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Thoughts on Harbor Freight Pro Screwdrviers?

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AceofSpad3s

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Oct 1, 2014
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Here I am again, now I have heard some great things about harbor freight pro screwdrivers, some people have compared them to tool truck brands, I find that hard to believe but I would like to hear the opinions of people that have experience with them and if they would recommend them.
 
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ecotec

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I found the reviews that compare them to tool truck brands pretty questionable as well. It seems too good to be true. 8 tool truck quality screwdrivers for $6.75+tax…
 
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Toyota mechanic

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The best I can say is they are good for Harbor Freight stuff. I would use regular Craftsman or Craftsman pros, over them. For cheap screwdrivers...........the HF pros are not bad. Good bang for the buck!
 
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DennisH2014

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Comparing them to my Matco Supertorq Driver, or my dad's Snap-On, I'd have to say they're not quite at the level. That said, they're close, and for the price they simply can't be beat!
 
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Loscaldazar

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Toyota mechanic said:
The best I can say is they are good for Harbor Freight stuff. I would use regular Craftsman or Craftsman pros, over them. For cheap screwdrivers...........the HF pros are not bad. Good bang for the buck!
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I sure hope you are talking about regular craftsman screwdrivers that were produced like 20-30+ years ago, because I've already gone through 3 (date codes 2013, 2014, 2014) P2 of the regular craftsman from recent years. Each one lasts me about 40-50 screws for interior work on a car before it is too badly damaged to continue.

I would say this HF set is way better than the regular craftsman screwdrivers. Now if only they made more sizes....

And before you say it, it's not user error. I have a Craftsman bit set from 2008 also (USA made, but not Western Forge), and the P2 bit still looks excellent and it has been used for well over a 1,000 screws. My kobalt ratcheting screwdriver bits look new, and I've easily used the P2 200 times plus. I've only ever had problems with my regular Craftsman screwdrivers.
 
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BirdMobile

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Loscaldazar said:
I sure hope you are talking about regular craftsman screwdrivers that were produced like 20-30+ years ago, because I've already gone through 3 (date codes 2013, 2014, 2014) P2 of the regular craftsman from recent years. Each one lasts me about 40-50 screws for interior work on a car before it is too badly damaged to continue.

I would say this HF set is way better than the regular craftsman screwdrivers. Now if only they made more sizes....

And before you say it, it's not user error. I have a Craftsman bit set from 2008 also (USA made, but not Western Forge), and the P2 bit still looks excellent and it has been used for well over a 1,000 screws. My kobalt ratcheting screwdriver bits look new, and I've easily used the P2 200 times plus. I've only ever had problems with my regular Craftsman screwdrivers.
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Are you talking about the clear acetate handled Craftsman screwdrivers? I have a few sets of those I've scraped from pawn shops and yard sales, and they've held up well so far. Maybe I've got mostly older ones? I don't know... never needed to warranty one yet...
 
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Loscaldazar

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BirdMobile said:
Are you talking about the clear acetate handled Craftsman screwdrivers? I have a few sets of those I've scraped from pawn shops and yard sales, and they've held up well so far. Maybe I've got mostly older ones? I don't know... never needed to warranty one yet...
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Yup. The acetate handles. My father has a set that have chrome shafts that are fairly old. The chrome ones have served him for decades, while my new ones barely last a day of use when I do use them (mostly use a drill or ratcheting screwdriver anyway, but still frustrating when the screwdriver just won't hold up).
 
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ecotec

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bcradio said:
Durable, but don't fit the fastener heads very well.
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I can, absolutely, see this being true (based only on looking them over for a minute). Note: I have NOT used any of them yet. I bought a set today ($7.14 OTD). The number 1 Phillips has a way different taper than the tapers on my Wiha and Wera number 1 Phillips's (correct plural?).

Note 2: I love my Wera set… But they are just not right for electrical fittings. The dimensions of my Klein set fit electrical fittings better. I ended up going back to Klein for my work tools, with the exception of the Phillips drivers. I am using the Wera Phillips drivers.

I have mentioned this before… But Klein and Greenlee (and maybe Southwire) use the same dimensions for their straight blade screwdrivers. I do not see how these sizes would be proprietary. Wera, Wiha, and even Harbor Freight should use THOSE dimensions for their straight blade screwdrivers. At least for the American market.
 
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RedneckWelder

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I find them decent for cheap screwdrivers. Comparable to a quality brand, hell no. Comparable to the cheaper stuff, yeah.

For a set to toss into the home box or the car box when you don't do much work with them, great.
 
C

cheechi

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ecotec said:
I found the reviews that compare them to tool truck brands pretty questionable as well. It seems too good to be true. 8 tool truck quality screwdrivers for $6.75+tax…
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I'll second this. They are not in the same ballpark as my Williams. I keep them for beaters. They have been good for what I need when I need them, but first I go for ratcheting, second for my Williams, and buying these did nothing to change that habit.
 
T

Toyota mechanic

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Messages
219
:dunno:
Loscaldazar said:
I sure hope you are talking about regular craftsman screwdrivers that were produced like 20-30+ years ago, because I've already gone through 3 (date codes 2013, 2014, 2014) P2 of the regular craftsman from recent years. Each one lasts me about 40-50 screws for interior work on a car before it is too badly damaged to continue.

I would say this HF set is way better than the regular craftsman screwdrivers. Now if only they made more sizes....

And before you say it, it's not user error. I have a Craftsman bit set from 2008 also (USA made, but not Western Forge), and the P2 bit still looks excellent and it has been used for well over a 1,000 screws. My kobalt ratcheting screwdriver bits look new, and I've easily used the P2 200 times plus. I've only ever had problems with my regular Craftsman screwdrivers.
Click to expand...

:dunno: The ones I have, have been fine. They are not new, but not that old. Past decade or so, same as the Cman pros I have. Depending on lot, etc... Mileage may vary.
 
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fourtythree

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WV
Not all HF screwdrivers are created equal. I consider the good ones to be the gray/green and gray/orange handled drivers. I've found them to be comparable to Craftsman Pros and Husky Pros in terms of quality.
 
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steed andersen

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f575gtc

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Jul 14, 2013
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I would love to have a set of comfort grip screwdrivers, but I would have to wade through the 20 free sets of the black handle screwdrivers.
 
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SASORacing

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Utah
I like how they are red or blue for philips or flat head. Saves time and energy. They are good, but the tips are not machined as ideal or good as some name brands. They are an excellent backup set for the money.

image_20986.jpg
 
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f575gtc

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are the drivers posted by SASORacing the ones fourtythree spoke about?
 
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