Yeah those are nice screwdrivers. I like them. Right now there's one of those freebie HF 6 packs in there. They are OK -- especially for a kitchen set. But the "pro" models are nicer. Especially at $8 with coupon. It's a no brainer.
Bye Bye Craftsman Clear Handles...
- Thread starter Jtels85
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Yeah those are nice screwdrivers. I like them. Right now there's one of those freebie HF 6 packs in there. They are OK -- especially for a kitchen set. But the "pro" models are nicer. Especially at $8 with coupon. It's a no brainer.
Keelhauled
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True Value's house brand (Master Mechanic) also sells what look to be WF screwdrivers.
Moparman390
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I wouldn't be surprised if they make a come back. They could easily be transitioning production to Apex in China. They already make the black handle bit drivers in the tool sets and now the nut drivers. Cloning a clear handled screwdriver, for the company that even holds the patent, isn't exactly difficult. My guess is you will see them again, just made in China. Sears has to have a standard line of screwdrivers so they can market position "Extreme Grip" above them in order to charge a higher price.
I'm pretty sure they are made by Pratt-Read, same as those for Ace Hardware.
jeeper46
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The Fall
Well-known member
Great beater screwdrivers and if you left them on a frame rail of a truck/out in the parking lot, no big deal. I still have a ton of them. Purchased Snap-on screwdrivers from a friend whose father passed on (he was a mechanic). They're much better, but those CMan clear handles had their place. Obviously, very iconic.
The Fall
Well-known member
I think I saw a RP CMan wrench set going for $200 on eBay recently. It was only the 9-piece set. You're not far off!
apollo11
Banned
They are good for doing things other than the intended use.
I've modified quite a few. One into an ice pick. Another into a hook shape for removing radiator hoses. I've even used some for stakes when camping.
Codejack
Banned
That's the only reason I regret throwing my Craftsman USA socket set away; I could have warrantied all the broken pieces and sold them for bank.
JazzBlueRT
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Needed a t5 to fix some electronics so I just bought these http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-pc-mini-torx-screwdriver-set/p-00941105000P
I think I have every size they make now.
Because Craftsman tools never break on me.
I think I have every size they make now.
Because Craftsman tools never break on me.
speed bump
Well-known member
Never had a problem with clear handles and I will be sad to see them go. Are there better screwdrivers? Yeah, they typically cost $5-20 a piece versus the 20 piece Craftsman set I bought for $20-30. At this point I have worn out the 4" number 2 Phillips and twisted one flat and broke another tip but other than that they have performed exceptionally well for the last 13 years since I bought them.
metaldad
Well-known member
masterforce is made by pratt reed
if you're a member of sams club, every holiday season they seem to carry a channel lock set of screw drivers that are pretty decent. the tips have held up well for me, have an impact metal plate on the top of the handle, good shape, usually a pretty good value as I see it!
Brian
Brian
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Hmm ... maybe I should put my #2 Phillips in my pocket and drive down there any see if they have any that I can exchange.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Time to stock up on Craftsman clear handle screwdrivers. I still use some for lower stressed tasks, and they are My low cost choice when it comes to bending or grinding to form a special tool.
Being their website pisses Me off just thinking about it, I will have to go to Sears or Ace to buy them.. But My glasses fog up when I pull a paper bag over My head; so I may be flat out screwed.
Being their website pisses Me off just thinking about it, I will have to go to Sears or Ace to buy them.. But My glasses fog up when I pull a paper bag over My head; so I may be flat out screwed.
Ron Swanson
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Those a decent. I have a small one I have been using for years at work for wiring trailer plugs.
Corndoggeh
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Ill have to get some too, theyre actually not bad screwdrivers.
TheEuronater
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I like my Wera screwdrivers more than the clear handle Craftsman but I think they're getting some undeserved hate on here. I honestly like how they feel in hand, but I do agree they weren't always perfect
PeterT
Well-known member
I must admit I don't use screwdrivers every day, but when I do, my Craftsman screw drivers work just fine. Most fasteners I do deal with are Phillips head and I doubt a rusty screw head is going to twist those. I don't even notice the smell. I won't miss them though, because I have a box of about 20 sets that were add-on type items to get free shipping or the $75 threshold for SYWR discount.
Moparman390
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I'm telling ya. Don't be surprised if they come back with Apex ones someday. They will probably made in China but other than that probably no better or worse. We'll have to wait and see.
Ohhh I am a big hf fan.. I may have to go check these out ... Even though I have a ton of screwdrivers already...
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Was over at Sears today browsing a little. Took a worthless worn out clear handled screw driver in. They only had the diamond tip black and grey screw drivers in singles. Girl at the counter said Just grab any screw driver you can find. Walked out with the black and grey extreme grip #2 philips that had a $5.49 price tag on it.
Finance Guy
Well-known member
Aren't the Extreme Grip screwdrivers better than the old clear-handled Western Forge screwdrivers (despite being manufactured in the oh so unholy land of China)?
Well, that's not going to happen. The intent is to destroy the company and then get a big payday for the people at the top from the sale of assets. Sears put itself on the edge of the cliff intentionally, and it's not gonna listen to anyone telling them how they can avoid jumping.
I'm unconvinced that the loss of Sears' business will permanently impact any supplier's bottom line. The company has been circling the drain for at least a decade now. Any business that hasn't prepared itself for the inevitable loss of Sears probably doesn't deserve to stay in business in the first place.
Yes they are alot better. But not even close to some of the better brands.
DanielC99
Well-known member
lol. The only time I step into a Sears is to pick up what I ordered online for a big discount. Get in and out so quick the dirt doesn't have time to stick. Will continue to do so until Sears finally goes down the drain.
If you've never twisted the tip of a slotted screwdriver, I'm the one who'd be amazed. It's been an issue since the 1500s, haha. The fact that there are millions of C-man clear handles out there just shows that people put up with ****, because those flat blades were always junk. As a kid, whom didn't know all that much about anything, I'd always gravitate to my dad's black handled New Britains. They were tough. Hell, I stole one of them out of his box and brought it with my in my tool kit when I moved west.
I don't think that's a good measure of whether a person is skilled or not. In fact, the slotted screw was the first screw type (the Archemedies screw wasn't a fastener) and the screw heads that followed it were all in an attempt to improve the connection between the tool and fastener.
Moparman390
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I've done a lot of this.
lincwelder225
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I think we have already seen this... They make a bbq fork/spatula/tongs set with the clear craftsman handle. On the back... Made in China
lincwelder225
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The first screw design was a water pump, right?
Virgil Cain
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Wouldn't know. My Craftsman clear handles always break the the tips. Very brittle metal. But, mine are from the 90's and early 2000's so maybe the situation is different recently. Maybe they managed to go from too brittle to too soft. I don't use them very much anymore so it really doesn't matter.
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Virgil Cain
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Those screwdrivers are awesome, particularly at the price. They beat the equivalent set of Craftsman clear handles like a rented mule.
lauver
Well-known member
The only thing good about the regular craftsman screwdrivers was that they were cheap and had a warranty.
This is garage journal where it is impossible to make every one happy
Lastly, i have yet to see a stanley made screwdriver that i like so, i'm not getting excited over the possibility of a great stanley made, craftsman branded screwdriver coming soon.
On a side note it is kind of sad to see the end of the classic crappy craftsman screwdriver, just like it was sad to see sears stop selling the classic round head fine tooth quick release ratchet.
Fedwrench,
Have you ever tried a Stanley 100 Plus screwdriver? They have old school Yellow/Black fluted plastic handles but are comfortable in the hand and the shanks and tips are really tuff. Stanley has made the 100 Plus line of drivers since the 1940's and has pretty much kept them the same all these years. Just saying...
Do I like 'em? Hell yes. I pick them up at the dirt market and local pawn whenever I see them. I've assembled a user set of about 30 of them and have been very satisfied with their quality and dependability.
I could not throw my old 1960's & 1970's era Crafty drivers away, so I gifted them to my son and daughters for their use. They're happy using them for their home projects
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Fedwrench,
Have you ever tried a Stanley 100 Plus screwdriver? They have old school Yellow/Black fluted plastic handles but are comfortable in the hand and the shanks and tips are really tuff. Stanley has made the 100 Plus line of drivers since the 1940's and has pretty much kept them the same all these years. Just saying...
Do I like 'em? Hell yes. I pick them up at the dirt market and local pawn whenever I see them. I've assembled a user set of about 30 of them and have been very satisfied with their quality and dependability.
I could not throw my old Crafty drivers away, so I gifted them to my son and daughters for their use. They're happy using them for their home projects
Yeah the 100 Plus ones are nice. I buy them whenever I see them at yard sales. For like next to nothing. I guess Stanley still makes them. They had a cheaper line that was more of a bright yellow. The 100 plus have a different shade of yellow that is clear.
Guess I was wrong... well, kinda...
I stopped by Sears this afternoon and found clear handles MADE IN CHINA. They are being sold as individuals, no Made In USA markings. You can tell the difference in the red and blue colors as well as the metal shaft. FYI.
I stopped by Sears this afternoon and found clear handles MADE IN CHINA. They are being sold as individuals, no Made In USA markings. You can tell the difference in the red and blue colors as well as the metal shaft. FYI.
cherrybomb
Well-known member
Get over the craftsman,get Proto and go to work,you will be so much happier.