Strange thing at Harbor Freight

[monomach]

I got an advertisement email from Harbor Freight today. What stuck out was that it only had one item in it...so I looked closer at the polisher that I would normally ignore and saw that it's branded as "Chicago Electric Platinum."

A search of the website confirms what I had thought...this is currently the only item with the "Platinum" tacked on to the name.

I haven't seen one in the store, probably because I don't need a polisher. Has anyone used this thing? Is it of better overall quality than the normal "Chicago Electric" line?

Could this be just the first item of a new, upscale power tool line to go with the higher-end "Pittsburgh Pro" hand tool line, perhaps?

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I got an advertisement email from Harbor Freight today. What stuck out was that it only had one item in it...so I looked closer at the polisher that I would normally ignore and saw that it's branded as "Chicago Electric Platinum."

A search of the website confirms what I had thought...this is currently the only item with the "Platinum" tacked on to the name.

I haven't seen one in the store, probably because I don't need a polisher. Has anyone used this thing? Is it of better overall quality than the normal "Chicago Electric" line?


Could this be just the first item of a new, upscale power tool line to go with the higher-end "Pittsburgh Pro" hand tool line, perhaps?

One can only dream of such a "Platinum" HF tool. I'm guessing that purchasing a platinum HF tool will bring it a notch behind Craftsman.

 

[Askme42]

I thought you were going to say american made tools. Ok I kid I kid.

 

[67carl]

Interesting - it has reviews going back to 2012 so it's not new. Wonder if it's been in the HF pass/fail thread?

 

[monomach]

One can only dream of such a "Platinum" HF tool. I'm guessing that purchasing a platinum HF tool will bring it a notch behind Craftsman.

I have two Harbor Freight power tools that are better than the Craftsman version already. And those "Pittsburgh Pro" hand tools are almost all better than Craftsman.

 

[ezriderga]

I actually have one of these I use to detail my vehicles with. There are a couple of mods that improves its performance even more. I don't have a lot of hours on it yet but I think it does have a warranty so I'm good with it. In my mind, it doesn't have to be a Porter Cable or a Griot's Garage polisher to get the job done, unless maybe you're a full time professional.

 

[Ohmthis]

The Pittsburg pro wobbles look good, but the set I got was pretty soft. One started to mushroom out and the detent ball was forced. This was not on an impact either. All the electric tools I've seen used were pretty bad.

 

[NWphotog]

I got an advertisement email from Harbor Freight today. What stuck out was that it only had one item in it...so I looked closer at the polisher that I would normally ignore and saw that it's branded as "Chicago Electric Platinum."

A search of the website confirms what I had thought...this is currently the only item with the "Platinum" tacked on to the name.

I haven't seen one in the store, probably because I don't need a polisher. Has anyone used this thing? Is it of better overall quality than the normal "Chicago Electric" line?

Could this be just the first item of a new, upscale power tool line to go with the higher-end "Pittsburgh Pro" hand tool line, perhaps?

It has had very good reviews from several sources.

 

[durallymax]

The HF DA gets good reviews for the most part, much better than their Rotary. If you get a good enough deal on it then its not bad. Just keep in mind the PC 7424XP is only $100 and is probably one of the most popular and reliable DA's out there when it comes to polishing paint.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I'm going to revert to saying the pittsburgh pro stuff is **** just so they don't raise the price of it. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Never heard of the chicago "platinum" but my guess it's made with better chinese materials. Hahahahahaha.

 

[TommyK]

There are a couple of mods that improves its performance even more.

Such as???

 

[fury9]

Some people are putting on a longer cord and changing out the grease in the orbital mechanisim. Replacing the grease with a high quality high pressure grease.This thing is noisy but seems to work good for me so far. I have about 7 hours on it. Buy good pads and not the **** ones at HF.

 

[Dr. D]

I have this DA polisher and it was labelled "Platinum" on the box when I bought it in March. I have about 10-20 hours on it so far and it has worked very well, especially since I got it for under $50 with a 25% off coupon.

The most important mod to make is to replace the backing plate. The included one is garbage (very wobbly) and the HF pads are oversized, causing them to disintegrate around the edges. I would strongly urge buying a new 5" backing plate - Amazon sells one by Astro Pneumatic for around $10. Chemical Guys sells their 5.5" hex logic pads through Amazon as well for around $7-8 each, and they are well worth the $2 premium over the HF junk pads.

 

[mrpizza]

That polisher has an extensive thread on the autogeek forums about the modifications people make to it. The backing plate it comes with is junk, get a new one such as an astro pneumatic. They also change out the gearbox grease for high temp high pressure stuff, and put a longer cord. Use better pads, like lake city or hydrotech. I am about to buy one myself.

 

[fatboyf150]

Those reviews are a lie. That is a new tool. Everyone needs to use THIS SITE to list their reviews on.

 

[CJM8515]

Have one and kept at using the backing plate and pads they sell. For the money it does a great job.

 

[Farmall450]

I have two Harbor Freight power tools that are better than the Craftsman version already. And those "Pittsburgh Pro" hand tools are almost all better than Craftsman.

No, they aren't.

 

[DekeT]

No, they aren't.

He says they are, you say they are not. He says from his personal experience. What says you from?

 

[cheechi]

Interesting - it has reviews going back to 2012 so it's not new. Wonder if it's been in the HF pass/fail thread?

The reviews in the HF pass/fail thread for the DA polisher have been generally positive. In fact maybe all have been a pass, it's been a while since I looked for it.

I looked in there recently to see if their backing pads for sanding discs were any good, most of my results were discussing the HF DA polisher and what backing pad to get for it.

If it's new, and they're calling it platinum, they're capitalizing on the success of the older item. If it's old and they rebranded it, the reviews are valid at least as far as any review on HF is valid.

Let's cut the conspiracy BS. for what it costs, buy one with the coupon and try it if you're curious. Doing common sense things like using quality buffing pads, backing pad, at least checking the grease, etc are what you would do no matter what brand you bought anyway.

 

[CJM8515]

Craftsman power tools are only slightly better. They are garbage compared to even skil branded tools or black and decker.

 

[fourtythree]

I reviewed that polisher in the review thread a while back. Its a nice DA for the price. Actually seems slightly more powerful than the PC I used to have.

 

[panknuckshovel]

It is more than likely labeled " Platinum " due to the fact that the supplier could only get grey colored plastic for the body housing.

 

[Zeke]

It is more than likely labeled " Platinum " due to the fact that the supplier could only get grey colored plastic for the body housing.

I think HF can afford any color they want.

 

[monomach]

No, they aren't.

Yes, they are.

I don't know why that's surprising.

Craftsman power tools = China. Harbor Freight power tools = China. 90% of power tools in the world = China. I've got a HF sawzall and angle grinder that I've gotten hundreds of dollars worth of use out of. They're unstoppable.

Craftsman hand tools = China. Pittsburgh Pro hand tools = Taiwan.

Let's cut the conspiracy BS. for what it costs, buy one with the coupon and try it if you're curious. Doing common sense things like using quality buffing pads, backing pad, at least checking the grease, etc are what you would do no matter what brand you bought anyway.

I'm not curious about a polisher. I don't need a new polisher. I'm curious about whether there's going to be a higher-quality line of power tools alongside the old (mostly) mediocre ones.

 

[SMKS]

I bought one of these recently. When it's on sale you can use a 20% off coupon to get it for right around $50.

Here's a youtube video on changing the grease:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PG4r9mqo2M8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[fitz11]

Those reviews are a lie. That is a new tool. Everyone needs to use THIS SITE to list their reviews on.

How are they a lie? Lots of people here are saying it's a good polisher like the reviews say. This is not a new tool, I have had mine for over a year. The site you linked has no reviews for this product and lists mostly the very old orange products so it won't be much help.

 

[CobraRed]

I have this DA polisher and it was labelled "Platinum" on the box when I bought it in March. I have about 10-20 hours on it so far and it has worked very well, especially since I got it for under $50 with a 25% off coupon.

The most important mod to make is to replace the backing plate. The included one is garbage (very wobbly) and the HF pads are oversized, causing them to disintegrate around the edges. I would strongly urge buying a new 5" backing plate - Amazon sells one by Astro Pneumatic for around $10. Chemical Guys sells their 5.5" hex logic pads through Amazon as well for around $7-8 each, and they are well worth the $2 premium over the HF junk pads.

That polisher has an extensive thread on the autogeek forums about the modifications people make to it. The backing plate it comes with is junk, get a new one such as an astro pneumatic. They also change out the gearbox grease for high temp high pressure stuff, and put a longer cord. Use better pads, like lake city or hydrotech. I am about to buy one myself.

+1, the astro one's are about as good as it gets for the price.

 

[Beaumont67]

I bought this exact model electric D/A sander/polisher...in the new year.
Installed 660 sq.ft. of unfinished hickory wide plank floors, in our retirement home reno.
Rented a floor sander at $60/day, but not the edger (saving $40 x 2 days).

Used my HF D/A instead, and put a brown 3M scotch brite sheet on the hook & loop 6" pad.
- now used the tool to light sand floor between 2 coats of oil based stain
- also used this tool to light sand floor between 3 coats of oil based urethane top coats
For $59, this D/A more than paid for itself in tool rentals (first home project) and the in-house hardwood refinishing job, turned out superb...

I only which I had this electric stander/polisher 40 years ago, when I started doing auto body work, before I owned an air compressor and was also short of cash for nice air tools.

 

[pfbz]

I've been super pleased with my HF polisher...

I changed the grease & backing pads, plus rotated the handle 90 degrees so the switch is in the 'right' place.

About $50 bucks after coupons, a few dollars more for the grease (High-Pressure Sta-plex, also from HF) and backing plates.

While the backing plate on the polisher is ****, the HF polishing pads (blue, orange, black) are actually pretty good, especially for $5 each.

On the grease change-out, I think some of the early HF polishers didn't have a good grease pack in them. The grease in mine actually looked fine, but I changed the grease anyway as I already had it open. If I bought a second one, I'd probably run it with the factory grease and just change the backing plate...

 

[fourtythree]

While the backing plate on the polisher is ****, the HF polishing pads (blue, orange, black) are actually pretty good, especially for $5 each.

I agree. After switching to a 5" backing plate, I've had very good results with the HF pads.

 

[SMKS]

On the grease change-out, I think some of the early HF polishers didn't have a good grease pack in them. The grease in mine actually looked fine, but I changed the grease anyway as I already had it open. If I bought a second one, I'd probably run it with the factory grease and just change the backing plate...

Same here. Mine had plenty of grease in it and changing it didn't seem to make much of a difference.