to drive railroad spikes and seat red-hot rivets. However men being
what men have always been, spent much of their time drinking and thinking
about sex, and the railroad spikes were not always driven in as deep as they
should have been and the rivets were not always seated. Structures failed
that *should* *not* have failed by the drawing board calculations. Failure
analysis found out the problems. Engineers strove to develop ways to take
the "human factor" out of these critical construction operations. (This
1910's-1940's information comes to me from my late father-in-law, Dr. R.F.
Branch, who ran Army aid stations in the Pacific in WWII and was the
physician who tied the dog tag on Earnie Pyle's toe. I really miss him
alot. We would BS for hours on end.)
The engineers developed a riveting gun that always completely seated the
rivets. In the personnel crunch of WWII it was discovered that "Rosie The
Riveter" could hold the tool just as well as any old Joe. ;-) Joe could go
get shot at and Rosie could build the equipment just as good a Joe could.
The machine took away the variability.
(3) *IF* the HF tools are primarily assembled by machines, they can be as
good as *anything* Sir Isaac Newton, Da Vinci, Einsten, DeWalt, ...., could
have possibly carved by hand. ;-)
I have my NOMEX undies on. Bring it on! <g>
-- Mark |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 1:00 am Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
I have a dangerous circular saw. It's a Skil. The *** spring
vanished that pulls the blade guard down. I have set that saw down
several times and the blade hit the floor, and it cut the cord once.
This is the 3rd Skil saw that developed this problem. I finally just
made a little "stool" out of 4x4's and plywood. I just set the saw
over the groove where the blade sets in.
Yeah, I know, I should replace the spring (if I could find one).
Mark
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:44:30 -0500, "jack" <jack@jack.net> wrote:
| Quote: | I like the steak idea. This is great advice. !!
I think we can all agree that tools are dangerous. Lower grade tools make
the jobs we do even more dangerous. For example, I would never consider a
lower grade saw. If you think about it as simply a safety issue, I think
the extra money is worth it to keep us out of the emergency room.
If you really need to a decent tool, and don't want to pay the money for it,
then rent a high-quality tool to do the job.
"Cox West" <mpsinc@cox.net> wrote in message
news:yJFod.340255$a85.175614@fed1read04...
Tools are freedom. Good ones open up possibilities and can last a
lifetime.
$29.95 is better spent on a good steak, cooked to your preference, with a
tall glass of ale.
Dave
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Edwin Pawlowski
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 4:00 am Post subject: Re: Quality of Harbor Freight and Chicago Electric tools |
|
|
<maradcliff@UNLISTED.com> wrote in message
| Quote: | This is the 3rd Skil saw that developed this problem.
|
After the second, you could be su re my third would not be a Skil. Unless
you are getting them free. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
 FAQ
 Memberlist
 Usergroups
Featured Site: Free Antivirus and Antispyware Info
Powered by p|-|pBB
Usenet and forums posts belong to their respective authors. Everything else is (c) 2004 - 2006 Web-S-Sense Pty. Ltd.
Terms and Conditions of Use
|
|
|
Search
Register
Log in to check your private messages
Profile
Log in
