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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hey William,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=pianotech@a440piano.net href="mailto:pianotech@a440piano.net">William
R. Monroe</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, May 05, 2007 7:53
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Harbor Freight shop
equipment</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Shawn,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>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 $$ to sink at one time. However, if you
buy cheap tools to "get started", you may find yourself wishing you'd have
gotten something better to start off with. And, you may not. For a
couple reasons. First, you may feel that the job that some tools do is
"good enough" for you. Second, you may not realize that your tool is
performing at a substandard level, not having experienced anything a level
above in quality.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>I would really recommend that you
stay away from a vendor like Harbor freight for any precision machinery.
I purchase some items there, but basically find that they have kind of the
"disposable" model of many tools.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>I also would recommend that you
consider investing a little more $$ 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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Remember, it's not just your first
shop, it's your only shop.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Best of luck,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>William R. Monroe</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Shawn Brock wrote:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>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?...................</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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