harborfreight SDS hammer drill - go buy one!

[Tom2]

Expired 10/14/10.

****! I must be blind.

My Dad says theres one out there good till March... Will keep looking...

 

[TheGrooveking]

Just because it has a 1/8 bigger chuck capacity it is a superior unit? You can guess based on that? But can you guess whether the Bosch might be better because it was made by Germans in a modern world class factory vs a Chinese sweatshop were the workers were paid $1 dollar a day. What would your guessing tell you there?

I would tend to believe that if the chuck was 1/8" bigger, then the drill as a whole was a bigger more powerful unit, which would tend to perform better in this application.

As to the country of origin, Bosch has tools manufactured in China too, so if is good enough to pass their standards then I don't think it is a matter of China versus Germany. It seems you associate the $1 a day to lower quality than a German who may make $245 a day? I think that is short sighted as that I am pretty confident that there are workers in China at $1 a day who take pride in their work and there are German employees who have bad days who at $245 a day put out bad products. Generalizations like this without solid facts only stir the pot and are for the most part emotion based.

TheGrooveking

 

[TheGrooveking]

I've recommended to two different electrical contractors the HF 1" SDS unit in the last year, because both have had problems with theft and employees stealing. They both reported back to me that they buy them from 3 to 6 at a time because they can buy them for such a low price. One of these contractors just finished a large addition in one of our facilities and used the HF rotary hammers and in talking to the guys doing the work, they reported that they haven't had any problems with them and they even admitted that when they first received them they all laughed about them, but they have learn to respect them. It was gratifying for me, since I was the one who referred their boss, but I was also happy that fortunately it turned out to be a good reference and not a dud.

TheGrooveking

 

[srmofo]

I almost pulled the trigger on one of these, but its at $79 right now. Im trying to hold off for a better price or until I absolutely need one.

Coincidently, we had Hunter (alignment equipment) out installing a new hawk eye system today and I was talking with him a bit about his bosch rotodrill. He had a hilti before the bosch and he felt that it had died an early death, was a little jaded, so he bought the bosch. I asked him about the HF one and he gave me a chuckle and brushed me off. I told him to check the reviews online, most of them are surprisingly positive, and for $50 he could keep one in the truck for a rainy day or to get work done twice as fast.

If anyone finds a current coupon, make sure to post it here. Thanks

 

[MrMark]

I would tend to believe that if the chuck was 1/8" bigger, then the drill as a whole was a bigger more powerful unit, which would tend to perform better in this application.

As to the country of origin, Bosch has tools manufactured in China too, so if is good enough to pass their standards then I don't think it is a matter of China versus Germany. It seems you associate the $1 a day to lower quality than a German who may make $245 a day? I think that is short sighted as that I am pretty confident that there are workers in China at $1 a day who take pride in their work and there are German employees who have bad days who at $245 a day put out bad products. Generalizations like this without solid facts only stir the pot and are for the most part emotion based.

TheGrooveking

Whatever dude. Your post is inane if you think that a German engineered and designed rotohammer that is made by Germans is not superior than some piece of 79 dollar made to be cheap Harbor Freight China tool. This Bosch tool isn't made in China and is sold at a totally different pricepoint to people that actually care about quality rather than just getting some cheap ****. Generalizations are right about 90 percent of the time. I'm going with them. You can take the 10 percent of the time they are wrong.

Chuck bigger = bigger hole! Yeah, that's right. Bigger bomb means bigger hole too right? Maybe unless there is something a little different inside the smaller bomb, then small bomb equals big hole. In other words, it's not just the size of the chuck, it's what is inside that counts. Ah, you get it now.

 

[american lockpicker]

...as that I am pretty confident that there are workers in China at $1 a day who take pride in their work

Highly unlikely. Do you know anything about manufacturing in China? There the workers get paid by how much the produce so they work hard and fast with little attention to QC. Also the materials used are questionable at best. Companies who make products in China are only concerned with keeping costs down and maximising profits.

Also you should do research on workers committing suicide do to poor treatment and working conditions at factories over there...

 

[TheGrooveking]

Highly unlikely. Do you know anything about manufacturing in China? There the workers get paid by how much the produce so they work hard and fast with little attention to QC. Also the materials used are questionable at best. Companies who make products in China are only concerned with keeping costs down and maximising profits.

Also you should do research on workers committing suicide do to poor treatment and working conditions at factories over there...

I've been to China 6 times, and was inside electronic and mechanical assembly manufacturing plants for Motorola, IBM(Lenova), Apple and Ford, so yes I've personally seen the attention given to what they do. For that matter I've been in two of Bosch's manufacturing plants in the US as that the company I worked for made stamping tools, dedicated presses and automated pick and place equipment for them.

Have ever you been to China? On materials, again don't think for a minute that eveything made in China is made from substandard materials. For the record, it is maximizing profits.

TheGrooveking

 

[TheGrooveking]

Whatever dude. Your post is inane if you think that a German engineered and designed rotohammer that is made by Germans is not superior than some piece of 79 dollar made to be cheap Harbor Freight China tool. This Bosch tool isn't made in China and is sold at a totally different pricepoint to people that actually care about quality rather than just getting some cheap ****. Generalizations are right about 90 percent of the time. I'm going with them. You can take the 10 percent of the time they are wrong.

Chuck bigger = bigger hole! Yeah, that's right. Bigger bomb means bigger hole too right? Maybe unless there is something a little different inside the smaller bomb, then small bomb equals big hole. In other words, it's not just the size of the chuck, it's what is inside that counts. Ah, you get it now.

You are truly ignorant if you think that anyone who buys something made in China automatically doesn't care about quality, you are the one generalizing (I know its your thing) but the difference is that more professionals do buy Bosch tools that HF tools, but by automatically attributing German designed/built items to being superior to other countries products is short sighted. On pricepoint, if the Chinese made a rotary hammer that cost as much as the German Bosch, it would be equal then, based on your rationale?

Generalizatons are not 90% correct, generalizations are mostly due to people not either knowing all of the facts or even trying to obtain those facts. Generalization is what typically leads to stereotyping.

I didn't state that the size of the chuck is the difference, I stated that because the Bosch was designed to handle a 5/8" bit, it therefore was designed to drill larger holes than a smaller unitl. Its what inside that counts, true, but comparing a Mack true to a Volkswagen Rabbit pickup truck is not a fair comparison either.

TheGrooveking

 

[garagebug]

Here we go again...

There seems to be two divided groups of people here on GJ...

Group 1) Must have the best of everything, only as long as the COO isn't anywhere in Asia. Must buy the most expensive and powerful name-brand tool possible, regardless of personal need. Cares about appearances and what others think of them. Will recommend ONLY name brand over-powered and expensive tools to anyone who asks, regardless of their income, need, or any personal experience they may have with it.

Examples: (TOM) "Hey Bob, I need a socket to take the spark plug out of my Craftsman push mower...do you have any suggestions on where to get one? I'll probably only use it one time a year at best." (BOB) "You need to get a $35 Snap-On spark plug socket. You only need one size, but I would buy every size they offer because you might need to use one 5 years from now and you'll already have it. You definitely shouldn't get the $1.99 one from HF because it will probably ruin the spark plug and the entire lawnmower because it came from China. In fact, you should just throw your Craftsman mower away and buy a John Deere because everything Craftsman makes is horrible."

(TOM) "Hey Bob, I need to build a dog house. I don't have a circular saw or anything but I'd like to get one for this one project. I've never had a need for one up to now, and I probably won't use it very often after this." (BOB) "I would forget about a circular saw and just buy a Delta table saw. You should be able to get a good one for about $2,500. The cuts will be much better quality and it will be the best because it's the most expensive. You would look like a fool with your orange plastic HF circular saw out here in the back yard. The Delta saw will last 5 lifetimes and if you divide the cost of the tool for 350 years, it only comes up to like $7 a year. Thats cheaper than the $20 HF saw, and you'll be a professional."

Group 2) Will buy the best tool based off of personal need. May buy a cheaper tool to determine need and replace with a better quality tool at a later time. May have some name brand tools and some cheaper Chinese made tools. Does not need the best at all times, especially on seldom-used items. Knows a good deal when they see one and will take advantage of it regardless of brand and COO. Does not care what others think of them and not interested in keeping appearances.

Examples: (TOM) "Hey Joe, I need a socket to take the spark plug out of my Craftsman push mower...do you have any suggestions on where to get one? I'll probably only use it one time a year at best." (JOE) "Since you don't see the need for one all the time, I would go to HF and get one of the $1.99 Spark Plug sockets. It should do the job since you will seldom need it. You could also go to Sears and see how much a Craftsman socket will set you back. Craftsman sockets are generally good quality and their warranty service is quick and painless if you have any issues."

(TOM) "Hey Joe, I need to build a dog house. I don't have a circular saw or anything but I'd like to get one for this one project. I've never had a need for one up to now, and I probably won't use it very often after this." (JOE) "I would check out HF and see how much their circular saw is. At times you can get them for under $35. Also check out Lowes, HD and Sears to see how much their offerings are. Sometimes you can get one on sale at those places and it will be about the same price as the HF one. You may also need a jig saw for cutting out some of the pieces, so I would check into one of those too. If you find yourself using the saws alot, it may pay to get a better quality one later on."

I came to GJ to find unbiased tool information and reviews from people that have actually tried and used the tools. Most of the other tool forums were biased from the get go (Snap-On forum, Craftsman forum, etc.) so they were ruled out. There is a wealth of knowledge on here from people with wisdom beyond their years, but the more this place resorts to insults, bias, and fighting, the less likely anyone will want to stay here.

 

[Tom2]

I almost pulled the trigger on one of these, but its at $79 right now. Im trying to hold off for a better price or until I absolutely need one.

If anyone finds a current coupon, make sure to post it here. Thanks

There should be plenty of $59 coupons floating around for the drill. But like I was saying, I've been told theres a $49 one that is supposedly good until March. I've spent a lot of time searching for it and nothing comes up

Obviously $59 is a good enough deal.. I need to go buy it too, then maybe I'll get the ambition to get some projects going..

 

[srmofo]

I havent even found the $59 coupon....I just keep coming up with $79......

 

[Tom2]

I havent even found the $59 coupon....I just keep coming up with $79......

I have it in a paper ad that they mail out monthly. It's good till 1/27. So you should be able to get that coupon in the store.

I'm guessing the $49 one must have been in a magazine ad or something.

Maybe I'll browse the magazine aisle in Walmart and see if I can find it..


Edit:

Apparently you can buy the $49 one from this guy for $4....

http://cgi.ebay.com/50-Harbor-Freight-Tools-Coupons-x3-7-/270687189411

Pretty stupid, but I guess it's worth it if you can't find it anywhere else.

 

[tube_guy]

It seems that there are two versions of this rotary hammer. An older orange version that is no longer sold and the current red version. Most of the good reviews I've seen are for the older orange version. Is anyone using the currently sold red version and having pretty good luck with it?

 

[MrMark]

Here we go again...

There seems to be two divided groups of people here on GJ...

Group 1) Must have the best of everything, only as long as the COO isn't anywhere in Asia. Must buy the most expensive and powerful name-brand tool possible, regardless of personal need. Cares about appearances and what others think of them. Will recommend ONLY name brand over-powered and expensive tools to anyone who asks, regardless of their income, need, or any personal experience they may have with it.

Examples: (TOM) "Hey Bob, I need a socket to take the spark plug out of my Craftsman push mower...do you have any suggestions on where to get one? I'll probably only use it one time a year at best." (BOB) "You need to get a $35 Snap-On spark plug socket. You only need one size, but I would buy every size they offer because you might need to use one 5 years from now and you'll already have it. You definitely shouldn't get the $1.99 one from HF because it will probably ruin the spark plug and the entire lawnmower because it came from China. In fact, you should just throw your Craftsman mower away and buy a John Deere because everything Craftsman makes is horrible."

(TOM) "Hey Bob, I need to build a dog house. I don't have a circular saw or anything but I'd like to get one for this one project. I've never had a need for one up to now, and I probably won't use it very often after this." (BOB) "I would forget about a circular saw and just buy a Delta table saw. You should be able to get a good one for about $2,500. The cuts will be much better quality and it will be the best because it's the most expensive. You would look like a fool with your orange plastic HF circular saw out here in the back yard. The Delta saw will last 5 lifetimes and if you divide the cost of the tool for 350 years, it only comes up to like $7 a year. Thats cheaper than the $20 HF saw, and you'll be a professional."

Group 2) Will buy the best tool based off of personal need. May buy a cheaper tool to determine need and replace with a better quality tool at a later time. May have some name brand tools and some cheaper Chinese made tools. Does not need the best at all times, especially on seldom-used items. Knows a good deal when they see one and will take advantage of it regardless of brand and COO. Does not care what others think of them and not interested in keeping appearances.

Examples: (TOM) "Hey Joe, I need a socket to take the spark plug out of my Craftsman push mower...do you have any suggestions on where to get one? I'll probably only use it one time a year at best." (JOE) "Since you don't see the need for one all the time, I would go to HF and get one of the $1.99 Spark Plug sockets. It should do the job since you will seldom need it. You could also go to Sears and see how much a Craftsman socket will set you back. Craftsman sockets are generally good quality and their warranty service is quick and painless if you have any issues."

(TOM) "Hey Joe, I need to build a dog house. I don't have a circular saw or anything but I'd like to get one for this one project. I've never had a need for one up to now, and I probably won't use it very often after this." (JOE) "I would check out HF and see how much their circular saw is. At times you can get them for under $35. Also check out Lowes, HD and Sears to see how much their offerings are. Sometimes you can get one on sale at those places and it will be about the same price as the HF one. You may also need a jig saw for cutting out some of the pieces, so I would check into one of those too. If you find yourself using the saws alot, it may pay to get a better quality one later on."

I came to GJ to find unbiased tool information and reviews from people that have actually tried and used the tools. Most of the other tool forums were biased from the get go (Snap-On forum, Craftsman forum, etc.) so they were ruled out. There is a wealth of knowledge on here from people with wisdom beyond their years, but the more this place resorts to insults, bias, and fighting, the less likely anyone will want to stay here.

That's a really accurate description of the two camps. SARCASM. You were really trying to be fair and honest there weren't you? Are you about 12? You don't leave much to the imagination as to where you shop or which "camp" you fall in.

I personally could care less where anybody shops. There are loads of Harbor Freighters on this site that are addicted to cheap volume ****. You can just look at the Hot Deals Thread to see that.

They buy junk in volume because they get a "deal." Others may prefer to buy a tool that they can have some pride in and that they will know that it is something that they can have for their lifetime and maybe even hand down. They care about supporting the dwindling manufacturing base in this country and have a feeling of pride in picking up something that says made in USA.

There are WAY more Harbor Freight types on this site than traditionalists. In fact, this site has become loaded with the Duralast and Harbor Freight pimp threads that has driven many of the most knowledgeable people away.

The Harbor Freighters think that because someone buys something US and/or Euro quality that they are trying to show off and are insecure. It's pretty hillarious actually to read that kind of stuff. The lengths that the Freighters go to justify themselves and make themselves feel good is something to marvel at.

Maybe you should start to practice what you preach with regard to the forum.

 

[3 at 8]

It seems that there are two versions of this rotary hammer. An older orange version that is no longer sold and the current red version. Most of the good reviews I've seen are for the older orange version. Is anyone using the currently sold red version and having pretty good luck with it?

+1 on this. I went to check it out but was aprehensive to purchase because it was the red/ black one. Any differences?

 

[bchee]

It seems that there are two versions of this rotary hammer. An older orange version that is no longer sold and the current red version. Most of the good reviews I've seen are for the older orange version. Is anyone using the currently sold red version and having pretty good luck with it?

I used the red version recently, only in hammer mode, to remove about 250 sq ft of tile. I used the 2 piece chisel set, also from HF.
There were no problems with that job.

Now, however, I put in one of the drill bits that is included in the set, and there seems to be some wobble.

I haven't investigated fully yet. I initially thought that the hammering damaged the drill, but it could just be a bad bit. I can't remember if I tried the drill bit when I first purchased it or not.

I consider myself lucky that the drill worked for me, because I bought it more than a year ago, and didn't test it at that time. Luckily that didn't come back to bite me in the ***.

From what I have seen, I thought most of the positive reviews were of the red version.

 

[Kirbot]

The lengths that the Freighters go to justify themselves and make themselves feel good is something to marvel at.

Now that is funny!
Especially coming from somebody who came into a topic about a Harborfreight tool, with the sole purpose of shitting it up.

The anti harborfreighters are atleast as big a pain in the *** as the pro harborfreighters.

They buy junk in volume because they get a "deal." Others may prefer to buy a tool that they can have some pride in and that they will know that it is something that they can have for their lifetime and maybe even hand down.

Are any modern plastic power tools are going to last a lifetime if used regularly? Regardless of what country they are made in?

The age of overbuilt American made metal cased power tools has been over for a long time unfortunately.


-Mike, who should know better than to get into this **** again.

 

[Coach James]

I don't really fit totally in any particular camp as I have a bit of everything, but after reading this:
========================================================
Examples: (TOM) "Hey Bob, I need a socket to take the spark plug out of my Craftsman push mower...do you have any suggestions on where to get one? I'll probably only use it one time a year at best." (BOB) "You need to get a $35 Snap-On spark plug socket. You only need one size, but I would buy every size they offer because you might need to use one 5 years from now and you'll already have it. You definitely shouldn't get the $1.99 one from HF because it will probably ruin the spark plug and the entire lawnmower because it came from China. In fact, you should just throw your Craftsman mower away and buy a John Deere because everything Craftsman makes is horrible."

(TOM) "Hey Bob, I need to build a dog house. I don't have a circular saw or anything but I'd like to get one for this one project. I've never had a need for one up to now, and I probably won't use it very often after this." (BOB) "I would forget about a circular saw and just buy a Delta table saw. You should be able to get a good one for about $2,500. The cuts will be much better quality and it will be the best because it's the most expensive. You would look like a fool with your orange plastic HF circular saw out here in the back yard. The Delta saw will last 5 lifetimes and if you divide the cost of the tool for 350 years, it only comes up to like $7 a year. Thats cheaper than the $20 HF saw, and you'll be a professional."

=========================================================

I had tears running down my face. Oh man that was funny. 350 years...LOL!

Coach

 

[Hiball]

Are any modern plastic power tools are going to last a lifetime if used regularly? Regardless of what country they are made in?

The age of overbuilt American made metal cased power tools has been over for a long time unfortunately.


-Mike, who should know better than to get into this **** again.

I Almost hate to even dabble in this thread anymore but there is "ALOT" more to making a Quality Power outside the Case its housed in.

 

[Kirbot]

I Almost hate to even dabble in this thread anymore but there is "ALOT" more to making a Quality Power outside the Case its housed in.

You've got that right. And believe me, if you had ever handled the 1940's Skil belt sander that I used to have, you wouldn't think to much of very many being made today. Of course, considering inflation, it would have cost about $1200 now. Compared to that, all the new ones are cheap "****".

All the COO arguments just seem kind of silly, when 90% of new power tools are made in the same country. And it ain't the USA.

 

[Hiball]

All the COO arguments just seem kind of silly, when 90% of new power tools are made in the same country. And it ain't the USA.

Again... I hate to dabble but Not all tools that come out of China are Junk, These factories are no different than ones here in the US. They are gonna be made to the specifications that are set forth by whomever is footing the bill. With that said.... You cant expect your $10 dollar China Drills to be as good as the $100 dollar drill from China. There will be some similarities between the 2 sure, but the things that are not gonna be obvious till you actually buy one is gonna be the Ergonomics, Switches, Amount of Copper in the Motor, Brush thickness with leads to Tool Duration etc... Along with the type of bearings used which affects the tool in general. I know quite a bit about Power tools as i would venture to bet my Grandfather has upwards to 100 complete assemblies along with boxes of Repair parts as he bought every Non working tool he could get his hands on. I spend alot of my childhood replacing brushes, switches and putting new cords on power tools along with stripping them for copper when they were beyond repair. ANYBODY who makes there tool decisions based on External Appearance alone is begging for Problems down the road. We all know China has cheap labor.. but Copper and Bearing Quality cost isnt Negotiable.


Edit: I would like to add, Its fairly obvious that some of the Name brands from the past have lowered Quality Over the years to try and stay in business by Lowering the amount of Copper and overall Part Cost. Your Black and Decker of Today isnt near the same as 20-40 years ago..

 

[Kirbot]

...Not all tools that come out of China are Junk....

Couldn't agree more.

But when some guy comes along and starts bashing every thing from harborfreight, that idea seems to get lost.

Is there a difference between a harborfreight power tool and a Milwaukee? Of course, but that doesn't automatically mean that the HF one won't get the job done. And at the end of the day, isn't that all a tool is supposed to do?

I just get sick of all this "pride of ownership" ****.
If a tool works, as this particular drill has been proven to, what more do you wan't?

Edit: I would like to add, Its fairly obvious that some of the Name brands from the past have lowered Quality Over the years to try and stay in business by Lowering the amount of Copper and overall Part Cost. Your Black and Decker of Today isnt near the same as 20 years ago..

Which is what I said in my last post.
Except I think you have to go back farther than 20 years for B&D, unless your talking about the "pro" line, that, as I understand it, became Dewalt.


I guess my point is, buy something that will work, it doesn't need a fancy name on it. And when you start praising all your fancy plastic stuff from Germany, and raving about how great it is... Look at a quality tool from times past. Everything can be "junk" in somebody's eyes.


And with that, I'm outa here.
Goodnight
-Mike

 

[Coach James]

Slightly off topic but Dewalt was started in the 1920's and was bought by B&D sometime in the 1940's. In an effort to improve their image, B&D started using Ddewalt as their pro line.

Coach

 

[Hiball]

I just get sick of all this "pride of ownership" ****.
If a tool works, as this particular drill has been proven to, what more do you wan't?

Its NOT ****... I suspect for New, Younger Consumers its a hard concept to grasp. I grew up during the change-over. Its a Great feeling when you purchase a product and 20 years later its still working as good as the day you purchased it. Thats not for everyone.. Some people are Warranty fanatics and as long as they get a New tool they dont care how often they have to use the service. Is that Wrong? No.. As a consumer its ultimately your decision and if 1 year of use satisfies that Need for you.. Great.

I guess my point is, buy something that will work, it doesn't need a fancy name on it. And when you start praising all your fancy plastic stuff from Germany, and raving about how great it is... Look at a quality tool from times past. Everything can be "junk" in somebody's eyes.

Again... those are your opinions. As i stated Appearances are deceiving and Copper and quality components arent. Just because the HF and Hilti have plastic cases doesnt mean they are equal.. It sounds like the HF model is getting the job done.. That along with the price appeals to Consumers who have limited Use or Budget. This doesnt mean the HF is better than the Hilti nor does it mean the HF is Junk. I will say that Power tools in general seem to be hit or Miss (Read the Pass/Fail) but this is where the warranty comes into play.

 

[american lockpicker]

You've got that right. And believe me, if you had ever handled the 1940's Skil belt sander that I used to have, you wouldn't think to much of very many being made today. Of course, considering inflation, it would have cost about $1200 now. Compared to that, all the new ones are cheap "****".

All the COO arguments just seem kind of silly, when 90% of new power tools are made in the same country. And it ain't the USA.

How is it silly when you can get tools made in Switzerland, Germany, Litchtenstein, Luxemberg, England, Ireland, Mexico and a few other places?

 

[fflintstone]

I bought this harbor freight hammer drill after spending 4 hours drilling over a dozen holes with a non-hammer drill.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/hammer-drills/3-in-1-1-inch-sds-rotary-hammer-97743.html
I love it! I bought a bunch of the special SDS drill bits in various sizes. I purchased the drill in October of 2009 and have drilled exactly one hole with it. I am 100% happy with the tool. It did in seconds what would have taken several minutes with a non-hammer drill. I would like to buy a SDS quill and a Jacobs chuck to be able to use any masonry bit in a pinch, but other than that I am all set with this tool.
I wish I had bought one years ago.

 

[bsaint]

I've seen all types get burned up. Dull SDS bits and too much weight pressing down will make the best tool fail.

I'd say give me a brand new SDS bit and a short extension cord, and I'm good to go.

At work we use the Bosch Bulldog Extreme hammer drill, Bosch 1-1/8" Hammer drill, Hilti TE hammer drill all for 19mm to 6mm anchors, and occasionally a old skool Milwaukee hammer drill with a jacob's style chuck for 1/4" anchors. All on a weekly basis.

 

[garagebug]

That's a really accurate description of the two camps. SARCASM. You were really trying to be fair and honest there weren't you? Are you about 12? You don't leave much to the imagination as to where you shop or which "camp" you fall in.

'SARCASM'. Thanks for the help with that one. Now you've resorted to calling people 12 years old.

I personally could care less where anybody shops. There are loads of Harbor Freighters on this site that are addicted to cheap volume ****. You can just look at the Hot Deals Thread to see that.

You could personally care less, yet you come into a thread entitled "harborfreight SDS hammer drill - go buy one!" to **** all over it with how no sane individual would EVER buy anything from HF. Troll harder.

They buy junk in volume because they get a "deal." Others may prefer to buy a tool that they can have some pride in and that they will know that it is something that they can have for their lifetime and maybe even hand down. They care about supporting the dwindling manufacturing base in this country and have a feeling of pride in picking up something that says made in USA.

Again, you don't personally care what other people buy, but now you label the tools "junk" and offer some Capt. America BS about having pride in a product. Nevermind the fact that the Hilti and Bosch alternatives mentioned AREN'T EVEN MADE IN THE USA! I guess I should have more pride buying a Hilti Chinese drill vs a HF Chinese drill? Nice logic.

There are WAY more Harbor Freight types on this site than traditionalists. In fact, this site has become loaded with the Duralast and Harbor Freight pimp threads that has driven many of the most knowledgeable people away.

I guess they should rename the 'General Tool Discussion' forum to the 'MADE IN USA ONLY Tool Discussion Forum' so all the knowledgeable people don't get driven away. What are the rules to being a 'traditionalist'? Does that mean paying top dollar for EVERYTHING regardless of need? Does that mean buying only MADE IN USA products, regardless of the fact that 95% of all power tools are now made in China? Your beloved Bosch has products made in Taiwan and China too.

The Harbor Freighters think that because someone buys something US and/or Euro quality that they are trying to show off and are insecure. It's pretty hillarious actually to read that kind of stuff. The lengths that the Freighters go to justify themselves and make themselves feel good is something to marvel at.

Yea, that's it. SARCASM. Again, you come to a HF discussion thread to all over it, then get pissed off when people start defending themselves. Meanwhile THEY are the ones justifying themselves to feel good? Again, fantastic logic. Trolling at it's finest.

 

[Hiball]

:I guess I should have more pride buying a Hilti Chinese drill vs a HF Chinese drill? Nice logic.

Does your logic tell you that all Tools that are made in China are Equal Regardless of Price and Manufacturing specs?



Didnt think so.

 

[garagebug]

They buy junk in volume because they get a "deal." Others may prefer to buy a tool that they can have some pride in and that they will know that it is something that they can have for their lifetime and maybe even hand down. They care about supporting the dwindling manufacturing base in this country and have a feeling of pride in picking up something that says made in USA.

I guess I should have more pride buying a Hilti Chinese drill vs a HF Chinese drill? Nice logic.

Does your logic tell you that all Tools that are made in China are Equal Regardless of Price and Manufacturing specs?



Didnt think so.

:Facepalm: Please re-read the above RED text. Put that into context with my comment and the failure in logic should become painfully clear.

Read it again if you need to...make sure it sinks in good this time.

At no point did i EVER say that a Hilti drill would be, in any way, comparable to a HF drill. It sure as hell shouldn't be considering the Hilti is over 5X more expensive. The comment in question is aimed solely at the fail over claiming USA Pride then suggesting someone buy a German made product. Help me find a 100% USA made hammer drill AT A SIMILAR PRICE to the HF drill and I'll help you find D.B. Cooper.

 

[Hiball]

:Facepalm: Please re-read the above RED text. Put that into context with my comment and the failure in logic should become painfully clear.

Read it again if you need to...make sure it sinks in good this time. .

Got It... and suprisingly i only had to read it once... Now dont stroke out over a forum thread, Id feel bad.

At no point did i EVER say that a Hilti drill would be, in any way, comparable to a HF drill. It sure as hell shouldn't be considering the Hilti is over 5X more expensive. The comment in question is aimed solely at the fail over claiming USA Pride then suggesting someone buy a German made product. Help me find a 100% USA made hammer drill AT A SIMILAR PRICE to the HF drill and I'll help you find D.B. Cooper.

As im sure You know your gonna be hard pressed to find a US manufactured tool comparable to anything from HF in regards to Price.. It doesnt take a Genius to see the cost of Manufacturing here in the States compared to China is lopsided. Welcome to the New America.. It makes me Sad Inside Ah.. Hell blame the Unions.

 

[srmofo]

Its the goddamn unions fault we cant buy anything affordable that's still made in the USA!

 

[srmofo]

No really though, Could a mod please clean all the drama from this thread? It would probably be less than a page and someone, somewhere might actually be able to find the actual reviews of this tool somewhere in these 8 pages

 

[MrMark]

:Facepalm: Please re-read the above RED text. Put that into context with my comment and the failure in logic should become painfully clear.

Read it again if you need to...make sure it sinks in good this time.

At no point did i EVER say that a Hilti drill would be, in any way, comparable to a HF drill. It sure as hell shouldn't be considering the Hilti is over 5X more expensive. The comment in question is aimed solely at the fail over claiming USA Pride then suggesting someone buy a German made product. Help me find a 100% USA made hammer drill AT A SIMILAR PRICE to the HF drill and I'll help you find D.B. Cooper.

You are talking about logic and you come up with comparing a Hilti Chinese drill to a Harbor Freight drill. Talk about losing your mind. Where to even start with that. First of all, no one was talking about a Hilti drill and no one was talking about a Hilti Chinese drill (if they even make a Chinese hammerdrill) and further no one was talkiing about comparing a Hilti drill to anything. I was talking about a German made Bosch drill because some fanatics on here had gone so far to suggest that the HF drill was just as good or even better because someone put a bigger chuck on it.

So, if anything, the comparison is between a Bosch German Drill and a Chinese HF drill. You belatedly seem to understand that. With that background, your comment "I guess I should have more pride buying a Hilti Chinese drill vs a HF Chinese drill? Nice logic," can only be taken as somewhat bizarre, certainly irrelevant and ironically lacking any logic in itself. You would do well to take a math class or a writing class to learn about what "logic" really entails.

I prefer to buy German and American tools because of the quality in the case of the German and the quality and desire to support fellow Americans in the case of the American. My comment with regard to traditionalists and their desire to support their country was certainly broader in context than just this foolish comparison of a HF rotohammer to a Bosch, who has made many many tools in this country. The context should have been apparent. Especially since my post was addressing your immature "two camps" rant, which had nothing to do with the rotohammers at all. You really stepped in it on this one with your jump to break out your fine "logic." LOL

I'm probably the only member of this board that has never set foot in Harbor Freight, although I have one fairly close, and I never will set foot in Harbor Freight. Quite honestly, I don't see the point or feel the need. I'm not a collector or hoarder. I'd rather make do with a smaller number of quality tools than a boatload of China tools. If there is some tool that I cannot justify buying quality because it truly will be a one time use tool (this rarely happens) I will rent, borrow, or buy used. These, to my traditionalist way of thinking, are much better alternatives. As long as there are alternatives, even if that means scouring ebay or craiglist, I will not support China products.

 

[srmofo]

I make due with a large number of quality tools and a few rarely used china tools. I guess I dont follow your logic that its better to rent a sds and bit for more than the china drill cost for a rarely used item.

What about the american jobs at HF? Do you support those? Yeah they're not cash cows, but they're jobs. Not everyone at low wages wants to work at a restuarant or gas station.

Most products in every store are from an asian country, have you ever read the labels on your clothes? What about your bedding? appliances? See where Im going here? Walk around your home and look at everything, if you are going to only buy USA products, then your house would be empty, your *** would be naked, and you'd be playing with yourself because you'd have nothing else to do.

I guess I dont get the elitist attitude towards tools, with total disregard to everything else you also consume coming from another country.

 

[MrMark]

I make due with a large number of quality tools and a few rarely used china tools. I guess I dont follow your logic that its better to rent a sds and bit for more than the china drill cost for a rarely used item.

What about the american jobs at HF? Do you support those? Yeah they're not cash cows, but they're jobs. Not everyone at low wages wants to work at a restuarant or gas station.

Most products in every store are from an asian country, have you ever read the labels on your clothes? What about your bedding? appliances? See where Im going here? Walk around your home and look at everything, if you are going to only buy USA products, then your house would be empty, your *** would be naked, and you'd be playing with yourself because you'd have nothing else to do.

I guess I dont get the elitist attitude towards tools, with total disregard to everything else you also consume coming from another country.

The rental cost for a one time job is cheaper than that $79 harbor freight drill. And you wouldn't have a weak sister of the poor drill for the job either. You would get a big, strong, industrial drill that would make short work of the project. You can rent that industrial tool 2-3 times for the cost of that HF drill. More use than that? Well, I would just buy a decent product then because I would feel it was worth it. I could get a used rotohammer for less than $100.

That's not true about everything being made in China and nothing being made here. You just have to look a little and be conscious of where you shop. You can't buy at Target or Walmart for the most part because all the carry are China goods for the profit margin it provides.

There are still tons of things made in this country; you may just have to look a little harder. I agree it's hard to buy clothes made in USA but I don't have many that are China made either. I just don't have an "elitist" attitude - I would prefer to call it a support your home worker attitude - toward tools, I have it toward everything I consume.

I just bought bedding. It was U.S. made in California. I have no major Chinese appliances. My refrigerator was made in Wisconsin by Americans. My washer/dryer in Iowa, same for diswasher. My grill is made in Wisconsin. Oven is American as well. I have no Chinese funiture. My furniture was made in North Carolina. My computer is U.S. assembled. Yes, the commmon keyboard is Chinese, but I can't do anything about that. My POS Ford Truck made in Dearborne, the motor and ****** is US sourced as well.

No, I don't support HF jobs because those are worthless jobs that don't grow the economy or support a quality standard of living.

 

[american lockpicker]

Its the goddamn unions fault we cant buy anything affordable that's still made in the USA!

So American works shouldn't get paid well and have good working conditions?

 

[Hiball]

Most products in every store are from an asian country, have you ever read the labels on your clothes? What about your bedding? appliances? See where Im going here? Walk around your home and look at everything, if you are going to only buy USA products, then your house would be empty, your *** would be naked, and you'd be playing with yourself because you'd have nothing else to do.

I guess I dont get the elitist attitude towards tools, with total disregard to everything else you also consume coming from another country.

I wouldnt consider MrMark a Elitest because he chooses not to patronize Chinese made tools. Im sure everyone is aware that it would be impossible to buy 100% USA (as you stated) in regards to total consumer purchases. If you really think about it... Tools in General is where we still thrive in America and even then its a shrinking market. Sometimes in Life you have make decisions and sometimes there forced onto you, MrMark cant purchase US made Tv or Cell phone. However he can choose to buy US made tools and i dont think he should be Marked as a Elitest for trying to make a better life for fellow Americans. And dont take this as "If you shop at HF you are Anti-American" Thats simply not the case. You are still pumping money into the US economy, Whether its the Container Trains i Haul across the midwest to the Truck drivers whom deliver them to the store and the Employees who unload them. Anyways... To Each his Own.. In the End that is all that Matters.

 

[american lockpicker]

...have you ever read the labels on your clothes?

Mine are from USA, Mexico, Israel, Jordan, Germany, etc. but not China.

What about your bedding?

USA

appliances?

EU, USA, Mexico when given the option I do own a few chinese things like radio equipment and the PC but I had no choice.

See where Im going here? Walk around your home and look at everything, if you are going to only buy USA products, then your house would be empty, your *** would be naked, and you'd be playing with yourself because you'd have nothing else to do.

Not true for me. But I put a little effort and money into buying nonChinese products. Yes its almost impossible only buy USA these days unless you get used items from the last century.

I guess I dont get the elitist attitude towards tools, with total disregard to everything else you also consume coming from another country.

I'm elitist in everything I own. I would rather support workers in Western countries who get paid good wages and get quality items than try and save a few bucks by buying Chinese.

 

[MrMark]

Yes, anytime you purchase something you put dollars into the economy. I simply feel that injecting dollars into manufacturing is far better for the economy and the U.S. as a country than injecting dollars into general services. The manufacturing base provides quality jobs that can provide good quality of living. Not everyone can be a service industry worker if this country is going to prosper. Thank you Hiball for pointing out about tools being one area in particular where there still is a strong U.S. manufacturing presence. And, I am doing my small part to see it continue its strong tradition. For me, anyway, I have never been forced into buying a Chinese tool to do a job. I was lucky enough to buy most power tools in the 90's and early 2000's when they were still U.S. made. Hand tools, I have always purchased Craftsman and Snap-on for the more used tools. I have more tools than most people who do it for a living and only a couple Taiwan tools in the specialty area. The investment over time has not been that great.

A lot of people smoke and drink up more over the years than I have in American and German tools. I have always been willing to pay more to buy those tools.