Craftsman has a new screwdriver set

[californiaHank]

The JIS standards for screws haven't gone away. There are billions and billions of them out there and more are being made every day.

All that has changed is that JIS STOPPED CERTIFYING SCREWDRIVERS a few years ago. This just means that tool manufacturers can no longer put 'JIS certified' stickers on their products.

The notion that this somehow made Japanese companies want to change their screwdriver designs to meet some foreign (German DIN) standard is completely bizarre to me. I call BS.

Vessel has been making screwdrivers to fit JIS spec screws for 60 or seventy years - They've made screwdrivers for JIS screws from the first day the JIS standard was introduced.

Their screwdrivers fit Japanese JIS crosspoint screws perfectly.

They also fit American Phillips screws perfectly. Some would argue that they're better for American Phillips screws than regular Phillips screwdrivers, because they don't have the camout cutaway that's in the Phillips patent. The camout feature is mainly useful when screws are installed with power drivers - it prevents them from being over torqued. But if you're trying to remove a stuck screw by hand, it's nice to be able to apply a lot of torque to break out the screw, so you probably don't want the camout feature in the screwdriver head.

 

[n8n]

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

Vessel sells those under their own name. I agree, I don't see the point of building an impact mechanism into anything but a bit holder, but they've been doing it for a while.

 

[n8n]

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.

I've ordered Vessel JIS bits to use with my Snap-On ratcheting bit holder

http://www.vesseltools.com/industrial-bits/bit-sets/view-all-products.html

I ordered A-16479 and A-16621, that way I ended up with #0 through #3 with two each of #1 and #2

if I were looking for bits for my impact driver, they also have set 431801

8mm is appx. 5/16" which you can get an adapter for

https://www.grainger.com/product/4L...3157!&ef_id=WJYNDwAAACrcIOL8:20170505193901:s

pretty sure that that is also the size bits that would come with a Lisle set, I actually need to track one of those down as I'm using a Snap-On PIT-somethingorother and SO just uses 3/8" square drive with each bit in its own holder.

I mostly use mine for messing with old stereo gear as anything made in Japan (Marantz, HK etc. after they offshored) is chock full of JIS screws, some of them Loctited in place. Trying to use a Phillips driver on them is doomed to failure.

 

[bubinga]

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'd like to have one of those impact driver screwdriver sets.
I remember when Sears had them on sale.

 

[bubinga]

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.

They wanted the video to be DIY and home owner people friendly

 

[WWheeler]

Everyone I've ever worked with, even shop instructors and myself included, is very much a subscriber to the 'Every tool is a hammer' mantra. I have less than zero qualms with using a hammer as a hammer. ANY kind of hammer.

I have Vessel and Craftsman branded impact screwdrivers made by Vessel and have never hesitated to give them a whack with whatever was nearby and heavy enough, whether that be a ratchet, a wrench, a prybar, locking pliers, etc, or gawd forbid, a hammer. They work great.

 

[n8n]

I've ordered Vessel JIS bits to use with my Snap-On ratcheting bit holder

http://www.vesseltools.com/industrial-bits/bit-sets/view-all-products.html

I ordered A-16479 and A-16621, that way I ended up with #0 through #3 with two each of #1 and #2

if I were looking for bits for my impact driver, they also have set 431801

8mm is appx. 5/16" which you can get an adapter for

https://www.grainger.com/product/4L...3157!&ef_id=WJYNDwAAACrcIOL8:20170505193901:s

pretty sure that that is also the size bits that would come with a Lisle set, I actually need to track one of those down as I'm using a Snap-On PIT-somethingorother and SO just uses 3/8" square drive with each bit in its own holder.

I mostly use mine for messing with old stereo gear as anything made in Japan (Marantz, HK etc. after they offshored) is chock full of JIS screws, some of them Loctited in place. Trying to use a Phillips driver on them is doomed to failure.

Since this topic came back up again, I figured I would mention that I found some Wiha bit holding sockets that are impact rated so I could use the Vessel bits with my impact driver.

Search: 24 results found for "impact bit holding socket"

Selling Wiha made screwdrivers, bits, pliers, and hex keys in the USA since 1985. Wiha tools are built to last and loved by professionals around the world. Tools That work for you.

www.wihatools.com

Now, I actually had occasion to use it a couple weeks ago and I can't find it again. I swear I've had the thing for like 8 years and it is the most commonly missing tool that I own. I did at one point acquire JIS and Pozidriv bits for it and put those along with the bitholders in the case. So, if I ever find it again, I'm all set.

 

[bubinga]

Since this topic came back up again, I figured I would mention that I found some Wiha bit holding sockets that are impact rated so I could use the Vessel bits with my impact driver.

Search: 24 results found for "impact bit holding socket"

Selling Wiha made screwdrivers, bits, pliers, and hex keys in the USA since 1985. Wiha tools are built to last and loved by professionals around the world. Tools That work for you.

www.wihatools.com

Now, I actually had occasion to use it a couple weeks ago and I can't find it again. I swear I've had the thing for like 8 years and it is the most commonly missing tool that I own. I did at one point acquire JIS and Pozidriv bits for it and put those along with the bitholders in the case. So, if I ever find it again, I'm all set.

You're losing your mind like me I guess?

 

[n8n]

You're losing your mind like me I guess?

I hope not, but I have been playing a years-long game of hide and seek with my hand impact set, and I'm getting my **** kicked by a plastic case full of inanimate objects!

 

[bubinga]

I hope not, but I have been playing a years-long game of hide and seek with my hand impact set, and I'm getting my **** kicked by a plastic case full of inanimate objects!

IDK I have one desk with ONE drawer I keep my stamps in. Now they're not there.
Stuff like that all the time.