Forgotten Snap-on: Stubby blade screwdriver with full size handle

[KnurledNut]

I have always appreciated the variety of options Snap-on offered over the years, some of them being quite unique.
I came across this SSDP242 Phillips screwdriver and it seems to be somewhat of a unicorn.
I know Western Forge/Pratt Read used to offer this configuration that was available under several different brands. I have a few of those.
Plenty of ways to accomplish this with bits and bit handles, but todays options for fixed blades of this type seems to have become few, especially in crosspoint.
I got to use this today and found it quite handy.
Just wanted to share a cool bygone tool.

 

[nadogail]

I really like those Stubby Screwdrivers with the full sized handles.
Back in the day, mid 1960’s, I had a set of Xcylite(sp?) screwdrivers with the Torque Multiplier they were stubby screwdrivers that fit into a fat hollow handle.

 

[dscheidt]

I really like those Stubby Screwdrivers with the full sized handles.
Back in the day, mid 1960’s, I had a set of Xcylite(sp?) screwdrivers with the Torque Multiplier they were stubby screwdrivers that fit into a fat hollow handle.

My dad had a set of Xcelite screwdrivers like that in the kitchen when I was a kid. Saw a lot of use on all sorts of things. I have since got a set of my own, and use them a fair bit. I also bought a set of SAE nutdrivers in the same format, which have been very handy for fixing appliances.

 

[Jgaz]

I know Western Forge/Pratt Read used to offer this configuration that was available under several different brands. I have a few of those.

Yes^^. This Craftsman flat blade screwdriver made by Western Forge was exactly what was needed to adjust a piece of instrumentation once it was installed on one of our data collection vehicle builds.


Nothing worked better! I had several of these and the cheap bastards I worked with always wanted to borrow one. Hence my initials prominently displayed on the handle. Gasp!!!

 

[Twisted Sid]

I have one of those Craftsmans at work that I rehandled to match my other Icon screwdrivers. It works great for 1/4 turn fasteners.

 

[seber]

I have a pair of those but never use them. I prefer a stubby handle with standard shaft.

 

[Meursault74]

This one has been kicking around my work forever. I use it to remove battery compartments on timers and thermometers. instead of a coin or coin type screwdriver which I don't have. I know such a lofty task for a Snap-On Screwdriver.

I covered up our name that had been inscribed on the blade.

 

[Steve_P]

There is a thread from years ago here on doing this with two Williams drivers - swapping the shafts. Easy to do in case someone doesn't have a SO dealer.

 

[Nutria]

Yes^^. This Craftsman flat blade screwdriver made by Western Forge was exactly what was needed to adjust a piece of instrumentation once it was installed on one of our data collection vehicle builds.


Nothing worked better! I had several of these and the cheap bastards I worked with always wanted to borrow one. Hence my initials prominently displayed on the handle. Gasp!!!

One of my faves.

 

[Cruzan80]

SnapOn also made an interchangeable but driver in this style (bouncing around here somewhere).

I am also in the camp of enjoying the CM WF flathead...

 

[Snaparxon]

A Proto for adjusting valves and a pocket Snap on interchangeable bit driver

 

[RTM]

This Craftsman flat blade screwdriver made by Western Forge was exactly what was needed to adjust a piece of instrumentation once it was installed on one of our data collection vehicle builds.

Also great for lightening the chip breaker on hand planes.

 

[Jgaz]

Also great for lightening the chip breaker on hand planes.

Yes!
That’s why it still has a place in my everyday screwdriver drawer even though I bought it for specifically for work and have been retired almost 11 years now

 

[KnurledNut]

A couple of my flatheads. I think I have an older black Craftsman Pro +&- but couldn't find them.

My dad had a set of Xcelite screwdrivers like that in the kitchen when I was a kid. Saw a lot of use on all sorts of things. I have since got a set of my own, and use them a fair bit. I also bought a set of SAE nutdrivers in the same format, which have been very handy for fixing appliances.

There could be an endless thread on bit and handle combinations, but Xcelite is an honorable mention with their huge variety of proprietary offerings. Their reversible blades worked in both the stubby and smaller full size handle. And the stubby "99" bits fits all the dedicated handles. Thanks for mentioning.
I do wish PB Swiss offered stubby bits for their 215 interchangeable series.


This also brings Chapman to mind, which likewise allows their short bits to be used directly in the screwdriver handle.

A Proto for adjusting valves and a pocket Snap on interchangeable bit driver

That old Proto is awesome! Thanks for posting!

 

[designer485]

I made my own version using a Williams handle and Snap-On Shank. I have used it more than anticipated.



I made the opposite as well, stubby handle with long shank.

 

[KnurledNut]

I made my own version using a Williams handle and Snap-On Shank. I have used it more than anticipated.



I made the opposite as well, stubby handle with long shank.

Nice swap! I find the balance of this full size configuration helps when positioning the tip on a blind screw head with your fingertips while palming the handle. Less fidgety than locating a regular screwdriver and then having to choke up on the handle to turn.

 

[ecotec]

I made my own version using a Williams handle and Snap-On Shank. I have used it more than anticipated.



I made the opposite as well, stubby handle with long shank.

Some people have stubbies, like that red one… except in a small slotted, for old Hondas with a Keihin by the firewall.

 

[KnurledNut]

These versions Snap-on made are also unicorns!

Not mine. Google pics:


Nt

 

[cody1325]

Also great for lightening the chip breaker on hand planes.

Looks like I've found where mine is going then!

I think mine currently lives in my Granddad's '60s Craftsman box.

 

[lotus_esprit]

The Snap On marine driver range is the modern take on these with Instinct handles

 

[dscheidt]

I’ve never understood why the length of screwdrivers goes up with the blade size. It’s not like every #3 Phillips head I see is buried in a hole a foot deep. It’s usually a stupidly tight wood screw that requires finesse not to break. Conversely, little screws are often reachable by a long screwdriver.

 

[KnurledNut]

The Snap On marine driver range is the modern take on these with Instinct handles

On steroids maybe.
Those things are beefy!

 

[KnurledNut]

I’ve never understood why the length of screwdrivers goes up with the blade size. It’s not like every #3 Phillips head I see is buried in a hole a foot deep. It’s usually a stupidly tight wood screw that requires finesse not to break. Conversely, little screws are often reachable by a long screwdriver.

Thats one thing I appreciated about Tekton. They offered a 4” blade #3. Almost everyone else only offered it in 6”+.

 

[Dave455]

Where screwdrivers are concerned, more options are always better.

There are definitely “use cases” for these tools. Adjusting instruments and hand planes have been mentioned, but these are the tool for working on anything that you are likely to be holding in your hand. Using a driver with a full length blade is an invitation to get speared!

I have a set of the Western Forge / Craftsman too. Bought them in the U.S. years back. Really good tools. For the price - awesome. Totally get the love for Craftsman when I handle tools like these.

PB Swiss offer this configuration too. In fact quite a range. They don’t make it obvious - you have to look at the dimensions of the drivers supplied, and you will find them.



Another use case is if you need to carry a driver in a pocket. As a professional pilot, one of these lived permanently in my jacket when operating my elderly turboprop airliner. Needed daily for accessing the fire bottles, as well as any unforeseen tasks.

For pocket use you might be better with a bit driver of the same configuration. They’re available from a lot of makers and are one of the most under rated tools in my opinion. Many times I’ve utilised mine when friends and colleagues have been struggling with pocket knives or multi tools.

If you use decent quality bits these are going to cause zero damage to the screw. Although I don’t generally like bits stored in handles, this is one case where that is preferable. One of these and a small pair of pliers offers a lot of capability but no more weight or bulk than many multi tools.

I do wish PB Swiss offered stubby bits for their 215 interchangeable series.

Yes, so do I.

They do offer a stubby bit driver for their larger 225 series. I don’t own the bit driver but I do have some of the 225’s. This would probably make for the heaviest duty compact driver out there. You could even add a ratchet unit if you wanted.

 

[Snaparxon]

On steroids maybe.
Those things are beefy!

I think Andre the Giant would have agreed the handle is way to big in diameter, the tri-lobe shape is uncomfortably awkward. But the drive end is perfect for changing 3" cut-off wheels on a die grinder

 

[KnurledNut]

Where screwdrivers are concerned, more options are always better.

There are definitely “use cases” for these tools. Adjusting instruments and hand planes have been mentioned, but these are the tool for working on anything that you are likely to be holding in your hand. Using a driver with a full length blade is an invitation to get speared!

I have a set of the Western Forge / Craftsman too. Bought them in the U.S. years back. Really good tools. For the price - awesome. Totally get the love for Craftsman when I handle tools like these.

PB Swiss offer this configuration too. In fact quite a range. They don’t make it obvious - you have to look at the dimensions of the drivers supplied, and you will find them.



Another use case is if you need to carry a driver in a pocket. As a professional pilot, one of these lived permanently in my jacket when operating my elderly turboprop airliner. Needed daily for accessing the fire bottles, as well as any unforeseen tasks.

For pocket use you might be better with a bit driver of the same configuration. They’re available from a lot of makers and are one of the most under rated tools in my opinion. Many times I’ve utilised mine when friends and colleagues have been struggling with pocket knives or multi tools.

If you use decent quality bits these are going to cause zero damage to the screw. Although I don’t generally like bits stored in handles, this is one case where that is preferable. One of these and a small pair of pliers offers a lot of capability but no more weight or bulk than many multi tools.

Dave,
Informative post as always. I too carried one of these. Mine is a Snap-on SSDM1, the big brother to yours, first generation old Script logo. I believe they used Dupont Pyralin for these yellow translucent handles, which has held up very well. In a moment of frustration years ago, I did deepen the handle bore to accept more bits. It will now hold 8, plus one in the tip.

I like that PB 6460. If they made that stubby size bit holding tip available for the 215 interchangeable, I would promptly own one!
The 136/4 you showed looks like a great tool. I bet that's a joy to use.

Here is my Snappy:

 

[Dave455]

Dave,
Informative post as always. I too carried one of these. Mine is a Snap-on SSDM1, the big brother to yours, first generation old Script logo. I believe they used Dupont Pyralin for these yellow translucent handles, which has held up very well. In a moment of frustration years ago, I did deepen the handle bore to accept more bits. It will now hold 8, plus one in the tip.

I like that PB 6460. If they made that stubby size bit holding tip available for the 215 interchangeable, I would promptly own one!
The 136/4 you showed looks like a great tool. I bet that's a joy to use.

Here is my Snappy:

I like that.

I didn’t know those were Pyralin. Makes sense. Among other things, I sometimes do work on old pens, some of which were made from Pyralin, and they have held up incredibly well.

When I first started buying Snap On, drivers with those handles were still available. Not the bit drivers by then, but a limited range of conventional drivers were sold under the “Blue Point” name. I wish I had bought a few.

The PB 6460 is my current pocket driver. The Snap On has seen most carry though, and I think is the more durable tool overall.

The 136/4 is quite a compact tool, but the size was about right for what I needed at the time. That’s a new one from stock. I liked them so much I bought a couple!

 

[NoahG]

some neat options in this thread I haven’t seen before. Here’s an old photo of my inventory of “unusual stubbies”. The USA made full handle P2 from Menards is an absolute favorite. Luckily I own several since the new imported range doesn’t have an equivalent. I’ve also acquired some stubby Xcelite P1’s which I use surprisingly more than I ever expected. Also not pictured are the Wilde Stubby 3/8.

 

[KnurledNut]

Yes^^. This Craftsman flat blade screwdriver made by Western Forge was exactly what was needed to adjust a piece of instrumentation once it was installed on one of our data collection vehicle builds.


Nothing worked better! I had several of these and the cheap bastards I worked with always wanted to borrow one. Hence my initials prominently displayed on the handle. Gasp!!!

Came across the same one today!

 

[KnurledNut]

some neat options in this thread I haven’t seen before. Here’s an old photo of my inventory of “unusual stubbies”. The USA made full handle P2 from Menards is an absolute favorite. Luckily I own several since the new imported range doesn’t have an equivalent. I’ve also acquired some stubby Xcelite P1’s which I use surprisingly more than I ever expected. Also not pictured are the Wilde Stubby 3/8.

Look at that Masterforce! Nice!

 

[NoahG]

Look at that Masterforce! Nice!

Yeah! It’s a winner for sure.

Got called in to work this morning, so here’s those other two:

 

[captain14]

Came across the same one today!

I have a couple of those too. Couldn’t beat the online price Sears was offering them at the time.

 

[Snaparxon]

Another custom driver, Xcelite to Snap on handle

 

[KnurledNut]

Another custom driver, Xcelite to Snap on handle

Man, I could use that. How much trouble to do? Nice conversion!

 

[Snaparxon]

Man, I could use that. How much trouble to do? Nice conversion!

I think I only had to drill the hole bigger in the handle. Not much effort.

 

[NoahG]

There’s a stubby Xcelite handle, #99-3. Just the ticket for those shorty nut driver blades.

 

[KnurledNut]

There’s a stubby Xcelite handle, #99-3. Just the ticket for those shorty nut driver blades.

I have one of those in my Service Master set.
I just like that Snap-on mod. And it won't stink.

 

[ecotec]

Another custom driver, Xcelite to Snap on handle

That is terrific.