I've had decent luck with Harbor Freight stuff—it's hit or miss, but their clamps and sanding pads have held up surprisingly well. Usually, checking online reviews helps weed out the real duds...though sometimes it's still a gamble.
I've found Harbor Freight decent for disposable or occasional-use stuff, but for anything precision or durability-related, I usually step up a bit. A few quick tips I've picked up:
- Check out local estate sales or garage sales—sometimes you can snag quality tools dirt cheap.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can be goldmines if you're patient.
- Don't overlook refurbished or open-box items online; I've gotten some great deals that way.
A little extra digging upfront usually saves headaches (and cash) down the road...
"Don't overlook refurbished or open-box items online; I've gotten some great deals that way."
Good call on refurbished stuff—I was skeptical at first, but recently grabbed a refurb laser measure online. Saved a chunk of cash and it's been spot-on accurate so far... fingers crossed it stays that way.
I was pretty hesitant about refurbished stuff too, especially for tools. But last summer, I took a chance on an open-box cordless drill set. Honestly, it looked brand new when it arrived, just missing the original packaging. Saved me enough cash to upgrade to better drill bits, which made a noticeable difference. Still cautious about electronics though... had a friend who got burned on a refurb tablet once. Guess it depends on the item and seller.
I totally get your hesitation on electronics—had a similar experience myself. Bought a refurb circular saw online last year, and it turned out great. Saved enough to snag a nicer blade, and that thing cuts like butter now. But electronics... yeah, that's trickier. Got a refurb Bluetooth speaker once that died after a month, so I'm with you there. Seems like tools are usually safer bets, especially from reputable sellers. Glad your drill worked out though, always nice when a gamble pays off.
