Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[joeykunz]

I have the 3 and 1/2 cu ft concrete mixer, works great so far.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I have the 3 and 1/2 cu ft concrete mixer, works great so far.

I remember years ago me and my younger cousins assembled a HF mixer from my grandfather...

 

[Dargo]

Anyone try that new saw that has 2 blades spinning in opposite directions, don't know if it has been mentioned in these 1750 pages :confused2:

There was a video on it as well.

YouTube - ‪5" DoubleCut Saw #68316 - Harbor Freight Tools‬‏

I see it's on back order now.

I bought my dad one (no snide remarks now) since I have one of the original ones and love it and a brother in law has the Craftsman version and really loves his. I thought I'd give it a shot for the price back when I saw them come out. At first, my dad liked it, but it was relatively weak; but still was worth having. Oh, if you read the reviews on HF's website, some moron claims his slices through 1" steel plate like butter! That should give you an idea of the type of people you are shopping with. FYI, you can freeze water into ice easier with a plasma cutter than an HF will slice through 1" steel like butter!!

Anyway, the bad part is that they are indeed on back order. The worst part of that is that my dad is on his 3rd one. He generally has cut 1/4" to 3/8" 2"X2" angle and 1" iron pipe with 1/4" wall with his. They work great for roughly a half an hour and then, literally, go up in smoke. The concept and Craftsman and original version are certainly worthy of any tool box. Be sure to use the little wax sticks for lubrication as directed and the blades last a surprisingly long time. I wish I had a better report for the HF version, but I don't. You don't save that much over the Craftsman version. I've used my BIL's Craftsman, and I think I prefer it to the original version. Spend the little extra and get a Craftsman or original. HF will be out of stock for a while as they replace broken ones first; before they offer them for sale again. Based on my dad's, HF's Chicago Electric skimped on the electric motor and bearings. IMHO, not where you want to skimp. If you burned a HF up cutting 1" plate steel, that's just abuse and no fault of the product! I still can't believe they have that moron's "review" on their site. They are just inviting abuse. They will never keep them running if people expect them to perform as such.

 

[JB4310]

I bought my dad one (no snide remarks now) since I have one of the original ones and love it and a brother in law has the Craftsman version and really loves his. I thought I'd give it a shot for the price back when I saw them come out. At first, my dad liked it, but it was relatively weak; but still was worth having. Oh, if you read the reviews on HF's website, some moron claims his slices through 1" steel plate like butter!

Thanks for the review Dargo, I never seen one before from any maker. So those blades will cut up to 3/8" plate? That's pretty impressive. I guess If I decide to get one I'll hold out for a better brand.

JB

 

[IslandTractor]

Costco has a similar two blade saw. Looks nice but I haven't bought one. I do have the Evolution Rage which is basically a regular style saw with their fancy blade. Saws through battleships like buttah.

 

[sixdogs]

How can all the broken electical tools be a plus for HF?
It seems most of the tools quit after that infamous half hour and need to be replaced. Wouldn't it work better to just build a better product?
They must buy this stuff for peanuts.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

How can all the broken electical tools be a plus for HF?
It seems most of the tools quit after that infamous half hour and need to be replaced. Wouldn't it work better to just build a better product?
They must buy this stuff for peanuts.

sixdogs about 40 years ago I researched the import business. At the time you had to pay 12% of your selling price (at the factory) to cover overhead and a reasonable profit margin. They may make good money off selling insurance and club memberships.

 

[JeffandTamara]

Anyone have experience with HF's Electric Impact...68099/45252. I think it said it has 240 Lbs torque.

 

[sixdogs]

sixdogs about 40 years ago I researched the import business. At the time you had to pay 12% of your selling price (at the factory) to cover overhead and a reasonable profit margin. They may make good money off selling insurance and club memberships.

Thanks for the reply. I don't quite inderstand this. Who pays the 12%?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Thanks for the reply. I don't quite inderstand this. Who pays the 12%?

I took it to mean that your wholesale cost can't be over 12% of your retail cost in order to make a profit.