Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

I just started using the $35 Hercules 4.5" 7-amp small angle grinder. Liking it so far.
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Have you used another grinder you can compare it to?


Those look useful but I think a paddle switch is handier.

 

[sixdogs]

How do they stand up? Never tried the HF ones, but I've had several from HD or Lowes with plastic headbands, I'd be lucky to get a summer out of them. Now maybe I've just got a big head, but those always broke in half after a few uses. Finally broke down and got an American-made set at a real tool store with a spring steel band...8 years and still like new.
I suppose the HF cheapies are good to keep in the truck for emergencies as someone else mentioned, but I wouldn't want 'em for my only pair.

The best ones I've ever used that lasted the longest were either lower cost ($15) earmuffs for target shooters or the ones sold for woodcutters like Stihl or Dolmar brand ($25). I've had some of each for 15 years now and they look like new. HF cheapies are in the truck just in case I ever forget the real ones.

I'll add the cheapie HF ones will fit sideways on my head so I can wear a big straw hat while mowing in the sun. Those are the only ones that seem to fit sideways with a big hat. The others slip down and the earpieces don't fit well enough when turned sideways.

 

[dragoneggs]

I just started using the $35 Hercules 4.5" 7-amp small angle grinder. Liking it so far.
--

Have you used another grinder you can compare it to?


Those look useful but I think a paddle switch is handier.

wondering the same... I have three of the HF cheapo's and I do baby them (don't lean on them) and they are holding up. They sound ugly but better after I packed the heads with grease. Too bad it isn't a paddle. It's looks like the cheapo's in another color. I suppose 7amps is better than my 4.3amp, but I can buy 3 for price of the 'expensive' Hercules! :laughing:

 

[RippySkippy]

I'm kicking around picking up a blast cabinet purchase from HF. I've seen many videos detailing mods to make it better, but I am wondering where it rates on the suck-o-meter here? It will be for hobby/light shop use only not for production or professional production output.

One thing that keeps coming up is to get a "better" blast gun. What does that mean? Looking online from Amazon to eBay to Eastwood, there's many types of guns, but my zero knowledge has no idea what to look for/at.

TIA!

 

[dragoneggs]

I'm kicking around picking up a blast cabinet purchase from HF. I've seen many videos detailing mods to make it better, but I am wondering where it rates on the suck-o-meter here? It will be for hobby/light shop use only not for production or professional production output.

One thing that keeps coming up is to get a "better" blast gun. What does that mean? Looking online from Amazon to eBay to Eastwood, there's many types of guns, but my zero knowledge has no idea what to look for/at.

TIA!

I have the floor standing one. Made a few mods with parts from the Tacoma Company. It is kind of sucky until you make the mods and it makes it a production machine. Some mods you can do yourself but his gun/foot pedal/feed system is far superior. Never had an issue.

Several You Tube videos detail the mods. I suggest you call Mike at (509)732-6286 and talk to him about your needs and options. Best mod was to get rid of the media pick up tube convert the gun to a gravity feed and add a foot pedal. Also you MUST scrap the included light and install bright Floods. Mike will explain more than you want to know and is very patient with you. Don't email... call. Be prepared to put a couple times more $$$ in mods than your $150 original purchase. Worth it if you really want trouble free operation. I will take a picture or two and show you what I did. The Tacoma company gun is designed such that it works more like a pencil than a pistol. The media and the air come together more in line than perpendicular if you follow me.

 

[PhysAssist]

How do they stand up? Never tried the HF ones, but I've had several from HD or Lowes with plastic headbands, I'd be lucky to get a summer out of them. Now maybe I've just got a big head, but those always broke in half after a few uses. Finally broke down and got an American-made set at a real tool store with a spring steel band...8 years and still like new.
I suppose the HF cheapies are good to keep in the truck for emergencies as someone else mentioned, but I wouldn't want 'em for my only pair.

I don't really know yet because my B-day was just in May, and I only finally got them a month or so later- but so far they have been good, and they do seem well built- for the price [I think I paid 7 or 8 bucks] and improved hearing protection, I'll buy a pair a year if'n I have to, though I'm cheap, so I prefer not to.

 

[California]

No problems here with the red or yellow hearing protector earmuffs. Red fits better over a floppy-brim hat, yellow protects better. (more quiet inside).

Neither has broken in some 50~100 hours use each.

 

[PhysAssist]

wondering the same... I have three of the HF cheapo's and I do baby them (don't lean on them) and they are holding up. They sound ugly but better after I packed the heads with grease. Too bad it isn't a paddle. It's looks like the cheapo's in another color. I suppose 7amps is better than my 4.3amp, but I can buy 3 for price of the 'expensive' Hercules! :laughing:

Am I the only person here who doesn't like the paddle switch on grinders?

I also don't like the linear on/off ones that are on the cheapest HF grinders.

The ones I like are like the one on the Hercules:

They push up, and then tilt to lock on, and once I got a couple of those from Hitachi, I felt spoiled by how easily they turn on and off- I always have trouble getting the paddle to just lay down- I have to fiddle with that little toggle thing in the middle of it to get it to turn on, but of course it turns off easily.

This comes from this review site: Hitachi G12SR3 Grinder Review | Pro Tool Reviews

The grinder is activated by a side-mounted thumb switch that we found easy to use, though not as easy as some Dewalt paddle switches we致e seen. Pushing the switch all the way up automatically locks it in place and allows extended use of the tool without having to keep the switch physically depressed.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Am I the only person here who doesn't like the paddle switch on grinders?

I also don't like the linear on/off ones that are on the cheapest HF grinders.

The ones I like are like the one on the Hercules:

They push up, and then tilt to lock on, and once I got a couple of those from Hitachi, I felt spoiled by how easily they turn on and off- I always have trouble getting the paddle to just lay down- I have to fiddle with that little toggle thing in the middle of it to get it to turn on, but of course it turns off easily.

This comes from this review site: Hitachi G12SR3 Grinder Review | Pro Tool Reviews

The grinder is activated by a side-mounted thumb switch that we found easy to use, though not as easy as some Dewalt paddle switches we致e seen. Pushing the switch all the way up automatically locks it in place and allows extended use of the tool without having to keep the switch physically depressed.

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You're not alone PA. I care thee not for paddle switches on tools. I have a Dewalt with grinder wheel and a Makita with the thin cutoff disc and neither with paddle switch.

 

[Midniteoyl]

You're not alone PA. I care thee not for paddle switches on tools. I have a Dewalt with grinder wheel and a Makita with the thin cutoff disc and neither with paddle switch.

I like the paddle switches for when working above my head. Last time I was grinding on my back under a trailer with out one, I dropped it and it landed 3 inches from my ear running like a scolded ape with the slide trigger locked on.