Harbor freight

Quote "The best and cheapest hand tools both sink when dropped in the water. "

:smt101Ain't that the truth!!!!:smt101
 
I have the HF buffer and I have had it for a few years. Seems to be good. I have buffed out cars and now I am working on my 1989 340DA that really needed a good buffing to bring it back. So far I have about 24 hours in buffing, polishing and waxing. But it sure looks great now.:smt038
Just make sure you get a good buffing pad from a autobody supply and a good compound and then your polish and wax.
Don't forget to be careful on the edges so you won't burn through.
It's almost better that going to the gym.:thumbsup:
Bob
 
HF is hit or miss. I've had ok luck with their stuff and have broken "high end" tools also. For me, HF tools are a way to get specialized tools that aren't used often and would cost a fortune for brand name. My buffer is going on 6 years and works great.
 
nehalennia said:
i've bought a few things from there that don't have moving parts. I bought their 7" rotary buffer, it lasted 3 hours. I took it back and bought a makita. I have bought a fuse kit that has a decent assortment. I have also bought some stainless screws, and cheap sandpaper. That's all i really trust them for though. I have seen some meguiar's polish and wax there in the past, but i haven't seen it lately.
Click to expand...


Do NOT use their fuses!They don"t blow at what they are rated at.See Link

http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/recalls/fuse_sets.html
 
Last edited:
I agree with jarhead on the hit or miss.

Some of the stuff is great for the price, some is ruined before you get it home it seems like. I got there lath/milling machine. The vice broke the first day and I replaced it with a quality vice and it's been going for years now. I have not had luck with there grinders, sandblaster or tig welders. There hand held electric tools or there air tools are so-so. and there wrench sets are great for the money.

Also you can't beat them on things like bulk electrical tape, brass hammers, pry bars. There jacks engine lifts and pipe bender can't be beat for what they cost. 500W shop light bulbs. $1 where they are $9 at the depot and last about as long as far as I can tell.

All in All,
HF is Ok in my book :thumbsup:
 
Well, I pulled out the HF POS and went to compound the F'ing dock rash yesterday and the stupid thing doesn't spin a bit. I am taking it back but don't anticipate a refund but will let them keep it. Now I need to find the best polisher spare no expense! :smt021:smt021:smt021
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
Well, I pulled out the HF POS and went to compound the F'ing dock rash yesterday and the stupid thing doesn't spin a bit. I am taking it back but don't anticipate a refund but will let them keep it. Now I need to find the best polisher spare no expense! :smt021:smt021:smt021
Click to expand...


KEN...You may have to hold the switch pulled a few seconds before it kicks in.i had the same problem....and if there's a RPM wheel on top of the polisher, scroll that wheel up...
 
billnpat said:
KEN...You may have to hold the switch pulled a few seconds before it kicks in.i had the same problem....and if there's a RPM wheel on top of the polisher, scroll that wheel up...
Click to expand...

This POS has an on/off switch the a button that has a - and another with a +. These are speed controls and there is an lcd that shows what speed (1 through whatever) the setting is. I think the problem is in these POS buttons!
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
This POS has an on/off switch the a button that has a - and another with a +. These are speed controls and there is an lcd that shows what speed (1 through whatever) the setting is. I think the problem is in these POS buttons!
Click to expand...

KEN... I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

LISTEN.....Please, just move the A - SLOWLY up to the A+
It takes a sec or so to kick in......try it.....
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
This POS has an on/off switch the a button that has a - and another with a +. These are speed controls and there is an lcd that shows what speed (1 through whatever) the setting is. I think the problem is in these POS buttons!
Click to expand...

ken for god's sake dont hold back tell us what you really feel!!!!
 
The Good -

Shop rags
Knee pads
Yard gloves
Impact sockets
Wrenches
Buffer
Biggest tile saw w/ stand (whatever model that is)
Weed burner used for shrink wrap
Drill bits
Torque wrench - calibrated against my craftsman and works fine
Grinder discs
Buffer pads
Coil spring compressor - very well built surprisingly
Goodyear air hose


The Bad -

Any tool that is battery powered I have not had good luck with
Wire stripper
Air tools - some higher end impact guns (earthquake) are decent. Lower end stuff well just sucks


That's about all I can think of at the moment. I would say my purchases have been rather good there. I usually purchase one time use tools there for special projects. If it makes it past one use, I feel like the purchase was worth it. Surprisingly enough, most things I buy last rather long.

Doug
 
douglee25 said:
..... I usually purchase one time use tools there for special projects. If it makes it past one use, I feel like the purchase was worth it. Surprisingly enough, most things I buy last rather long.

Doug
Click to expand...

Hey Doug, I agree with you.

I purchased the cheap $35 Chicago Electric polishing tool. I got my boat done and it’s still working.

I don’t know how much longer this cheap tool will work but let’s say the next time I go to use it its dead and I go thru 1 tool per polishing, OK? So that’s $35 /year.

The low cost ‘real’ Milwaukee tool is $165. The Makita is $209.

It will be about 5 years before the cheapest Milwaukee tool pays for itself or 6 years for the Makita.

That’s a long time and assumes I go thru 1 Chicago Electric tool per year. If I can get a 2nd year out of the Chicago Electric tool then the math gets even harder to justify the better tool.

My current plan is to start next year’s job with a spare $35 tool and see how long this first one lasts.
 
Presentation said:
It will be about 5 years before the cheapest Milwaukee tool pays for itself or 6 years for the Makita.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm, my Makita does my boat twice a year, top to bottom, and it's 6 years old now. Does that mean it's likely to die? Seems to be running fine.
 
Gofirstclass said:
Hmmmm, my Makita does my boat twice a year, top to bottom, and it's 6 years old now. Does that mean it's likely to die? Seems to be running fine.
Click to expand...

My Makita polisher is 9 years old... The electrical cord needed to be replaced a few years ago for some reason...
 
Presentation said:
Hey Doug, I agree with you.

I purchased the cheap $35 Chicago Electric polishing tool. I got my boat done and it’s still working.

I don’t know how much longer this cheap tool will work but let’s say the next time I go to use it its dead and I go thru 1 tool per polishing, OK? So that’s $35 /year.

The low cost ‘real’ Milwaukee tool is $165. The Makita is $209.

It will be about 5 years before the cheapest Milwaukee tool pays for itself or 6 years for the Makita.

That’s a long time and assumes I go thru 1 Chicago Electric tool per year. If I can get a 2nd year out of the Chicago Electric tool then the math gets even harder to justify the better tool.

My current plan is to start next year’s job with a spare $35 tool and see how long this first one lasts.
Click to expand...
I have mostly Milwuakee power tools, grinders and drills that are 20-30yrs old. Still going strong, didn't have to waste any time calculating cost and worrying about how long they'll last. I must be down to 2-3$ a year on some of them. Buy the better quality tools and your kids will inherit them when your gone.
 
I got ya'll beat. I've borrowed the same HF buffer 3 years in a row now. Paid for itself immediately. :grin:
 
I actually have a "Chicago Tools" rechargable drill/screwdriver that I bought back in 2001. Framed out my entire (now) finished basement and still going strong. Doesn't hold a charge quite as long but I use it an awful lot. Also bought their 1000lb folding utility trailer (DOT approved) back in 1999. I've used it to haul all sorts of crap over the years and it's still in good shape. My Dad bought two such trailers and the axles broke on both. I bought a rachet wrench that lasted about a week, a set of Pittsburgh open end/box wrenches, one of which broke during the first use. I have a jigsaw (without the laser guide) that worked well the two times I used it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,193
Messages
1,428,287
Members
61,104
Latest member
Three Amigos
Back
Top