Educate me on Craftsman amber screwdrivers

[softailgarage]

Recently I read a post where someone said the old Craftsman amber handle screwdrivers were hard to find and had some value to them. I've never heard this. Can anyone be more specific?

 

[3baygarage]

I think that might have been me talking about the amber/purple handle. I meant they are hard to find in great condition. I've seen a ton of them over the years, mainly at estate sales. I collected a bunch here and there. Most I see are hard to even identify as Craftsman because the name is worn off. I guess my point was people don't really recognize them like they would the common Craftsman handle.

As far as value, they are usually priced like any old screwdriver but I'm sure if someone had a set in fine condition they might fetch good money online. I never really watched any sell. Haven't spent much time looking online for them.

 

[3baygarage]

These are the screwdrivers I was talking about. They're pretty well used but I thought I'd add a picture since I just fished them out of a box.

 

[rsanter]

I think those have just yellowed with age. I think they were clear before

Bob

 

[3baygarage]

Is that possible? Every one I've seen and own is this color.

 

[Farmall450]

I think those have just yellowed with age. I think they were clear before

Bob

+1 Bob.

 

[rcktsled]

Yeah, they were clear when new. I have a boatload of them.

 

[pendragon1998]

I think this is the amber handle stuff people are talking about. They sate from a short run in the 1930s, I think.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The ones posted by 3baygarage were YELLOW or AMBER when new. I have one or two of them left from my father, who bought them new probably in the '50's and they were yellow from the time I first remember them in the early 1960's till the present. They are distinguished from the later clear ones by the multiple fine ribs on the handle where there would be a plain flat recess on the newer ones (running the length of the handle) and they are slightly rounded or belled out on the surface where the blade is, while the newer clear ones are flat on the handle where the blade enters the handle.

On the one shown below (from pics above) the name is on the RAISED portion, and the fine ribbing is visible on either side of the name. On newer clear ones, the name is found in the RECESS of the handle.

 

[softailgarage]

The ones posted by 3baygarage were YELLOW or AMBER when new. I have one or two of them left from my father, who bought them new probably in the '50's and they were yellow from the time I first remember them in the early 1960's till the present. They are distinguished from the later clear ones by the multiple fine ribs on the handle where there would be a plain flat recess on the newer ones (running the length of the handle) and they are slightly rounded or belled out on the surface where the blade is, while the newer clear ones are flat on the handle where the blade enters the handle.

On the one shown below (from pics above) the name is on the RAISED portion, and the fine ribbing is visible on either side of the name. On newer clear ones, the name is found in the RECESS of the handle.

I agree. I have a bunch of clear ones from the 60's that haven't changed color and I can also remember my dad having a set of the amber handled ones.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I think those have just yellowed with age. I think they were clear before

Bob

I recall there being yellow ones (by design). I recall my father having a couple (would be late 70s to 80s). I remember some blue and/or red on there as well. Did they ever have xcelite make them? That might explain it.

 

[3baygarage]

That's cool some of you guys remember this older style from your father's tools.

I assume many younger guys haven't seen these unless they shop for used tools.


I think everybody's confusing these oldies with the common handles we all know and love that do sort of turn yellow (or get that white coating).

 

[mckameyzhiy]

Every one I've seen and own is this color.

 

[softailgarage]

I guess the big question now is, "how do they smell?" If you've been around old Craftsman screwdrivers you know that they tend (and I don't know why) to start smelling like puke. Yes, puke as in vomit. They can stink up a toolbox pretty good and about the only way to get rid of it is to chuck 'em or, if you will, upchuck 'em (little screwdriver humor there)

 

[Tellingthem]

I don't know about puke but my dads smelled like vinegar. I always kind of liked it. I have a bunch of old ones myself that smell the same now.

 

[KEH]

I have Craftsman screwdrivers from the 60s and a few from earlier times and the handles are clear. I have never seen the amber ones pictured and don't have any idea of the dates.

KEH

 

[erty67]

I guess the big question now is, "how do they smell?" If you've been around old Craftsman screwdrivers you know that they tend (and I don't know why) to start smelling like puke. Yes, puke as in vomit. They can stink up a toolbox pretty good and about the only way to get rid of it is to chuck 'em or, if you will, upchuck 'em (little screwdriver humor there)

So true!!! Why do they smell like that?!?!?! I don't mind the screwdrivers functionally but man do they smell bad!

 

[Buster21]

I actually remember my Dad having a three piece set of these and they were amber and blue when new. He still has them in his box.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I actually remember my Dad having a three piece set of these and they were amber and blue when new. He still has them in his box.

Vertical blue stripes alternating with the "clear"(amber) part, right?

 

[Farmall450]

I don't understand all the smell complaints, I have yet to observe any odor.

 

[Buster21]

Vertical blue stripes alternating with the "clear"(amber) part, right?

Yes, the blue ring was where your thumb would go next to the shaft and the ridges went the length of the handle. Hope that make sense. I wish I could go visit him and I would take a picture of them.

 

[kythri]

I don't understand all the smell complaints, I have yet to observe any odor.

It's not just Craftsman that does it - years ago I had started a new job, and one of my first tasks was cleaning/organizing the tech bench.

I opened up a small plastic tub containing a bunch of Xcelite screwdrivers and was about knocked on my **** by the vomit smell.

Something in a particular era of plastics...

 

[The Copilot]

removed

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Original Amber handles are a different design than later clear ones, and DO NOT smell like later ones do. Plastic is harder (meaning brittle, crumbles with age) New clear handles actually get soft and take on impressions of whatever they are laying on. Clear handles yellow depending on exposure to chemicals, UV, use, and other factors. Amber handles stay consistently the same color throughout their life.

Charles

 

[Buster21]

I had my Dad look for these, he said "I use them all the time", I asked him how old they were and he said his Grand Dad gave them to him in 1945. He confirmed that they were indeed amber when new, they did not yellow with time. The blue ring is completely worn off from use but not bad for a 70 year tool. Just wanted to share.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Here a page from the Craftman 1949 catalog of mechanic's tools. Under features it lists: "Shock-proof amber color plastic handle stands much abuse."

Thank you! Thats as "clear" as it gets.

Charles

 

[3baygarage]

Awesome . Great catalog pic Copilot. I have that screwdriver #C on the page but with a little bit older logo, minus the end cap and extra bits.


Post #198 here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226622&page=10

Good stuff guys.