Harbor Freight tools thread.

HF's smaller bench models, the 8" and 10", are junk. The larger bench and floor models are pretty good for the money, although they are sort of a "pig in a poke" because you the quality control is erratic. They were better 10 years ago.

Watch for bad castings, sloppy quills and spindles, and badly aligned/malformed pulleys--be prepared to buy and return two or three to finally get a good one--it's OK to be picky. The chucks are junk--throw it away and get a South Bend from Amazon,

If you are looking for a reasonably priced 10" bench model I strongly recommend the Wen 4212 variable speed tool--see my post here. It's $175 with free shipping from most vendors--"google" it...

 

The 13 speed model looks pretty much the same as what I have.

 

That one looked pretty good to me, too

 

I've had mine for a bit over a year--it's a good tool. Years ago I had a Delta 20" variable speed floor model, the VS mechanism in the Wen is a clone of Delta's design.

The variable pitch drive pulley is spring loaded and the pitch of driven pulley is varied via a gear rack mounted yoke raised/lowered by a pinion rotated as the speed control lever at the left side of the head is moved fore and aft:

 

For anyone holding out for a Yukon toolbox coupon as I have, here you go! $259
http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/YUKON+46",+9+DRAWER+ROLLER+CABINET+WITH+SOLID+WOOD+TOP

 

We have one of the floor mounted ones. Couple years old. Works great. THe teeth on the chuck are starting to round. I just picked up a floor mounted porter cable one from lowes though for $300 bucks plus tax. Has great reviews and just a little more. One bit caught a hub and bent the shaft on it though. Brought it back to lowes and they exchanged it no problems. Both are good and work great though.

 

Anybody got any of the new welders yet? I went to get the 215 but out of stock , I'll go back today or try a other store maybe.

 

Good morning TW, my dewalt cordless drive batteries are not charging up anymore. I’m weighing out either buying the harbor freight cordless tools or rebuilding the dewalt batteries.

Has anyone rebuilt cordless batteries (if so- any details), or had any experience with HF cordless tools?

 

I vote rebuild with quality cells. Sub'd for seeing what you come up with.

 

My son was in the same boat a you, so I got him the 18 to20 volt adapter kit for Christmas. Came with two batteries and the adapter. Seams like a good way to go, as the new tools you will want to buy will be 20 volt ,and the batteries will be available longer. About $120.

 

I've been rebuilding mine for some time. They require a "sub C" size battery. If you are good with a soldering iron, its a great way to save money. Also, you will need small torx head screwdriver to take the battery apart. I forget the size.

There are YouTube vids that do a much better job explaining it than me.

 

@koditten where do you buy the sub C’s, I think I can solder good enough. Although the 1st gen clock mod/repair was the smallest I’ve soldered.

I just bought some HF torx sockets.

 

I’ve been watching them for a while too.

These HF coupons came today

 

I've seen those. I'm ready to drop those $579.99 plus Cali tax.

 

HAS anyone used the hf corded band saws?

 

Yep. It works as good as my Milwaukee portable. Between the 2, I doubt I will need another for the rest of my life...and I use them a lot for my fabrication work.

 

Sub C cells are a common hobby battery size, figure out what chemistry yours are first NIMH or NICAD and what MAH rating is (although you can go more or less on that cost vs. runtime). Most hobby shops (not Hobby Lobby!) that sell RC stuff will have Sub C cells, Sanyo, Samsung, LG, Rayovac, are all good names. There are other good brands hiding out there too I'm sure.

 

Gotta ask, Zane. what is "cheisty"?

 

Just changed it before the notification showed up haha