Harbor Frieght electric shear

[sfm1951]

Anybody ever use or buy a Harbor Frieght 18 Gauge shear #92148? Any they any good? Pros or cons. Thanks, Steve

[SUHRsc]

I have 2 of them with the bluegreen body... not orange... not sure if thats different...
but they both work great.... one was a friend of mine's and he hooked it to a dimmer switch for house lights... if you slow down the speed... it cuts better on certain materials....

Zach

[b-body-bob]

I've got one. That big assed foot on it gets in the way cutting near folded edges. You can't always get the tool where it needs to be. It does cut steel if you can get it to fit where you need it.

FWIW I'm no fan of electric tools because they can really screw things up if they get off the line. You have to hit the switch and wait until it stops cutting. Seems like I have better control with air tools in that regard, let off the trigger and it'll stop pretty much then and there. That's as much about my lack of skills as it is the nature of the tools though.

I'm no pro, just a schlub trying to piece an old car back together, so YMMV.

[b-body-bob]

Originally Posted by SUHRsc

one was a friend of mine's and he hooked it to a dimmer switch for house lights... if you slow down the speed... it cuts better on certain materials....

I might try that with mine, because running at full speed that thing will slice steel like hot butter and it has gotten away from me before

[Crazy Legs]

I bought one, works great! It takes a bit of practice to get to cut & spit out the right sized coil otherwise you have to cut.....then bend the coil away from the jaws so you can keep cutting....does that make sense?
Either way it does a great job!

[toreadorxlt]

I flip mine upside down and clamp it in the vise alot... I don't care what any of the HF haters say.. it cuts equally as good as my friends 40 year old unishear. I did do some custom shaping on the foot to get parts to eject... but for $20, it's a champion. Of of the few good buys there.

[flatoutflyin]

I've got a 30 year old Kett Power Shear. Variable speed, worth every penny.

[Indychus]

I have this shear, it took 3 tries to get a good one. The first 2 I got broke right at the cutting end and were not repairable. I returned them each time and they gave me another, no questions asked. The third one has been working fine for 5 years or so now.

[Atwater Mike]

Originally Posted by SUHRsc

I have 2 of them with the bluegreen body... not orange... not sure if thats different...
but they both work great.... one was a friend of mine's and he hooked it to a dimmer switch for house lights... if you slow down the speed... it cuts better on certain materials....

Zach

DON'T USE a house dimmer switch! (they are designed for lights, not motors. That translates to between 1 and 3 amps vs. the 15+ amps you need)

Best thing on the planet is an accessory speed control from a sewing machine. It is designed like a pedal for a TiG machine, has about a 6 ft. cord, just wire the 14 gauge leads in series with the machine's power cord.

Mine came in a blister pack, a bargain at $12.95... I LOVE the foot control. Leaves hands free, just drive with the pedal, and "steer with the rear axle..."

[1971BB427]

Originally Posted by toreadorxlt

I flip mine upside down and clamp it in the vise alot... I don't care what any of the HF haters say.. it cuts equally as good as my friends 40 year old unishear. I did do some custom shaping on the foot to get parts to eject... but for $20, it's a champion. Of of the few good buys there.

Must have purchased your's years ago! They're $40 now.

[pinupwithgun]

Mine works great! X2 what mike posted.

[BadgeZ28]

I have one. I have gone through two sets of blade/guides for it. Stick with 18 or thinner gauge metal. I would be willing to buy a different brand if I knew the blade and guides would hold up better.

[57JoeFoMoPar]

Great tool. I stepped up and bought a Bosch shear, which was much more than the $40 at HF, but it works great and is a great quality tool.

[toreadorxlt]

Originally Posted by 1971BB427

Must have purchased your's years ago! They're $40 now.

I dont go to HF unless its on sale and I have a coupon.

[SkeeterBilt]

i have the air shear and it works great. like others said it takes some practice

i dont care what anyone says, HF is really steppin up their game and products. with the 20% cupons in most magazines and sears gettin crappy-er, HF is the best

[cagedruss]

I purchased a second refurbished Milwaukee off of Amazon for $79.99. Came last week and it cuts great and I know it is a quality tool.

[Ebbsspeed]

Originally Posted by Atwater Mike

DON'T USE a house dimmer switch! (they are designed for lights, not motors. That translates to between 1 and 3 amps vs. the 15+ amps you need)

Best thing on the planet is an accessory speed control from a sewing machine. It is designed like a pedal for a TiG machine, has about a 6 ft. cord, just wire the 14 gauge leads in series with the machine's power cord.

Mine came in a blister pack, a bargain at $12.95... I LOVE the foot control. Leaves hands free, just drive with the pedal, and "steer with the rear axle..."

Published current requirement on the HF site says 1.5 amps required.

[sfm1951]

Guys I've got a Kett shear. I was thinking this might work better, I want to mount in a frame and bolt to my welding table to make body parts. Do any of you know if the router variable speed control they sell will work to slow it down so I stay on the lines? Thanks, Steve

[hoggyrubber]

i haven't got much from harbor freight , but i do have this shear. it works pretty good for the money. haven't used it a ton, but i prob have used it 20 times or so. worth the money already. if it dies now i'm ok with it. someday i will get a nicer one when i find a deal on one.

[eldogg]

I've got one on sale and used a coupon. It was cheap $20-25 and works great! It might not live forever in a industrial sheet metal shop but I've had mine for over a year and it aint miss a lick.