Comments on: Deals: MAC Tools’ Die Grinders — Buy One, Get One Free http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:59:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Rodge http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-246875 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:53:15 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-246875 My dad grew up with Mac Tools. Back then, they meant someting. Now they're no better than Harbour Freight in an ulgy yellow truck filled with made in china crap. That is if you can find them. They're a dying breed. Our last mac guy only lasted a few months. My dad grew up with Mac Tools. Back then, they meant someting. Now they’re no better than Harbour Freight in an ulgy yellow truck filled with made in china crap. That is if you can find them. They’re a dying breed. Our last mac guy only lasted a few months.

]]> by: Beast http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-246595 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:32:51 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-246595 Had a tech transfer in last month with one of these...broken with little use. Looks almost new out of the package and no place to get it fixed. Have not had a mac man in years...didn't think they were still in business anymore since stanley took them over and snuffed them out. Had a tech transfer in last month with one of these…broken with little use. Looks almost new out of the package and no place to get it fixed. Have not had a mac man in years…didn’t think they were still in business anymore since stanley took them over and snuffed them out.

]]> by: Drewski http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-240613 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:53:36 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-240613 Yep, I've seen them come apart. I have only been turning wrenches for 2 years and am just not im pressed with mac's quality. Our greaseball mac man comes around selling this junk then can't even getsimple things for waranty like sockets and ratchets. Mac tools = crappy tools, crappy dealers, and crappier service!!! If you want real tools you gotta buy snap-on. Hell, even cornwell is better than mac!! Yep, I’ve seen them come apart. I have only been turning wrenches for 2 years and am just not im pressed with mac’s quality. Our greaseball mac man comes around selling this junk then can’t even getsimple things for waranty like sockets and ratchets. Mac tools = crappy tools, crappy dealers, and crappier service!!! If you want real tools you gotta buy snap-on. Hell, even cornwell is better than mac!!

]]> by: Jerry http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-240586 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:28:58 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-240586 I had to take of of my tech for stitches after one came apart in his hand. mac is trying to say he wasn't using it right... I had to take of of my tech for stitches after one came apart in his hand. mac is trying to say he wasn’t using it right…

]]> by: Jarod http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-230595 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:26:29 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-230595 Gents, One of my techs had one come apart. Huge lawsuit in progress becasue Mac refuses to initiate a recall. And we're located in the hometown of Mac tools - Westerville, OH! Gents,

One of my techs had one come apart. Huge lawsuit in progress becasue Mac refuses to initiate a recall. And we’re located in the hometown of Mac tools - Westerville, OH!

]]> by: Mac Guy http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-228138 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 06:55:20 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-228138 Recall??????? That is funny I sold the hell out of these things and have had only a few problems. They are a cheaper die grinder set and are marketed that way. BTW THERE IS NO RECALL. Recall??????? That is funny I sold the hell out of these things and have had only a few problems. They are a cheaper die grinder set and are marketed that way. BTW THERE IS NO RECALL.

]]> by: Mac Man Bill http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-224332 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:18:05 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-224332 Jake, I have to wonder how you heard about this? I knew there was some news report about a couple coming apart in mechanics hands with dredful results but was told they were isloated incidents. Please do tell... Jake,

I have to wonder how you heard about this? I knew there was some news report about a couple coming apart in mechanics hands with dredful results but was told they were isloated incidents. Please do tell…

]]> by: Jake http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-223233 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:32:23 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-223233 These eventually got recalled due to safety hazards. These eventually got recalled due to safety hazards.

]]> by: bob http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-24706 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:57:02 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-24706 Not only are there power differences between HF and a good die grinder as Paul states above, there are also vibration and noise differences. I've used Dotco, one of the best out there, and I've used HF air grinders, and the Dotco units were quieter and smoother in addition to being more powerful. Like most things Harbor Freight, their grinders are great for occasional use. If you're going to be using the thing for extended periods, you've got to pay for quality. I'd be surprised if the MAC units are the same as the HF ones, though. Not only are there power differences between HF and a good die grinder as Paul states above, there are also vibration and noise differences. I’ve used Dotco, one of the best out there, and I’ve used HF air grinders, and the Dotco units were quieter and smoother in addition to being more powerful. Like most things Harbor Freight, their grinders are great for occasional use. If you’re going to be using the thing for extended periods, you’ve got to pay for quality. I’d be surprised if the MAC units are the same as the HF ones, though.

]]> by: Paul http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-23715 Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:52:12 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-23715 Hey nrChris I visited, and put a belated comment into that entry you posted there. These Mac airtools look suspiciously to me like the HF die grinders I have, with MAC cast in to their sides. I wouldn't expect CP performance out of these myself. I have a genuine CP die grinder, paid like $109 for it if I can recall correctly. It is rated at 1/2 HP. I have some of the $9 HF die grinders too, the power difference is substantial. Air die grinders have a number of things going for them over their electric counterparts. But they also have a few things going against them too. On the plus side air die grinders are smooth, quiet, and fast. Also, being air powered one does not need to worry about having any electrically shocking experiences with them either. Furthermore the user friendly stalling of air motors can be a plus over much more torquey universal electric motors. Another plus is the compact size of air die grinders over comparable electric models. On the down side with long runs these tools can be CFM pigs, requiring a substantial air compressor for long runs. In the cold they can freeze up, or at the very least be extremely uncomfortable to operate. Then there's always the, I have to bang up a tank of air to run my tool syndrome to contend with too. If instant gratification is your ultimate goal there is an awful lot to be said for the plug it in and go convenience of electric die grinders. It depends on my situation which I reach for today. But for a lot of jobs an electric die grinder is the way I go. Hot tip, air die grinders are one of the many air tools that benefit from having an air swivel attached to them, for greater maneuverability. Beyond that, as handy as the angled die grinder looks, it really isn't, and is harder than an inline to control. Don't just get the angled one, and figure you have all the bases covered. Straight, inline die grinders are the more useful tool design. Hey nrChris I visited, and put a belated comment into that entry you posted there.

These Mac airtools look suspiciously to me like the HF die grinders I have, with MAC cast in to their sides. I wouldn’t expect CP performance out of these myself.

I have a genuine CP die grinder, paid like $109 for it if I can recall correctly. It is rated at 1/2 HP. I have some of the $9 HF die grinders too, the power difference is substantial. Air die grinders have a number of things going for them over their electric counterparts. But they also have a few things going against them too.

On the plus side air die grinders are smooth, quiet, and fast. Also, being air powered one does not need to worry about having any electrically shocking experiences with them either. Furthermore the user friendly stalling of air motors can be a plus over much more torquey universal electric motors. Another plus is the compact size of air die grinders over comparable electric models.

On the down side with long runs these tools can be CFM pigs, requiring a substantial air compressor for long runs. In the cold they can freeze up, or at the very least be extremely uncomfortable to operate. Then there’s always the, I have to bang up a tank of air to run my tool syndrome to contend with too. If instant gratification is your ultimate goal there is an awful lot to be said for the plug it in and go convenience of electric die grinders.

It depends on my situation which I reach for today. But for a lot of jobs an electric die grinder is the way I go.

Hot tip, air die grinders are one of the many air tools that benefit from having an air swivel attached to them, for greater maneuverability. Beyond that, as handy as the angled die grinder looks, it really isn’t, and is harder than an inline to control. Don’t just get the angled one, and figure you have all the bases covered. Straight, inline die grinders are the more useful tool design.

]]> by: nrChris http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-23512 Mon, 19 Feb 2007 04:19:30 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/18/deals-mac-tools-die-grinders-buy-one-get-one-free/#comment-23512 While the timing is off on this one for me, I have to agree that it is a good deal. I think this is a good time to point out the post regarding cheap air compressors--something that I am currently in the market for. Unfortunately there wasn't much in the way of comments on this entry, but maybe it could be revisited: http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/31/home-use-air-compressor-on-a-budget/#comments While the timing is off on this one for me, I have to agree that it is a good deal.

I think this is a good time to point out the post regarding cheap air compressors–something that I am currently in the market for. Unfortunately there wasn’t much in the way of comments on this entry, but maybe it could be revisited:

http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/31/home-use-air-compressor-on-a-budget/#comments

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