Harbor Freight shop equipment

[Shawn Brock]

Hey William,
thanks!  I don't have the experience with lots of different brands of power tools.  Where I am now the stuff we have is mostly Delta.  It seems to do the job for me.  But not having anything to compare it to I guess I don't know how good it is.  Seems good to me but...  That's why I asked this question.  I am not one who will ever go out and try 10 different drill presses so I have to go on the thoughts of others.  I just need something that will do what I tell it to do and not give me fits...  So I guess I'm looking for something in the middle.  Something that will do the job cleanly but don't cost $1000.  Rebuilding is not my only work, its just a small portion of what I do.  So thanks again man, its good to here some one speak with experience.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: William R. Monroe 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 7:53 PM
  Subject: Re: Harbor Freight shop equipment


  Shawn,

  With all due respect, it depends upon what kind of work you want to do.  I completely understand that we don't all have a great deal of $$ to sink at one time.  However, if you buy cheap tools to "get started", you may find yourself wishing you'd have gotten something better to start off with.  And, you may not.  For a couple reasons.  First, you may feel that the job that some tools do is "good enough" for you.  Second, you may not realize that your tool is performing at a substandard level, not having experienced anything a level above in quality.

  I would really recommend that you stay away from a vendor like Harbor freight for any precision machinery.  I purchase some items there, but basically find that they have kind of the "disposable" model of many tools.

  I also would recommend that you consider investing a little more $$ for a particular machine, and spread out your purchases a little more, if necessary.  I don't know of anyone who's been unhappy that they bought a very high quality tool to begin with, but I know from experience what it's like to be dissatisfied with a cheaper tool.

  Try and find back issues of magazines like Fine Woodworking, American Woodworker, or the like.  They usually have tool tests every issue or two, comparing many different makes and models of a particular tool.  It's worth the time to consider these reviews as well as the peer reviews you may find here on the list.

  Remember, it's not just your first shop, it's your only shop.

  Best of luck,
  William R. Monroe

  An example of a tool I bought there was a bead blasting cabinet.  It works.  I can blast things.  But, a lot of dust and beads, etc. get out because of a poorly sealed cabinet, the media doesn't get into the inlet hose well as it is constantly moving about, the plug that keeps the media in gets pushed out if you set the unit on a bench, I had to make a lift for it to use.  These kinds of things got me to buy better tools.

  Shawn Brock wrote:
  ....
  Well well well, its about that time for me.  The fun time of choosing shop equipment!  I have looked at Harbor Freight for lots of hours now and its decision time for me.  Do any of you have any experience with Harbor Freight tools?  If so what is the tool and what did you think?...................

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