Autos
Baby
Beauty
Books
Computers
Education
Electronics
Health
Home & Garden
Local Places
Movies
Pets
Travel
Web Sites
more…
Baby
Beauty
Books
Computers
Education
Electronics
Health
Home & Garden
Local Places
Movies
Pets
Travel
Web Sites
more…
Home
»
Home & Garden
»
Home Furnishing Reviews
»
Home Depot 5 Piece Fireplace Tool Set
»
kid-kansas's Review
Home Depot 5 Piece Fireplace Tool Set Review
Overall 2.00 of 5
(by 1 user)
Looks fantastic but looks can be deceiving!
a homeowner, budget conscious, concerned about the environment, looking for durability, have a fireplace
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
DEC
23
2007
Assembly
They came in a little skinny box in a bunch of pieces so I assembled them without much trouble. The box came with an ash shovel, a brush, a poker, a pair of wood tongs and the stand. The box weighed I guess right around 25lbs. so I was hoping that meant sturdy. It sure looked and felt sturdy on the display shelf.
How they are made
They are a heavy set made with as I said an antique brass finish, the tips are about 3/4" round and fit the hand very well. The ash brush is a nylon material but since you should never sweep hot ashes this was not a problem. I never paid much attention to the ash shovel until it broke on me. Although it has a steel rod and heavy handle along with a sturdy shovel end, the connection between the shovel and rod is a joke. In the store it looked like it was made as well as the rest of the set.
After it broke I found out otherwise, as the connection between the shovel head and the shaft is made from a cheap metal alloy. It broke when my nerves caused my hand to let go of it for a split second and it fell about 18" to the floor and bent slightly. All I did was bend it back and hang it up. Well the next time I used it they thing just fell into 2 pieces on me and ashes went all over the place.
Being two years old it was not covered any longer under warranty (yes I had the receipt) so I was up a creek without a paddle. Not only that but Home Depot does not sell replacement parts for it. I tried liquid solder which didn't work, I also tried brazing it but the pot metal is so crappy it just kept flaking off under the flame of my little propane torch.
I finally did locate a single ash shovel but it does not match my set any longer, but it will have to do. All the other tools are very heavy and well made, even the little brush. But unfortunately the shovel is junk. They advertise it for wood fireplaces or a decorative touch for a gas fireplace...my you know what!!!! If I wanted a decorative piece next to my fireplace I would buy a statue not a tool set!
Bottom Line
Looks can be deceiving so examine everything you buy that you want to last. Just because the other tools in the set looked and felt sturdy I was fooled by the shovel in the set. I guess I should have known better but being on a fixed income I need to watch every dollar I spend and I was taken for a ride this time. A little side note.....the ash shovel I bought at Walmart as a replacement for $3.86 is sturdier than the one that I got in the fancy looking set at Home Depot...... go figure!!!!!!
Home Depot 5 Piece Fireplace Tool Set is not recommended by kid-kansas
Comments about kid-kansas’s Review
Other reviews by kid-kansas
Extreme Makeover Home Edition Review - "Building a better world, one...
Ridley Auto Glide Classic - 2008 Motorcycle Review - "A Mini-Bike on...Fresh or Butcher Shop Buffalo Review - "Bison/Buffalo is the other Red...
Witless Protection Review - "Larry the Cable Guy just didn't do much for...
