There are times when urgency of projects means grabbing whatever’s in the yellow bin in the corner of your garage. You know…the one with screwdriver. With screwdrivers that cost less than a cup of coffee, we can all agree that Harbor Freight have got some great deals.
Who doesn’t want to fix something without spending too much money? But will cheap screwdrivers gets the job done? Who doesn’t want to fix something without spending to much money?
But will cheap screwdrivers get the job done? Do you want a tool that bend with mild torque or strips the screw head mid-turn? No thank you!
That’s a frustration that halts your process. So don’t just see sticker price, dig deep into the shank and handle of whatever it is you’re looking at. There is no easy yes or no. The question simply depend on what you are trying to drive.
How Durable Are Harbor Freight Screwdrivers Really
Understanding Screwdriver Grades
Light duty means that for most jobs around house, there’s no need to break out your big guns. Standard screwdrivers is just right for tasks like screwing in screws when mounting something like a drywall anchor or assembling some furnitures. They’re those plastic handled screwdrivers sold in multi-packs.
They has steel shafts but they are suitable for tasks that require only enough torque to tighten a screw. Usually the tips is stamped and not ground, so they will be a bit looser fitting. If you put too much pressure on them, they might slip off a screw head.
They are good for a quick fix, but not good for precision work.
Titan and Hercules Line Quality
Jump up the ladder to Titan or Hercules line and the step up in quality becomes obvious. They’re made from chrome vanadium steel shanks.
Compared to simple carbon steel, they’re more flexable and resistant to breaking when encountering a stubborn fastener. The tips fits tighter onto screw heads, further minimizing the possibility of slipping off and stripping the screw. Camming out means that driver slipped; not good.
For the weekend warrior, this is a huge upgrade.
Importance of Comfortable Handles
The high-end sets at Harbor Freight also has notable handles. Many have rubber grips that absorb shock and prevent hand fatigue.
This is because comfort equals control. If your handle is slick, you’ll make mistakes. You can put a lot more torque into it without getting cramps.
That’s good if you’re using this for extended periods, like when assembling cabinetry or decking. Mid-range doesn’t always equate to mid-price Some of the least expensive sets perform better different than some of the middle tier brands. It really just depends on match of tool to job.
Matching Tools to Job Stakes
A good economy driver isn’t going to hold up well to heavy construction tasks. A top of the line set like Hercules isn’t needed for a picture frame. Be honest about what it needs, and you’ll be happy.
Storage and maintenance are other factors in durability.
Tool Maintenance and Durability
Any steel tool is subject to rust. Keeping shafts wiped down greatly increases their life.
These aren’t space age alloys or titanium tools. They’re just plain old hardware from Harbor Freight. Care for them a bit, and you’ll enjoy them for many years.
Abuse them and even an expensive tool will let you down.
Risk Assessment and Value
But the risk assessment is what make it worth it. You might break a tool doing an important repair job (money + lost time).
Buying a replacement screwdriver won’t cost much. You might ruin a cabinet or strip a screw at that hard-to-reach spot, big $$. Consider possibility of failure versus the cost of the screwdriver.
Spend more on high stakes jobs. Spend less on low stakes jobs. If there’s one thing Harbor Freight has done, it have forced the competition to play ball with price and change the tool game as we know it for consumers.
And if they’ve shown us anything, it’s that inexpensive doesn’t necessarily equal poor quality. If you know what grades to look at, you can find real value in their line of screwdrivers. The yellow bin ain’t all crap.
That’s where you find treasure if you know how to shop. Ultimately, if you’re just a homeowner then a Harbor Freight screwdriver should of last long enough. If you want pro grade performance then they have that too but at a fraction of the cost.
There’s no reason to fear Harbor Freight. Just match the right tool to the task and you’ll be golden. Have a solid set handy in your toolbox and you won’t get stranded.