HF2HPDC Bummer....Rust, Rust, Rust

[dbarnett]

I opened my new pride and joy tonight that I purchased for $127, and the exposed metal on the motor mount is just covered in a rusty dusty brown mess. You can tell that something seriously "festered" on that mount. Some of the heat sink fins have the rust on it too.( Just the edges on some fins) The box was pristine and everything else was perfect. I guess there was something caustic at the plant before they packed it. Well, the HF store is less than 6 miles from my house, so I will lug it back on Sunday. I have errands to run on Saturday.

What a bummer. The box and sheet metal parts are so pristine. I guess I could try to clean it up, but I am paranoid what the inside of the motor housing looks like...

Dan - San Diego

[devinjc]

So, this is like an anti-bargain post then? :P

[sacherjj]

I would definitely swap it out. I would also see if they have a lot number that you can compare on both boxes. I would try to get a different lot and then open the box at the store and verify the condition.

[psal2]

Rust will happen...There's a lot of salt water between here and China...

Open and inspect the next one. Make sure that doesn't have the same problem.

[dbarnett]

Swapped it out for a new one....

The second unit was much better, and what I expected. I could tell that it had been returned though, because the thick styrofoam cap was missing.

I will keep you posted.

Dan

[Dashiell]

I guess you're lucky that you only had rust. I got my $127 special home, assembled, and I used it for one day without a problem. Next time I tried to use it again, the motor won't even spin the impeller. It just oscillates back and forth for 10 seconds and then trips a 20 amp breaker. Ocassionally it would rotate the impeller slowly, but no where near fast enough to work. I didn't even have enough dust in the bag to cover the bottom. Now I have to disassemble the whole thing and take it back to Harbor Freight. What a pain.

[woodrowB]

You get what you pay for.

[RagerXS]

I guess you're lucky that you only had rust. I got my $127 special home, assembled, and I used it for one day without a problem. Next time I tried to use it again, the motor won't even spin the impeller. It just oscillates back and forth for 10 seconds and then trips a 20 amp breaker. Ocassionally it would rotate the impeller slowly, but no where near fast enough to work. I didn't even have enough dust in the bag to cover the bottom. Now I have to disassemble the whole thing and take it back to Harbor Freight. What a pain.

You could just as easily buy another one, swap the motor out, then return it as defective. Much easier than disassembling the one you have and then assembling the next one.

I'm quite fond of mine, it works like a champ and is soooo much quieter than the shop vac was...

~ Fred