Comments on: Harbor Freight Buying Guide: UPDATE 2009 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/ The #1 source for power tools, power tool reviews and power tool information. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:57 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Robert Smith http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-111182 Robert Smith Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:06:32 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-111182 Approach electronics with caution, hammers and impact sockets are a good buy--it really helps to visit the store to see what you are buying. Approach electronics with caution, hammers and impact sockets are a good buy–it really helps to visit the store to see what you are buying.

]]> By: philipma1957 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-101517 philipma1957 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:13:44 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-101517 I have the 10 inch compound miter sliding saw. Just add a better saw blade and it is a decent tool. It is durable I redid a ton of work in my home with it. for 70 bucks on sale it is good. you will need a better blade for cleaner cuts. I have the 10 inch compound miter sliding saw. Just add a better saw blade and it is a decent tool. It is durable I redid a ton of work in my home with it. for 70 bucks on sale it is good. you will need a better blade for cleaner cuts.

]]> By: Jeanclaude http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-91513 Jeanclaude Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:03:13 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-91513 I have been buying Harbor Freight tools for nearly ten years. My first purchase was when my one-year-old, $80 Dewalt 4" grinder went belly-up. I almost bought a new Dewalt, but saw a Harbor Freight ad for a 4" grinder for $15. I thought, "I can buy four of these cheap ones for less than one Dewalt and then throw them away when they crap out". That was almost ten years ago; I still using the first one and the other three are still new in the box. Sure, I've had my horror stories with cheap Harbor Freight tools, but remember when you buy a cheap tool, don't expect the quality and performance of high end, expensive tools: i.e. a $5 Pittsburg wrench does not compare to a $150 Snap-on wrench (duh)... same thing goes for $15 nailers mentioned here; don't compare them to $180 nailers: if you want the performance of of a Bostitch nailer, stop your whining about cheap tools, blow the dust off of your wallet and buy a bostitch. I have been buying Harbor Freight tools for nearly ten years. My first purchase was when my one-year-old, $80 Dewalt 4″ grinder went belly-up. I almost bought a new Dewalt, but saw a Harbor Freight ad for a 4″ grinder for $15. I thought, “I can buy four of these cheap ones for less than one Dewalt and then throw them away when they crap out”. That was almost ten years ago; I still using the first one and the other three are still new in the box. Sure, I’ve had my horror stories with cheap Harbor Freight tools, but remember when you buy a cheap tool, don’t expect the quality and performance of high end, expensive tools: i.e. a $5 Pittsburg wrench does not compare to a $150 Snap-on wrench (duh)… same thing goes for $15 nailers mentioned here; don’t compare them to $180 nailers: if you want the performance of of a Bostitch nailer, stop your whining about cheap tools, blow the dust off of your wallet and buy a bostitch.

]]> By: PBerry http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-89237 PBerry Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:09:58 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-89237 Been buying, using, HF tools since the 80's and there are only a very few that I know are killing machines. The collapsible trailer jack with a wheel, has a plate to swivel upon, that is so weak, it deforms just putting the leg up/down, dropping the trailer onto your leg, or side! These need a CPSC RECALL! The red/black plastic automatic wire strippers really fall apart on 18 AWG wire. Sad POS. The good news... I have many HFT hand and power tools dating back to the 1980's that still perform perfectly! Tons of money saved! I really like their welding tools, welders, grinders, drills, and air tools! Been buying, using, HF tools since the 80’s and there are only a very few that I know are killing machines.

The collapsible trailer jack with a wheel, has a plate to swivel upon, that is so weak, it deforms just putting the leg up/down, dropping the trailer onto your leg, or side! These need a CPSC RECALL!

The red/black plastic automatic wire strippers really fall apart on 18 AWG wire. Sad POS.

The good news… I have many HFT hand and power tools dating back to the 1980’s that still perform
perfectly!

Tons of money saved! I really like their welding tools, welders, grinders, drills, and air tools!

]]> By: Chris http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-88995 Chris Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:49:35 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-88995 15", 18", 24" Jumbo adjustable wrench set http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=751 ITEM 751-4VGA Is a great deal, especially when it goes on sale or with the usual 20% email coupons. The jaw capacities aren't quite as big as i would hope, but they do come in handy when trying to break free a big ass bolt or union. Magnetic Parts trays are also a steal at harbor freight (various item number 4", 6", 9 1/2"). I carry the 4" in my toolbag to hold screws when taking apart things, the magnet is very strong. 6" plastic utility caliper is a good beater tool for your toolbag. $1.99 reg price, but regularly goes for $1, especially during parkinglot sales and dollar days. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=7914 1 1/4 gallon sprayer for $10, goes on sale for $8 with a coupon. Great buy, Ive been using it with harsh chemicals and its held up pretty well. I just make sure to rinse it out after each use. The 1 1/4" gallon size is perfect, not too big and has a sturdy base that doesn't tip over. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95692 15″, 18″, 24″ Jumbo adjustable wrench set
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=751
ITEM 751-4VGA Is a great deal, especially when it goes on sale or with the usual 20% email coupons.
The jaw capacities aren’t quite as big as i would hope, but they do come in handy when trying to break free a big ass bolt or union.

Magnetic Parts trays are also a steal at harbor freight (various item number 4″, 6″, 9 1/2″). I carry the 4″ in my toolbag to hold screws when taking apart things, the magnet is very strong.

6″ plastic utility caliper is a good beater tool for your toolbag. $1.99 reg price, but regularly goes for $1, especially during parkinglot sales and dollar days.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=7914

1 1/4 gallon sprayer for $10, goes on sale for $8 with a coupon. Great buy, Ive been using it with harsh chemicals and its held up pretty well. I just make sure to rinse it out after each use. The 1 1/4″ gallon size is perfect, not too big and has a sturdy base that doesn’t tip over.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95692

]]> By: robert ellis http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-86410 robert ellis Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:44:12 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-86410 great company to purchase from great company to purchase from

]]> By: Scott http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-85741 Scott Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:10:06 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-85741 Harbor Freight #97427 Dual Dowel Jointer is worth looking at. Manual say 1 5/16 between drill center but is actually 32 mm. Great for system holes on cabinets. The drills that come with it are tool steel and not very good. Purchase a variable speed control item #43060-4VGA to slow it down. 16.5K to fast for anything but carbide. The fence has to be shimmed to square and the height setting is difficult (scribe a line on fence after setup)Freud at $399 is the next price point for this tool. Once dialed in the HF unit works great and for $60 can't beat the price Harbor Freight #97427 Dual Dowel Jointer is worth looking at. Manual say 1 5/16 between drill center but is actually 32 mm. Great for system holes on cabinets. The drills that come with it are tool steel and not very good. Purchase a variable speed control item #43060-4VGA to slow it down. 16.5K to fast for anything but carbide. The fence has to be shimmed to square and the height setting is difficult (scribe a line on fence after setup)Freud at $399 is the next price point for this tool. Once dialed in the HF unit works great and for $60 can’t beat the price

]]> By: toolcrib http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-83751 toolcrib Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:41:06 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-83751 Thanks for the suggestion Rob - I updated this post with the tools and products in question... G Thanks for the suggestion Rob – I updated this post with the tools and products in question…

G

]]> By: rob http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/06/05/harbor-freight-buying-guide-update-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-83666 rob Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:14:25 +0000 http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/?p=389#comment-83666 for those of us familiar with the guide it would be helpful to summarize the specific changes rather than just count them. for those of us familiar with the guide it would be helpful to summarize the specific changes rather than just count them.

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