Ultimate Guide To Harbor Freight's Bauer Power Tool Line

If you live in the United States and work in the trades, are into DIY projects, or simply enjoy owning a wide collection of tools for whatever life throws at you, chances are that you're familiar with Harbor Freight. The budget-themed store is legendary in the world of bargain-loving tool enthusiasts, and it supplies everything from power tools, garden equipment, generators, to children's toys, and more. One of the things that makes Harbor Freight so attractive is its vast selection of in-house brands. Each offers products at various quality and price levels, ranging from ultimate budget options to mid–tier-priced gadgets that rival those sold by big-name professional brands.

When it comes to Harbor Freight brands, Bauer is one of the most popular. It offers a huge assortment of power tools and tool storage solutions, and you can regularly find Bauer power tools on job sites, in mechanic's shops, and in DIYer's tool bags around the country. However, any time you plan to invest in new tools or equipment, it's a smart idea to do a bit of research about the company. 

Before rushing out to Harbor Freight to pick up some Bauer goodies, there are some things you should know about the brand. Fortunately, we here at SlashGear can help. We'll cover everything from Bauer's history to its product lineup, warranty options, prices, and more. So, here's your ultimate guide to Harbor Freight's Bauer power tool line.

There's often a lot of emphasis on buying U.S.-made products. You hear it applied to everything from cars and technology to produce and clothing. Tools frequently come up in these conversations, and it's not uncommon to hear diehard fans disparage anything built overseas as trash or cheap. However, contrary to what many would like to believe, the country where a product is built plays very little role in its ultimate quality. Rather, it's more important to focus on the manufacturing practices and the materials used — two factors that have nothing to do with the country of origin — when trying to determine quality.

Why do we mention all of that? Well, Bauer power tools are built overseas. According to Harbor Freight, Bauer designs its products in the States but manufacturers them in Asia, and you can check your Bauer product to find out exactly where it was built. If that concerns you, it's worth mentioning that Harbor Freight and Bauer are far from the only tool companies to rely on overseas manufacturing centers. In reality, many of today's top tool brands are built internationally, including popular names like Ryobi, Makita, and even many of the devices sold by Craftsman, a company formerly renowned for its U.S.-made products.

As mentioned, Bauer offers an expansive selection of both power tools and tool storage solutions. Some of the best Bauer power tools sold at Harbor Freight include things like impact wrenches, leaf blowers, and reciprocating saws, but those items really only represent the tip of the iceberg.

Bauer supplies both corded and cordless power tools. While many DIYers and tradespeople are slowly phasing out their corded devices in favor of battery-powered versions, Bauer allows customers to choose for themselves based on individual needs and budget. The company's corded options include various drills, sanders, and saws, and despite the growing popularity of cordless tools, it's nice to have various options when searching for new gadgets. Bauer's battery-powered cordless selection is a bit larger than its corded line and includes everything from impact wrenches and drills to lawn and garden equipment, vacuums, flashlights, fans, and more. Most of the manufacturer's cordless tools run on 20-volt lithium-ion batteries, which are compatible with all other Bauer 20-volt products.

Besides power tools, Bauer also sells a few tool storage solutions, including things like tool bags, crates, and boxes. Its modular rolling toolbox is one of the best alternatives to the Milwaukee Packout box, while a selection of portable sawhorses offer affordable utility for pros and DIYers. Finally, Bauer also sells a handful of accessories, like drill bits, tool belt suspenders, work belts, and saw blades. If you're a tradesperson or simply into tools, chances are Bauer has something for you.

Bauer power tools represent a mid-level option when compared to the rest of the mainstream products on the market. When it comes to popular tool brands, like Ryobi and Milwaukee, Bauer provides a respectable budget option. To compare the brands, let's check out one of the most popular tools sold by each: a ½-inch drill/driver.

Bauer sells a 20V Cordless ½-inch Drill/Driver Kit that comes with a drill/driver tool, one 1.5-Ah battery, one battery charger, a tool bag, and two bits. The tool itself sports a ½-inch all metal chuck that doesn't require a key for bit changes, as well as an integrated LED light to illuminate your work. It provides up to 450 inch-pounds of torque output and two speed settings so you can control your work.

Ryobi's 18V ONE+ ½-inch Drill/Driver Kit comes with the drill/driver tool, two 1.5-Ah batteries, and an 18-volt battery charger. It features a ½-inch keyless ratcheting chuck, two speed settings allowing you to choose between 0 to 450 and 0 to 1,750 rpm, and a 24-position clutch. It's capable of 515 inch-pounds of torque output and also comes with a built-in LED light.

The Milwaukee M18 ½-inch Drill/Driver Kit comes with the drill/driver, one 2-Ah battery, a battery charger, and a tool bag. The drill features a brushless motor and an all-metal ratcheting ½-inch chuck. It's capable of producing up to 550 inch-pounds of torque and up to 1,700 rpm.

Price is where Bauer takes a bit of an edge over its competition. The ½-inch drill/driver kit that we discussed above retails for $54.99 at Harbor Freight. It features 4.7 out of five stars based on nearly 6,000 customer reviews, with users frequently celebrating the tool's robust power output and affordable cost.

In comparison, the Ryobi ½-inch drill/driver kit costs $99.00. It's also well-rated by customers and features 4.9 out of five stars based on 550 user reviews. The Milwaukee ½-inch drill/driver kit, on the other hand, costs $199.00 normally, but is on sale at Home Depot for $99.00 at the time of this writing. The Milwaukee product is also well-rated and features 4.7 out of five stars based on nearly 1,000 user reviews.

The Bauer drill/driver is not the cheapest product on the market, but it is the cheapest ½-inch drill/driver you can find at Harbor Freight. Considering the specs we covered above, the Bauer tool provides similar capabilities to the more expensive products. However, if you're a professional tradesperson or a hardcore DIYer, you may want to splurge for a slightly more powerful device.

In comparison to other popular brands, Bauer's warranty is fairly limited. The company provides a 90-day limited warranty on its power tools. It covers things like manufacturing defects and defective materials. However, the warranty will not cover any damage caused by user error, accidents, incorrect use, or modifications. To claim the warranty, you must send the product to Harbor Freight, either by bringing it to your local store or paying to mail it to them at your expense. You must also attach an explanation of the product's defect. Harbor Freight will then perform an inspection to verify the validity of your claim and determine whether the defect is a result of a manufacturing error or damage you caused yourself. 

If the company determines that the tool is, in fact, defective, Harbor Freight will either fix your device, give you a replacement, or provide you with a complete refund. If the company decides to fix your tool and send it back to you, they will cover shipping. However, if the product was damaged by user error and the company chooses not to repair or replace it, you will have to cover the shipping costs for them to send you back your original device.

In contrast, Ryobi provides a three-year limited warranty on its ONE+ tool line, while Milwaukee offers various warranties, depending on the tool you buy. The drill/driver kit covered above comes with a five-year tool warranty and a two-year warranty for the battery.

There are various power tool brands from which you can choose. Many tool enthusiasts, including both pros and hobbyists, decide to pick a specific brand and then stick with it for all of their power tool needs, due to things like interchangeable batteries and charging systems. If you're in the market for some new power tools and are considering Bauer, there are a couple of factors you should consider first.

One of the primary things you should contemplate is how you plan to use the products. Bauer tools have a pretty solid reputation for durability and long-lasting performance. However, if you use your tools professionally and on a daily basis, they may not be able to provide the same level of power for the long term as pro-level products. On the other hand, if you're a hobbyist or DIYer and don't use power tools for hours each day, the Bauer line could be a solid and budget-friendly option. Consider also the type of work you'll be doing and whether the Bauer products have the necessary power to handle it. 

Finally, it's also worth remembering that Bauer tools don't come with a long warranty like more expensive brands' products. Again, this is critical to consider, especially if you're a pro, as the harder you use your tools, the more likely they are to wear out or break. If that occurs, a quality warranty can help you get back to work without dishing out money for a new tool. All in all, Bauer power tools represent a solid budget option for entry-level pros and DIYers. They may not provide the same power output as professional brands, but they can be a great option for knocking out household projects and DIY jobs.