HF going after the 3401
- Thread starter John U
- Start date
Rsurfer
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- Jan 26, 2007
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And who is "imjoshv"?
Karl_in_Chicago
Active member
- Jun 9, 2007
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A detailer with a sizeable Youtube following. IMO he is one of the better ones as he is focused more on the content and less on the hype/sales that so many others are all about.
Brrr
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- Jun 19, 2022
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Visitor mentioned this earlier in the month when I was looking at the Supa Beast
Buying a Flex XCE 10-8 125 or is there a better alternative?
Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
Buying a Flex XCE 10-8 125 or is there a better alternative?
Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
oneheadlite
Well-known member
- Aug 20, 2015
- 1,791
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I stumbled onto his videos when I was researching pressure washer options and found him way more tolerable than a lot of youtubers.
Eldorado2k
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- Nov 9, 2015
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Harbor Freight has come a long way. Remember the days when some people were looked down on while others seemed almost embarrassed to admit using a tool they brought from there? It’s like they had to be quick to give some BS excuse to justify themselves… Kinda similar to how foolish people on youtube look when they feel obligated to say “Rooh-phez”. If I were to ever make youtube videos you’d never hear me pronounce it that way… You’re gettin a hard Roopes and if you don’t like it, you can stick it.
lol.
But yea, Harbor Freights come a long way. I’ve personally vouched for them since the days of the OG HFDA polisher. I’ve had to use it several times in the past couple of months due to misplacing my 5” Boss backing plate and that thing still runs like a champ.
lol. But yea, Harbor Freights come a long way. I’ve personally vouched for them since the days of the OG HFDA polisher. I’ve had to use it several times in the past couple of months due to misplacing my 5” Boss backing plate and that thing still runs like a champ.
evo77
Member
- Mar 15, 2008
- 600
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Harbor Freight has come a long way. Remember the days when some people were looked down on while others seemed almost embarrassed to admit using a tool they brought from there? It’s like they had to be quick to give some BS excuse to justify themselves… Kinda similar to how foolish people on youtube look when they feel obligated to say “Rooh-phez”. If I were to ever make youtube videos you’d never hear me pronounce it that way… You’re gettin a hard Roopes and if you don’t like it, you can stick it.
But yea, Harbor Freights come a long way. I’ve personally vouched for them since the days of the OG HFDA polisher. I’ve had to use it several times in the past couple of months due to misplacing my 5” Boss backing plate and that thing still runs like a champ.
Markus Kleis, formerly of Meguiar's, took on a position at HF a few years back. Pretty sure he has had something to do with leveling up the quality & performance of the detailing machines they carry now.
Eldorado2k
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- Nov 9, 2015
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There you go.
PaulMys
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- Jan 14, 2014
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Harbor Freight has come a long way.For sure.
Some of you might remember that I was a marine mechanic for over 20 years until I hurt back in early 2017.
At that time, I had probably 80-90k worth of Snap-On, MAC, and MatCo tools. So I know exactly what good tools are.
After my injury I sold all of my tools to keep my household afloat without dipping into our savings. (That hurt. Lol)
Fast-forward 6 years, and I have been slowly rebuilding my tool collection with stuff from HF, TEKTON, GearWrench, and a few Amazon offerings.
The ICON line at HF has really impressed me, as have some Pittsburgh hand tools. And their US General tool box line is WAY better than any big box store models IMO.
I have also bought a couple of Bauer power tools. (1/2" hammer drill and jigsaw). For homeowner use, they can't be beat for the price.
You're right, Ric. HF has come a VERY long way.
I bought of these last week but have not had a chance to use it yet. I did swap the stock 6in backing plate for the Flex mini backing plate and it fits perfectly.
The tool feels solid and isn't noticeably louder than my Rupes Duetto or Adam's 3in mini polisher.
The tool feels solid and isn't noticeably louder than my Rupes Duetto or Adam's 3in mini polisher.
John U
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- Mar 3, 2006
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- Thread starter
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Interesting video on a follow up from Harbor Freight.
Harbor Freight called me after my last video! Here is what we talked about... - YouTube
Harbor Freight called me after my last video! Here is what we talked about... - YouTube
PaulMys
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- Jan 14, 2014
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I like DIY with Dave. Cool cat, and deadly honest.
Daviddear30
Well-known member
- May 7, 2011
- 1,411
- 161
I have the hercules. Love it.
Sold my flex a while back for $300
Picked this up for 120
Feels the exact same except for the speed switch
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
Sold my flex a while back for $300
Picked this up for 120
Feels the exact same except for the speed switch
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
Sizzle Chest
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- Apr 3, 2011
- 6,037
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I'll be picking up one or two of these soon!
PaulMys
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- Jan 14, 2014
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I have the hercules. Love it.
Sold my flex a while back for $300
Picked this up for 120
Feels the exact same except for the speed switch
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
I have yet to buy a Hercules tool, but many, many tool guys I trust on YT and other forums rave about them.
Not to start any kind of war here, but I believe that FLEX has become like Snap-On. Just adding to their prices based on their names.
$550 for a polisher? Come on, dude. You can buy a gasoline-powered Honda or Toro push-mower for that price.
Snap-on? I just read their latest flyer. A 14-piece 3/8"-drive Torx socket set is $425. (Not a typo).
10-piece Flank Drive wrench set (10mm-19mm) $735. (Again, not a typo.)
Both companies are top-notch, but are starting to price themselves out of business (sales).
Daviddear30
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- May 7, 2011
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VISITOR
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- May 10, 2007
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for anyone wanting to get into a forced rotation polisher or need to replace their 3401 this is a solid deal/choice. eventually, i can see these going up to $149.99 and still sell at that price, so i wouldn't wait too long to purchase one if you're on the fence. there are price points, budgets, and usage factors for everyone. you don't need to buy a $400+ polisher if you are only going to use it a few times a year. spend the extra money on pads and a 4 3/8 flex backing plate so you can use both 6.5" and 5.5" pads. your paint doesn't know what polisher touches it and if you get the desired results then that's all that matters (don't let anyone tell you different). buying a more expensive polisher doesn't guarantee that it won't break down any quicker than one that's less expensive. if i didn't already own a 3401 i would be on this in a heartbeat. i'm not saying not to purchase a more expensive name brand polisher if you like it and it fits your criteria, but there are other options. the funny thing is the original hf da that first came out was used by many and i heard less issues/problems (if any at all) with that compared to other name brand polishers. garry dean used one (heavily) for over 3 years everyday in his detailing business (he had many other polishers but favored this one) and it never missed a beat. it broke at some point when he dropped it off an RV which is to be expected, can't really do much for that (he ended up buying another one). buy what you like, be happy with it, and don't worry about what other's say. they aren't you, and you aren't them...
some people may not like the gentleman below, but that's not the point...
this video is over 7 years old..
this one over 8+ years old...
some people may not like the gentleman below, but that's not the point...
this video is over 7 years old..
this one over 8+ years old...
I know that Snap On used to use USA manufacturers for a lot of their products. I think they are getting some stuff from China and Taiwan now.
I think it depends on how often you use a tool. For an average homeowner who uses something a couple times a month the tool truck stuff is a waste of money. Take Dewalt vs Hercules, the real savings is in the battery cost. I have some older Bauer stuff and it was OK. The brushless Hercules is a step up. I think the Hercules is more closely comparable to Ridgid.
I think it depends on how often you use a tool. For an average homeowner who uses something a couple times a month the tool truck stuff is a waste of money. Take Dewalt vs Hercules, the real savings is in the battery cost. I have some older Bauer stuff and it was OK. The brushless Hercules is a step up. I think the Hercules is more closely comparable to Ridgid.