Craftsman has a new screwdriver set

kball · Apr 29, 2017

And it's not made in China! It's made in Japan by Vessel.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2-pc-impact-screwdriver-set/p-00986616000P?redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL#

http://www.vessel.co.jp/english/handtools/info/impact/

gdocktor3 · Apr 29, 2017

Vessel screwdrivers are JIS. This says it fits US Phillips screws. Are you sure this is made by Vessel?

kball · Apr 29, 2017

gdocktor3 said:
Vessel screwdrivers are JIS. This says it fits US Phillips screws. Are you sure this is made by Vessel?

Package says made in Japan and Craftsman has had Vessel make screwdrivers for them before so it's not much of a stretch.

Tellingthem · Apr 29, 2017

gdocktor3 said:
Vessel screwdrivers are JIS. This says it fits US Phillips screws. Are you sure this is made by Vessel?

I'm pretty sure that with Vessel (at least) a JIS will work in a phillips. I got some of the previous Vessel ball grip screwdrivers that Craftsman rebadged and they are great. I do not know for a fact if those bits are JIS, but I have used them in phillips before and like them quite a bit.

Jarhead0408 · Apr 29, 2017

I'll give them a go.

The ball drivers that were on clearance were pretty awesome.

Dimitri · Apr 29, 2017

Tellingthem said:
a JIS will work in a phillips.

Yup.

Lots of bit sets supposedly come with Philips bits, but if you look closely, they are missing the web between flats because they are really JIS but still labelled P0, P1, P2 etc.

Dimitri

Moparman390 · Apr 29, 2017

My guess is if they are making them under contract for Craftsman those would be made to standard Phillips spec. Probably as easy a modification as slapping a different name on them.

Stevenn1 · Apr 29, 2017

Back in the 1980s some Craftsman tools were made in Japan, like the adjustable & combination wrenches. I know because I own a few of them.

bonneyman · Apr 30, 2017

An impact driver incorporated into the screwdriver. Interesting.

Though, if you ever stripped out the tip, you chuck the whole thing. Most impact drivers use separate, replaceable bits. Being Craftsman people will just keep returning them and getting new ones. Until Sears figures out like 90+% are being returned. :shocking:

So I wonder how these will pan out.

alwaysFlOoReD · Apr 30, 2017

I'd be more interested in a multi-bit impact screwdriver. Like this one from the second link in the first post;
No.260002　Impact Uni Driver

SuperCat · Apr 30, 2017

This new screwdriver set is $30, on sale for $20, but the tips are not removable.
A Craftsman impact driver set is $25. The impact driver set has removable tips.
Easy choice. I don't understand why anyone would buy this. :dunno:

d.mcfarland · Apr 30, 2017

Strange impact screwdrivers, but glad to see they are still making gimmick tools.

HomeTheaterMan · Apr 30, 2017

SuperCat said:
This new screwdriver set is $30, on sale for $20, but the tips are not removable.
A Craftsman impact driver set is $25. The impact driver set has removable tips.
Easy choice. I don't understand why anyone would buy this.

I agree. This seems like a gimmicky tool. If I needed a quality screw driver and was going to pay $10 a piece I'd pick up used Snap On or new Williams before even considering these. I don't see many people paying $20 for two Craftsman screw drivers.

paulsomlo · Apr 30, 2017

Very interesting. I just bought a Vessel #2 JIS and a PB Swiss #2 Philips, they both fit fasteners very well. The flat blade must be a special for Sears, haven't seen that on the Vessel website. Would be good for screws down in a bore, where a regular stubby bit impact might not fit, although I'd rather see a #2/#3 Philips set.

Mechanical Noise · Apr 30, 2017

Dimitri said:
Yup.

Lots of bit sets supposedly come with Philips bits, but if you look closely, they are missing the web between flats because they are really JIS but still labelled P0, P1, P2 etc.

Dimitri

Very true. The JIS drivers are good phillips drivers but not vice-versa. The only difference is the interior corners of the JIS dirvers are sharper than the more rounded interior corners of the phillips drivers.

Once I became aware of the difference, I started looking for JIS type drivers. Before that, I was using a hammer to get my Phillips drivers to work on my Japanese motorcycle.

I have a couple of impact drivers so I'll probably skip the Craftsman impact screwdrivers. But I believe the Vessel impact screwdriver has a good reputation in the motorcycle community.

Ericgst · Apr 30, 2017

HomeTheaterMan said:
I agree. This seems like a gimmicky tool. If I needed a quality screw driver and was going to pay $10 a piece I'd pick up used Snap On or new Williams before even considering these. I don't see many people paying $20 for two Craftsman screw drivers.

I have a large collection of Megadora screwdrivers, including a Phillips Impacta.

These are very high end and compare well against Snapon Instinct drivers. I prefer the Vessel grips and feel they are typically less likely to cam out.

The Impacta drivers, such as these are shaped just like the non-Impacta driver and can be used interchangeably. You cannot get an Impacta flat head directly from Vessel, so I will use some point to get a set of these.

outdoorspace · Apr 30, 2017

I am surprised they are even bothering to stock these in stores. Both of my nearby stores had cases of the ball grip screwdrivers even after prices had bottomed on clearance at $2/pc last year.

T45 · Apr 30, 2017

gdocktor3 said:
Vessel screwdrivers are JIS...

Vessel Megadora Vessel is not JIS, they are DIN type...just like PB Swiss.

If cman is using DIN-type Ph tips that's actually a good thing :thumbup:

PoorOwner · Apr 30, 2017

I have an impacta can't get it to work. Throttle body sensor screws

dodge610 · Apr 30, 2017

Gimmicky maybe throw away possibly but i will give them a go if they save your bacon twice they are worth $10.00 in my book. Just ordered a set see if they work as per the video.

928'er · Apr 30, 2017

dodge610 said:
Just ordered a set see if they work as per the video.

Wonder if you have to use a claw hammer as a striking tool like in the video...?

VRStrickland · May 1, 2017

^^^^^^^ Man, that is exactly where I was going. Prob not taking serious any video that uses a claw hammer in the mech shop.

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dodge610 · May 1, 2017

928'er said:
Wonder if you have to use a claw hammer as a striking tool like in the video...?

According to the instructions says to use claw hammer to strike the screwdriver. Do not strike very hard.lol

dkroth · May 1, 2017

Vessel fan here.

"Added on April 21, 2017"

Props to Sears for ... doing something.

paulsomlo · May 1, 2017

dkroth said:
Vessel fan here.

"Added on April 21, 2017"

Props to Sears for ... doing something.

Kind of amazing, given their financial state, still adding new products.

gdocktor3 · May 2, 2017

928'er said:
Wonder if you have to use a claw hammer as a striking tool like in the video...?

VRStrickland said:
^^^^^^^ Man, that is exactly where I was going. Prob not taking serious any video that uses a claw hammer in the mech shop.

You guys are telling me you have never used a claw hammer for anything on a vehicle?

gungatim · May 2, 2017

Stevenn1 said:
Back in the 1980s some Craftsman tools were made in Japan, like the adjustable & combination wrenches. I know because I own a few of them.

yeah, a buddy of mine collects the different craftsmans, lots of Japan and I think Canada as well...

gungatim · May 2, 2017

paulsomlo said:
Kind of amazing, given their financial state, still adding new products.

given the lead time of introducing a new product, the project likely started well over a year ago and is just now making it to market. I bet the initial batch is done and there won't be any more after they sell out...just a hunch...

LB-1911 · May 2, 2017

gungatim said:
given the lead time of introducing a new product, the project likely started well over a year ago and is just now making it to market. I bet the initial batch is done and there won't be any more after they sell out...just a hunch...

^ I'm w/you on this one, Your hunch is a pretty good one.

4xdog · May 2, 2017

I have the Vessel version of that impact driver. It works, and I like it. In fact, Vessel JIS drivers have become my go-to across the board. Definitely recommended.

VRStrickland · May 2, 2017

gdocktor3 said:
You guys are telling me you have never used a claw hammer for anything on a vehicle?

Used an old rusty one I found one time to short a starter across. Was kinda ashamed about it later. My claw hammers do not even live in the same building as my automotive tools.

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928'er · May 2, 2017

gdocktor3 said:
You guys are telling me you have never used a claw hammer for anything on a vehicle?

Only when I don't mind picking metal slivers out of my eyes....

By the way, I'm not knocking Vessel drivers - I like Vessel. Just taking a poke at the clueless folks who made the Craftsman video.

ptgarcia · May 2, 2017

I love my Vessel Megadora and if these are indeed made by Vessel I'll probably buy a set.

scooternut · May 3, 2017

So I grabbed the set, just because I wasn't certain if I had a JIS driver in my box. I reply about the JIS. I do work on motorcycles, and even my Austrian bikes have Mikuni carbs. Need to know if they are for sure JIS.

My best stuff in stock was a nice set of wiha bits, a similar Blue Point bit set, and the popular Williams set that looks like the old snap on.

My issue, I just can't tell from looking at the drivers in the bubble wrap. I don't mind the cash (cheap with points of course), but I do already have a snap on impact driver and do not need the "impact" feature. I just want a dedicated JIS.

Seems easy enough to tell out of the package, but I'd like to retain the ability to return. The sears part number is 9-86616, that doesn't seem to mate with any Vessel part number, though all Vessel "impact" screwdrivers say "cross point," which does seem to be JIS.

Any one have any non Sears hating advice to add? Thanks.

paulsomlo · May 3, 2017

gdocktor3 said:
You guys are telling me you have never used a claw hammer for anything on a vehicle?

Of course I have - how else would you get a nail out of a tire?

paulsomlo · May 3, 2017

scooternut said:
So I grabbed the set, just because I wasn't certain if I had a JIS driver in my box. I reply about the JIS. I do work on motorcycles, and even my Austrian bikes have Mikuni carbs. Need to know if they are for sure JIS.

There's been some contention here on the forum on whether or not true JIS screwdrivers are produced anymore. Most makers seem to manufacture to some DIN spec. I think there's more on the Vessel website and if you search "JIS" on the "Tools of Japan" thread, you'll see some discussion. Apex bits, which are well regarded here, has some bits on their website that they refer to as "Japanese Philips" http://apexbits.com/492J-CI-Apex-1-4-Japanese-Phillips-2-Hex-Power-Bits.aspx. You might try calling them, they could probably shed some light.

As an aside, I just purchased a #2 crosspoint Vessel and a #2 Philips PB Swiss. I tried each one on several fasteners on my 2001 Civic. The head of each fastener was marked with a very small cross symbol, and there was very little difference in the way the two drivers fit. In fact, the PB Swiss may have had the edge over the Vessel.

1foxracing · May 4, 2017

paulsomlo said:
The head of each fastener was marked with a very small cross symbol.

JIS screws have a dot indentation.

f7tSHasnGEWR9P6gJ_vcYtXPC50pyhv-nK8ag=w957-h638-no.jpg

drtyler · May 4, 2017

Is this what the cross in the screw heads looked like?

paulsomlo said:
There's been some contention here on the forum on whether or not true JIS screwdrivers are produced anymore. Most makers seem to manufacture to some DIN spec. I think there's more on the Vessel website and if you search "JIS" on the "Tools of Japan" thread, you'll see some discussion. Apex bits, which are well regarded here, has some bits on their website that they refer to as "Japanese Philips" http://apexbits.com/492J-CI-Apex-1-4-Japanese-Phillips-2-Hex-Power-Bits.aspx. You might try calling them, they could probably shed some light.

As an aside, I just purchased a #2 crosspoint Vessel and a #2 Philips PB Swiss. I tried each one on several fasteners on my 2001 Civic. The head of each fastener was marked with a very small cross symbol, and there was very little difference in the way the two drivers fit. In fact, the PB Swiss may have had the edge over the Vessel.

captaindiode · May 4, 2017

Isn't the x pozidrive?

paulsomlo · May 4, 2017

drtyler said:
Is this what the cross in the screw heads looked like?

Nope, more like this - and yes captaindiode, the screw that drtyler posted is Posidrive:

Craftsman has a new screwdriver set

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