Amazon Stuff That Doesn't Suck

[Larry Caldwell]

Not from Amazon, but I just bought a YesWelder Cut-55 DS plasma cutter online for $290 and free shipping. I'll have to see if it works out, but the YouTube reviews look pretty good. I accidentally bought 305# of 3/8" armor plate at a steel recycler that I thought was hot rolled mild steel. It eats my drill bits and sawzall blades, so anything but an abrasive linear cut is impossible.

I think I'll go shopping for replacement mild steel and turn the armor plate into steel targets. I have a railroad tie anvil in the junk pile, and maybe I'll weld a piece of hard steel on top of it for a portable work surface.

 

[ponytug]

Aren't you lucky! That's enough to make a tractor bucket, or a whole bunch of targets.

I have had good luck with a Lotos plasma/TIG/stick welder, though I am thinking of putting a hypertherm cutting torch on it when I use up the consumables that I have. Having a plasma torch really expanded my metalworking abilities.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Brainymyrt]

I love hearing about cool finds like that. A handheld vacuum sounds like a game-changer for those quick cleanups around the house. I've been eyeing something similar for a while, so your recommendation definitely piqued my interest.
It's great to hear it's got some power behind it and comes with handy extras like the add-on snout and spare filter. And for just 30 bucks? Sounds like a steal to me!
I'll definitely keep it in mind for the next time I'm in need of a handy cleaning tool. Oh, and speaking of finding cool stuff online, have you ever checked out Temu clothing reviews? I recently stumbled upon them and found some helpful insights for my fashion buys.

 

[rgr33]

I’ve had a YesWelder mig/tig/ stick welder for 2+ years Larry.
I’ve been really happy with it, never tried any tig welding though.

 

[jyoutz]

Imo some of the stuff they sell is rebranded made in the same or similar factories that manufactures HF. HF uses specific brand names Amazon seems to sell whatever the name manufacturers feel like printing on there stuff, in any case your not buying the name your buying it cause it's cheaper in most cases. Imo hf you can see what your buying at the store in person to make a decision. Amazon your relying solely on online pics and reviews which aren't always accurate in my experience. fortunately Amazon has a good easy return policy and fast inexpensive shipping even without prime.

I don’t buy from Amazon because it’s cheaper. I order from Amazon because they carry items that I can’t find in local stores.

 

[EarPlug]

I don’t buy from Amazon because it’s cheaper. I order from Amazon because they carry items that I can’t find in local stores.

I shop at Amazon because I can find stuff. But then I check the vendor's website and usually find a better deal. It appears that the Sellers add the cost of the "Amazon Fees" to their pricing on Amazon.

 

[jyoutz]

I shop at Amazon because I can find stuff. But then I check the vendor's website and usually find a better deal. It appears that the Sellers add the cost of the "Amazon Fees" to their pricing on Amazon.

But when you add shipping costs from the vendor, it’s a price wash. I definitely get my money’s worth with my prime membership.

 

[EarPlug]

But when you add shipping costs from the vendor, it’s a price wash. I definitely get my money’s worth with my prime membership.

Many times the Seller's website has free shipping. But yes, that can be a variable.

 

[5030]

I shop at Amazon because I can find stuff. But then I check the vendor's website and usually find a better deal. It appears that the Sellers add the cost of the "Amazon Fees" to their pricing on Amazon.

100% correct. Case in point is Weldfabulous. They sell on Amazon but if you deal direct with them their stuff is cheaper. I buy a ton of welding supplies from them plus they are Veteran owned.

 

[Paddy]

I bought a 400 lb/120 gal propane tank, best price and free delivery. That way more than covered Prime cost

 

[5030]

What I do at Harbor Freight. I always belong to the ITC club which costs 30 bucks a year but every time I buy something there, it's usually a big ticket item and in the ITC section so in reality, it costs me nothing. That and the no interest on their card if I charge it which I always do.

Amazonian is always bugging me to get their Prime card, never do. In reality, I only have 2 credit cards and don't need or want any more.

Far as I'm concerned you cannot beat the Kroger Mastercard and we both have one and combine the rewards. Last trip to the Super, we got 300 bucks worth of stuff and it cost us zip and we get fuel points as well. I have not paid sticker price for fuel in ages. Last fill up was $1.20 a gallon. Finally, I like the fact that the Kroger Mastercard is US based so if you call them, you actually talk to someone that speaks English, not like Capital One for instance, Those people don't speak good English at all. Sound like they are in India.

 

[jjeff]

I'm a sucker for free shipping and to cheap to pay for prime I usually buy several of something or shop around for consumables ill eventually use, to hit the minimum qualifying order cost. For less expensive stuff I don't mind not seeing it in person returning stuff is easy fortunately. Cuz seems like products descriptions aren't t exactly described well anymore.

 

[5030]

Product descriptions today do seem to be only 'representative'. Why I like to actually touch the stuff and examine it before buying, why I like HF, even if the stores stink like Chinese rubber.

I spend a wad of money at HF and more now than ever.

 

[jyoutz]

I'm a sucker for free shipping and to cheap to pay for prime I usually buy several of something or shop around for consumables I’ll eventually use, to hit the minimum qualifying order cost. For less expensive stuff I don't mind not seeing it in person returning stuff is easy fortunately. Cuz seems like products descriptions aren't t exactly described well anymore.

Product descriptions are written in Chinglish.

 

[sd455dan]

Aren't you lucky! That's enough to make a tractor bucket, or a whole bunch of targets.

I have had good luck with a Lotos plasma/TIG/stick welder, though I am thinking of putting a hypertherm cutting torch on it when I use up the consumables that I have. Having a plasma torch really expanded my metalworking abilities.

All the best,

Peter

My Lotos 3 in 1 is still working too, next year will be 10 years old bought on a amazon sale for $390 + $20 for overnight shipping had it at 9:30 the next morning.

Just ordered a 96" Fan for the garage. Another no big name product with a prime discount applied also an MT3 er-32 collet holder with a .0002 TIR

 

[jmc]

Product descriptions are written in Chinglish.

it always amazes me that a low labor cost company would invest all the time to reverse-engineer, tool, and knockoff a product- then hand all the documentation over to someone who took an English class in the eighth grade.

 

[jyoutz]

it always amazes me that a low labor cost company would invest all the time to reverse-engineer, tool, and knockoff a product- then hand all the documentation over to someone who took an English class in the eighth grade.

I always thought they use a translator application.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

We, mostly wife, buys at Amazon often. More for convenience, as most stores are at least 25 minutes away, super stores around an hour. I tend to do my due diligence before buying from them, reviews etc. I also check the price on same item from other retailers. Amazon does not have the low pricing on everything it had 3 years ago. We have Prime, had it free for 10 years or so through work, so we're hooked. Free returns is nice. Return maybe 10 or so a year. Almost all because it was not as expected. IIRC only one because it was a ****ty product.

 

[32 chev]

All my Amazon prime shipping has been super slow usually around 14 days.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

not the same thing, comparing buying just about anything on amazon to buying harbor freight products from harbor freight, unless you limit it to only those products that amazon puts out.