Posted: 9/6/2024 4:24:32 PM EDT
I know, controversy.  But I did just grab the 8" buffer for $100 and a nice 25' Hose Reel for $32 as an ITC member. Now to explain why I am ITC, basically the coupons used to pay for the above and some extra small items covered the cost and then a little more. Today was my "Profit" day. Purchased a $1 4" magnetic tray and got a multi SAE wrench set for free. No I know the Wrenches are Pittsburgh quality, but for free, I can throw them in the back room drawer.  So I am interested in your experience with HF items. I am seriously thinking about the new lathe at $599 before coupon or perhaps a larger air compressor. |
|
I'm a shade tree mechanic and do stuff around the house. Nothing hardcore like home renovations or a project car. I have a decent amount of HF stuff. I've never had a problem with things like their hand tools. Even their floor jacks. |
Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.---John Adams
| I am a professional mechanic. I have a US General tool box. I bought it 7 years ago after selling my huge Matco box to get out from under the weekly payments. So far everything on it works just like the day I bought it. I also have the 20 ton shop press. Had that for at least 10 years. Never a problem. A couple years ago I bought the gantry crane and electric hoist for it to make pulling engines easier. Yet again not a single problem. I have a few other various tolls from them. Had a couple duds over the years but overal I wont complain much about their stuff. |
|
I have also found the small 6" bar clamps to work great for the $$. I think I found them as cheap as $2 with coupon and use them more than I would have thought. It does seem they have some solid items, depending on your needs. Fo me, so far, I have not purchased anything I would give a low review to. This is not saying everything is great, as I have not purchased and tried everything.
|
|
Their lathe is adequate but you would be better off looking for a good used machine on Craigs list or Facebook. I saw an almost new Jet 1221 with chucks and tools for sale the other day for 450 bucks! That lathe alone goes for 1000. It is the one I use and is able to turn mostly anything you want to try. I bought the turning tool starter set from Harbor and they work ok. The good cutters and chucks are what will make the hobby expensive. I now have 8 different chucks. Lol! Takes to long to change the jaws for each size of project. |
|
Originally Posted By ropwoo: I have also found the small 6" bar clamps to work great for the $$. I think I found them as cheap as $2 with coupon and use them more than I would have thought. It does seem they have some solid items, depending on your needs. Fo me, so far, I have not purchased anything I would give a low review to. This is not saying everything is great, as I have not purchased and tried everything. Bar clamps are good in short lengths but longer than 12" and they're prone to bending. I've bent a few 18 and 24" learning the hard way. Definitely a bargain in the shorter lengths. |