Very sensible, Jim. On some of the more common HF items that get
fairly good reviews here on the wreck (6" jointer, 14" bandsaw, DC,
and a few others) I'm wondering if there is really much difference
between what they offer and what Grizzly offers.

In comparing two of those machines, I don't see enough difference to
justify the price difference. Since you own machines from both, maybe
you can help me out here. What's your opinion on these?:

***14" Bandsaws:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=32208
[regularly on sale for $218, free shipping, plenty of stores for
pickup]

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item...emnumber=G1019
[at $378, with s/h, what makes it worth $160 more?]

***6" jointers:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=30289
[regularly on sale for $180, free shipping, plenty of stores for
pickup]

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item...number=G1182HW
[$383 with s/h. Again, is it really worth $200 more?]

I have nothing against Grizzly, but it seems to me that all you get,
on some machines, is the assurance of better quality control than HF,
but for about double the price. My feeling is that I can go to any HF
store and be my own QC specialist. Putting together a jointer or a
bandsaw is just not that hard, even with bad instructions.

[Again, I feel the need to inject the apples/oranges metaphor. I would
not buy a HF CMS or grinder for any amount of money, even though some
on the wreck are happy with them]. It just seems common sense which
machines at HF are worth comparing to Grizzly and which aren't. For
the ones that are, I'm trying to understand if they are the same
machines, essentially, and the markup is owing to Grizzly's QC, or if
they are really different machines.

Cheers,
H


Jim K wrote in message . ..
I'm guessing many of the things come from the identical factory.
However that doesn't mean the items are of identical quality. It's my
feeling (I have no facts to back it up by the way) that manufacturer A
builds an item and inspects it with a scale of tolerences in mind.
Companies pay according to what set of tolerances are met. I think in
general Grizzly uses a higher set of tolerances than HF does.

And I have bought from both companies and have had some good and bad
experiences with both. However, Grizzly seems to be better overall.


On 29 May 2004 16:09:22 -0700, (Hylourgos) wrote:

HF is a common whipping boy here on the Wreck, whereas Grizzly is
often and highly recommended. I note differences in their overall
structure and offerings. But for similar merchandise (bandsaws,
jigsaws, planers, drill presses, etc.), I see only the slightest
margin of difference in fit and finish--a margin of difference that is
negligible for those who tinker with their WW toys during set up
before they ever use them.

So what gives? Is it that Grizzly is predominantly WWing and HF not?
That HF offers more of the substandard line of tools than Grizzly?
That HF is a behemoth merchandiser, in comparison? Or is it simply
that Green looks nicer than Orange?

Speaking of Orange, remember, I'm only talking of the comparable items
(oranges and oranges, not apples and oranges) both sell that seem
identical. I suspect a lot of their tools are made in the same
location and have a similar quality finish.

Curious,
H