🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:05:00 GMT, ehsjr <ehsjr@NOSPAMverizon.net>
wrote:

>krw wrote:
>> On Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:04:30 GMT, ehsjr <ehsjr@NOSPAMverizon.net>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>>krw wrote:
>>>
>>><snip>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>Fein is simply crazy expensive.  I looked at their routers over the
>>>>weekend.  I wasn't impressed, for 4X what a Bosch or PC costs.  Bosch
>>>>has a "Multi-Master type tool ("Multi-X", I think) that's a lot
>>>>cheaper and looks just as good (Li-Ion battery, though).  A little
>>>>lower down the line, Dremmel has a copy for $100ish.  If you want to
>>>>go cheap, HarborFreight has one for $40.  The reports are decent,
>>>>acknowledging that it's a $40 tool.  The only real complaint is that
>>>>the blades loosen.  
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>Where do you get reports on the Harbor Freight stuff?
>>>I'd like to be able to see what others think about what
>>>I might buy - like their 12' sliding compound miter saw.
>> 
>> 
>> I have their 10" SLCS.  For $100 it's not bad at all.  I just bought
>> it to cut 2x4s and it does that very well.  I did some molding with it
>> in my last house, too.  I'll likely replace it with a better saw in
>> the next year or so, though.
>> 
>> As far as discussions of these things, rec.woodworking is likely the
>> best place.  There are a lot of tool snobs there too, but also a lot
>> of information.
>> 
>> 
>>>Sometimes they're good for power tools that will be used
>>>infrequently.  The stuff I've bought from them for light
>>>use has never disappointed - but I haven't used it either
>>>under harsh conditions or extensively.
>> 
>> 
>> I don't have too many HF power tools, but a few.  You really have to
>> be careful.   The above SLCS is fairly good (it's weak on compound
>> miters).  I've looked at their wet saw and would have bought it if I
>> knew about it before I bought mine.  OTOH, I have a couple of cordless
>> drills that are just so bad that I don't even count them.
>
>Thanks for the info on the saw.  My use would be like yours,
>primarily rough carpentry. I have a bunch of decorative
>"garden ties" to replace, and the 12" saw will handle them.

The only thing I'd recommend is to buy it in one of their brick and
mortar stores, where it can be easily returned.  A couple of friends
also bought one, after I recommended it, and one apparently had
damaged slider bearings.

>I have a $24 1/2" hammer drill from them - flawless for the
>few times I've used it.  The cordless 9.6V is pretty much
>useless, except for maybe drilling a couple of holes in
>a project box.  I love their cheap $2.99 meters for monitoring
>stuff, and as a source of LCD displays for projects.  Haven't
>seen that price for a while though.  It's kinda fun to watch
>them mis-measure noisy DC. :-)

I put their meters in my tool box (and hide the Flukes) in case
someone decides to borrow one.  I lost a Fluke-77 that way.