Mark,
I made that comment because I know that the big three will have parts
available for years to come. If someone comes to Harbor Freight with a less
expensive welder tomorrow, they will buy the welders from the less expensive
source and throw their name on that one instead. This eliminates the spare
parts supply for the welder. I can still order the cooling motor fan blade
for my 40 year old, crank adjustable, Miller 220v stick welder that my son
will likely be using 20 years from now.
I buy some of the "Cheap-crap" Chinese tools too. It's hard to beat their
"bang for the buck.". I remember a few years ago when another list was
crowing about how great the Harbor Freight electric impact wrench was. Now
they are saying that one is gone and the new one is junk. Harbor freight
buys on price. I do not believe they have loyalty to any vendor so (in my
opinion) the parts you may need for your welder 5 years from now, may not be
available from HF at that time. Perhaps you can find and buy from the
original vendor. On the other hand, Wrenches, hand tools, and inexpensive
electric tools, yup, I'll sometimes buy HF. Some are good, some are not.
Again, opinion here, but I feel that it all comes down to how much of an
investment you are willing to walk away from.
Jack
-----Original Message-----
From: shop-talk-bounces+jibjib=att.net@autox.team.net
[mailto:shop-talk-bounces+jibjib=att.net@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Mark
Andy
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 7:44 AM
To: 'Shop Talk'
Subject: [Shop-talk] Harbor Freight & spare parts(was: MIG Welders 115 v
vs220v)
Howdy,
On Fri, 28 Sep 2007, Jack Brooks wrote:
> Please also check out Miller, Hobart and Lincoln (in no real order of
> preference) as Harbor Freight welders are not nearly the same now, as
> what you own. Any of these three brands can be considered
> interchangeable with regard to quality and features. They will be
> slightly different, but essentially the same quality and performance
> and most importantly spare parts will be available, both now and into
> the foreseeable future.
I'd also second the recommendation of a name brand welder, particularly
Miller (I currently own a Lincoln SP-175Plus, and I like the Miller 175
better).
But my real point in posting is wondering about the truth to the "parts
won't be available for Harbor Freight stuff in the future" implication
above...
Around me, Harbor Freight retail stores are fairly common and at least two
more have been opened in the past couple years (Youngstown/Pittsburgh area,
btw). I've been going there for years. I've needed parts a few times.
Each of those times, service, availability, etc. etc. has been the same as
most any other place I'd go and its been getting better in my mind for
years.
At what point do the "crap chinese tools" become the norm? Its already to
the point for me where I tend to buy them first, unless I see a real need
for something name brand...
Mark
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