HF Surface Conditioning Tool

[Renegade1LI]

I have been looking at this and wondering if it would be useful and being hf would it last. In hf manager comes by asks if he could help, i asked if they carried replacement drums, handed me a sanding drum, close, lol. Explained it to him that you need the consumables, he said I’ll take 20% since they don’t have the drums, deal.

Looks to be decent quality, 9 amps just tried it for a minute and it doesn’t bog down, have to give it a good work out. Sure looks identical to the Eastwood figured for 120$ I’d give it a shot, can always return. The EW is on sale for 180$ And they have the drums, which aren’t cheap, depends how long they last. Hopefully HF will eventually stock them.

 

[GeoBruin]

It's definitely on my list. I have just about every other rust/paint/mill scale removal tool that exists and this will round me out.

I'm probably about the biggest HF fan boy there is. I can't tell you how many times I've bought something from HF thinking "well, I'll try this tool and see if I like it in concept and if so, and if this one craps out, I'll pony up for a more expesnive version..."

We'll, I'm many years down the line with many of those tools and they're still working. That said, the other thing I like about harbor freight is that I can walk in and handle/evaluate the tools before I buy. There are some things I've picked up and put right back down.

Regarding this tool, you said the main thing which is that you couldn't bog it down. Other than the compatability of other drums, that's really all I need to hear to pull the trigger. Looking forward to hearing your further impressions.

 

[dogdog]

I was looking at it, saw some videos on youtube... the motor seems inferior or different sounding like cheap bearing... that is across multiple different videos and some that are obvious paid shills/promotions. if you look pass how this and that compare to EW and how nice it cleans, the motor just scream cheap, so hesitate to get one. I might still do at 20% off... but not at that price, not too sure this is one of the tools I hesitiate after watching some videos.. The old BD or skillsaw one (that was discontinued ) they used the sell at lowes have a more smoother motor.

***I should say the screaming cheap motor means it sounds like their $10 grinder sound.

If you could run it and see... how is the motor sound ?

 

[rlitman]

I too would like to know about drum cross compatibility. I've got a Walter Linemate linisher, and avoid using it as much as possible, since the consumables are outrageous.

 

[mepstein]

I have the Eastwood. It works very well. I would buy it again and just try to save on the consumables.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Just looked at the eastwood, 179$ & only comes with 1 drum, 212$ for the tool with 4 drums. Seems like there are many choices for drums, so if these are the same machine the HF is a good deal.

 

[kbeefy]

My buddy just picked up the HF one. I'm pretty sure the Eastwood and HF are the same machine, at least on the outside.

He asked about consubables, and while they don't have any available, the saleperson had stashed the ones from the display unit in case anyone asked and gave them to my buddy for free.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I got a Restorer tool on Black Friday or cyber Monday deal this year and have yet to try it out. But if I had seen this one coming I might have held off of it.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Ok so i used it with the stripping drum a little bit, not bad, removes paint and rust fast. It has a soft start which is nice but when using keep the trigger lock engaged. I did about 20 minutes with no appreciable wear on the drum so maybe the last, time will tell. Depending on what you’re doing you could prime right after stripping for utility work. Need to get an assortment of drums, nice to put a mill finish in ss or aluminum. Going to try stripping some ipe planks, it should work like a floor sander.

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

IF the HF is compatible with drums from the eastwood there are a slightly different size option much cheaper on Amazon. I think if you search 120 x 100 x 19 flap wheel or drum you will see the options there.

 

[Renegade1LI]

IF the HF is compatible with drums from the eastwood there are a slightly different size option much cheaper on Amazon. I think if you search 120 x 100 x 19 flap wheel or drum you will see the options there.

I see there’s a lot in Amazon, eBay, even the Eastwood ones are priced ok. Looks like buying quality ones will be key if they last, need to try a few and see how they hold up.

 

[Raineman]

If anyone uses this on automotive sheet metal, please post a review and any tips for not grinding or warping the metal. Thanks in advance. I need to strip the car in my avatar.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

scroll down a little, there are three drums available separate from the tool

Bauer - Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Renegade1LI]

One thing i hate with hf most stuff is in store only, good find on the drums emeraldcoupe.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Following

 

[Renegade1LI]

Ok, my first dislike. It doesn’t fit well into a box or bag, i was hoping it would fit in a dewalt tough box. Like like it has to go into a 24” bag, at least they’ll be plenty of room for extra drums. I have to store tools with all their accessories, or I’ll never find the parts.

 

[oilslick]

I’d like to know if it could be used to strip carpaint with out warping?

 

[tester19]

Both tools do work as advertised. Here is a van completely stripped to bare metal. Leaves a nice finish ready for painting too.



If interested look at the Eastwood listing as they have a number of pictures showing it in action.
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[Renegade1LI]

I like the soft start and it’s more torque than speed, easy to control. Tried it on a garden cart and like tester19 said leaves a nice finish.

 

[Firstram]

That van needs clear coat, not paint

 

[finn]

I have the Eastwood version. It was a little cheaper at the Eastwood booth at the Iola swap meet last summer, but still more than theHF price.

I agree that the size makes it hard to store.

I snagged on of the drums on a sheet metal edge, so my per hour running cost is pretty high, but it works well otherwise.

time to order up more drums. Think I will try some narrower drums for smaller work too.

 

[metlmunchr]

I haven't used either tool, the one from HF or the Eastwood one, but I would say that attempting to judge the sound of the tool, or any tool, from a YouTube video and relate that to the tool's quality is a total waste of effort.

I bought a cnc mill several years ago from a CL ad that had a link to a YT video of the machine in operation. The machine looked good and the price was fantastic compared to the advertised price of similar machines on the market, but the sound on the vid was more like the sound you'd hear from a scrap metal shredder than the sound of a machine tool. Decided to go look anyway, because the price was such that even if it had one or more bad bearings, it could still be a decent deal. Got there, and when the owner demo'd it running a program that operated every part of the machine, it was smooth and quiet with no abnormal noises at any time. About halfway thru the 10 minute demo I started recording it on my phone. I bought the machine, and it turned out to be reliable and accurate with no hidden maintenance or repair issues. But, when I got back to the shop, I played the vid I'd recorded and it sounded every bit as bad as the one the seller had posted on YT. After that, I sorta assumed it's much easier to accurately reproduce video as opposed to sound.

 

[californiamilleghia]

The email I got April 5th from Harbor Freight shows a price of $149.99 compared to Eastwoods $179,

Looks like they already increased the price ,

anyone else get this email ?

 

[evintho]

If anyone uses this on automotive sheet metal, please post a review and any tips for not grinding or warping the metal. Thanks in advance. I need to strip the car in my avatar.

IMHO those surface conditioning tools are a waste of money. If you want to strip the paint on your car, you can achieve the same results in the same amount of time with the same amount of effort for far less money using BlackHawk strip discs..........
BlackHawk 4-1/2" strip discs

Just chuck one in your 4-1/2" grinder (that you probably have in your toolbox) and strip away! You'll be amazed at how well and how quick they work! I stripped my entire '54 Ford in under 4 hours and only used 3 discs. Be aware, just like the surface conditioning tool, the discs leave a smooth finish so make sure to run over the whole car with 150 grit on a D/A to give the primer something to bite to.

 

[Raineman]

Thank you. Sounds like a plan. I appreciate that.

 

[david3921]

The email I got April 5th from Harbor Freight shows a price of $149.99 compared to Eastwoods $179,

Looks like they already increased the price ,

anyone else get this email ?

That is the price. I don't think they increased it. OP got 20% off from the store manager because they weren't carrying the other wheels yet.

 

[Tinner]

If you want to strip the paint on your car, you can achieve the same results in the same amount of time with the same amount of effort for far less money using BlackHawk strip discs..........
BlackHawk 4-1/2" strip discs

Yup, they work great. Used them on my car as well.

 

[Renegade1LI]

If anyone is interested in getting one I see they are on sale for 120$ this weekend.

 

[65 GMC]

If anyone is interested in getting one I see they are on sale for 120$ this weekend.

I just picked one up this morning.Had a $5. Off coupon also. Just opened it up. Looks pretty good quality to me. I will be using the hell out of it on our 65 GMC truck build.

 

[65 GMC]

I am in search for the drums online if anyone has a link on where to find them.

 

[dnschmidt]

They both work (I have the Eastwood) and they don't distort the metal. If you have several coats of paint on the car I recommend using a polisher at 800 rpm with an 8" pad and 60 grit paper to remove most of the old paint and then finishing with the Eastwood or Harbor Freight as this is the faster method.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I am in search for the drums online if anyone has a link on where to find them.

Not sure where you are, by me they’re showing in stock at a few hfs.

 

[dogdog]

Just got one $119 plus tax and an extra brush. Looks decent

 

[65 GMC]

Not sure where you are, by me they’re showing in stock at a few hfs.

Yeah they have some here too.It came with the three. I haven't used it yet to see how long they last. Was just wondering if there was online option. Maybe different grit. Thanks

 

[tak1313]

I am in search for the drums online if anyone has a link on where to find them.

Search "100mm tool drum" and you will find all kinds at all prices - albeit Chinese brands. I don't know how they compare to Eastwood's drums, but I'm sure Eastwood's are made in either China or Taiwan as well anyway.

Use 100mm as all the drums are 100mm wide, but the diameter varies between 100 and 120mm (they all should fit - it just depends on the type of drum).

 

[signcrafter]

I looked into these last winter when I was doing a project building faux beams for a house. Saw a guy using the wore wheel to carve out the softer grain giving it a 3d effect. I ended up just using a wire wheel on my grinder, smaller so took longer but worked great. If i ever do more i will pick up the hf or Eastwood one to have.

 

[RonnieC]

Both tools do work as advertised. Here is a van completely stripped to bare metal. Leaves a nice finish ready for painting too.

That van needs clear coat, not paint

You could make this happen in real life:

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Both tools do work as advertised. Here is a van completely stripped to bare metal. Leaves a nice finish ready for painting too.



If interested look at the Eastwood listing as they have a number of pictures showing it in action.
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Just curious as I've never used on of these to strip panels....does the tool generate enough heat to create possible warping during normal operation?

 

[jarhead]

Yes i know this is an old post.
The HF conditioner is on sale for inside track members for $50 off. I used the 25 off 100 coupon yesterday and got it for $75.

Used it a pit on my Torino today and it works good. My car is already bare metal and i wanted to go over it with this tool

 

[PMD1966]

The email I got April 5th from Harbor Freight shows a price of $149.99 compared to Eastwoods $179,

Looks like they already increased the price ,

anyone else get this email ?

Price for Inside Track members is $99.00 now.