Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[LS Tractor Owner]

Has anyone purchased / used the 4x36 and 6" disc stationary sander? Saw it 'red tagged' for sale at $65. Wondering how it performs as far as tracking and holding tension. Any thoughts? Also wondering about the 15" Bauer planer.

I will be cutting about 6-800 pieces of 3 x 3/8" x 36" long out of old barn lumber. Need to sand or plane the saw kerfs / marks out. It would be nice to have uniform thickness, but not a necessity. I figured the planer could do 4 pieces at a time, speeding up the process. It doesn't have to be perfect, will still be used for a "rustic" look, but I don't want the "rough sawn" look. The pieces will be used for wall planking in a herring bone design. Any other thoughts ?

 

[Rock Crawler]

Has anyone purchased / used the 4x36 and 6" disc stationary sander? Saw it 'red tagged' for sale at $65. Wondering how it performs as far as tracking and holding tension. Any thoughts? Also wondering about the 15" Bauer planer.

I will be cutting about 6-800 pieces of 3 x 3/8" x 36" long out of old barn lumber. Need to sand or plane the saw kerfs / marks out. It would be nice to have uniform thickness, but not a necessity. I figured the planer could do 4 pieces at a time, speeding up the process. It doesn't have to be perfect, will still be for a "rustic" look, but I don't want the "rough sawn look. The pieces will be used for wall planking in a herring bone design. Any other thoughts ?

Planer reviews....

Harbor Freight Bauer Planer Review and Unboxing - YouTube

 

[bcp]

Some have complained that the disc is fully inside the guard, so you can't disc sand something longer than 6 inches.

Bruce

 

[Rock Crawler]

Some have complained that the disc is fully inside the guard, so you can't disc sand something longer than 6 inches.

Bruce

View attachment 580814

Guards are for wimps with 10 fingers. Cut that guard down or tear it clean off and make that tool your biotch.

 

[KubotainNH]

Larry, I just finished your review on YT, good stuff. I'm curious about the chucks on both drills. One thing I do not like on my C3 is the chuck, my 12v Milwaukee has a ratcheting chuck which I really like. You can torque that one down for no slippage. It is nice to see the all steel Jacobs on the HF unit. I like the battery release on both units, my C3 set is a bit tougher as you need a wide grip to squeeze the release buttons. I don't think the ladies in my house could get the battery off my C3 tools. Just a couple thoughts.

 

[dragoneggs]

Guards are for wimps with 10 fingers. Cut that guard down or tear it clean off and make that tool your biotch.

I was going to say, take a grinder to your grinder, but RC said it better.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Has anyone purchased / used the 4x36 and 6" disc stationary sander? Saw it 'red tagged' for sale at $65. Wondering how it performs as far as tracking and holding tension. Any thoughts? Also wondering about the 15" Bauer planer.

I will be cutting about 6-800 pieces of 3 x 3/8" x 36" long out of old barn lumber. Need to sand or plane the saw kerfs / marks out. It would be nice to have uniform thickness, but not a necessity. I figured the planer could do 4 pieces at a time, speeding up the process. It doesn't have to be perfect, will still be used for a "rustic" look, but I don't want the "rough sawn" look. The pieces will be used for wall planking in a herring bone design. Any other thoughts ?

I bought the HF 12" disc sander about 5-6 years ago. It's very well balanced and has plenty of power.

12" Benchtop Disc Sander

When I got mine it was about $129 and got to use a 20% coupon on it.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I bought the HF 12" disc sander about 5-6 years ago. It's very well balanced and has plenty of power.

12" Benchtop Disc Sander

When I got mine it was about $129 and got to use a 20% coupon on it.

Yeah, saw this too. I was looking closer at the belt sander and was wondering if that stop block /guard bolted on or was permanently attached. It would definitely have to come off

 

[lexluther]

The HFT catalog came yesterday comparing their 11 amp Hercules 4.5 inch paddle switch grinder to a deWalt with the exact same specs... and the exact same price... why would they do this? If the price is the same, why not get the dewalt? If.

It by the specs or price, why would you buy HFT over Dewalt?

I am so confused

 

[Rock Crawler]

There is socialize that HF is starting to advertise in such a way as to suggest to the customer that they are no longer a lower class of tool compared to the retail box store offerings, but an equal or even a step up from....

There has been mention in some YouTube reviews that HF tests advertising, tests name changed, test pricing and closely monitors what the test samples get in response. Based on the test results they adjust and evolve, always watching and calculating.

So this may be another test sample. Or the test sample may be behind us and they are starting to make more of these claims that state that a HF product is neck and neck with the likes of DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Ridgid and others. Heck... Maybe HF actually believes it?