Like I said, it depends on the tool. You're rolling the dice. Several
of there tools that are actually acceptable and represent pretty good
value.

However most of them are unfit for any reasonable use. If you only
get one usable tool for every 4-5 you purchase then you have been
penny wise and pound foolish.

I think their upper end air tools are decent. Feedback on their
cheapy angle grinders is also pretty good.

However I would never touch any of their tools where precision or
cutting is a requirement. An example if their cordless drills. You
can actually wobble the chuck laterally!!

I bought one of their 1/2 HP 6" bench grinders. What total garbage.
The motor is so gutless it stalls out at the slightest load. I
measured the running amperage and it was only 2 amps. (another
deceptive HP rating)

On the other hand I bought one of their $2.99 digital multimeters.
It's perfectly acceptable for basic use. If I need precision I'll dig
out my Fluke, but for simple continuity tests or rough voltage
measurements it's OK.


(davefr) wrote in message . com...
90% of them are pure junk not fit for the intended purpose. The other
10% are OK for occassional use.

Forget these HF dregs and buy known quality tools that you can trust
and that will help you achieve quality work.

Chicago Electric is a brand name intended to decieve the consumer into
thinking these are made in the USA. Chicago Electric along with
Pittsburg Forge, and Central Pnuematic are farmed out to the lowest
cost/lowest quality manufacturers in China.

Buy quality and you'll only say ouch once. Buy this crap and you'll
curse and swear every time you use it and eventually get so frustrated
it'll go in the garbage can.


ender (Jeffrey J. Kosowsky) wrote in message ...
Harbor Freight seems to have some very attractively priced power
tools, particularly those under the "Chicago Electric Power".

What has been your experience with Harbor Freight in general and with
the Chicago Electric brand in particular?
- How does the quality and value stack up?
- If one is a serious hobbyist who doesn't have unlimited money to
spend on tools, is it better to buy fewer name-brand, high-priced
tools or go for a broader range of Chicago Electric brand tools to
fill out my home shop?

Presumably you never get something for nothing so I imagine the
quality of a 29.95 sawzall type tool can't be as good as a $200
Milwaukee version... but that being said, is it worth buying this
stuff?

Please share your experiences and advice from a hobbyist perspective
(I know that if you use your tools professionally 8+ hours/day then it
pays to buy the best).

Thanks