Archive for the 'Chicago Electric' Category

Dealmonger: Harbor Freight’s $40 Toe-Kick Saw

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

HF-Toe_Kick_TM.jpg

Want a toe-kick saw like the Crain No. 795 featured yesterday, but don’t want to shell out serious dough?  For the hobbyist who may only use it once or twice over the course of a kitchen and/or bath remodel, the Harbor Freight model might work great — especially since (as reader Evan pointed out) it’s marked down to $40 right now.

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Another Inexpensive Li-Ion Cordless Screwdriver

Tuesday, July 25th, 2006

post-hfliscrew.jpgApparently everyone wants to get in on the small li-ion cordless screwdriver game.  We ran across this one from Chicago Electric at Harbor Freight today priced at the standard just-below $20 point.

The only thing that appears at all different about this unit is that it appears to have a clutch system — something we haven’t seen on the others.  It’s similar to the Kobalt unit in that it offers no charging stand, instead simply plugging the wall wart directly into the tool.  It does, however, come with two standard and four Phillips head bits as well as a magnetic bit extension.

So far, this market seems divided in two: the “high end” (SmartDriver & iXO) at $40 and the “cheaper” units (Kobalt & Chicago Electric, though we fully expect to run across others as time goes on) at $20.

Whether or not giving up a charger stand and 20-30 bits and accessories (as well as a serious manufacturer’s name and quality) for $20 is a good idea we’ll leave up to you.

Chicago Electric Cordless Screwdriver w/3.6V Li-Ion Battery [Harbor Freight]