Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Diggin It]

Does anyone have a HF sliding compound miter saw? My old craftsman I think has given up the ghost. I don’t use a miter saw much any more but I have a cabin to trim and don’t want to spend a fortune on a tool I will not use often.

I have a 20+ year old Delta that is having fits. I've been considering replacing it, but I just don't use one that much any more to where I need much detail. It's been relegating to cutting smaller firewood for the last few years.

Watch the saw details and sales closely for the best deal. The 'good' one (lowest cost) does NOT include a blade, so you'll add $20 or more right off the bat. If I needed one, I'd go for the middle priced one.

 

[mcfarmall]

Here's one that sucks but doesn't suck...the pneumatic brake bleeder. I bought one to suck the coolant out of the water jacket on my 3.5 liter twin turbo Ecoboost engine during a timing chain replacement procedure and it WORKED GREAT! I can see many future uses for this tool around the home and shop.

Highly recommend it!

 

[JJZ 109]

So are you worried about covid 19 on the stuff, or just a bit anti china with the way they've done things?

Not worried about virus on merchandise. I just find it ironic that the problem originated in China, or at least anything I've seen so far indicates that and now we're stuck buying protective equipment at outrageous prices from China.
Unfortunately I think we'll find that many items people buy every day probably will only be China sourced due to U.S. outsourcing. I guess all I can do is to try to verify where things are made at purchase time.

 

[hunt4570]

I prefer to buy American Made products, though due to predatory trade practices and theft of intellectual property most domestic industry has gone broke. I would love to see China severely penalized, our debts to them cancelled, and our industries ramped up.

There is a guy working on that! :thumbsup:

 

[hunt4570]

I think that HF now offers a Good, Better, and Best miter saw?

I bought the "Better" 12" to replace a 40+ year old Black & Decker 10" single bevel miter saw. I think it was about $170 at the time. So far .. I'm happy. (The B&D still works great)

12 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with LED & Laser Guide

Looks like it only tilts one way..

 

[hunt4570]

I have a 20+ year old Delta that is having fits. I've been considering replacing it, but I just don't use one that much any more to where I need much detail. It's been relegating to cutting smaller firewood for the last few years.

Watch the saw details and sales closely for the best deal. The 'good' one (lowest cost) does NOT include a blade, so you'll add $20 or more right off the bat. If I needed one, I'd go for the middle priced one.

Where do you get a good blade for $20 these days? I think my last one was 50-60 bucks.

 

[Jim Nelson]

Does anyone have a HF sliding compound miter saw? My old craftsman I think has given up the ghost. I don稚 use a miter saw much any more but I have a cabin to trim and don稚 want to spend a fortune on a tool I will not use often.

I bought one of the early ones about 14 or 15 years ago to put in a laminate floor in our den. The first thing I did was replace the blade with a fine tooth Diablo. It worked great for the flooring in an odd sized room. The laser went out about half way through that job and I never did replace it. When we bought our current home we replaced all the flooring and the company we bought the material from did the installation. About half way through the job their Makita let the smoke out so I brought out my H.F. saw and they finished the job with it. The guys working said it was just as good as their old Makita.

I still have it and very seldom use it but it still runs fine when needed.

 

[5030]

Has anyone tried the HF metal cutting circular saw blade? It's 1/3rd the price of the Diablo but does it actually last more than one cut?

Might wind up in the 'do suck' thread......,

 

[5030]

I see HF discontinued their 12 volt cordless 'Drill Master' circular saw in favor of the Bauer edition. I'm disappointed. I have one and it's a dandy little saw for remote use.

 

[buck12]

I think that HF now offers a Good, Better, and Best miter saw?

I bought the "Better" 12" to replace a 40+ year old Black & Decker 10" single bevel miter saw. I think it was about $170 at the time. So far .. I'm happy. (The B&D still works great)

12 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with LED & Laser Guide

Thanks for the reply. That is the one I looked at online. Hopefully it will be on sale or they will have a good coupon it the next couple of weeks.