Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[neverfailyou]

The only adapter I have and considered is for using the newer M18 Lithium batteries on my older Milwaukee 18 volt tools originally used nicad batteries. Since they chose to change the way the two battery systems connected to tools, which sucked. Works great being able to use the older tools with the newer batteries. Not sure I would use batteries between "battery tool species" even if I had other brands.

Mixing battery species using adapters seems to work for me. For three years, I’ve been using dewalt 20v lithium on older (black) Craftsman C3 nicad tools with an adapter and no issues. I switched to dewalt tools and batteries when the 3rd set of C3 batteries died years back. At that time, a dewalt small tool set with two batteries was less than replacement C3 batteries.

The C3 tools are my workhorses; they won’t die. I am very careful with the dewalt stuff.
YMMV

 

[chiefcook]

Not sure about your specific situation, but I use an adapter for Black and Decker 20v lithium batteries on Bauer and have not had any problems.

 

[crazyal]

The free adapter showed up on my front step today. Saturday I'll be over near HF so I'll pick up the Bauer pole saw and see how things work and report back.

 

[bmaverick]

Not sure about your specific situation, but I use an adapter for Black and Decker 20v lithium batteries on Bauer and have not had any problems.

Got a link or the brand adapter to do this?

 

[California]

And - are my Ryobi 18v batteries easily adapted to anything else?

I cobbled together an adapter to a $10 Remington pole saw, using the shell of a Ryobi flashlight with wires plugged into the Remington in place of its NLA battery. Ugly but it was real productive.

 

[Fallon]

Can't remember what the verdict was, or what they tested, but this channel did some testing:

They do some good testing, been a fan for a while.

 

[crazyal]

I ended up getting the Bauer pole saw, the smaller buffer, and the glue gun. All 3 work just fine with the adapter and the M18 batteries. I don't think I would use the adapter on a tool that draws a lot of power as I think it would overheat and melt (a couple of the reviews showing it to be an issue). I'm guessing is they are 3d printed and can't handle high temps.

The pole saw isn't bad but the motor doesn't have a ton of grunt. It's fine for small branches. It easily handled a 1" beech branch. The Oregon chain (made in China) isn't very good though. I adjusted it before using it and after cutting the one branch it looked pretty loose so I adjusted it again. After cutting the next branch it was very tight. The chain is unevenly stretched. It goes from very tight to very loose depending on where it is on the bar. I have two more chains coming, hopefully as it breaks in it evens out. If not I'll try swapping it with a spare. It's heavier and beefier that I was expecting

 

[5030]

As with any chainsaw, be it a pole saw or a regular chainsaw, you always let the saw feed itself into the cut and never apply external pressure. That entails having a sharp loop and the rakers set properly as well and I agree, the supplied loop with the Bauer pole saw isn't the best but it does work so long as you don't push it. I made up a chain (extra for mine) from a bulk roll. I keep bulk rolls of all sizes of chain in the shop anyway. Much less expensive that way compared to already made up loops.

Never been a fan of battery swaps on any tool and the Bauer 5 amp packs have plenty of power for me and I always have a few charged up and ready to go.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I have no sympathy for folks who buy the cheapest tool they can find then complain about the quality. Harbor Freight tools are usually very good for the price, especially if you just need it for a specific project.

 

[John_Mc]

I have no sympathy for folks who buy the cheapest tool they can find then complain about the quality. Harbor Freight tools are usually very good for the price, especially if you just need it for a specific project.

Harbor Freight also sells some pretty darn good tools which give the high end brands a run for their money … but they do cost more than their entry level/disposable tools