Craftsman Screwdriver Evolution 1950-2017

[piehammer]

If it has VANADIUM on the handle and pointed A's it was made between 1966-70, if it doesn't it was made 1971- c.1989.

Trying to square what I am reading with the photos attached. WF on top, but the bottom one I assume is 'Circle F' but it does not say 'Super Tuff' on it anywhere. I also have a large Vanadium labeled screwdriver that seems to be just 'F', no circle that also does not say 'Super Tuff' on it. I would expect that both were made prior to 1966.

 

[Provincial]

I'll post a digression here because no one seems to know the manufacturer code, and the tool has a screwdriver handle:

Craftsman 1/4 drive flex spinner.

Pointed A in the Craftsman logo. Circle V (V) for a code.

The knurled section on the shaft is very much like earlier amber handled versions, but this one should have been made much later. I found several examples online with similar handles, but no (V) codes, and none had the knurl on the shaft.

I have to believe that these were made by a screwdriver vendor, since molding the handle was a much different from forging socket wrenches.

 

[piehammer]

I'll post a digression here because no one seems to know the manufacturer code, and the tool has a screwdriver handle:

Craftsman 1/4 drive flex spinner.

Pointed A in the Craftsman logo. Circle V (V) for a code.

The knurled section on the shaft is very much like earlier amber handled versions, but this one should have been made much later. I found several examples online with similar handles, but no (V) codes, and none had the knurl on the shaft.

I have to believe that these were made by a screwdriver vendor, since molding the handle was a much different from forging socket wrenches.

Here is the Flex Spinner from the 1949, 1954, and 1960 catalogs. I would say yours is the one from the mid-1950's.

 

[Provincial]

Thanks! Now to figure out who made it.

 

[ZRX61]

I found this sitting in one of my toolboxes recently. I forgot that I had it.
-Don

I really liked that style & had just started to put a full set together when they discontinued the design. A while later I came across identical ones with a different name on them, but forget what it was.

 

[Lesserstore]

Trying to square what I am reading with the photos attached. WF on top, but the bottom one I assume is 'Circle F' but it does not say 'Super Tuff' on it anywhere. I also have a large Vanadium labeled screwdriver that seems to be just 'F', no circle that also does not say 'Super Tuff' on it. I would expect that both were made prior to 1966.

Ok so I looked through the catalogs, and in 1955 Sears stopped using "Super Tuff" in the listings for the screwdrivers, and advertised Chrome Vanadium. This is probably when they took the Super Tuff off of the drivers. In 1965 Sears started using Super Tuff again, but only in advertising, as the screwdrivers continued to be marked Vanadium until about 1970.
I will fix my research later.

 

[Lesserstore]

I'll post a digression here because no one seems to know the manufacturer code, and the tool has a screwdriver handle:

Craftsman 1/4 drive flex spinner.

Pointed A in the Craftsman logo. Circle V (V) for a code.

The knurled section on the shaft is very much like earlier amber handled versions, but this one should have been made much later. I found several examples online with similar handles, but no (V) codes, and none had the knurl on the shaft.

I have to believe that these were made by a screwdriver vendor, since molding the handle was a much different from forging socket wrenches.

When I did my nut driver research Circle V was MDF and later Easco. They probably outsourced the handle to somebody else though. You will occasionally find sets with both G and V codes.

 

[Provincial]

Thanks!

 

[piehammer]

@Lesserstore I have a new one for you - just got this in the mail today. Vanadium Circle P cotter pin extractor. First one I have seen. Should be manufactured by Wilde, ca. 1945 - 1960 from what I have read.

 

[Lesserstore]

They introduced those in 1954 and continued for a while except that the thumb rest color changed to black later on. I would estimate yours as being made between 1955-c.1970.

 

[piehammer]

Interesting to note that Wilde Tool is still making that same cotter pin extractor in Kansas today under their own name. Some interesting information and photos on their site. https://www.wildetool.com/about-us/timeline/

 

[thefraze_1020]

OK, so what years did the Phillips screwdrivers say "Genuine Phillips"? I just bought one that has pointed A's on Craftsman with the two lines on both sides, "Genuine Phillips" and "Made in U.S.A.", but no code.

Despite the lack of code, is it safe to say these Phillips screwdrivers were made by Western Forge?

 

[Lesserstore]

OK, so what years did the Phillips screwdrivers say "Genuine Phillips"? I just bought one that has pointed A's on Craftsman with the two lines on both sides, "Genuine Phillips" and "Made in U.S.A.", but no code.

Despite the lack of code, is it safe to say these Phillips screwdrivers were made by Western Forge?

WF did use "Genuine Phillips" on their drivers along with BF: Fuller, Circle I: Parker Mfg, and G which is unknown. Is there a Phillips license? They aren't always reliable (i.e. Parker used Bridgeport blades), but it might help. Also Fuller and the G code used quad lobular handles on the smaller Phillips sizes, Parker might have too, but I'm not certain.

 

[thefraze_1020]

No, there is no Phillips license. But, the screwdriver looks identical to the normal Western Forge Phillips screwdrivers, just with the slightly different markings.

 

[Lesserstore]

If I were to hazard a guess I would say by 1970 it was taken off of the handles.

 

[thefraze_1020]

So riddle me this...I just came across a "Forged - BF" screwdriver, with a square shank and slotted head, but it is the blue and clear handle color of a Phillips screwdriver. It measures 3/16" x 4". This is one of three "Forged - BF" drivers I picked up a few days ago. All three have the lines to the left and right of the Craftsman name.

 

[Lesserstore]

So riddle me this...I just came across a "Forged - BF" screwdriver, with a square shank and slotted head, but it is the blue and clear handle color of a Phillips screwdriver. It measures 3/16" x 4". This is one of three "Forged - BF" drivers I picked up a few days ago. All three have the lines to the left and right of the Craftsman name.

I've never been able to really pinpoint when the square shaped handles were discontinued, but it was by the mid 60s. One thing that I have noticed is that Craftsman slotted screwdrivers, at least from Western Forge, Pratt-Read, and maker "G", have their tips 1/32 wider than their advertised sized. For example, 1/8= 5/32, 3/16= 7/32, etc., so maybe it was filed down? I was able to find another one like yours on Worthpoint, so maybe Fuller didn't put red in the small slotted handles?

 

[piehammer]

BF denotes a Japanese made product:

BF = probably Daido, possibly KTC, Japanese made, ca 1969 - 1987

Since the Craftsman logo has pointed A's which were dropped about 1970, this should be a 1969-ish driver if all that information is correct.

 

[piehammer]

BF denotes a Japanese made product:

BF = probably Daido, possibly KTC, Japanese made, ca 1969 - 1987

Since the Craftsman logo has pointed A's which were dropped about 1970, this should be a 1969-ish driver if all that information is correct.

Well - I also see Vanadium BF 'Made in USA' screwdrivers listed on eBay so 'Would that it were so simple...' anyway, this one being an odd color and the lack of a USA designation, I would still bet Japan in this case.

 

[Lesserstore]

The lack of a country of origin during the 50s and 60s is quite common because if it didn't have a coo it was simply expected to be US made as only imported goods were and still are, required to have it on the product and packaging. Craftsman =V= series and prior sockets didn't have USA on them, and I found, and included pictures in part I, of a NOS G code screwdriver set from the 50s with no coo on the drivers, but made in USA was in the packaging. In part IV I discussed why I think BF is Fuller and KTC imported by Fuller. Lauver's Craftsman codes are a great starting point, but it's not perfect and neither is my work.
Here's a pair of Fuller thin nose slip joints I picked up a while ago with BF Japan on the bottom of the handle.

 

[piehammer]

Some great info on the BF mark from @DadsTools found elsewhere on this site:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-manufacturers-date-ranges.84807/post-7168618
The one thing you can be sure of when collecting anything Craftsman is that you can never be sure of anything.

 

[thefraze_1020]

I picked up another interesting screwdriver recently. This one is a Reed & Prince #2. It has "Reed & Prince" and "Alloy" stamped on the shank, and no manufacturer code on the handle, just "made in USA".

 

[d42jeep]

My Reed & Prince screwdriver doesn’t have pointed As, was made by Western Forge and is marked Reed Prince. Probably much newer than yours.
-Don

 

[Lesserstore]

The unplated blade was a nice clue. R&P screwdrivers were introduced in 1958 and the catalogs specified an "electro-polished" blade. By 1960 the catalogs didn't specify anything other than blade length so they could have been plated at that point or they just didn't bother to put it in there. I have a Reed and Prince branded with an unplated blade, and the blade markings on yours are making me think that R&P at least made the blade.

Fall/winter 1958 catalog:

 

[piehammer]

Here are three different examples of Craftsman Reed Prince 4114 Wester Forge screwdriver. I seem to remember a very old Craftsman with the Reed & Prince crossed screws logo on the shaft, but I may be remembering that wrong. For these, the top one is the oldest, sometime pre-1970.

 

[MisterEd]

Craftsman by Millers Falls Off-Set, Four-Way

 

[BurninRubber]

They introduced those in 1954 and continued for a while except that the thumb rest color changed to black later on. I would estimate yours as being made between 1955-c.1970.

How about this Black Handled Craftsman Super Tuff and has a circle G after it also what is the tip for? I’ve never had one like that. What is it used for and would this be a late 50,s to early 60,s ?

 

[d42jeep]

It’s a less common style of a clutch head screwdriver.
-Don

 

[jconklin]

Craftsman Screwdriver Evolution 1950-2017 PART III ADDED

I decided to another evolution series this time on Craftsman screwdrivers, Butyrate handles onward. Part I is going to cover pre Western Forge production, Part II will cover Western Forge and Part III will cover Pratt-Read. Part IV will cover BF code screwdrivers by Fuller/KTC. Part V covers ratcheting bit screwdrivers and Part VI covers magnetic and multi bit screwdrivers. Any corrections or recommendations please post.

Part I: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zJXnaI6A0xvTBBPeQPuvgJX4-4tzY5DvXSi1zLdEZxU/edit?usp=sharing

Part II: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gdWcf0PC9LNSjA7jo1QO8DnoKIHdea6KXfJ8CcJgdFY/edit?usp=sharing

Part III: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_j77j71WGINycLJ3ZmuUUx1XP46z1sFhvAqO3rwsm-s/edit?usp=sharing

Part IV:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DnJ-cy81pQWrHX86cYHk3cCn9bapIJDk68JaAm0SiUs/edit?usp=drivesdk

Part V:

Craftsman Screwdriver Evolution 1950-2017 Part V

Craftsman Screwdriver Evolution 1950-2017 Part V: Ratcheting Bit Screwdrivers c.1989-2017 Codes WF and variants: c.1989-2017 Hollow Handle: c.1989- mid-late 2000s This basic ratcheting screwdriver was introduced in approximately 1989, and had a hollow handle which could hold between probably 4-...

docs.google.com

Part VI:

Craftsman Screwdriver Evolution 1950-2017 Part VI

Craftsman Screwdriver Evolution 1950-2017 Part VI: Magnetic & Multi Bit Screwdrivers 1948-2017 Codes Circle I: Parker- 1948-1953 CP: Magna?- 1969-1970 PD: unknown- 1970-1971 WF and Variants: 1970-2017 GK: McCalla Company/ Ovation Group- 2000s Magnetic Bit Screwdrivers Standard Hollow Handle...

docs.google.com

Appendix A Western Forge Codes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pn8JSrWtMXX_T_Hn2n76yy8Xoz8g542jn6BuOty2zCs/edit?usp=drivesdk

Appendix B: Screwdriver Color Codes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1297t7moXfakDfDux9xlB-H1FPU81Y8w41xeM94mZmvM/edit?usp=drivesdk

Hello! Great write up! I was curious if you could help me with this craftsman set. I cannot find any information on the wood handles/craftsman logo. I’m curious how old these are. Thank you so much for all your help!

 

[Lesserstore]

Hello! Great write up! I was curious if you could help me with this craftsman set. I cannot find any information on the wood handles/craftsman logo. I’m curious how old these are. Thank you so much for all your help!

I never got an exact date on those, but judging by the packaging of NOS sets they are from the 1970s, possibly for Craftsman's 50th anniversary. They were part of the "Collector's Workshop Series," the only other tool I found in the line was a hand saw.

 

[d42jeep]

I found these at a garage sale today. I don’t recall seeing them before.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I found this WF marked ratcheting screwdriver at an estate sale yesterday. I didn’t see any COO marked on it. Is this one US made?
-Don

 

[Lesserstore]

I found this WF marked ratcheting screwdriver at an estate sale yesterday. I didn’t see any COO marked on it. Is this one US made?
-Don

I wasn't able to find an exact model of yours NOS from ca. 1990s-early 2000s. But I did find a Craftsman Professional from the same time frame. The handle was U.S. made but the ratchet and shaft were Japanese made.
Picture from ebay: