Re: (ET) tools discussion - HF /others - review websites ?

["Dave & Deb" <daveb drizzle com>]

I've bought all brands of varying quality over the years but the real 
surprise and
dissappointment was my Porter Cable 1/2inch 19.2v cordless drill.  I also 
thought
of PC as a quality tool seller.  Not anymore.  this drill started smoking 
after
about 3 years of avg use and no abuse.  Friend of mine pulled it apart and 
found
the brushes in it were completely worn out and so small and undersized 
that it was
a wonder they lasted as long as they did.

dave


> I have quality tools, and I have some HF tools. I also have a few I 
> purchased
> from Homier (traveling tool shows).
> As others mentioned, there are both good  (or at least usable for a 
> while) and
> bad.
>
> It is wise to compare those cheap digital voltmeters to a known GOOD 
> meter
> every once in a while (meaning measure a any battery, or resistor, or 
> power
> outlet with both meters and compare the readings. You could still use the
> cheap meter to compare between different batteries - even if a little 
> off -
> BUT, you would not want to use one that was wrong to adjust charge 
> voltage,
> etc.
> LCD's (Liquid Crystal Display) don't function well in very cold weather 
> - use
> an LED (Light Emitting Diode) based meter instead.  This applies to 
> quality
> brand meters as well.
>
> Chinese Motors are often not so great (depends on factory).
>
> My HF 10" compound sliding miter box motor is OK, but the detents for
> returning angle to 0 degrees are wrong, so if I don't use a square to 
> reset
> it, I get 87 or 93 degree cuts - a REAL PITA !
>
> Anyone know of a review type website for tools that includes HF tools ?
>
> I have searched for a few specific tools - such as small lathe, Mini-Mill
> (actually bought from Homier and made it into CNC Mill), 4*6" metal 
> cutting
> bandsaw and others - and many of these are also sold by Grizzly, Enco, 
> etc.
>
> Some of them get reasonable reviews - and lots of owner/user tips on how 
> to
> mod/upgrade/make usable.  I bought the Mini-Mill from Homier AFTER 
> reading
> about the identical model being sold by Grizzly and others for $100 more.
>
> I would like to compare some different brands - socket set for example - 
> clamp
> a bolt into a vise, put socket and breaker bar on it, and measure how 
> much
> force until the socket breaks - compare Craftsman, Harbor Freight, Lowe's
> brand, Home Depot Brand, Stanley (now sold at Walmart), etc.
>
> As far as 'Good' brands - even those guys occasionally make a lemon:  I 
> bought
> the GENUINE Milwaukee Super Sawzall - and used it lightly a couple times 
> over
> a couple year period - suddenly broke one day - after a total of 1 hour 
> use
> since purchased.
> Took it apart - out of warranty - and found broken gear teeth !
> Took it to local authorized repair center, and bought new rotor with 
> gear, and
> mating gear for $70 !!  I was upset - after seeing that new gear teeth 
> had
> been redesigned to be MUCH heftier - fewer teeth, but much stronger.
> Counter guy said they replaced LOTS them for free the first year - so IF 
> I had
> really used/abused it the first year, they would have fixed it !!
>
> Generally, I trust the 'Quality' names ...  (But now my local HF store
> guarantees their Pittsburgh brand hand tools - no questions - same as 
> Sears .
> so that distinction is getting a little fuzzier)
>
>
>
>
>
>
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