Has anyone out there owned a Central Machinery 2 HP dust collector? I have seen them on e-bay with a buy it now price below $200. This seems impossible for a 2 HP unit. I just wanted to know if this is too good to be true.
Not so impossible
Of course it's impossible. But that doesn't stop people from buying Harbor Freight junk.
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
I own this unit and it works great for me. Here's a pointer to a forum created specifically for this unit. From the discussion there, it appears a lot of us have had good luck with it.
Lance
I'm always interested in getting the best bang for my buck and this DC looks interesting. However, your comment makes me wonder. I've bought other HF stuff and some is a great bargain, some is junk. I'm curious LRod, what HF stuff have you bought that was junk? Specifically, did you buy this DC?
See
I've had mine for 2 months and had too much going on to actually _use_ it. (new baby, flu season, yadda yadda yadda) but others report it works very well - albiet closer in power to a 1.5 horse unit. Price can't be beat. When I have the $$ I'll buy a cyclone, but in the meantime it was $180 (including new bag) well spent.
How noisy is it?
My comment is based on TANSTAAFL. If you don't know, it means "there ain't no such thing as a free lunch." In this case that means that if
2 HP DCs are typically priced in the $600 range then a 2 HP DC priced at $200 is not the same. TANSTAAFL.A grinder with a slow speed wheel. I've looked around the store. You don't have to buy something to know it's junk.
No, nor would I. Even if there were 50 people from the wreck that popped up and said it was a great deal. I mean, my god, there are people fawning over Grizzly tools. TANSTAAFL.
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
Well, yes and no. It is possible that either all the other 2hp are overpriced, or that they incorporate some features that don't add value.
Before you say that doesn't happen, consider computers. About 10 years ago the "good" brands were 50% more expensive than the "cheap" brands. But the good brands were no better than the cheap brands, and people wised up and stopped buying them. Compaq cut their prices to be competitive; IBM, HP, DG and a bunch of others stuck with the premium price and had to exit the business.
The same type of thing happens all over. Now, DCs might not be an example; the HF one is probably junk like you say.
I bought one a few weeks ago, it is worth the price, no question. As for noise it is one of the quietest power tools you will own! A shop vac is many times noisier! Greg
I bought, on sale. I think it is worth the sale price! full price I would have to think about it. for the price you can add better bags if you want, and still be at a lower total price than any other manufacturer. I would compare it to most manufacturers 1-1/2 HP units. Delta 50-850=$300 Jet 708639K=$300 Grizzly, (my bet is it is the same unit!)1028Z=$279. (w/freight)
Grizzly 3 micron bags $20. Greg
"Terry Mayhugh" wrote in news:RLBvb.25541$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.austin.rr.com:
I've had a HF one in the garage 'shop' for about 18 mths... paid more than $150 of course...
It's a bit rough, sharp edges, welds are a bit amateur, it rusts easily here in FL, but then so does everything. Changed the belt and its now surprisingly quiet. Needs a decent bag, the supplied one lets some dust back, with some fine bags from grizzly it's surprisingly effective, even with the 3" pipe I'm using. You get what you pay - for but since I wanted something to suck the dust and not break on me its done exactly what I wanted it to do and keeps the garage clean, keeps my saw cabinet empty and even keeps up with a large thickness sander.
Actually many DC's are under $600 and I happen to own Grizzly tools and am quite happy with their tools and the company. I think the well marketed companies like Delta, Jet etc. could learn a great deal from them.
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