Thread: Might be good, might be terrible - aldi workshop stuff coming up

I just bought the shop vac and it is not loud at all. It has a soft start feature and another outlet for power tools that automatically turn on the vac when the tool is switched on.

That's what I've found too.

Went down there today - sold out of the small/medium clamps by the time I was there, but I grabbed a couple of pairs of the bigger ones - seem fine so far although haven't been used in anger!

Also got a socket/bit set which seems fine and a work light which is actually pretty good for the dollars, I think - easily mounted with the supplied hardware and seem to give a good light. Tempted to go back and get a couple more seeing as they're linkable!

Cheers,

Danny

I bought an Aldi Router table a couple of years ago. Don't use it much but it's OK for my needs

Regards

Keith

I got the router table a few years back to get a job done when I was between router tables. Got the job done and did not cost much. If you only do the odd bit of routing now and then on smallish things then its a good cheap option. When I made a router wing to hang off the table saw I used the power switch from the Aldi table
Regards
John

You are right about not squeezing the clamps too tightly. I did and bang...clamp in pieces. They are not as strong as an Irwin, but at $5 each, they are good for lighter clamping and holding.

Looks like Aldi are at it again... might pick up one of these to see how they go https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-b...ble-saw-1200w/

I don't see myself needing a table saw much in the future, but might grab it for some stuff i have planned.

Anyone bought a table saw from Aldi before? Blades easy to replace?

They also have a drill press in the same run but I have no need for one at this stage so the other half may object to me coming home with both...

I think I will keep my $99. The on/off switch looks o.k.

I believe that table saw is also scheppach, as well as being sold under the ozito label at bunnings. Not sure if they still have that one though.

Probably not great for woodworking although I wouldn't mind one for jobsite use!

Originally Posted by AlexS

Picked up an Aldi 25litre wet workshop vac today. Haven't plugged it in yet, but will be interested to see how good it is for $80.

Well, I found out just how good (or otherwise) it was.
I have to say, while it worked it was good, although I never used it as a wet vac. It died the week before last, so I followed the instructions in the manual and cleaned the filter. When that didn't work, I tried to ring their service line, but only got a recorded message 'All our staff are busy at present...'. Took the other option and sent them an email, but again, didn't get any response.
I then went to their facebook page and sent an fb message. Received a fulsome apology and they asked for my phone number (which I'd included in my email) and promised to forward it to their service dept., and monitor progress.
When I still hadn't heard from them today, I sent another message advising that I was about to take it back to the shop (which they tell you not to do) if they didn't contact me. I did so, and how sad, the shop was quite busy and quite a line formed behind me, listening intently. They agreed without argument to refund the cost, but then said that it had been $49.99. I didn't have the receipt, but fortunately, I'd printed out the catalogue page which showed it as $79.99, which they then paid.

All this could have been avoided if 1) the vac had kept working, and 2) if their service department had bothered to contact me as they promise to do.

Originally Posted by AlexS

...... They agreed without argument to refund the cost, but then said that it had been $49.99. I didn't have the receipt, but fortunately, I'd printed out the catalogue page which showed it as $79.99, which they then paid.......

Not so good to hear that the vac died. Good to hear that you were refunded and that you got what you paid for it.

I'm not surprised that it died. $80 is less than a decent vac motor alone costs, you get what you pay for

I agree, Elan, but if it's being sold as a w&d shop vac with a 3 year warranty, the consumer has a right to expect that it will meet that spec. at least. As I said, while it worked, it worked well, but it died suddenly for no reason. I suppose even an expensive one can do the same, but in either case you expect the supplier to meet their obligations promptly.

Originally Posted by AlexS

When that didn't work, I tried to ring their service line, but only got a recorded message 'All our staff are busy at present...'. Took the other option and sent them an email, but again, didn't get any response. I then went to their facebook page and sent an fb message. Received a fulsome apology and they asked for my phone number (which I'd included in my email) and promised to forward it to their service dept., and monitor progress.
When I still hadn't heard from them today, I sent another message advising that I was about to take it back to the shop (which they tell you not to do) if they didn't contact me. I did so, and how sad, the shop was quite busy and quite a line formed behind me, listening intently. They agreed without argument to refund the cost, but then said that it had been $49.99. I didn't have the receipt, but fortunately, I'd printed out the catalogue page which showed it as $79.99, which they then paid.

All this could have been avoided if 1) the vac had kept working, and 2) if their service department had bothered to contact me as they promise to do.

Your experience doesn't surprise me in the slightest. I bought a shower caddy from them and this is what it looked like after eighteen months:

Shower Caddy.JPG

When I contracted their 'customer service (sic)' they were evasive, asking for things I couldn't possibly provide (like product numbers printed on paper labels). Then when I said I didn't have a receipt it was end of story. My main complaint was that something that was sold to go in the shower shouldn't rust, especially within that timeframe. Obviously they don't agree.

I find the whole ALDI shopping experience distasteful. Whenever I've been there the queues are always long and the people in front of you always have trolleys filled to the brim. They have no serve yourself facilities, you have to provide your own bags, you have to put money into the shopping carts. Then you have to stand there while their mostly male (no equal opportunity here) employees fling your purchases at you as fast as they can as if it's a game to see if they can beat you at filling your bags. No thanks. I'll pay extra and shop at Woolies or Coles.

Its a wonder they didn't say your water or soap was too acidic.