And we want super low prices, so that is how HF specs out the tools. :laughing:.............They want cheap crap so that is what the factories produce.
New chains have the grade stamped in the links about every 2-3 feet. If you have no marking according to the DOT regs, you have to assume it is the lowest grade of chain for strength assumptions when tying down a load using it.I saw the notation on the HF chain that it is yellow to meet CA DOT reqs, and was going to ask what that was all about, until I looked at the TSC link, where it explained that CA DOT inspectors can identify a chain's load rating by its color.
Now can anyone tell what difference is between logging chain and binder chain, or just plain old chain?
We have a couple of 8' 3/8" chains with grab hooks on one end and a ? 12" "J"-hook on the other, from Northern Tool and they get the most use, but all our other chains were inherited or bought at barn sales and are mixed lengths of 5/16" and 3/8" with a devil's assortment of end hardware ranging from standard slip or grab hooks to a forged ring.
And we want super low prices, so that is how HF specs out the tools. :laughing:
Amen. That's why I started this thread in 2008. :laughing:..........HF sells lots of crap tools. I love it. Long live crap tools.
I dont see it on there, but I bought a knockoff Fein spiral saw a few years back for $20 .. Ferm brand I think.. Came with variable speed, all the attachments and a nice bag.. Works great and still going.It is not necessarily a bad business strategy and works for the consumer too. If I were a pro I would steer clear of HF and invest in quality reliable tools. But as a rank amateur who can either fork out $250 to have a plumber come over for twenty minutes or buy a crappy version of a special tool for less than $20 and do the job myself, HF is perfect. If I find I use a tool frequently and the HF tool breaks, I do a quick calculation in my head about whether to just keep replacing the HF version or to go invest serious bucks in a Makita etc.
I bought one of the Fein orbital tools about ten years ago. Paid big bucks. Don't use it much but I do use it enough to "need" that tool. A few years ago their patent expired and the floodgates opened on knockoffs. The HF knockoff is just fine for anything I need so I would have saved quite a bit of dough had that been available when I needed it. On the other hand, after buying several iterations of knock off battery powered drills from Costco and Sears etc, I finally got fed up and just plunked down the big bucks for a full set of Makita 18V lithium tools. There are some things you don't want to get at HF.
I would never spend multiple thousands on metal working tools like benders, presses, brakes, etc etc. But if HF makes a so so version that I can buy on sale for cheap money then I am glad to do it and have the opportunity to do little projects I could never do without such tools. I never knew I needed a one inch sanding belt machine...HF put one on sale for about $30 so I came up with an excuse to buy it. Works like a charm. Paid for itself the first weekend making some custom dowels that would have cost me hundreds to get done by a woodworking shop. Score.
HF sells lots of crap tools. I love it. Long live crap tools.
It is not necessarily a bad business strategy and works for the consumer too. If I were a pro I would steer clear of HF and invest in quality reliable tools. But as a rank amateur who can either fork out $250 to have a plumber come over for twenty minutes or buy a crappy version of a special tool for less than $20 and do the job myself, HF is perfect. If I find I use a tool frequently and the HF tool breaks, I do a quick calculation in my head about whether to just keep replacing the HF version or to go invest serious bucks in a Makita etc.
I bought one of the Fein orbital tools about ten years ago. Paid big bucks. Don't use it much but I do use it enough to "need" that tool. A few years ago their patent expired and the floodgates opened on knockoffs. The HF knockoff is just fine for anything I need so I would have saved quite a bit of dough had that been available when I needed it. On the other hand, after buying several iterations of knock off battery powered drills from Costco and Sears etc, I finally got fed up and just plunked down the big bucks for a full set of Makita 18V lithium tools. There are some things you don't want to get at HF.
I would never spend multiple thousands on metal working tools like benders, presses, brakes, etc etc. But if HF makes a so so version that I can buy on sale for cheap money then I am glad to do it and have the opportunity to do little projects I could never do without such tools. I never knew I needed a one inch sanding belt machine...HF put one on sale for about $30 so I came up with an excuse to buy it. Works like a charm. Paid for itself the first weekend making some custom dowels that would have cost me hundreds to get done by a woodworking shop. Score.
HF sells lots of crap tools. I love it. Long live crap tools.