Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

5030 · Nov 13, 2021

jyoutz said:
I have a friend who’s a welder. He buys the HF angle grinders. He says they last half as long as the Milwaukee brand, but they cost only 25% of the better brand, so he’s ahead.

How I view the Bauer cordless tools. Upfront cost is about 1/4th to 1/3rd of the comparable Milwaukee or DeWalt tools and believe it or not, I have not found the smoke in any Bauer cordless tool yet. I use them too, especially the Bauer 20 volt 4.5" angle grinder. Only thing with the grinder is it really needs the large Li-Ion battery HF sells. The puny one lasts about 3 minutes and is done. The big one will go about 30 minutes.

Rich B1 · Nov 13, 2021

5030 said:
I'll check that out today. Amazon has them as well but the quality is always suspect. Wish I had bought one years ago. My only issue with it is, it don't come with a drill size chart for the pilot holes but I have one of those continuous step drills I use for the holes and it fits nicely in the case.

i just used a set of dial calipers and measured the OD of the rivnut. Then picked an appropriate drill bit.

California · Nov 17, 2021

Not HF, but this might be the audience who would like to know this:

I'm considering an over $100 purchase on Amazon. Chinese-made electronics and a new vendor. So I researched the Asurion warranty that Amazon offers alongside the purchase.

I asked Asurion if their warranty will take responsibility for repair/refund if the Amazon vendor disappears during the term described in the vendor's warranty. Asurion refuses to answer that question. They won't explain anything beyond 'assist in contacting the vendor'.

So the Asurion warranty apparently doesn't become useful until after the expiration of manufacturer's warranty, and non-performance by the vendor before that expiration date isn't covered. Not exactly 'insurance'!

California · Nov 18, 2021

Update - 'Chat' last night didn't know if Asurion will step in if the vendor disappeared during the term of the vendor warranty.

This morning, a new email, they explicitly said that is covered.

So it's worth the $29 for 4 year coverage from them.

Diggin It · Dec 3, 2021

Fair batch of coupons this time:

HARBOR FREIGHT

Anywhere from 10-25% off certain brands with 'no exclusions'.

John_Mc · Dec 3, 2021

Where do "Warrior" power tools fit in the Harbor Freight Line up of quality levels?

In fact does anyone have a lineup showing the naming lineup of "good/better/best" (i.e. cheap disposable crap / OK / Good) for the various Harbor Freight lines - both in hand tools and power (electric or pneumatic) tools? I'm constantly forgetting what fits where in their lineup.

I can mange to remember that Icon is their premium line of hand tools, and Hercules tops their power tool line up. I can't remember the rest. Do the air compressors run Central Pneumatic / McGraw / Fortress? (and where does their one small Bauer compressor fit in?) For welders, does it run Chicago Electric / Titanium / Vulcan?

Travelover · Dec 3, 2021

John_Mc said:
Where do "Warrior" power tools fit in the Harbor Freight Line up of quality levels?

In fact does anyone have a lineup showing the naming lineup of "good/better/best" (i.e. cheap disposable crap / OK / Good) for the various Harbor Freight lines - both in hand tools and power (electric or pneumatic) tools? I'm constantly forgetting what fits where in their lineup.

I can mange to remember that Icon is their premium line of hand tools, and Hercules tops their power tool line up. I can't remember the rest. Do the air compressors run Central Pneumatic / McGraw / Fortress? (and where does their one small Bauer compressor fit in?) For welders, does it run Chicago Electric / Titanium / Vulcan?

Warrior is the cheapest. You can figure out the line up just by looking at a common tool like an angle grinder and seeing the price stack up.

California · Dec 3, 2021

John_Mc said:
For welders, does it run Chicago Electric / Titanium / Vulcan?

For welders, correct.

But I went to buy a Titanium 125 Flux (Not the awful AC-only Chicago Electric 125) and the website showed none in a 200 mile radius so order now for next June delivery. (!)

Amazon lists similar welders. One is dual voltage. When CamelCamel (price monitoring) showed it dropped from $199 to $149, I bought one.
Amico MIG-130A, 130 Amp Flux Cored Wire Gasless Welder, 110/230V Dual Voltage

I like the Amico. Running 240v input I think its claimed 130A output is realistic. I burned through a 1/8" scrap I tried it on. However output of 130A from any 110V welder would need 30A input - not realistic. Quality seems at least as good as HF. I got the third party 4 year repair warranty, $30, that Amazon lists alongside the welder listing. Just in case ...

IndyJay · Dec 3, 2021

John_Mc said:
Where do "Warrior" power tools fit in the Harbor Freight Line up of quality levels?

In fact does anyone have a lineup showing the naming lineup of "good/better/best" (i.e. cheap disposable crap / OK / Good) for the various Harbor Freight lines - both in hand tools and power (electric or pneumatic) tools? I'm constantly forgetting what fits where in their lineup.

I can mange to remember that Icon is their premium line of hand tools, and Hercules tops their power tool line up. I can't remember the rest. Do the air compressors run Central Pneumatic / McGraw / Fortress? (and where does their one small Bauer compressor fit in?) For welders, does it run Chicago Electric / Titanium / Vulcan?

I have had good experience with the two Bauer tools that I have bought. The 1641E-B SDS Hammer Drill performed very well tearing out a brick hearth and wall, and the 1873E-B Jig Saw was comparable to much more expensive manufacturers offerings. I think Bauer is top or near top of their line, I saw pictures of a cordless Warrior Impact Gun that had grenaded. I now think of "Worrier" instead of "Warrior" when I see that brand...

stuckmotor · Dec 3, 2021

California said:
For welders, correct.

But I went to buy a Titanium 125 Flux (Not the awful AC-only Chicago Electric 125) and the website showed none in a 200 mile radius so order now for next June delivery. (!)

Amazon lists similar welders. One is dual voltage. When CamelCamel (price monitoring) showed it dropped from $199 to $149, I bought one.
Amico MIG-130A, 130 Amp MIG/Flux Cored Wire Gasless Welder, 110/230V Dual Voltage

I like the Amico. Running 240v input I think the claimed 130A output is realistic. I burned through a 1/8" scrap I tried it on. While output of 130A from any 110V welder needs 30A input, not realistic. Quality seems at least as good as HF. I got the third party 4 year repair warranty, $30, that Amazon lists alongside the welder listing. Just in case ...