Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Ford850]

18v vs 20v... there is no difference. It's pure marketing. Each cell has a "normal" rating of 3.6 volts, and a "maximum" rating of 4 volts. There are 5 cells, so some manufacturers label them according to the normal voltage while others label them according to the maximum voltage.

 

[California]

I paid $14 for the tool, battery and charger. Seeing as I needed something on Sunday I bought the HF tool. If it fails quickly meh.

And that's the perfect description of what HF is good for: A short term project and if the tool then fails, not much lost.

My recent experience with the 4" belt sander fits this model. The bag failed immediately but I finished my project (sanding a deck). Then I took it back for refund so its use cost nothing.

This 'buy it for one project' model is what distinguishes HF from traditional tool sources.

Yes I know they also sell a lot of stuff that is near or at pro grade but just having base-level, marginally useful stuff in the store that may or may not work as claimed is what is unique.

 

[IslandTractor]

....
This 'buy it for one project' model is what distinguishes HF from traditional tool sources.

Yes I know they also sell a lot of stuff that is near or at pro grade but just having base-level, marginally useful stuff in the store that may or may not work as claimed is what is unique.

I have to disagree slightly. They sell " a few items" that are near or at pro level. I'd argue that precisely none of their metalworking tools are at or near pro level and none of their battery powered hand tools are anywhere close to even Ryobi much less DeWalt, Makita etc.

What they do very well, as you indicated, is make tools that are "just good enough" for an average homeowner to get at least one project done. If they fail during the project you get a refund or replacement. Anything after that is gravy. I figure if a tool saves me even one hour of a hired journeyman's time then the tool is probably going to save me money. The important rule that must be followed to make this strategy work however is to buy the HF tool literally just before you start your project, otherwise the 30 day warranty period will have expired before the tool does. Been there and made that mistake.

 

[Midniteoyl]

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

Which one would you recommend? I do a lot of field work so dont wanna spend the cash on the portable and a 'real' band saw, so the SWAG tables seem like a nice alternative..

I do kinda like the portable aspect of the vise clamped one, but worry about stability.

 

[IslandTractor]

I own the Swag version 4 table which I think fits only my specific Milwaukee Portaband. I haven't tried the other more generic versions of the Swag table but I can 1) vouch for Swag generally as I have other products of theirs which are all excellent quality and value and 2) unless you are a skilled metalworker with access to pro tools I don't think you could do better than Swag does. They use highly automated precision manufacturing methods and are all made in the USA. 3) I'd say that the cheap vise model would provide maybe 75% of the functionality of the more expensive versions so long as you are cutting freehand and don't need a miter gauge (ie are not cutting angles). The stability would depend mostly on how stable your vise and table are.

I think they specify in their webpage which models fit the HF portabands. I think version 3 is probably the one.

If you are using the table/portaband for "serious" work, it is worthwhile getting the INCRA miter gauge (better than anything I could find at HF or box store). The pedal switch they offer for $30 is very useful too but it is literally sourced from HF and as I recall I bought mine at HF with a coupon and saved about $10-15.

 

[lostcreekranch]

You'll want to use some blade lube as well, really improves cutting.

Olson Saw Ac7 Saw Blade Lubricant Stick Stone for Band Saw Blades | eBay

+1 on the Milwaukee portable band saw, Swag Table, and Indra miter gage. I also have the original HF shallow thrust bs and the low end Swag table. I determined early on that the miter gage feature would be handy and got an excellent deal on the Milwaukee BS.

Also have the HF foot switch.

 

[TheMan419]

I have to disagree slightly. They sell " a few items" that are near or at pro level. I'd argue that precisely none of their metalworking tools are at or near pro level and none of their battery powered hand tools are anywhere close to even Ryobi much less DeWalt, Makita etc.

What they do very well, as you indicated, is make tools that are "just good enough" for an average homeowner to get at least one project done. If they fail during the project you get a refund or replacement. Anything after that is gravy. I figure if a tool saves me even one hour of a hired journeyman's time then the tool is probably going to save me money. The important rule that must be followed to make this strategy work however is to buy the HF tool literally just before you start your project, otherwise the 30 day warranty period will have expired before the tool does. Been there and made that mistake.

Yeah we will see with this drill. I am going to use it heavily (meaning several hours a day on Sat and Sun) for a few weekends. I'll probably be outside the 30 day window. However for $12 I don't really care. Once I have abused it, if it fails I will likely go spend $40 or so on a better brand that will then be used not so much and last.

My last drill was Black and Decker. It lasted 8 years. It is the batteries that failed. New batteries for it were more than a new drill. So into the bin it goes.

Back to the HF drill.... it has more than enough torque for what I am doing so that is what matters. Drives screws through PT lumber, drove some bolts into 4x4 posts to hold gate latches and so forth.

 

[JRobyn]

I have owned maybe 6 or 8 of the 18v ni-cad HF drills over the years, going back to the blue ones. I love 'em. They do have the ni-cad limitations, but they are CHEAP and mostly functional. The only problems I have had are with the batteries going out (expected), or lately, a number of the chargers have quit. Evidently a weak design in the charge regulating circuit. But if the chargers go bad, it's usually in the first use. I have ruined more than one battery by inadvertently overcharging. They like 5 hrs max. I've occasionally left them on charge for DAYS. Now I use a little plug-in timer.

 

[Travelover]

............... The important rule that must be followed to make this strategy work however is to buy the HF tool literally just before you start your project, otherwise the 30 day warranty period will have expired before the tool does. Been there and made that mistake.

Hypothetically and not that I'd ever do it, but if the tool pukes out of warranty, you can just buy another one of the same model number, stick the dead one in the box and take it back for a refund.

 

[PJSprog]

Hypothetically and not that I'd ever do it, but if the tool pukes out of warranty, you can just buy another one of the same model number, stick the dead one in the box and take it back for a refund.

"Hypothetically," yes ... a dishonest person certainly could do that.