Wasted a whole shift on a bad tool holder from Harbor Freight

I tried to save a few bucks and bought a cheap ER-32 collet chuck from Harbor Freight for my old Bridgeport. The runout was so bad I scrapped three parts before I figured it out, which cost me about $150 in material. I should have just waited and ordered a Tormach holder like I normally do. Anyone else have a go-to brand for tool holders on a budget that actually holds up?

3 comments

3 Comments

coleman.jamie2mo agoMost Upvoted

You said it cost you $150 in material, but what about the time you can't get back? That's the real kicker with cheap tools. Sometimes the budget option just ends up being the most expensive path.

noahclark2mo ago

Totally get that. Bought a cheap socket set that stripped a bolt head, cost me half a Saturday. Ended up getting a better brand on sale later, should have just done that first.

xena_rivera636d ago

My neighbor borrowed my cheap drill once and smoked the motor drilling into a stud. I felt bad for him, he was just trying to hang some shelves. That thing had maybe 10 hours of use on it total. I finally learned my lesson and bought a Makita after that mess. Cost me more upfront but it still works like new five years later.