On Jun 1, 9:35=A0pm, TD Driver wrote Multimaster? =A0Not.
Larry
IME HFT are great about returns. Take it back, get your money or try a replacement unit. Low mfg tolerances may be the reason they sell a high number of duds in this design or it could be they don't have a good design. I would take it back for an exchange if I thought it was a matter of tolerances or similar and for money back if I determined it was a poor design.
If dowels is the best you can do, you're right.
Well then, ESADA!
nb
...and the low price affects *all* of this, eh?
...so, you buy a knockoff tool for a *much* lower price than you know the original to sell for. Then take it home and use it until frustration sets in; and the realization that maybe it doesn't work all that well. Then take it back and ask for a refund. What a waste of time...and, of course, there's no ethical question here, either...
cg
That's what Dremel does.
I don't know why Fein didn't originally put some kind of positive blade retention on their tool, but they didn't. The round shaft works well enough most of the time. As I said, they ultimately fixed it and provided a retrofit accessory for 10 bucks that should also work on the HF.
I can't really fault Harbor Freight because they seem to have been going for a clone and not a new improved design, and the only way they can make a completely compatible clone with positive retention is to use the star retention, which Fein has patented.
I don't know if Dremel has patented the dowel-based retention or not.
No, there isn't. He's doing exactly what Harbor Freight's refund policy is intended to do--you find out that their cheap tool doesn't do what you need you take it back and then go buy something somewhere else that does.
Oh yeah I forgot you had a better idea. Whatever! Stop wasting my time.
I looked at Dremel at a trade show and the allen screw would not stay tight. Have heard they have a fix. I'm using the HF a lot and I'm satisfied with it. It's loosened a couple of times but hey what do you expect for 35.00. It's still better then using a Japanese saw to undercut and nothing but a Multi Tool works for cutting baseboard already attached to accommodate wider door casings.
I often use my Fein with the blade set to an offset angle due to clearance problems. The limited access was why I was using the Fein in the first place.
I'd try either an internal or external "star" washer of the appropriate size.
HD is my 7/11 and I'm there 3,4,5 times a week...I do the same thing. My "waste of time" comment referred to the whole dang process... ;0)
...all well and good...my point being, I think, just what the hell
*do* you expect? I'd like to think that there's a kernal of "what's right" in most people, hooked-up to a modicum of intelligence...so, just for the record, I, personally, wouldn't take back a $35 Multimaster under the circumstances described by the OP...it would be an object lesson and in the trash can. I *should have* known better. (believe me, plenty of times I've gone beyond with a tool or whatever and not tried to get my money back...just as I wouldn't sue Starbux for hot coffee *I* spilled in my lap).
...well, this is perfectly legit, and I think very cool on HF's part (at least that store)...not the same thing, though, the Multimaster in question didn't truly break, it just didn't live up to expectations.
cg
Used mine, today, to cut 2x4's flush to another 2x. No loosening.
I looked at it and thought of drilling a hole in the round part that receives the blade, Then sticking a pressure pin in there to line up with the holes in the blades. (The Dremel's have a lot of them, evenly spaced, 360 degrees.)
Just an idea.
If it's only loosened a couple of times then it's doing about as well as the original Fein.
Or, you find it works just fine for what you do with it and you keep it.
Or you take it back for a refund, like you said. They have a return policy, where's the ethical dilemma.
As for time... all I have is time. I use it to build stuff with tools I buy. :-)
By the way, I've taken back planty of expensive, name-brand tools, because they sucked. Quality isn't inherent in higher priced tools, though yeah, the odds are higher.
They have a giant sign is every store that reads, "100 Percent Satisfaction Guaranteed" followed by smaller print explaining their very liberal, customer friendly return policy.
I agree, next time I'm at the hardware store picking up a few.
Dang did the same thing today and used a power planner. Should have use the Multi tool,damn. I have to remember all this thing does!!!
Nah, you were right with the planer. I would've done the same thing, but I was inside and didn't want all the chips.
Here's an update on this from the OP: I believe that my plan of attack "trapped" the blade. I chose another angle of attach, supplemented by a bit of hammer and chisel, and got the job done without much fuss. Conclusion: the tool is worth the $35 and most of the problem was found in the dummy operating it.
Larry
Charlie Groh wrote:
=A0What a waste of time...and, of course, there's no ethical question here, either...
Ethical Question? Let me address that snide comment first.
Regardless the price offered by HFT, the tool is warranted to work as described and the offer provides for the customer's satisfaction with the tool for ten days or so. More often than not, the tool lives up to one's expectations and dies a peaceful death in the bottom of his or her tool box some distant day after the initial purchase and use.
On the other hand, the experience I read from the OP seemed to describe a situation in which the tool did not work as advertised, promised and warranted to.
So suggesting he return it to exchange it or claim a refund is hardly unethical one my part nor would it be on his.
Every such transaction include, in effect (an often at law) a contract between vendor and vendee and each has a right to expect the other will fully comply with the stated terms as well as any law (26 USC, I believe) that applies.
Last I checked, every product sold comes with an implied warranty of suitability for intended use (United States Code), though things may have changed since last I applied same in (Palm Beach, FL) County Court (Senf vs., General Motors & Adams Chevrolet).
As to the "waste of time issues, you may have a point. If you are employed and earning sixty-five dollars per hour it would be difficult to justify an hour round trip and visit to the local HFT much less an expected return visit to collect the refund as the cost in your time when added to the price of the discount item will likely approach the cost of the brand name gizmo.
But if the fine tool costs nearly ten times the price of the HFT competition and you're an average Joe who visits HFT as much for the pure shopping enjoyment and picks up generic stuff and expendables as well as "serious" tools, there was no "cost" to visit as you were going anyway. And the return-it visit is often combined with a special coupon or "deal" you've been waiting for.
As I said, my experience with HFT Return Policy has been favorable and they have often excused the delayed return when the item was in original packaging, in "as new" condition even when I could no longer produce the receipt.
If they had a "no returns" policy, they would go out of business in three weeks. The returns policy is part and parcel of their business plan and is accounted for generously under "Returns and Allowances."
I've several HFT tools about my shop that I seldom use. A Heat Gun and a pneumatic file come first to mind although there are lots of others that fit this category. It is likely that, were I employed in some way where the use of a heat gum or an air-file were part of my daily routine, these two would have been tossed or returned and fine replacements purchased at a significant premium.
You can't look down your nose at the OP for taking HFT up on their (well-advertised) offers.
If they offer it, try it. If it "works for you," keep it. If not, exercise the Returrn Policy clause in the implied contract and get a credit on your Mastercard.
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