Bye Bye Craftsman Clear Handles...

[Jtels85]

Don't know if anyone's mentioned this or been to Sears lately, the clear handle screwdrivers made by Western Forge are going bye bye, just as the pliers and nut drivers did. Most Sears locations have had trouble keeping open stock single screwdrivers for the past few months. Went in this evening and noticed the Extreme Grip black and gray handles are now being sold as singles on the same pegs that the clear handles were on.

Can someone just go over to Eddie Lampert's house and give him a high five to the face... with a chair...

 

[cdeer001]

I thought this was inevitable when they got rid of the Western Forge black handled pliers.

 

[rrich1]

There are much better screwdrivers out there than Craftsman clear handles. Liking them for nostalgia is one thing but the tips bend easily and don't offer much grip.

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[L.Cheapo]

I thought this was inevitable when they got rid of the Western Forge black handled pliers.

Thats a shame. I have a set of WF Craftsman pliers I bought in the mid 90s...and they've been very good. Phenomenal considering the price. Very low on the "Upgrade to Snap On List".

 

[davethorik]

Woopty do, craftsman clear handles ****. There are so many other better screwdrivers available.

 

[zeke markham]

Didn't Western Forge drop Sears? Thought I heard that somewhere. Not sure if they'd get paid for product delivered or something.

 

[jakemac]

Yes, WF dropped Sears like a hot potato at the 11th hour as soon as the contract expired this summer.
Sear's threw a hissy fit because they felt that they were led to believe the contract was going to be renewed.
IIRC, WF sited a concern that Sears wasn't solvent enough to pay their bills and wanted out before they had to get in line behind other creditors.

Keep an eye on Ace Hardware, Stanley/B&D may still be supplying them with clear handles.

 

[woody 73]

Please don't get me wrong I liked the clear handles and the smell never bothered me; but I remember buying and using them in the early 1970's and sometimes the tips would twist on all the rust here in the Midwest.

I learned early on to use other screwdrivers that held up better on all those rusty screws. If my old memory is still working tonight I seem to recall sometime around 1976, sears announced they had sold 1 million of their clear screwdrivers so most people bought and used them.

With so many great brands out there today I will not miss them.

 

[woody 73]

Forgive me, I got the year right on the money but missed the mark (it was 100 million) not 1 million...

https://www.craftsman.com/history

 

[Richard Cranium]

little by little all their tools are being replaced.

 

[fourjeepin]

I will miss the smell of new clear handle drivers! Maybe I should go buy a couple and keep them in the packaging except for sniffing.

 

[theoldwizard1]

IIRC, WF sited a concern that Sears wasn't solvent enough to pay their bills and wanted out before they had to get in line behind other creditors.

In its annual report filed Tuesday (3/21/17) with the SEC, Sears added new language saying its “historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.”

So who would want to do business with them ?

 

[JohnDeere1]

Can't say that I'll miss them they were okay the only ones I kept were the stubbies and torx also got the stubby flat head with the full size handle. Since I only use them on hose clamps they should last forever.

 

[jweier111]

I'm pretty sure (as other's have mentioned) the Masterforce branded screwdrivers at Menards are still made by Western Forge. If anyone's feeling nostalgic for smelly clear handled screw drivers.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Please don't get me wrong I liked the clear handles and the smell never bothered me; but I remember buying and using them in the early 1970's and sometimes the tips would twist on all the rust here in the Midwest.

I learned early on to use other screwdrivers that held up better on all those rusty screws. If my old memory is still working tonight I seem to recall sometime around 1976, sears announced they had sold 1 million of their clear screwdrivers so most people bought and used them.

With so many great brands out there today I will not miss them.

How does a screwdriver's tip 'twist' on a rusty screw?

 

[davethorik]

How does a screwdriver's tip 'twist' on a rusty screw?

Does it even matter what his response is? I could almost hear you running to come defend your beloved Craftsman name

 

[JazzBlueRT]

So who would want to do business with them ?

There was a story out about how the media bashing of Toys R US causing their suppliers to demand cash and carry creating a rapid onset bankruptcy. Mattel and Hasbro have apparently been propping up Toys R Us and trying to ensure that the stores don't have massive closings. Mattel and Hasbro know they will never regain the lost Toys R Us sales.

Same is happening with Sears and the suppliers need to understand that the loss of Sears's business will permanently impact their bottom line and profitability. It is in their best interest to help Sears prosper.

 

[413dan]

damn, can't loose or mess up any more of my clear handles then! what would I do without my horrible tasting handles that I hold between my teeth as I fiddle with my two hands and a screw and think to myself how bag these damn handles taste! lol

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Does it even matter what his response is? I could almost hear you running to come defend your beloved Craftsman name

I am actually reading these types of posts in amazement how so called "skilled" people are constantly breaking tools?

Let me guess how this one turns out. The OP used a pair of vise grips on the handle of an undersized screwdriver while hammering on the handle. He then went out and bought a bigger screwdriver of brand X and concluded that the craftsman was junk.

 

[jweier111]

Over the years I got to be quite a connoisseur of screwdriver handles. My personal Preference was for Proto, but I found Klein has a nice, piquant after-dinner flavor-heady, but with just a touch of mellow smoothness. Craftsman on the other hand...YECCHH!

 

[Musicinabottle]

I like my clear handled craftsmen screw drivers. Why can't everyone like them? Why can't everyone just get along?

 

[jumpdrive]

How does a screwdriver's tip 'twist' on a rusty screw?

Because they are soft.
A little higher up the Rockwell scale and they would be just fine.
Too far up, and they would snap due to being brittle.

I have twisted several over the years using an adjustable on the shank.
Snap-on doesn't twist like Craftsman, so I use those instead.

No big deal, they always warrantied them and I just kept in mind not to use them for anything other than things like assembling new metal shelving or other menial tasks. They are good to keep in the car but I never use them for work.

 

[Mikeske]

Years ago I moved on from Craftsman and my Craftsman screwdrivers are a jumbled mess in the drawer for screwdrivers in my sidebox. I might grab one for a pry bar but to actually use a clear handle Craftsman screwdriver not likely when I have much better screwdrivers available in my toolbox.

The most use they get is when I toss a bunch in my travel box and go to the pull apart yard searching for car parts. Most of the time the Craftsman that go to the pull apart yard are used as pry bars and I use a bit driver screwdriver as it is much quicker to taking stuff apart and if I break a bit I just grab another bit and go.

 

[bsaint]

I threw all mine out when they started outgassing in my box. Williams hard handles every day.

 

[Fedwrench]

I like my clear handled craftsmen screw drivers. Why can't everyone like them? Why can't everyone just get along?

The only thing good about the regular craftsman screwdrivers was that they were cheap and had a warranty.

This is garage journal where it is impossible to make every one happy

Lastly, i have yet to see a stanley made screwdriver that i like so, i'm not getting excited over the possibility of a great stanley made, craftsman branded screwdriver coming soon.

On a side note it is kind of sad to see the end of the classic crappy craftsman screwdriver, just like it was sad to see sears stop selling the classic round head fine tooth quick release ratchet.

 

[openwheelracing88]

thank God the clear handles are going away. They couldn't compete with the Germans on quality and feel, and couldn't compete with Chinese for value.

The diamond tipped drivers though, I like A LOT and I hope they make them here in the States to compete with the Germans. I think we can do it.

Recently Stanley has also come out with diamond tipped hand tools. Coincidence? I don't think so. I haven't done too much research regarding diamond tip, but they work very well. I am keeping an eye out for deals this Christmas. People are getting screwdrivers in their stockings.

 

[powertrip]

The diamond tip, gray/black handled ones are an upgrade over the clear handled versions. Fine by me.

 

[6PTsocket]

So who would want to do business with them ?

They are termial. It is just a matter of time before they join A&P, and Radio Shack and other old companies that are no longer around. It has been such a long, slow deterioration, I wish they would get it over already. There are so many things wrong that there is no way they can be saved. Most of the brick and mortar stores are in trouble and Sears.com is a mess with prices often far above the street price on many items.

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[blackgold]

They are termial. It is just a matter of time before they join A&P, and Radio Shack and other old companies that are no longer around. It has been such a long, slow deterioration, I wish they would get it over already. There are so many things wrong that there is no way they can be saved. Most of the brick and mortar stores are in trouble and Sears.com is a mess with prices often far above the street price on many items.

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Or far below causing them to lose their asses on sales. I only go to sears when I get a 15 dollar off 15 or more coupon and I feel like I need something. I get those fairly regularly with the shopyourway email BS I'm signed up with...
Brian

 

[Musicinabottle]

The only thing good about the regular craftsman screwdrivers was that they were cheap and had a warranty.

This is garage journal where it is impossible to make every one happy

Lastly, i have yet to see a stanley made screwdriver that i like so, i'm not getting excited over the possibility of a great stanley made, craftsman branded screwdriver coming soon.

On a side note it is kind of sad to see the end of the classic crappy craftsman screwdriver, just like it was sad to see sears stop selling the classic round head fine tooth quick release ratchet.

Largely, I have all SK and a couple Snap on and one Mac screw driver. But I still have most of my Craftsmen screw drivers from back in the day when I was putting together my first set of tools. I thought that back when, they were a great value for what you got, if you think about it. Personally, I think that in terms of Craftsman tools, the screw drivers were about the only thing they made that were worth a ****.

 

[poriggity]

It's craftsman, and they'll go under just as soon as Sears does, so who cares if they stop making marginal tools? I buy craftsman stuff when it is on clearance, and I have some shop you way points to burn. I usually end up getting $100 worth of tools for around $10. For that price, it's worth it. Personally, I prefer my Pittsburgh tools to anything Craftsman in my box.

 

[Musicinabottle]

About 12 years ago, I spearheaded a major remodel and expansion of a Sears store near me. At completion, the owner offered everyone involved a nice index of craftsman drill bits for the amazingly low price of $19. I got mine for free. Each one of those bits, the moment they touched steel, the black oxide came off and the bit produced a couple tiny shaves of steel then instantly went as dull as a round river rock. I quickly replaced every single bit in the index, then the box fell apart.

 

[notlob]

Good riddance to those lousy soft tip clear CM screwdrivers. I stopped using them decades ago. The Phillips are especially bad, but they all ****.

 

[jakemac]

It's craftsman, and they'll go under just as soon as Sears does, ..................

Sears doesn't own Craftsman anymore. It's now owned by Stanley/B&D.
Part of the sale agreement included the right for Sears to continue to use the name (bad call) on **** tools that will ruin S/B&D's chances of rebuilding the brands reputation. It's still too early to tell how things will play out, but with the public's inability to separate the brand from the store, it won't be easy.

 

[L.Cheapo]

This just in: Toolboxes everywhere have begun smelling better already.

 

[Done That]

OK I'll bite since a bunch of you are crapping on Craftsman. I'm in the market for a "decent" new set of screwdrivers. Been taking some of my older so-so tools and creating tool sets to leave at the daughter's homes so I have some stuff already there when they call.

Just throwing out a name, but I probably don't have Snap-on kinda cash right now.

Anybody want to offer up some suggestions for a mid-line kinda price point??

Thanks...

 

[openwheelracing88]

Craftsman comfort grip diamond tip drivers. Give those a try, you will be pleasantly surprised. They are made in POC though, but are cheap. Otherwise I like Klein for electrical and Wiha for other type of work.

 

[notlob]

OK I'll bite since a bunch of you are crapping on Craftsman. I'm in the market for a "decent" new set of screwdrivers. Been taking some of my older so-so tools and creating tool sets to leave at the daughter's homes so I have some stuff already there when they call.

Just throwing out a name, but I probably don't have Snap-on kinda cash right now.

Anybody want to offer up some suggestions for a mid-line kinda price point??

Thanks...

These aren't mid price, but they are very close in toughness to my felo, proto and mac screwdrivers, and very comfortable to use. I have very few HF tools, but I have sets of these in each car and for my house toolbox. They don't go on sale frequently, but they are a bargain, especially with 20% off coupon. There is at least one matching larger screwdriver available separately.

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

 

[jd_1138]

Sears doesn't own Craftsman anymore. It's now owned by Stanley/B&D.
Part of the sale agreement included the right for Sears to continue to use the name (bad call) on **** tools that will ruin S/B&D's chances of rebuilding the brands reputation. It's still too early to tell how things will play out, but with the public's inability to separate the brand from the store, it won't be easy.

I don't think Sears will be in business much longer anyway, so I don't think Sears selling CM tools will matter much. Or S/B&D can put "Craftsman Professional" on the tools they produce, so people will know to avoid the crappy CM tools at the Sears locations.

 

[rshadd]

No great loss there.