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Where to buy screwdriver shanks

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wyattstihl

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Michigan
I am interested in purchasing American made screwdriver shanks (Slotted and Phillips) without handles so I can make my own. Anyone have any idea as to where I could buy these?


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mr.lemons

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May be easier to buy complete drivers and cut the handles off. Bit wasteful though I guess.
 
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Can I try?

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mr.lemons said:
May be easier to buy complete drivers and cut the handles off. Bit wasteful though I guess.
Click to expand...

This may be the best direction for the OP, if he wants inexpensive US-made blades.

One possibility for donors are the high-visibility drivers that McMaster-Carr sells. They are US-made by Pratt-Read. They are economical but of decent quality. I have a set in my vehicle tool kit for general use. I've also used them as blanks for making special tools. In doing so I've sometimes removed and reinstalled the handles. No big deal, they can be pried off and hammered back on.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-screwdrivers/=1dnns9t

I can't seem to link to the product detail page, just the subcategory page. It's the listing titled "High-Visibility Screwdrivers."
 
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woody 73

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First off let me say that I think Pratt-read is no longer in business I think they were bought out some time ago.

Next let me say that the following link to a very nice woodworking store might not (key word here) have made in the USA shanks but...well under your budget of $10.00.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=64983&cat=1,250,43243,50237

Hope it helps you out some.:beer:
 
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metaleltr

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bob15

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wyattstihl said:
Thanks, but I’m looking for Made in USA. Also, each one is $18. If I want to buy in bulk they have to be around $10 at least
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Most Snap On screwdriver shanks are US made. If you choose the driver you want and go to repair parts you will get part numbers.

Also, might want to call these companies and explain what you are trying to do; person-to-person interaction will probably yield you better results
 
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Can I try?

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woody 73 said:
First off let me say that I think Pratt-read is no longer in business I think they were bought out some time ago.

Next let me say that the following link to a very nice woodworking store might not (key word here) have made in the USA shanks but...well under your budget of $10.00.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=64983&cat=1,250,43243,50237

Hope it helps you out some.:beer:
Click to expand...


Haha...Woody, we're on the same wavelength. My first response also linked that page at Lee Valley. I ending up deleting the post because I saw that all the shanks are no longer available, just the associated hardware and drills.
 
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wyattstihl

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Negen

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Kinda a odd thing here aren't the best drivers not made in USA?

Tekton has killer deals on amazon for USA made screw drivers and would probably be the easiest to meet the plastic off and remove the shank. The drivers could probably be baked at just a bit below the meeting point of the plastic and then the shank should be able to be removed quite easily.

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PFSard

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Mesa, AZ
wyattstihl said:
I am interested in purchasing American made screwdriver shanks (Slotted and Phillips) without handles so I can make my own. Anyone have any idea as to where I could buy these?
Click to expand...

No clue on where to buy. But ...

I never considered doing this. What do you intend to use for the handles? I occasionally see for cheap money some decent old screwdrivers with beat-up handles at estate sales.
 
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PugetDude

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Buy the US made screwdriver set you like, pull the handles and replace them with your homebrew version. It's easy to do, just grab the shank in a vise (I used a scrap of leather for protection in the vise) , use a prybar to lever the handle up and off. I used a flat washer between the handle and the prybar when I swapped a few old Proto driver shanks onto Craftsman Professional Handles to complete my set- but only because I wanted to re-use the handles.
 
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larry_g

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You also need to use the search term 'screwdriver blade' which is another correct term for what you are looking for. I know that Bondus and Apex both make some long insert blades.

lg
no neat sig line
 
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wyattstihl

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PFSard said:
No clue on where to buy. But ...



I never considered doing this. What do you intend to use for the handles? I occasionally see for cheap money some decent old screwdrivers with beat-up handles at estate sales.
Click to expand...



I intend to use HDPE plastic from recycled milk jugs for handles. Its easy to work with and easy to mold, and seems pretty tough.


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seber

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I suggest you try it with just one first. I would think that HDPE would lack the needed rigidity to prevent the shaft from turning inside the handle. In any case I wish you luck. Innovation is always a good thing especially in recycling.
 
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PugetDude

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wyattstihl said:
I intend to use HDPE plastic from recycled milk jugs for handles. Its easy to work with and easy to mold, and seems pretty tough.


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Click to expand...

Not to throw cold water on your idea, but any commercial screwdriver handle is likely going to be far superior than a homemade batch of melted walmart bags dumped into a mold , IMO.

Looking forward to seeing pictures and empirical real-world video tests that prove me wrong...:beer:

Manufacturers aren't set up to distribute and sell finished shanks only.
If you end up buying new screwdrivers, tossing out the plastic handles and replacing them with new homemade handles, it's not really "recycling" anyway, it's just rearranging the waste stream.
 
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bwringer

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Are you looking for a supplier for large quantities, or are you just whomping up a few specials for your own amusement?

If you're willing to remove and dispose of the factory handles, MasterForce drivers at Menard's are made in the US of A, very nice quality, and inexpensive. They also stock a huge variety, so whatever you want is likely on the shelf. Most are the old-fashioned clear-ish handles.
 
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wyattstihl

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Michigan
bwringer said:
Are you looking for a supplier for large quantities, or are you just whomping up a few specials for your own amusement?



If you're willing to remove and dispose of the factory handles, MasterForce drivers at Menard's are made in the US of A, very nice quality, and inexpensive. They also stock a huge variety, so whatever you want is likely on the shelf. Most are the old-fashioned clear-ish handles.
Click to expand...



At first, only a few, and if all works out well, I will order in large quantities.


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calandrod

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Jul 2, 2020
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Kansas
I'm on the hunt for a blade/shank myself. I found an old wooden handle that I am replicating in aluminum and want a high quality blade to use on it. It's not so much about recycling for me as it is the process of replicating a handle I like. Some good suggestions here but it sounds like there aren't any great ideas except destroying one to create another.
 
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ray h

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back of house
Have you checked with Graceusatools.com I started removing the handles from some old ones and polished them. I think you can find used ones pretty cheap. Handles just pop off easy. The ferrule was hard to save. Hopefully this winter I can turn some fancy walnut handles.
 
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