That's what i thought it might be. So, somehow a $400 DC that needs almost as many mods as the HF is somehow better because it costs more? I don't get it. The only components that one could maybe argue is better is the motor & impeller. In todays make it cheaper manufacturing that may or may not be the case. Plenty of these HF DC motors have lived long lives. Otherwise you have a DC that still needs a separator, a better filter, a larger intake (to collect fines), etc. You've already spent more just for your DC than i paid for my DC, the impeller, my separator (free-cycled material), and my 6" S&D piping.
The HF DC is a long time recognized diamond in the rough. Not everything HF sells is junk. Would i buy most of the stuff they sell? No. But as with anything else, prudent shopping at HF can save some serious coin on items that the chinese copy and sell at ridiculously low prices under generic names. (bar clamps, diamond sharpeners, drill chucks, some of the HVLP guns rival those costing much more, air hose (goodyear brand), air nozzles, air fittings, hose reels, and quite a bit more.)
It's not my intention to pick a battle or anything, i just don't see anything about the Delta unit that justifies $400, and i think you've written off the HF unit based solely on its price. Price can be an indicator of quality, however, there are products that are severely overpriced. DC's are just that, overpriced. So, one being sold at a reasonable price doesn't necessarily make it junk. Truth be known, the HF and Delta units probably have very similar costs of manufacturing.
The HF DC is a long time recognized diamond in the rough. Not everything HF sells is junk. Would i buy most of the stuff they sell? No. But as with anything else, prudent shopping at HF can save some serious coin on items that the chinese copy and sell at ridiculously low prices under generic names. (bar clamps, diamond sharpeners, drill chucks, some of the HVLP guns rival those costing much more, air hose (goodyear brand), air nozzles, air fittings, hose reels, and quite a bit more.)
It's not my intention to pick a battle or anything, i just don't see anything about the Delta unit that justifies $400, and i think you've written off the HF unit based solely on its price. Price can be an indicator of quality, however, there are products that are severely overpriced. DC's are just that, overpriced. So, one being sold at a reasonable price doesn't necessarily make it junk. Truth be known, the HF and Delta units probably have very similar costs of manufacturing.