I find some cool values at HF. I was able to turn their sheet metal nibbler into a fret tang nipper. I epoxied a fret crown file insert to their goose neckd screwdriver. Their deep throat clamps are pretty good value and good as a bridge clamp, with a 1 in 10 chance that the business end of it will actually align with one another.
But outside of maybe their drill press, I don't know that I would buy any equipment from them.
I'm sure that a lot of their stuff rolls down the same lines as the other manufacturers whose equipment we often hold in higher regard. But I think the difference is in quality control and what each one perceives as allowable tolerances.
I would therefore say a resounding no to the equipment purchases. I think a little webcam mounted on some brass rod with an LED headlamp and then spending the remaining $249 on zoot would be a better way to go.
Of course I'm frugal and my middle name is Jerry Rig. Darrin