Vent: My new post driver head broke on the second day of a big cedar fence job

I was setting 6x6 posts for a long run of cedar privacy fence out in the country. The ground was rocky, so I figured I'd get a heavy duty post driver to make things go faster. I dropped about $180 on a new cast iron head from a local supply house, thinking it would last me years. First day was fine, but on the second morning, I gave a solid swing and the whole head just cracked right at the neck. It split clean in two, sending metal pieces flying. I had to stop everything, drive back to town, and buy a temporary replacement, which set me back half a day and another $90. I'm going to try to get my money back, but I'm really ticked off about the lost time. Has anyone else had a tool fail that fast on a job, and what brand do you actually trust for drivers?

3 comments

3 Comments

janab8218d ago

Cast iron is junk, it's always a gamble. Like @cameron416 said, that sudden snap ruins your whole day. I had a sledgehammer head come off and put a hole in a client's siding. Another time a brand new digging bar snapped at the tip in some clay. You just can't trust it. Forged steel is the only way to go for any striking tool.

abby30818d ago

Honestly, that is the worst feeling. I had a brand new pry bar snap on me last month while I was just pulling some old trim, scared me half to death. Tbh, I don't even look at cast iron drivers anymore after something similar, I only go for forged steel. That lost time is what really kills you, makes the whole day feel wasted.

cameron41618d ago

Ugh, tell me about it. I had a cheap socket wrench explode in my hand once, just trying to loosen a bolt. Sent a piece of the housing flying past my ear. After that, I'm with you, forged steel or nothing. That sudden snap really does ruin your whole focus for the day. You're just standing there staring at broken tools instead of getting anything done.