Too good to pass up?

[callyb]

Well, I try to stay away from HF stuff, but I came across this on craigslist for $500! Personally I think it's worth it for the price, after all I can just dump whatever winds up being useless. I have an appointment to see this guy tonight, so what are your thoughts?

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-inch-four-speed-woodworking-bandsaw-67595.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-industrial-5-micron-dust-collector-97869.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-industrial-rabbeting-jointer-with-stand-31849.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html

Thanks for your opinions,

Cally

[mikem]

I haven't heard much about the other tools, but there are 3 or 4 regulars in the chat room that have the HF Dust Collector and have been very happy with it. I have been considering this one myself.

[jmaichel]

Well, I try to stay away from HF stuff, but I came across this on craigslist for $500! Personally I think it's worth it for the price, after all I can just dump whatever winds up being useless. I have an appointment to see this guy tonight, so what are your thoughts?

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-inch-four-speed-woodworking-bandsaw-67595.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-industrial-5-micron-dust-collector-97869.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-industrial-rabbeting-jointer-with-stand-31849.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html

Thanks for your opinions,

Cally

Pass Pass Pass! Don't waste your money on used HF stuff. I know some people might think HF has some good bargins and they do but your talking about buying a few machines for $500. I would skip the HF stuff and hold out for one quality used machine or buy new grizzly machines instead if your budget is what's holding you back. My reply was based on a couple assumptions that I made. I bought some cheap used machines and hated it, almost made me give up woodworking until I decided to give machines all together and just start using hand tools for now.

Good Luck!

James

[capnjack2]

I see James' point about staying away from lower quality tools when you are first starting out. If you do go ahead with the deal, understand that you bought a mixed bag, as it were. A lot of machines for a few bucks. Your alternatives, since you are just setting up shop, are to go with better quality machines, and just get a few at a time. Or go the hand tool route. Save space too, if that's a concern. I happen to have inherited a bunch of mediocre-quality tools which, while they do the job, they don't do it really well. So I vote YES but with caution. Caveat emptor!

Jack

[woodhack]

I am somewhat familiar with all of those tools,as I had a friend who knew someone who could get HF tools for cost. The dust collector and the sander are pretty decent. As for the bandsaw, it has a wobble in it because the wheels are not true. They are so out of true he couldn't balance them and just uses the saw to rough cut copper tubing now. (He's a plumber). The jointer is the biggest piece of crap machine I've ever seen. There was a visible dip in the infeed table and both tables were pitted. He told me it was so bad he couldn't in good conscience sell it to anyone so he just left out in the street on trash day.

To paraphrase a wise person, "HF tools are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get."

[jimmykx250]

The dc is one thing the others will most likely bring lot of aggrivation!

[petersb]

I know that this is exciting, but there is a reason why he is getting rid if the tools. That doesn't mean that they are not worth it. If you are already familiar with these tools, you will know what to look for to see if the tools offered are worth the $$$. If it were myself, I would pass. Be patient and wait for the proven brands to come up for a deal. You still need to beware, even on the "brand name" stuff when buying used.

[jmaichel]

Just one more point. Something that I learned when I first started using mediocre tools is that they cost money. The reason they cost money is because they do not produce quality results on a regular basis which means you have to redo cuts and use more wood then you planned for. Wood is the most expensive part of woodworking and I argue that it greatly exceeds the cost of shops with some of the most expensive tools. I bet one could do a lot of work with a 14" bandsaw and a few hand tools.

James

[callyb]

You all make very good points, and I can't tell you how appreciative I am. However, (don't cringe yet...) I did go and check this stuff out anyway. Thanks to you guys I was not only armed with general tool knowledge, but also some very specific things to look for with these tools. And because I that (apparently) made a very compelling argument and picked up the whole lot plus some extras for $200. Hell, the DC is worth almost that much, not to mention a 10 pack of sanding belts and 10 disks, 40' of 6" schedule 40 plus a bunch of elbows, a 3 pack of BS blades (cheap ones), and the HF DC accessory kit.

I have to admit that I kind of feel bad about it, but not really...

BTW, the band saw will make a great meat saw....

Thanks again everyone.

[kesac]

Good bandsaws can be touchy to keep tuned. I would be leery of that one, unless you know where to get guiides and such for it. I don't know if Carter has stuff for that one, or if it is just a Delta clone.

Well, I try to stay away from HF stuff, but I came across this on craigslist for $500! Personally I think it's worth it for the price, after all I can just dump whatever winds up being useless. I have an appointment to see this guy tonight, so what are your thoughts?

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-inch-four-speed-woodworking-bandsaw-67595.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-industrial-5-micron-dust-collector-97869.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-industrial-rabbeting-jointer-with-stand-31849.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html

Thanks for your opinions,

Cally

[woodhack]

You all make very good points, and I can't tell you how appreciative I am. However, (don't cringe yet...) I did go and check this stuff out anyway. Thanks to you guys I was not only armed with general tool knowledge, but also some very specific things to look for with these tools. And because I that (apparently) made a very compelling argument and picked up the whole lot plus some extras for $200. Hell, the DC is worth almost that much, not to mention a 10 pack of sanding belts and 10 disks, 40' of 6" schedule 40 plus a bunch of elbows, a 3 pack of BS blades (cheap ones), and the HF DC accessory kit.

I have to admit that I kind of feel bad about it, but not really...

BTW, the band saw will make a great meat saw....

Thanks again everyone.

Nice deal! You basically paid the guy for the 2 tools you'll use the most and he threw in the bandsaw and the jointer for free.