Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[hunt4570]

HA! That's pretty funny. The correct price is $299, but I don't think I would buy the HF copy on this to save $80 compared to a respectable brand name.

And I wouldn't buy one of those little table saws.. had one once years ago when its all I could afford, pain in the butt and unstable. But I don't need a "mobile" saw either..

 

[lostcreekranch]

And I wouldn't buy one of those little table saws.. had one once years ago when its all I could afford, pain in the butt and unstable. But I don't need a "mobile" saw either..

You can say that again! Oh .... wait ..... you already did.

 

[5030]

HA! That's pretty funny. The correct price is $299, but I don't think I would buy the HF copy on this to save $80 compared to a respectable brand name.

I bought one from Lowes about 10 years a ago, Black and Decker with a stand and I've run the bags out of it, no issue. It was in their 'tool' department as a display model and was missing the angle fence and I weedled the manager into selling it to me for $100 bucks. Hard to pass that up. Been flawless. Cut a ton of dimensional lumber and HDPE plastic sheet on it. Interestingly, the B&D model is EXACTLY the same as the HF model. Bet both were made in the same offshore factory. Some interesting you tube video's out there as to where they are made and what companies own various brands.

 

[5030]

I'm sold on the Bauer 20 volt Li-Ion cordless tools.

I've had 3 DeWalt cordless drills now. I found the 'smoke in 2 and my 3rd one is getting a bit long in the tooth. I expect it to expire shortly The DeWalt XR battery packs are stupid expensive and they expire regularly as well.

99 bucks for the XR packs and the DeWalt drills are about 159 bucks.

Bought the Bauer 20 volt drill for 79 bucks and an extra 3AH pack for $39.00 runs like a top and will replace the DeWalt when I 'find the smoke' which should be soon. Dewalt will go to the landfill and I'll give the good packs and charger to someone.

Turned around and bought the Bauer 3/8" cordless impact (79 bucks) and the Bauer cordless 4 1/2" angle grinder (39 bucks) as well.

I took the angle grinder apart to see just what 39 bucks bought me. Wasn't expecting much but I was very pleasantly surprised. The business end (gear case) has machined gears running in needle bearings with plenty of synthetic grease inside. Machining is first rate with roller thrust bearings too. The motor end is very robust and even has removable and cleanable screens to protect the motor from abrasive dust. I'm impressed for 39 bucks.

In my opinion, HF has a winner with the Bauer line. Their dedicated charger charges the 3AH packs in less than an houe from dead flat and unlike the DeWalt packs, the HF packs have an LED 'fuel gauge' on them, just like the Milwaukee packs do.

 

[Oaktree]

And I wouldn't buy one of those little table saws.. had one once years ago when its all I could afford, pain in the butt and unstable. But I don't need a "mobile" saw either..

I have one of those small table saws, a Makita. It came with my wife. Yeah, it's kind of cheap feeling, but I'm surprised how handy it comes in for projects away from home. Doesn't compare to a "real" table saw, but they have their place.

unlike the DeWalt packs, the HF packs have an LED 'fuel gauge' on them, just like the Milwaukee packs do.

I wish more cordless tool battery packs had that feature. HF's 40v Lynx batteries have it too.

Curiously, are HF's batteries compatible with any others? I'm thinking down the road a ways when the batteries fail, and HF may or may not stock batteries for older tools. Name brands can usually be found aftermarket, but house brands not so much.

 

[California]

About 2015 I went to buy HF's $129 table saw but then discovered Lowe's (or maybe HD?) had the identical saw for the same price but including the legs that were a $20 option at HF. I bought the Lowes version. It has Skil trademark and colors, otherwise identical. It has served me well, no complaints. Well worth the price.

I later added HF's dust collection 'diaper', and recommend that addition.

 

[BukitCase]

"But I don't need a "mobile" saw either.."

Whadday mean? My PM66 is portable/mobile - all you need is a couple good lifting straps and a FEL ... Steve

Or for just "mobile" it has locking casters

 

[5030]

I have one of those small table saws, a Makita. It came with my wife. Yeah, it's kind of cheap feeling, but I'm surprised how handy it comes in for projects away from home. Doesn't compare to a "real" table saw, but they have their place.

Don't let your wife read that comment, she might take it wrong.....



I wish more cordless tool battery packs had that feature. HF's 40v Lynx batteries have it too.

Curiously, are HF's batteries compatible with any others? I'm thinking down the road a ways when the batteries fail, and HF may or may not stock batteries for older tools. Name brands can usually be found aftermarket, but house brands not so much.

Don't know. I do know that there is ni interchange between tools, manufacturers and batteries and that could be an issue down the road.

I do know I have one if their 'Drill Master' 12 volt NiCad circular saws they don't sell anymore but all the 'Drill Master' batteries that they still sell for the drills, still fit. It's a dandy little cheap saw. I take it up to our property in the spring when I work on the deer blinds. Guess when it expires, I get the Bauer 20 volt circular saw. So far (5 years), so good.

 

[Diggin It]

the HF packs have an LED 'fuel gauge' on them,

I wish more cordless tool battery packs had that feature. HF's 40v Lynx batteries have it too.

The bigger Ryobi batteries have them, but not the smallest ones.

 

[Alan W.]

Since we are talking about batteries. My cheap free thunderbolt batteries leaked in my cheap free flashlight.
I replaced them about a month ago.
Gotta be a lawsuit somewhere here. I am feeling jilted.