Looking to buy a corded drill and corded jigsaw (because I don't want to d!ck around with batteries. These will live at my shop table, near an outlet / extension cord.)

I'm gonna be cutting up a bunch of old tires, and making post-apoc armor (for Wasteland Weekend / costume events / laundry day / whatever.)

Would Harbor Freight tools be adequate, or should I invest a little more coin?

With simple electric tools, Harbor Freight can be great in a pinch.

Especially if you aren't going to be using the tools daily.


The electric motors won't have much balls, if any. And if you try to make them work hard, they will most likely trip a safety switch that you'll have to reset occasionally, but they will function. Just know their limitations.


Their timing light, however.... FUCKING JUNK.

This post was edited by OldAndyAndTheSea on Sep 3 2015 06:09pm

I don't work out my tool box or anything nor do I own hundred of tools. But Ive bought several various things from them..ranging from sockets to wrenches to impact guns etc.

For me and the average diy guy I think for the most part HF is amazing for light to moderate use.
Some of their things are just downright trash. Like their bundle pack of screwdrivers haha...barely using it the first time I twisted the end of a flat head all to hell.

The red earthquake impact gun I bought seems pretty nice for the price..I think it was 85$
I used it once and sold it to my dad who needed a new one. He works at am Everett Chevrolet dealership. He loves the impact gun for the price, this is a guy who always uses Mac, Snap On etc.

Several of the tools I have bought at HF have held up better than shit you get at Lowes at least. Ive broken a couple of their sockets when I was changing a pitman arm on my truck. The cheap shit at HF held up great haha..I love the 18in 12$ Breaker bar I bought from there...it flexs a lot but hasn't broken.

Stuff like you are talking about buying has held up well for what I use it for and I think it will for you, but as Andy said, they aren't real powerful so don't expect much.

Sry for ramble ha.

I'm to rammy for harbor freight tools

Hence why I spent an ass load on snapon and mac

The only time I buy harbor freight tools is if I'm only going to use the tool a few times. I've had some great tools then some not so great but if you're cutting tires there was a grinding wheel that we used to cut v's into our pulling tires. I don't remeber what they were but with some googling I'm sure u can find out. It was nice because it was easy to cut and precise but messy as shit

What did you pull?

it's hit or miss i have one of their low pro jacks and it works perfect but a buddys got the same and his aint doing so good.

Anything electric or with moving parts from there deserves the extended warranty.

yup yup

I have a garden pulling tractor. Fun and cheaper so I can afford it lol.