Craftsman Pratt-Read Manufactured Screwdrivers

[wvrailroader]

Were the Pratt-Read made acetate Craftsman screwdrivers any better than the newer Western Forge made ones? I know the newer Western Forge ones get ragged on a good bit here, but I have never used that type. All of my Craftsman drivers are from the Pratt-Read era.

 

[wvrailroader]

No one has experience with both types? I figured by now I would have had 20 responses.

 

[ganymede]

I checked all my marked Craftys and they're all WF, even the one I've got that was my gramps in the late 60's or early 70's.
The only others I've got are from the 50's and they've got no code.

 

[wvrailroader]

Mine are all marked PR, which according to the lists here, are Pratt - Read and we're made between 2002 and 2009. They seem to be good drivers. I just wondered how they compared to the Western Forge.

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[Bdgjr215]

Ive got some from western forge ,some from pratt read, ive got a couple that just say
Super tuff,one with a G and one with an I .I like my craftsman screwdrivers,never felt the
Need to use anything else.I have a mac and a snap on or two , but mostly craftsman.

 

[ganymede]

Mine are all marked PR, which according to the lists here, are Pratt - Read and we're made between 2002 and 2009. They seem to be good drivers. I just wondered how they compared to the Western Forge.

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Interesting to me too. If I see any at the flea I'll grab some to mess around with.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have 1 size that I have both the WF and PR and other than the letters they both perform the same,which is not very good. Both are made from the slag type metal that breaks very easily.
Now on the other hand I am a big fan of Pratt read drivers made under their name and some of the others like the current Channellock line. Pretty sure they make the drivers for Menards also,which seem good.

 

[anndel]

Mine are all marked PR, which according to the lists here, are Pratt - Read and we're made between 2002 and 2009. They seem to be good drivers. I just wondered how they compared to the Western Forge.

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What does the PR version look like? Can you please post a picture? I have CM sets from the mid 1980's to present and all has "WF" as part of the CM coding. Never had a "PR" version.

 

[YoYOGearhead]

I have a few PR and WF. Here they are side by side same part numbers, just one has PR and one has WF. Pretty much the same. Just a small difference in handle size... But really small difference. Really though... They're screwdrivers. View media item 55344 . View media item 55345

 

[wvrailroader]

What does the PR version look like? Can you please post a picture? I have CM sets from the mid 1980's to present and all has "WF" as part of the CM coding. Never had a "PR" version.

Here's a picture of a few of the many I have. They do look like the WF drivers, but I don't know how they compare quality wise.



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[Fedwrench]

I've used both. Whether Pratt Reed or Western Forge made them doesn't matter, they were mediocre at best. The only good thing about those screwdrivers is/was they went on sale for pennies on the piece and the Craftsman warranty. Other than that, I hated using them especially, the #2 phillips but, that's just me. I know many of you love em but, I can't see the attraction when there are many better screwdrivers out there to choose from.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I had never noticed the difference, Now I will have to go out and look to see if all of mine are wf or if I have some of the other ones.

 

[Hootbro]

I got a couple of PR Craftsman common screwdrivers and found them to not be any better or worst than the WF drivers.

Only complaint would be a petty one that the PR made drivers used a zinc plating on the shafts that discolors over time to a blotchy looking mess.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have both, same quality. The better ones are the hot forged ones from years ago. They are marked "Forged" on the handle. Both PR and WF are owned by Ideal Industries now anyway.

I've used the old, the new and I really don't see the difference per se. They work, they're USA made and if they break, you get a new one. End of story.

 

[redwrench60]

I was making a repair in my shed today using a seldom used craftsman screwdriver set I keep out there and noticed none of them are yellowing and smell like *** except for one. That one was a WF crafty driver and all the rest were Pratt Read (PR) craftys. They’re all fairly old and essentially stored outside. Makes me wonder if the PR manufactured drivers don’t suffer from the rotten vomit *** smell the WF made ones do.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I don't ever recall seeing any PR marked ones. All the ones I have are either marked WF or Made in Canada.

 

[redwrench60]

I don't ever recall seeing any PR marked ones. All the ones I have are either marked WF or Made in Canada.

I have a few PR made Craftsman drivers scattered around. Here’s one of the kitchen drawer screwdrivers.

 

[decableguy2000]

I have some of PR marked cushion gripped screwdrivers and the have been excellent.

 

[redwrench60]

Here’s another couple in a toolbox I keep on the mower and battered as they may be they aren’t yellowed or stinky. Usually being kept closed up in a hot humid area is a recipe for Craftsman screwdriver rot but not these Pratt Read made ones it seems.

 

[ajchien]

Bumping an old thread with some observations ...

Long story: This week I bought new made in Japan “JIS compatible” impact bits for my hand impact driver. When I compared them to my “regular Phillips #3” impact bit, it was the same appearance of the tip. Both of them picked up a JIS screw and held on upside down. Then I got my Vessel +3 driver, which was shaped near identical to the impact bits and of course, it picked up the JIS screw upside down. Next, I picked up a craftsman PR Phillips #3, the tip looked different of course ... but it also fit and picked the JIS screw and held it upside down.

I was confused.

I then found a craftsman WF Phillips #3, and the tip was again different from the PR #3 was well different from as the vessel +3, and the WF Phillips would not fit the JIS screw, it wouldn’t hold it in any position, screw just fell to the workbench.

Next I went and got my Phillips #2 craftsman drivers, in PR and WF variety ... and yes, the tips are different. I did not have a JIS +2 screw to test.

In any case, I propose that the craftsman PR Phillips driver tips are different from the craftsman WF Phillips driver tips, and that the PR tips are spec’d closer to the “JIS screw” standard than the WF Phillips are.

I’m wondering if anyone else has seem similar?

 

[cjarvis]

I've used both. Whether Pratt Reed or Western Forge made them doesn't matter, they were mediocre at best. The only good thing about those screwdrivers is/was they went on sale for pennies on the piece and the Craftsman warranty. Other than that, I hated using them especially, the #2 phillips but, that's just me. I know many of you love em but, I can't see the attraction when there are many better screwdrivers out there to choose from.

Hear, Hear. My first Snap On purchase once I got out of Diesel school and went to work was a 5 piece set of screwdrivers. I hated the Crapsman drivers.

 

[Ike4160]

I have a set of the solid red PR craftsman screw drivers and I think they are a softer handle and a bit more comfortable than the typical wf screwdrivers.

 

[McFarmer]

I bought two sets of black handled Pratt drivers and they were the worst I’ve ever used. Flat tips twisted easy and the Phillips wore out much too soon.