HOME DEPOT VS HARBOR FREIGHT

[stefen]

It appears that I needed to replace my Combination Disk / Belt Sander that was lost to a five-finger-discount cross country furniture mover.

Home Depot was selling a Makita for $120 which seemed a little pricey...Harbor Freight was selling an identical one for $79...that's a no-brainer...

 

[New Orleans Relic]

Harbor Freight sells Makita? I wouldn't have thought. That's a big difference in $$$ for sure. Personally I don't care for Makita and sometimes get HF's orange one to pitch every 2 or 3 years depending on usage. Hard use could be 2 or 3 hours though. LOL Can't beat their price on belts I did learned early on.
Ray

Just checked. My HF location offers the Ryobi for $79. Comperable quality from what I've experienced.

 

[G.I.B.]

Ummmm.... real or knock off.

(at Chinese Freight)

Some of the Makita products are made in Japan and the knock off's in China. So, yes, there can be a difference.

Look closely grasshopper.

 

[unfound]

(not on your list) Sears craftsman !!! I've had mine for years, great belt/disc sander, 4x36". sometimes on sale for $100.

 

[Boatlode]

I love Harbor Freight. Never had a problem with any of their power tools. They might not last a lifetime, but they get the job done.

 

[justdon]

Harbor freight tools last me of course i don't use them everyday.So i guess that works in my favor.I have a portable generator i got 3 years ago still going strong its gotten me through some power outages that last a day or two and i use it when i go fishing or camping.So i have no complaints.

 

[wainzoid]

Who needs Angie's List? Just look in their tool box. If its full of Harbor Freight... hire somebody else!

 

[CincinnatiKid]

Would you use a Harbor Freight pin pointer?
Peace

 

[Higgy]

Harbor Freight - it is what it is. I've spent an entire career as a USAF aircraft mechanic, and if you think that Uncle Sam buys us Snap-On and Mac tools, guess again. They bought us the cheapest tools they could get... to work on multi-million dollar aircraft with. Why? Because for the most part, they work. For the last 20 years I've been a industrial machinist/mechanic in the civilian world, and I can also tell you that when a tool is needed, I would rather buy a cheap wrench and never worry about babying it than to spend all my lunch money for the week on a wrench that is pretty that might outperform a HF wrench.

So I guess what I am trying to say is that its not the tool, its how well it performs verses the amount it thinned out your wallet.

Also, FWIW, I have a 25 year-old HF abrasive chop saw that has been beaten to death and just wont die. It still cuts just as fast as the day I bought it. I think I paid $50 for it back then, instead of the $199 they wanted for a Milwaukee.

 

[MrMikeJackie]

Many of the guys I know have either a warn or smittybuilt winch on their trucks. I opted for the hf 12,000# winch that I paid 300 bucks for with discount. Let's just say I pulled plenty of them out of some serious jams without a problem.

 

[mlayers]

plus one thing is HF tools has a Lifetime Warranty on all hand tools

 

[rick67]

Made in U.S.A still means something to me.

 

[crhstreetwalker]

"You get what you pay for."

 

[Moresound]

You forgot Lowe's. But I think that lowe's is just another name for Home Depot.

 

[OWK]

If you type "disc belt sander" into Craigslist, you are almost guaranteed to find a better sander than you can buy at Harbor Freight, for cheaper than you can buy it at Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight power tools are essentially disposable tools.

 

[Alan Applegate]

I've owned the combination belt/disc sander from Harbor for about 5 years. I have never found it wanting. I can even find belts for it locally which is nice too. I think I paid $49, and free freight.