Harbor Freight New drill

[General Geoff]

I like that HF is stepping up their game, but I think this drill would sell a lot better at $79 than $109, especially since it's specifically excluded from the 20% off coupons.

I just ordered a Makita CX200RB subcompact 18v combo kit, and this Hercules drill puts out 550 inch pounds vs the Makita's 350 inch pounds. That in and of itself is impressive. I'm not sure how useful that extra torque is with the drill given that neither have an auxiliary handle to brace the tool against twisting, and I already have a venerable old Bosch 1/2" corded drill with said handle that has more torque than my hands and arms can counteract.

I guess only time (and heavy handed contractors) will tell how this drill holds up for the premium price.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

This is what is sad, a throw away society. We used to fix things, a certain pride in that. Now it's toss and buy, no parts available or are rediculous as stated.

Lots of people fix up old stuff. The best source of parts is often something similar that was scrapped. The internet has made buying used parts much, much easier.

I don't blame any business for not carrying an inventory of repair parts on inexpensive items such as drills. Carrying inventory has it's own storage costs. There's an element of guesswork in estimating the need for any repair item. And it's all lost money if no one ever buys it.

And alot of things should be disposable. Would we be better off if Edison had designed his lightbulb to be repairable? Although I suppose more modern CFL and LED lights could be repaired, but I only take them apart out of curiosity.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Why would anyone buy that HF one when they can get a Makita, DeWalt, or Milwaukee for the same price?

If HF runs true to form, they will soon be offering coupons for at least a 20% discount, sometimes even more.

HF has more convenient locations for alot of people.

 

[Ehrmantraut]

If they are all made in China, some possibly made in the same factories, what difference does it make, other than ego?

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Lol, you beat me to it. These things are probably going to hold up just as good as the Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee products and are very likely built to the same level of quality.

I really like that HF is stepping up their game. They have been producing some gems for a while now and it seems they are trying to take it up a notch.

 

[Flattie]

There was a post not long ago with a link to the 4-1/2 grinder. It had a link to a video teardown. I am starting to wonder if HF contracted with the same Chinese manufacturer as Dewalt, Milwaukee, etc. The grinder is an EXACT copy of dewalt. All the way down to the switch is JUST replaced. And look at these two bit sets. Not saying I know they are made by the same folks. But EVEN the packaging is similar. Notice both say EXPAND at the top. But they are about the same price. I picked to compare to Milwaukee Shock Wave, because personally I have had great life them in a 1/4" Milwaukee impact driver

Milwaukee - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-Driver-Bit-Set-40-Piece-48-32-4008/206145272

HF - https://www.harborfreight.com/45-pc-hercules-impact-driver-bit-set-63383.html

 

[PugetDude]

If the battery prove to be interchangeable between the dewalt, this would be a hole for some consumer to look into it.

I know at least one guy here on the GJ who'll make them interchangeable pretty quick...

" Paging RSlaback, Paging RSlaback..."

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Wrong pice point.

 

[dreasoner]

Nobody has mentioned Bosch cordless tools. Nobody likes them?

 

[dreasoner]

I think the Bosch impact that accepts 1/4" drivers and 3/8" square drive in the same tool is innovative. Any thoughts?

 

[kctyphoon]

HF has figured out how to make as much money as possible and made the owner incredibly rich. If there was a more profitible way to package their stuff he would be on it. I don't think they depend on despiration sales by contractors to move their stuff.

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I didn't make the case that "all sales" would be from desperate contractors.. I was making the case that if if a pro is out in the field, and needs a drill now, location and accessibility would driver THAT person to buy one of these for the day instead of driving another 40 minutes to get a Dewalt.

They will sell, almost all their other cordless did and they sucked - even the 12v impact driver which was very popular and almost Dewalt money once you bought a second battery. Some people will look at these and say, I'd spend Dewalt money on the drill since I can buy more batteries for less then half of what Dewalt sells them for..

And guaranteed the batteries DO have internal circuitry also. Wouldnt be a great sales tactic if you needed to buy a new battery after every use cause they died after being discharged too low to recharge.

Won't be long before vids get posted, and I'm sure like most of the HF more expensive stuff, people will be surprised at what is found inside. HF is obviously looking to compete more with hd and lowes for tools now..

Willing to bet this will be a more popular line than the Kobalt 24v stuff, if HF expands the line a bit. kobalt is type cast as junk for years in the cordless tool market. The WORST thing they did was keep the kobalt name on their new power tools. They will not be popular, ever... the best thing lowes could have done was acquire craftsman and make that their new house brand.. they dropped the ball on that in my eyes..

 

[FigureItOut]

I think the Bosch impact that accepts 1/4" drivers and 3/8" square drive in the same tool is innovative. Any thoughts?

Have you handled one or used one? It's kind of toy-ish seeming. I was interested being that it's Bosch and I love my Bosch tools, but that thing seems kind of silly. I'd be more interested in a 12 volt version with a 1/4" square drive and a 1/4" hex, if it was done well. Not much need for that thing that I can see, tbh.

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[Flashesbuck]

Well a new coupon just popped up in my email for a grinder. Making it 35 bucks... I may go ahead and jump on it.

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[jdlong]

I have to agree that a trusted brand for a little more money makes more sense. You have to wonder however what kind of discounts they plan to offer inside track club members, if any, with this new breed of tools.

 

[DFB]

We 're knowledgeable bunch here on GJ about these types of power tools so it seems easy to assume others would know all the comparative factors when basing a HF tool purchase over a more established name brand tool company especially with prices being similar. Stuff like warranties/number of batteries/ battery amperages/ brushed/brushless/ mode settings /chuck sizes/ replacement parts etc.

Since I get to direct market a lot of cheaper tool products all summer I also get to see first hand how much people know or don't know or even care about certain purchases and whether they buy out necessity, on impulse or for price point. And its a big world out there.

I was in HF yesterday and the Bauer impact driver was right in your face as you walked in looking pretty attractive at $79 bucks I know one little single little battery etc but the amount people that shop there is something else (at least in this area and it has to be cutting into certain sales at the HD located right next door)

And I think there's plenty of people who will just buy it, beat it, and bring it back for replacement. You might get away with that at HD some and even Walmart but probably not at most independent hardware stores or supply houses.

A good example of that was when I going in yesterday I actually held the door for another fella who was carrying the Lynxx electric chainsaw in for a replacement. Me and my buddy got to talking to him outside because I was curious about the quality of that tool. He said bought it at the start of weekend beat the **** out if it cutting down some hedges got his job done, and now has a new unit with new chain another bottle oil etc for the next time.