krw wrote:
krw wrote:
[...]
For the occasional home or small biz user the Harborfreight version
might be good enough.
Sometimes (usually) the aggravation of cheap tools isn't worth the
money saved. I learned long ago to stay *far* away from Crapsman
power tools. The only one I have left is a RAS, but it hasn't been
plugged in for over a decade. It may never be again (bought a Delta
Unisaw earlier this year
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
and I have a HF SCMS (which will likely be
replaced by a Bosch within a year or so).
On stuff that you use a lot I agree. The best is my Metabo drill (a very
reputable German brand). I really tortured that thing, stuff like
sanding off the paint of >1000sqft of decking in 10h Marathon-sessions.
The only thing that ever went kaputt in 35 years was the strain relief
area of the power cord, fixed in five minutes.
Even on stuff that's not used a lot. It's no savings to have a saw
that can't cut a straight line.
On a saw, yes, that's bad. I've made that mistake. After moving across
an ocean we needed to buy lots of stuff new. So that wasn't the time for
large tool expenses. But I needed a circular saw so I got one on "sale"
at ACE, a Black&Decker. BIG mistake, the bearing started to develop
sideways slack really fast, no straight cuts possible anymore.
I had a Crapsman circular saw that came with such sloppy bearings and
a sabre saw that's blade insists on following the grain. I won't make
that mistake again. I buy good tools so I won't get stuck with junk.