Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

One step up from HF for cordless tools is Ryobi. Still not contractor grade, but I consider these sufficient for farm and DIY projects. I bought the $160 combo kit. Recipro saw, circular saw, drill, plus charger and batteries. Then later the chainsaw, jigsaw (only good for light work) impact driver & charger kit, the weedeater, and finally two used Homelite hedge trimmers. (same battery). Comment: the chargers and batteries are less expensive combined in a tool kit than singly. And get all Li-ion! I've found the smaller lighter batteries sufficient in power and their light weight makes the tool easier to handle. Chainsaw use might be the only application where the large Li-ion battery would work better.

The chainsaw is no match for a gas saw but my use is 99% for clearing rotten, punky orchard limbs that fell off of old orchard trees. This works fine. A couple of times when I had to work all over the orchard I put a 12V inverter and two Ryobi chargers in a plastic tray and recharged off the tractor's electric system - but just taking along a couple of the Li-Ion batteries has been sufficient for most of my limb cleanup. I like this a lot better than the nuisance of maintaining and storing fresh 2-cycle mix for a weedeater and chainsaw.

The jigsaw is the only unit with less power than I expected. It's handy to carry out in the orchard and repair tree props onsite, but my corded jigsaw back in the barn cuts faster.

For me - I think Ryobi is a better buy than HF in this category.

 

[IslandTractor]

Agree. Ryobi is much better than HF for battery powered tools. And, you get the Li-Ion replacement option that doesn't require getting a new charger. I don't love my Ryobi tools but they haven't broken in ten years light duty and are decent light/medium task tools. I'd still argue that Makita is worth the upgrade price. I have a 32year old Makita battery drill that still works.

 

[DFB]

I think Ryobi is a better buy than HF in this category.

Absolutely!

The Porter Cable brand is another economical line

 

[dragoneggs]

I guess the next question is why anyone would buy NiMh. Maybe a bit cheaper to start but batteries don't last as long and are pretty expensive to replace. I have an old Ryobi kit that I finally upgraded to Li-Ion. Made a huge difference.

No question the Li-Ion makes a huge difference! Initial cost is a big driver though for many. Many occasional DIYers don't want to dump, I mean invest, in top quality tools even though many of us have learned that in the long run it pays. HF is there for those folks. I will venture to guess that most professionals don't buy there daily use tools from HF. They have a price point and quality that suits many. I imagine as Li-Ion becomes the norm and prices drop, HF will carry.

 

[paulharvey]

No question the Li-Ion makes a huge difference! Initial cost is a big driver though for many. Many occasional DIYers don't want to dump, I mean invest, in top quality tools even though many of us have learned that in the long run it pays. HF is there for those folks. I will venture to guess that most professionals don't buy there daily use tools from HF. They have a price point and quality that suits many. I imagine as Li-Ion becomes the norm and prices drop, HF will carry.

I actually worked for a civil/site work/road contractor for a short period who did. When I interviewed with the owner, he took me too lunch, he had stacks of HF coupons on the passenger seat. Hammers, wrenches, impacts, tape measures all from HF. Reason, they get lost/stolen/ran over far more then get worn out/broken from proper use.

 

[IslandTractor]

I actually worked for a civil/site work/road contractor for a short period who did. When I interviewed with the owner, he took me too lunch, he had stacks of HF coupons on the passenger seat. Hammers, wrenches, impacts, tape measures all from HF. Reason, they get lost/stolen/ran over far more then get worn out/broken from proper use.

I guess that is one way to insure that nobody steals your tools. New logo "Tools so crappy nobody will steal them"

 

[DFB]

I guess that is one way to insure that nobody steals your tools. New logo "Tools so crappy nobody will steal them"

:laughing:

Hate to say it but that's probably true!

 

[/pine]

Honestly...I never thought I would be posting in this thread (although the title could be considered "troll baiting")...most of the stuff I buy at HF are not really "tools"...more in the way of consumable items...abrasives etc...

And I don't really consider an engine a "tool" but for what they cost I am very impressed with the HF Predator 212 CC (Honda clone) engines...:thumbsup:

There are currently two versions of the 212...the latest is a "hemi"...The only noticeable difference is the hemi version comes with a cast valve cover rather than a formed steel cover...they are rated at between 6.5 and 7 HP out of the box...

...however the 212 being a Honda clone can make use of Honda/clone performance parts etc...

There are a lot of folks that are building up the 212s for use on mini bikes and go karts etc...a few mods and they are getting 12+HP and there is some dyno. testing showing up to 28HP from the 212...!

Again...for the money ($89 w/ 25% off coupon) they are IMO the best thing HF ever offered of this nature...lots of 3rd party accessory and parts vendors...

These engines make great replacement power for pumps, pressure washers, snow blowers etc...etc..

one caveat...these are Chinese Honda clones...the key word being "chinese"...I heard from one kart building pro that modifies these engines have found some machine shavings in the bottom of the crank on new motors...FWIW...one of the key modifications for high performance is replacing the stock rod with a billet rod...thus they open the case before they ever put oil in it...I've read nothing about failures due to this possible issue...

 

[dragoneggs]

Honestly...I never thought I would be posting in this thread (although the title could be considered "troll baiting")...most of the stuff I buy at HF are not really "tools"...more in the way of consumable items...abrasives etc... And I don't really consider an engine a "tool" but for what they cost I am very impressed with the HF Predator 212 CC (Honda clone) engines...:thumbsup: There are currently two versions of the 212...the latest is a "hemi"...The only noticeable difference is the hemi version comes with a cast valve cover rather than a formed steel cover...they are rated at between 6.5 and 7 HP out of the box... ...however the 212 being a Honda clone can make use of Honda/clone performance parts etc... There are a lot of folks that are building up the 212s for use on mini bikes and go karts etc...a few mods and they are getting 12+HP and there is some dyno. testing showing up to 28HP from the 212...! Again...for the money ($89 w/ 25% off coupon) they are IMO the best thing HF ever offered of this nature...lots of 3rd party accessory and parts vendors... These engines make great replacement power for pumps, pressure washers, snow blowers etc...etc.. one caveat...these are Chinese Honda clones...the key word being "chinese"...I heard from one kart building pro that modifies these engines have found some machine shavings in the bottom of the crank on new motors...FWIW...one of the key modifications for high performance is replacing the stock rod with a billet rod...thus they open the case before they ever put oil in it...I've read nothing about failures due to this possible issue...

Interesting... thanks for posting. Will have to consider for the price!

 

[300UGUY]

I guess that is one way to insure that nobody steals your tools. New logo "Tools so crappy nobody will steal them"

One of uncles ran a fire repair company in Detroit. He employed a lot of alcoholics, folks down on their luck. And he worked in some less than stellar areas. I worked for him back in the 70's. One day I went with him to K Mart. He bought a bunch of saws, drills, some hand tools. He figured if they got stolen or damaged, he wasn't out much. His personal tools were all professional grade, his workers, not so much. I don't remember him buying new saw blades, I think they never lasted that long.