I have found that if you are careful, you can purchase some decent tools at harbor freight at incredible prices. I recently purchased their “multi purpose tool”- knock off of feins multi- master. I paid 39 and change for it. Unbelievable. They were flying off the shelf. It is solid and works fine. Power scraper/detail saw/ and detail sander. How can you beat that. Even if it lasts a year, I’m ok with it. The Fein is 399.00. No thank you. Money is tight and if I can save I am going to.
I also have purchased 4 of their right angle grinders (14.99 each). No problem. I power carve chair seats and such. By using a different carving head for each I just put them on the bench and carve away. No fried machines. No problems. other decent items: nitrile gloves; flap discs; electric power sander/polisher.
I would definitely stay away from any of their battery powered drills and such. Also don’t trust drill bits and sandpaper.
The point is I have been really pleased with some of the items I have purchased there at almost throw away prices. pmm
Replies
I’ve been using their sandpaper for some time and really haven’t found any issues with it. What I found outstanding are their small acid brushes, I use in glue ups, fraction of the cost of Woodcraft and Rocklers. And thier paintin stuff like drop cloths, paint brushes and rollers work just as well as any from the big box hardware places. I do draw the line on their power tools.
In this economy ya do what ya gotta do to keep going.
DustyMc
What?
You mean you shouldn't write of an entire brand because of one or two issues?
I've got a 13" DP and a mortiser that have both more than earned their keep in my shop. There's no mistaking them for Powermatic tools, but for this hobbyist they're doing their job well.
You've really gotta pick and choose carefully though.
Edited 3/18/2009 12:29 pm ET by Knotscott
A good example: I had a need for a huge "channel-lock" type pliers for a one-time problem. Looked at Lowes (great store but...) and they had them for about $35 if I recall.
I headed for Harbor Freight (AKA Harbor Fright). Bought a pair of their brand, for $7.00!!!!!!
Worked great and now are in my inventory of one-time tools I can lend to my neighbors!!!!!!
pmm,
the thing that freaks me out about harbor freight is anything made of cast steel. that chinese steel has a tendency to shatter. i once incurred a nasty wound by striking a wood maul with a sledge when splitting logs. the steel chunk hit the index knuckle of my right hand. hurt like bone-pain for a week, at the end of which, an 1/8"x1/8" bit of chinese steel oozed from the wound.
eef
I like Chinese steel. I haven't found a Chinese tool yet that I don't like.And the price! Yum!
jam,
just don'tchya smack 'em together.
eef
Yup, no.Operator error.
That tends to happen when one strikes a hardened steel tool with another hardened steel tool, even with tools not made in China. I've seen it happen multiple times (to other people).
"That tends to happen when one strikes a hardened steel tool with another hardened steel tool, even with tools not made in China."
True enough, but niether a maul nor a wedge should be made of hardened steel, but maleable steel. Maybe that's the problem.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
But, guys, shouldn't Harbor be boycotted because their sandpaper is such an obvious unlicensed copy of Norton Abrasives? ;-)
Didn't the Chinese invent sandpaper?---
Chris Scholz
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Galoot-Tools
I have a few of their things. I got ####big batch of 6" F clamps for under $2ea. They have been workhorses.
I also have their mortiser with the X-Y vice conversion. Works like butter and accurate as you'd ever want, all for under $100. The bits have held their edges for ages.
The aluminum bar clamps are pretty good too, as long as you don't overtighten them. Routinely on sale for around $6.
Wellll let me say I will never walk into a Harbor Freight store after seeing what they are about. Twice in the mid nineties was enough.
And I will leave you with a half a$$ed quote by an old mathematician. His name was Norbert Weiner and he said " when you use slave labor you will eventually find your self competing for a job in that environment ".
That is a very loose quote and he was referring to industrial robotics not little oriental dudes that can't afford to buy flip flops and live in rabbit warren like housing INSIDE THE FACTORY and work fourteen hour shifts without being allowed a break to go to the bathroom. ( I have heard interviews of some of the workers by journalists that investigated the factories )
But guess what took preference over the industrial automation ? Slave labor yeahhh ! Even cheeper than industrial robotics.
Somebody else said " If it sounds too good to be true . . . it probably is.
roc
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )
You're not going to sing, are you, Roc?
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