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c/fence-erectors•paul_morganpaul_morgan•2mo ago

That new vinyl post driver snapped on me halfway through a job in Springfield

It was a brand name tool, but the handle just gave out under normal use. I had to finish setting 30 posts with a sledge, which set us back a whole day. Anyone know a truly heavy-duty driver that can take a beating?
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3 Comments
james533
james5332mo ago
Man, isn't that just how it goes now? You pay for the name and get less than you used to. Feels like everything's built to just barely work.
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emery965
emery9652mo ago
That's a rough spot to be in, especially with a full day's work left. Had the same thing happen with a fiberglass handle a few seasons back. For true heavy duty, you want a solid steel driver, the kind without a separate handle piece. They're a beast to swing all day, but they won't snap. The extra weight actually helps drive the posts, too.
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blair_davis
About three summers ago I had a steel driver that weighed close to twelve pounds. Felt like I was swinging a sledgehammer by lunchtime. But like @emery965 said, it pushed those posts in just fine and never gave me a lick of trouble after five seasons of use. Funny thing is, my shoulder started complaining before the handle ever did. Guess that's the trade-off with those heavy ones - they'll outlast you if you're not careful.
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