Harbor Freight Multifunction Tool

[tseavoy]

I bought one recently and so far it has worked very well.
$40 vs $400 is sort of a no brainer for me.

Tom at Marrowstone

[tseavoy]

Sorry for the double post. I missed seeing the first one.

Tom

__________________________________________________ _____

PATIENCE, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue. -- Ambrose Bierce

[rjwaldren]

I think most people realize that HF tools are what they are. Cheap and disposable, but gems are mixed in there. I've found that as I was starting out HF allowed me to find out what I actually used and replace it with a better one if the HF model wasn't good enough. Honestly, Craftsman did the same thing. Alot of people spend fortunes on tools that go unused.

This seems to be one of the gems, keeping in mind it probably won't outlast a fein and the accessories aren't of the same material grade. Since they seem to be on a continuous 39.99 sale I'm hoping to get this weeks 20% coupon soon to go pick one up. I have a bathroom remodel going so it should be tested on all of it's intended uses in the next few weeks.

[LinuxRandal]

This subject just came up with my father. Has anyone used it on grout and tile, or wallpaper removal? It seems I may be picking one up soon.

[rjwaldren]

This subject just came up with my father. Has anyone used it on grout and tile, or wallpaper removal? It seems I may be picking one up soon.

One of the reviews listed in the earlier links gave it good marks with tile and linoleum.

[LinuxRandal]

Thanks, falling asleep trying to read the messages. I am going to bed and going to come back to this later, when I am awake.

[Andrew LB]

I've been looking around at my various multi-tool options the past few days and came across this forum because I recently saw this Harbor Freight Multi-Function tool the other day while at their store picking up a 120' pneumatic die/angle grinder.

while I haven't used the Harbor Freight multi-function tool, I feel that I need to chime in on my experiences with the tools I have bought from them.

First off, I currently own many of their pneumatic tools. Angle grinders, die grinders, air rachets, air drills, air sanders, impact wrenches, both their professional and non professional HVLP gravity feed paint gun sets, an air hammer, and both a 1"brad/nail gun and framing nail gun.

I also own the HF belt sander, plunge router, MIG welder, jig saw, recip saw, and more.

ALL of these electric and pneumatic tools have worked flawlessly (except the $15 brad/nail gun) and I am not your average DIY home improvement guy. I've used these tools extensively over the past two years rebuilding my garage, repairing extensive termite damage throughout my home, on my Audi A4 as well as my 'track-only' Mitsubishi Evolution IX, my buddies 68 Camaro SS, and for the past three months we've used them doing a full renovation on the 3 bedroom house my friend purchased.

I believe the secret to keeping these inexpensive (cheap) tools working properly is simple maintenance. All my pneumatic tools are frequently cleaned and lubricated and the same goes all the electric tools. I also disassemble all HF electric tools the moment I get them home and properly lubricate them and make sure every part is fastened properly. After use they're always blown out with my (not cheap) Ingersoll Rand air compressor. The compressor also has a very good water/oil trap so none of my tools are at risk for rusting.

Truth is, I've had better luck with many of my Harbor Freight tools than I have with those I've bought from Snap-On and Matco. I recently broke a $90 snap-on rachet and if it weren't for their lifetime, home delivery policy..... I would have thrown it through the front window of their company HQ.



Long story short, I'm going to give this Harbor Freight multi-function tool a try on saturday when I plan on buying a few things from them. I'll report back with my opinions and observations regarding this new tool.

Best regards,
-Andrew
Long Beach, CA

[samphx]

HF Oscillating Tool

Picked one up this week--
Had to cut wood base flush with ceramic tile--sliced about 300 feet of base--also used my dremel- the HF tool has more power runs cooler-has cheaper blades. blades are not compatable with dremel. Went through 3 half round bades and 2 straight cuts. Rubbing on the ceramic basically ate the blades due to heat. THis is the first HF electric tool that may actually last a while.

[August86]

I've owned one for several months. It's done very well for me. The current model can use the blades, bot not the sanding triangles for the Bosch. It can use the sanding triangles for the Dremel. I keep finding uses for it. Cutting out caulk, flush cutting and cutting into existing trim being my main uses. It doesn't get hot like the Dremel unless you're really pushing it. It's good for small stuff, it won't replace a rotary hammer for getting rid of grout. It's a good detail sander, better at it than the Porter Cable I've got. It runs at half the speed as the Fein and may well be noisier. I haven't used a Fien so I don't know.

Mike D.

Does anyone own this tool?

I am wondering what things it might be handy for and whether it is any good.

I just got a flyer saying it is on sale for around $45 if my memory is correct.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=65700