Did Klein Tools give me the (screwdriver) shaft?

[wyattstihl]

I bought a 7 peice set of Klein screwdrivers from Home Depot today. Package said Made in USA, and 6 of the screwdrivers are marked as such.

But the 7th screwdriver is god aweful. Its not the usual extrusion of “Klein Tools” on the rubber grip, but its intruded into the grip and it no where says Made in USA. The yellow is slightly different color than the rest and the rubber mold hardly fits over the grip. If I wanted to I could pull it right off.

As you can see in the third pick the connection is hardly there. The rubber rattles and squeaks all around when I slightly shake it.

Is this normal, or some kind of slip in of a non American tool when I thought I was buying an American made tool?
I have to say, the 6 screwdrivers are excellent but this one is sub par.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[M6erfan]

Why not just contact Klein and see what they have to say. Then update us!

 

[bob15]

Sorry, I'm not seeing anything wrong with the screwdriver in your pictures. I'd be curious if you really could pull the rubber off it.....try it.....

 

[MadMark]

I've had a few Klein screwdrivers where the black rubber sleeve was loose.

Its not a new thing, I had a long no 2 Philips from back in the 80's with a loose grip

 

[wyattstihl]

Sorry, I'm not seeing anything wrong with the screwdriver in your pictures. I'd be curious if you really could pull the rubber off it.....try it.....

Heres how every other Klein ive seen looks at the same point.
Thats the way ive always seen them. Not the sloppy thing I have now.
And when I pull back the rubber it backs off a bit from the acetate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cfendrick]

Home Depot has a 90 day return policy if I recall correctly. Return or exchange it and call it a day/night as they are probably open until 10pm.

 

[CR888]

It may be known in a far eastern land as the 'Krein' screwdriver...

 

[4xdog]

I have a 1980s Klein nut driver, as I recall, where the rubber sleeve isn’t just loose it’s falling-off loose.

Gotta get that one out of the extra stuff tub where it lives and check details.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I recently purchased a smaller set like yours.1 driver like yours has the old style grip.
It is the largest flat head in my set.
Seems fine to me so far.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Bet someone returned it, and put that in from another Chinese set.

 

[wyattstihl]

Bet someone returned it, and put that in from another Chinese set.

would not suprise me, the package was dinged up and dented. I just dismissed the package because I thought the tools were fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Musicinabottle]

I'd take it back to Home Depot and exchange the set for another.

 

[vavet]

Be very careful if you’re thinking about using that tool after removing the rubber.

 

[2000-cvpi]

Be very careful if you’re thinking about using that tool after removing the rubber.

That’s what she said.

 

[AA/FC]

If you're not happy, return the set back to HD. Easy.

 

[AreYaSerious]

I would just take it back.

 

[sk farmer]

but then he can't come here and ***** about klein and home depot.

these things can go two ways.

1. the op can return the product to home depot and or klein and give them first chance to make it right. they can either solve the problem and make a happy customer or they fail and the op has full rights to *****.

2. the op can take pictures and post them here complaining about home depot and or klein when they have never had a chance to correct the problem or make it right in some way. then ***** about how they got the shaft............... when not one person here can do anything to help the op.

i don't care who it is, everyone has mistakes and screw ups. it doesn't really matter many they have or how bad they are it is how they handle it.

ps. i find it fully appropriate to document the process and to see what the problem is but see no reason th throw any business under the bus without giving them the opportunity to correct an issue.

 

[redwrench60]

I didn’t really take it as the OP bitching and complaining, just discussing. After all it’s a tool discussion forum so offering pics and asking the group for opinions seems right in line.

For the OP, I have also occasionally gotten Klein screwdrivers with a sloppy loose fit on the handle and it’s a pet peeve of mine too. I try to check them before purchase and if the grip rubber is loose I just pick another. The vast majority are perfect so finding a good one won’t be hard. On the no USA markings......I hope that’s an isolated incident. All mine are marked USA except my 5 in 1 and 11 in 1 screwdrivers which are made in USA with global materials.

 

[wyattstihl]

When you look on Kleins website for the 602-6 screwdriver model that I got, its rubber mold is different than pictured on their website. Heres how a regular should look:

Heres how mine looks

Its only markings are indented Klein Tools. No warnings like the usual ones and no made in USA.

For the record, im not bitching about it, but it is correct that I should have tried resolving the issue before posting. Nevertheless, I want to see if people have had similar issues like this.

The reason im not taking it back is because its too much hassle over one screwdriver. Its still usable, just sub par. The other 6 are perfect.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GrayFlattop]

It's either from a newer lot or from an older lot. If you aren't happy, take it back to HD.

FWIW, I've found Klein customer service to be very good. I had a full set of nutdrivers - purchased in the 90's - in a spare toolbox in the garage on a shelf. The toolbox was just a set of electrical tools to grab and go if I needed to, but I stopped doing side jobs about the same time.

So it sat on the shelf. Last year I was trying to organize things and redistributed the tools into stationary shop boxes and noticed that all of the rubber handles had swollen and fell right off of the handles. Keep in mind it was in a residential garage - no solvents or chemicals in use and that of the 7 or 8 pieces, MAYBE two were used a few times. Honestly they were virtually new. Odd too that there were several Klein screwdrivers in the same toolbox that were the same age, but their handles were as good as new.

I wrote to Klein, they gave me an RMA and after sending in the old set, a few weeks later a brand new set was in the mail. I would call that stellar customer support. Normally I wouldn't quibble about this except the set was not cheap, was barely used and looked new. Klein reaffirmed my faith in their brand.

 

[bob15]

Don't base what you have to a website picture, even theirs. Companies use stock pictures and usually have a disclaimer (like in paper catalogs) that specs and appearances can change. Items can change midstream and they are just using up their old stock/inventory, which would explain why one is different than the rest.

Here is their disclaimer: https://www.kleintools.com/content/terms-conditions

Disclaimer in their catalog: Specifications of all products in this catalog are subject to change without notice.
Dimensions shown for all forged products in this catalog are as precisely accurate as possible, but subject to very slight variations that are unavoidable in forging and grinding
operations. Dimensions of Klein forged tools and all other tools and equipment are always within commercial tolerances recognized for such products.

 

[wyattstihl]

Don't base what you have to a website picture, even theirs. Companies use stock pictures and usually have a disclaimer (like in paper catalogs) that specs and appearances can change. Items can change midstream and they are just using up their old stock/inventory, which would explain why one is different than the rest.

Here is their disclaimer: https://www.kleintools.com/content/terms-conditions

Disclaimer in their catalog: Specifications of all products in this catalog are subject to change without notice.
Dimensions shown for all forged products in this catalog are as precisely accurate as possible, but subject to very slight variations that are unavoidable in forging and grinding
operations. Dimensions of Klein forged tools and all other tools and equipment are always within commercial tolerances recognized for such products.

I got in contact with Klein customer service(excellent service) and they told me that screwdriver should have been marked as Made in USA. They asked for a picture and I sent it to them. I am awaiting response.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brownsfan]

It looks like the grip from a 11in1 got put on a regular screwdriver. That grip looks exactly like what is on my Klein 11in1 driver

 

[wyattstihl]

It looks like the grip from a 11in1 got put on a regular screwdriver. That grip looks exactly like what is on my Klein 11in1 driver

You know what your right. It does look like a grip from a # in # driver from them. That explains the missing Made in USA, because those arent or are with foriegn materials.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[davethorik]

I bought the biggest flathead Klein makes (600-12) and it is the same way. The hang tag said USA, everywhere online including HD'S website says made in USA. But not the screwdriver. I wasn't happy but I've moved on...

Pic 2 shows different grips..."assembled in usa" 11 in 1 that has patent #s where USA normally is...600-12 like op's...Switch Drive (marked USA) and 650-DD demo scratch awl (yellow lettering, says USA).

Klein could probably cut costs if they didn't make so many styles of grip.

 

[metaldad]

i have had the same issues, with masterforce drivers. menards in house brand of pratt reed. ive put some insulation glue to stick it.
screwdrivers are a consumable to me. i dont make a big deal outta them, except what i consider 'collectable'

 

[homemade1487]

screwdrivers are a consumable to me.

Agreed. It seems some this is “consuming” my Phillips screwdrivers. I think I buy a six pack of Phillips every year cause they end up walking off.

 

[Wamsutta]

I think what's happening here is the OP got ahold of a counterfeit Klein screwdriver. That's what happens when purchasing items from big box stores like Amazon or Home Depot. The smaller outfits like local electrical supply houses always seem to have the real Klein.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

I think what's happening here is the OP got ahold of a counterfeit Klein screwdriver. That's what happens when purchasing items from big box stores like Amazon or Home Depot. The smaller outfits like local electrical supply houses always seem to have the real Klein.

Give me a break.

 

[thesilverone]

this thread is counterfeit

 

[bob15]

I think what's happening here is the OP got ahold of a counterfeit Klein screwdriver. That's what happens when purchasing items from big box stores like Amazon or Home Depot. The smaller outfits like local electrical supply houses always seem to have the real Klein.

 

[wyattstihl]

Little update: I contacted Klein customer service and I am sending them my screwdriver so Quality control can inspect it and once they get it I will recieve a new one free. So Klein has been helpful in correcting this issue. They will be getting more of my business.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JBradley500]

I think what's happening here is the OP got ahold of a counterfeit Klein screwdriver. That's what happens when purchasing items from big box stores like Amazon or Home Depot. The smaller outfits like local electrical supply houses always seem to have the real Klein.

I have a hard time telling if you have a dry sense of humor or if you really believe what you post.

 

[Gmonkee]

He has a bias against discount/big box stores too. No big deal.

I like the locals myself but won't piss on the big chains for always covering the gaps. Even the dreaded Wal Mart has saved my projects at decent prices.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I think what's happening here is the OP got ahold of a counterfeit Klein screwdriver. That's what happens when purchasing items from big box stores like Amazon or Home Depot. The smaller outfits like local electrical supply houses always seem to have the real Klein.

It's that way with the riding mowers to an extent. Home Depot John Deere's not same as John Deere John Deere's. I can see where that could be the case with Klein tools at the depot.

 

[Musicinabottle]

this thread is counterfeit

I thought it looked like that. If you go back and forth from this thread to the main home page, the white background is slightly different.