Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Diggin It]

Had about $550 or so in my cart based on 'normal' prices. After coupons and discounts and the Settlement GCs, I ended up putting only a $129 dent in my CC.

 

[dragoneggs]

Had about $550 or so in my cart based on 'normal' prices. After coupons and discounts and the Settlement GCs, I ended up putting only a $129 dent in my CC.

I'm thinking I must have ignored the HF class action thing 'cause nothing showing up in my mailbox! I was getting excited for awhile :smiley_aafz:

 

[Rock Crawler]

A couple questions for you folks.

I am into these for a few dollars off of $200, lets round to $200 to make it easy.

I bought that drill yesterday, the Hercules but not the Hercules Hammer Drill. I have seen it suggested that when you have two identical drills in a family and one is a hammer and one is not, that there is a potential that the hammer version has bigger bearings, larger rotor shaft and heavier duty nose assembly parts hiding inside to be able to withstand the hammer mode. So, the suggestion from this supposition was that if the price was similar enough, a person should buy the hammer version even if they never use it, just because they might well be buying a better built drill.

Next.... Saturday I bought that Hercules mini impact (I am amazed!) and yesterday (Monday) I grabbed the drill. Am I being a fool? Should I return them, take the $200 and go to Home Depot and buy the lifetime warranty Ridgid brand?

I really think I should return the 2 HF Hercules items, toss a couple beers worth of additional money at this (Add $80 or so) and get this crazy kit with brushless tools and 4.0 MAH packs. The only down side is that adding batteries is big $$ compared to the HF batteries.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-5-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-1-4-0-Ah-Battery-1-2-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Bag-R9633SBN/305658534

Or add no money and go this way.... Remember that Lifetime Warranty?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-Hammer-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-2-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-2-4-0Ah-Batteries-Charger-R9205/206127587

Help! I am an insane person and I am going crazy!

 

[4get gto]

A couple questions for you folks.

I am into these for a few dollars off of $200, lets round to $200 to make it easy.

I bought that drill yesterday, the Hercules but not the Hercules Hammer Drill. I have seen it suggested that when you have two identical drills in a family and one is a hammer and one is not, that there is a potential that the hammer version has bigger bearings, larger rotor shaft and heavier duty nose assembly parts hiding inside to be able to withstand the hammer mode. So, the suggestion from this supposition was that if the price was similar enough, a person should buy the hammer version even if they never use it, just because they might well be buying a better built drill.

Next.... Saturday I bought that Hercules mini impact (I am amazed!) and yesterday (Monday) I grabbed the drill. Am I being a fool? Should I return them, take the $200 and go to Home Depot and buy the lifetime warranty Ridgid brand?

I really think I should return the 2 HF Hercules items, toss a couple beers worth of additional money at this (Add $80 or so) and get this crazy kit with brushless tools and 4.0 MAH packs. The only down side is that adding batteries is big $$ compared to the HF batteries.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-5-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-1-4-0-Ah-Battery-1-2-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Bag-R9633SBN/305658534

Or add no money and go this way.... Remember that Lifetime Warranty?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-Hammer-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-2-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-2-4-0Ah-Batteries-Charger-R9205/206127587

Help! I am an insane person and I am going crazy!

Here I thought you were going to be our go to guy when it comes to Hercules .. As to the hammer drill combo versus the regular drill I'd just go with the hammer version. Though it could be a bit heavier. Little more money but best of both worlds.

I know how you feel when it comes to buying "a tool" to a name brand tool for a little or more money. Guess what it comes down to is that a little more money is alot to next guy.

 

[Diggin It]

And here I though people had decided there were really only a couple of tool manufacturers making them under a wide variety of names and colors. Sort of like tractors.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Here I thought you were going to be our go to guy when it comes to Hercules .. As to the hammer drill combo versus the regular drill I'd just go with the hammer version. Though it could be a bit heavier. Little more money but best of both worlds.

I know how you feel when it comes to buying "a tool" to a name brand tool for a little or more money. Guess what it comes down to is that a little more money is alot to next guy.

I'm really torn. Have you watched the AvE Boltr tear down and testing in the Hercules. In the words of AvE.... They don't chooch.... His slang term for work.

I watched that at 4am this morning and he shows that the battery ratings are flat out lies, the mosfets have essentially zero hear sink, the motor has only 2 brushes and the brushes are of a very soft material and he's guessing maybe 100 life span at the top versus many others with better brushes will go to about 300 hours before the brushes are dead.

I wish he did a Ridgid tear down to compare, I like that he's an engineer in real life and doesn't speculate much. He knows what he's looking at and talking about, much unlike many of the YouTube people doing similar reviews that are worthless.

I know that Ridgid is also a cheap made tool... What I'm trying to learn is... Is Ridgid above or below the Hercules tool in the food chain.

BOLTR: Dirty Secrets of Harbor Freight HERCULES | Better than DeWALT? - YouTube

 

[PJSprog]

I'm thinking I must have ignored the HF class action thing 'cause nothing showing up in my mailbox! I was getting excited for awhile :smiley_aafz:

I distinctly remember ignoring it. My thought at the time was, "Who thinks they're getting top notch stuff at rock bottom prices from HF? There is no great mystery around the 'compare to' pricing." I shook my head and chucked it into the trash can.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I distinctly remember ignoring it. My thought at the time was, "Who thinks they're getting top notch stuff at rock bottom prices from HF? There is no great mystery around the 'compare to' pricing." I shook my head and chucked it into the trash can.

Over the last few yrs, I have gotten several notifications that i was in a class action lawsuit. I have never seen a penny from them.

 

[Michael Aos]

I bought the 44" black tool cabinet ($407.99 w/coupon - I see it's now $399.99 for Black Friday) and black end cabinet ($169.99 w/coupon).

I haven't opened the tool cabinet yet. Despite the box looking fine, the end cabinet has a pretty good ding in the bottom corner. It's tweaked enough that the bottom drawer doesn't hit the detent like the others. I think I'll just live with it.

 

[tjkubota93]

A couple questions for you folks.

I am into these for a few dollars off of $200, lets round to $200 to make it easy.

I bought that drill yesterday, the Hercules but not the Hercules Hammer Drill. I have seen it suggested that when you have two identical drills in a family and one is a hammer and one is not, that there is a potential that the hammer version has bigger bearings, larger rotor shaft and heavier duty nose assembly parts hiding inside to be able to withstand the hammer mode. So, the suggestion from this supposition was that if the price was similar enough, a person should buy the hammer version even if they never use it, just because they might well be buying a better built drill.

Next.... Saturday I bought that Hercules mini impact (I am amazed!) and yesterday (Monday) I grabbed the drill. Am I being a fool? Should I return them, take the $200 and go to Home Depot and buy the lifetime warranty Ridgid brand?

I really think I should return the 2 HF Hercules items, toss a couple beers worth of additional money at this (Add $80 or so) and get this crazy kit with brushless tools and 4.0 MAH packs. The only down side is that adding batteries is big $$ compared to the HF batteries.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-5-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-1-4-0-Ah-Battery-1-2-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Bag-R9633SBN/305658534

Or add no money and go this way.... Remember that Lifetime Warranty?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-Hammer-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-2-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-2-4-0Ah-Batteries-Charger-R9205/206127587

Help! I am an insane person and I am going crazy!

I have Milwaukee because I didn't do my research. I needed a new drill that day, so I got what I knew. I should have got ridgid with the better warranty.

Either way I would NOT buy ANYTHING these days that's not brushless. Anything that isn't brushless is outdated. The performance and battery life is much better.

 

[Michael Aos]

I bought into the Dewalt 20V system a few years ago.

Even if I hadn't, my impression is the cordless Hercules tools just aren't less expensive enough to choose over the existing name brands.
--

I have Milwaukee because I didn't do my research. I needed a new drill that day, so I got what I knew. I should have got ridgid with the better warranty.

Either way I would NOT buy ANYTHING these days that's not brushless. Anything that isn't brushless is outdated. The performance and battery life is much better.

 

[bigtiller]

I have a Ridged drill, impact driver and sawzall with 2 amp/hr batteries. The batteries have to be removed from all 3 tools or else they will drain down. The chuck on the drill can't clamp down tight enough to drill any size hole in steel. The 2 amp/hr battery in the sawzall shuts down the second that I put a little weight on the saw when cutting anything.

I wouldn't trade Hercules for Ridged.

Jump up to brushless, they are worth it. Makita, Dewalt or Milwaukee with 3 amp/hr batteries are very good.

 

[California]

Just a hunch but I think Ridgid power tools from Home Depot may have the same internals as Home Depot's house brand, Ryobi.

 

[KubotainNH]

I really think I should return the 2 HF Hercules items, toss a couple beers worth of additional money at this (Add $80 or so) and get this crazy kit with brushless tools and 4.0 MAH packs. The only down side is that adding batteries is big $$ compared to the HF batteries.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-5-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-1-4-0-Ah-Battery-1-2-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Bag-R9633SBN/305658534


Help! I am an insane person and I am going crazy!

Dang, that Ridgid set is pretty nice and quite a lot of lifetime guaranteed tools for the price. I love having a cordless angle grinder with a quick disconnect shield. As for hammer drill, personally I've never ruined a regular drill and would prefer the lighter weight which is often why I grab my small impact driver. On the drills the batteries and chuck always seem to wear out first and this one lists metal gears. I would check and see which one has a better chuck but lifetime guarantee..... My vote is bring the others back and buy the Ridgid set, you can be our AvE.

 

[dragoneggs]

I bought into the Dewalt 20V system a few years ago.

Even if I hadn't, my impression is the cordless Hercules tools just aren't less expensive enough to choose over the existing name brands.
--

I did the same and now have a nice collection of yellow tools. Have been eyeing the brushless versions but I don't NEED them so hard to justify.

I guess I were you Rock, I wouldn't take the risk on HF for a fleet of tools. Having a couple batteries (same name brand) for your collection is by far the best way. Otherwise you will be need multiple chargers, and portability goes in the toilet.

 

[newbury]

I bought into the Dewalt 20V system a few years ago.

Even if I hadn't, my impression is the cordless Hercules tools just aren't less expensive enough to choose over the existing name brands.
--

I did the same and now have a nice collection of yellow tools. Have been eyeing the brushless versions but I don't NEED them so hard to justify.

I guess I were you Rock, I wouldn't take the risk on HF for a fleet of tools. Having a couple batteries (same name brand) for your collection is by far the best way. Otherwise you will be need multiple chargers, and portability goes in the toilet.

I'm also heavily invested in the Dewalt 20V max and getting into the DeWalt 60V Flexvolt.

But I have "dabbled" in the Lynxx line and have put about 6 full battery chargings on my polesaw and chainsaw. So far very good, but definitely no Dewalt, either in fit/finish or cost.

And as I age I find that two of the DeWalt 5AH batteries for the 20V systems will last me as long as I want to work.

 

[Oaktree]

Coupon Code 49491843
ALL LYNXX ITEMS

That sure sounds to me like all Lynxx branded items...

Turns out it did. Got myself a spare battery for my pole saw 15% off. And a free tape measure.:thumbsup:

I distinctly remember ignoring it. My thought at the time was, "Who thinks they're getting top notch stuff at rock bottom prices from HF? There is no great mystery around the 'compare to' pricing." I shook my head and chucked it into the trash can.

Same here, for the same reason.

Either way I would NOT buy ANYTHING these days that's not brushless. Anything that isn't brushless is outdated. The performance and battery life is much better.

Curiously, what makes brushless that much better?

 

[300UGUY]

I have the dewalt 20v drill and impact set. I am a bit leery of ridgid tools. I had a ridgid shop vac, it died very early, I was never able to get it repaired. I would rather have the replacement warranty that hf has.

 

[Diggin It]

I'm thinking I must have ignored the HF class action thing 'cause nothing showing up in my mailbox! I was getting excited for awhile :smiley_aafz:

I distinctly remember ignoring it. My thought at the time was, "Who thinks they're getting top notch stuff at rock bottom prices from HF? There is no great mystery around the 'compare to' pricing." I shook my head and chucked it into the trash can.

Same here, for the same reason.

When somebody offers me free money, I take it.

 

[tjkubota93]

Turns out it did. Got myself a spare battery for my pole saw 15% off. And a free tape measure.




Same here, for the same reason.




Curiously, what makes brushless that much better?

It is more efficient and powerful vs equivalent brushed

It has very strong permanent magnets on the armature and the phase of the field windings is rotated to vary direction and speed.