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Goodbye Husky USA Screwdrivers :(

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Southernbuild

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Looks like Home Depot is getting rid of the Husky USA Professional line of screwdrivers :( I really liked them, especially at the price point, looks like its time to by some extras.....

However, the $20 6 piece USA set, is getting replaced by a 10 piece Taiwan set, for the same $20, so at least they aren't charging USA prices for imported tools.
 

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SMKS

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jim1987 said:
Kobalts are USA made.
Click to expand...

Are they "made in the USA" or do they have some other designation like "assembled in the USA" or "made in the USA with global components"?

I believe I've read several times that they aren't straight-up "made in the USA."

The Masterforce ones at Menards are made in the USA by Pratt-Read.
 
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archirelic

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The newer acetate-handled versions of Husky screwdrivers they're bringing in are Made in the U.S.A. Saw them this past weekend and noticed the ergonomics of the acetate handles was different.
 
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cheechi

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I might pick up a few of these, I saw the plastic handled ones had been on clearance but not much of a discount. Now that the soft handle ones are too, I'm somewhat interested if the price falls far enough.

Maybe Western Forge isn't making them anymore? I know we dump on the retail stores a lot but maybe this time it's not their fault.
 
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jim1987

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SMKS said:
Are they "made in the USA" or do they have some other designation like "assembled in the USA" or "made in the USA with global components"?

I believe I've read several times that they aren't straight-up "made in the USA."

The Masterforce ones at Menards are made in the USA by Pratt-Read.
Click to expand...

I believe you may be correct in that part.
 
OP
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Southernbuild

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I wonder if you can buy this type screwdrivers directly from Western Forge? I really want / need a #2 stubby in the Craftsman Professional / Husky Professional style....
 
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Zeroek

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I wondered why Craftsman doesn't have any of their pro screwdrivers anymore. One of the few craftsman items I actually liked and now they are gone.
 
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oak_park

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archirelic said:
The newer acetate-handled versions of Husky screwdrivers they're bringing in are Made in the U.S.A. Saw them this past weekend and noticed the ergonomics of the acetate handles was different.
Click to expand...

I noticed this too. I saw some acetate handled sets that were Made in USA and other acetate sets that were Assembled in USA. The handles were definitely different.
 
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byoungblood

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Zeroek said:
I wondered why Craftsman doesn't have any of their pro screwdrivers anymore. One of the few craftsman items I actually liked and now they are gone.
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Because they don't want to be bothered with product differentiation anymore. Sears is pretty much done with their Good-Better-Best product offerings and now all you're going to be left with is so-so.

Sears, HD, and Lowe's management have convinced themselves that their cheif competition is Harbor Freight, so now we've lost three brands to become a "me too" marginal imports. Whereas they used to all be solid US made brands that you'd even find in the toolboxes of people who use their tools for a living. Now in some instances they're barely adequate for serious wrenching at home.
 
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lars

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byoungblood said:
Because they don't want to be bothered with product differentiation anymore. Sears is pretty much done with their Good-Better-Best product offerings and now all you're going to be left with is so-so.

Sears, HD, and Lowe's management have convinced themselves that their cheif competition is Harbor Freight, so now we've lost three brands to become a "me too" marginal imports. Whereas they used to all be solid US made brands that you'd even find in the toolboxes of people who use their tools for a living. Now in some instances they're barely adequate for serious wrenching at home.
Click to expand...

I think that summed it up pretty well. I see more and more so-so quality Chinese Kobalt wrenches at Lowes and Husky is already there. The race to the bottom continues.
 
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Fedwrench

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Sorry guys, I'm not a fan of the basic western forge or pratt read produced screwdriver. The craftsman warranty was nice but, the blades, particularly #2 Phillips left a lot to be desired. I think the best US made screwdrivers available are the new Proto Duratec versions.:thumbup:
However, here's a newsflash many of you won't like, the new black husky Taiwan made screwdrivers don't ****. In fact, they're pretty good. Strong tips, nice balance, comfortable handles. I got a set last Christmas and was surprised at how nice they were. :dunno:
 
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lotsoftools

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I picked up the 6 pack of USA made Husky screwdrivers tonight. I also saw a larger set that I thought said made in the USA, but upon closer inspection it said 'Assembled in the USA of global components.' The moral of the story is to carefully read that label.
 
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Biomed

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jcfields said:
No more inexpensively priced, high-quality American-made screwdrivers with easy availability for homeowners and DIYers.
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Enderes is making tools again in the USA - in Albert Lea, MN. If you like USA made acetate handle screwdrivers check them out http://www.enderes.com. Just received some last week.

I believe Martin is also making acetate handle screwdrivers in USA.
 
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warweapon762

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Glad I bought each type of USA screwdriver set last fall. Sad to see them go, these screwdrivers are AWESOME.

End of an era for sure.
 
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Brownsfan

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Fedwrench said:
Sorry guys, I'm not a fan of the basic western forge or pratt read produced screwdriver. The craftsman warranty was nice but, the blades, particularly #2 Phillips left a lot to be desired. I think the best US made screwdrivers available are the new Proto Duratec versions.:thumbup:
However, here's a newsflash many of you won't like, the new black husky Taiwan made screwdrivers don't ****. In fact, they're pretty good. Strong tips, nice balance, comfortable handles. I got a set last Christmas and was surprised at how nice they were. :dunno:
Click to expand...

Yep. I have a buddy that bought a set at Christmas. They are pretty good and have held up. He does on site work at car dealers and NO issues. He really likes them. I used one once and it was nice especially for the price.
I am really annoyed that craftsman pro drivers have been discontinued. I have a pretty substantial set of them and I used to use them for on site installs. I now use my Klein set. Not because I am afraid of breaking one and getting a warranty. I won't be able to replace it if i loose one. And its pretty easy to do when transferring tools from the car your working on back to the bag or truck. They get left behind. I really like the craftsman pro drivers. One of the more under rated tools out there. Along with the husky pros.
Now I don't break tools very often. Actually the last tool I warrantied was a 19mm Gearwrench ratcheting wrench. That was the only one in recent memory. I can't remember the last on before that. It pretty much makes the warranty on my screwdrivers I willingly paid more money for worthless. I have a ton of USA craftsman sockets(all my sockets are USA craftsman) wrenches, ratchets and wrenches that have a worthless warranty now. Well to me anyway. I won't accept a non USA replacement.
 
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SMKS

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Fedwrench said:
Sorry guys, I'm not a fan of the basic western forge or pratt read produced screwdriver. The craftsman warranty was nice but, the blades, particularly #2 Phillips left a lot to be desired. I think the best US made screwdrivers available are the new Proto Duratec versions.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Who in this thread was speaking positively about the basic Craftsman drivers? Unless I missed them, all the positive comments were about the Craftsman Pro drivers.

Are not the higher-end Husky drivers well-liked because they have vapor blasted tips and other things not found on the regular Craftsman screwdrivers?

I also think the PR screwdrivers I've used are fine for what they are. They're basic, very affordable USA drivers. They've worked quite well for me.

It's not surprising the new Proto drivers are better, they're significantly more expensive than any of the drivers being talked about in this thread.
 
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nicksnothereman

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SMKS said:
Are they "made in the USA" or do they have some other designation like "assembled in the USA" or "made in the USA with global components"?

I believe I've read several times that they aren't straight-up "made in the USA."

The Masterforce ones at Menards are made in the USA by Pratt-Read.
Click to expand...

The acetate (or plastic) handles are like the stanleys (don't know if they're the same), they are global component screwdrivers which means chinese shank usually.

They're good screwdrivers for the clearance price.:lol:
 
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cgv69

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Fedwrench said:
Sorry guys, I'm not a fan of the basic western forge or pratt read produced screwdriver.
Click to expand...
I'm with Fed on this one. never cared for these screwdrivers regardless of who's name was on the handle or where they were made.

Made in the USA doesn't always = great tool and this is a perfect example of a not so great made in the USA tool.
 
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stage20

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my store must have marked them down good! only one single #3 x 6" phillips left. everything was bare, hooks were in a buggy with no prices. new display in full force. will check another store on the way to work in the morning.
 
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JDon99

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stage20 said:
The picture but not the price. That is part nd description for the new ones. The ones in picture sold for 30 bucks reg price.
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Are they really that decent? I was at HD today and seen a set in clearance, bought the set for the wife to use in the house instead of getting mine out of the garage. My set looks the same, blasted tips, but doesn't say "Pro" Just "Husky" made by Western Forge.
 
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nicksnothereman

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My store didn't mark these down good enough, it was like 10% off which made them still pretty expensive to me. They put them out front and didn't have a whole bunch (if you mean the ones with the round klein-esque handle). Also had an extra long acetate handled slotted I was eyeballing but around the same price :( I still don't know what those are for as far as actually using them on screws.
 
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craftsman47

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I have ALWAYS had good results with my Blue colored Craftsman philips #2 screwdriver with the rubber grip. It grips the screws hard and the rubber grip helps with strength.

the other Professional screwdrivers were good too.

The red and blue plastic (cheaper) craftsman are pure junk in my experience.

I have owned a set of williams screwdrivers, and I SOLD them...was not impressed with them..my craftsman's were better for me.

I did notice the husky line....I may have to go look again. boy, these big corporations are really jumping to the bottom fast........shameful
 
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craftsman47

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here is a comparison....
2 craftsmans and 2 snap ons.

the blue handle is my go to philips.
the craftsmans professional is also very good.

the 2 snap on's are same part number...notice the different tips!!! WTF???







 
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craftsman47

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follow up....bought a set....not bad for the $.











snap on ON LEFT here.......







got a set for the track......and the work truck.......wont cry if lost for 8 bucks a set!

go get them guys..........made in USA.
 
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