The good and bad, but often worth the risk
Written: Feb 14 '07 (Updated Feb 14 '07)
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This place has a large inventory of mostly very inexpensive tools. Not everything is inexpensive. For example, Mig wire is more expensive there than most other places. The bulk is significantly cheaper than anywhere else in my area though and when you are buying cheap tools, it is really important to give them a good in-hand evaluation first. If you know what you are doing and have reasonable expectations, there are great deals to be had here.
If you don't know exactly how you are going to use an item or what the critical weaknesses might be - buy a name brand. I buy the best name brand tools as a rule but sometimes I need something for only a single project (e.g. my biscuit jointer) or I find something at HF that is really pretty well made for a great price (e.g. my drill press and anvil). As an example, a good biscuit jointer is $250, I needed to join 9 shelves and would probably never, or only very rarely, use it again. I thought, a $200 savings was worth the risk and it was.
I have ordered from the catalogue and shopped at my local store in Baton Rouge. Both catalogue sales were great, on time, as advertised. The stuff that I've bought locally has been more extensive but also more mixed.
Things I'm generally happy with:
1.5HP 5/8 chuck drill press - usually app. $300, it was an in store special for $169. I have used it hard for two years now and it has been great.
1.75 HP plunge router - $40 on sale. I needed it quick for a project. It did that well and has performed flawlessly on several since.
Biscuit jointer - $45 on sale. It has gone far beyond the life I expected for the price and done very well. It has a plastic skid plate that sticks sometimes, but a small annoyance.
Tap & die set - $70. No problems with this one, a truly professional set.
110lb Cast Steel anvil - $89 on sale. You have to be very careful with anvils, most of the cheaper ones are cast iron and not worth having. This one is really great except that the hardy hole is strangely at 45 deg to the axis. They don't appear to carry it anymore.
11HP generator - $400 on sale. It has saved us on several occasions now. It is very loud but hasn't used a drop of oil over two hurricane seasons now and several days of use. The pull mechanism did break. It cost $19 and took ten minutes to replace.
Various hammers, pipe clamps etc. Most have done very well in my shop.
The busts:
Drill bit sharpener $20 on sale - didn't run with any power. They took it back for a full refund, no questions.
Die grinder $50 - ran 4 min. then blew up, lots of smoke, very dramatic. They took it back for a full refund, no questions.
6 inch vise $60 - broken in the box. They took it back for a full refund, no questions. It was a bad idea to buy a cheap vice anyway.
The store does have an issue with being chronically out of stock on things often. Once you are on their mailing list, especially from the store and catalogue, you'll have a flier every week.
On the other hand, the people there could hardly have been more helpful or pleasant. They have never asked a question when I returned something and have always been eager to help.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
stingersplace
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Member: Stinger
Location: Louisiana
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Scientist, net fundy, originally from a halcyon hamlet in PA, then across the globe.
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