Reliable online tool company

Also, Woodcraft is good too(http://www.woodcraft.com).

I have a woodcraft within 40 miles, so normally I go there and buy, but I have ordered from their website and received good service.

btw, the DeWalt routers are pretty good machines.

The other online tool source I've use is "Seven Corners Hardware." They used to have free shipping on all items but they have now dropped that policy.

I've had good sucess on ordering items online from companys I've never heard of but I would NEVER order something online that was not located here in the USA. You would have legal recourse if the company didn't hold up its end of the deal.

• Seven Corners Hardware

First, let me clarify a couple things from my end of the world. I am a devout believer in a saying I learned many years ago:

"Buy cheap stuff, cry every time you use it. Buy quality and cry only once".

What I mean is, for high dollar, precision tools (especially power tools), I drop the money on good stuff. I have a full woodshop and, although I don't make my living at woodworking (perhaps when I retire form the Air Force in 3 years), I do custom woodwork on the side and rely on my equipment to come through for me.

Harbor Freight is an importer of Taiwanese and Chinese made tools (primarily). Now, granted, some of the imported Taiwanese stuff (like Jet, for example) is good stuff, but these companies all have company reps working right in the Taiwan factories and they only take the best made stuff off the line to put their name on. They order their tools on their own specifications for tolerance, etc. Some even design the tools themselves, then have the Taiwanese build it. Anything that doesn't meet those specs goes to someone else that isn't as picky. Grizzly is another company that does this as well (you might notice a distinct similarity between Harbor Freight tools and a lot of Grizzly's tools). Harbor Freight, on the other hand, does not. They just buy these tools in bulk and take what gets sent to them (i.e. seconds, thirds, anything the other "name brand" companies won't touch). They slap their "Central machinery", and "Chicago Pneumatic" names on it all and sell it to you.

Does this mean everything Harbor Freight sells is junk? No, not at all, but I would NOT buy any of their larger power tools (such as table saws, jointers, etc) or any power tool expected to do precision work. Things like 4" grinders for $12, you bet. I have 3 of the things. They're ugly, they're noisy, but they work.

A lot of their hand tools and non-powered stuff is just fine...clamps, pry bars, etc. Most of their hydraulic stuff is ok (jacks, engine hoists, etc).

Surprisingly, their pneumatic tools (for the occasional user) are pretty decent, especially considering the price. I have a little 18 gauge brad nailer I got from them on sale for $14.99. It's never jammed, has always worked and after a few years and probably a few thousand brads, it's still going strong. I've since purchased a few other air tools from them and they've all worked as expected and as needed.

I have no problem buying from them, but I always ask myself the question: "Is this a precision tool or instrument and expected to last for years?" If the answer is yes, I spend the money and get good, brand name stuff elsewhere, otherwise, harbor Freight, here I come.

Since I have one locally, I've never had to order from them, but if their mail order service is anyhting like their in-store service (they make Wal-Mart seem like a 5-star hotel in comparison)...I'll pass.

First, let me clarify a couple things from my end of the world. I am a devout believer in a saying I learned many years ago:

"Buy cheap stuff, cry every time you use it. Buy quality and cry only once".

What I mean is, for high dollar, precision tools (especially power tools), I drop the money on good stuff. I have a full woodshop and, although I don't make my living at woodworking (perhaps when I retire form the Air Force in 3 years), I do custom woodwork on the side and rely on my equipment to come through for me.

Harbor Freight is an importer of Taiwanese and Chinese made tools (primarily). Now, granted, some of the imported Taiwanese stuff (like Jet, for example) is good stuff, but these companies all have company reps working right in the Taiwan factories and they only take the best made stuff off the line to put their name on. They order their tools on their own specifications for tolerance, etc. Some even design the tools themselves, then have the Taiwanese build it. Anything that doesn't meet those specs goes to someone else that isn't as picky. Grizzly is another company that does this as well (you might notice a distinct similarity between Harbor Freight tools and a lot of Grizzly's tools). Harbor Freight, on the other hand, does not. They just buy these tools in bulk and take what gets sent to them (i.e. seconds, thirds, anything the other "name brand" companies won't touch). They slap their "Central machinery", and "Chicago Pneumatic" names on it all and sell it to you.

Does this mean everything Harbor Freight sells is junk? No, not at all, but I would NOT buy any of their larger power tools (such as table saws, jointers, etc) or any power tool expected to do precision work. Things like 4" grinders for $12, you bet. I have 3 of the things. They're ugly, they're noisy, but they work.

A lot of their hand tools and non-powered stuff is just fine...clamps, pry bars, etc. Most of their hydraulic stuff is ok (jacks, engine hoists, etc).

Surprisingly, their pneumatic tools (for the occasional user) are pretty decent, especially considering the price. I have a little 18 gauge brad nailer I got from them on sale for $14.99. It's never jammed, has always worked and after a few years and probably a few thousand brads, it's still going strong. I've since purchased a few other air tools from them and they've all worked as expected and as needed.

I have no problem buying from them, but I always ask myself the question: "Is this a precision tool or instrument and expected to last for years?" If the answer is yes, I spend the money and get good, brand name stuff elsewhere, otherwise, harbor Freight, here I come.

Since I have one locally, I've never had to order from them, but if their mail order service is anyhting like their in-store service (they make Wal-Mart seem like a 5-star hotel in comparison)...I'll pass.