Does anyone here have a Harbor Freight drill?

[SAWYER]

I am needing a drill just for some basic stuff around the house. I have had some good luck with the HF stuff I have bought and was looking at their site, they have a couple different models I am thinking about getting, what do you think at??

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-Variable-Speed-Reversible-Drill-60614.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-professional-3-8-eighth-inch-magnesium-drill-98179.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...-in-drilldriver-with-keyless-chuck-68239.html

 

[B-Riz]

Have been using the 1/2 variable speed hammer drill for a while.

No issues!

Good deal if you use a discount coupon on the purchase.

 

[smackababy]

For the price, it wouldn't hurt to try. I'd go with a corded one though, as there is less points of failure for such a cheap tool.

I was recently looking at cordless drills and decided to go with a name brand over the HF, mostly because the batteries I assumed were probably better and the warranty is more likely to be honored.

 

[SAWYER]

I just called a pawn shop in town and he said he had a Milwaukee cordless for 29

edit: Just saw this for $45
http://jonesboro.craigslist.org/tls/4429706496.html


Black and Decker Firestorm kit
"18 volt tool set including: 18v circular saw, 18v reciprocating saw, 18v drill, two 18v batteries, duel 18v battery charger, carrying case and paperwork. Note: The reverse doesn't engage on the drill."

 

[z1ggy]

HF stuff is hit or miss. Some things I've gotten there are great.. Others, not so much. It's hard to tell with them...

They ARE cheap for a reason I'm betting..

 

[jaedaliu]

I just called a pawn shop in town and he said he had a Milwaukee cordless for 29

edit: Just saw this for $45
http://jonesboro.craigslist.org/tls/4429706496.html


Black and Decker Firestorm kit
"18 volt tool set including: 18v circular saw, 18v reciprocating saw, 18v drill, two 18v batteries, duel 18v battery charger, carrying case and paperwork. Note: The reverse doesn't engage on the drill."

used batteries may be total crap. Replacements may be expensive. be careful.

As to Harbor Freight warranty, I had a sawzall that came without a screw to properly hold the blade. Took it back, swapped for a new box, barely any questions asked.

Now if it was more than 2 days old, I don't know if it's that easy.

 

[SAWYER]

I think I will skip the used drills due to the batteries

 

[Aharami]

i have a corded Chicago Electric hammer drill from HF. Has served me well so far for over 3 yrs. No problems when i had to drill over 1000 holes in concrete. Sometimes the switch that changes from regular drill to hammer mode would get stuck...but that was about it.

 

[rh71]

HF stuff is hit or miss. Some things I've gotten there are great.. Others, not so much. It's hard to tell with them...

They ARE cheap for a reason I'm betting..

They say their HAND TOOLS have a lifetime warranty. Are these only the hammers, screwdrivers, and the like with NO moving parts?

 

[Midwayman]

Corded tools, no problem. Battery tools from HF will just be frustrating. Check pawn shops, but beware. Often they are way over priced.

 

[SAWYER]

I went ahead and bought the 3/8's cordless that was 18.99 on sale. The guy working had one and said for what I would want it would be fine and he said his has been good. For the price I will try it and it has a year warranty.

 

[Gillbot]

I have a couple of them, several years old and still going.

 

[Harrod]

I have one that I used for a few hours that is still working fine, it has a shorter type chuck area so I could work in tight spaces.

 

[SAWYER]

This one has a light that comes on when in use, pretty cool feature

 

[Leros]

used batteries may be total crap. Replacements may be expensive. be careful.

As to Harbor Freight warranty, I had a sawzall that came without a screw to properly hold the blade. Took it back, swapped for a new box, barely any questions asked.

Now if it was more than 2 days old, I don't know if it's that easy.

Their warranties are cheap and often worth it considering that a lot of their tools will break after a few a bit of heavy use.

I used to know some people that buy $20 angle grinders from HF, spend $5 on the warranty. The angle grinders would burn out after a few weeks of heavy use. They'd always keep a few extra around and swap them out at HF. They must have returned each one 10-20 times.

 

[slugg]

I am needing a drill just for some basic stuff around the house. I have had some good luck with the HF stuff I have bought and was looking at their site, they have a couple different models I am thinking about getting, what do you think at??

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-Variable-Speed-Reversible-Drill-60614.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-professional-3-8-eighth-inch-magnesium-drill-98179.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...-in-drilldriver-with-keyless-chuck-68239.html

I've had the second one for about a year now. No issues at all and it's got some decent torque. I've drilled through steel, concrete, wood, plastic, and drywall - all good. The only thing you don't want to skimp on are the actual drill bits. Avoid the Harbor Freight drill bits.

 

[slag]

I have this one and have no complaints. I drill through steel regularly with it and it just works

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-heavy-duty-variable-speed-reversible-drill-3273.html

 

[PottedMeat]

wired harbor freight tools are fine - i bought a nicad cordless and it died after a few weeks of very light use.

 

[NutBucket]

I needed a right angle drill for one project so I went the HF route. The gears aren't cut straight so it makes a horrible noise. But it works!

 

[NutBucket]

Their warranties are cheap and often worth it considering that a lot of their tools will break after a few a bit of heavy use.

I used to know some people that buy $20 angle grinders from HF, spend $5 on the warranty. The angle grinders would burn out after a few weeks of heavy use. They'd always keep a few extra around and swap them out at HF. They must have returned each one 10-20 times.

What's the point in that? All that wasted time. I'd rather just buy a better tool.

 

[twinrider1]

For occasional use, corded are my go-to tools. Plug it in and it's available right now. No need to wait while the battery charges. If it's a longer project, I'll be sure to charge up the Dewalt the night before.

HF corded tools have been good to me. No experience with their cordless.

 

[alkemyst]

#thirdworldproblems!

 

[NoTine42]

For occasional use, corded are my go-to tools. Plug it in and it's available right now. No need to wait while the battery charges. If it's a longer project, I'll be sure to charge up the Dewalt the night before.

HF corded tools have been good to me. No experience with their cordless.

I've been amazed by my ~2y/o DeWalt 18v NiCad(yes just NiCad)...Even after months of sitting, its ready to go. Having a 2nd battery and a quick charger helps to keep going all the time, too. I used to be a corded only guy. (And experienced several crappy cordless drills that couldn't do more than hang an occasional picture)

But, that's pricier than the OP asked, and you really can't beat the bang-for-the buck of corded.

 

[iGas]

Any cheap 1/2" chuck corded drill will do.

 

[twinrider1]

I've been amazed by my ~2y/o DeWalt 18v NiCad(yes just NiCad)...Even after months of sitting, its ready to go. Having a 2nd battery and a quick charger helps to keep going all the time, too. I used to be a corded only guy. (And experienced several crappy cordless drills that couldn't do more than hang an occasional picture)

But, that's pricier than the OP asked, and you really can't beat the bang-for-the buck of corded.

lol, my cordless is...hang on, let me check. Date code on the charger is 9230, so 30th week of 1992? Still strong when charged up, but doesn't hold a charge on the shelf. Maybe I'm not the best example for cordless shelf life.