Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[sixdogs]

When I didn't know any better, shipping was fine. Now that a store is nearby, I didn't know what I was missing. I can pick my own tools with tight handles, etc. and reject the individual items that looked suspicious. Remember, HF is like a box of chocolates and returning something cr@ppy probably impossible. I would never buy a toolbox mail order because they are not packaged all that well.

 

[Scrambler82]

I have ordered from their web site in the past but it was a while back and I have ordered from their catalog before too. both with the same results… got what I ordered !
I now live close to one of their warehouses, makes things a lot easier when I want something from them.

 

[prichard]

Thanks all. With west coast shipping I'll probably get to the store sooner. Shipping cost wasn't bad though. I'm really spoiled be amazon 2 day shipping

 

[California]

HF's HQ is 50 miles NW of Los Angeles and I think everything ships from there. Pacific time zone, so an order might go out the same day you order it.

A UPS map of delivery time from LA should be accurate for HF assuming they ship timely. I've only ordered a couple of minor items and that was quick to Northern California, 475 miles.


However - One thing I ordered was the add-on top connector for the quick hitch. This part is clearly designed to withstand 40 horsepower tugging on an implement behind the tractor. The packing was comical - an object the size of a softball, near indestructible. Carefully wrapped, then in a cubic foot of plastic peanuts. To shelter it from what ????

They must have had some really bad experiences with UPS. :laughing:

 

[PhysAssist]

I posted this grinder once before but it is so darn good I have to post it again. I got it in the first place thinking it might be OK for kitchen knife sharpening. And it is. But it can also do heavier work. I rounded off all the corners on these brackets very quick and easy, using a zirconia belt. It is quiet and smooth, never gets out of adjustment. For about $45 it is just unbeatable.

Which is that? I don't recall seeing your post, so could you repost the source for it, I don't think it came up when I searched HF for belt sanders, unless it's this one: 1 in. x 3 in. Belt Sander

If it is that one, did you discuss why you largely diassembled it?

Sorr if they are st-st-stoopid questions, but inquiring minds want to know.

 

[PhysAssist]

When I didn't know any better, shipping was fine. Now that a store is nearby, I didn't know what I was missing. I can pick my own tools with tight handles, etc. and reject the individual items that looked suspicious. Remember, HF is like a box of chocolates and returning something cr@ppy probably impossible. I would never buy a toolbox mail order because they are not packaged all that well.

I also open any questionable boxes to make sure that any visible damage hasn't reached the merch or that the parts bags haven't fallen out.

I bought one of their portable band saws that I found there (in an intact box) on clearance (something you can only find in your local HF Emporium) for $79.99 (clearanced to $98.99, and 20% off that).

Hopefully with only minor tweaks/modifications, it will be serviceable.

Any suggestions as to what will best improve its performance (besides any other make of blade than HF- that I already knew).

I have been scoping out blade sources, amd so far Amazon has the best prices, mostly on well-reviewed DeWalt 3-packs for somewhere between $16 & 24.

Has anyone found them for better prices elsewhere?

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[dragoneggs]

I also open any questionable boxes to make sure that any visible damage hasn't reached the merch or that the parts bags haven't fallen out.

I bought one of their portable band saws that I found there (in an intact box) on clearance (something you can only find in your local HF Emporium) for $79.99 (clearanced to $98.99, and 20% off that).

Hopefully with only minor tweaks/modifications, it will be serviceable.

Any suggestions as to what will best improve its performance (besides any other make of blade than HF- that I already knew).

I have been scoping out blade sources, amd so far Amazon has the best prices, mostly on well-reviewed DeWalt 3-packs for somewhere between $16 & 24.

Has anyone found them for better prices elsewhere?

Thanks,
Thomas

I've learned my lesson at HF... definitely check the box for major box damage, etc. Unfortunately I seem to notice while loading into the back of my pickup and then go back and make the exchange. Better than a 50mi RT drive back though! Seems a fair bunch get gouged before they reach the shelves. They don't mind you opening up to inspect... I just have to get used to that on the bigger boxes that don't have the best of packaging.

 

[PhysAssist]

HF's HQ is 50 miles NW of Los Angeles and I think everything ships from there. Pacific time zone, so an order might go out the same day you order it.

A UPS map of delivery time from LA should be accurate for HF assuming they ship timely. I've only ordered a couple of minor items and that was quick to Northern California, 475 miles.


However - One thing I ordered was the add-on top connector for the quick hitch. This part is clearly designed to withstand 40 horsepower tugging on an implement behind the tractor. The packing was comical - an object the size of a softball, near indestructible. Carefully wrapped, then in a cubic foot of plastic peanuts. To shelter it from what ????

They must have had some really bad experiences with UPS. :laughing:

They are strangely schizo about the packing- when I have ordered things as you did, the heavy, sturdy, solid steel or otherwise robust, mostly unbreakable items, they arrive as you describe, but electronics or other less durable, easily breakable items came loosely packed without significant padding.

I wondered if they had complaints of their less well-padded heavy duty items destroying other people's delicate or fragile things, and as a result overpad them.

 

[California]

I wondered if they had complaints of their less well-padded heavy duty items destroying other people's delicate or fragile things

Possible. When I sold stuff on Ebay I took a big heavy multi-drive tape backup 'library' to UPS during Christmas rush. Clerk said great, we need heavy packages like that in the mix ... to send down the spiral chutes when they get jammed with all the little piddley stuff!

I hope I didn't ruin some kid's Christmas. :yell:

 

[DFB]

Years ago I bought the smaller 6x8 greenhouse ordered it online and had it shipped as that was pretty much the only option at the time. It came truck freight and was damaged when I opened the box. Several of the longest aluminum pieces were bent and the corners crushed on a lot of the longer polycarbonate panels. They wanted it returned first before they would ship a replacement. This all would have been about a months worth of lost time for me so I just ordered second one (that got delivered quicker it was better but not perfect either) then I took the best parts from both to assemble it and threw al the leftovers in box shipped it back and got my refund credit.

I just got another one but at the store this time. It was worth the trip. I didn't actually open there though I was tempted but the box looked undamaged, and everything was ok.

I put most of it together yesterday it rained all day so I assembled it in the garage.

The instructions are pretty bad like everyone says but I was familiar with it anyways. And the foundation layout measurements they give are wrong (there are several videos online about that too) so now I have go back to slightly modify the box frame I had prebuilt and set a couple of days ago. :confused2:

 

[shovelrider]

The cost of that and time to figure it out, wouldn't it had been just as cheap. To go w/cca(treated) bds. and (clear) pvc panels? Anchor it down, it can last for ever and a day then. Just asking

 

[downsizingnow48]

Which is that? I don't recall seeing your post, so could you repost the source for it, I don't think it came up when I searched HF for belt sanders, unless it's this one: 1 in. x 3 in. Belt Sander

If it is that one, did you discuss why you largely diassembled it?

Sorr if they are st-st-stoopid questions, but inquiring minds want to know.

Sorry, you are right, I should have said what it was! It is the 1x30 belt sander pictured below. I use it exclusively as a metal grinder. I reassembled it in the horizontal position because I find it easier to use than vertical. The plastic piece at the top gets in the way of anything more than a few inches long. The table also gets in the way of nearly everything. So I took them off. One of the nice things about the grinder is the part of the belt that is not supported by the platen. Using that segment, it kind of wraps around the work piece, allowing very fine smoothing of curves and edges. I took the side plate off because it interferes with using that segment of the belt.

 

[IslandTractor]

Sorry, you are right, I should have said what it was! It is the 1x30 belt sander pictured below. I use it exclusively as a metal grinder. I reassembled it in the horizontal position because I find it easier to use than vertical. The plastic piece at the top gets in the way of anything more than a few inches long. The table also gets in the way of nearly everything. So I took them off. One of the nice things about the grinder is the part of the belt that is not supported by the platen. Using that segment, it kind of wraps around the work piece, allowing very fine smoothing of curves and edges. I took the side plate off because it interferes with using that segment of the belt.

I have one of those. Cost about $30 and after realigning a pulley or two it works like a champ.

 

[PhysAssist]

Sorry, you are right, I should have said what it was! It is the 1x30 belt sander pictured below. I use it exclusively as a metal grinder. I reassembled it in the horizontal position because I find it easier to use than vertical. The plastic piece at the top gets in the way of anything more than a few inches long. The table also gets in the way of nearly everything. So I took them off. One of the nice things about the grinder is the part of the belt that is not supported by the platen. Using that segment, it kind of wraps around the work piece, allowing very fine smoothing of curves and edges. I took the side plate off because it interferes with using that segment of the belt.

Hi DSN,

No apology necessary, I just wondered and wanted to understand.

Thanks for the information- this is some of what [to me] s the best of TBN- seeing how others have made things work for them, one of the things that is quickly making this one of my favorite threads.

It's so much better to take what you can find at the right price and make it the best thing for your use than it is to keep B-wording- [yes, I mean bellyaching :laughing:] about the awful horrible Chinee and how they are ripping us off.

For me, there is also a decent comfort level to taking a less expensive item and modifying it, rather than buying a really expensive thing and feeling bad that:

1) even after spending a lot of money it still ain't perfect and some things about it are really annoying in the ways you need it to work for you, [or even worse are unsafe.]

and/or

2) you end up having to modify it anyway so that it works the best way possible for you in the things you need it to do.

3) having to listen to your SWMBO when she busts your chops for buying expensive stuff and then having to "fix" it so you can use it the way you want to.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Thomas

 

[PhysAssist]

So, I just saw this:

1 Amp Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit

comp at $279.00 Sale: $129.99
Only $99.99 with coupon 60382274
Add item to cart to redeem coupon.

BY THE WAY it's 10 AMP

After buying the older model on close out for $79.99 [$98.99 on clearance with 20% off coupon]

Would it be worth the extra $20 and tax to get the newer one with a case and a slightly deeper throat?

The reviews on the newer one ARE a lot more glowing than I remember the old ones as being.

Opinions?

BTW, the HF store nearest me are about 30 miles away, but near MD offices we visit every couple of weeks, so the trip is of negligible import.

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[lostcreekranch]

Thomas, if you wanted to get one of the SWAG version 3.0 tables that have miter gauge slots the new BS would work. Only the version 1.0, no miter slots, works on the previous model.

I've mounted my V 1.0 table to my HF band saw and working on a stand for it now. This stand will be 3/4" birch plywood but, want to build another one later with some steel square tubing.





I'd really like a table with miter slots for greater accuracy so, the $99 coupon on the new HF BS is very enticing. If I do succumb and go get it I'd order the Swag V 3.0 and make someone a great deal for the one I have now.

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]

Would it be worth the extra $20 and tax to get the newer one with a case and a slightly deeper throat?

The reviews on the newer one ARE a lot more glowing than I remember the old ones as being.

Opinions?

BTW, the HF store nearest me are about 30 miles away, but near MD offices we visit every couple of weeks, so the trip is of negligible import.

Thanks,
Thomas

Thomas, I love my original (6 amp) version, and it has done everything I've asked. Including zipping through 12 consecutive cuts of solid 1" mild steel rod recently with ease. And that was using a single HF blade that still has lots of life in it. It is truly one of the real HF gems. But, for another $20, I'd sure go ahead and get the newer 10 amp version with the slightly deeper throat and a case. That way you'll never be second guessing yourself. Especially if you plan on transporting it.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thomas, if you wanted to get one of the SWAG version 3.0 tables that have miter gauge slots the new BS would work. Only the version 1.0, no miter slots, works on the previous model.

I've mounted my V 1.0 table to my HF band saw and working on a stand for it now. This stand will be 3/4" birch plywood but, want to build another one later with some steel square tubing.

View attachment 466410

View attachment 466411

I'd really like a table with miter slots for greater accuracy so, the $99 coupon on the new HF BS is very enticing. If I do succumb and go get it I'd order the Swag V 3.0 and make someone a great deal for the one I have now.

Are you sure the HF band saw fits the Swag V3 table. I thought the V3 fit only the newest Milwaukee model and was designed specifically for it. I have one but have never tried any other band saw. I know my older Milwaukee band saw doesn't fit.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Are you sure the HF band saw fits the Swag V3 table. I thought the V3 fit only the newest Milwaukee model and was designed specifically for it. I have one but have never tried any other band saw. I know my older Milwaukee band saw doesn't fit.

SWAG Web Site says it does. See picture #4.

SWAG V3.0 Portaband Table

I believe you are thinking of their version 4.0?

 

[prichard]

Are you sure the HF band saw fits the Swag V3 table. I thought the V3 fit only the newest Milwaukee model and was designed specifically for it. I have one but have never tried any other band saw. I know my older Milwaukee band saw doesn't fit.

Hey now don't go talking him out of upgrading. I'm hoping he'll give me a good deal on his existing setup.