Harbor Freight/Central Machinery
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,194
Likes: 4,126
From: Michigan
Friend of mine brought a Harbor Freight chop saw, put a diamond blade on it to cut some brick, almost made it thru the whole day. Have brought a number of things from them over the years, packing quilts, chisels, sand paper a couple wrenchs but wouldn't buy anything from them I had to plug in.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
Have you ever considered a "Grizzly".
I have both a small lathe and a small mill.
Hghly recommended. never a problem never had to replace anything. But then you'll spend almost that again in the tools for it.
Order online and they deliver it with an 18-Wheeler.
(Of course they're Chinese) G8688 and G0781
The lathe was about $900 and the mill $1,800 But that was 10 years ago, I imagine they're 1 1/2 times that now.
I don't think you're going to get much for $700.
I have both a small lathe and a small mill.
Hghly recommended. never a problem never had to replace anything. But then you'll spend almost that again in the tools for it.
Order online and they deliver it with an 18-Wheeler.
(Of course they're Chinese) G8688 and G0781
The lathe was about $900 and the mill $1,800 But that was 10 years ago, I imagine they're 1 1/2 times that now.
I don't think you're going to get much for $700.
Last edited by Robertbc3141; Feb 25, 2026 at 06:26 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 734
Likes: 319
From: Rochester NY
Friend of mine brought a Harbor Freight chop saw, put a diamond blade on it to cut some brick, almost made it thru the whole day. Have brought a number of things from them over the years, packing quilts, chisels, sand paper a couple wrenchs but wouldn't buy anything from them I had to plug in.
!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
I think it's hit or miss with them. I've got some hand tools from them that have served me for years, a $20 grinder that has been great, 6" bench grinder, again great and a 5 ton jack that is super! But I've also tossed a drill after 2 months and hated a vacuum that didn't suck(🤣!
!Works great use on your project no need to clean it throw it out. Next paint project buy a new one.
Better than spending 45 minutes cleaning my expensive one - they work the same.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,768
Likes: 22,990
From: North Carolina
Oops, sorry about that. It's been 16 years now. I swear they used to have a budget entry level unit.
Best of luck finding the right one for you.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 973
Likes: 519
From: Upper East Tennessee
had 2 Porter Cable hammerdrills go belly up on me.
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From: pensacola fl
Never had a Hilti stop working and Ive abused so bad it should have been illegal.
Not telling anybody how to spend their money. Me, the hobo place will never ever see another dime from me. Ive spent stupid money on snap on tools, so if ai need to save to get something I will
Not telling anybody how to spend their money. Me, the hobo place will never ever see another dime from me. Ive spent stupid money on snap on tools, so if ai need to save to get something I will
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