Central Machinery Bandsaw Inquiry

[Dave Gaul]

http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2008/08...d-the-abysmal/

I found this when researching the HF DC. Seems the bandsaw makes the "good enough" list... but maybe not good enough for good to fine woodworking? I probably would stay away from it for WW'ing. I do frequent HF for clamps, air tools, nails/staples... etc..

[Stephen Edwards]

A friend of mine has one of these saws. It ain't one of their "gems", that's for sure!

[Bryan Morgan]

I have a big Central Machinery floor standing drill press. Bought it a few years ago and it works great. Use it all the time. Straight/accurate and powerful. Sturdy and heavy... dunno what else to ask for in a drill press. I have checked out their bandsaw many times in the store and it just seems/feels cheap. I've read that after some modifications there are some people out there who like theirs. I used a variable speed control from a Central Machinery lathe I've had for a long time to replace a relatively new speed control that burned out in a Rockler lathe...

Harbor Freight stuff is what it is. Some things are diamonds other things are scrap... got a dovetail jig for 30 bucks at HF that seemed to be identical to one they sell at Rockler for $150

[Dan Friedrichs]

http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2008/08...d-the-abysmal/

I found this when researching the HF DC. Seems the bandsaw makes the "good enough" list... but maybe not good enough for good to fine woodworking? I probably would stay away from it for WW'ing. I do frequent HF for clamps, air tools, nails/staples... etc..

This (from the above link) was really funny:


10 Things I Wouldn’t Buy from Harbor Freight:
1) Parachutes
2) Fire Extinguishers
3) Pacemakers
4) Vaccines
5) Birth control devices
6) Elevators
7) Bullet proof vests
8) Trigger locks
9) Pitons (I didn’t know what this was either…)
10) Scuba Gear

[Dave Sweeney]

Piton = a noun, a metal spike used in mountain climbing with an eye through which a rope may be passed.

[Van Huskey]

Piton = a noun, a metal spike used in mountain climbing with an eye through which a rope may be passed.

Generally a rope is never passed through a piton, it might be in very unusual stuations but normally the rope is attached to the piton with a carabiner. Since the 70s the move has been away from pitons (and other forms of protection that scars the rock) and toward nut, chocks, cams etc that are removed by the second climber. I have climed a lot of rock using old piton scars as finger holds. Climbing gear is one area most would never consider buying used and definately not from Harbor Freight!