Chrome plated screwdriver tips

[Ledaku]

Awhile ago I bought some Menards Masterforce screwdrivers made by Pratt-Read and just love them. They are not chrome plated and fit screws real nice. Now they changed all the screwdrivers to have chrome plating on them even the tips and I don't like them. Does anybody else not like chrome plated screwdrivers where not only the shaft is plated but the tip is too? They just slip in the screw head too easily especially the flat blade since they are completely smooth. They don't have the machining marks in them to grip the screw. Black tips or vapor blasted tips are better (Klein, Felo, Williams). I even think standard craftsman screwdrivers without special tips are better because they have the machine marks to grip screws.

 

[RRmech]

When I worked for Lockheed Aircraft back in the early 80's, chrome tipped screwdrivers were NOT allowed.
They were worried about flaking chrome getting into the engines and other moving parts.

Steve

 

[gdocktor3]

That's how all my Craftsman Professional screwdrivers are. I bought them on Black Friday for like $2 each, but didn't notice until I got home later that day. I don't like that at all. I'll show pics in a bit.

 

[hautpot]

Chrome tip is definately a sign of lesser quality. Perfect fit or corrosion resistance, pick ONE. In the rare instance you need both, you would need Steritool, Wiha, Wera Inox.

 

[gdocktor3]

On the Craftsman Professional drivers, obviously they cut out a few manufacturing steps over at Western Forge on the product sent out for the Black Friday sales event. If you look real close you can see that there is a difference in the chrome as well. Since they will never have these in stock at the stores again there is no fear of warranty returns. I bought the NOS C-man Pro-Drivers from Harry Epstein and they have perfect tips.
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That's just one more reason Sears *****. I only bought them because they're super long. I actually didn't even notice until a few weeks ago actually and have been meaning to mention it on here. Oddly this post came up. Here's a pic of all USA screwdrivers - from bottom up is a regular craftsman, two Cman professionals, a Stanley, then an Armstrong and SK. The Armstrong and SK are made by Ideal and have same, heat treated? tips. Interestingly the Stanley does not have machined tips either, nor are they like the SK's, but Stanley and SK are both customers of Pratt Read. That really ticked me off when I got the Stanley. It was a warranty replacement. I wonder if they sent me defects because they were warrantied.

 

[Wamsutta]

Chrome plating on a screwdriver tip is an automatic failure on my list of screwdriver shopping prerequisites.

 

[Jim Diesel]

+1 for non-chrome