I purchased two cordless drill kits at retail pricing – a Makita XFD13 brushless kit, and Harbor Freight HC91K1 kit.
This isn’t an apples to apples comparison, but let’s see how two ~$99 kits (at the time of purchase) compare against each other. The Makita has a brushless motor, the Harbor Freight Hercules has a brushed motor. Both are advertised as being professional cordless power tool systems.
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Which is better, Makita or Hercules? Let’s take a look at some features and specs.
(NOTE: This is all tongue-in-cheek.)
Speed
Makita: 0-500 & 0-1,900 RPM
Harbor Freight Hercules: 0-600/0-2000 RPM
Winner: Harbor Freight Hercules
Torque
Makita: 440 in-lbs
Harbor Freight Hercules: 576 in-lbs
Winner: Harbor Freight Hercules
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Charging Time
Makita: 60 minutes
Harbor Freight Hercules: 60 minutes
Charging time is for Makita 3.0Ah battery and Hercules 2.5Ah battery according to the respective brands’ specs.
Winner: Tie
Size and Weight
Makita: 6-5/8″ length, ~9-3/4″ height, weighs 3.6 lbs
Harbor Freight Hercules: 7-3/8″ length, ~8-3/4″ height, weighs 3.6 lbs
Winner: Tie
Keyless Drill Chuck
Makita: Plastic sleeve
Harbor Freight Hercules: metal sleeve
Winner: Undetermined
Overall
And the overall winner is…
What, did you think I was serious here?
The Hercules is more compact overall. It’s slightly longer length-wise, but shorter with respect to height. The Makita comes with a 3Ah battery, the Hercules was bundled at the time with a 2.5Ah battery.
So with the Makita, it’s taller and a little bulkier, with 20% more battery charge capacity.
The Makita is an 18V tool, and the Hercules a 20V Max tool, which is the same thing.
Maybe at the time the Hercules setup was $89 and the Makita $99, I don’t recall exactly. I purchased both and can look at my records, but it’s a moot point because the Makita is mainly only available during the holiday shopping shopping seasons, and the Harbor Freight is no longer available as a kit.
The Point of This Post
Some of you responded aggressively to my recent comment about not associating Makita with fine woodworking tools, or considering the brand “okay” in general, with many of you referencing older tools and decades-long experiences.
Like yours, my opinions are the result of very many different experiences over time.
I was a little taken aback by the couple of you that suggested my opinions are wrong. I prefer thin crust pizza, maybe you like deep dish. Pepsi vs. Coke. Vodka vs. rum. Football vs. soccer.
I still come across people who are surprised to hear that the Craftsman brand is under different ownership and that they don’t make any tools in the USA anymore.
It’s not constructive to argue about opinions being wrong. Instead, elaborate on your own experiences. “You know, I had been using several sanders, and a coworker lent me their X-brand model and I found it had more uniform material removal and also better dust collection.” That works better than “you’re wrong because my 25 year-old tools are top-notch and carpenters I know would agree with me.”
I’m sorry, but I rely on my insights, opinions, and experiences. That has and will always be true. There will inevitably be those of you who disagree with me, drawing on your own decisions, investments, preferences, or brand loyalties. Aren’t I entitled to my own perspective?
I am open to talking things over, and if I’m being honest, I want you to disagree with me. If I only hear from those in agreement, what will I ever learn? Opposition is as valuable as validation.
I hope you realize this “comparison” post is intended in a friendly and tongue-in-cheek manner, although I know there’s a risk you don’t find it very endearing.
Truthfully, I was about to abandon the idea when I looked at the compared the specs and found the on-paper figures to be interesting.
In a true comparison, I would have to conduct side by side tests and look at application speed and runtime, as opposed to drawing from prior usage experiences with both tools.
Frankly, I was surprised that the Harbor Freight Hercules beats the Makita on specs. The speed ratings can practically be ignored, but there’s a substantial difference in max torque ratings – on paper. I haven’t tested both tools’ maxed-out performance levels side by side yet.
Is anyone interesting in a comparison between these two tools for their own purchasing decisions? I assume that if you’re reading this, it’s for the entertainment (or for another opportunity to tell me how much you disagree with my preferences and brand-tool associations).
Let’s look at the basic specs.
Speed
Brand A: 0-500 & 0-1,900 RPM
Brand B: 0-600/0-2000 RPM
Max Torque
Brand A: 440 in-lbs
Brand B: 576 in-lbs
Size and Weight
Brand A: 6-5/8″ length, ~9-3/4″ height, weighs 3.6 lbs
Brand B: 7-3/8″ length, ~8-3/4″ height, weighs 3.6 lbs
Just looking at these on-paper specs alone, which of these tools are better?
Normally, I won’t do a comparison like this, and why I instead focus on differentiation and the strengths one brand or model might have over another.
In this case, there are some objective benefits to both brands and models, and also subjective ones.
In the case of these two cordless drills, on paper, Harbor Freight Hercules has advantages over Makita. In use, there are some advantages to the Makita, but it also depends on the angle.
In really comparing the two here, my subjective leanings would go towards the Makita, independent of what ANY test results would show. It’s a more developed system, and even though this is their entry-level model, and it’s kitted with just one battery instead of two, you get a 3Ah battery. The Hercules battery is a compact 2.5Ah pack, but other pro brands in this pricing category often kit their entry-priced drills with 1.3Ah or 1.5Ah batteries.
Often, my opinions on a brand or product are relevant to the topic. Other times, they’re better left unsaid, but I let them shine through anyway. That way you KNOW where I stand.
I figure it’s a form of transparency to make my subjectivities clear, rather than potentially allow them to go unnoticed. I try very hard to avoid letting my preferences steer my objectivity, but in case there’s a risk of this happening subconsciously, the more that’s visible to you, the more at ease I feel. Does that make sense? That, and I apparently learn best through arguments. If I’m wrong about something, you can’t just tell me, you have to show me.
Some of my opinions are built on top of years of personal, professional, and external anecdotal experiences, and it’s not easy or fitting to provide all that “data” where it doesn’t fit. But, that’s also what the comments section is for, so that you can provide differing opinions.
Every now and then I’ll put everything down to paper, as in this recent post:
That post explicitly discusses my current top brand proclivities, and if you want to know more, just ask.
At the time of this posting, there are 160,619 reader comments, 16,388 belonging to me. All of these comments and conversations have absolutely contributed to my knowledge, insights, and even preferences at times when I give your suggestions and recommendations a try. I am stubborn, and opinionated, but also very open-minded.
Which Would I Pick – Makita or Harbor Freight?
Even though this comparison was originally intended tongue-in-cheek, I was surprised at how seriously I was looking at how the two brands’ tools compared against each other.
I bought both for ToolGuyd-related reasons, because I needed hands-on time to know if Harbor Freight is blowing smoke with their Hercules line claims (they’re not), and if Makita’s is a compromised DIYer-friendly model specially designed for the holiday shopping season (as with most brands it kind of is, but this one proved to be recommendable).
For personal use, I’d go in a different direction with respect to cordless systems.
The Makita drill kit is presently $119 at Amazon, and the Hercules is $50 for the drill + $30 for the charger + $35 for the battery – $25 bundle discount, or $90 at Harbor Freight stores. That’s a $30 difference.
Arguments against Harbor Freight and their Hercules tools aren’t so much about the quality of their tools, but about Harbor Freight’s history and the reputation they built up over time. If you’re reading this post and saying “Hercules? – never!!,” why? Have you ever tried Hercules tools? This tool?
Anyway, hands-down, I’d go with…
Aaron
I think it was hercules where ave did a teardown and basically concluded that while they’re made some choices that were better than you expect of the brand they had definitely skimped on internal quality in ways that would diminish it’s lifespan. I also don’t have any confidence in their battery platform. If I needed a tool for monthly use those compromises might be a good tradeoff to save a few bucks.
Aaron
Also I bet they’re practically theft proof and a good loaner tool to encourage apprentices to buy their own kit!
Gordon
Ave also mentioned that it is common for companies like HF to start with a good tool and slowly value engineer it to a lower quality tool. The early reviews and all the videos will be regarding the initial, higher quality, version.
Stuart
There’s a risk of this in all industries.
I remember buying computer monitors and quality depended on a “panel lottery” because different sources resulted in very different overall quality. Reviewers of course got cherry-picked samples. This is something I have been very sensitive about, but luckily it’s not something I have come across here yet.
Matt J.
Got burned by this recently. Totally different market, but built a new PC a few months back and found tons of really good reviews on an Adata NVME drive. A few weeks after building it, Toms Hardware posted on that exact hard drive saying that they had found that the manufacturer had switched to cheaper drivers but that even though they were substantially slower, they were within the very loose spec of the product, so they didn’t renumber them. All the favorable reviews were with the original, faster design, while any available now are much slower and mediocre for the price point.
CountyCork
That guy ave is entertaining that’s for sure.
rob
AVE also happens to neither design nor repair power tools for a living.
Dave Brock
Ok? he points out design flaws and weaknesses.
John
He doesn’t but his background is in mechanical engineering from what I’ve been able to figure out. I would trust what he’s saying more than others on Youtube. 1). He’s not biased and says it how it is. I can’t wait till he tears a new one into all the claims from Flex. 2). He’s not being paid by any company to say anything and is always mentioning that.
Stuart
Perhaps, but a lot of YouTubers are increasingly sensationalist to further drive and heighten interest and views, as their income is directly tied to their audience.
Frank D
One is teal, one is blue.
One I’d buy for a handful of reasons.
The other one I would not buy for a dozen reasons … and I cannot currently envision a circumstance where I might be tempted or forced.
Pink porkchop
There is a difference between liking thin crust and not Chicago style and liking thin crust and not knowing Chicago style of pizza is supremely popular and delicious. I, myself prefer thin, then hand tossed.
And I have used Hercules, they’re garbage. I bought one on a whim and it burnt out really quick, but not as fast as hyper tough.
And I don’t like tool tests generally, they never show what’s happened after it’s been dropped off a ladder or been abused for five years.
Raycr
3 year warranty vs. 90 days- no thanks.
Even if you bought H.F. Extended warranty who wants to drive back to the store for a replacement. The only Makita tools I ever killed was a ac pad sander.
My neighbor an on the road emergency service truck mechanic buys H.F. gas generators with warranty for his vans and trades them in every Six months when they die.
H.F. Is only for hand tools and tool cabinets. Their power tools were disappointing.
Matt J.
I’d look at Project Farm’s tests. He doesn’t do a ton of tool tests, but when he does, he does things like ladder drops and other durability tests as well as cutting through marketing BS to give apples-to-apples comparisons. Well worth a watch if you’ve not checked him out.
Kilroy
Agreed. I’m not sure that I’d consider Project Farm’s tests “scientific”, as he doesn’t usually do, or at least show, that much in the way of repeated examples of the same test, and I suspect that if he did, the results would be much less conclusive due to natural variation in test results.
However, he does build some cool test rigs and tries to make his tests as objective and quantifiable as possible, given his limited budget.
For a random guy on the internet, Project Farm’s tests are very good, and better than most magazine “tests”… IMHO, Project Farm’s tests are probably about as good as you can get for tests from any organization short of Consumer Reports or an industrial QC lab.
MM
I’ve never used a Harbor Freight cordless tool so I honestly can’t comment on how good they are. But I really wouldn’t give them much consideration because they don’t have anywhere near the track record of the major brands, and more importantly they don’t have a “system” of many tools using the same battery.
Assuming the costs and performance are similar buying into the larger, better, system is a no-brainer.
Stephen
They have their Hercules and Bauer line of 20v tools. Both have a fairly large selection of tools that use the same battery. Either a blue Hercules or the Red Bauer. We get alot of truck drivers come thru my work that all swear by their Hercules 20v impacts.
MM
Those lines do have the major bases covered but they’re still tiny compared to the big brands.
Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Makita all have around 200 or so different cordless tools on their 18V platforms. Hercules has 18. HF’s website layout made it cumbersome to count how many Bauer has so I didn’t bother but I’d wager it’s in the same ballpark.
Mike
Thank you for doing this. I think a lot of times, folks get it in their head that the big brand names mean better products. With many items, this is true, and that could also be the case here. However, I feel that many experienced professionals might forget that they were once first-time tool users, some of which might have even burned up a tool or two along their journey to greatness. Having a less expensive “learner” can provide knowledge of what to (and not to) do, so that when it comes time for them to go all-in on a tool line, they know how to treat and take care of their tools.
My first set of cordless was a SKIL drill, recip-saw combo. It sucked. But it was cheap and all that I could afford when I got started. I appreciated higher quality tools when I had the chance to get my hands on them. “On-paper” comparisons don’t always give the whole truth. But experiential evidence can also be biased. I think it’s important to give the new guys a chance to gain that experience and providing them more options for entry level tools might be a good thing.
Would I buy Hercules? No. But not because I “know” it’s inferior. I’m on the Milwaukee battery platform. Their tools work for me. I don’t need another. But if I were just coming up and needed tools to get started? You better believe I’m buying them! Maybe something even cheaper! Will I learn my lesson? Maybe, but what if I find that these tools are exactly what I need to get my job done? The money I saved could be rolled into something else, like more tools, so that I can expand my value to my business.
Josh
Exactly Mike and great point, how many of us started out with the top of the line or even middle tier?? Probably not too many of us.
Stuart
There *are* differences that you can’t see on paper.
I can’t speak about Makita though. With their new cordless, they say “XGT outpowers, outsmarts, and outlasts the rest,” pointing at “innovative engineering” examples such as “rare earth magnets,” “pure copper wire,” “microchips,” and “digital communication.” That’s like saying that one restaurant’s pizza is better because it has things like dough, sauce, and cheese.
With Hercules, I know they were very careful in motor and component selection (such as the drill chucks), which led me to reverse course on dismissing them outright simply for being a Harbor Freight tool.
Tool selection needs to meet one’s needs. For a regular-use tool, I pay more for higher quality. For more casual needs, I have to pick and choose so that more of my funds go towards tools that provide the maximum benefit.
I’ll be focusing more on mid-range brands in coming weeks. I have a partnership to help support upcoming content, and one of the things I’ve been doing is shopping for DIY hand tool selections, and it has been a blast. Although I always try to keep this in mind, it’s hard not to take for granted that I have a larger tool budget than I used to. I always hated reading about products in magazines that costs at least 5X what I was looking to spend, but one does lose a sensitivity to this.
Sometimes I use less capable tools – like the Makita and the Hercules above – over say a Dewalt XR 3-speed or Milwaukee M18 Fuel models, to get a feel for how performance and application speeds vary across price points.
Josh
All this pizza talk has me hungry!! With regards to Hercules, I have used them when a friend had brought his set over for a project I helped him on. I tried to have an open mind even though I’ve owned higher quality tools for many years now. He is a DIY type and he saw the lower prices and for him and his non craftsman background, they worked. Lower quality fit and finish and sure didnt inspire me to think this is the type of tool I can beat up and then one day hand off to my son. It got the job done and didn’t require me to get my stuff out but as previously stated in other articles, for the quality and finish, I would spend a few bucks more and get one from red/blue/yellow etc. brand if I were in the market for cordless stuff or if I had to start over. I’ve had a few makita tools (corded) over the years, even some cordless for company tools. Always solid and reliable. As I got older, the experiences and memories of my grandfather’s wood shop make me associate makita as a woodworking brand. Just my two cents, now off to find some deep dish….
Stuart
In this particular comparison, it also depends on budget. $90 for a cordless drill vs. $120 can make the difference between getting quality accessories or budget junky. $125 for the Hercules + quality accessories is going to provide a better user experience than $125 for the Makita + junky accessories.
Dave Brock
Stuart, I mostly have Ridgid brand cordless tools which I consider a middle of the road lineup. I don’t have the desire to venture into the realm of the Red line since I have the tools I need now along with plenty of batteries but if you want someone to test the Hercules against Ridgid I would be glad to with an open mind.
Brian
HF now has good, better, and best in most everything they sell. Hercules falls in their best category. So, it is not surprising that when new the performance is equal or better to a professional brand. Maybe do another review in a few years to see how the two are holding up. I wouldn’t be to surprised if the results stayed the same, but I do love all my Makita tools. I use HF, but no desire to use them as a first choice.
Allen
Any warrantee difference ?
Stuart
Definitely. HF has a 90 day warranty unless you pay more for the extended service protection plan.
Jp
Hahaha I love this comparison. I’m glad you’ve decided to focus on midrange tools. Not everyone has rich employers, or has the money for top tier. I started with Black and Decker and Craftsman. Later on HF.
I get the impression that multiple people here are very snobbish about tools. Glad they struck it rich. I am fine now, but I respect cheaper options bc I know what its like to need them there are many people who need them . I’m not sure that is your current audience.
Bruce
If I was looking at a cordless drill in the $100 price range. It would depend on if I needed it for a job or planned to make regular use of it. Neither would be ideal for a tradesman. In either case, I’d probably buy the HF, because by the time I bought the HF 2 year warranty, I’d be at the same price point as the Makita and I could have a new one when I smoked it. Frankly, HF has stepped up in the Sears space of home gamer tools with outsized warranties. If they start pricing it into their tool costs, it will be hard to pry them out of that market for other tool brands.
Paul
While I can’t comment either the Makita or the Hercules…having used neither recently, I’d recommend that if you are shopping around for comparisons, the Ridgid line is very intriguing. Except for maybe holiday sales, Makita prices themselves higher than Dewalt or Milwaukee. While I cut my teeth on Makita for dordless drills back in the NiCd days, that was a LONG time ago. They are now just middle of the road on everything except price.
Gordon
Over the years Project farm has uncovered a dark secret of the tool world; almost nothing lives up to it’s spec sheet. Every company measures in a different way, and almost all take some liberties. Is RPM the chuck speed, or the spec of the motor? They’re different, even if the end user can’t really tell.
Adam
This isn’t exactly a giant revelation: every marketing team on earth tries to spin their product as better because of numbers on paper. Then they ask “how to we make our numbers look better?” and answer “we’ll, we’re really only measuring this one specific thing, so let’s remove anything that can influence that number and just take the highest raw value we can.”
Horsepower ratings are a famous example from the late 90’s: on paper, the 5.7L engine in a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette was listed at 345 HP, but Hot Rod Magazine rated it at 285HP, severely underperforming the listings (and competition). The difference? Chevy’s marketing department used the engine’s gross horsepower rating, which is higher, but Hot Rod tested actual wheel-driven horsepower, which factors into account the power lost to turn the drivetrain and transfer that power to the wheels.
Another good example is the current processor core wars with computers and mobile devices. Everyone is rushing to push out processors with more cores because that’s what marketing has told people they need: “more cores = faster and more speed.” In reality, core count is only one factor at play: clock speed, instructions per second, and overall architecture thermal efficiency all have a larger impact on the end user than two more cores.
At this point, any company or product that tout’s a number or statistic as a marketing tactic is suspect, because that means they’re only showing you their best face.
Perry
That wasn’t just Chevy, it was all manufacturers at the time. The automotive industry went through a big upheaval because of it
Lyle
Project Farm is awesome
Jared
I enjoyed the article! Gave me a moment’s pause as I read it and thought “geez, this sounds like a post from one of those websites that just compares specs in paragraphs and then tries to get me to click an affiliate link.”
Nicely done.
My two pet peeves are the comments about:
– how someone’s cousin’s brother’s former roommate was a 40 year carpenter and only used brand x so that’s what everyone should have, and
– well it doesn’t fit my personal needs, PRECISELY, so this tool is useless garbage.
I sometimes want to ask: “do you even like tools?”
Frank D
Many of us like tools and will look and try any brand when given the chance, whether they’re on a functional display or a friend or family member has them or on a project with a colleague.
It is just that Harborfreight has a proven record of at least 30 years of peddling crappy powertools ( that I know of ), while bombarding people weekly with their wild claim advertising that their products beat name brands in features, specs and price. In recent years, that was not helped with HF seemingly launching a new powertool brand every two years or so. And when you looked them over in store, there was off-gassing, poor fit and finish, rust, … 90 day warranty. Nothing that inspires confidence.
So, when you put a worldwide known brand like Makita – which might equate to the Honda or Toyota of tool brands – I don’t know, just thought of that ( could apply to other brands ) – against HF’s store brand attempt number 10(?) … is it really surprising few people who like safe and durable tools will jump for the wildcard?
Steve
I believe that the purpose of this article was to ruffle a few feathers. I wouldn’t buy another tool from harbor crap if it was the last tool company on earth. Not one tool lasted through its first job and no, I didn’t buy the “extended warranty”. I should have thrown the pot metal pipe wrench through the store window after it broke and cost me several stitches on my hand.
Anyone who hires someone with hf tools is a fool. I don’t allow them on my jobs.
High & Mighty
This is a comparison of hf’s top tier drill vs makita’s lowest tier drill. Comparatively, the Hercules is likely better than all major brands lowest tier drill. They should be. And let’s be honest about this, the “holiday special” drills (and most of the tools sold during this time of year) are garbage in the first place. They’re barely entry level quality, if not worse. They’re the worst of the worst tier tools that all brands are dumping at the end of the year to make a quick come-up. And specifications mean absolutely nothing when put to the test under real world applications and performance suggests otherwise. I think this shows that the performance of Hercules is rather awful. Harbor freight’s best barely beats makita’s worst. Who’s reputation is in question? Hercules or makita’s? It’s certainly not helping Hercules reputation as a professional grade brand which is what hf is claiming. Now if you were to compare makita’s top tier drill to hf’s Hercules, there’s nothing to discuss or have an opinion on.
duke5572
Brand loyalty is brand loyalty. I bought my first Makita cordless in 1996 (12 whole volts!) and paid for it via paycheck withdrawals for a month. That drill made me a lot of money and treated me well. Since then, I’ve bought tens of thousands of dollars worth of Makita tools as a general/framing contractor. That ONE good experience led to a lifelong customer for Makita.
That said, I also own a fair amount of Milwaukee and some DeWalt, as far as major brands go. They’re all high quality tools!
I appreciate any kind of tool comparison. It’s all valuable knowledge. In the end, it’s like trying to convert a Honda guy to a Toyota guy, or a Cowboys fan to a Raiders fan. Loyalty runs deep for a lot of us, and that can lead to irrational statements that we may not even realize we’re making.
ToolGuyd’s role as an objective observer is invaluable, really. You won’t find that kind of reasonably unbiased reporting in many other places. Am I going to stock up on HF cordless tools? Absolutely not. But I might look at them a little closer next time I’m in the store. And I might recommend them to someone. And who knows? Maybe that leads to a lifetime customer for the HF Hercules platform. If so, HF has worked the same magic that Makita did on me 25 years ago. That’s nothing to deride.
Patrick
#thincrust4life
Lynyrd
I have yet to see a Harbor Freight power tool*, Hercules or Bauer actually meet all the claimed specs on the box. Unless you actually measured the RPMs or Torque the comparison is pointless.
*Earthquake consistently meets or exceeds their claims according to multiple You Tube Channels who test these tools.
Adabhael
I don’t mind the tongue in cheek spec comparison to get the conversation going, but it felt like all setup and no pay-off. Of course you are entitled to an opinion, of course should be based on your experiences, that’s literally why I prefer toolguyd to lots of vacuous “tool review” sites interested only in SEO, or driving user “engagement,” or monetizing their “influencer” status. My disappointment with this specific article is simply that it does not describe the testing or the experience; it only compares the specs and then has some general opinions (along with defending the right to have opinions, which again, I don’t think anybody questions). That’s very meta.
You are in a great position to do this comparison because you have both tools in hand (so are not constrained to paper specs!), and you paid cash money (so little risk of manufacturer influence!) and most important, you know how to write a review. Heck, you even use hypothetical example of commenting on sanders to show the way for the rest of us. I think that kind of article would also prompt a better kind of discussion.
Stuart
I *can* do a very thorough comparison, but to what end?
The comparison was tongue in cheek at first, and then it got really serious once I took a closer look at comparative specs and features.
This is not a straightforward comparison in the same way as say Dewalt vs. Milwaukee, or Husky vs. Kobalt.
This is akin to Craftsman vs. Ridgid.
Even though they’re both drills, they’re on uneven ground. This is Makita’s second or third level entry-priced cordless drill, and Harbor Freight’s best.
I’m happy to put more time into physics comparisons if there’s solid interest, but there was no way to know that.
The usual comparisons for this Makita drill are Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ridgid, Bosch, and Metabo HPT $99 holiday special drill kits. The usual comparisons for the Harbor Freight Hercules are other Harbor Freight product lines or perhaps DIYer level brands such as Ryobi and Craftsman.
I also have a Craftsman brushless drill kit that could very likely match or even best this Makita. The new Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP brushless drill comes close enough under the Makita with respect to specs that there could be an interesting comparison there.
We’re on this road trip. Several readers complained about my take on the roadside attractions. I said “okay… who wants to go to the world’s largest paperclip chain attraction,” thinking it’d get some jeers. But it sounded far interesting to me than anticipated. It’s out of the way, but if you want to go there, we can.
But this is a time when I can’t assume it’s of interest, as the comparison hadn’t come to me before and isn’t one I expected demand or very strong interest in. My own interest came as a surprise. If I gauge things incorrectly, taking this detour would take away from a more interesting one.
If it’s a popular destination or adventure, we’ll go there. Seeing the interest in such a comparison, it’s looking like that’ll be worked into my plans over the next few weeks.
DB11
So now you’re trolling your own readers. Nice.
x lu
I recommend you take a look at your approach to cordless tool commentary. This was also on display in your recent tool recommendations post. If the only tool you will ever own is cordless drill then even a tongue in cheek article like this is great in that the audience is a diy hanging a curtain rod ( and of course the actual choice is not relevant).
But imo cordless tools are about battery systems and related reliability, breadth of line ( not vision) and the distance from the best of breed any given tool in such category is. I dont see many reviewers focusing on these factors because of the sponsorship problem. While today i use Mikwaukee exclusively for cordless, if the distance from the pin grew, i would have no problem migrating to another system with sound battery tech ie i have no brand loyalty, i simply want tools that make life easier.
Given my personal experience with Makita batteries which seem to fail when needed, they couldn’t give me their tools.
Neither of the above tools pass the systems/platform test; perhaps Hart would be a better choice. But frankly older Milwaukee or Dewalt still offered for sale which use current battery technology are clearly better options. Its all about the batteries imo.
PS some very nice work this week.
Mac
This is a strong point about cordless tools. I still keep corded options for most things, and also have milwaukee for almost all my cordless tools. It’s not necessarily the tool specs but the battery capability that sells it.
The few guys I still see with makita on jobsites ALWAYS have batteries charging, and harbor freight still has a long way to prove they aren’t garbage. Immediate cost is not effective valuation. I knew the whole article was not intended to be a serious study, so the point is kinda moot.
Irks me everytime I see an argument about price point though. It’s valid when dealing with a drastic comparison like husky vs snap on sockets. Most times, saving a handful of dollars is not worth the difference in quality in the long run. I bet most people have a different favorite pizza than the hot and sweaty from little sleazers, despite the price difference, and can see the worth of a much higher price tag. I’m biased though, and won’t see HF as anything more than cheese and sauce smeared on cardboard for at least a few more years of them ‘improving’.
I like all these pizza analogies 🙂
Stuart
That is true.
This is also very subjective.
It’s also one of the reasons that I don’t see Makita on the same playing field as say Milwaukee and Dewalt. Milwaukee and Dewalt will both go into immense detail about how different tools involve conquering of different obstacles. Makita: “rare earth magnets, copper wire, and microchips.” Milwaukee has described the microchip developments they made with exclusive semiconductor partners. Dewalt has described the inner workings of FlexVolt, their 120V Max AC adapter, and reasons why they can’t have 20V Max or 60V Max AC adapters. When asked about a missing feature, they offered a detailed explanation as to why it wasn’t engineered into that specific product. Why didn’t Makita batteries have fuel gauges until recently? “We have fast chargers.”
I’m sure a lot of work goes into Makita products, and occasionally international press materials provide insights, such as to their 12V Max weaknesses that the replacement slide-pack lineup remedied.
Even Harbor Freight shared a lot of details about their Hercules development.
The occasional time I use a Makita tool, the batteries always have to be recharged (they seem to have a much higher self-discharge rate for whatever reason), and that’s a major frustration but not one I expect to be shared by more regular readers.
In my best cordless power tool brand roundup – https://toolguyd.com/best-cordless-power-tool-brand/ – I shy away from direct comparisons because it’s so difficult to do.
Reliability? Most brands are reasonably reliable, and every brand has its troubles.
Breadth of lineup? The major brands meet most user needs, and there’s no single brand that has *everything* a user could want. Makita doesn’t have a cordless compressor, but even Walmart’s HART brand has one. Dewalt doesn’t have a hydraulic impact driver. Milwaukee doesn’t have a track saw. Bosch doesn’t have half of what the other brands offer.
There are a LOT of users who buy just a cordless drill or just a drill and impact combo from different lineups. A local contractor rocks Dewalt and Ridgid tools. Another uses mostly corded and also a mix of Dewalt and other brands. I don’t think I have many people mixing Dewalt and Milwaukee though.
When buying a $99 drill kit during the holiday season, there are users who aren’t looking to buy into a broader cordless system, users who like you said just want to hang a closet rod, other users who definitely have plans to buy more cordless tools in the future, and same-system users who only care about their brand’s promo news.
I can’t cover all angles all the time. But again, that’s what the comments section and email forms are for. I’m always happy to answer questions, although sometimes the harder ones can take quite a bit of time when a lot of them come in at once.
James
And the Makita bashing continues. To consider Makita on par with Craftsman, Back and Decker, Ryobi, Hercules, etc is absurd. I use Makita, Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Metabo tools daily, as well as Bosch, Rigid, Ryobi, and Festool weekly. If I had to choose only one brand it would be Makita. In my experience, the other brands can’t match the balance between power, refinement, and reliability. Yeah, some Makita tools aren’t industry leading and some flat-out suck, but generally they have more than enough oomph to accomplish any job I need done and the features/build quality to do it well. I’ve sent dozens of Milwaukee and Dewalt tools in for repair, but only one Makita ever. Same with batteries; I can’t count the number of Dewalt batteries that have died on me, but I’ve only had two (out of 35 in my kit) Makita batteries fail.
It seems you’ve been put off by Makita’s poor marketing communications. Makita has never been very invested in “alternative” marketing avenues like blogs, and honestly, they’re not great at more traditional marketing either. Its not uncommon for the tool community to find out about a new Makita tool when it shows up. This is fundamentally different than say Milwaukee, for which marketing is a MAJOR component of their business model. They hype everything, use questionable stats, and will jabber to anyone that will listen about their latest developments and brand philosophy. They also sponser many bloggers and jump at the opportunity to send tools out for review. It makes sense you would prefer the latter model, but it doesn’t say anything about the tools themselves. Honestly, it seems to me that Makita’s XGT marketing is just trying to take a page out of Milwaukee’s book (though not doing it very well).
I really enjoy your objective commentary, but ultimately, all of this has made you seem petty rather than objective.
Stuart
All brands need to substantiate their claims.
Whether it’s about “2X more torque” https://toolguyd.com/24v-brushless-drill-torque-marketing-claims/ or claims of two separate “one battery platform systems.”
I wish they would take a page out of [any other brand’s] book.
James
Many brands put out junk claims. Milwaukee is far worse than Makita in this sense, but your not whining about them. Makita has traditionally relied more heavily on experience with their tools rather than marketing propaganda. Now Makita is trying the propaganda, but seemingly only half-assed. I’m not sold on XGT by any means and have many of the same concerns as you, but I’ll wait to make any decisions until I have some experience with them.
Stuart
That’s the thing.
I’m accustomed to concerns (my own or readers’) being addressed, and not ignored.
If as a user my concerns aren’t addressed, I strike that brand or product from consideration. How am I supposed to respond here?
Remember, I approach everything as a user, and if not with my own concerns and questions in mind, then with readers’.
Any other brand would have substantiated their claims by now.
A W
My $0.02 is to not let your frustration with their PR department spill over into your assessment of the quality of their tools.
As a safety professional, I really dislike the way that Tesla has manipulated crash test data and safety statistics to mislead the public. They currently don’t even have a PR team.
However, that shouldn’t change my assessment of the actual safety of their products.
Stuart
It doesn’t; I even defended Makita in the other post against a reader’s unfair criticism of their product team.
Mike
I’m sure everyone agrees that HF has the most entertaining brand names by far – Hercules, Earthquake XT, Bauer (24?), Predator…. ☺️
Mac
Bosch tried to give them some competition in that department with goon, hitman, strong arm, surgeon, etc
Stuart
They got people talking about them, didn’t they?
Handymike
I bought that makita drill for the simple reason of lighter and not a hammer drill.
I have makita 18v , M18,M12 and the Bosch 12v(drilling impact only).
I like different tools in each platform.
M18 fuel hackzall love it, m12 fuel hackzall- returned.
Makita lxt 18vx2 circular saws love them.
Not all tools in one battery platform are necessarily good or bad just different .
I am about how things feel in hand as well as performance.
That doesn’t mean I would buy HF power tools though. You can start out with the entry level and work up.
Tom
There really is no room for debate – Pepsi, vodka, football
Mac
I think you meant: Vernors, whiskey, hockey
Your autocorrect must be acting up
Tom
I thought there were only two choices
You are right on all of them
RC Ward
Of course when HF is a sponsor of yours that would make a difference right?
Stuart
In what way?
They’ve never sent tools or paid a penny (although they had an affiliate program maybe 10 years ago, but I don’t count that).
I own one Harbor Freight product for personal/shop use intent, and a bunch couple more for editorial purposes.
Stacey Jones
I generally only consider HF when looking for a tool I might seldomly/never use/lose and it’s less than 1/3 the cost of a name brand with a decent warranty. I know it’s better to buy only what I need, but it really pisses me off to need a tool, not have it, and be forced to go buy crappy tools at a crappy price or work my ass off on the honey do list when I could be done already!
I like the way you assess tools, it’s similar to the way I used to evaluate vendor software for a Fortune 50 company. I used Forrester’s Waves when they were well done and Gartner’s Magic Quadrants too.
I especially liked Forrester’s because they detailed their criteria and weights for each score, so I would go through and customize according to what mattered to our company. I.e. Paradox database support didn’t matter, because we didn’t and weren’t going to have it.
It sometimes revealed a different winner for sure!
We could also schedule inquiries with analysts from both forms. I’d listen to vendors claims but had to verify for myself.
Lastly, I got feedback internally from experts within our company. I’m confident we made the right choices because I left that company and they still come to me for advice!
Nathan
biggest thing here is do you trust that the one company spec values are actually true?
no I do not.
they might however be close which is why for the dollars I’d pick the Makita on this. And that’s the part where a numbers comparison falls apart.
Now if you bought both – used both and stated you tested both to capacites and the results shows __________ Then I might well be swayed to say golly gee HF got their act together.
and perhaps they have but at the moment I don’t trust it.
Tim E.
As a lot of comments aptly point out, there’s so much subjectiveness particularly for these “lower end” tool offerings that it’s nearly impossible to do comparisons and definitively say one is “better”. Specs are only a tiny part of the story, and arguably not very important in this class of tools. If you’re buying it to hang a couple curtain rods but otherwise don’t expect to use tools again, that’s different than a person using a drill a few times a year, which is different than a person using a drill a few times a month or a few times a week. Or somebody who is getting the drill to start out with the intent to expand. Especially around the $99 price point, there’ll be people where a $90 drill is better than a $100 drill because of their budgetary constraints, and people who $10 difference is nothing and other things inform their purchasing decision (I’d imagine most likely expandability of the line more than specs, otherwise they’d be jumping up to a higher-tier drill with better specs anyway).
A bit more torque may benefit somebody using drills a lot where an extra second gained drilling a hole adds up. But they’re also likely not buying one of these lower end drills in that case, not for that usage. Maybe for a beater/loaner drill, in which case battery interoperability will likely trump any specs discussion. Likewise, a homeowner won’t care that a drill is 50 RPM faster or has a bit more torque because, realistically, just about any drill sold today will meet the needs of John/Jane Homeowner.
I think the good takeaway from these is that modern drills from name brands (counting harbor freight as a name brand here, since they aren’t some random brand “DRILZGOUD” or whatever on Amazon) are all very capable and being able to get them at such low price points is awesome. Drilling a 3″ screw into a stud hasn’t changed much, nor gotten more difficult in the last 30 years. Yet today’s drills are more capable than the stick-battery Makita that was seemingly ubiquitous when cordless was taking off. That further puts specs to the side, and puts a smarter focus on on longevity, reliability, lineup breadth, or other factors. Not saying there isn’t a place for higher spec drills, just usually if you know you’re doing something where the difference in specs will really matter, you’re likely looking at a different class of tool rather than a “holiday bundle”.
In regards to longevity and reliability, of both the tool and the batteries, it’s again differently applicable for people’s circumstances. If I only use a drill a few times a year, I don’t want to have to charge it every time I use it. I also don’t want the battery to die after 3 years because it’s been stored at full charge, or allowed to go completely empty. I’m not going to even approach the 500 charge cycle typical “80% lifespan” of a lithium ion cell. But that’s a different longevity and reliability measure than somebody using the tool/battery every day and charging it every day or multiple times a day.
Making assumptions as I have about folks not looking at holiday special tier drills if they’re “more serious” is equally risky; “serious folks know what they want and won’t be buying a $90/$100 drill if they’re using it that much” is easy to think, but also can be wrong. I personally have bought “holiday special” tools (though I try to stay away from holiday-only models, and favor regular models just packaged into a “holiday” kit), with the intent to use them as beater/loaner drills. Maybe specs aren’t as important to me in that case, but sometimes they were, more often for me factors like battery platform interoperability or brand reputation for reliability were the main factors. So that’s still a different discussion than “which ~$100 drill is the most powerful / best specs”.
I appreciate that a lot of articles and comparisons are more about what features stand out on different tools, rather than a straight “this drill has 100 in-lbs more torque so it’s better”. Maybe not enough mention is made of those outside factors that might further contribute to making a decision, but I also feel that people should be able to do their own research as well. You can go find the other tools Dewalt or Milwaukee or Makita or whoever have in their lineup, their overall pricing, general ideas about the brand reputation, and draw your own conclusion from there. Also, saying something like “Makita’s LXT line has however many tools and has been around for however many years and is generally regarded as decent if not always top tier” doesn’t help people really, and isn’t very informative, but anything more informative around the limitations of LXT and not going larger than 18650 cells because of 18V x2 tools, and Makita’s history and vast numbers of different tools at different price/spec points, and whatever else, could easily be it’s own large article unto itself. Without real world experience with all the brands though, it’s also difficult to write a “about Makita” article saying here’s what you like about the brand, things you view as positives and negatives across the board, specific tools that catch your attention, which tools didn’t live up to expectations, and then do that for a large number of brands so folks have those points of reference to couple in to individual tool reviews/comparisons without doing their own research.
Harrison Gregoire
Definitely agree some jimmies got rustled when you mentioned that you didn’t associate Makita with wood working, but it’s also understandable. It’s not anecdotal that many woodworkers continue to use their tools.
When you step outside the current world of disposable $150 Chinese cordless tools, most brands have a back catalogue of legacy corded tools that built their current reputations. These designs are often 20-30 years old, and still manufactured in the home country, USA, Japan, Germany. For Milwaukee, this could be the classic corded Sawzall and corded Portaband. Bosch it could be the concrete breakers. Dewalt has their USA corded drills, etc.
For Makita, it’s their line of corded circular saws, and extensive line of handheld planers, and belt sanders. Those are the tools that built Makita’s reputation with woodworkers, and are still relevant today in a wood shop, or for fine timber-frame home building. Makita is one of only a few brands that manufacture a full line of handheld woodworking machinery.
https://www.timberwolftools.com/makita-kp312-planer
So does that mean that your average DIY woodworker has any reason to pick Makita over say, Rigid or Milwaukee for their cordless tool collection? No, absolutely not, but their reputation is still legitimate for their classic tools that can’t be found elsewhere.
Even pro cabinet makers have no real reason other than brand loyalty for cordless. Why does Makita not have a multi-head installation driver? Why is their 12v line effectively dead? Why have they not released a compact single row 3AH 18v battery, to make their compact 18v tools last all day, and still be compact?
The only thing I can think of is that their track saws are are probably the best value on the market, corded and cordless.
End of the day I’m not a Makita fanboy. I have some of their stuff and it’s pretty nice. I like the feel of their 18v impact drivers vs other options, but that’s about where it ends.
I agree with your assessment that 18v Makita owners looking for more power have little reason to move to 40v XGT (outside of the charger adaptor) and will likely shop the other brands. Unfortunately I also think that the writing is on the wall for LXT. There will be new tools, and it still offers a ton of performance, but it’s pretty clear that 40v was designed to be a complete solution, and eventually replace it. The only thing that’s missing is an actual compact 40v battery, but the technology for that will probably emerge around the time that Makita stops developing new 18v tools.
Stuart
The problem is, what was true over the past 20-30 years has not been true in the past 10 years.
I’ve been shopping for and buying higher quality tools for maybe 15 years, but a Makita options were never compelling enough to win my purchasing decisions, cordless or corded – except for their compact ~$70 jig saw. Some of their accessories are a good value though, such as the impact sockets.
Harrison Gregoire
Clearly you consider Makita’s obtuse marketing to be a problem for your tool blog and buying recommendations, and honestly I agree. The transparency provided by Milwaukee for instance, clearly makes your job easier.
But what I’m trying to explain is that for some core and niche woodworking industries, that is irrelevant. Where corded wood tools still reign supreme, Makita offers niche machinery that the other mainstream brands simply do not sell, and it doesn’t matter how old those tools are. This is an industry where craftspeople still use scrapers and hand planes!
Objectively speaking, Makita is the only mainstream brand that sells:
-Full line of handheld planers (corded and cordless)
-Full line of routers (corded and cordless)
-Full line of belt sanders
-Hugely popular (corded and cordless) track saws
-Excellent value (corded and cordless) dust extractors, with an integrated wireless activation system
This is simply reality. If you haven’t needed those specific tools/features, then it won’t matter to you, but for many woodworkers, the above items are much more important than say, the power specifications of a drill driver. Does that make Makita the best tool brand? Absolutely not. But it does continue to keep them near the front of any tool buying decision for serious woodworkers, past and present. You can dispute that, but ultimately your tastes are as anecdotal as anyone else’s. The product line speaks for itself, and woodworkers will keep buying Makita.
For what it’s worth, I think Dewalt and also Bosch come pretty close, but simply don’t sell as many woodworking focused tools as Makita. Some of their products like the Dewalt 60v tracksaw, look awesome on paper, but just aren’t as refined in use. They do have some winners though. Bosch is looking like the first mainstream brand to release a brushless orbital sander in the style of the Mirka Deros, which should be a huge win. (When they finally get around to selling it, that is…)
Stuart
Regarding handheld planers, most interest seems to be in cordless, but that’s also the type of tool I typically associate with general construction work. I am open to the idea that it can be a fine woodworking tool.
Routers: Makita’s corded routers tend to be invisible, and I don’t see them offering anything Bosch, Porter Cable, or Festool don’t lead the category in.
Belt sanders – this is also more of a general construction tool in my mind.
I do really like their cordless track saw. I don’t recall their corded model, would have to look into it.
Their dust extractors are not at all compelling. You can only use it with very specific Makita tools that require a pricey Bluetooth module. Other brands are absolutely leading in this area.
I tested a single Makita cordless vac, and it was small and not very powerful.
I was curious about their miter saw dual dust collection, but when I asked about readers’ complaints and relayed messages about rail deflection, the conversation ended and I didn’t look back until I noticed something similar in an overseas project video last night.
Out of sight, out of mind. Beyond my experiences, local tradesmen and readers are my window into others’ preferences and tool brand loyalties. There practically was no window until some of you took issue with my preferences.
I still don’t find the brand especially compelling in a lot of categories – sanders, routers, etc. That won’t change on my side – it has been a while since I saw any Makita products as competitive options for my own tool needs or wants – but the more you tell me of your preferences, the more I understand from your side of things.
Still, it will be hard to move me from my top-of-mind preferences and associations. For I example, I associate jig saws and sanders with Bosch or Festool, routers with Bosch and Porter Cable, trim routers with Bosch and Dewalt – and maybe Makita as a third association.
I’ll set a calendar reminder – let’s see if anything changes in 5 years.
James
The fact a Makita has never been a compelling option just comes down to your preferences. There are plenty of reviews and user experiences that support Makita being listed among the top tier tool companies. This is at least as true in the last 10 years as the prior 20. It is hard to argue that their impacts aren’t the best, and tools like the rear-handle saw or XPH07 were ground-breaking when they came out and still hold their own against other brands today. Not to mention, X2, which is a phenomenal approach to higher draw tools.
Perry
For me its not just about the numbers:
Warranty. A big issue when an expensive tool fails
Ergonomics are a big consideration, fatigue plays a large part of extended use.
Fit and finish, are the seams sharp, does the overmold feel like it’s going to separate?
A huge aspect to consider, is will the tool and battery be supported? HF has a history of being less than reliable with supporting their brands. I would feel more confident if other stores carried Hercules, Bauer, etc…as well.
Which brings us to availability. If you have a HF nearby, odds are you have big box stores, with name brand tools and batteries available at multiple places. If not, than I see where HF/Walmart tools makes sense.
Control. How many steps does the trigger have for fine speed control? This is one that many may not consider, but one of the reasons I’ve chosen makita for drills is the fine speed control in the trigger. That, along with the ergonomics make them the best option for me in the fine woodworking industry. For general construction, I absolutely see why many other professionals choose Milwaukee, dewalt, metabo, etc…
And last, line up. Does the manufacturer make other tools on the same battery platform that I can use, so I am not buying multiple batteries and using multiple chargers (or forgetting them when I go to a jobsite)?
To me, Those are much more important than the Ads or review tests that claim “This One Has All The Torques!! Its super strong!” Just about any major brand has what you need these days, its more about what works for your application.
Perry
One other thing I will say separately. I was once told “if you feel the need to get defensive, maybe you need to look at your position ”
What I’ve read from you Stuart, is coming off as very defensive. Makita has always positioned themselves as a pro-oriented brand. They have the makita trucks/busses that visit industry suppliers, and I’ve had makita representatives (the same as Hilti) visit my jobsites to check in with us and see if we need anything.
I think as a reviewer, you’re a little too close to the target to see the surroundings
Stuart
If people argue with your preferences and brand associations based on their experiences with 30-year old tools, you’d explain your stance as well.
I’m entitled to my opinions, and I won’t let anyone tell me an opinion is flat out wrong just because they disagree with it. Show me.
Over the years, I’ve heard from far more “I’ve switched from Makita” users than “I switched to Makita” users. If you feel strongly for the brand, absolutely chime in and share your experiences.
I, for example, have never seen a Makita rep or heard of them visiting anyone, anywhere. I see Milwaukee reps regularly, and I know there are Dewalt/Stanley reps because they pulled the tape measures from a Lowe’s store after I complained about poor usability once. But Makita reps? Never heard of that.
Also keep in mind that I’m a user.
I know that some brands like to think of themselves as leaders in different fields, but if I don’t agree with this as a user, I won’t simply parrot it.
I am also a “learn by debate” kind of person. The more set in stone my impression or opinion on something, the more effort it’ll take to move it. While this can be difficult on others, the alternative is for me to stick my fingers in my ears and go “lalalala” which in a digital sense would likely just involve not engaging in comments.
Perry
All I’m saying is that you, as a user, aren’t their primary audience for marketing. I understand that is your position and you’re absolutely entitled to it. The difference that I’m trying to explain is that while the reps for Milwaukee, DeWalt, etc… are for retail, the reps for Makita primarily do commercial visits to large contractors, with retail visits secondary. I’ve spoken with them when I was on big jobs, and when I had my retail moulding shop 13 years ago. While it may have changed somewhat since then, the local lumberyard has told me the same thing.
It could also (possibly) explain why you don’t have much of a rapport with them as a reviewer. The only reviewer I know of that gets makita tools is the guy in new zealand, and he explains those are loaned to him by his local rep, not the company itself
It seems like you’re thinking that I’m trying to argue with you, I was just explaining how it comes across from the other side of the screen. I apologize for offending you
Stuart
No, I didn’t see you as arguing, I just felt it necessary explain why I tend to engage and explain. I can see how it might seem defensive.
Perry
Thanks Stuart, I do appreciate the way you engage with all of us. I wonder if part of the disparity we’re each seeing locally is territory.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing what you do next to roast makita 😀
Seriously though I, and I’m sure the vast majority of us Appreciate your candor
Harrison Gregoire
It’s really quite simple. Makita has the deepest catalogue of woodworking tools of any mainstream brand, and thus they continue to have a positive reputation with woodworkers.
I’m not really sure how you can refute that. You may not like Makita. I don’t even like Makita. But those are the products they sell. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Stuart
They also have cordless ratchets, but that doesn’t mean I should associate them with automotive maintenance work.
A catalog of SKUs doesn’t mean very much, but user feedback does, and I’m appreciative of everyone who chimed in about their own personal experiences.
Harbor Freight has a huge catalog of woodworking tools. But, that doesn’t mean they’re good, popular, or competitive.
Tim the toolman
Paper and Manuals comparison is bologna.. Manufacturers over rate their products on paper.. If anybody really want to see good side by side comparison watch some “Project Farm” videos.. Oh and that dude says he buys products with his own money and do not get freebies from Harbor Freight or any other manufacturer.. That’s what he says
Stuart
He attempts to be fair, but no comparison is ever perfect.
Some manufacturers might over-rated their products, but most follow similar testing practices.
For instance, in a recent comparison video, none of the cordless screwdriver brands they were testing were coming close to the brands’ advertised torque claims. However, most brands advertise their cordless drills and screwdrivers with respect to max torque, and this often refers to hard torque specs. But, in the way he was testing the tools, he was actually measuring max soft torque specs. The tools might have matched or exceeded their rated specs if they were tested in hard joint scenarios.
Simplified: typical hard joints would be fastening a metal plate to threaded metal, and a typical soft joint would be driving a wood screw into 2x construction lumber. If a brand advertises their torque specs based on metal-on-metal fastening, you can’t test stall torque for a wood screw into 2x lumber and compare that soft-joint torque measurement against the hard joint max torque rating. You can use that to compare different products, but it’s not a reliable way to validate or invalidate manufacturer claims because it’s not replicating the conditions of their testing.
For what it’s worth, brands often provide expended torque specs for tools marketed in Europe.
Mike
Nice article, Stuart, and I appreciate the informative comments posted by many. This helps my research in understanding the market perception.
The gallery may throw stones at me, but I want to stand up to defend the power tool companies. I’ve been developing power tools at various tool companies around the globe for a couple decades, and can attest that every claim made by the major companies is backed by legit testing. Yeah, the methods can be different, and the setups for things like torque won’t look like what you see in a influencer’s garage video, but they are substantiated. We know that if one of us steps out of line with this, the competition will challenge the offender, sometimes legally, but more effectively by using the politics within the retail environment… and that costs the offender more dead presidents than most of you would believe.
My hat’s off to the guys and gals at Makita for remaining competitive all these years and the innovative technology they have brought to power tools. Likewise to Harbor Freight for the improvements in quality I see while keeping prices low for the cost minded professional.