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55 Posts
Greetings All:
This posting will be a bit lengthy, but I think/hope you'll understand why as you read ...
First of all, this discussion topic has truly been a valuable resource for someone like myself - an absolutely Home Hobbiest level DIY'er. As such, I have no aspirations or intentions whatsoever of becoming any kind of a "contractor" or doing any "professional level" jobs - other than my own "as best I can" personal project goals and such.
In any case - and as with many - discretionary home-hobbiest funds are budgeted and limited. So, consideration for a tool resource such as Harbor Freight is (in my case, anyway) inevitable and - at least on a "cost-benefit-for-purpose" level (if that makes sense). :wink:
Obviously, there is a WIDE variety of opinions and reviews/recommendations concerning HF tools - especially HF power tools. I have been back and forth many times over the last few months with regard to the whole "quality/purpose/value-for-my-dollar" conundrum - including reading/watching dozens upon dozens of resources focusing on both Harbor Freight tools as well as the more "notable" brands of various power tools - while also making several educational/comparison visits to my nearby Harbor Freight, Lowe's and Home Depot store locations.
The other day - after both wrote an email inquiry to the HF Tech Dept and posting a particular question on the HF Facebook page - I received a message from an old Grade/High School friend of mine whose boyfriend, ironically, WORKS for Harbor Freight (he apparently runs the Harbor Freight IT Dept). I was inquiring, specifically, about the new/upgraded HF 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw.
First, here was the email I wrote to HF Tech Dept:
Shortly following this, her is the message I wrote to my friend:
So, given all of the above, I am curious as to thoughts constructive comments about the whole scenario - especially with regard to the response I received from my friend.
Looking forward to an informative discussion to follow. :thumbup1:
P.S. (If this is the wrong discussion thread in which to post this whole thing, please do forgive me - and advise where I should post this).
TOM
This posting will be a bit lengthy, but I think/hope you'll understand why as you read ...
First of all, this discussion topic has truly been a valuable resource for someone like myself - an absolutely Home Hobbiest level DIY'er. As such, I have no aspirations or intentions whatsoever of becoming any kind of a "contractor" or doing any "professional level" jobs - other than my own "as best I can" personal project goals and such.
In any case - and as with many - discretionary home-hobbiest funds are budgeted and limited. So, consideration for a tool resource such as Harbor Freight is (in my case, anyway) inevitable and - at least on a "cost-benefit-for-purpose" level (if that makes sense). :wink:
Obviously, there is a WIDE variety of opinions and reviews/recommendations concerning HF tools - especially HF power tools. I have been back and forth many times over the last few months with regard to the whole "quality/purpose/value-for-my-dollar" conundrum - including reading/watching dozens upon dozens of resources focusing on both Harbor Freight tools as well as the more "notable" brands of various power tools - while also making several educational/comparison visits to my nearby Harbor Freight, Lowe's and Home Depot store locations.
The other day - after both wrote an email inquiry to the HF Tech Dept and posting a particular question on the HF Facebook page - I received a message from an old Grade/High School friend of mine whose boyfriend, ironically, WORKS for Harbor Freight (he apparently runs the Harbor Freight IT Dept). I was inquiring, specifically, about the new/upgraded HF 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw.
First, here was the email I wrote to HF Tech Dept:
and here is the response I received:Greetings:
I was visiting your Montclair, CA store this week - specifically to check out your 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw With Laser Guide
(Chicago Electric Power Tools - Item#98194) - and I noticed that the "display model" that the Montclair store had out looked to be a more recent "update" model (with a number of improvements) from the model I see on your website.
Specifically - on the "new/currently displayed" model - the saw motor is now behind the saw blade casing, as opposed to being mounted on the right side (as pictured in/on the current product image on your website). Also, the laser guide on the "new" model looks much improved from how it was situated/mounted on the previous model. Lastly, the side extensions look to have been improved as well ... as is the miter base itself (with identified detents at various miter positions (whereas the "previous" model did not appear to include such).
So, my question is .... is this "new and improved" 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw With Laser Guide (Chicago Electric Power Tools - Item#98194) the CURRENT model/version that is available in all of your stores? I ask because the box for the miter saw (which was directly below the display stand) had an image of the "previous" model on it ... so I just want to make certain that when I go to purchase the miter saw, that I will be getting the "new and improved" model. Is there any particular way to tell, other than asking a HF Sales Associate to open the box for me prior to my purchase?
Thank you for your time. I very much look forward to your reply and information
Model number 98194 has not been updated and is in the process of being phased out. Model 69684 is the replacement item which I believe you may have seen.
Eric Bodenhamer
Technical Support
Harbor Freight Tools
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd
Camarillo, CA 93012
Office: 1-888-866-5797
Shortly following this, her is the message I wrote to my friend:
and here was the response I received:I've been doing a lot of research on Harbor Freight products - and a lot of their power tools seem to get a bad rap in terms of the issue of quality. I am thinking much of the criticism is coming from more "hardcore" woodworkers and contractors ... which I most definitely am not. I am a complete beginner/novice to the do-it-yourself/home hobby world - and I don't plan on elevating myself any higher than a "home hobby" level.
Nevertheless, I would also be interested to hear your boyfriend's HONEST opinion as to the quality of Harbor Freight tools for someone like me
He looks at their tools as really good quality for the price. They actually have a test warehouse where they test them against name brand products and they do really well. In all honesty, between you and me, they actually buy name brand tools and deconstruct them and build them cheaper.
So, given all of the above, I am curious as to thoughts constructive comments about the whole scenario - especially with regard to the response I received from my friend.
Looking forward to an informative discussion to follow. :thumbup1:
P.S. (If this is the wrong discussion thread in which to post this whole thing, please do forgive me - and advise where I should post this).
TOM