Harbor Freight? - Page 2

Harbor Freight? · 11-23-2008, 06:35 PM

Just wondering about the quality of their heavy duty tools. Does anyone own anything manufactured by Central Machinery or Chicago Power Tools or any of those little known companies they carry? Not talking handtools; I'm moreso interested in a big ticket item such as a table saw or a combo sander. I'm browsing with skepticism, but with such a tight budget I'm seriously considering cracking the wallet. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

-morgan

Travis Porter · 12-07-2008, 11:09 PM

My general attitude on Harbor Freight tools is that I expect what I buy to be disposable. It may die today, or 10 years from today. Parts availability is going to be iffy, but it is what it is. If you are on a tight budget, or it is something you are not sure you are going to need a lot, I say why not.

I have a friend who recently bought a Powermatic 20" disc sander and says the Harbor Freight is almost exactly the same in every aspect. We believe that Harbor Freight gets the rejects from the same factories that Grizzly, Jet, Delta, and Powermatic use.

FWIW, some stuff seems pretty good, other stuff seems like junk. Personally, I have bought some of both. The dial indicators and calipers I have bought there work very well. It is also the only place I buy latex and Nitrite disposable gloves as they have extra large in stock and no one else does.

The pressure pot I bought for spray painting is a piece of junk. It is not air tight and has a lot of leaks.

JimmyC · 12-08-2008, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by jeff...

I bought an air compressor there that caught on fire when my son was using it. Got so hot the oil was dripping flames on my shop floor (wood) As advised use extreme caution and make sure you have a good fire extinguisher.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=55391

We took it back and got a name brand one - no problems since - lesson learned the hard way.

I really have not bought anything else from there since except the leather roping gloves man those are a gem for sure. Great for lumber handling and often on sale for 2.99 a pair - I stock up when they are on sale.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=35166

The amazing thing about that compressor going on fire is that it is one of the few things that comes from the U.S. (ABAC in Atlanta, I believe)

12-08-2008, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by JimmyC

The amazing thing about that compressor going on fire is that it is one of the few things that comes from the U.S. (ABAC in Atlanta, I believe)

My mistake man... it was not that one it was this one - sorry about that and thank for keeping me honest

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93271

Thanks

JimmyC · 12-08-2008, 12:57 AM

The absolute truth is that there is stuff worth buying at HF, I have bought very good bar clamps and metal spring clamps from them( neither model is sold by them any more), there C-clamps are very good, as Travis said there rubber gloves are excellent, alot of their pneumatic accessories such as fittings hoses and rails can't be beat anywhere, the lathe #34706 and their 2hp. dust collectors are very good, one of their spray gun set ups are sold at WC and Rockler and they are much cheaper, and they have many other items that are worthy. Look the majority of their stuff is worth what you pay for it, some is worth more, "So let the buyer beware" is always in effect. We have all bought items that have not lived up to our standards, and they have been purchased from major retailers (HD, Lowes, Rockler, WC, Klingspor, etc) and the items are sometimes from large companies (Delta, Jet, Powermatic, etc.) but when we have problems they are all fixed through warranties and return policies. HF has the same return policies, so feel free to buy, try and return if the tools don't work out for you.

Good Luck.

CarvedTones · 12-08-2008, 06:58 AM

As I noted in my thread about my new lathe from Rockler, HF now carries what appears to be the very same one in the 5 speed (I got the VS, but Rockler also has the 5 speed) as does PSI. I have 3 vises from there that work great. I recently picked up the cheesy folding plastic saw horses and when (if?) I get everything in order I will post up something and you will see what acool idea that turned out to be. They do carry junk. I had one of the square tube steel lathes they carry on the low end and it was beyond awful. But I was allowed to make that choice; they have better ones for more $.

jlwest · 12-08-2008, 08:24 AM

I highly recommend buying used heavy equipment. Watch Craigslist.

Jeff

Bas · 12-08-2008, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by AndyBarnhart

HF now carries what appears to be the very same one in the 5 speed (I got the VS, but Rockler also has the 5 speed) as does PSI.

There are many items at HF that are sold by other stores as well. For example, I picked up a set of transfer punches this weekend for $8.50 (after 15% off coupon). Lee Valley sells the same set (at least I think it's the same). There is an aluminum straight edge clamp that is sold under various names as well, including Pittsburgh (= HF brand).

I agree HF has some really junky stuff. That's OK. If it was all good stuff, I might buy less selectively and go broke on deals

challenger · 12-08-2008, 10:31 AM

Maybe my local HF is not as well stocked. Almost everything in it is Taichese. FWIW I am restoring a combination Delta 10" table saw/6" jointer I got for free. It is a good deal of work but it likely weighs more than the entire left wing of the HF building here in Wilmington, NC. Believe me weight (mass) is very important with retaining the repeatability & accuracy of a powered machine.
I don't kow about some of the name brands mentioned. I was under the impression PowerMatic was USA? Jet, Delta and almost all others are Taichese and may sometimes hide this-w-a "assembled in USA" tag.
I am not w/o the monetary issues faced by the average person in that I can't go out and buy anything I want but I know if I am patient I will come accross a rebuildable USA piece of iron and collecting motors at garage sales comes in handy.
I can also understand that there is a huge market for HF and that it is hard to buy USA made tools period anymore so I don't hold anything against anyone buying from them. <snip> Removed political statement <end snip>

Howard
Hampstead

Travis Porter · 12-08-2008, 10:44 AM

The only Powermatic tool I am aware of still made in USA is the PM-66 tablesaw. I don't think sales of it are doing to well with the release of the PM-2000 and the Sawstop both that are equipped with riving knives.

FWIW, Delta's new tablesaw that is coming out will be made in USA, and the early looks make me think it will be a winner.