HF 180 240v Mig welder orig price: $260+ Extended warranty: $50So leave the store with a $310 welder.Fan stops running 9 days into extended warranty."Great you get a free replacement and that completes your warranty. You can buy a new warranty to cover your replacement if you want for $50"....(thinks about the next 3 years)F that.
Reply:Harbor Freight "equipment" = crapshoot.Don't think algebra. Work in probabilities.Remember: The House always comes out ahead.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goHarbor Freight "equipment" = crapshoot.Don't think algebra. Work in probabilities.Remember: The House always comes out ahead.
Reply:As a hobbyist, I can afford to buy (and use the 90 day warranty) on the toys HF pushes on the public.If I was contemplating making money using power tools, HF would be on the bottom of my list.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goAs a hobbyist, I can afford to buy (and use the 90 day warranty) on the toys HF pushes on the public.If I was contemplating making money using power tools, HF would be on the bottom of my list.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Many on here are hobbyist. Sadly with that HF stuff you do not know if you can play with your hobby THAT day or will it break after 15 minutes of use. You need to choose wisely ! I bought their 1'' belt sander and cannot believe it still runs. I only bought it their because I was not sure how much I would use it. Now that I have it when it dies I'll buy a REAL ONE !
Reply:Originally Posted by bugwubberWell put.
Reply:And the line about crapshoot is very true. I have a HF 1/4" air die grinder 25 yrs old and it's still going, I think only because it gets about 6 drops of Marvel oil before each use. I wish I could say the same for a 3/8"x 50' HF air hose. About 6 months after I bought it the outer sheath started peeling off the "tool" end. I complained to the store about it and they said they only have a 30 day in store guarantee. This hose never sees the sun except for very short periods in the driveway. I just swapped ends w/ it and when it blows I'll buy a real "hose". MikeOl' Stonebreaker "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Harbor Freight...What washed up on the beach?"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:That's too bad it crapped out on you. I actually ended up using my HF Mig 170 welder in a production setting this spring (it's a long story) and it held up fine. A lot of this import stuff of any brand is hit or miss on quality. I had a $160 Ridgid hammer drill's trigger go up in smoke on the 4th use and a $200 Porter Cable biscuit jointer come with half the screws for the case missing.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Originally Posted by Iain PThat's too bad it crapped out on you. I actually ended up using my HF Mig 170 welder in a production setting this spring (it's a long story) and it held up fine. A lot of this import stuff of any brand is hit or miss on quality. I had a $160 Ridgid hammer drill's trigger go up in smoke on the 4th use and a $200 Porter Cable biscuit jointer come with half the screws for the case missing.
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofus... 3/8"x 50' HF air hose. About 6 months after I bought it the outer sheath started peeling off the "tool" end. I complained to the store about it and they said they only have a 30 day in store guarantee.
Reply:So the specific thing I have a problem with is this extended "warranty" which is structured more like an option contract. I don't want to own a $600 HF welder 3 years from now. Guess I should have read the details.
Reply:I don't own any HF tools. If I have Chinese tools I got them secondhand in an auction lot purchase. When a tool fails, I or someone else screwed it up. Those I buy new are good tools, if not, I get rid of them. Saves time, money, and anguish.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Harbor Freight does not add up because they are subtracting.
Reply:Originally Posted by mikecwikHarbor Freight does not add up because they are subtracting.
Reply:I have about 10 of the HF 4 1/2" grinders that I put all sorts of different implements on (grinders, metal cutting wheels, masonry wheels, wire brushes etc) and have had them for at least 10 years and have yet to ruin one. I have had some of the the cords fail and had to replace them, but the grinders just keep on going. Those are the best HF tools I have bought from them by far. I also buy their allegedly HVLP paint guns when they go on sale for $9.99 and have painted several vehicles with them. NEVER buy their extended warranty. Cheaper to just replace the tool.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:And never fall for the Inside Track Club nonsense. It makes sense only in limited circumstances - you buy a year's supply of tools in multiples for your employees, you are starting out and need the entire variety of tools in your trade at beginner prices, etc. If you don't expect to spend a few thousand dollars at HF in one year, don't bother.The problem is that ITC special prices are applied to so few tools that you will wait forever for your favorite item to hit. You are better off buying it at the time you need it using a 20% off coupon instead of waiting months in hope of saving another dollar.
Reply:I need to pick up a hf grinder. I imagine that while they do work it is a tool that I would dread to use. What model do you recomend?
Reply:Originally Posted by bugwubberSo the specific thing I have a problem with is this extended "warranty" which is structured more like an option contract. I don't want to own a $600 HF welder 3 years from now. Guess I should have read the details.
Reply:I bought one of these Drill Master ones http://t.harborfreight.com/power-too...der-60625.html for $10 it didn't last long. Then I replaced it with this one http://t.harborfreight.com/power-too...der-91223.html for $21 (decided to spend the big bucks for "quality"). I've worn down many grinding wheels with it and it's still going strong after 2 years. A year ago I got another one that I keep a flap disk on and it hasn't had any issues other than needing the plug replaced after it was stepped on but that really wasn't its fault. Both models come with a fine grit wheel. Do yourself a favor and get a good coarse wheel.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Originally Posted by bugwubberHF 180 240v Mig welder orig price: $260+ Extended warranty: $50So leave the store with a $310 welder.Fan stops running 9 days into extended warranty."Great you get a free replacement and that completes your warranty. You can buy a new warranty to cover your replacement if you want for $50"....(thinks about the next 3 years)F that.
Reply:Right that's typically what a warranty is. My Ridgid miter saw comes with a lifetime warranty. So that's why it caught me by surprise- it is unusually crappy. If I hadn't bought the extended warranty I would have been 9 days SOL so, at least there's that.
Reply:Originally Posted by bugwubberHF 180 240v Mig welder orig price: $260+ Extended warranty: $50So leave the store with a $310 welder.Fan stops running 9 days into extended warranty."Great you get a free replacement and that completes your warranty. You can buy a new warranty to cover your replacement if you want for $50"....(thinks about the next 3 years)F that.
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ol there I go not reading the fine print again. Yeah 3yr warranty with LSA. Just got the notification this week that the LSA registration is completeHF tools are like foreign cars to me never give them a second thought or look.Magazines have issues, everything else has problems
Reply:And this is for any other newbs like me kicking around whether $260 is a good price for an HF welder- The final price is not going to be $260 unless you are happy to kiss it goodbye after 90 days. $310, $360, $410? And that's IF you didn't buy the longer term extended warranty for $100. And if the warranty is still in effect when it fails. Last HF purchase for me. So far the replacement is working but 90 day warranty aint up yet.
Reply:Here is the fine print from HF website:Replacement of product, issuance of a gift card or a refund deems plan fully performed (N/A in AZ and NV).http://www.harborfreight.com/custome...support.html#3
Reply:They seem to have 3 plans listed on the web page. All different and leave out quite a bit of information. EXTENDED SERVICE PROTECTION (ESP)Our Extended Service Protection plans provide 1 or 2 years of coverage for eligible products that begin when the limited manufacturers warranty ends.ESP plans can be purchased at Harbor Freight Tools stores within 30 days of the eligible products purchase date or by calling our Sales Department at 1-800-423-2567, 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.SAVES TIME AND MONEYCovers mechanical and electrical failures during normal use*No deductibles or hidden feesProtection from operational failure caused by power surge*Covers product(s) used for consumer and commercial useCATEGORIES COVEREDPower/ElectricHydraulicAir/PneumaticGas PoweredBattery PoweredSolarREPLACEMENT PLANS Fast and Easy: In-Store, One-Time Replacement on covered failuresIf product fails during coverage it will be replaced with a new product of equal or similar features, capacity and/or efficiency and functionality, a Harbor Freight Tools Gift Card, or a refund up to the original purchase price will be issuedREPAIR PLANS**Protects against unexpected repairs on covered failuresSave money with functional parts and labor coverageConveniently located service centersOn-site repair available with fee***Customer Service is available for existing plans at 1-888-838-3421.*Exclusions apply, see full terms and conditions. **If product cannot be repaired within 15 days, a new product of equal or similar features, capacity, specifications and/or efficiency and functionality will be provided. Product will also be replaced if the same major failure occurs and requires 3 service calls within 12 months. If a replacement product is not available, we will either issue a Harbor Freight Tools gift card or provide a refund up to the actual cash value of the product, not to exceed the original purchase price of the covered item. Repair with use of non-original manufacturer or remanufactured parts is allowed.Replacement of product, issuance of a gift card or a refund deems plan fully performed (N/A in AZ and NV).The obligor and administrator is Federal Warranty Service Corporation, P.O. Box 105689, Atlanta, GA 30348-5689, 1-877-881-8578 in all states except United Service Protection Inc. in FL and Assurant Service Protection, Inc. in OK.***Only offered at Harbor Freight Tools stores
Reply:Originally Posted by DougAustinTXI have about 10 of the HF 4 1/2" grinders that I put all sorts of different implements on (grinders, metal cutting wheels, masonry wheels, wire brushes etc) and have had them for at least 10 years and have yet to ruin one. I have had some of the the cords fail and had to replace them, but the grinders just keep on going. Those are the best HF tools I have bought from them by far. I also buy their allegedly HVLP paint guns when they go on sale for $9.99 and have painted several vehicles with them. NEVER buy their extended warranty. Cheaper to just replace the tool.
Reply:bought two of their cordless drills. The $50 package that includes two batteries and a fast charger.One fast charger is dead.the batteries will run themselves down to zero in a week unused, so every time I want to use them I have to plan ahead and charge them up.Bought the red $20 grinder. Used about 10 wheels on it and now the brushes are going out. I think HF is good for real simple things like hammers,squares,clamps...etc but I am no longer going to buy power tools there.millermatic 130XPharbour freight 180 amp mig with added caps.hobart stickmate ac/dcpowerarc 200
Reply:Re the 4.5 inch grinders: I like the paddle switch model. It draws 6 amps vs the 4.5 on the lesser models and feels like 1/3 more power, as the amperage would suggest. But none of them are powerful like a Milwaukee etc that can be up to 11 amps (!). The paddle switch on HF's better grinder is a lot safer than the slide switch on HF's lesser models, its easier to stop the grinder if you are working in an awkward location.The Drillmaster $9.95 grinder works fine for a wire brush etc, probably for a flap sander too. I have a couple of them for this use and none have failed. But the cheap gears sure are noisy.In summary, skip over the mid price models. They aren't more powerful than the cheap one. And get a Milwaukee etc if you make a living with your tools.Last edited by California; 07-10-2015 at 02:38 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldinghomerbought two of their cordless drills. The $50 package that includes two batteries and a fast charger.One fast charger is dead. ...the batteries will run themselves down to zero in a week unused
Reply:Hmmm. My Millermatic 200 from the 80s is still running strong in a production setting, as are the Dewalt 10 amp angle grinders, as well as many other pro quality tools I bought when I was still a hobby welder. Buying quality tools second hand is usually a much better deal in the long run.
Reply:HF stuff is a hit or miss, I've bought stuff that quit when I got home n took it out of the box and I've got a 4" angle grinder I've had for over 12yrs that I got on sale for $10.99 and I've put it through H E L L it's been run harder than anything I have and still goes, went though a Dewalt and a Makita in less than a year. I got caught in a storm one time and it got left over night outside right under a roof edge and it rained over 3" that night, found the grinder in a puddle of water the next day, I was like oh well it's 10bucks, throwed it in the truck and after a few days I thought about it, got it out plugged it in and it still worked, that was over 5yrs ago lol it just won't die!!
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerHmmm. My Millermatic 200 from the 80s is still running strong in a production setting, as are the Dewalt 10 amp angle grinders, as well as many other pro quality tools I bought when I was still a hobby welder. Buying quality tools second hand is usually a much better deal in the long run.
Reply:At HF you once got good deals, even using coupons. Today it seems that you don't get the discount you once did or the deal.
Reply:They had a change in management 5 ? years ago. I think now they are dead serious in trying to take over the role Craftsman used to have, tools good enough many pros use them and priced so the DIY crowd can afford to run to HF when a specialty tool is needed.And it appears this new management is also set on pricing everything to carefully balance maximum revenue. Too high, the pros buy pro tools and the amateurs stay home. Too low, they aren't making the money they could be. Modern computer analysis of price/volume makes it easy to fine-tune prices to optimize profits.This isn't the same HF culture of 10 years ago.Now if they could just get quality up to Craftsman level across everything they sell. Uneven quality is still their weak point.
Reply:Craftsman... yeah here's my Craftsman tablesaw and my craftsman cordless drill. Only now I call them my Craftsman Rocket Launcher.
Reply:Nice pad! Looks like a pretty heavy-duty blast deflector."The problems with quotes on the Internet is, you can never be certain of their authenticity." - Benjamin Franklin
