Pratt-Reed screwdrivers good quality?

[espyking83]

Never used one, looking at a set. How do they stack against industrial/truck brands?

 

[J.A.Varela]

Buy something you can hit with a hammer and has a hex area just below the handle.
This is a real screwdriver
http://tools-from-germany.com/en/HA...-1/5-Screwdriver-Set-with-Impact-Cap-5-pieces

 

[Biomed]

Buy something you can hit with a hammer...

Isn't that called a chisel?

 

[SMKS]

They're fine. They have a couple of different lines, but from what I've seen most of them aren't going to directly compare to the truck brands, but they also cost a small fraction of the price of the truck brands.

The higher-end lines have features like better blades with vapor-blasted tips.

I like them, but I'm not going to tell you they'll replace SO drivers or other high-priced drivers.

 

[MagnumForce]

I have Pratt-Reed/Masterforce and Western Forge/Craftsman and greatly prefer the Western Forge ones. They just feel so much more weighty and the hex shaft on the flatheads is a godsend when breaking lose stubborn fasteners. You can break them free with nothing more than a small crescent on that shaft.

 

[metaldad]

pratt reed is a good brand, along with their rebrands.
warranty was not an issue, with the ones i had

 

[ADSR]

Never used them, but i will say i'm very happy with my 19pc Williams/Bahco set. I've been told they'll last 30 years, and i believe it.

 

[justme-]

One of the best brands of drivers IMO. Had never heard of them when I was managing a tool store over 10 years ago and they showed up as a new item from corporate. I instantly though they were a junk brand but was quickly told otherwise by my other manager and confirmed by several others in the trades. They will compare with truck brands (but let's be fair when we say truck brands we mean SO since the other trucks are just rebranded items) from my experience and what I've been told over the years.
I bought that set we got in. They must have done some close out deal or something since we never got restocked and they sold quickly from our other stores.
Still use those drivers- my go to set at home. Hanging on the wall above my bench. Phillips are still sharp tho obviously well used.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I bought this full set of Pratt Reads from an outlet about five years ago. I forget the price but it was very cheap, like $50 or less for all of them. I've been very happy with them.

 

[Coach James]

I have several PR screw drivers I got from Northern Tool. They have worked fine for me and I would not hesitate to buy more.

Coach

 

[monomach]

I dunno about comparing them to truck brands, but there's no denying that they're a quality driver. I've used the bolstered ones (rebranded as Masterforce for Menard's).

I can't imagine you'd regret buying them.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I've got roughly the same set as Dan in Pasadena.

IMO they seem to be really good quality. I love the heft of the handles. I got tired of seeing all my mismatched uglies, so I replaced them with the Pratt-Reeds.

I actually found them by accident. I ordered two from this guy on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/usr/toolandpartcrib?_trksid=p2047675.l2559 and as soon as I held them I went back and ordered all the Pratt-Reeds I missed on my first order.

The great part about the ebay seller is that he'll accept best offer. Most of my offers were between $2.00 and $2.50. He accepted every offer I made.

 

[wvrailroader]

Buy something you can hit with a hammer and has a hex area just below the handle.
This is a real screwdriver
http://tools-from-germany.com/en/HA...-1/5-Screwdriver-Set-with-Impact-Cap-5-pieces

I never really understood the hex area below the handle, especially on a Phillips. If the screw is so tight that you have to put a wrench on the screwdriver, it is most likely going to cam out and mess up the screw head anyway. It would be pretty hard to turn the wrench AND hold enough pressure on the driver to prevent cam out. This is where I would use a 1/4" impact driver.

 

[toolmutt]

I bought several when Northern Tool closed out all their USA made screwdrivers a few years ago. Liked them so well that I completed the set through HJEpstein day here on GJ. I think you'll be quite satisfied with the quality for the price. Do they compare to Snap On? No. But I would rate them a notch above the current Craftsman/WF offerings.

 

[dink]

Pratt Read went out of business....or in case of Enderes....waiting for a buyer....they used to have a monopoly on USA screwdrivers....they private labeled for EVERYONE

 

[zcbauer89]

I thought Ideal owned Pratt Read?

 

[SMKS]

I thought Ideal owned Pratt Read?

They do.

Pratt-Read filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009 and was purchased by Ideal in 2010.

http://www.idealindustries.com/whatsnew/press_releases/view.jsp?news=2010-03-22_pratt-read

 

[slob]

I have the SK rebrands and I like them.

This is essentially the same set but without the hex bolsters.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128197

 

[quattroJoe]

I never really understood the hex area below the handle, especially on a Phillips. If the screw is so tight that you have to put a wrench on the screwdriver, it is most likely going to cam out and mess up the screw head anyway. It would be pretty hard to turn the wrench AND hold enough pressure on the driver to prevent cam out. This is where I would use a 1/4" impact driver.

My thoughts exactly. I've got some drivers with hex bolsters and have never used that feature. Screw head usually strips with hand strength anyway, adding a wrench is only going to make those situations worse.

 

[MagnumForce]

Works with two people. Have to do it quite often with coolant pumps to spin the impeller off the shift. It is handy but four hands are required. I would not buy another flathead that didn't have a hex shank.

 

[RM209]

I have the SK rebrands and I like them.

This is essentially the same set but without the hex bolsters.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128197

I'm guessing along the way, almost everyone on this board has used Pratt-Read screwdrivers that were private labeled for many of the retailers and tool manufacturers. Not fancy, but good quality screwdrivers.
Yes, they're now owned by Ideal.

RM209