Has anyone ever used or bought any Northern brand power tools?Such as:Generic System Error Test JSP (Item) need to get another 1/2 drill and a recrocating saw for side jobs and the price seemed right.They won't be used every day but maybe a couple of times a week.Thanks in advance for any input and help.

 

1. Your link doesn't work
2. I've never bought power tools from them, but in general I'd be skeptical. They sell both good stuff and crap.

If it's not a major brand, I'd go in and check it out. I'd never order anything very expensive from them unless I knew what it was.

 

I bought a IR die grinder and IR impact from there, both have lasted years. Never bought any of the cheap stuff though.

 

bought a circular saw it lasted long enough to build a deck 30x12 on the back of my house and is still going were see its only a year old I also bought a chain hoist from them and a garden cart the cart is pretty cheap made so I think it just depends what your getting oh yeah I have a bench grinder but it never been used that I can think of, But a drill or zawzaw type thing I would suggest industrial rated from who ever.

 

I bought a drill type sheet metal shear but haven't used it much. I'll let you know in the spring after 60 different freshmen in my shop class use it awhile.
I have generally been happy with what I have bought there. Just had a brand new cord reel burst into flames at the outlet when a kid unplugged a tool while another kid was using it.
They replaced it no problem.

 

Where I used to work we bought a generator from them. After the first week it crapped out. Called them up, they sent a new out to us, after a week, same thing happened. Called the up again and told them to take both back and give us our money back. Even though it had a Honda engine on it, it had their generator on the back. Found out later that something siezed between the Honda motor and the generator. I only buy Dewalt tools, Craftman hand tools. As for air tools, it depends. I like the Central Pneumatic that harbour freight sells.

 

Yeah, it's a mix

I've bought name brand stuff from them (like IR). It's real IR stuff, so it works liek expected.

I've also bought store brand stuff on occasion for things I don't use much. Die grinder, cutoff wheel, air hammer. I've had them all 10 yrs now and they've worked fine, but I've probably used them a dozen times or so in those 10 yrs. The simple stuff seems OK. But, IMHO, I wouldn't trust my life to anything they sell from China.

All depends on your need and use.

-Dave

 

I've only bought a tractor seat from them, but their catalogs are great bathroom reading material.

 

Haven't bought any hand tools but did spend some $$ on an IR compressor. Been pleased. My local store is very good. Knowledgeble people working there and have always gotten good service.

 

I ended up buying a Rigid 1/2" drill from HD.We have them in work and they seem to hold up.Probably going to buy the Super Sazall next.We had one at my old shop.It was the smoothest cutting recip. saw I have ever used.BTW,H D has a twin pack of 4.5" Bosch grinders for 89.99.

 

I buy tools from them expecting what I paid for it to be close to it's performance ;-)

Probably the cheapest piece of "junk" is the 3" cut off tool. Debateable if it is worth the $12. On the other hand the 1/2" air drill has survived and still works fine, even after the button popped off.

They have stood behind the tools that died including winches where the parts were not available to repair it.

One thing not to buy from anyone except Snap-On, imho, are impact extensions, unless you have a big honking 1/2" impact. The reason is they give just enough to act like torque sticks, which defeats the cheaper impacts.

I just got a replacement 1/2" AirCat for my IR2131 that lost power (for whatever reason), we will see how that goes.