Harbor Freight Tools that DO SUCK II

[bcp]

I recently used an unused HF step drill that was several years old. It drilled 8 drain holes in plastic tubs to make planters. Now it is dull.

Bruce

 

[5030]

The cheap HF step drills are just that. Cheap one use. The Warrior ones are much better... 3 or 4 uses before dulling.....

 

[California]

Stay away from the HF LED shop lights (and the Menards as well). Both are the same offshore manufacturer and both have very limited working life and neither have replaceable tubes.

Had 4 expire in less than a year.

The 4 ft overhead lights?

 

[rangerfredbob]

I have 14 of the 5000 lumen single element non linkable LED's and they're all going strong but it's only been like 5 months... I like them so far.

Not sure it's a sucky tool, but the tamping/digging bar they have is stupid heavy, it's strong though... Helped my brother last weekend and ended up buying one since they were on sale for ITC, we were putting stall mats under a greenhouse so flattening the dirt floor. I have the Lowes variant and it's not too taxing to use but I think the HFT version has a 1/2" bigger shaft... We did use it to lift one end of the 8x12' greenhouse to get the supports out with only a small bend... our forearms were tired using the thing tamping down the mouse/mole tunnels...

 

[Industrial Toys]

I rented a Stihl auger when I was forty years younger. In this stoney ground, it was a killer. You need a Gorilla on each end! Never again.

 

[daugen]

I rented a Stihl auger when I was forty years younger. In this stoney ground, it was a killer. You need a Gorilla on each end! Never again.

rip your arms off...like using a 3/4 inch drill in hard steel where it gets stuck and you keep going.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Personally wouldn't want to use one. I've seen several landscape contractors use them with 2 people many times.

Bunch of videos with people riding them.

Redneck Auger Riding!! - YouTube

I tried using one once. Even with a grown man helper, it slung us both around like rag dolls. Lucky we were injured! No thanks - never again. Of course, I now have a tractor and a PHD. No need to endure that punishment.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Well, my word to the wise is don't buy the HF multi size step drill sets and expect to drill anything but aluminum and plastic. They don't cut the mustard on mild steel. Instant dull. Total bust. They are cheap and cheaply made. Save yourself some grief and get the Irwin or DeWalt step drills. Much better.

Of course they aren't as cheap either but unlike the HF step drills, you can actually drill steel with them.

Only reason to buy a HF step drill is to SAY that you have one. Just don't plan on actually using it. Making a hole just ain't gonna happen.

 

[the old grind]

Step drills are obviously for mat'ls thinner than the steps are spaced, tool belt hand drill stuff and 1/2"-3/8" shanks are your first clue. They're intended for tradesmen/women to carry vs a full set of Silver & Deming bits &/or hole saws, and they're not espected to last long, just be easy to use. Not automatically an HFT thing when even the best don't last.

I use an Earthquake auger, by myself for 10" holes in the ice, with help for 4" & 6" in rocky soil. 3 revs & lift while still spinning just isn't that easy for one person.

Any tool can be used the 'hard way'. Trying to do too much with too little just makes the job harder. btw, step drills are easy to sharpen with the right setup for proper rake in the flute. You just push the grind back radially vs axially. (you knew that)

 

[Diggin It]

Anybody ever try to sharpen one of these?

 

[the old grind]

Several, not just router bits. Just gotta know how. Use a 12v9 wheel to face the flutes. Be sure you set up for positive vs negative rake. Rotate the cutter vs moving the wheel for further passes, to preserve rake angle. (5-7 deg pos) This will remove any friction coating right away, from where it's needed in the flute. (so not removed from a twist drill when end-grinding)

Don't worry about the OD, just bring the corners of each step up sharp. It's all about your fixtures/tool holders and anges or don't go to much trouble. Unlike twist drills we don't need to take the same amt of stock from each side to drill to size. The huge margins guide centering and what coating is lost there is usually due to wobbling in a hurry to finish a hole. It wouldn't happen much if used in a DP.

 

[5030]

I have. It's a bit tricky.

 

[grsthegreat]

Anybody ever try to sharpen one of these?

i dont bother. i buy milwaufee impact stepper bits. use them repeatedly for many years. you get what you pay for. these never seem to get dull

 

[5030]

i dont bother. i buy milwaufee impact stepper bits. use them repeatedly for many years. you get what you pay for. these never seem to get dull

Must be a new import brand.....

 

[the old grind]

My newest Milwaukee is a red Bosch hammer drill.

 

[grsthegreat]

Must be a new import brand.....

Milwaukee shockwave step bits... made in USA

 

[5030]

I prefer Irwin's myself.

 

[5030]

My newest Milwaukee is a red Bosch hammer drill.

Good choice, I have one as well. Very robust and powerful hammer drill.

 

[stuckmotor]

Checking to see if this is the thread that's recently closed.

 

[5030]

No, it's not......Keep the politics out of it.