Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[5030]

Not really Harbor Freight tool that doesn't suck, but while looking at drill presses(I did buy the cheap HF one) and other tools, I found that Walmart no longer handle Black and Decker tools. They now have a new line exclusive to Walmart (according to the Hart rep I spoke to) called HART. They are blue in color, cost about the same or more than B&D and only use Hart battery packs (no surprise there). They seem to follow Dewalt and others with supplying tools with no battery and according to the rep, many folks already have battery(ies) and thus only want the tool. This is not likely when they first start selling a tool line and I told her so. I was looking for a 20v sabre saw, the Hart one was $55 but 1 battery and charger was another $60, a little less than a Craftsman that I priced in Lowes which had 2 batteries and a charger for $150 but their saw was $75.
I did finally find a Black and Decker set at Lowes that included a sabre saw, a 5 1/2" skill saw, a drill and a LED light and 2 batteries and charger for $175. The main reason I went with the B&D is because I already have several chargers and batteries to fit drills and even a weed eater( that I dont use). I didn't need any more drills since I have 5 already but I had been wanting a small skill saw and buying one and a sabre saw would have been about the same price (more if getting other brands like Ryobi or Craftsman and would still have to buy $150 worth of batteries.


I have generally had good service from Black and Decker tools so I am sticking with them for now. I wont be trying out the new HART line anytime soon for sure. One thing I have noticed about HF tools is that they are getting more and more expensive, now nearly in line with name brand high quality tools at other stores. Anyone else see that trend in their stores?

Not I. Even the prime stuff, Icon, Lynx, Braun, etc, are priced much less than other supposedly 'top line' tools. If you delve deeper into who really makes what, I think you'll find that B&D, DeWalt, Porter Cable, Milwaukee and some others are all made in the same factory, just difference colored cases. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the HF stuff is also made along side the 'Name brand' tools either.

I do know that Lifan makes some of HF Predator engines.

I would not ever buy DeWalt anything or Ryobi either. Their batteries are way overpriced.

 

[5030]

Maybe so, but Snap-On is sending me a $120 hammer. A One-Hundred-Twenty-dollar Hammer.

I may frame it and put it on display.

Take solace that it it wasn't logo'd Snap-On, it would probably cost 1/3 of that, if that much. I don't much care what name is on a tool. I want it to work, work right and last a reasonable amount of time... and of course be reasonably priced. Snap-On tools are not reasonably priced, neither is Mac or Matco.

You can puff out your chest and brag you use Snap-On tools, but my less expensive tools do the same EXACT thing yours do.

 

[aczlan]

I did finally find a Black and Decker set at Lowes that included a sabre saw, a 5 1/2" skill saw, a drill and a LED light and 2 batteries and charger for $175. The main reason I went with the B&D is because I already have several chargers and batteries to fit drills and even a weed eater( that I dont use). I didn't need any more drills since I have 5 already but I had been wanting a small skill saw and buying one and a sabre saw would have been about the same price (more if getting other brands like Ryobi or Craftsman and would still have to buy $150 worth of batteries.

Note that if you switch to Porter Cable, their 20v lithium ion batteries will interchange with Black & Decker 20 volt lithium ion batteries, as long as you do a little bit of plastic surgery on the nub on the top of the battery. I suspect that you could do the same with DeWalt batteries, but I haven't had one that I could experiment with.

Aaron Z

 

[Grumpycat]

I have generally had good service from Black and Decker tools so I am sticking with them for now. I wont be trying out the new HART line anytime soon for sure. One thing I have noticed about HF tools is that they are getting more and more expensive, now nearly in line with name brand high quality tools at other stores. Anyone else see that trend in their stores?

You know B&D owns DeWalt and uses the DeWalt trademark for upscale product?

Many wrongly claim "everything is the same! Made in same factory!" Even if made in the same factory there are deliberate differences. Consider how many different 20V DeWalt 1/2" drills are offered? Some brushless, some not. Must search carefully to distinguish between home grade and commercial. Same goes for car batteries. Many different brands from one factory, even using same battery cases. But the plates inside differ greatly, even the lead alloy differs.

 

[Oaktree]

I would not ever buy DeWalt anything or Ryobi either. Their batteries are way overpriced.

Don't have any DeWalt cordless tools, so I can't comment on their battery prices, but I haven't notice Ryobi ones to be out of line. HD usually has specials on Ryobi stuff at Christmas & father's day, batteries are usually marked down then.

 

[Oaktree]

Not really Harbor Freight tool that doesn't suck, but while looking at drill presses(I did buy the cheap HF one) and other tools, I found that Walmart no longer handle Black and Decker tools. They now have a new line exclusive to Walmart (according to the Hart rep I spoke to) called HART. They are blue in color, cost about the same or more than B&D and only use Hart battery packs (no surprise there). They seem to follow Dewalt and others with supplying tools with no battery and according to the rep, many folks already have battery(ies) and thus only want the tool. This is not likely when they first start selling a tool line and I told her so.

HF seems to be doing that with their Hercules line. Most, if not all tools are sold without battery or charger. Add another $65-$90 first time you buy one.
I like that certain tools can be bought without battery, but as you noted, this idea works better on an established line than on a new product with batteries incompatible with other models.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Finally opened my Portland electric pole saw I bought last April, I hooked it up to the generator and spent about 3 hours trimming. I was truly impressed for the 49 dollars I paid for it.

 

[dragoneggs]

Don't have any DeWalt cordless tools, so I can't comment on their battery prices, but I haven't notice Ryobi ones to be out of line. HD usually has specials on Ryobi stuff at Christmas & father's day, batteries are usually marked down then.

I have grown a bit fond of DeWalt 20V cordless. I have a dozen! In the spirit of this HF thread, 11 of them plus 5 batteries fit snugly in my HF 5 drawer tool cart! The last, a cordless circular saw sits on the bottom shelf next to my heavy as heck 7in Makita 15amp corded grinder. I love the compact storage, no cords, and I can wheel all of them around.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Take solace that it it wasn't logo'd Snap-On, it would probably cost 1/3 of that, if that much. I don't much care what name is on a tool. I want it to work, work right and last a reasonable amount of time... and of course be reasonably priced. Snap-On tools are not reasonably priced, neither is Mac or Matco.

You can puff out your chest and brag you use Snap-On tools, but my less expensive tools do the same EXACT thing yours do.

Pretty sure you missed my point. No worries.

 

[hunt4570]

I have grown a bit fond of DeWalt 20V cordless. I have a dozen! In the spirit of this HF thread, 11 of them plus 5 batteries fit snugly in my HF 5 drawer tool cart! The last, a cordless circular saw sits on the bottom shelf next to my heavy as heck 7in Makita 15amp corded grinder. I love the compact storage, no cords, and I can wheel all of them around.

View attachment 639720

Do you ever use them? They are all so clean and shiny!!