Thread: SuperCheap Auto

Thanks for that. I'll have a look today when I'm buying a compressor.

EDIT: Or perhaps not, looks like the sale is over and they're back to $699

Interesting. Sliding compound mitre saw - $82.99 - so I assume that they're paying about $20 each for these from china? How can they even make them for that? How long before they end up in landfill?

All SCA power tools are generic branded Chinese stuff; the simpler the tool the less disappointed you'll be. A grinder will be underpowered, have flimsy tool rests and rubbish guards, but if you fit a decent pair of wheels and a better toolpost you'll end up with a slightly less rubbish grinder for about what you would pay for something like Ryobi

I can't think of any circumstances that would cause me to consider purchasing an $82 SCMS!

As for that belt and disc sander; well I'm actually going to wait until they go on special for around $100. The belt side will be good for linishing soft metals like ally or brass and it'll mean I can keep my Triton one solely for wood!

The disc sander part on these is rubbish but the belt is not bad, its a good slow speed linisher. I use it for sharpening turning tools as well as general grinding.

Noted : power tools = forget about it unless you re ready to customise them
everything else ( clamp/vises etc ) = go for it

did i get it right ?

Originally Posted by Upsy

Noted : power tools = forget about it unless you re ready to customise them
everything else ( clamp/vises etc ) = go for it

did i get it right ?

Sounds right to me

"Bearings?? Nah - we just use these plastic sleeve thingies..."

Being on a budget, I used to think it maybe good value buying things that are cheap if you use them rarely.

I now think this is false economy, I have bought three electrical things from SCA, 1 car battery charger, worked fine when i needed - 18 months later when I needed it again, it lit up for 5 seconds then did nothing but power its fan, 1 heat gun, worked for the project i bought it for, next time I used it about a year later, no go the last was a cheap angle grinder and it was working the last time I used it (but felt sooo dangerous and had so much run out I'm not planning on using it again).. I did write to them about these issues but had no response.

I also had issues with their wiper blades scratching my windows but that is another issue.

So, I would suggest that if its for one project and you won't use it again and hold onto your receipt then it may fit your needs, if you want to treat them as more than disposable items then you may wish to reconsider.

That's probably the best way to look at this stuff - if it is needed for a specific job, maybe 1 or 2 uses, then fine. Any more than about 3 jobs, and it'll probably let you down/hurt you. The factory gate price for this stuff ex-China is $5-10 (or less) ! In many cases the Aldi stuff is a better choice if you want it to last just that bit longer; still fairly crappy, but better crappy?

Brings back memories of the wonderful world of GMC tools and their replacement warranty. Those were the days, eh? Buy crap angle grinder, flog it for 6 months, notice the bearings (?) are shot, take it back for a replacement no questions asked, repeat as required. I always wondered how their business model was sustainable - turns out it wasn't.....