Woodworking Tool Review: Harbor Freight Tools (beginner woodworking 2021)
Woodworking Tool Review: Harbor Freight Tools (beginner woodworking 2021)
Woodworking tool review with Harbor Freight tools, there are some very good deals, and there’s also some junk. What should you buy for your woodworking shop?
Beginner woodworking can be costly and confusing when your trying to figure out what to buy and what’s a good deal. In this video, I will show you some good deals for your woodworking shop, from Harbor Freight.
(Affiliate Links)
*My Shop Tools and Supplies
Measuring
Tape Measure https://amzn.to/3bl6yW5
*Digital Angle Finder https://amzn.to/38auY2a
*Moisture Meter https://amzn.to/2MSvN8I
*Speed Square https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-2-in-1-Extendable-Square-HSSP6N/311743343
Cutting
*Miter Saw https://amzn.to/2Pooer1
*Flush Trim Saw https://amzn.to/3qioAfy
*Circular Saw https://amzn.to/2PAzUXW
*Saw Blades Frued 10” Glue Line Blade https://amzn.to/309LDyE
*Saw Blades Frued 12” Finish Crosscut blade https://amzn.to/3sLHLAf
*Freud Dado Set https://amzn.to/3bW7uz6
*Feather Board https://amzn.to/387W9ek
*Table Saw https://amzn.to/3bvv7yo
*Band Saw https://amzn.to/2PDdtS5
*Jointer https://cutech.tools/collections/jointer/products/jointer-40180hb?variant=31617287913575
Planer (Spiral Carbide Cutter) https://cutech.tools/collections/planer/products/planer-40200h?variant=31617274282087
Drilling
*Drill https://amzn.to/2Pop0Er
Forstner Bits https://amzn.to/38aKyLp
Drill Guide https://amzn.to/3uPLui9
*Self Centering Dowel Jig https://amzn.to/3uXtNwT
*Dewalt MaxFit 90 Degree drill adapter https://amzn.to/30a4HwO
*Drill Press https://amzn.to/3qpM5nj
*Drill Press Table https://amzn.to/3c40Vub
Sanding
Palm Sander https://amzn.to/3bcDn7j
Belt Sander https://amzn.to/2MNiXZl
Benchtop Sander https://amzn.to/3qh5AOz
Sanding blocks
120 grit https://amzn.to/2NUxCCE
220 grit https://amzn.to/3e8hAiW
Routing
Router https://amzn.to/3ro3zli
Router Bits (Starter Set) https://amzn.to/3biAZMy
Router Bits Determine needs, buy quality
Assembly (also see “Clamps”)
Pocket Hole / Auto Jig https://amzn.to/3sOLblF
Auto Jig Starter Kit (no clamps) https://amzn.to/3bhtwNO
Auto Jig Complete Kit https://amzn.to/30qFVc1
*Armor Kreg K4 Upgrade Kit https://amzn.to/2PyVM62
Kreg 720 Pocket Hole Jig (no wings) https://amzn.to/2PDgNN3
Kreg 720 Pro https://amzn.to/3sQlv8a
Kreg 520 Pro https://amzn.to/3qiGM8O
Kreg 520 (CLAMP) https://amzn.to/3qgXuWc
Kreg K5 https://amzn.to/3uXCBmK
*Kreg K4 Pocket Hole Jig (DISCONTINUED) https://amzn.to/3uS2Fzr
*K4 Upgrade Auto clamp https://amzn.to/3kML2w9
*HD Pocket Hole Jig (For thick stock)https://amzn.to/3rhiCwX
Screws
*Kreg 2 ½ Course Screws 2000ct https://amzn.to/3kLJsLl
*Kreg 1 ¼ Course Screws 1200ct https://amzn.to/38d9RfI
Kreg 1 ¼ Course Screws COURSE, 5000ct https://amzn.to/3uXF1Sm
Kreg 2” Screws COURSE 3000ct, https://amzn.to/2O5Gg0S
Kreg 1 ¼ FINE Screws thread, 5000ct https://amzn.to/3c2dbvp
Kreg 2 ½ HD Screws https://amzn.to/38awvFP
*Armor Color Coded Screw Kit 800ct COURSE https://amzn.to/2O1ioM2
*Armor Color Coded Screw Kit 800ct FINE https://amzn.to/3c0Hjr9
*Brad Nailer https://amzn.to/3sOHEnp
*Dewalt Biscuit Jointer https://amzn.to/2O1inYu
*#20 Size Biscuits https://amzn.to/3kMAxZZ
Painting / Staining
*HVLP Sprayer https://www.woodcraft.com/products/earlex-spray-station-hv5500-hvlp
Clamps
*Fulton 4 Way Pressure Clamps https://amzn.to/3uVSt8X
*Armor 3″ Face Clamp https://amzn.to/3kRXAT9
*Armor 6″ Face Clamp https://amzn.to/3rcxMn7
*2” Spring Clamps https://www.homedepot.com/p/Anvil-2-in-Spring-Clamp-99691/302755764
*6” Clamps https://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-bar-clamp-96210.html
*12” Clamps https://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-bar-clamp-96214.html
*24” Clamps https://www.harborfreight.com/24-inch-bar-clamp-96213.html?_br_psugg_q=24+inch+bar+clamp
Other tools and equipment
*Dust Collection
https://harborfreight.com/painting/vacuums-blowers/dust-collectors/2-hp-industrial-5-micron-dust-collector-97869.html
*8” Jointer – https://cutech.tools/products/jointer-40180h?variant=31617293058151
*Roller Stand https://www.harborfreight.com/132-lb-capacity-roller-stand-68898.html?_br_psugg_q=roller+stand
*Shop Hoist https://amzn.to/388C0EK
Box Fan Air King 9723 https://amzn.to/3ruC4Xj
*Box Fan Lasko 3723 (2 pk) https://amzn.to/3blgKOl
*Filters 20X20X1 Air Filters Merv 11 – https://amzn.to/3kJS3xQ
Safety
*3M Quick Latch Respirator https://amzn.to/3rjDDa6
*3M Filters https://amzn.to/3bgLHmI
*Dewalt Safety Glasses https://amzn.to/3qgqJsl
Hearing protection https://amzn.to/38csIrn
*Nitril gloves – Purchased at Costco 400ct/$20
Audio Equipment
*Rode Wireless Go https://amzn.to/38b26XM
*Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone https://amzn.to/3sMTVJ6
*3.5mm Patch Cable (connects microphone to cell phone) https://amzn.to/3bipWCI
I use the short clamps from HF. But their long ones bend too much under pressure. Their clamping power is generally lacking.
You gotta turn your phone when you film…
I’ve bought a lot through the years as a try before you buy thing. As in I buy something and may find I really didn’t use it or maybe I do and I’ll go and replace it with a better brand later.
I used a respirator half mask from there when doing production drinking horns. It worked fine for what I required. Just buy the better canisters for them.
I look for the snap on clones. Like the tool cart
As a shopper of harbor freight and other places for clamps and other tools. I can say that when it comes to the quick clamps from harbor freight that those are not that good if you need to put a good amount of pressure on your project. The quick clamps do have a week locking system and slip a lot. But the f style clamps are great. I have the 18 x 36 lathe and the 14" band saw and both are great, but the blade on the bandsaw is not that great so get a good blade elsewhere
Thanknyou
I’ll go.. .as soon as the border is open between US and Canada…
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your channel. Speaking as a hobbyist woodworker, I’ve been judicious with HF. Clamps, yes. Apache boxes, great. Higher end hand tools rival my old Craftsman (maybe cause they’re ancient). In FL, I only have access to a two bay garage and often need to leave one car out overnight. So, I opted for a 10” CE sliding miter saw. It appears to be more solid than my old Craftsman miter saw and it fits on top the fridge. An air sander to smooth cast iron pans, a brad nailer, a compressor, CE circular saw when my old Ryobi BT3000 is not suitable. I don’t use my temporary shop as often as I do the one up north. I just can’t justify creating two expensive hobby shops. So, if you select wisely and buy stuff on sale you can setup nicely. I just can’t recommend HF for a more serious shop just yet.
There tools are great if you don’t over tighten them
I think they maybe the Canadian equivalent of Princess Auto
Great suggestions!
A few years back, HF decided to capture some of the ProSumer market with their Bauer and Hecules lines. I bought 2 of the drills and an impact tool after seeing them abslutely kill DeWalt and Milwaukee. I treat them rough on the farms and they have never failed. The Hercules Sliding Miter Saw doesn’t just look like the DeWalt, its built on the same line in China and uses most of the same parts. No issues with the Hercules Cordless saws either. Icon is another example. Beating Mac and Snap-on in the shoot outs.
I just went virtual shopping, and liking it.
See what lock-down in Ontario, Canada has done.
Great video ! For those that complain about "made in China", or Harbor Freight, to me it’s kinda like, what car do you own that isn’t partially or COMPLETELY MADE IN CHINA or overseas ????? I go to to HF often and have no intention of going elsewhere for the time being. Yes I like to buy AMERICAN … BUT … can anyone tell me where that is ???? LOL !! I like quality tools as much as the next person but I’m on Social Security and, yes, MONEY MATTERS. If I were a contractor that simply offsets their cost by adding it onto the customers bill, maybe I’d buy all the big name brand stuff too ?? Maybe that’s why a contractor told me he’d ONLY charge me $1500 to re-top my 16×18 deck IF I PURCHASED ALL THE MATERIAL AND HELPED HIM ????? I know everyone has to eat but …. REALLY ????
HF is good for tools that you aren’t going to use a lot. I used to have an application where I used 1/8" roundovers throughout the day. Bought a cheap HF trim router, set it up for dedicated use, and for a light duty cut it will last years. When it does burn up your out $30. Frees up a good trim router to do other more demanding things.
I have a Hercules mitre saw and it is awesome. True right out of the box and has been a work horse.
I tried the same sanding sponges that you bought and I was very disappointed. The paper tore within the first few passes and the sanding grit wore off very quickly. Hope you have better luck.
Ok regarding hb power tools. I have purchased the Hercules 12” sliding miter saw now about a year ago. I’m am very satisfied with it and my buddy who was giving me guff for not going with a dewalt like he got. Well he used my Hercules saw and he was very impressed with it and said it was just as good as his dewalt maybe even better. You should check the reviews on YouTube concerning the hb power tools. They are better than you know. My Hercules cost about half of what the dewalt does at it performs as well. Plus the warranty service is much easier as you can go to a local hb and most of the time they’ll trade you out vs having to send it end and wait for who knows how long.
As far as power tools go, I have seen quite a few contractors carrying around their Hercules brand tools in their tool bags and boxes. If contractors are willing to drop money on it, it’s probably not as bad as you think.
Good video,, thanks. One thing HF is good for is dirt cheap power tools that you’ll need only once or twice. I used to do commercial building maintenance and almost never needed a heat gun or a jigsaw. I had a project that needed them, but knowing how little I would ever use them again, I decided to chance it with the cheapest ones I could find. Heat gun was $9.99 jigsaw I think was $15. That was ten years ago and they both still work. I have used the heat gun a lot more than I thought I would and it has been great. I did get a better jigsaw eventually but still have the HF one for dirty or risky jobs were I don’t want to risk damaging my good tools. I don’t care if the tool breaks because it was so cheap. I agree about the clamps too, I have a few good/expensive ones but most are HF or wallyworld clamps. When you need 10-20 clamps so you can glue up multiple projects at the same time, it is more cost effective to have a bunch of cheap ones lying around.
I would like this video a lot more if it wasn’t in portrait
I have Few HF items that have worked fine I still after 5 years of use use the 10 table saw. made a decent sled and no problems with it at all. the F clamps I love. function and price. and the 8 inch drill press. I haven’t ever tried it on metal but its always forked fine for wood. now for the bad I had a drill master drill once for about 30 min and the brushes burnet out. it did come with replacement brushes but they didn’t last long either. so never again on that line. and I bought the router table with router once because it was on sale so cheap it was cheaper to buy it when all I really wanted was the fence and track for a home made router table. which I still use. but I did try the router and it only made 1 cut before it found its way to the garbage.
Early on I bought a lot of HF stuff saying "when I make more money I’ll buy better tools". Well, I make more money now. And my HF tools haven’t stopped working yet. 🙃
I dropped my Bauer 20V cordless drill about 55 feet off of an antenna tower onto grass. The clutch no longer rotates (it’s stuck in the drill position, so max torque) but the drill and battery still work fine.
The Bauer 20V circular saw is unimpressive, very prone to jamming and won’t hold it’s angle (the latch isn’t strong enough.)
The Bauer 20V angle grinder is an animal, highly recommended for metal cutting.
Avoid anything from the Chicago Electric line.
In between your woodworking me and two other gentlemen have our own YouTube channel and we sing a whole bunch of old songs from the 50s 60s 70s and 80s if you care to listen to it just to relax it is called Greenwood classic Trio
I’ve bought several of the Hercules brand power tools from them and they all work great. It is their most expensive power tool brand, but the quality is comparable to the well known brands and still a better price. I have the 12in compound miter saw, a reciprocating saw, and the random orbital sander.
On the miter saw specifically, I rarely use mine for anything but occasionally cross cutting so my $100 Harbor Freight one does me good. I’ve had it for like 5 years and I’ve got no problems. Except I don’t trust the laser if I want a really precise cut.
I disagree their tools are crap. Any tool I spent over 100 dollars at harbor freight I have been satisfied.
I have heard that Harbor Freight has a pretty decent 18 gauge air brand nailer? Should I buy a name brand or even a rechargeable one? I just have a small home shop on a small budget, what are your thoughts?
For you You-Tube video producers, the Moving Blankets make pretty good sound suppressor your studio to improve the sound of your videos. CHEAP EZ TO INSTALL AND TAKE DOWN N Store.. Now you’re a professional broadcaster………..
I like harbor freight clamps,tape measures, screw drivers and other various hand tools because harbor freights Pittsburgh tools are lifetime warranty
Sanding blocks or ok for price.and the coping saw is ok also the Hercules mitre has a ton of great reviews.
I have several Sanders and a couple of small rounders from Harbor freight and they’ve done alright. I do this as a hobby but lately I’ve been getting a lot of peaple asking me to build things.
Have a Chicago electric 10" and 12" compound miter saw and have never had any issues. 10" has gone through 3 different house remodels.
Almost all my clamps are from HF. The 6" and 12" are great, the 18" start to flex a bit and the 24" aren’t the best – at that size pipe clamps are better. I’ve got 2 of the Bauer 5" ROS and they work well. I also have the 2HP HF dust collector and it works great, you do need to upgrade the bag. I’ve modified mine with a Thien baffle. Their paintbrushes are super cheap and pretty good quality. Their gloves (pre-pandemic) used to be cheap but now they’re fairly expensive. The 12" disc sander is supposed to be good. I have the Japanese style saw, it works great for what I do.
I have numerous HF F-style clamps in my workshop. They are inexpensive and get the job done. My issue with them is that they flex a great deal during use
and frequently have issues locking in place. ALWAYS check the locking mechanism before leaving the store. Many times the teeth on the spine of the clamp are not deep enough to hold under pressure.
I find the Bessey clamps much more reliable and can be obtained at Home Depot for $25 for a 4 pack. 2 six inch and 2 twelve inch clamps per pack, you will see the difference when you use them.
Their aluminium bar clamps are priced well and work nicely. The drawback is that the body of the clamp will flex. This can be remedied by cutting a scrap piece of wood to insert in the clamp. I used strips of Baltic birch for the insert but whatever you have laying around will work. Make sure it is a snug fit for best results.
The HVLP (high volume low pressure) sprayer works wonderfully for applying stain and can be purchased for around $25 with a pressure regulator. Of course a smalll compressor will be needed. There are videos on YouTube for usage and settings.
The sandpaper debate will rage forever, but if you want the best bang for your buck, go to Taylor Toolworks and grab a sample pack of the 3M Cubitron, you will not be disappointed. They also have the hard data available to read from the thorough testing they did between brands. Katz-Moses repeated the test on his channel and Project farm did a test as well. Longevity and material removal are truly amazing. I am still using the same disc’s after several projects and have noticed no decline in performance.
The HF dust collector I bought several years ago is now only a motor mounted to my wall. The bag has been replaced by a chip collector barrel and the exhaust runs outside to skip the bag/filter. Its performance has not disappointed.
Bottom line is that HF has some great deals. Some of their items will require a tune up for best performance.
Search Facebook market and Offer up regularly for tool deals, they are there. I recently found a 6" Grizzly benchtop jointer with a helical head for $250.
Keep the great videos coming👍 Maybe you should do a HF video with your daughter, that would be hysterical.
Hard agree with the clamps. You can never have too many and the HF ones are fine. Even if you want to upgrade to some fancy ones, you’d still keep your cheap ones.
I didn’t understand why you would not buy power tools but completely on board with the dust collector. They are all machines and if reliable and durable are concerns, you should avoid them all.
The biggest element in tools lasting is the way it’s treated. Love the video and your honesty. Would like to say I’ve know of Harbor Freight for about a decade or more. Basically one of my uncles have filed his shop full of HF tools. Clamps, hand tools, big tools, and even electric/power tools of most sorts. Now that I have to get tools, I did some looking and the new stuff like Bauer and Hercules are starting to rival the home box stores. The Fortress compresses also out perform one’s that are 2 to 3 times there price. I have seen plenty of side by side comparisons on YouTube from big and small channels with positive results. I was mostly trying to find a way to get my uncle off my back about getting HF tools but most videos within the last five years had the opposite effect and now I’m a rotting for the under dog. Also I just put in a New countertop, sink, faucet, garbage disposal, light fixtures and I had better cuts with the Bauer blades than Irwin or Dawalt. In full disclosure I’m an ex-woodsmith trying to get back in. I had decades of teaching in my youth. I know how to read a tool or saw. I’m not yet convinced a layman learning a trade would have the same results but for me Harbor Freight has earned my attention.
The small dollies are also a cheap source of casters. A $12 dolly has 4 wheels that they charge $4/each.
To coment on the router part. Only because I’m very impressed with the trim router I got from there. (I route into dry oak and other hardwood planks and it’s held up to way more use than its intended for, for sure. But it’s definitely is Not a better quality tool. It just gets the job done in my case. Its not a powerful motor what so ever, but it has a good rpm that it holds once you give it a second to spin up.
You’re over there saying thier ppe isn’t good enough, but isn’t that really more of statement of "I don’t trust the store" or more of a repetition of anti chinese manufacturing??
And power tools?
Do really think there’s much difference between a " home center" and a "discount store"??
EVERYTHING in that store can be put to good use by a skilled craftsman.
Right now, all my clamps are either from dewalt, or pony, but all my first clamps were from harbor freight. I’d be lying if I said they were as good, but they did do the job, and they were very inexpensive. My main gripe with them is that they aren’t very durable, and they didn’t operate very smoothly, but they were clamps.
How did the sanding sponges work?
The Bremen brand has great clamps. They are as good as the expensive brands, but much cheaper. The Bauer orbital sander is a great value, too.
Harbor Freight also carries some name brand consumable items like WD40 and Dap and what not
I have the 10×18 wood lathe from harbor freight as well as the 10" sliding compound miter saw and they work great. I use the lathe everyday and haven’t had a single issue with it and have had it for a little over 2 years and the saw I’ve had for about a year and a half and use it a good bit but not constantly and I’ve never had any problems with it either. But if your going to get either one I’d wait until it’s on sale and take in one of the 25% off coupons they send you in the flyer and you can save a pile of money. I would definitely recommend both of those if your in need of a lathe or miter saw. And my Bauer impact I have from harbor freight keeps right up with my buddies Dewalt and makita impacts and actually has a slightly longer lasting battery with the same usage throughout the day. Their power tools have came along way from what they used to be. Give them a chance I think you’ll be surprised
I can’t watch videos that are filmed vertically.
Just subbed. It’s the second video I watched of yours and I really appreciate the Information! I’m putting together a little shop now and plan to spend my days off woodworking. I’ve recently moved on from a relationship and life is pretty boring and mundane now, but it’s better than it was. No more stress! Lol. Anyway, I look forward to spending lots of time doing this hobby, and hopefully making some side money. It something I found I enjoyed years ago and have been excited to pick back up. Now that my life is my own again, I’m going to live the way I want. Drama free, humble and peacefully. LETS GO BRANDON!!!