Harbor Freight

[super99]

In April HF had buy a Hercules battery and choose a tool for it. I got a 4 inch hand grinder. Worked good until today, press the trigger and it would start and immediately shut down. I took it back and got another one and found out all battery powered tools are guaranteed for 5 years by manufacturers. I’m happy with it.

 

[rrlund]

I have trouble getting five years out of a corded one.

 

[Gambles]

I took it back and got another one and found out all battery powered tools are guaranteed for 5 years by manufacturers.

Your statement is not 100% accurate. Their red-colored Bauer line is warranted for 90 days. Their top-of-the-line blue Hercules battery power tool product has a 5-year warranty and three years on the batteries and battery chargers so they can compete with the Milwaukee line. Luckily for you, you purchased the Hercules product.
BTW, I have some Hercules battery-powered tools. Last week, I had a battery fail that was two years old. I took it back to the store and they gave me a free replacement. I figured the new replacement battery would only have a one year warranty that would fulfill the three year original warranty. The store manager assured me twice that the new replacement battery has a three year warranty starting either last week.

 

[super99]

Your statement is not 100% accurate. Their red-colored Bauer line is warranted for 90 days. Their top-of-the-line blue Hercules battery power tool product has a 5-year warranty and three years on the batteries and battery chargers so they can compete with the Milwaukee line. Luckily for you, you purchased the Hercules product.
BTW, I have some Hercules battery-powered tools. Last week, I had a battery fail that was two years old. I took it back to the store and they gave me a free replacement. I figured the new replacement battery would only have a one year warranty that would fulfill the three year original warranty. The store manager assured me twice that the new replacement battery has a three year warranty starting either last week.

I didn't say anything about the Bauer line of tools, only Hercules. I have several Bauer tools, always buy 1 year warranty and take them back before the year is up and get a new one. I have a Dewalt paddle 4 inch hand grinder that eats cords, cords cost almost as much as a new grinder so I gave up on it after 2 cords. I have some power tools from Menards that almost as good as HF but replacement with HF is super easy.

 

[M-MAN]

I get the easy replacement part but there's no way I would be happy with 3 months service before I needed to take it back.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I get the easy replacement part but there's no way I would be happy with 3 months service before I needed to take it back.

Depends on if it's an isolated incident or a chronic problem. So many people are ready to condemn a brand after ONE inconvenience. It makes no sense.

What if one of your beloved Dewalt/Milwaukee/Makita (whichever you have) tools let you down? Would you toss all your tools in the trash and go to a different brand?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

A fellow YT and friend wanted me to make an adapter for his old HF tool. I think it was a Chicago tool.
He wanted to use a 20v DeWalt battery. My adapter worked just fine.
No battery will last forever. All my 18 v Dewalt, Black and Decker and Milwaukee tools are powered by a 20v DeWalt and an adapter.
If you buy an adapter with a USB port, disconnect the battery from the adapter. The USB will drain the battery
I have about a dozen 20v DeWalt batteries at different locations. So if one battery goes bad, I have backup batteries.
I think Home Depot had a lifetime in-store warranty on Ryobi tools, but you have to register the tool.
Not sure HD still has the warranty.
It is your money, please spend how you see fit. I won't buy tools that require I spends big bucks to replace the battery.
A friend who bought 40v DeWalt tools that he refused to pay big bucks for a replacement battery.
Anyone want to buy an old 40v DeWalt tool without a battery?

 

[560Dennis]

Good it know , was thinking of getting one of those for farm use

 

[Gambles]

Good it know , was thinking of getting one of those for farm use

They used to have some fantastic deals where you buy the battery and the charger and you get the free tool. Lately, it seems those specials are gone.

 

[chvet73]

A fellow YT and friend wanted me to make an adapter for his old HF tool. I think it was a Chicago tool.
He wanted to use a 20v DeWalt battery. My adapter worked just fine.
No battery will last forever. All my 18 v Dewalt, Black and Decker and Milwaukee tools are powered by a 20v DeWalt and an adapter.
If you buy an adapter with a USB port, disconnect the battery from the adapter. The USB will drain the battery
I have about a dozen 20v DeWalt batteries at different locations. So if one battery goes bad, I have backup batteries.
I think Home Depot had a lifetime in-store warranty on Ryobi tools, but you have to register the tool.
Not sure HD still has the warranty.
It is your money, please spend how you see fit. I won't buy tools that require I spends big bucks to replace the battery.
A friend who bought 40v DeWalt tools that he refused to pay big bucks for a replacement battery.
Anyone want to buy an old 40v DeWalt tool without a battery?

I believe the lifetime warranty at Home Depot is and always has been on Ridgid power tools not Ryobi. My main set of cordless tools is Ridgid. I haven’t had to use the warranty yet. I do have several Ryobi tools and had to have warranty service on both a 3/8” ratchet and a backpack sprayer. They replaced the sprayer and fixed the ratchet. But they do not have a lifetime warranty like the Ridgid.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I believe the lifetime warranty at Home Depot is and always has been on Ridgid power tools not Ryobi. My main set of cordless tools is Ridgid. I haven’t had to use the warranty yet. I do have several Ryobi tools and had to have warranty service on both a 3/8” ratchet and a backpack sprayer. They replaced the sprayer and fixed the ratchet. But they do not have a lifetime warranty like the Ridgid.

Ryobi is 3 years I believe. They have an automated website where you can register your tools and make warranty claims. You have to ship them the faulty tool/battery, but they replace it no questions asked.

 

[chvet73]

They used to have some fantastic deals where you buy the battery and the charger and you get the free tool. Lately, it seems those specials are gone.

The deals seem to be less frequent. Or they only offer a deal on the full set which I already have. Never any deal on the tool that I don’t have.

 

[M-MAN]

Depends on if it's an isolated incident or a chronic problem. So many people are ready to condemn a brand after ONE inconvenience. It makes no sense.

What if one of your beloved Dewalt/Milwaukee/Makita (whichever you have) tools let you down? Would you toss all your tools in the trash and go to a different brand?

If one of my Milwaukee's failed at 3 months there wouldn't be anymore. I waited 2 years before purchasing something else and probably another year between each purchase. Milwaukee was the last chance for battery tools for me. Porter Cable was first, Dewalt 2nd and Milwaukee was the 3rd strike. Had it failed I would be strictly corded tools.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

The deals seem to be less frequent. Or they only offer a deal on the full set which I already have. Never any deal on the tool that I don’t have.

Ryobi still does it a couple times a year, as does Harbor Freight with Hercules/Bauer.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Ya'll can have your battery tools.I've got a Milwaukee 12 volt that was given to me. It has worked good but is not lasting as long per charge now as it did about half as long so when it goes I'll be done with that stuff.Just use my air tools or corded tools. they never get tired like the battery stuff does.

 

[GChief]

I have been using Milwaukee battery powered tools for the last 17 yrs in the ship building/repair industry. We cannot use ships power or air, we can set a compressor and genset on the pier and run hoses and cords, that's a PITA!

They work as good, often better, than any of other corded and hosed tools!

So IME in an extreme environment with battery powered tools doing an industrial job is

 

[Steven Allen]

I have had a red-colored, Bauer corded 1/2" impact for a few years now--3 or 4. Works as new every time I use it, and we use it fairly often. .Feels and acts substantial in every way. I am satisfied with it.

I have a few battery powered tools, almost all DeWalt. So far, so god, but none is more than two years old. My 8-year-old B&D 18v drill motor runs well enough, but the batteries are just about toast. Not a surprise, but I have corded tools far older than I am (61), and they all work just like new. I use 'em when I can and get otu the battery powered tools only when too far away from power or similar reason.

 

[Jim in LA]

In April HF had buy a Hercules battery and choose a tool for it. I got a 4 inch hand grinder. Worked good until today, press the trigger and it would start and immediately shut down. I took it back and got another one and found out all battery powered tools are guaranteed for 5 years by manufacturers. I’m happy with it.View attachment 122032View attachment 122033

I'm thinking of getting one tomorrow. I lost the round disc nut that holds the grinding wheel. I ordered the wrong sized one form Amazion and the correct one won't arrive til the 29th. I need to get the dash and dash support for my 8N cleaned and painted and reinstalled and need a powered wire brush and flap wheel. The price of the cordless Hercules is about what the Makita cost thirty years ago. I have a Hercules 1/4 impact drive that i really like. I think I will enjoy a cordless grinder over the corded one.

 

[Sprint 6]

I have been using Milwaukee battery powered tools for the last 17 yrs in the ship building/repair industry. We cannot use ships power or air, we can set a compressor and genset on the pier and run hoses and cords, that's a PITA!

They work as good, often better, than any of other corded and hosed tools!

So IME in an extreme environment with battery powered tools doing an industrial job is

My experience, also. People can keep their weak air tools and trip hazard hoses. My 1/2 M18 high torque will beat the brakes off any 1/2 air impact. If Milwaukee ever comes out with a hard hitting hammer-type tool that takes conventional air hammer bits, my air compressor will only be used for running the tire machine and airing tires.

 

[chvet73]

I have the Ridgid cordless. You will love the no cords.