HF prices on same-brand items

[BirdRacer]

Just an interesting note. I know there are tons of HF threads pros vs. cons, US made vs. China made, etc.

Was at my local HF last night and noticed several name brand items such as Makita grinding/polishing sets, of course WD-40, etc. They had one particular flap disk, 4.5" Norton brand 60 grit pictured below (except that pic is a 40 grit 7").

I know nothing about this brand good nor bad, so this is not an endorsement for the brand. What I found interesting is that the same exact flap disk at HF was $4.94, at Sears was $11.99, and Home Depot is $11.99 (for the 80 grit). I didn't see a 60 grit online for Home Depot.

I just found the huge price difference on the exact same item very interesting.

 

[meissen]

All the HF threads on here are seriously making me want to stop at the local HF store... I have a feeling it's about as deadly as a computer nerd (I work in IT) going into a store like MicroCenter.

 

[aar0s]

made my first stop into a HF a few weekends ago. was surprised to see "gorilla glue" on the shelf seeing as we were told at work that they quit making it.
picked up a new rubber mallet (I broke the handle on my old one) for 20 % off and my free flashlight!

 

[george4]

Nothing wrong with Norton flap discs. They are very handy for taking off ruff edges and leaving a fairly smooth finish on metal.

 

[Skin]

All the HF threads on here are seriously making me want to stop at the local HF store... I have a feeling it's about as deadly as a computer nerd (I work in IT) going into a store like MicroCenter.

Dont do it! My first HF "experience" i stopped in for a couple of electric sanders because they were dirt cheap and i needed something for a one time job, ended up leaving with an armload of ****.

I'm sitting there at the checkout counter watching the lady ring it up and finally asking for $73.50 going "wtf happened this was suppose to be a $20 purchase!".

The place is cheap but damn can those little items add up. Very easy to get carried away by the $2-$10 tools that your use to seeing for 2-5x as much. Its like, how can you pass it up? Deal of the century!

After i left i felt dirty....

Thankfully my closest one is a solid 2 hour trip with no traffic so i cant get there without planning ahead. I'd be in trouble if i had one down the street. God help us all if the online store ever goes to free shipping and starts honoring those 20% coupons.

 

[Falcon67]

Buy the dog out of those Norton flap disks - Norton is Made in USA and their stuff works like gang busters.

 

[BirdRacer]

Buy the dog out of those Norton flap disks - Norton is Made in USA and their stuff works like gang busters.

I thought they looked nice, especially compared to the Chicago/HF brand flap disks. But I'm new to flap disks, so I wasn't sure. But when I saw them at Sears a few minutes later for $7.05 more.... WOW

P.S. had to go to Sears for a single 1 1/8 socket. HF don't carry single sockets. Spent the $7 I saved on the flap disk for the socket

 

[haugy]

From what I've learned HF is great for the big ticket items to save one.
The expendable items, things that wear out, machines, flap discs, cutting items, etc.
And cheap spare tools.

It is addictive when you get in there.

 

[GN4WHLN]

I've used plenty of Norton abrasives and they have been fine. I can often buy them at my local metal/metal working supply seller for less than that. For the popular HF red band saw, the HF replacement blades are about 10.00, I can buy Sarretts at the metal supplier for 12.00. When buying abrasives for things like a die grinder you want to check the speed rating. I've seen plenty of HF stuff only rated to 11,000 RPM wheras my electric die grinder turns 25,000 RPM.

 

[1Garageman]

Just an interesting note. I know there are tons of HF threads pros vs. cons, US made vs. China made, etc.

Was at my local HF last night and noticed several name brand items such as Makita grinding/polishing sets, of course WD-40, etc. They had one particular flap disk, 4.5" Norton brand 60 grit pictured below (except that pic is a 40 grit 7").

I know nothing about this brand good nor bad, so this is not an endorsement for the brand. What I found interesting is that the same exact flap disk at HF was $4.94, at Sears was $11.99, and Home Depot is $11.99 (for the 80 grit). I didn't see a 60 grit online for Home Depot.

I just found the huge price difference on the exact same item very interesting.

I love these comparisions like this side by side.

GOOD JOB!

 

[tool whore]

HF also sells closeouts and those rigs that explode all over the interstate. Much of that is how they get it so cheap. Big Lots is the same way, minus having the tool focus.

HF can be hit or miss, avoid the gotcha items.

 

[X1 Mike]

I've never used a Norton flap wheel but as a guy who ran a surface grinder for years. Grinding wheels begin and end with Norton!!!

 

[BirdRacer]

I've never used a Norton flap wheel but as a guy who ran a surface grinder for years. Grinding wheels begin and end with Norton!!!

Good to know, thanks!

 

[meissen]

Dont do it! My first HF "experience" i stopped in for a couple of electric sanders because they were dirt cheap and i needed something for a one time job, ended up leaving with an armload of ****.

I'm sitting there at the checkout counter watching the lady ring it up and finally asking for $73.50 going "wtf happened this was suppose to be a $20 purchase!".

The place is cheap but damn can those little items add up. Very easy to get carried away by the $2-$10 tools that your use to seeing for 2-5x as much. Its like, how can you pass it up? Deal of the century!

After i left i felt dirty....

Thankfully my closest one is a solid 2 hour trip with no traffic so i cant get there without planning ahead. I'd be in trouble if i had one down the street. God help us all if the online store ever goes to free shipping and starts honoring those 20% coupons.

Yikes - and I thought going to places like ACE Hardware was bad with all the little hardware items that you go "Hey I might need that some day..." - I think I better stay clear of HF until I have a good chunk of change that I'm willing to spend

 

[MotoDave]

I wouldn't be too sure its not a lower quality (and cheaper) version of the flap-wheel made specifically for HF, branded as Norton. Would be interesting to see if the packaging has the same part number.

 

[milkovich]

there's a reason you should feel dirty...

... because the guy who used to build the american version of what you're buying is probably ringing you up.

 

[BirdRacer]

I wouldn't be too sure its not a lower quality (and cheaper) version of the flap-wheel made specifically for HF, branded as Norton. Would be interesting to see if the packaging has the same part number.

It was the same part number, same exact item. HF does carry "some" name brand stuff, though not much.

Also, just noticed on Sears website it is priced at $8.99 vs $11.99 in my local store.

 

[wafrederick]

Don't tell my neighbor Ken Norton paper is good.He says Norton sand Paper is is junk,does auto body work and Norton does not last.

 

[X1 Mike]

Don't tell my neighbor Ken Norton paper is good.He says Norton sand Paper is is junk,does auto body work and Norton does not last.

Who is your neighbor the boxer or his son the football player?

 

[rwhite692]

Usually, whenever HF has "name brand" stuff, it is part of a special purchase that they did and may even be isolated to a particular store. I haven't ever seen where they carried a name brand product on a long-term basis, apart from a few things like WD40, etc.

 

[wafrederick]

My neighbor Ken is on lft side of me where I live and he is no football player.Norton makes ****.

 

[rwhite692]

....Norton makes ****.

Well, Norton (like 3M) manufactures a wide range of abrasives products across a whole bunch of price points, targeting everything from the guy who is refinishing grandma's rocking chair in his garage, all the way up to serving the professional auto body trade. So you have to make sure you are making as near of an equitable comparison (to whatever it is you are comparing to) when you say it's "****".

I've used plenty of Norton products and 3M products in their respective auto body lines over the years and while I personally prefer mostly 3M, Norton's product lines in that market are hardly "****".

 

[pattenp]

In the HF September sale paper they list WD40 12oz smart straw can on sale for $4.99 with a regular price of $6.99. With a HF super coupon I have see the the same WD40 for $3.99. The same 12oz smart straw can of WD40 sells at Lowes for $4.47 as a regular price. I don't usually see HF as having good prices on name branded products.

 

[BirdRacer]

Buy the dog out of those Norton flap disks - Norton is Made in USA and their stuff works like gang busters.

I looked closer at the packaging last night, and that flap disk is actually "Made in Mexico"