Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[dragoneggs]

I will never buy another NiCad battery powered tool ever. If you want to save money get a Ryobi lithium 18v. If you want something that will last decades get a Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, Fein etc 18V Lithium. For something to be used occasionally and mostly just around the house, the 12v lithium tools from Ryobi, Makita, Bosch are really very good.

IT, just curious if you have an aversion to a 20v system? I went hog wild and upgraded my aging cord and 12v cordless tools with a bunch of the Dewalt 20v and am happier than a clam in sand.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Just picked up one of these today.. For $99 after coupon, I figured I couldn't go too wrong..



1 Amp Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit

 

[IslandTractor]

IT, just curious if you have an aversion to a 20v system? I went hog wild and upgraded my aging cord and 12v cordless tools with a bunch of the Dewalt 20v and am happier than a clam in sand.

I've never looked carefully at the Dewalt 20v system but I recall they had trouble with batteries on introduction which I assume they have fixed.

To be honest, I think the 20v systems are just marketing ploys to give a leg up in sales and that a 10% increase in voltage doesn't matter nearly as much as battery amp/hrs functionally compared to 18v systems. My Makita 18v impact wrench (not driver) can already tear the tool from my grip, what would 20v be useful for? On the other hand, the 18v lithium batteries now come in light 2Ah, standard 3Ah, and bigger 4Ah, 5Ah and even 6Ah sizes which would be very helpful to someone using a battery powered tool for long periods. I've been happy with the 3Ah but I can see that a pro carpenter might well want more life from a single battery. For my purposes (non pro obviously) the two 3Ah batteries that came with my kit and recharge in about 30 min are more than adequate. Indeed, I've thought about getting an extra 2Ah battery just because it is lighter.

I also own an older Ryobi 18v system that was amazingly rejuvenated after I replaced the NiMh batteries with lithium. It is perfectly adequate though clearly not at the same level as the Dewalt, Makita, Bosch tools. I might not have even bought the Makita had I replaced the Ryobi batteries first.

My favorite go to tool for stuff around the house is the little 12v Bosch impact driver and drill set Bosch CLPK22-12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion 2-Tool Combo Kit (Drill/Driver and Impact Driver) with 2 Batteries, Charger and Case - Power Hammer Drills - Amazon.com . I wouldn't want to build a house with the little 12v system but its small size and power to drive a 2 inch screw without complaint makes it more than adequate for household maintenance and much more convenient. Try getting a big 18v driver inside an appliance to remove/replace 1/4" sheet metal screws. I keep the palm sized 12v in the basement and cannot recall the last time I went to the garage to get an 18v tool for a house chore.

 

[ericm979]

Just picked up one of these today.. For $99 after coupon, I figured I couldn't go too wrong..

View attachment 501018

1 Amp Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit

What is that used for?

 

[IslandTractor]

What is that used for?

Excellent for cutting steel in the field or in a non specialized workshop. Can be attached to a small bench to make a precision metal band saw. Very useful for cutting pipe which is what they were developed to do.

 

[94BULLITT]

Just picked up one of these today.. For $99 after coupon, I figured I couldn't go too wrong..

View attachment 501018

1 Amp Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit

Now you need to make a table for it like swag offroad sells. My portaband with the table is one of my most used metal fabricating toola.

 

[IslandTractor]

Now you need to make a table for it like swag offroad sells. My portaband with the table is one of my most used metal fabricating toola.

Or, he can just buy one of the Swag tables. I have one for my Milwaukee portaband and it, with a miter gauge, is a very useful addition. Not quite the same as what you'd find in a dedicated metalworking shop but WAY more useful than just a hacksaw or chopsaw. SWAG Portaband Tables

 

[94BULLITT]

Or, he can just buy one of the Swag tables. I have one for my Milwaukee portaband and it, with a miter gauge, is a very useful addition. Not quite the same as what you'd find in a dedicated metalworking shop but WAY more useful than just a hacksaw or chopsaw. SWAG Portaband Tables

You can make your own for under $30.

 

[IslandTractor]

You can make your own for under $30.

If you have precision bending, cutting and drilling tools. I'm sure a simple version could be put together but fabricating a precision table with miter gauge slot is not an afternoon project. I think the simple SWAG table that clamps into a vise only costs about $50 and the versions that include legs and the miter gauge slot go for about $130 or so. Still pretty cheap money compared to what a real metal bandsaw costs. SWAG does a nice job with CAD designed and laser or water metal cutting systems. They seem to specialize in upgrades to HF products too so anyone who does metal working with HF tools should be aware of SWAGoffroad.com.

 

[TheMan419]

Ditto. NiCad is obsolete, and nothing more than a frustration-maker. I don't know why HF still uses it.

Ryobi is the natural step up from HF into competent 18 volt tools for DIY, farm etc. Quite usable but not in the expensive, powerful category a pro would use daily.

Ryobi is "Good enough for the girls I go with." as an old Carpenter buddy used to say. I wouldn't buy anything cheaper.

Well I paid like $14 for the tool, battery and charger. The cheapest I can find the Ryobi is $30 but that does not include a battery. Seeing as I needed something on Sunday I bought the HF tool. If it fails quickly meh. Then I likely will upgrade to something better/longer lasting.

My only real complaint about NiCad batteries is their longer charging time. Charging in a half hour would be nice. I could get up on Saturday. Realize I forgot to charge the tool, start it charging and by the time coffee and breakfast were done be ready to rock and roll.

In any event the tool came with a charged battery. So it ran through what I needed it to do on Sunday. It will now be charged for continuing to work tonight after my day job.

We just built a horse barn. Stalls were put up by pros. However, the stall latches they used a junk so I am replacing those, hanging corner feeders, bucket hooks etc. Also using an old corded drill I have for pre drill holes when needed so I do not have to switch bits all the time.