Questions about Northern Tool - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bw4sale · 12-28-2008, 05:16 PM

I'm in the market for a cordless impact wrench. What do you know about Northern Tool brand? Nothern Tool's is $140 vs. the Dewalt which is $300. The Milwaukee is even more. What makes the Dewalt $160 better or is it?

Sillyoldman · 12-28-2008, 05:30 PM

I think they may be comparable to harbor freight. As far a HF I have been disappointed in 90% of my purchases. Its the lure of cheap prices. I've had good luck with a item or two.

Dooley · 12-28-2008, 05:45 PM

I have the 28 volt Lithium Milwaukee and it works very well. I got it "free" from Milwaukee after my wife bought me the 28 volt set for Christmas 2006. The set was on sale at Northern and the Milwaukee factory was giving buyers a free tool with proof of purchase. Smart money would have taken another reciprocating saw or drill but, I wanted the impact. I'm glad I got it. Would I pay $475 for it, no way!

corn · 12-28-2008, 05:55 PM

I have a (corded) HF impact. It has done everything Ive asked it to do for the $40 I paid for it...

PanelDeland · 12-28-2008, 08:40 PM

HF doesn't "make" anything.Their stuff is knock offs built by others.Most of it is the "all options deleted" version.Much is made with lower quality materials.I use some HF stuff because it is less expensive and I don't use it daily in making a living.I do almost exclusively use HF wire brushes,utility knife blades and other consumables.You just need to find someone with a HF impact and feel it to see if "you" think it's worth the money.
BTW I have HF and NT both near the house and I think for the mostt part NT is slightly better quality.

**N2TRUX** · 12-28-2008, 09:01 PM

I don't have the DeWalt impact but I do have several of their other tools. I would not think twice about buying another DeWalt tool. They are awesome.

big_al_71 · 12-28-2008, 09:05 PM

There is a northern tool warehouse right by my shop,,we have had good luck with some of their tools however all my techs use makita,snap on, mac or matco...

BarryB · 12-29-2008, 09:23 AM

I also have NT and HF close by to me. In my experience with HF electric tools, they aren't has strong or as fast as the brand name one's. I have purchased some of there air tools with success.

bw4sale · 12-29-2008, 05:03 PM

I went today and looked at them up close. The NT just didn't seem built as tough. Of course, I didn't get to actually use them, but that was my first impression. Looks like I'm leaning back toward a name brand. Guess I'll have to save up a little more or sell a kidney or something. How do you have any money to work on your truck after you buy all the tools you need to do it? Sheesh.

TennesseeZ · 12-29-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bw4sale

I went today and looked at them up close. The NT just didn't seem built as tough. Of course, I didn't get to actually use them, but that was my first impression. Looks like I'm leaning back toward a name brand. Guess I'll have to save up a little more or sell a kidney or something. How do you have any money to work on your truck after you buy all the tools you need to do it? Sheesh.

buy quality the first time, you should never have to do it again

Sillyoldman · 12-29-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TennesseeZ

buy quality the first time, you should never have to do it again

Agreed. I always lose money trying to save money.

bw4sale · 12-29-2008, 06:15 PM

I know. I've always been the one to say that the right tools are worth the money. I guess I was just hoping to save a little here so I could actually spend it on my truck.

*Shane* · 12-29-2008, 07:39 PM

You guys know DeWalt is Black & Decker, right?

And Milwaukee is now owned by Hong Kong based Techtronic Industriers.

Sadly, quality today is not what it once was. (edit: neither is my spelling

)

corn · 12-29-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

You guys know DeWalt is Black & Decker, right?

And Milwaukee is now owned by Hong Kong based Techtronic Industriers.

Sadly, wuality today is not what it once was.

Isnt Craftsman also B&D?

BarryB · 12-29-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corn

Isnt Craftsman also B&D?

Craftsman is whoever gives the cheapest bid.

**El Jay** · 12-29-2008, 09:57 PM

Back in my youth, there was a saying, "Only a rich man can afford cheap furniture."

IMHO the same goes for tools. Buying it twice isn't a money saver.

I've had good service from all the DeWalt stuff I've bought.

I've only had to buy one tool twice; some busturd walked off with my cordless drill; left the spare battery & charger, only took the drill, which made it virtually useless after the battery went dead.
That is, unless he had another charger, but I doubt he did.

bw4sale · 12-29-2008, 11:16 PM

So, Shane, what would you suggest? I was leaning toward the Dewalt.

*Shane* · 12-30-2008, 01:03 AM

DeWalt and Milwaukee both are still quality tools, just wanted to point out that names aren't always what they appear.

I'm confident either one will give you great service. I have a Craftsman, a Ryobi and a DeWalt cordless screw driver and to be quite honest I can't tell a nickels worth a difference in any of them.

bw4sale · 12-31-2008, 12:20 PM

Wow! You must have a lot of screws to drive for three cordless screwdrivers.

Hopefully the quality won't go to pot just because they are owned by another company. I saw that happen a lot in the lawn mower world when I was in landscaping.

12-28-2008, 05:16 PM	#1
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Questions about Northern Tool I'm in the market for a cordless impact wrench. What do you know about Northern Tool brand? Nothern Tool's is $140 vs. the Dewalt which is $300. The Milwaukee is even more. What makes the Dewalt $160 better or is it? __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

12-28-2008, 05:30 PM	#2
Sillyoldman #16876 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn WA Posts: 12,266	Re: Questions about Northern Tool I think they may be comparable to harbor freight. As far a HF I have been disappointed in 90% of my purchases. Its the lure of cheap prices. I've had good luck with a item or two. __________________ Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. *"I love that old car smell"* *Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.* Last edited by Sillyoldman; 12-28-2008 at 05:31 PM.

12-28-2008, 05:45 PM	#3
Dooley Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Coast Posts: 1,012	Re: Questions about Northern Tool I have the 28 volt Lithium Milwaukee and it works very well. I got it "free" from Milwaukee after my wife bought me the 28 volt set for Christmas 2006. The set was on sale at Northern and the Milwaukee factory was giving buyers a free tool with proof of purchase. Smart money would have taken another reciprocating saw or drill but, I wanted the impact. I'm glad I got it. Would I pay $475 for it, no way!

12-28-2008, 05:55 PM	#4
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Questions about Northern Tool I have a (corded) HF impact. It has done everything Ive asked it to do for the $40 I paid for it...

12-28-2008, 08:40 PM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Questions about Northern Tool HF doesn't "make" anything.Their stuff is knock offs built by others.Most of it is the "all options deleted" version.Much is made with lower quality materials.I use some HF stuff because it is less expensive and I don't use it daily in making a living.I do almost exclusively use HF wire brushes,utility knife blades and other consumables.You just need to find someone with a HF impact and feel it to see if "you" think it's worth the money. BTW I have HF and NT both near the house and I think for the mostt part NT is slightly better quality. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

12-28-2008, 09:01 PM	#6
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Questions about Northern Tool I don't have the DeWalt impact but I do have several of their other tools. I would not think twice about buying another DeWalt tool. They are awesome. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

12-28-2008, 09:05 PM	#7
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Questions about Northern Tool There is a northern tool warehouse right by my shop,,we have had good luck with some of their tools however all my techs use makita,snap on, mac or matco... __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

12-29-2008, 09:23 AM	#8
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: Questions about Northern Tool I also have NT and HF close by to me. In my experience with HF electric tools, they aren't has strong or as fast as the brand name one's. I have purchased some of there air tools with success. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

12-29-2008, 05:03 PM	#9
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Questions about Northern Tool I went today and looked at them up close. The NT just didn't seem built as tough. Of course, I didn't get to actually use them, but that was my first impression. Looks like I'm leaning back toward a name brand. Guess I'll have to save up a little more or sell a kidney or something. How do you have any money to work on your truck after you buy all the tools you need to do it? Sheesh. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

12-29-2008, 06:15 PM	#12
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Questions about Northern Tool I know. I've always been the one to say that the right tools are worth the money. I guess I was just hoping to save a little here so I could actually spend it on my truck. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

12-29-2008, 07:39 PM	#13
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Questions about Northern Tool You guys know DeWalt is Black & Decker, right? And Milwaukee is now owned by Hong Kong based Techtronic Industriers. Sadly, quality today is not what it once was. (edit: neither is my spelling ) Last edited by Shane; 12-29-2008 at 10:44 PM.

12-29-2008, 09:57 PM	#16
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Questions about Northern Tool Back in my youth, there was a saying, "Only a rich man can afford cheap furniture." IMHO the same goes for tools. Buying it twice isn't a money saver. I've had good service from all the DeWalt stuff I've bought. I've only had to buy one tool twice; some busturd walked off with my cordless drill; left the spare battery & charger, only took the drill, which made it virtually useless after the battery went dead. That is, unless he had another charger, but I doubt he did. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck Last edited by El Jay; 12-30-2008 at 01:12 AM.

12-29-2008, 11:16 PM	#17
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Questions about Northern Tool So, Shane, what would you suggest? I was leaning toward the Dewalt. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

12-30-2008, 01:03 AM	#18
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Questions about Northern Tool DeWalt and Milwaukee both are still quality tools, just wanted to point out that names aren't always what they appear. I'm confident either one will give you great service. I have a Craftsman, a Ryobi and a DeWalt cordless screw driver and to be quite honest I can't tell a nickels worth a difference in any of them.

12-31-2008, 12:20 PM	#19
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Questions about Northern Tool Wow! You must have a lot of screws to drive for three cordless screwdrivers. Hopefully the quality won't go to pot just because they are owned by another company. I saw that happen a lot in the lawn mower world when I was in landscaping. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half



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