[Shop-talk] Power Tools from Harbor Freight

[Bob Spidell]

OK, I admit it; I buy stuff there, esp. since they built a new store 
less than 2 miles from my house.  It appears they've conjured up a 
couple new 'brands' to go with long-time 'favorite' Chicago Electric: 
'Bauer' and 'Hercules.'  I'm not in the market--well, we're all always 
potentially 'in the market' amiright?--and my old Makita 9V driver/drill 
with fresh batteries does all the power stuff I need, but I can't help 
but be curious. These new brands appear to be higher quality: Hercules > 
Bauer > Chicago Electric, and I checked them out last time I burned a 
20% off coupon and they looked good to me.  Has anyone bought any of the 
Hercules or Bauer tools and put them through the paces? I've had some 
Chicago Electric stuff--particularly a 4" grinder and a buffer--that 
have done yeoman's duty for years, if the newer brands approach DeWalt, 
Milwaukee, Snap-On, etc. quality at significantly less cost those brands 
could be in trouble and, truth be told, they probably all come from the 
same Chinese/Taiwanese/Indonesian/Indian factories anyway (maybe not 
Snap-On).  It appears to me HF has upped their game over the last few 
years and they can't be beat for that esoteric tool you may use once 
every 3 years.  Plus: free flashlights!!!

Bob