The reason Harbor Freight doesn't include blades with their lower quality saws is so they can charge less for the tool. I haven't been in the hobby long, but one thing I've heard time and time again is that every saw you buy comes with a garbage blade so I should just replace it right away. If that's the case, I'd rather they just didn't include the blade and save me some money.
@@jstarr3676 Every saw I've bought to date has came with a low tooth count blade and they're usually trash. Some are ok for rip cuts but not one is good for fine finish.
@@ns_racing I think it depends on what kind of saw it is. For a cheap jobsite saw, you'll mostly be ripping construction lumber and finish quality doesn't matter; just include a cheap rip blade. For a miter saw where you want a high tooth count and special crosscut grind for smooth cuts, maybe it is better to just let the customer buy the expensive blade.
@@ns_racing 42 tooth is for rip cuts and 80 tooth or more is for cutting for a decent finish cut on a hand circular saw. I usually use Diablo with carbide teeth, and they seem to last much longer.
Back when I was 25 years old I bought a small grinder from Harbor Freight and Now I am 55 and still works like it was brand new and it has the great grinder
A couple years ago I bought a grinder from them for a project and it got too hot to handle after running less than a minute. It was obvious the motor windings were bad so I returned it. I have not bought a harbor freight power tool since. I know manufacturing issues happen and it could have been a one off. It it did turn me off on their power tools.
@@JohnMaleckiUnscrewedwhy respond on this channel and not the comments with thousands of likes over the last week telling you to apologize to sam. Seems like you’re trying to run from it Edit: for anyone that hasn’t seen on his main channel he basically got enraged his employee didn’t risk life and limb for a $2000 wood slab that was just being used for a “fun” TH-cam video. He proceeded to get massive backlash gave no apology but instead edited the video to try and make himself look better but you can still easily tell he’s very rude to the employees on camera so we can only imagine John off camera
@@nhlifts9151because those people are weak and offended by everything so who cares about their opinion. This is a channel for men doing men things and men get heated
I own the Bauer planer. I have been using it for four years and it has never failed me. I have bought replacement blades for it and yes, they do make a difference. Once you have dialed it in. It works just as good as almost any planer out there on the market. Changing blades is very easy and it will plane down almost any wood. If it is bogging down a little, just make a shallower cut. I love this planer. I have absolutely no hesitation to use it on all my projects. Four years and still going strong.
Not to rag on John, but blaming the planer for snipe is also pretty silly. You either lift up slightly at the end of the cut, or run a sacrificial piece through along with your working piece. I've never seen a planer that didn't have snipe. Maybe if you have heavy wood and a massive outfeed table you can just blindly shove wood through without snipe.
Hey, I just bought a wood chipper from Harbor Freight, and it's now my favorite tool in the garage! It was made in the U.S. instead of China like everything else, so maybe that's why it works so well! For $450 bucks, it's amazing!
For those that don’t know. Even a flawed tape measure can be used effectively. Just use the same tape for a complete project and learn the difference if there is one between butting into something compared to hooking over something. Also any small table saw without a rack and pinion fence to keep the front and back square all the time is 1 star. Only because we can’t give a zero.
Exactly. All of my friends who worked construction never use multiple tapes for the same job. They use the same tape or if they have to they only use the same exact brand and model because the inaccuracy is negated.
It doesn’t matter if you even use a tape measure or a random stick usually as long as you are consistent and you know what you’re doing. If everyone on a job site has different tapes and one person is cutting with a different tape than the person measuring.. then you might have an issue
On a properly made tape, the amount the hook slips by is supposed to be the exact difference between hooking and butting it so you get the same measure either way. Which is why you don't let it return at full speed all the way home.
In the 80's I worked for a stage crew and we hired a new guy who brought his own tools. My boss yelled down to him to cut a 2x4 down to 92 inches and hand it up. He used his tape and it was almost 1/2" too short. Murphy says he who has more than one tape will not be working long.
I was told by my father in-law who is a 50 years retired custom fine furniture. When taking a measurement if you wanted to be the same you use the same measurement tape to measure both where and what you are cutting.
I learned that the hard way doing a drywall job when I was a painting apprentice. I was cutting in the garage and my boss would measure the kitchen areas and tell me what he needed cut. Every single piece wouldn't fit and he thought I was a moron who couldn't read a tape. Turns out our tapes were almost a quarter inch off from each other. He had a cheap one and I had an old stanley. So the rest of the job we had to run the same tape back and forth to make our cuts.
I went to a trade school and the wood shop and metal shop teachers always said to start measuring on the 1in mark to avoid mistakes on cheap tape measures honestly probably some of the best advice ive ever been given😂
@@Those_Weirdos it’s not that, it’s that the end is loose, as mentioned in this video, but the problem is, over time that changes, but the 1inch mark won’t be changing
@@johnpatz8395 the loose end is there to measure either from an overhanging starting point or an inside starting point. If the end doesn't move between each situation then it will be wrong on at least one scenario.
I've owned the Bauer drill (2 of them, actually) for several years now. I've used them building 2 sheds, 2 desks, remodeling of my 2 bathrooms, built a 600+ sq ft deck with them. They are still going strong at least 3 years later and they are regularly used.
Same kind of use if not more from me over 6 years or so, my only issue was the low ah kit battery but with 3 or 5ah batteries most of the Bauer hand tools I've used have done great. I wouldn't buy any of them for the normal price but wait for the right sales and the value for the cost is hard to beat for a diy-er on a budget.
Yeah, I’ve had no issues with mine either. Anything Bauer I have has performed well. I also don’t use a half dead baby battery either but guess that wouldn’t make good content would it.
I feel like HF's achilles heel is consistency. If you get a good Bauer or Hercules tool it's gonna be solid for the long haul. But there's no way to tell before you get them home.
I was a contractor for a long time and the only problem Ive ever had from harbor freight was a texture sprayer and a compressor that they both just gave us a new one when we returned it. I love how people who don't know tools review tools
I have had good luck with their texture sprayer. My dad's is 20 years old so he never replaced it and now he is retired so it only gets light use on small jobs from me. It's definitely a hit or miss kinda store
I bought the 20v drill two years ago. I accepted what it was I was buying. I use it for drilling 1/4 " holes or less. And only use it for screws under 2" in length. As a back up/ companion to my DeWalt it works great
I have had close to 4 years of good service from my Bauer drill and driver. It certainly is not a precision tool..significant wobble in the 1/2 inch chuck but I'm not using it for stuff that needs precision.
@@murariufamilyIf you need precision, you don't use a hand drill! I do remodeling and have few objections to my Baeurs, save for losing rubber grip strips over time. I don't limit their usage either; need 2" hole, drill 2" hole.
Recommending spinning forstner bits that low is pretty normal, all the CMT bits I use also have super low recommended speeds. It's just to avoid heating up and to make the bits last longer. I'm sure if you look up what Fisch recommends it will be the same.
A tape measure only needs to be consistent with itself because it measures relative to its own markings. If you're the only one on a job site with the Pittsburgh brand, but other guys have brands like Dewalt, Stanley, and Milwaukee, this could be problematic. However, if you're responsible for both measuring and cutting, the tape measure's accuracy will suffice.
@@JohnMaleckiUnscrewed Also, how accurately are you capable of marking, and how accurately can you cut? For most carpentry work (building a deck, for instance) that little bit of inaccuracy wouldn't matter.
when people say they saw sparks and smelled smoke i assume they are referring to the fact that it is not a brushless motor, and they do not understand the difference
With all the cheaper tools you have got now, you could make a video building some chairs or a table. 1 with reclaimed wood and pro tools other with nice wood with the cheaper tools.
I have a harbor freight hammer drill and I’ve got no complaints about it. I’ve been in the construction industry for over 40 years. It’s not a Bosch but it’s a good tool
I don't pay attention to a lot of 1 star reviews because 99% of the time they're over exaggerated and then instantly tell you to buy a Milwaukee or DeWalt as if they were the only choices available. I have an older model of Porter Cable drill I bought a few years ago that is brushed and it sparks just as much as the Bauer. Of course I no longer use since I've moved on to other drills but it's still there for backup. As far as really cheap bench top table saws go I wouldn't buy any of them regardless of brand. :)
@@drinmer1 As much as people like to pick on it for being a Harbor Freight brand I actually moved over to Harbor Freight's own Hercules stuff. Besides having a single lemon in the bunch everything I've bought has been working great. Even the the original tool that was a lemon has been been working great after it was replaced. I was originally starting to get my foot in the door with Milwaukee tools when I bought a couple of their M12 tools. But because I decided to buy something from their M18 tool line the cost made me stop. I wanted their big 7-1/4" cordless circular saw but it would have set me back $500 to get it because it was only sold as a bare tool and was $250 by itself. I would then have to pay another $170 for a large capacity battery and another $90 for a charger that was capable of charging both the M12 and M18 tools. So I decided to try Harbor Freights nicer stuff in the process. Even going DeWalt would have been as costly as Milwaukee. Especially if I wanted to buy extra batteries later on. So I skipped any big name brand and tried something different. So far I'm pleased. :)
@@iamaduckquack Yup, not too negative and not too positive. Some 5* reviews aren't too bad if the reviewer gives details on what makes it good to them. The even better reviews are when someone has owned the tool for a while and then reviews it. Otherwise some people are just very happy they bought it because they never owned one before and it just working has exceeded their expectations.
I cut a couch in half with my Bauer drill. Using the biggest Bauer nitride-coated but I had, one hole at a time. Couldn't get it out of the apartment whole, and didn't have a better tool for the job. It got warm, but never overheated. Love that thing.
Tape measure- I agree with your assessment, if you need measurements to be accurate to the 32nd inch, a $5 tape measure is the wrong tool. However, I suggest trying to use it in your shop for a while. I've had a few of those and where they typically fall is the locking mechanism or the auto return. When I was using them, I was just doing occasional diy home owner stuff, so not even heavy use. Table saw: it looks like a failed attempt at a European style fence. My Laguna Fusion F2 has one and I love it.
First time I have ever written this on a TH-cam video “ tripped running to the comments” to see if the team Sam comments would be on top , you guys didn’t fail ! TEAM SAM Apology ✋🏻🤚🏻
He recorded this video before the other was released. Also, he posted on his social media story addressing it a few hours after releasing the original video and said they talked about it immediately and Sam did not feel he was being “attacked”.
@@hachi-rokuperformancegroup3987 If "men being men" means blaming other people for your stupid ideas/decisions and then getting mad at them for not risking bodily harm to hold the p!ss bucket when sh!t hits the fan... Well, some man you are.
A 1 inch diameter bit turning 450 RPM is 118 surface feet per minute peripheral speed. Which is a fair speed for a bit to run. The harder material you're drilling the slower you should turn the tool. As you increase bit diameter peripheral speed increases too.
@@TheDiosdebaca yeah those triple gear reduced drills have a use. They're what you want to use on any bit over a half an inch in diameter. The smaller pistol drills any bit over 1/8" in diameter you should start slowing down under the top speed of the tool using it. Half an inch and up you're best off with a slow speed drill then.
I watched this far into the video and as soon as he said that I ran down to the comments to quote it.....I was so happy to see it being the top comment :)
The Buaer drill works a lot better with the 6AH battery. I have it and got the bigger battery when they offered it with a free tool. I got their 1/2" impact (the smaller one, they have a few 1/2" impacts). I also have the big Bauer 1/2" impact, and it works to take off my truck's lug nuts. I had trouble with my air impact, but the big boy Bauer doesn't have issues on the truck.
@@JohnMaleckiUnscrewed off topic from this comment but i have to get this out of my system. Measuring tapes in the US do not have a set by law norm?! greetings from germany where we have norms for the laws that write norms
The thing with Harbor Freight is if you're just wanting to just have something around the house for simple repairs or just trying to get started on a hobby while saving up for a nicer tool, it's a great place to start. If you're wanting something for professional use (or you're building a shed or new addition on your house) go to someplace like Lowe's, home depot, or Menards if you're in the midwest.
I bought the same bauer drill and the drill driver because i was building a fairly large dock and floating docks. Didn't want to risk dropping my dewalts in the water so i bought some cheap sacrificial drills in case i had a misshape. To be honest both the drills worked perfectly fine and they still do. Ive had them for a couple years now and they haven't skipped a beat. Not a fan of the chuck on the drill, it likes to loosen and drop drill bits but other than that i really dont have a complaint. I didnt expect them to last this long at all so any more work i get out of them is a bonus in my book.
I have several Bauer tools. The drill, screw gun, 1/2" impact, ososilating saw, weed eater, bench grinder, electric screwdriver. All of them have performed better than I thought they would. I'm happy with every one of them so far. I was a bit worried about the 1/2" impact being able to do the job I needed but it worked really well on those lug nuts.
I am 18, and my grandfather died in 2013, but he always said that with power tools and hand tools, you get what you paid for. If you use it daily, buy good tools if you use it every once in a by ok tool that still works well and gets the job done.
I had one of those bauer planers for 4 1/2 years when I started and it was actually great; only complaint was it didn't have the dust chute with it and I didn't notice until like 2 years after I bought it when I went to setup my dust collection. After never cleaning it for the whole time I had it, it finally got a wood chip in the gears to raise and lower it and that broke it but it had more than served its purpose at that point. I've had the hercules one since then as it's still like $200-$300 less than the dewalt one and so far it also works great.
2:35 That spark comes from the electronic brakes, it happens with any tool with brakes and brushes (circular saws, grinders, etc). The brushes will always smell but during the first uses it will spark and smell even more because the square-shaped brushes need to take on the the armature cylindrical shape. But yeah, people might get scared at the sparks. Recommending Dean Doherty's channel, he fixes tools for a life and got great tips for diagnosing and fixing them (all but Milwaukee which apparently are made to be disposed of when broken).
Electrician here. Brushed DC motors are amazingly good when they're designed properly. High load on the motor causes the exciter field to be highly distorted, and this is corrected by adding "interpoles" that shift the field back in the other direction. Only the shittiest DC motors that do not have interpoles will spark like that when they are new. My brushed Ryobi tools spark a lot, but my brushed Milwaukee impact driver doesn't spark at all. That sparking also means the tool is super inefficient, so it will be less powerful while draining the battery a lot faster.
The table saw fence is correct and it's the safest way to rip stock. It is called an auxilliairy fence and the end should be placed no further then the midway point of the blade. It is indeed for eliminating pinching. The Dewalt DW745 type1 had it too. I've owned one for many years and always used it. I bought a DWE7492 and made one with an extruded aluminum profile. Even though setup is the mist important on a table saw, this helps big time. When tension releases in a board, it eliminates the need for wedges
I love my Bauer drill. I have drilled tons of 6" holes with mine and while it can get hot after several holes, it keeps on chugging. My buddies razz me about buying it, but I would rather buy a cheap drill that works instead of a Milwaukee drill that is probably made in the same factory for a fraction of the price.
On our job sites we would check tape measures against eachother, quite often they would be 1/2" different in 10' even with the same brand, Stanley tapes were the closest to measuring the same, with the most I saw was like 1/8" difference in 10' for them. Tapes are great for rough framing but not built for accuracy.
I love harbor freight a) because I can barely afford to buy the tools from there and b) everything else I bought from them works great to this day. I bought a balljoint press and it works perfectly fine. I’ve used it about 6 times. That sucker is almost $100. I bought the 12” & 10” wood lathe and they worked great. I no longer have them because my whole entire family pitched in and got me a 12” laguna for my 40th birthday. I really need some tools so if anyone wants to donate any tools I’d take them. One love!
Apologize? Sam should apologize for not putting his safety on the line for such an expensive build! I mean, sure, he'd be in the hospital. But he'd be in the hospital like A MAN! (~sarcasm~)
For the price I'd rather buy the wen planer with the helical heads but honestly that isn't a bad little planer, not as bad as the reviews would suggest.
Never had a problem with any of my HF purchases. Now, admittedly, a lot of their stuff leave a lot to be desired, and the Pittsburgh stuff.....well at least it has a lifetime warranty, so I can beat them up without a care and when I bust the tool up, just return it for a new one. Rinse & repeat! But so far...very happy.
When I started building my tool collection I purchased a Brushed Makita, don't remember model number but it was rated at 95nm of Max torque. sparks were literally hitting your hand HARD. Returned and went for brushless Milwaukee. Whole collection I've built nor regrets so far
Lol I've had that drill for years. Normal hole drilling, drilling granite, even augering 4 inch holes in my yard for grass plugs. It does show the sparks and get hot under heavy load but it lasts!
Oh man! So I have that mitre saw, and I agree! It's pretty ok. Cuts 2x4's fine. Does angles fine. I got lucky and picked one up on a clearance table for $40, AND whoever returned it, had bought a blade and left it in there. Also, it looked like it hadn't been used at all. It was a total win in my book.
i have had that same drill for 3 years and has not skipped a beat only problem has been the battery giving up after so often. I also bought the drill open box/returned item.
I`ve owned the Bauer 20 volt hammer drill for 2 years, I use it daily, never had a problem. Also have a sawzall, circular saw, router, several batteries, 1/4 hex impact, dust buster style vacuum. NEVER had an issue. Apt maintenance tech, I beat the snot out of them and all still work well. On the other hand, leave anything with the Warrior brand name on the shelf.
My Dad's 1950's drill has a very aggressive spark, but it still works well after 60 years. I only use it for really heavy duty mixing, and it smells a lot by the time I'm done.
I have that same drill and have had no problems. I also have the impact driver and drove 50 3/8" x 12" timber screw and another 300 3/8"x 6" with no problems and still going strong.
I own a Bauer lunchbox planer and it's...good. Not great, but not bad either. The only real problem I had was I once got a chip of cherry stuck in a blade. I thought I was gonna have to flip the two-sided blade over and buy a new spare, but once I loosened the blade, the chip came out and all was right with the world. Sniping is an issue, but careful alignment and handling of the board prevents that...most of the time.
i’m a retired Professional Woodworker and in regards to your coment on the Forster Bits that are Re sharpenable IMO all drill bits are as i have bits from the 1950s and older that i’ve sharpened dozens of times either with a electric Grinder ,Et stone Jewlers files and in a Pinch a Makita 3X24” belt sander that includes Standard Twist bits , Spade ,Forstener and both HSS nd Carbide tipped ! i also sharpen all my own Saw Blades ,Scissors ,and Knives all of which my Dad a Barber for more than 40 years did and taught me how to do as he brought his Scissors home every evening and did that in our Garage at a Sharpening Station on our Work bench
I run exclusively Bauer tools now. Fantastic. The battery technology is the same as all the top brands. But I don't care if the tools get damaged cuz they're cheaper than the batteries. They're fantastic
My dad always told me to do any project using just one tape measure, don’t mix n match because no 2 tapes are the same. Using just the one on a project means at least all the measurements should be the same.
I have that Bauer drill and it has worked great for me. I was given a DeWalt set later that definitely is a bit more refined. When my kids finish college, i may end up passing along the Bauer because for basic household tasks, it works just fine.
My bauer drill is still kicking almost yrs later. The 2ah battery's aren't great but the 4ah has plenty of punch. Even 5yrs later, could probably use a new battery but still great. I have a Hart, a craftsman, and a dewalt. The hart is probably my favorite.
I was given that exact Bauer drill kit along with 2 5amp hour batteries as a fathers day gift 2 years ago I believe. Though its not a brand I typically use its works great. Ive even used it with cobalt bits to drill into different metals.
I purchased that table saw about a year ago. Since I'm new to home repair I wanted something cheap. I definitely got it. That being said, it wasn't as bad as the reviews. My main issue is the non-standard miter slots. Very difficult to build a small sled or even find or purchase after market parts.
I bought the 7 1/4 miter saw a few years ago to re-do trim in the house on the cheap. Never had an issue with it, still use it occasionally to this day and works just fine. Is the best miter saw out there? Nope. But for 100 bucks it gets the job done. (think I got mine for $89.00 with a coupon) The tape measure is usually actually free a lot of the time.
A lot of the Bauer drills have a built in safety mechanism that will shut the tool off to prevent it from overheating and getting damaged, which is why it cuts off when you try to overload it. I think they set the sensitivity for it a little too high though so it gives it the impression that it is a weak tool. Unfortunately there is no way to adjust that sensitivity, so it makes the Bauer line of stuff very annoying to use. I use Hercules and havent had one issue with any of them so far.
Harbor freight has its place. I've had mixed experiences. I've had tools that last 1-2 uses but on the other hand my very first power tool I've ever bought was their miter saw, 15 years ago and I still use it today.
I haven't had any issue with the couple of Bauer/Hercules/Batteries tools I have purchased & if I did they're returnable. For a typical home owner, I think they are a fine tool. Just my thoughts.
I have a Bauer circle saw. Hundreds of pieces of wood cut later and it’s never even bogged down on me. For the price I’m not complaining, it beats my Makita that died on its 2nd use.
Most things at HF are junk, but they do have gems. One would be the $30 corded mini router. Worked perfectly for the hinges while hanging doors. The 1/2 bit worked just good enough, the 1/4 bit eats wood up well.
I have the planer and have run thousands of feet of Walnut, Sapele, White Oak and Maple through it without blinking. Using the levelers on the in and out feed have lowered the snipe quite a bit. Keeping fresh blades around get my cuts butter smooth. I may have gotten lucky, but have been really happy.
I have that drill. I’m not any kind of woodworker, it’s just for putting in the occasional screw for home stuff. I haven’t noticed any sparks. It’s fine for my once every 3 months needs.
I have that exact Bauer drill as well as a Bauer Hex Impact, Palm Sander, wired Router, battery powered Router, Drill Press, Vacuum and probably more I'm forgetting. I've owned the impact for over 7 years now. I'm hard on my tools and I use them nearly every day. I've had zero issues. I buy them when HF runs the rare 20%. They've paid for themselves many times over. Warrior stuff is straight trash though :D
Don't be so quick to discount the Warrior brand. I was using the Warrior 18V drill and accidentally let it drop off the top of a 10 ft. folding ladder to the hardwood floor. Thought that was the end of it but once I reinstalled the battery it worked great. Didn't even damage the plastic housing. The drill was purchased as a disposable unit for a nonprofit museum over a year ago and is still going strong.
I would have added on to the tape section, that as long as you are using the same tape for measurements/cuts then it really won't matter if it is off a little bit because it will still be whatever dimension you measured for. It would, however, matter if you are taking measurements and then relaying that information to someone else, using a different tape.
I've bought several HF tools with the INTENTION to punish them until they fail. I only needed some for one job. I still have them years later. I bought a Bauer battery chainsaw to trim some small branches, I've cut 2 inch logs with it. I've charged the battery changed/sharpened the chain, works great. My wife loves it because it's small and light. I'm not saying HF is great, for a hobby tinkerer, the tools are, fine.
Tape measures and levels are 2 things I always check when I buy them. It's pretty rare that I get a new tape measure and it's off by more than the tiniest bit, but cheap levels are a major crapshoot. I've taken to testing them on the shelves and uprights for the shelves before buying them. Just slap it on the shelf, turn it around, and it should read about the same both ways. If the shelf is off, the same end of the shelf will read high by the same amount both times. If the level is off, the same end of the level will read high both times and you know to put it back and grab another.
What seems like a loose battery is intentional from the manufacturer. To prevent battery contacts from arcing, heating up and failing, they put a cushion there to absorb vibration.
The only reason I use brushless tools exclusively is because I work in refrigeration. R290, also known as propane, is a common refrigerant I deal with. Visible sparks and Propane in the air do not make a nice combination
Been using the same harbor freight drill for at least 6 years now and it still works great. Also the batteries are $25, and they have 5 Samsung battery cells in it.
I have both the bauer hammer and regular drill drivers,brushed versions haven't had an issue with them,used paddle bits and driven lag bolts onto wood,no problems wouls recommend to anybody.
The reason Harbor Freight doesn't include blades with their lower quality saws is so they can charge less for the tool. I haven't been in the hobby long, but one thing I've heard time and time again is that every saw you buy comes with a garbage blade so I should just replace it right away. If that's the case, I'd rather they just didn't include the blade and save me some money.
Don't change it right away, square it and it's still good for some time...I switched my ryobi blade after about 2 years of semi regular use
@@jstarr3676 Every saw I've bought to date has came with a low tooth count blade and they're usually trash. Some are ok for rip cuts but not one is good for fine finish.
@@ns_racing I think it depends on what kind of saw it is. For a cheap jobsite saw, you'll mostly be ripping construction lumber and finish quality doesn't matter; just include a cheap rip blade. For a miter saw where you want a high tooth count and special crosscut grind for smooth cuts, maybe it is better to just let the customer buy the expensive blade.
Love the video keep up the amazing work
@@ns_racing 42 tooth is for rip cuts and 80 tooth or more is for cutting for a decent finish cut on a hand circular saw. I usually use Diablo with carbide teeth, and they seem to last much longer.
Back when I was 25 years old I bought a small grinder from Harbor Freight and Now I am 55 and still works like it was brand new and it has the great grinder
A lot of people love those grinders. They are actually really solid and probably some of HF's best tools!
A couple years ago I bought a grinder from them for a project and it got too hot to handle after running less than a minute. It was obvious the motor windings were bad so I returned it. I have not bought a harbor freight power tool since. I know manufacturing issues happen and it could have been a one off. It it did turn me off on their power tools.
@@richardh6964they have some actual good stuff sometimes. Just have to do your research on it!
@@JohnMaleckiUnscrewedwhy respond on this channel and not the comments with thousands of likes over the last week telling you to apologize to sam. Seems like you’re trying to run from it
Edit: for anyone that hasn’t seen on his main channel he basically got enraged his employee didn’t risk life and limb for a $2000 wood slab that was just being used for a “fun” TH-cam video. He proceeded to get massive backlash gave no apology but instead edited the video to try and make himself look better but you can still easily tell he’s very rude to the employees on camera so we can only imagine John off camera
@@nhlifts9151because those people are weak and offended by everything so who cares about their opinion. This is a channel for men doing men things and men get heated
I own the Bauer planer. I have been using it for four years and it has never failed me. I have bought replacement blades for it and yes, they do make a difference. Once you have dialed it in. It works just as good as almost any planer out there on the market. Changing blades is very easy and it will plane down almost any wood. If it is bogging down a little, just make a shallower cut. I love this planer. I have absolutely no hesitation to use it on all my projects. Four years and still going strong.
Not to rag on John, but blaming the planer for snipe is also pretty silly. You either lift up slightly at the end of the cut, or run a sacrificial piece through along with your working piece. I've never seen a planer that didn't have snipe. Maybe if you have heavy wood and a massive outfeed table you can just blindly shove wood through without snipe.
The drill does work better with a bigger battery. Also after some use the sparks get fewer once the brushes break in.
The sparks keep it interesting! Bigger battery makes sense tho!
I got a brushed Milwaukee drill that's about the same. Concerned me at first too until I googled it and found out it was normal
5 amph battery on the drill works just as good as a kobalt
But why not just spend $125 and get a battery, charger, M18 drill kit🤷♂️
@Randyplaysguitars it's fine tho to the sheep bc is name brand
Hey, I just bought a wood chipper from Harbor Freight, and it's now my favorite tool in the garage! It was made in the U.S. instead of China like everything else, so maybe that's why it works so well! For $450 bucks, it's amazing!
For those that don’t know. Even a flawed tape measure can be used effectively. Just use the same tape for a complete project and learn the difference if there is one between butting into something compared to hooking over something. Also any small table saw without a rack and pinion fence to keep the front and back square all the time is 1 star. Only because we can’t give a zero.
Exactly. All of my friends who worked construction never use multiple tapes for the same job. They use the same tape or if they have to they only use the same exact brand and model because the inaccuracy is negated.
Same goes with quality tapes as well. Took me too long to use one tape instead of having 2 for each project
It doesn’t matter if you even use a tape measure or a random stick usually as long as you are consistent and you know what you’re doing. If everyone on a job site has different tapes and one person is cutting with a different tape than the person measuring.. then you might have an issue
On a properly made tape, the amount the hook slips by is supposed to be the exact difference between hooking and butting it so you get the same measure either way.
Which is why you don't let it return at full speed all the way home.
In the 80's I worked for a stage crew and we hired a new guy who brought his own tools. My boss yelled down to him to cut a 2x4 down to 92 inches and hand it up. He used his tape and it was almost 1/2" too short.
Murphy says he who has more than one tape will not be working long.
I was told by my father in-law who is a 50 years retired custom fine furniture. When taking a measurement if you wanted to be the same you use the same measurement tape to measure both where and what you are cutting.
I was told the same thing when I was learning to do custom cabinets. Now from what I understand they are allowed a certain % + or -
I learned that the hard way doing a drywall job when I was a painting apprentice. I was cutting in the garage and my boss would measure the kitchen areas and tell me what he needed cut. Every single piece wouldn't fit and he thought I was a moron who couldn't read a tape. Turns out our tapes were almost a quarter inch off from each other. He had a cheap one and I had an old stanley. So the rest of the job we had to run the same tape back and forth to make our cuts.
I went to a trade school and the wood shop and metal shop teachers always said to start measuring on the 1in mark to avoid mistakes on cheap tape measures honestly probably some of the best advice ive ever been given😂
yeah i learded that way back in high school and it stuck with me ever since
Yeah, my father had taught me that way, and it’s stuck with me since.
What makes you think the printing is accurate on a tape measure you don't trust to begin with?
@@Those_Weirdos it’s not that, it’s that the end is loose, as mentioned in this video, but the problem is, over time that changes, but the 1inch mark won’t be changing
@@johnpatz8395 the loose end is there to measure either from an overhanging starting point or an inside starting point. If the end doesn't move between each situation then it will be wrong on at least one scenario.
I've owned the Bauer drill (2 of them, actually) for several years now. I've used them building 2 sheds, 2 desks, remodeling of my 2 bathrooms, built a 600+ sq ft deck with them. They are still going strong at least 3 years later and they are regularly used.
Same kind of use if not more from me over 6 years or so, my only issue was the low ah kit battery but with 3 or 5ah batteries most of the Bauer hand tools I've used have done great. I wouldn't buy any of them for the normal price but wait for the right sales and the value for the cost is hard to beat for a diy-er on a budget.
Yeah, I’ve had no issues with mine either. Anything Bauer I have has performed well. I also don’t use a half dead baby battery either but guess that wouldn’t make good content would it.
I feel like HF's achilles heel is consistency. If you get a good Bauer or Hercules tool it's gonna be solid for the long haul. But there's no way to tell before you get them home.
I just bought one because my DeWalt burnt up after about 10 years and I was drilling holes with a 4 inch hole saw no problem all week long
Yea your right Eric, I have bought tools that were great and bought some of the same tools that weren't great..
I was a contractor for a long time and the only problem Ive ever had from harbor freight was a texture sprayer and a compressor that they both just gave us a new one when we returned it. I love how people who don't know tools review tools
I have had good luck with their texture sprayer. My dad's is 20 years old so he never replaced it and now he is retired so it only gets light use on small jobs from me. It's definitely a hit or miss kinda store
I bought the 20v drill two years ago. I accepted what it was I was buying. I use it for drilling 1/4 " holes or less. And only use it for screws under 2" in length. As a back up/ companion to my DeWalt it works great
that's because you're a reasonable person
I have had close to 4 years of good service from my Bauer drill and driver. It certainly is not a precision tool..significant wobble in the 1/2 inch chuck but I'm not using it for stuff that needs precision.
@@murariufamilyIf you need precision, you don't use a hand drill! I do remodeling and have few objections to my Baeurs, save for losing rubber grip strips over time. I don't limit their usage either; need 2" hole, drill 2" hole.
@@garychandler4296my DeWalt sawzall and Milwaukee rubber grips always start falling off once it gets hot. The glue hates eat
Idiots buy these cheap drills and expect to drill into their concrete porches. It ain't happening.
Recommending spinning forstner bits that low is pretty normal, all the CMT bits I use also have super low recommended speeds. It's just to avoid heating up and to make the bits last longer. I'm sure if you look up what Fisch recommends it will be the same.
A tape measure only needs to be consistent with itself because it measures relative to its own markings. If you're the only one on a job site with the Pittsburgh brand, but other guys have brands like Dewalt, Stanley, and Milwaukee, this could be problematic. However, if you're responsible for both measuring and cutting, the tape measure's accuracy will suffice.
Ya I think it’s fine for most applications. Not the greatest ever but it’s not meant to be
@@JohnMaleckiUnscrewed Also, how accurately are you capable of marking, and how accurately can you cut? For most carpentry work (building a deck, for instance) that little bit of inaccuracy wouldn't matter.
when people say they saw sparks and smelled smoke i assume they are referring to the fact that it is not a brushless motor, and they do not understand the difference
Friggen sheep
Thinking the same! I miss that smell (or do I?).
you're smelling ozone. If you smell smoke, the drill needs replaced.
Brushes also often need some break-in too.
Yup, absolutely normal behavior.
With all the cheaper tools you have got now, you could make a video building some chairs or a table. 1 with reclaimed wood and pro tools other with nice wood with the cheaper tools.
Great idea
Nobody uses reclaimed wood unless they don’t care about their time, tools, or end product. Something must be sacrificed.
That would be a great way to illustrate that expensive tools don’t always mean higher quality end product
Exactly the skill of the tradesmen matters more.@@charlescassidy2023
I like the spark coming out the drill. It gives it character.
6:14 Salad Fingers! Wasn't expecting that to pop up in a tool review. Lol
I have a harbor freight hammer drill and I’ve got no complaints about it. I’ve been in the construction industry for over 40 years. It’s not a Bosch but it’s a good tool
I don't pay attention to a lot of 1 star reviews because 99% of the time they're over exaggerated and then instantly tell you to buy a Milwaukee or DeWalt as if they were the only choices available. I have an older model of Porter Cable drill I bought a few years ago that is brushed and it sparks just as much as the Bauer. Of course I no longer use since I've moved on to other drills but it's still there for backup. As far as really cheap bench top table saws go I wouldn't buy any of them regardless of brand. :)
So what brands did you move on to?
Metabo still makes a good portable / jobsite saw
@@drinmer1 As much as people like to pick on it for being a Harbor Freight brand I actually moved over to Harbor Freight's own Hercules stuff. Besides having a single lemon in the bunch everything I've bought has been working great. Even the the original tool that was a lemon has been been working great after it was replaced.
I was originally starting to get my foot in the door with Milwaukee tools when I bought a couple of their M12 tools. But because I decided to buy something from their M18 tool line the cost made me stop.
I wanted their big 7-1/4" cordless circular saw but it would have set me back $500 to get it because it was only sold as a bare tool and was $250 by itself. I would then have to pay another $170 for a large capacity battery and another $90 for a charger that was capable of charging both the M12 and M18 tools.
So I decided to try Harbor Freights nicer stuff in the process. Even going DeWalt would have been as costly as Milwaukee. Especially if I wanted to buy extra batteries later on. So I skipped any big name brand and tried something different. So far I'm pleased. :)
3 and 4* reviews for any product are usually the most level headed and legit ones.
@@iamaduckquack Yup, not too negative and not too positive. Some 5* reviews aren't too bad if the reviewer gives details on what makes it good to them. The even better reviews are when someone has owned the tool for a while and then reviews it. Otherwise some people are just very happy they bought it because they never owned one before and it just working has exceeded their expectations.
I cut a couch in half with my Bauer drill. Using the biggest Bauer nitride-coated but I had, one hole at a time. Couldn't get it out of the apartment whole, and didn't have a better tool for the job. It got warm, but never overheated. Love that thing.
Jeez I wonder how they got the couch in when it was new.
Tape measure- I agree with your assessment, if you need measurements to be accurate to the 32nd inch, a $5 tape measure is the wrong tool. However, I suggest trying to use it in your shop for a while. I've had a few of those and where they typically fall is the locking mechanism or the auto return. When I was using them, I was just doing occasional diy home owner stuff, so not even heavy use.
Table saw: it looks like a failed attempt at a European style fence. My Laguna Fusion F2 has one and I love it.
First time I have ever written this on a TH-cam video “ tripped running to the comments” to see if the team Sam comments would be on top , you guys didn’t fail ! TEAM SAM Apology ✋🏻🤚🏻
He recorded this video before the other was released. Also, he posted on his social media story addressing it a few hours after releasing the original video and said they talked about it immediately and Sam did not feel he was being “attacked”.
Everyone is so butthurt, and it's sad how men can't be men without everyone crying about it
@@hachi-rokuperformancegroup3987 If "men being men" means blaming other people for your stupid ideas/decisions and then getting mad at them for not risking bodily harm to hold the p!ss bucket when sh!t hits the fan... Well, some man you are.
@@hachi-rokuperformancegroup3987 "men can't be men"... tell me you're a moron without telling me you're a moron. jfc
Give Sam a raise… make it right man. Dont let that ego get you.
A 1 inch diameter bit turning 450 RPM is 118 surface feet per minute peripheral speed. Which is a fair speed for a bit to run. The harder material you're drilling the slower you should turn the tool. As you increase bit diameter peripheral speed increases too.
Thank you! Angular momentum is a thing. Also, the slower speed usually means higher torque, so it can more efficiently handle binding.
@@TheDiosdebaca yeah those triple gear reduced drills have a use. They're what you want to use on any bit over a half an inch in diameter. The smaller pistol drills any bit over 1/8" in diameter you should start slowing down under the top speed of the tool using it. Half an inch and up you're best off with a slow speed drill then.
“If you expect to spend $5 on the world’s most accurate tape measure. You’re an asshole.” 😂 I love that line
I watched this far into the video and as soon as he said that I ran down to the comments to quote it.....I was so happy to see it being the top comment :)
The Buaer drill works a lot better with the 6AH battery. I have it and got the bigger battery when they offered it with a free tool. I got their 1/2" impact (the smaller one, they have a few 1/2" impacts). I also have the big Bauer 1/2" impact, and it works to take off my truck's lug nuts. I had trouble with my air impact, but the big boy Bauer doesn't have issues on the truck.
the corded bauer? that thing is a beast
Probably my new favorite tool channel. Plenty of humor that’s creatively added and makes it easy to watch. Great job!
Glad you enjoy it! What other channels do you like?
@@JohnMaleckiUnscrewed off topic from this comment but i have to get this out of my system. Measuring tapes in the US do not have a set by law norm?! greetings from germany where we have norms for the laws that write norms
Bauer is a good brand for home use, for the guy or gal working in the garage or yard on the weekend.
The thing with Harbor Freight is if you're just wanting to just have something around the house for simple repairs or just trying to get started on a hobby while saving up for a nicer tool, it's a great place to start. If you're wanting something for professional use (or you're building a shed or new addition on your house) go to someplace like Lowe's, home depot, or Menards if you're in the midwest.
I bought the same bauer drill and the drill driver because i was building a fairly large dock and floating docks. Didn't want to risk dropping my dewalts in the water so i bought some cheap sacrificial drills in case i had a misshape. To be honest both the drills worked perfectly fine and they still do. Ive had them for a couple years now and they haven't skipped a beat. Not a fan of the chuck on the drill, it likes to loosen and drop drill bits but other than that i really dont have a complaint. I didnt expect them to last this long at all so any more work i get out of them is a bonus in my book.
I have several Bauer tools. The drill, screw gun, 1/2" impact, ososilating saw, weed eater, bench grinder, electric screwdriver. All of them have performed better than I thought they would. I'm happy with every one of them so far. I was a bit worried about the 1/2" impact being able to do the job I needed but it worked really well on those lug nuts.
Salad fingers reference was amazing CORE MEMORY UNLOCKED
It made me hit the like button lol
same here. creep af, but immediately recognizable
I passed out watching that show 3 years ago (with the new content). Lemme tell you, don't do that...
I am 18, and my grandfather died in 2013, but he always said that with power tools and hand tools, you get what you paid for. If you use it daily, buy good tools if you use it every once in a by ok tool that still works well and gets the job done.
I had one of those bauer planers for 4 1/2 years when I started and it was actually great; only complaint was it didn't have the dust chute with it and I didn't notice until like 2 years after I bought it when I went to setup my dust collection. After never cleaning it for the whole time I had it, it finally got a wood chip in the gears to raise and lower it and that broke it but it had more than served its purpose at that point. I've had the hercules one since then as it's still like $200-$300 less than the dewalt one and so far it also works great.
I have 7 or 8 of the Bauer tools. Built a cabin and many other projects. Zero problems.
2:35 That spark comes from the electronic brakes, it happens with any tool with brakes and brushes (circular saws, grinders, etc). The brushes will always smell but during the first uses it will spark and smell even more because the square-shaped brushes need to take on the the armature cylindrical shape. But yeah, people might get scared at the sparks. Recommending Dean Doherty's channel, he fixes tools for a life and got great tips for diagnosing and fixing them (all but Milwaukee which apparently are made to be disposed of when broken).
Electrician here. Brushed DC motors are amazingly good when they're designed properly. High load on the motor causes the exciter field to be highly distorted, and this is corrected by adding "interpoles" that shift the field back in the other direction. Only the shittiest DC motors that do not have interpoles will spark like that when they are new. My brushed Ryobi tools spark a lot, but my brushed Milwaukee impact driver doesn't spark at all. That sparking also means the tool is super inefficient, so it will be less powerful while draining the battery a lot faster.
I ALWAYS replace my saw blades with diablo, I've had my diablo ripper blade on my circular for like three years now. Still cuts great.
I read this so wrong. Lol
The table saw fence is correct and it's the safest way to rip stock. It is called an auxilliairy fence and the end should be placed no further then the midway point of the blade. It is indeed for eliminating pinching. The Dewalt DW745 type1 had it too. I've owned one for many years and always used it. I bought a DWE7492 and made one with an extruded aluminum profile. Even though setup is the mist important on a table saw, this helps big time. When tension releases in a board, it eliminates the need for wedges
I love my Bauer drill. I have drilled tons of 6" holes with mine and while it can get hot after several holes, it keeps on chugging. My buddies razz me about buying it, but I would rather buy a cheap drill that works instead of a Milwaukee drill that is probably made in the same factory for a fraction of the price.
I know a lot about tools and used to be a diesel mechanic. I've worked in construction and I LOVE Bauer tools. They are amazing.
On our job sites we would check tape measures against eachother, quite often they would be 1/2" different in 10' even with the same brand, Stanley tapes were the closest to measuring the same, with the most I saw was like 1/8" difference in 10' for them. Tapes are great for rough framing but not built for accuracy.
I love harbor freight a) because I can barely afford to buy the tools from there and b) everything else I bought from them works great to this day. I bought a balljoint press and it works perfectly fine. I’ve used it about 6 times. That sucker is almost $100. I bought the 12” & 10” wood lathe and they worked great. I no longer have them because my whole entire family pitched in and got me a 12” laguna for my 40th birthday. I really need some tools so if anyone wants to donate any tools I’d take them. One love!
you gonna apologize to sam in this video for last weeks bullshit you put him through?
💯
# justiceforsam
Apologize? Sam should apologize for not putting his safety on the line for such an expensive build! I mean, sure, he'd be in the hospital. But he'd be in the hospital like A MAN! (~sarcasm~)
Nah this is the part where we pretend it didn't happen. They edited that part out of the original video without a word so that seems like the plan
I don’t know their dynamic when the cameras are off but that clip was a bit much
The bauer is great for a homeowner. Drilling into drywall and putting a few screws in to hang something
For the price I'd rather buy the wen planer with the helical heads but honestly that isn't a bad little planer, not as bad as the reviews would suggest.
If you are burning wood it is never the tools fault. It is either the blade is blunt or the speed you are pushing is to fast.
Lowes! There's got to be a bunch of 1-Star reviews for Kobalt products.
Love the smell of brush tools reminds me of the little race tracks when I was a kid that brushes on the levers when you race the cars
Shout out to Salad Fingers, slapped me in the face with weird nostalgia hahahahaha
Honestly lots of great references in the edits.
A grown man praying to the gods for Butt Flames
5 stars
Never had a problem with any of my HF purchases. Now, admittedly, a lot of their stuff leave a lot to be desired, and the Pittsburgh stuff.....well at least it has a lifetime warranty, so I can beat them up without a care and when I bust the tool up, just return it for a new one. Rinse & repeat!
But so far...very happy.
Love the Saladfingers reference
When I started building my tool collection I purchased a Brushed Makita, don't remember model number but it was rated at 95nm of Max torque. sparks were literally hitting your hand HARD. Returned and went for brushless Milwaukee. Whole collection I've built nor regrets so far
That spark could light up a dark closet
They should lean into a double feature! flashlight and drill!
@@JohnMaleckiUnscrewed Does the flashlight treat its staff better after it fucks up? If so, could be a keeper.
@@stevehiller3657you cry at work a lot we can tell
You could almost light a cigarette with it lol
Lol I've had that drill for years. Normal hole drilling, drilling granite, even augering 4 inch holes in my yard for grass plugs. It does show the sparks and get hot under heavy load but it lasts!
I miss your building videos. Are you still doing them? Do I need to be subscribed to a new channel for those now?
this is the B channel... in his words
More John Malecki. Same shenanigans, without the builds.
seems like its now 1 week unscrewed (tools and stuff) and 1 week builds.
they’re on his main channel, this is a new 2nd channel
I bought one of the drills 7 years ago and used it on concrete wood and metal and have never had a problem with it and still works great.
I love you John, but when is the apology video coming out for how you treated Sam? That was totally unfair.
💯
🤘🏻
You mean an apology video for the comments😂😂😂😂😂
He did it on instagram
@@the0utlier557 what vid on insta I looked earlier and didn’t see anything
Oh man! So I have that mitre saw, and I agree! It's pretty ok. Cuts 2x4's fine. Does angles fine. I got lucky and picked one up on a clearance table for $40, AND whoever returned it, had bought a blade and left it in there. Also, it looked like it hadn't been used at all. It was a total win in my book.
Maybe you uploaded this without watching it completely again? There are a few editing comments inbetween 😂
unscrewed and unedited lol
I could be wrong but maybe that's the joke I found it funny
i have had that same drill for 3 years and has not skipped a beat only problem has been the battery giving up after so often. I also bought the drill open box/returned item.
Hope you apologize soon
I`ve owned the Bauer 20 volt hammer drill for 2 years, I use it daily, never had a problem. Also have a sawzall, circular saw, router, several batteries, 1/4 hex impact, dust buster style vacuum. NEVER had an issue. Apt maintenance tech, I beat the snot out of them and all still work well.
On the other hand, leave anything with the Warrior brand name on the shelf.
You still have any employees left?
My Dad's 1950's drill has a very aggressive spark, but it still works well after 60 years. I only use it for really heavy duty mixing, and it smells a lot by the time I'm done.
plug in temu video
I have that same drill and have had no problems. I also have the impact driver and drove 50 3/8" x 12" timber screw and another 300 3/8"x 6" with no problems and still going strong.
I own a Bauer lunchbox planer and it's...good. Not great, but not bad either. The only real problem I had was I once got a chip of cherry stuck in a blade. I thought I was gonna have to flip the two-sided blade over and buy a new spare, but once I loosened the blade, the chip came out and all was right with the world. Sniping is an issue, but careful alignment and handling of the board prevents that...most of the time.
i’m a retired Professional Woodworker and in regards to your coment on the Forster Bits that are Re sharpenable IMO all drill bits are as i have bits from the 1950s and older that i’ve sharpened dozens of times either with a electric Grinder ,Et stone Jewlers files and in a Pinch a Makita 3X24” belt sander that includes Standard Twist bits , Spade ,Forstener and both HSS nd Carbide tipped ! i also sharpen all my own Saw Blades ,Scissors ,and Knives all of which my Dad a Barber for more than 40 years did and taught me how to do as he brought his Scissors home every evening and did that in our Garage at a Sharpening Station on our Work bench
I run exclusively Bauer tools now. Fantastic. The battery technology is the same as all the top brands. But I don't care if the tools get damaged cuz they're cheaper than the batteries. They're fantastic
My dad always told me to do any project using just one tape measure, don’t mix n match because no 2 tapes are the same. Using just the one on a project means at least all the measurements should be the same.
6:13
That is a crazy reference
I have that Bauer drill and it has worked great for me. I was given a DeWalt set later that definitely is a bit more refined. When my kids finish college, i may end up passing along the Bauer because for basic household tasks, it works just fine.
My bauer drill is still kicking almost yrs later. The 2ah battery's aren't great but the 4ah has plenty of punch. Even 5yrs later, could probably use a new battery but still great. I have a Hart, a craftsman, and a dewalt. The hart is probably my favorite.
I was given that exact Bauer drill kit along with 2 5amp hour batteries as a fathers day gift 2 years ago I believe. Though its not a brand I typically use its works great. Ive even used it with cobalt bits to drill into different metals.
I purchased that table saw about a year ago. Since I'm new to home repair I wanted something cheap. I definitely got it. That being said, it wasn't as bad as the reviews. My main issue is the non-standard miter slots. Very difficult to build a small sled or even find or purchase after market parts.
I bought the 7 1/4 miter saw a few years ago to re-do trim in the house on the cheap. Never had an issue with it, still use it occasionally to this day and works just fine. Is the best miter saw out there? Nope. But for 100 bucks it gets the job done. (think I got mine for $89.00 with a coupon) The tape measure is usually actually free a lot of the time.
A lot of the Bauer drills have a built in safety mechanism that will shut the tool off to prevent it from overheating and getting damaged, which is why it cuts off when you try to overload it. I think they set the sensitivity for it a little too high though so it gives it the impression that it is a weak tool. Unfortunately there is no way to adjust that sensitivity, so it makes the Bauer line of stuff very annoying to use. I use Hercules and havent had one issue with any of them so far.
Harbor freight has its place. I've had mixed experiences. I've had tools that last 1-2 uses but on the other hand my very first power tool I've ever bought was their miter saw, 15 years ago and I still use it today.
I haven't had any issue with the couple of Bauer/Hercules/Batteries tools I have purchased & if I did they're returnable. For a typical home owner, I think they are a fine tool. Just my thoughts.
I have a Bauer circle saw. Hundreds of pieces of wood cut later and it’s never even bogged down on me. For the price I’m not complaining, it beats my Makita that died on its 2nd use.
I have a lot of Bauer products. I absolutely love my 20v Bauer products. I beat the crap out of them and they keep coming back for more
Most things at HF are junk, but they do have gems. One would be the $30 corded mini router. Worked perfectly for the hinges while hanging doors. The 1/2 bit worked just good enough, the 1/4 bit eats wood up well.
I have the planer and have run thousands of feet of Walnut, Sapele, White Oak and Maple through it without blinking. Using the levelers on the in and out feed have lowered the snipe quite a bit. Keeping fresh blades around get my cuts butter smooth. I may have gotten lucky, but have been really happy.
Been using a Bauer thickness planer for 8 years. It needed a new bearing and a grease up, but its still going.
I have that drill. I’m not any kind of woodworker, it’s just for putting in the occasional screw for home stuff. I haven’t noticed any sparks. It’s fine for my once every 3 months needs.
I have that exact Bauer drill as well as a Bauer Hex Impact, Palm Sander, wired Router, battery powered Router, Drill Press, Vacuum and probably more I'm forgetting. I've owned the impact for over 7 years now. I'm hard on my tools and I use them nearly every day. I've had zero issues. I buy them when HF runs the rare 20%. They've paid for themselves many times over. Warrior stuff is straight trash though :D
Don't be so quick to discount the Warrior brand. I was using the Warrior 18V drill and accidentally let it drop off the top of a 10 ft. folding ladder to the hardwood floor. Thought that was the end of it but once I reinstalled the battery it worked great. Didn't even damage the plastic housing. The drill was purchased as a disposable unit for a nonprofit museum over a year ago and is still going strong.
I would have added on to the tape section, that as long as you are using the same tape for measurements/cuts then it really won't matter if it is off a little bit because it will still be whatever dimension you measured for. It would, however, matter if you are taking measurements and then relaying that information to someone else, using a different tape.
I have the Hercules planer and it is a beast. I planed 300 2X3s for a deck and look forward to the next project that requires it.
I've bought several HF tools with the INTENTION to punish them until they fail. I only needed some for one job. I still have them years later. I bought a Bauer battery chainsaw to trim some small branches, I've cut 2 inch logs with it. I've charged the battery changed/sharpened the chain, works great. My wife loves it because it's small and light. I'm not saying HF is great, for a hobby tinkerer, the tools are, fine.
Tape measures and levels are 2 things I always check when I buy them. It's pretty rare that I get a new tape measure and it's off by more than the tiniest bit, but cheap levels are a major crapshoot. I've taken to testing them on the shelves and uprights for the shelves before buying them. Just slap it on the shelf, turn it around, and it should read about the same both ways. If the shelf is off, the same end of the shelf will read high by the same amount both times. If the level is off, the same end of the level will read high both times and you know to put it back and grab another.
What seems like a loose battery is intentional from the manufacturer. To prevent battery contacts from arcing, heating up and failing, they put a cushion there to absorb vibration.
I had to have a Bauer brushless drill save me on the job when my drill burnt out, the brushless are decent tools.
The only reason I use brushless tools exclusively is because I work in refrigeration. R290, also known as propane, is a common refrigerant I deal with. Visible sparks and Propane in the air do not make a nice combination
Been using the same harbor freight drill for at least 6 years now and it still works great. Also the batteries are $25, and they have 5 Samsung battery cells in it.
I have both the bauer hammer and regular drill drivers,brushed versions haven't had an issue with them,used paddle bits and driven lag bolts onto wood,no problems wouls recommend to anybody.
kudos to this guy for giving the tool manufacturers any money
The sounds of creaking plastic a power tool makes upon assembly….is the (1) one ⭐️ comments they all should have.
Been using this very drill for almost 4 years lol never had an issue
I have a bauer mud mixer and I love it. Paid $50 for it. I'll buy a good cheap tool whenever I can. I own Festool, Makita, Dewalt and Bosch tools too.