We have a Harbor Freight pass/fail thread, this is for everything else.
Have you ever bought a tool that exceeded your expectations? One where the manufacturer obviously didn't do the bare minimum just to get it to market? List them here.
I'll start with the 8" bench grinder that came in Monday. Bought to replace a cheap Lowes/Depot 6" that didn't have enough power to sharpen a stick of butter and vibrated so bad it had to be bolted down. Even after wheel replacements and turning bushings on the lathe to center the wheels it still didn't work well. I finally stripped the wheels off and turned it into a buffer.
My father had bought a Dewalt that was awful. No power, poorly balanced, junk, so I knew those were out. While I was looking, I came across a Shop Fox grinder. This is the same company that made my bandsaw and since I was impressed with the bandsaw. Since it was $700 cheaper than the Baldor I wanted, I figured I'd try it. It is as good as the Dewalt was bad. Strongly recommend. Variable speed, plenty of power, well balanced.
