Northern Tool tool's that don't suck

[ch47dpilot]

Saw the Harbor Freight thread and thought maybe someone has bought stuff from Northern Tool & Equipment. They sell a lot of name brand stuff but also have the NorthStar line and the Northern Industrial. I think both of these mean "made in China" but could be wrong. Just wondering what off brand stuff you've bought from them and how satisfied you where with the product. I was looking at a drill press and horizontal band saw.

 

[deereman75]

Saw the Harbor Freight thread and thought maybe someone has bought stuff from Northern Tool & Equipment. They sell a lot of name brand stuff but also have the NorthStar line and the Northern Industrial. I think both of these mean "made in China" but could be wrong. Just wondering what off brand stuff you've bought from them and how satisfied you where with the product. I was looking at a drill press and horizontal band saw.

I have never bought anything from northern. But from what I have heard the northstar stuff is quite good, as in honda engines, and name brand parts. Northern industrial is about the same as chicago at harbor freight. They also have nortrac tractors, which are just overpriced jinmas.

 

[Combustix]

I got a timber jack from them and have had for about 9 years it is still holding up. Got a stainless butcher table from them the one on sale. Got to the house it must weigh 150 lbs. Box was labelled DOD so it was probably surplus. I think it's nuke proof and I got those 14 gallon gas buddy. There okay they are gravity feed so I'm trying to figure away for a crank or twelve volt so far northern has been pretty good. I would get more but shipping with them kills the deal

 

[oldballs]

I've bought a lot of stuff from Northern over the past 20 years or so. They have been fair and reliable in their service and prices. I own their North Star 11 HP snow blower and their North Star 2500 psi/3gallon gas (Honda GX) pressure washer. When I had a problem with a fitting on the washer, they made it good right away. I don't suppose their stuff is the "cadillac" of the industry, but they've done well as a mail order house. And just like many other sources, a lot of their tools etc are Chinese. I would bet that a lot of their blowers, washers etc equipment with the NorthStar name are "made" by MTD and other generic manufacturers.

 

[oldballs]

I've bought a lot of stuff from Northern over the past 20 years or so. They have been fair and reliable in their service and prices. I own their North Star 11 HP snow blower and their North Star 2500 psi/3gallon gas (Honda GX) pressure washer. When I had a problem with a fitting on the washer, they made it good right away. I don't suppose their stuff is the "cadillac" of the industry, but they've done well as a mail order house. And just like many other sources, a lot of their tools etc are Chinese. I would bet that a lot of their blowers, washers etc equipment with the NorthStar name are "made" by MTD and other generic manufacturers. As another has mentioned, the freight and sales tax to my state is holding up an order right now that I'm contemplating...but whose fault is that.

 

[Bird]

My 30 gallon "Industrial Air by Coleman Powermate" air compressor came from Nothern Tool 6 years ago. Trouble free so far. Of course, I also have air hoses, fittings, quick couplers, blow guns, air chucks and gauges, etc. from there. Also 6 years ago, i bought a 4" vise and it's labelled "Made in China" but has worked just fine. Before I moved back to town I was repairing/rebulding mechanics' air tools and had a parts washer and 3 ton arbor press from Northern Tool.

I've had no complaints with them so far.

 

[Luremaker]

I've only purchased a few things from them like my Quick Spade and a few other items I wanted from their catalog. No problems with anything.

 

[TimberXX]

Northern generator heads are italian made, Mechron or something like that

 

[TCowner]

I purchased their 24 volt 1/2" drive impact driver last Christmas when they had a one day promotion for $99.00. On the surface it seems like a decent driver. Unfortunately, the batteries are of poor quality. One of the batteries only lasted about 3 months and this was just with occasional use. Of course I learned that batteries are not covered by warranty and like most, a replacement battery is as much as a new driver with new batteries. The remaining battery that still works and holds a charge has to be held into the driver with duct tape. Not pretty but it works.

So, I purchase items from Northern and generally am pleased. Just understand that the Northern impact driver that sells for $99 may not be up to the quality of the Milwaukee, DeWalt that sells for $200.

 

[oldballs]

TC....check out one of those Battery Stores. I bought a replacement for my old Milwaukee 18 volt @ about $60 if I recall rightly. It might be worth it, although I'm beginning to like battery powered tools....less and less as a homeowner/handyman.

 

[Bird]

TC....check out one of those Battery Stores. I bought a replacement for my old Milwaukee 18 volt @ about $60 if I recall rightly. It might be worth it, although I'm beginning to like battery powered tools....less and less as a homeowner/handyman.

Yep, I've had good luck with Batteries Plus for batteries I couldn't find anywhere else. And so far, they've been a better price than other places.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I've bought a lot of things from both Northern Tools and Harbor Freight. I've found that NT sells both good quality tools, etc. and cheap stuff. The cheap stuff is in on par with Harbor Freight, except that NT charges more. They do sell both USA made as well as the cheap import stuff, whereas HF seems to only sell imports.

The only thing that I'll buy anymore from HF are consummables. My experience with their tools is that they're simply junk. So far every tool I've bought from them ended up in the trash before even finishing a single project. Need I say - I'm through buying cheap tools!!!

NT 'quality' tools are generally priced as much or more than you can find on the internet. But - they do stock a lot, so if convenence or timing is important, they're a good choice. In fact, I keep their 10,000 item catalog in my 'reading room'. Good reading!

 

[nspec]

Like anyplace else, be careful what you buy. That being said, I've had terrific luck with Northern Tool. The few things I have bought from them have been excellent.

 

[ticolawnllc]

Saw the Harbor Freight thread and thought maybe someone has bought stuff from Northern Tool & Equipment. They sell a lot of name brand stuff but also have the NorthStar line and the Northern Industrial. I think both of these mean "made in China" but could be wrong. Just wondering what off brand stuff you've bought from them and how satisfied you where with the product. I was looking at a drill press and horizontal band saw.

I'v gotten some stuff from them and it all said made in USA. They just ripped off china. lol

 

[deereman75]

I hate how they wont ship the factory ship stuff to canada, that means I cant get any of the mig welders I am looking at shipped from them.

 

[davygp38]

I bought a North star chain sharpener a few years ago. it came with three wheels, and decent directions. It is working fine, with no modifications, unlike Harbor freight. it only cost $99 at the time.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I purchased a generator from them in 1999 that worked flawlessly until it was stolen several years ago...
Replaced it with another northern unit...
Purchase a bunch of miscellaneous shop stuff from them like grinding wheels, tools, jacks, stands, welding supplies ect...
They all seems to be no better or worse than other cheap Chinese made merchandise...
I go there because it is convenient...
I drive right by it going to work everyday...
As a matter of fact the store is only 1/4 mile from where I work...
It is a great guy store...

 

[Gil Case]

Freight charges are outrageous, but stuff is not bad, bought a log splitter 20 year ago and after replacing that stupid Never Start Tecumseh engine with a 5 hp Honda it still works slick. Of course, not much to go wrong with a log splitter ex the engine.

 

[crazyal]

With out a local one and the high freight charges I don't buy much from them. It's too bad because they often have stuff I would like to have, like a shop press but when shipping reaches over $100 for something that costs $200 it's a turn off.

 

[mikebramel]

I purchased their 24 volt 1/2" drive impact driver last Christmas when they had a one day promotion for $99.00. On the surface it seems like a decent driver. Unfortunately, the batteries are of poor quality. One of the batteries only lasted about 3 months and this was just with occasional use. Of course I learned that batteries are not covered by warranty and like most, a replacement battery is as much as a new driver with new batteries. The remaining battery that still works and holds a charge has to be held into the driver with duct tape. Not pretty but it works.

So, I purchase items from Northern and generally am pleased. Just understand that the Northern impact driver that sells for $99 may not be up to the quality of the Milwaukee, DeWalt that sells for $200.

If you can dissasemble the batter it is easy to replace just the sells. Doubt you will spend more than $30