So I walk into a Harbor Freight store......................

[Dave Lehnert]

Got a chance to visit Harbor Freight today. I was in the area and needed some sockets for work.
"looks" like they are upgrading some of the tools they offer.
Got a chance to look at the new Hercules Professional 12" sliding miter saw. Looks a lot like the Dewalt DWS780
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLCrCz1_2rc
Have to say it looked and felt just as good as a name brand saw. If not better. Priced at $399.
Not in the market for one but wondered if anyone has got to use one and your thoughts.

Other tools I noticed that looked upgraded was welders and hand tools.

[Bill Space]

It probably won’t be long before there is a $299 super Coupon or just a reduced price with a 20% off coupon, which may even be cheaper.

[Frederick Skelly]

Hmmmmmm.
An unproven HF for $399 vs a Dewalt for $599?
I think I'd save up a bit more and get the Dewalt, even with a 20% off coupon.
At least until this saw makes the "HF jems" list.

But that's just me. YMMV.

Fred

Edit: Looks like we have parallel threads going on. Here's a link to the other just to tie them together.

[Mike DeHart]

I wonder if HF is getting better tools while preparing for Sears to go out of business and grab their customers.

[Mike Heidrick]

LED over blade shadow line of the Dewalt is the cats meow. Other than that bosch glide and Deltas new shallow depth glide like design seems nice.

[Darcy Warner]

The smell in there burns my nose.

[Nick Lazz]

Cmon man...,,

[Curt Harms]

I have so far followed the advice to avoid anything from Harbor Freight with a battery or power cord. Though their multi tool gets pretty good reviews. No pro mechanic but I find their wrenches and sockets suitable for light/casual use.

[Jeff Bartley]

The smell in there burns my nose.

Man, that's too funny!! They sure do all smell the same.

[Ken Kortge]

I'm not sure if this is too political for this forum - if so, sorry - but it bugs me to think that a Chinese company is making cheap knock-offs of popular well-designed stuff - letting other companies develop the designs, and then sell them for a portion of the original stuff. Even if Dewalt manufactures their products in China, it still bugs me. I respect the opinions of those who disagree and can understand the concept that this is simply marketplace competition, but I'm not sure the playing field is level.

[Nick Decker]

I don't think it's political. It' economics. If consumers wouldn't buy junk, somebody would make better stuff. And they do, but most people won't spend what it costs.

[Dave Lehnert]

I'm not sure if this is too political for this forum - if so, sorry - but it bugs me to think that a Chinese company is making cheap knock-offs of popular well-designed stuff - letting other companies develop the designs, and then sell them for a portion of the original stuff. Even if Dewalt manufactures their products in China, it still bugs me. I respect the opinions of those who disagree and can understand the concept that this is simply marketplace competition, but I'm not sure the playing field is level.

First one would have to assume Dewalt designed and manufactured the saw in the first place.
I would not be surprised there is a manufacture overseas making this saw (with mods for each customer) Any brand could have their name placed on it.

[Gregory King]

Tool quality reminds me of the time many years ago when our supervisor at work bought a new Jepson circular saw. An exact Makita look a like . He was so proud of the money he saved. That was until the bearings went soon after. When it went to the garbage bin and replaced with a Makita, there was never any more cheap take-offs in the shop.

[BOB OLINGER]

[QUOTE=Jeff Bartley;2785212]Man, that's too funny!! They sure do all smell the same.[/QUOT

I agree!

[cody michael]

I have a handful of items from harbor freight, some great some not. I have noticed their new lines that they have look very nice. They have a lot of nice looking welding accessories also.