[TheForge] HF- what works and what doesn

[Bob Ehrenberger]

I have gotten several HF tools over the years and most have been just OK.

A 4 1/2" angle grinder didn't make it through the first day.

My son got a bench top drill press which fried it capasitor in about 6 
months, they were no help in getting a replacement. He sold it after I got 
an industrial drill press at an auction.  The guy that bought it said that 
it is still running several years later after a local motor shop replaced 
the cap.

My son also got a belt sander from them which didn't last very long. He 
replaced with Bader and KMG when he could afford them.

I get the angle grinder disks and cut off wheels from HF when I run out, but 
have found that name brand ones last a lot longer. So I watch the local farm 
store and buy De Walt disks when they are on sale.

I got a factory rebuilt Millwakee chop saw through HF about 15 years ago and 
it works ok, I did have to get new brushes for it a couple years ago.

I have gotten letter punches and transfer punches from HF and they seem ok.

I got a set of large drill bits just to have the sizes covered, the edges 
tended to chip. They are ok after resharpening.

Gear pullers, are ok but get little use.

Last year I got an infer-red temp gun and it has worked good so far.  I use 
it mainly when tempering tools, which is nice to know when I'm getting close 
to the target temp. We got it for dutch oven cooking, but haven't had much 
time for that.

I just (September) got a set of english wheel anvils from them on close out. 
I have not had time to build my english wheel frame yet.

If given a chance I get older name brand at flea markets and garage sales, 
the quality on some of the name brands have fallen so the new ones aren't 
always so great.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net