New Craftsman Ball Grip Screwdrivers

dede2897234 · May 14, 2015

Craftsman released today 2 new model screwdrivers (one Phillips, one slotted) with interchangeable tips. These 2 models are made in Japan per my internet chat with Sears customer service.

Here is the link to Sears to view the 2 models in the 3 different available colors each: LINK. Each is on sale for $8.99.

Here is the link to the ToolGuyd article for the new screwdrivers: LINK.

It's pretty cool that Sears is finally offering something different, non-Chinese, non-gimmicky in so many years for Father's Day! :thumbup:

Dave

Kirbot · May 14, 2015

Well that's pretty cool. They look like Vessel

I'm not quite sure what I think of that multi-fit phillips tip though....
I thought they were going to be JIS

dede2897234 · May 14, 2015

Here is the contents of the internet chat I had with Sears customer service less than 1 hour ago about the screwdrivers:

<< David: Hi Adler, can you please tell me where the Craftsman Ball Grip Screwdriver with Reversible Phillips Bit (model #11848) is manufactured?

Adler: I will check on this and help you with the details on where it is manufactured.

Adler: This may take a minute or two to research. Thank you for your patience.

Adler: Thank you for waiting.

Adler: I appreciate your patience.

Adler: I see that it is manufactured in Japan.

Adler: Does this suit your needs, David?

David: Yes. One more question if you don’t mind.

Adler: Sure, I will be glad to answer your question on products and help you.

David: Is the Craftsman Ball Grip Screwdriver with Reversible Slotted Bit (model# 12171) also manufactured in Japan?

Adler: Let me check this.

Adler: Yes, David, this model 12171 is also manufactured in Japan. >>

General Geoff · May 14, 2015

I would definitely pick these up if they had a dedicated #1 and #2 bit, but the combo #1/#3 bit would be an impediment to the work I do, removing small screws from recessed holes in laptops. The wider combo bit would not fit in all of these recessed holes.

Jure · May 14, 2015

Access Denied...can someone post a pic? Thanks!

dede2897234 · May 14, 2015

General Geoff said:
I would definitely pick these up if they had a dedicated #1 and #2 bit, but the combo #1/#3 bit would be an impediment to the work I do, removing small screws from recessed holes in laptops. The wider combo bit would not fit in all of these recessed holes.

General Geoff,

The Phillips screwdriver's removable shaft has on the other end a #2 Phillips bit. However, as you stated the combo bit end is too large for laptop service work.

Dave

dede2897234 · May 14, 2015

Jure said:
Access Denied...can someone post a pic? Thanks!

Jure,

Here is a picture for you of the Phillips screwdriver.

Dave

Kirbot · May 14, 2015

dede2897234 said:
General Geoff,

The Phillips screwdriver's removable shaft has on the other end a #2 Phillips bit. However, as you stated the combo bit end is too large for laptop service work.

Dave

Aha!
Well that makes I bit more sense. I didn't realize it has a dedicated no.2 on one end.

And they're almost certainly made by Vessel, so I would have to assume they're JIS, not standard phillips. (the Japanese version of Phillips, for the uninitiated. They'll still work in standard Phillips)

http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/ball-grip/view-all-products.html

dede2897234 · May 14, 2015

Kirbot said:
Aha!
Well that makes I bit more sense. I didn't realize it has a dedicated no.2 on one end.

And they're almost certainly made by Vessel, so I would have to assume they're JIS, not standard phillips. (the Japanese version of Phillips, for the uninitiated. They'll still work in standard Phillips)

http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/ball-grip/view-all-products.html

Kirbot,

Like you, the new Craftsman ball grip screwdrivers are most likely made by Vessel Tools of Japan. I think that since Vessel manufacturers their Megadora screwdrivers to the DIN 5260-PH standard, their Ball Grip screwdrivers and thus the Craftsmans conform to that same standard as well. The new Craftsmans should handle any cross recess fasteners (Phillips and the former JIS standard) thrown at it.

Dave

Stuey · May 14, 2015

The Copilot said:
...

Do you realize that your hotlinking of the images I'm hosting on ToolGuyd costs me bandwidth and money? A lot of people do it, most unintentionally, but it really adds up and hits my wallet hard.

If you're going to hotlink, at least add a link to the post. http://toolguyd.com/craftsman-ball-grip-screwdrivers/

:beer:

Anyway, Sears' chat has been wrong in the past about COO. I'm waiting to hear back from Craftsman ppl to confirm Japan origin, and if they're not quick enough I'll just buy a set at local Sears over the weekend.

dede2897234 · May 14, 2015

In Stuey's article, commenter "John" mentioned that he just purchased the Craftsman Phillips Ball Grip driver from his local Sears. He said that it accepts off the shelf 1/4" hex power bits. John also confirmed that the Ball Grip screwdriver is indeed made in Japan.

Since this is the case, JDV Tools offers a Vessel 6 piece, 1/4" hex replacement impact bit set for $17.94 (Phillips #1, 2, 3; slotted 5, 6, 7) here: LINK. If you're not crazy about the combo Phillips #1/#3 tip included with the Craftsman and/or want the additional Vessel slotted tips, this is an add-on kit to consider.

Dave

CNGsaves · May 14, 2015

Thanks for posting OP. I'm been looking for decent "filler" items to add to Sears orders to meet coupon threshholds. I made mistake of putting great garden hoses in cart without buying and price went from $19.99 to $34.99 when I missed the deadline. :sad:

Coincidentally . . . or on purpose . .

. . . Sears sent me surprise points of $15 off $60 . . . or $20 off $200 order. I'll be taking the $60 threshhold.

jcfields · May 14, 2015

upgrading · May 15, 2015

Good news on the COO and a very tempting item.

superautobacs · May 16, 2015

Vessel introduced this series in August, 2013. : http://www.vessel.co.jp/info/html/2013/08/prokon-driver.html

A Pozidrive #2 and #3 bit is also available too.

itsvegas · May 16, 2015

a local source of jis screwdrivers? definitely gonna grab these!

superautobacs · May 16, 2015

Vessel has not been producing screwdrivers to conform to JIS standard for some time now. They produce tools to meet global ISO standards now. That's not to say that they don't fit JIS fasteners though.

Keep in mind that fasteners themselves are made to conform to a standard too. Do you know what standard your fasteners were made to? Standards change over time, too.

If you really want screwdrivers that were made to JIS standards, you're gonna have to find Japanese brand screwdrivers that are NOS (guessing from pre-2000?)

rlitman · May 18, 2015

superautobacs said:
Vessel introduced this series in August, 2013.

Dang! I had $15 in surprise points to burn last week, and saw this screwdriver display at Sears. I thought to myself that this looked like one new screwdriver they came up with that ISN'T total ****, and was quite tempted, but decided to keep walking, as I've already got plenty of screwdrivers.

Had I known these were Vessel, I'd certainly have grabbed one.

pauls_workshop · May 19, 2015

Wow, yet another item Sears has that is worthy. There have been a couple recently. When I get some good points, will have to get these. And being able to get more bits compatible through Vessel is a nice bonus for the drivers too. - Paul

rlitman · May 19, 2015

pauls_workshop said:
Wow, yet another item Sears has that is worthy. There have been a couple recently. When I get some good points, will have to get these. And being able to get more bits compatible through Vessel is a nice bonus for the drivers too. - Paul

Take a picture of your beard (or make something up), post it here, and get $5 in surprise points today.

shopyourway.com/tag/battle-of-the-beards-contest/17464492

Jim C. · May 19, 2015

Because of this thread, I went to my local Sears just to check out these drivers. There were no Phillips models available and only a couple left for slotted head screws. I looked at one, but to be honest, it didn't seem like anything that I'd use or really needed. The big bulbous handle wouldn't fit into my screwdriver drawer......blah, blah, blah. Basically, I just couldn't get excited about it so I passed.

Jim C.

rlitman · May 19, 2015

Well I got mine with surprise points today.

The shaft fits into the handle with friction. The handle is cheezy plastic with two rubber wraps. Look closely at the displays. They had red and blue ones, with each having Philips or slotted bit options. The slotted bits were hollow ground and looked nice, but I've got plenty of good slotted bits so I passed on those.
The Vessel model with removable bits is superior in one way. Both that handle and the Craftsman handle appear to be a friction fit with the bits. But the Vessel branded shaft has a groove behind the each bit so you can use the shaft in a standard locking bit holder. This Craftsman one would just fall out.

The Philips one I got does indeed look like the JIS tips from my Vessel screwdrivers! Even if I toss the handle out, this is worth it for me.

Oh, and the handles will fit regular 1/4" hex bits, but only really long ones because there is no detent or magnet retention. It just goes in really far. I guess you could stick a bit holder into it.

timmyisme22 · May 19, 2015

If the handles do ever give out, they are fully covered by the warranty.

Just picked one up today (the philips version). Used it to build a grill before clocking out (stress test the screwdriver).

Worked great. Fit along shallow walls just fine (handle portion) and the tip while only slightly magnetized (just increased the strength a bit since I got home) worked at holding the screws steady enough.
Slight wear on the bit (only used the #2) with a few slips (my fault and/or screws fault).

The various grip holds on it work great (along shaft and against shaft palming, and fingertip) and if you just need to quickly tighten/loosen up a screw, pop it out of the handle and use the bit alone.

As stated by rlitman though, it is all plastic (other than the rubber grips).
I did find however that using a 1/4 bit holder in the shaft works just fine. My milwaukee one I took a picture of is about 2/5th's the amount of shaft as the main bit deep in. It's steady and for most screw-work and should be just fine.

1" 1/2" deep bit shaft is all you need to seat on the bottom.

All in all, for $10 it's great. Longer bit shafts work great in it and if the friction hold gives, take it in. Bits (as usual with most bits) are not covered by warranty.

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/jzY5RTd.jpg" height=400>
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/AHHxTPE.jpg" height=400>

pauls_workshop · May 20, 2015

Jim C. said:
Because of this thread, I went to my local Sears just to check out these drivers. There were no Phillips models available and only a couple left for slotted head screws. I looked at one, but to be honest, it didn't seem like anything that I'd use or really needed. The big bulbous handle wouldn't fit into my screwdriver drawer......blah, blah, blah. Basically, I just couldn't get excited about it so I passed.

Jim C.

Yeah, a bit surprised by some of the excellent detailed posts above now on the details of it. Looks like the Milwaukee bit holder needs to be part of this to work well, or something similar. Why they wouldn't design in a metal bit holder doesn't make much sense to me, esp for the price of it. - Paul

Jim C. · May 20, 2015

pauls_workshop said:
Yeah, a bit surprised by some of the excellent detailed posts above now on the details of it. Looks like the Milwaukee bit holder needs to be part of this to work well, or something similar. Why they wouldn't design in a metal bit holder doesn't make much sense to me, esp for the price of it. - Paul

I don't know..... I didn't actually give the thing a try, so I can't really comment on its performance. It might be a great tool. Just holding one and looking it over however didn't do much for me. I couldn't see myself ever using it or ever needing it. Going one step further, I almost viewed it as the annual Craftsman Father's Day gimmick tool.

Jim C.

LordPsychon · May 20, 2015

I would have bought one of these but I read the reviews on toolguyd's blog which were fairly good but mentioned all the plastic. As I already have a lot of good screwdrivers, I passed on this one.

elronin · Jun 16, 2015

LOL I ordered two of them slotted and Philips, picked them up on Sunday, Made in Japan. Not bad, they were free after the points.

Qualitytools · Jul 18, 2015

I picked up a blue slotted and a red Philips the other day for 5.99 at my local sears as I knew they were made in Japan by Vessel. I like them

Chadwilliam1 · Nov 24, 2016

Have these been discontinued? After about a year of owning these they have become my most used screwdrivers.

Thanks

Sent from my HTC 10

LB-1911 · Nov 24, 2016

Chadwilliam1 said:
Have these been discontinued? After about a year of owning these they have become my most used screwdrivers.

My guess - it was a one time production run, regardless of what they say -

Temporarily unavailable

Craftsman Ball Grip Screwdriver with Reversible Phillips Bit
Item # 00912156000P Model # 12156

Craftsman Ball Grip Screwdriver with Reversible Slotted Bit
Item # 00916645000P Model # 16645

There is the Vessel option via JDV Products, Inc
http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/ball-grip/view-all-products.html

Fatboy148 · Jan 2, 2021

Sorry (not really) to revive this ancient thread BUT......

I found these at Amazon. Our friends at Zephyr Tools must have bought up the residual stock at some point. While they aren't $2.00 like they were when Sears dumped them, they have been for sale at this price for a while now as they have been in my cart waiting for a price drop which has not happened. FWIW... If you are in a hurry for delivery, look at the projected delivery date as historically (when coming direct from them) it has taken Zephyr a while to get stuff out for delivery.

https://www.amazon.com/s?me=A3AWN9JN1RIIEI&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If you missed it in his post #10, here is the link to Stewart's (Tool Guy) thread on them back in 2015.

https://toolguyd.com/craftsman-ball-grip-screwdrivers/

designer485 · Jan 2, 2021

I bought a few of these for Christmas gifts this year from Zephyr on Amazon. No issues with shipping, they arrived quick.

ecotec · Jan 2, 2021

Order placed...

mashguy4077 · Jan 2, 2021

Fatboy148 said:
Sorry (not really) to revive this ancient thread BUT......

I found these at Amazon. Our friends at Zephyr Tools must have bought up the residual stock at some point. While they aren't $2.00 like they were when Sears dumped them, they have been for sale at this price for a while now as they have been in my cart waiting for a price drop which has not happened. FWIW... If you are in a hurry for delivery, look at the projected delivery date as historically (when coming direct from them) it has taken Zephyr a while to get stuff out for delivery.

https://www.amazon.com/s?me=A3AWN9JN1RIIEI&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If you missed it in his post #10, here is the link to Stewart's (Tool Guy) thread on them back in 2015.

https://toolguyd.com/craftsman-ball-grip-screwdrivers/

Is this company legit? because $6.99 with free shipping is way to cheap. That’s about half price of anywhere else.

RoundedNut · Jan 2, 2021

They're not that expensive from Vessel, about $6.50 USD: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00E55DL5C/

Lots of goodies there.

mashguy4077 · Jan 2, 2021

RoundedNut said:
They're not that expensive from Vessel, about $6.50 USD: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00E55DL5C/

Lots of goodies there.

How do you convert the currency to US dollars when shopping on Amazon Japan?

RoundedNut · Jan 2, 2021

mashguy4077 said:
How do you convert the currency to US dollars when shopping on Amazon Japan?

I think its an account setting but I don't bother. 1 USD = 103 yen so all the prices are essentially in cents. The amazon prices already include a 10% Japanese sales tax which is taken off for exports.

mashguy4077 · Jan 2, 2021

RoundedNut said:
I think its an account setting but I don't bother. 1 USD = 103 yen so all the prices are essentially in cents. The amazon prices already include a 10% Japanese sales tax which is taken off for exports.

Great thank you!

M6erfan · Jan 2, 2021

That Zephyr/Craftsman cross point model comes with #1 and #3 tips? :headscrat

designer485 · Jan 2, 2021

M6erfan said:
That Zephyr/Craftsman cross point model comes with #1 and #3 tips?

One side is a #2 and the other is a combo #1/#3. It would work for some things that require a #1, but I'm not sure how practical it will be. For me, it will most likely live as a #2.

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