China screwdriver experiment

[dwasifar]

Since I seem to be in screwdriver-testing mode these day, I thought it would be interesting to go on aliexpress.com today and order the cheapest screwdriver set I could find, and review it.

It turned out to be this, for $12 shipping included:

Nine drivers in a zip-up carrying case, "Penggong" brand. Looks like the handles have a rubber overmold and tiny nubs, hopefully for grip rather than "for her pleasure" like the coin machines in the men's room say. Can't tell if they're chromed.

I'm guessing these are more aimed at electronics than woodworking, but I'll give them a try anyway and see how they do... in 35 days, when they arrive.

Then I'll come back here and write about it.

 

[PureLeaf]

Why do you think they're for electronics work? Looks like an everyday set in terms of the slotted and Phillips sizes, also nice it includes stubbies.

Enjoy your Penggongs !

 

[dwasifar]

Why do you think they're for electronics work?

Because of the zip case, mainly.

 

[gungatim]

those grips remind me of the cheap HF set in red that comes in the plastic blowmold case. bought a set of those to leave in the truck. only hand powered screwdriver I recall ever breaking the tip on a #2 Philips doing normal work in my life. complete junk...hopefully those are better.

 

[measuredtwice]

Aliexpress has screwdrivers starting at $0.07 a piece.

https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesal...el=main&SortType=price_asc&page=1&groupsort=1

Here's a slotted driver for $0.30
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mag...ad-screwdriver-0-8x4-0x100mm/32715061368.html

I just realized that you posted the Harbor Freight driver recently. Here's a link to the $8.99 German-made Felo set from Fleet Farm that I mentioned in that topic. It's nothing special but it's cheap and has a good warranty and it's not made in China.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/fe...er-set/0000000078681?Ntt=felo screwdriver set

 

[HRNTK]

Because of the zip case, mainly.

The difference between mechanic and electricians screwdriver is in the type of the slotted blades..(milled blades for electricity and forged blades for mechanical or general uses)..

forged blades would not fit screws on holes...

 

[mfewtrail]

Those screwdrivers should be fine if Harbor Freight and other cheap sources are any indicator. HF has a set for cheaper than what you paid(if you have a store nearby that is) that gets good reviews on here. It's the "Pro" set for $9.99.

those grips remind me of the cheap HF set in red that comes in the plastic blowmold case. bought a set of those to leave in the truck. only hand powered screwdriver I recall ever breaking the tip on a #2 Philips doing normal work in my life. complete junk...hopefully those are better.

If you mean the ones that come w/ the extendable magnet and the little bendy driver attachment tool: I've had a set of those for probably near ten years and never broke one. I have pretty much only used the red handled screwdrivers out of it. Those precision drivers have the shittiest handles known to man, but that's to be expected with something that costs less than a fast food burger. The ac circuit tester, I never used for more than a pocket screwdriver and the acetate(?) handle crumbled on it. The extendable magnet is very delicate but should work ok for picking up small fasteners for a while, it will eventually break just from being built so flimsy though.

https://www.harborfreight.com/32-pc-screwdriver-set-61259.html

 

[dwasifar]

The difference between mechanic and electricians screwdriver is in the type of the slotted blades..(milled blades for electricity and forged blades for mechanical or general uses)..

forged blades would not fit screws on holes...

True enough. I don't have them yet to look at them, though, so I was just going by the case.

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[measuredtwice]

If those HF screwdrivers get praised then I'm not really sure I believe the reviews. Either some folks really like made in China stuff and the bar is set really low or there's something fishy. Some of the reviews on Amazon are also fake or the manufacturer sends out free samples in exchange for "honest" reviews.

Screwdrivers are one of those things that often go on sale and you can buy some quality drivers that aren't made in China for a similar price or just a little more. I've gotten 6 piece sets of Wiha drivers for $20. Those Felo drivers are just budget drivers but they're a bargain at $8.99 (or even less with a coupon). Made in China is easy to find these days. Something that's not made in China at a bargain price is what I would recommend to look for online.

 

[mfewtrail]

If those HF screwdrivers get praised then I'm not really sure I believe the reviews. Either some folks really like made in China stuff and the bar is set really low or there's something fishy. Some of the reviews on Amazon are also fake or the manufacturer sends out free samples in exchange for "honest" reviews.

I was referring to reviews by GJ members, not those on HF or amazon for what it's worth.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I was in a tool store and a guy was buying a bunch of 99cent screwdrivers, he was going to use them for tent pegs.

Even Wera screwdrivers at full price are inexpensive enough, it's kind of a why bother.

 

[Rabid Badger]

If those HF screwdrivers get praised then I'm not really sure I believe the reviews. Either some folks really like made in China stuff and the bar is set really low or there's something fishy. Some of the reviews on Amazon are also fake or the manufacturer sends out free samples in exchange for "honest" reviews.

I bought a bunch of these a while ago to scatter around my house, shed and office because I always need a #2 Phillips. So far they're all turning screws just like real screwdrivers.

About 6 months ago I bought a set of these as handle donors for a couple ratchets. I gave the rest to a guy I know that does HVAC work. As of last weekend they're still in his bag getting daily use.

What more would you like them to do?

 

[gungatim]

I was referring to reviews by GJ members, not those on HF or amazon for what it's worth.

"Leave us review send us screenshot get gift card" - literally just got that in a package from Amazon for a Chinese hard drive case yesterday. I paid $7.99 but I get a $15 gift card if I leave a review?

I also bought a projector a while back which said get a free thumb drive if you leave a review. that one they refused because it wasn't a 5 star review. I pitched a fit with Amazon saying they can't bribe for good reviews. I won that one but I know there at lots of places out there that bribe for positive reviews even though it's against the rules.

 

[jgromada]

I have probably 5 or 6 different types of the HF screwdrivers. Some are very good or server a specific purpose

I wanted a #4 Phillips and bolstered handles & these are fine https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-bolstered-screwdriver-set-94899.html

some are rather crappy albeit free https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-1-screwdriver-with-tpr-handle-61988.html

These torx errr star are excellent https://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-star-bit-screwdriver-set-94757.html

These electricians ones are good and probably equivalent to the Proto ones i have
(at 6 times the cost) https://www.harborfreight.com/electricians-screwdriver-set-7-pc-69075.html

Got these free and they ****! https://www.harborfreight.com/6-pc-screwdriver-set-62570.html

These remind me of old Stanleys https://www.harborfreight.com/7-pc-double-grip-screwdriver-set-61655.html not bad

These are ok too https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html used quite a bit and never stripped etc

 

[dwasifar]

These arrived today. They're awful. The handles are made of used sponges and the shafts are made of old bent rusty nails. The zip case is actually just a ziploc bag painted black. They came in a plastic envelope oozing with a strange toxic-smelling goo that dissolved the rust on the storm drain when I poured it into the gutter. They also appear to be radioactive, because when I tried to take a picture of them my camera shut down, and now there's a big dark spot in the middle of the display. I broke out in hives, warts, and fungus on my hands where I handled them, and now my hair is falling out. (Well, what was left of it is falling out.) I've lost my appetite and it seems like my fingernails are loose now. Oh, and they don't grip screws very well.

It's possible that not all of the above is true, but someone took all the fun out of this for me, so that's all I'm going to say about them.

 

[measuredtwice]

These arrived today. They're awful. The handles are made of used sponges and the shafts are made of old bent rusty nails. The zip case is actually just a ziploc bag painted black. They came in a plastic envelope oozing with a strange toxic-smelling goo that dissolved the rust on the storm drain when I poured it into the gutter. They also appear to be radioactive, because when I tried to take a picture of them my camera shut down, and now there's a big dark spot in the middle of the display. I broke out in hives, warts, and fungus on my hands where I handled them, and now my hair is falling out. (Well, what was left of it is falling out.) I've lost my appetite and it seems like my fingernails are loose now. Oh, and they don't grip screws very well.

It's possible that not all of the above is true, but someone took all the fun out of this for me, so that's all I'm going to say about them.

That was the most enjoyable review that I've read in a long time. Made me laugh! Hopefully you enjoyed it a little.

 

[dwasifar]

That was the most enjoyable review that I've read in a long time. Made me laugh! Hopefully you enjoyed it a little.

I did, actually. Far more fun than teeing up on the actual thing was likely to be.

 

[ChrisLS8]

If those HF screwdrivers get praised then I'm not really sure I believe the reviews. Either some folks really like made in China stuff and the bar is set really low or there's something fishy. Some of the reviews on Amazon are also fake or the manufacturer sends out free samples in exchange for "honest" reviews.

Screwdrivers are one of those things that often go on sale and you can buy some quality drivers that aren't made in China for a similar price or just a little more. I've gotten 6 piece sets of Wiha drivers for $20. Those Felo drivers are just budget drivers but they're a bargain at $8.99 (or even less with a coupon). Made in China is easy to find these days. Something that's not made in China at a bargain price is what I would recommend to look for online.

Or it's possible.....that some China tools can work quite well. Shocking I can assure you

 

[joseywales]

Too funny. But the experiment is an important one. We all know there are only so many factories making items. The hi-profile names will get as much as they can, based on marketing, reputation, warranty, etc., but their products are out there, for much less.

A friend installed my HVAC system for us. Nearly complete, he called me down to show me his favorite part. He puts the sticker, of the manufacturer, on the unit. Normally, he puts that on before he brings the unit into the house. He's been at the line, where these units are packed and the worker grabs a different label for the unit, based on various factors: Term of warranty, variable speed motor, etc. These are the only differences between the brands, all of which are made in the same factory. Not to say those items don't add value and shouldn't cost more, but they markup is significant from the standard unit.

 

[measuredtwice]

Or it's possible.....that some China tools can work quite well. Shocking I can assure you

Thanks for assuring me.

This HF review is a winner. He hasn't used it yet... but it did the job.

 

[measuredtwice]

These arrived today. They're awful. The handles are made of used sponges and the shafts are made of old bent rusty nails. The zip case is actually just a ziploc bag painted black. They came in a plastic envelope oozing with a strange toxic-smelling goo that dissolved the rust on the storm drain when I poured it into the gutter. They also appear to be radioactive, because when I tried to take a picture of them my camera shut down, and now there's a big dark spot in the middle of the display. I broke out in hives, warts, and fungus on my hands where I handled them, and now my hair is falling out. (Well, what was left of it is falling out.) I've lost my appetite and it seems like my fingernails are loose now. Oh, and they don't grip screws very well.

It's possible that not all of the above is true, but someone took all the fun out of this for me, so that's all I'm going to say about them.

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