Anybody Had Experience With This Cheap Grinder?

[Ken Hall]

My garage was robbed yesterday and they stole over $1000 of tools. I had collected these over years so I didn't buy them at once and I can't afford to replace them all at once with the quality I had. In fact, I'll never be able to afford to replace the drill press with the same quality. So, I'm going to have to make do with cheaper versions and upgrade to better ones over time.

Probably the tool I use most is a bench grinder, so I've focused on it first. Has anybody had any experience with this grinder?

Yes, I know, Harbor Freight, but it's the best price I can find on a grinder right now.

-- Ken

[Berkshire Bill]

The picture looks too good to be HarborFreight ... I would rather spend my money on Delta© or browse at Sears® .

Bill

[Lawrence]

Sorry about that. I know how you feel since I have been there. My tools now reside in the house with me at least a many as I can fit, hehe. Please upgrade your security before making further investments in tools. I am too polite to say the things I think and feel about someone who would steal a man's tools. They are below garbage.

I also purchased this large storage chest for outdoor storage of my gear. I can't tell you how it is locked because it is a secret but suffice to say is is well locked. It would also serve you in an indoor location perhaps bolted to the floor. Link:

If you need a grinder then by all means buy a cheap one. That thing is so cheap I don't see how you could go wrong. I have not used it myself. Check pawn shops and auctions for cheap prices as well. Best of luck.

[Steve B]

It's hard to answer that, Ken. The answer is yes, no, maybe, and definitely!

Any tool choice you make is based on different variables. How much are you going to use it? Does it need to be a quality instrument, or will it achieve the goals you need for a lower price? Is it going to be used to make you money, therefore it can't have a sick day?

For what I use a bench grinder for, I could use any old thing. Or cheap new thing. But, the thing is, by the time I burn out two or three cheap ones, and move on to the fourth, I could have bought one good one, and it would still be going strong. BUT, that involves a larger initial outlay.

It's up to you. I like quality, not replacing it soon, good performance. But then, I'm not in your boat of having to buy X number of tools with XX number of $$$.

Bummer about being robbed. Too bad society frowns so much on murder because some people don't deserve to be consuming oxygen. I got hit a couple of years ago for about $3k. All it did was make me do things I should have done in the first place with regard to security. Glad I'm moving soon to rural America soon, where shooting people who are scrounging around on your property is legal. Expecially after dark. No questions asked and minimal paperwork.

Steve

[Jackson]

Yes, by all means check the local pawn shops, as many as you can get to and as many times as you can visit over the next few months - you might be able to find exactly the same make & quality tools you are now missing...... ;-)

>

[Roger Shoaf]

The HF grinders are not bad, but the wheels suck. I would go for it, but swap out the fine wheel at least with a good name brand wheel and also get a wheel dresser.

[Bob]

Darn shame about being robbed - I feel for you. Apparently you weren't insured or perhaps the deductible is more than the value lost.

I can understand your not being able to get the same quality tools, but one thought to keep in mind is this:

When you buy something cheap it is usually poor quality and it hurts every time you use it. When you buy something good quality, it is usually more expensive, but it only hurts one time - when you pay for it.

Just a thought, Bob-tx

Probably the tool I use most is a bench grinder, so I've focused on it first. Has anybody had any experience with this grinder?

Yes, I know, Harbor Freight, but it's the best price I can find on a grinder right now.

-- Ken

[Oren]

Sorry for your loss. You might want to watch the "tool" section on Craigslist for your area. You might find your stolen tools being sold or find some reasonable prices for good used tools. Good luck.

-- Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

[Colbyt]

I have the older one without the light.

You won't sharpen a 6' post hole digging bar with it. For lighter weight stuff if does okay. The motor torque is a little on the low side.

I guess for what little I do I have been using it for 12 years.

Colbyt

[Phisherman]

Sorry to hear about your loss. The cheapest grinders are those made in China. I have one (about $35) given to me 8 years ago and it still works well, but I might use it twice a month. I bought a cast iron stand (at HF) for about $30 but I'm sure can make one for less. The one shown at the link above is a cheapie, but I like the lamp (you may need to use an anti-vibration bulb). These grinders spin too fast for most things to sharpen (half that rpm is much better). It might be good to focus on anti-theft devices: alarms, dead bolt locks, outdoor lighting, watchdog, etc and a better insurance policy. Take pictures of your tools, keep receipts and mark them with an engraver.

[harleyron]

An inquire was made on A Harbor freight grinder and to this I say:

I have the HF grinder with the large wet stone and the 6' high speed wheel and it works fine for knife/chisel sharpening but I prefer my Wilton 8" for heavy work. See if you can find the 137-s catalog. There is A 15% off coupon on the back cover for any single item. I got mine in the mail but they might be available in the store. You have my sympathy for your loss. 3 years ago last November my shop was cleaned out to the tune of 3 grand and because most of my equipment came from 20+ years of auction scrounging and I had no recepts the insurance co. told me they would only pay pro rated cost which pushed my loss below my deductible. I was also informed by the adjuster that I would be dropped as a customer when my policy was up for renewal if I submitted A clame! As far as living in the country and being able to defend your property: In A word, don't count on it! I live 50 miles from A major city and got hit twice in the 12 years I have lived here and when I told the sheriff he could collect the next batch of crack smoking /meth shooting morons that I found on my place with his meat wagon he nearly busted me for terroristic threats! John Wayne must be spinning in his grave!!

Good Luck! H.R.

"If your mind goes blank don't forget to turn off the sound." Red Green

[Oren]

Back in the day, farmers shot folks in the ASS with a 12ga round full of "rock-salt".

I'm lucky in my area. Six cops/current/former live in just four houses adjacent me.

Some good advice, also is to not tell folks you will be out of town. Of course I trust my neighbor with this information.

-- Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

[Oren]

In this rare case they have "pillow-talk" amongst themselves. They are Local Cops. I'm not scared to trust them; nor, to out-right tell him I shoot crooks in my space. I have good neighbors. Lucky me....

-- Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

[Stormin Mormon]

Regrets to hear of your loss. Hope they find the guys.

The HF tools I've used have been the angle grinder, and a couple cordless drills. They were OK for occasional use. The bench grinder is probably OK, but like someone else writes, the wheels are probably poor quality.

[GROVER]

Sorry to hear about your theft. I pass along two nuggests of information concerning property theft. One, once you've been hit, they like to come back again, figuring you've replaced the items with new ones. Two, try not to put large corregated boxes the ones that big screen TV's and computers etc come packaged in, in the trash. This is a dead give-away to the bad guys that there are some new goodies for the taking. You can cut up the corregated so it won't be so noticeable by casual passers by. JoeG

[Lawrence]

I live in the sticks and that's not exactly right. If you shoot a person on your property regardless of the circumstance you are in a world of civil and criminal trouble. Questions will be asked and you will be arrested. A round of buckshot over their heads will get rid of them anyway, without any messy blood and bodies.

If that person is inside your home then you can shoot to kill, without warning.

[Jim Yanik]

"Lawrence" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Yes,it would depend on the individual state and local laws. In Florida,I believe the new "Make my day" law has enabled people to shoot to defend their property(no longer any "duty to retreat"). Texas has been said to have permissive laws on shooting trespassers on your property. **check your local laws**

not necessarily. Only if you're in Mass.,NY,Maryland,or other socialist states. Most states allow shooting in self-defense "on your property" if you believe you are in "grave danger",like if they came towards you,perhaps with a weapon or tool.

**Gotta know your local laws.**

Not from behind.(no shots in the back,no shooting a fleeing intruder);that is still interpreted as murder.

And you shoot to STOP,not "to kill".

[Lawrence]

innews: [e-mail]:

Ah yes, Mr. Janik. You always say you were shooting to stop when asked. Indeed it varies from state to state and I should have said so. My state is rather socialist which seem to suit me since I will never live elsewhere.

The rules I quote are from my state, Minnesota. Everyone that I know in the rural Northwoods protects their lives and property with deadly force. I suspect the rural folk of other states do as well. It is important to know the local law of course if yu want to stay out of trouble.

One story I have is one day these kids heer were out stealing ATV's aka four-wheeler motorcyles. It seems they were just going from house to house on their ATV looking to steal another . I know it sounds stupid.

They didn't find any at my place but when they got to the neighbors place they found one and went to work. Knowing the local law, he fired one blast of pellets over their heads. They decided it was time to leave. So in these other states would a person be within the law to actually shoot these kids?

[Oren]

I don't know the exact needs right now; but I'm looking into a recording device. A DVD recorder, camera with a motion detection activated recording. No need to record what is not happening (tools).

Even a fake camera can deter thieves, somewhat.

Save all, don't file a claim.

Match the purchase store with item sold; see if it helps? UPC codes from boxes; plus factory labels? Information previously given to manufacturer? Remove these labels, before trash day and save 'em. Many labels have tractable numbers.

An authorized repair shop recorded the serial on one of my tools. It was a warranty repair, so the manufacture has a trace on this tool.

Use Pictures at a local police auction; or provide them before the auction, so they don't sell the items.

-- Oren

"Well, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it happens, it happens constantly."

[clifto]

Soon you'll be allowed to shoot someone for converting from Islam to some other religion.