Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Oaktree]

my wife got me the battery chainsaw, lynx 40v model just before Christmas. I haven't had but one opportunity so far to test, but went out and cut 13 slices of walnut that was dry, downed 2 yrs ago. 8 to 9 inch diameter and only 25 percent power down (according to lights) pretty darn good. and so darn quiet....

I needed some of the metal ammo boxes, they had decent coupon and I was trying to beat its expiration back a couple of weeks before Christmas. store totally out, so I ordered on line. got 9 using coupon at same price as store and only $6.99 std shipping. Just got email that they shipped Friday. over 5 weeks.... and I just thought I needed them soon. beware of ordering on line. never again.

I've been on the fence on the chainsaw. It would be handy to have, but I'm not sure I'd get enough use out of it to justify spending $180. Not sure I've ever seen it on sale, and of course coupons don't work on Lynx tools. I may get a Ryobi 18v one instead, since I already have a bunch of that line I've got the batteries & charger.

As far as ordering online, I've only bought one thing online from them...the Predator 212cc engine (this was before we had a nearby store). The order got processed within a day or so, but they used the absolute slowest shipper in the world...it was almost 2 weeks from when it shipped til I got it.

One thing about HF and that is, they are having perpetual sales... Final markdown, liquidation sale, 3 days only, so on and so forth. Creative marketing.....

Meh. It's like the boy who cried wolf. After a while you know if you miss this super spectacular everything-must-go sale whatever you want will be on "sale" in a couple weeks for the same price. And it's always the same items that are on sale.

Not really, Lowes has Cracksman (Chinese) stuff. I'd take HF over that stuff.

Will Lowes honor the "lifetime" warranty on the original tools? I read somewhere you need to bring it back to the store you bought it from to get the replacement, and that's long gone (as well as 100 mi. away).

Are the new Craftsman tools any different than what you'd get at HF, HD, TS, etc?

 

[lostcreekranch]

I've been on the fence on the chainsaw. It would be handy to have, but I'm not sure I'd get enough use out of it to justify spending $180. Not sure I've ever seen it on sale, and of course coupons don't work on Lynx tools. I may get a Ryobi 18v one instead, since I already have a bunch of that line I've got the batteries & charger.

As far as ordering online, I've only bought one thing online from them...the Predator 212cc engine (this was before we had a nearby store). The order got processed within a day or so, but they used the absolute slowest shipper in the world...it was almost 2 weeks from when it shipped til I got it.


Meh. It's like the boy who cried wolf. After a while you know if you miss this super spectacular everything-must-go sale whatever you want will be on "sale" in a couple weeks for the same price. And it's always the same items that are on sale.



Will Lowes honor the "lifetime" warranty on the original tools? I read somewhere you need to bring it back to the store you bought it from to get the replacement, and that's long gone (as well as 100 mi. away).

Are the new Craftsman tools any different than what you'd get at HF, HD, TS, etc?

The Lynxx 40 volts tools are on sale often.

I've got the chainsaw, pole saw, and blower. I use the pole for trimming low tree branches that are too high for the chain saw but, not high enough to need my Echo pole saw.

My chain saw had a bad oil leak so, I took it back for an exchange. The manager told me to just keep the battery and charger from the leaking one ... giving me a spare battery.

Search Results For "Lynxx 4 Volt"

Overall I'm very please with all three tools.

 

[5030]

"Are the new Craftsman tools any different than what you'd get at HF, HD, TS, etc?"

Same as far as I can ascertain. The old made in USA Craftsman tool days are long gone. All the hand tools are offshore stuff now and as far as returning them to Lowe's good luck on that. I'm sure it's nowhere near as painless as returning them to HF.

 

[LD48750]

I've been on the fence on the chainsaw. It would be handy to have, but I'm not sure I'd get enough use out of it to justify spending $180. Not sure I've ever seen it on sale, and of course coupons don't work on Lynx tools. I may get a Ryobi 18v one instead, since I already have a bunch of that line I've got the batteries & charger.

As far as ordering online, I've only bought one thing online from them...the Predator 212cc engine (this was before we had a nearby store). The order got processed within a day or so, but they used the absolute slowest shipper in the world...it was almost 2 weeks from when it shipped til I got it.


Meh. It's like the boy who cried wolf. After a while you know if you miss this super spectacular everything-must-go sale whatever you want will be on "sale" in a couple weeks for the same price. And it's always the same items that are on sale.



Will Lowes honor the "lifetime" warranty on the original tools? I read somewhere you need to bring it back to the store you bought it from to get the replacement, and that's long gone (as well as 100 mi. away).

Are the new Craftsman tools any different than what you'd get at HF, HD, TS, etc?

I had a craftsman manure rake bought at Lowes.
The wooden handle broke.
I took it back to Lowes without a receipt and was told to just go get another one off the rack.
No paperwork no hassle, no nothing.

 

[herm0016]

ace hardware will also exchange craftsman tools as long as they have it in stock.

Husky tools also have the same deal at Home Depot.

some of the new craftsman stuff at lowes says made in USA on it.

 

[5030]

ace hardware will also exchange craftsman tools as long as they have it in stock.

Husky tools also have the same deal at Home Depot.

some of the new craftsman stuff at lowes says made in USA on it.

I haven't seen any personally but then I rarely shop at Lowes. Menards is better priced and has a larger selection of what I want.

 

[California]

I've been on the fence on the chainsaw. It would be handy to have, but I'm not sure I'd get enough use out of it to justify spending $180. Not sure I've ever seen it on sale, and of course coupons don't work on Lynx tools. I may get a Ryobi 18v one instead, since I already have a bunch of that line I've got the batteries & charger..

I have the Ryobi 18v chainsaw. Its great for my application, mostly dismantling trees that rotted and fell down in my apple orchard, and occasionally getting up in a tree to top it, reaching out one-handed. Abandoning use of 2-cycle fuel entirely, has made my life better.

I don't think the Ryobi 18v is anywhere near the power of the Lynx. Its proper use is casual pruning, not firewood prep.

Here's the hardest I've ever worked the Ryobi, cutting green Eucalyptus that fell blocking an orchard terrace. It felt like I was working it pretty hard. I wouldn't recommend one if you have to do projects like this very often. Its mostly a light, easy to handle pruning saw.

 

[5030]

Okay, I have a technical question. When you run down a Li-Ion pack (like a Bauer 20 volt) for instance, I read somewhere that when it runs out of power it's not like a Ni-Cad pack where the tool slows down, looses torque, I read it just quits. Is that true? I don't know because when my Bauer packs show 2 lights on the backside, I put them on the charger and fill them back up.

I'm curious. Anyone run a Li-Ion pack all the way to zip?

 

[5030]

I've been on the fence on the chainsaw. It would be handy to have, but I'm not sure I'd get enough use out of it to justify spending $180. Not sure I've ever seen it on sale, and of course coupons don't work on Lynx tools. I may get a Ryobi 18v one instead, since I already have a bunch of that line I've got the batteries & charger.

As far as ordering online, I've only bought one thing online from them...the Predator 212cc engine (this was before we had a nearby store). The order got processed within a day or so, but they used the absolute slowest shipper in the world...it was almost 2 weeks from when it shipped til I got it.


Meh. It's like the boy who cried wolf. After a while you know if you miss this super spectacular everything-must-go sale whatever you want will be on "sale" in a couple weeks for the same price. And it's always the same items that are on sale.



Will Lowes honor the "lifetime" warranty on the original tools? I read somewhere you need to bring it back to the store you bought it from to get the replacement, and that's long gone (as well as 100 mi. away).

Are the new Craftsman tools any different than what you'd get at HF, HD, TS, etc?

I will say in HF's defense that, unlike Cracksman and Kobalt and the Menards house brand, you know where the HF tools are made (China, Taiwan, Indonesia )so you aren't overly optimistic about quality and when they exceed your expectations (like the Bauer stuff and the impact sockets), you get pretty impressed, or at least I do.

I buy that stuff with low expectations because it's less expensive and usually cheaper means poor quality.

Guess thats why I like to 'gush' about some of the HF stuff. Nice quality multi use tools and a really good price.

It ain't all good by a long shot but so far everything I've bought there has been a worthwhile purchase. Having said that though I don't buy (as a rule) the Chicago Electric or Drill Master line of stuff because I know it's junk.

Ain't no way a $9.99 4.5" angle grinder or a $15.00 Drill Master cordless drill will last more than one or 2 uses and then stink. Common sense will tell you that.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

As far as the warranty returns at Lowe ‘ s, I just took back 11 different screw drivers in all sorts of abused and broken condition. No questions asked, they just exchanged $48 worth of screwdrivers. I have not tried any sockets or ratchets yet.

 

[shovelmike]

I picked up the Chicago Electric carbon pile battery load tester, $54.95, used 20 percent off coupon to save $11.
I have so many batteries around here to maintain, including a few out in the shed where there isn't electricity. Those, admittedly, don't get charged often enough. At least I can evaluate them myself rather than haul them down to Auto Zone where the counter attendant may or may not know how to do it properly. I trained on Sun VAT 28's back in automotive school and never could justify the cost of one of those.
It seems to be a decent unit. time will tell, I will let you know.

 

[5030]

I find that irritating about HF. Back in the day, their 20 off coupons were good for everything. Now, you have to read the fine (very fine) small print because all the higher lines aren't discounted at all unless there is a specific coupon in the flyer.

I will say, contrary to some opinions (on here) that the Inside Track Club membership has paid off for me and I don't buy in quantity except maybe cut off wheels. last fall bought a Zurich SRT8 code reader that was an Inside Track sales item, regularly $199.00, got it for $139.00 and a Badland 5000 RTV winch, $179.00, Inside Track coupon, $130.00. Those 2 items paid my membership for 3 years.

Both are excellent buys. The winch went on my wife's Kubota GS850 Sidekick UTV and was 100% plug and play and The code reader works flawlessly on our vehicles plus it has the fix assist and does ABS brakes and traction control codes and it upgrades online.

 

[5030]

I picked up the Chicago Electric carbon pile battery load tester, $54.95, used 20 percent off coupon to save $11.
I have so many batteries around here to maintain, including a few out in the shed where there isn't electricity. Those, admittedly, don't get charged often enough. At least I can evaluate them myself rather than haul them down to Auto Zone where the counter attendant may or may not know how to do it properly. I trained on Sun VAT 28's back in automotive school and never could justify the cost of one of those.
It seems to be a decent unit. time will tell, I will let you know.

Please do as I want to get one.

 

[Travelover]

Okay, I have a technical question. When you run down a Li-Ion pack (like a Bauer 20 volt) for instance, I read somewhere that when it runs out of power it's not like a Ni-Cad pack where the tool slows down, looses torque, I read it just quits. Is that true? I don't know because when my Bauer packs show 2 lights on the backside, I put them on the charger and fill them back up.

I'm curious. Anyone run a Li-Ion pack all the way to zip?

Can't speak to the HF tools but all my Li-Ion battery operated tools stop abruptly when near dead. I think the batteries have a controller build into them to prevent them from being damaged by overcharging, over discharging or being charged when too cold.

 

[Wasmeneh]

That is true about lithium ion batteries. Some people are using them in bass boats for trolling motors. With traditional lead acid you have plenty of warning that your trolling motor is about to quit, with Lipo you go normal speed until they just quit. The good is they are much lighter and they go full speed until they don't.

 

[jwstewar]

That is true about lithium ion batteries. Some people are using them in bass boats for trolling motors. With traditional lead acid you have plenty of warning that your trolling motor is about to quit, with Lipo you go normal speed until they just quit. The good is they are much lighter and they go full speed until they don't.

I have a Snap-On flashlight that I found at the end of our driveway - gotta love when you find Snap-On tools Anyway, I love the light it puts out, but it is annoying in one way. Unlike a traditional flashlight that starts growing dim, it just turns off. Can leave you in kind of a predicament at times.

 

[California]

Can't speak to the HF tools but all my Li-Ion battery operated tools stop abruptly when near dead. I think the batteries have a controller build into them to prevent them from being damaged by overcharging, over discharging or being charged when too cold.

That's my experience with the Ryobi 18v Li-Ion tools. A moment of slowing - maybe enough to yank the chainsaw out of a cut - then dead.

I don't have any HF battery tools because in past years HF had an amazing number of incompatible and discontinued battery systems. Maybe its better now. Have they gotten down to only 2~3 different systems?

 

[rangerfredbob]

Lithium batteries get unstable below a certain voltage per cell so everything that uses them (for the most part, especially high amperage items) use a low voltage cutoff whether it be in the tool or the battery they are sensing the voltage out of the whole pack or sometimes over each cell (around 3.7V per cell if memory serves) where some chargers will "balance" the cells in the pack to prevent over or under charging for best performance. If the voltage drops too low there's a possibility of the cell just crashing and being dead I believe.

At least lithium batteries are more stable than the NiMh batteries that were around for a while, I don't think I ever had one that survived long, all the packs I had seemed to drop a cell or reverse voltage or something dumb...

 

[Oaktree]

I have the Ryobi 18v chainsaw. Its great for my application, mostly dismantling trees that rotted and fell down in my apple orchard, and occasionally getting up in a tree to top it, reaching out one-handed. Abandoning use of 2-cycle fuel entirely, has made my life better.

I don't think the Ryobi 18v is anywhere near the power of the Lynx. Its proper use is casual pruning, not firewood prep.

Here's the hardest I've ever worked the Ryobi, cutting green Eucalyptus that fell blocking an orchard terrace. It felt like I was working it pretty hard. I wouldn't recommend one if you have to do projects like this very often. Its mostly a light, easy to handle pruning saw.

Thanks for the review. What you say is more or less what I was looking for...something quick to use to shorten that occasional piece of firewood I cut too long to fit the stove, or clearing brush, etc. too thick to use loppers but not really worth dragging out the gas saw for. Wouldn't even consider a battery chainsaw to do any "real" work.

I'm a bit hesitant to put too much money into battery HF (or any store brand) tools because as someone else noted finding replacement batteries a few years down the road might be difficult, unlike a name brand.

The Lynxx 40 volts tools are on sale often.

I've got the chainsaw, pole saw, and blower.

I've seen the pole saw and blower on sale, but never noticed the chainsaw. Can't think of any reason I'd want/need a blower, and already have a polesaw.

That's my experience with the Ryobi 18v Li-Ion tools. A moment of slowing - maybe enough to yank the chainsaw out of a cut - then dead.

Yeah, I've noticed that with my Ryobi drill and reciprocal saw. Sometimes if you wait a minute or two the battery will recover enough to finish a cut, but just barely. Always keep several charged spares on hand.

 

[Threepoint]

I picked up the Chicago Electric carbon pile battery load tester, $54.95, used 20 percent off coupon to save $11.
I have so many batteries around here to maintain, including a few out in the shed where there isn't electricity. Those, admittedly, don't get charged often enough. At least I can evaluate them myself rather than haul them down to Auto Zone where the counter attendant may or may not know how to do it properly. I trained on Sun VAT 28's back in automotive school and never could justify the cost of one of those.
It seems to be a decent unit. time will tell, I will let you know.

I've had one for maybe as long as 15 years, and it's been fine for me. I've only had to use it every few months, but I don't see anything about the design that would be particularly prone to wear out. It will also quickly check the alternator or generator output while the battery is in place. Although you can do that with a freebie volt/ohm meter. Also don't know, of course, how the model currently sold may have changed. It looks the same, and generally I think HF quality has improved even on their basic house brands over the years.