Posts: 8,963
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2010
One friend has a $40 HF and another a $20 HF. Both are OK for the money. I have a Bosch that I paid $130 for and when doing heavy work it is far better than either. Another friend who does remodeling has a Fein that he paid around $300 for. He helped me tear out walls to remodel my bathroom. His Fein had at least some effective DC and was much faster than I was with the Bosch. Part of it was because it is a better tool, part because he does this all the time and part because he is 30 years younger than I.
If you want to do a little light sanding or repoint your tile the HF will di it. If you need to do some serious drywall cutting and demolition they will not.
homo homini lupus
"The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity." Yeats
Si vis pacem, para bellum
Quodcumque potest manus tua facere instaner opere Ecclesiastes
Posts: 2,840
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Western NY
The Ridgid Job Max is one step up, at ~$70, but I love it. I am a hobbyist. I would not recommend it for a pro, at least not the 12v version I have. The job max has multiple heads (extra cost, of course). I have the right angle drill and right angle impact driver. On the occasion when I need the right angle tools, I am glad I bought it.
The Ridgid comes with a blade adapter for the oscillating head, so that most any blade can be used. So far I have not bought a blade which does not fit.
I tried not believing. That did not work, so now I just believe
Posts: 68
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2005
I got one at HF 10+ years ago ($20), thinking it would be a one time use thing. It's still ticking.
I don't need it often, but when I do, it gets the job done.
I'm usually a HF basher, but this time they surprised me.
I'm a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I seem to have.
Posts: 8,397
Threads: 1
Joined: Mar 2000
I've had the HF for several years now. Think I paid $16 for it with a coupon. It's loud, but get the jobs done that I need done. I wouldn't stake my living on one, but for odd jobs around the house, it's certainly been a bargain.
It's the kind of tool that I don't feel bad about knocking around. I've used it to do drywall jobs, flooring jobs, and basement reno. I even used it to modify a hollow-core door to make an access hole for the cat to get into the utility room. I don't have a sanding pad for it.
Couple things about it:
1. The screw that holds on the blade was finicky when the unit was new. It easily backed out, causing me to have to stop and retighten the nut. That no longer happens.
2. The exhaust from the fan for the motor can blow in the operator's face easily. Don't know if that happens with a more expensive unit like the Bosch of Fein.
I find that blades are a better deal at HF than at Menards (the big box store where I usually go for supplies). The Performax blades at Menards not only cost more, but they don't last as long, at least not for me.
Ray
(formerly "WxMan")
Posts: 9,541
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Orlando FL
I have the Harbor Freight one and it works pretty well. I do not use the Harbor Freight blades though. I found the Bosch blades are well worth the extra cost. They cut faster and last longer than the originals that came with the machine.
