Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[dragoneggs]

I will never buy another NiCad battery powered tool ever. If you want to save money get a Ryobi lithium 18v. If you want something that will last decades get a Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, Fein etc 18V Lithium. For something to be used occasionally and mostly just around the house, the 12v lithium tools from Ryobi, Makita, Bosch are really very good.

IT, just curious if you have an aversion to a 20v system? I went hog wild and upgraded my aging cord and 12v cordless tools with a bunch of the Dewalt 20v and am happier than a clam in sand.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Just picked up one of these today.. For $99 after coupon, I figured I couldn't go too wrong..



1 Amp Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit

 

[IslandTractor]

IT, just curious if you have an aversion to a 20v system? I went hog wild and upgraded my aging cord and 12v cordless tools with a bunch of the Dewalt 20v and am happier than a clam in sand.

I've never looked carefully at the Dewalt 20v system but I recall they had trouble with batteries on introduction which I assume they have fixed.

To be honest, I think the 20v systems are just marketing ploys to give a leg up in sales and that a 10% increase in voltage doesn't matter nearly as much as battery amp/hrs functionally compared to 18v systems. My Makita 18v impact wrench (not driver) can already tear the tool from my grip, what would 20v be useful for? On the other hand, the 18v lithium batteries now come in light 2Ah, standard 3Ah, and bigger 4Ah, 5Ah and even 6Ah sizes which would be very helpful to someone using a battery powered tool for long periods. I've been happy with the 3Ah but I can see that a pro carpenter might well want more life from a single battery. For my purposes (non pro obviously) the two 3Ah batteries that came with my kit and recharge in about 30 min are more than adequate. Indeed, I've thought about getting an extra 2Ah battery just because it is lighter.

I also own an older Ryobi 18v system that was amazingly rejuvenated after I replaced the NiMh batteries with lithium. It is perfectly adequate though clearly not at the same level as the Dewalt, Makita, Bosch tools. I might not have even bought the Makita had I replaced the Ryobi batteries first.

My favorite go to tool for stuff around the house is the little 12v Bosch impact driver and drill set Bosch CLPK22-12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion 2-Tool Combo Kit (Drill/Driver and Impact Driver) with 2 Batteries, Charger and Case - Power Hammer Drills - Amazon.com . I wouldn't want to build a house with the little 12v system but its small size and power to drive a 2 inch screw without complaint makes it more than adequate for household maintenance and much more convenient. Try getting a big 18v driver inside an appliance to remove/replace 1/4" sheet metal screws. I keep the palm sized 12v in the basement and cannot recall the last time I went to the garage to get an 18v tool for a house chore.

 

[ericm979]

Just picked up one of these today.. For $99 after coupon, I figured I couldn't go too wrong..

View attachment 501018

1 Amp Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit

What is that used for?

 

[IslandTractor]

What is that used for?

Excellent for cutting steel in the field or in a non specialized workshop. Can be attached to a small bench to make a precision metal band saw. Very useful for cutting pipe which is what they were developed to do.

 

[94BULLITT]

Just picked up one of these today.. For $99 after coupon, I figured I couldn't go too wrong..

View attachment 501018

1 Amp Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit

Now you need to make a table for it like swag offroad sells. My portaband with the table is one of my most used metal fabricating toola.

 

[IslandTractor]

Now you need to make a table for it like swag offroad sells. My portaband with the table is one of my most used metal fabricating toola.

Or, he can just buy one of the Swag tables. I have one for my Milwaukee portaband and it, with a miter gauge, is a very useful addition. Not quite the same as what you'd find in a dedicated metalworking shop but WAY more useful than just a hacksaw or chopsaw. SWAG Portaband Tables

 

[94BULLITT]

Or, he can just buy one of the Swag tables. I have one for my Milwaukee portaband and it, with a miter gauge, is a very useful addition. Not quite the same as what you'd find in a dedicated metalworking shop but WAY more useful than just a hacksaw or chopsaw. SWAG Portaband Tables

You can make your own for under $30.

 

[IslandTractor]

You can make your own for under $30.

If you have precision bending, cutting and drilling tools. I'm sure a simple version could be put together but fabricating a precision table with miter gauge slot is not an afternoon project. I think the simple SWAG table that clamps into a vise only costs about $50 and the versions that include legs and the miter gauge slot go for about $130 or so. Still pretty cheap money compared to what a real metal bandsaw costs. SWAG does a nice job with CAD designed and laser or water metal cutting systems. They seem to specialize in upgrades to HF products too so anyone who does metal working with HF tools should be aware of SWAGoffroad.com.

 

[TheMan419]

Ditto. NiCad is obsolete, and nothing more than a frustration-maker. I don't know why HF still uses it.

Ryobi is the natural step up from HF into competent 18 volt tools for DIY, farm etc. Quite usable but not in the expensive, powerful category a pro would use daily.

Ryobi is "Good enough for the girls I go with." as an old Carpenter buddy used to say. I wouldn't buy anything cheaper.

Well I paid like $14 for the tool, battery and charger. The cheapest I can find the Ryobi is $30 but that does not include a battery. Seeing as I needed something on Sunday I bought the HF tool. If it fails quickly meh. Then I likely will upgrade to something better/longer lasting.

My only real complaint about NiCad batteries is their longer charging time. Charging in a half hour would be nice. I could get up on Saturday. Realize I forgot to charge the tool, start it charging and by the time coffee and breakfast were done be ready to rock and roll.

In any event the tool came with a charged battery. So it ran through what I needed it to do on Sunday. It will now be charged for continuing to work tonight after my day job.

We just built a horse barn. Stalls were put up by pros. However, the stall latches they used a junk so I am replacing those, hanging corner feeders, bucket hooks etc. Also using an old corded drill I have for pre drill holes when needed so I do not have to switch bits all the time.

 

[Ford850]

18v vs 20v... there is no difference. It's pure marketing. Each cell has a "normal" rating of 3.6 volts, and a "maximum" rating of 4 volts. There are 5 cells, so some manufacturers label them according to the normal voltage while others label them according to the maximum voltage.

 

[California]

I paid $14 for the tool, battery and charger. Seeing as I needed something on Sunday I bought the HF tool. If it fails quickly meh.

And that's the perfect description of what HF is good for: A short term project and if the tool then fails, not much lost.

My recent experience with the 4" belt sander fits this model. The bag failed immediately but I finished my project (sanding a deck). Then I took it back for refund so its use cost nothing.

This 'buy it for one project' model is what distinguishes HF from traditional tool sources.

Yes I know they also sell a lot of stuff that is near or at pro grade but just having base-level, marginally useful stuff in the store that may or may not work as claimed is what is unique.

 

[IslandTractor]

....
This 'buy it for one project' model is what distinguishes HF from traditional tool sources.

Yes I know they also sell a lot of stuff that is near or at pro grade but just having base-level, marginally useful stuff in the store that may or may not work as claimed is what is unique.

I have to disagree slightly. They sell " a few items" that are near or at pro level. I'd argue that precisely none of their metalworking tools are at or near pro level and none of their battery powered hand tools are anywhere close to even Ryobi much less DeWalt, Makita etc.

What they do very well, as you indicated, is make tools that are "just good enough" for an average homeowner to get at least one project done. If they fail during the project you get a refund or replacement. Anything after that is gravy. I figure if a tool saves me even one hour of a hired journeyman's time then the tool is probably going to save me money. The important rule that must be followed to make this strategy work however is to buy the HF tool literally just before you start your project, otherwise the 30 day warranty period will have expired before the tool does. Been there and made that mistake.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Now you need to make a table for it like swag offroad sells. My portaband with the table is one of my most used metal fabricating toola.

Or, he can just buy one of the Swag tables. I have one for my Milwaukee portaband and it, with a miter gauge, is a very useful addition. Not quite the same as what you'd find in a dedicated metalworking shop but WAY more useful than just a hacksaw or chopsaw. SWAG Portaband Tables

Which one would you recommend? I do a lot of field work so dont wanna spend the cash on the portable and a 'real' band saw, so the SWAG tables seem like a nice alternative..

I do kinda like the portable aspect of the vise clamped one, but worry about stability.

 

[IslandTractor]

I own the Swag version 4 table which I think fits only my specific Milwaukee Portaband. I haven't tried the other more generic versions of the Swag table but I can 1) vouch for Swag generally as I have other products of theirs which are all excellent quality and value and 2) unless you are a skilled metalworker with access to pro tools I don't think you could do better than Swag does. They use highly automated precision manufacturing methods and are all made in the USA. 3) I'd say that the cheap vise model would provide maybe 75% of the functionality of the more expensive versions so long as you are cutting freehand and don't need a miter gauge (ie are not cutting angles). The stability would depend mostly on how stable your vise and table are.

I think they specify in their webpage which models fit the HF portabands. I think version 3 is probably the one.

If you are using the table/portaband for "serious" work, it is worthwhile getting the INCRA miter gauge (better than anything I could find at HF or box store). The pedal switch they offer for $30 is very useful too but it is literally sourced from HF and as I recall I bought mine at HF with a coupon and saved about $10-15.

 

[lostcreekranch]

You'll want to use some blade lube as well, really improves cutting.

Olson Saw Ac7 Saw Blade Lubricant Stick Stone for Band Saw Blades | eBay

+1 on the Milwaukee portable band saw, Swag Table, and Indra miter gage. I also have the original HF shallow thrust bs and the low end Swag table. I determined early on that the miter gage feature would be handy and got an excellent deal on the Milwaukee BS.

Also have the HF foot switch.

 

[TheMan419]

I have to disagree slightly. They sell " a few items" that are near or at pro level. I'd argue that precisely none of their metalworking tools are at or near pro level and none of their battery powered hand tools are anywhere close to even Ryobi much less DeWalt, Makita etc.

What they do very well, as you indicated, is make tools that are "just good enough" for an average homeowner to get at least one project done. If they fail during the project you get a refund or replacement. Anything after that is gravy. I figure if a tool saves me even one hour of a hired journeyman's time then the tool is probably going to save me money. The important rule that must be followed to make this strategy work however is to buy the HF tool literally just before you start your project, otherwise the 30 day warranty period will have expired before the tool does. Been there and made that mistake.

Yeah we will see with this drill. I am going to use it heavily (meaning several hours a day on Sat and Sun) for a few weekends. I'll probably be outside the 30 day window. However for $12 I don't really care. Once I have abused it, if it fails I will likely go spend $40 or so on a better brand that will then be used not so much and last.

My last drill was Black and Decker. It lasted 8 years. It is the batteries that failed. New batteries for it were more than a new drill. So into the bin it goes.

Back to the HF drill.... it has more than enough torque for what I am doing so that is what matters. Drives screws through PT lumber, drove some bolts into 4x4 posts to hold gate latches and so forth.

 

[JRobyn]

I have owned maybe 6 or 8 of the 18v ni-cad HF drills over the years, going back to the blue ones. I love 'em. They do have the ni-cad limitations, but they are CHEAP and mostly functional. The only problems I have had are with the batteries going out (expected), or lately, a number of the chargers have quit. Evidently a weak design in the charge regulating circuit. But if the chargers go bad, it's usually in the first use. I have ruined more than one battery by inadvertently overcharging. They like 5 hrs max. I've occasionally left them on charge for DAYS. Now I use a little plug-in timer.

 

[Travelover]

............... The important rule that must be followed to make this strategy work however is to buy the HF tool literally just before you start your project, otherwise the 30 day warranty period will have expired before the tool does. Been there and made that mistake.

Hypothetically and not that I'd ever do it, but if the tool pukes out of warranty, you can just buy another one of the same model number, stick the dead one in the box and take it back for a refund.

 

[PJSprog]

Hypothetically and not that I'd ever do it, but if the tool pukes out of warranty, you can just buy another one of the same model number, stick the dead one in the box and take it back for a refund.

"Hypothetically," yes ... a dishonest person certainly could do that.