Chicago Electric from HF

[crokett]

I am on record as being anti-HF but I am in need of a sander/polisher for the kitchen counters. For less than the price of a rental, HF has a Chicago Eletric variable speed 7" rotary sander. Even if it only does this one job it will do all I need it to do. Is CE a decent brand?

[sacherjj]

From what I've seen, as throw away tools, you can do OK. If it breaks within the 30 days, you can get it replaced. If it doesn't perform well, just return it. As long as it isn't battery powered, they will work in a pinch.

Another thing I look at for "tool rental" is used tool prices on eBay. HF tools are purchase to rent, with almost no resale value. Sometimes you can get a good version of the same tool and the sell used for less loss than the HF purchase price. I doubt that is the case with a polisher.

[crokett]

Thanks Joe. There isn't much on craigslist here, already checked. I will check ebay.

[MikeMcCoy]

The only CE tool I have is the heavy hammer drill that I bought for one time use. I chunked up a 3/5 foot section of concret driveway in about an hour with that thing and a sledge hammer. It isn't pretty and once I got use to the bit falling out it worked fine. Same as you, it was cheaper than the rental fee and that was 5 years ago. I've used it for similar projects a half dozen times since.

[havighurst]

I used it to polish out some scratches from my car. It worked just fine. HF has great customer service and will take it back if you don't like it within 30 days. I think that HF products work just fine as long as you use them within the limitations of their design.

[maxparot]

I have many CE tools from HF. Most do the job they were intended for without any problems. I have in the past returned tools without any hassles. I have found that purchasing any HF tools on sale particularly with a coupon insures you'll get your money's worth. Because of HF's return policy you are highly unlikely to get stung unless you wait too long to return a poorly functioning tool.

[WayneJ]

Working at HF I base my purchaces by what I see returned. We sold quite a few and haven't seen any returnes yet They have a 7in 7 9in model. sand discs are held on with H&L. Finish your counter top and it paid for itself.
Wayne

[messmaker]

Working at HF I base my purchaces by what I see returned. We sold quite a few and haven't seen any returnes yet They have a 7in 7 9in model. sand discs are held on with H&L. Finish your counter top and it paid for itself.
Wayne

I appologise for stealing the thread but I was hoping you could give some insight as to the tools that you see returned as defective. Which ones are on your "won't buy" list.

[crokett]

Thanks for the replies. If the free polisher I might get doesn't pan out I will make a trip to HF. And I promise to post a thread taking my foot out of my mouth if the HF sander gets the job done for me.