I currently have the old school CM screwdrivers, bought many years ago, but some of them are needing replacement do to wear and abuse in some cases. I need advise on what brands to look at as I know that CM is now made in China so not an option. I don't want to spend huge money but do want to purchase only "decent" ones that won't let me down in a pinch. My larger/longer CM's are still in great shape but the smaller ones are in need.
Need new screwdrivers
- Thread starter sanddan
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BillK
Well-known member
I think you are going to have a hard time finding USA ones. I would buy more Craftsman in a minute, they have always served me well. I suppose if you want to spend money Snap On is very good, thats what I have at the shop but I honestly dont think they are that much better than the Craftsman ones I have. Snap On is good because when I abuse one to death I know it will get fixed the next Tuesday when our guy comes around.
plinker
Well-known member
The Craftsman pro drivers can be had as S-K branded screwdrivers. Witte are good, as are Williams.
With screwdrivers it's a pretty subjective subject as some wont like the blades, handles too large or too small ete..., best bet is to try some different ones and see what you like.
With screwdrivers it's a pretty subjective subject as some wont like the blades, handles too large or too small ete..., best bet is to try some different ones and see what you like.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I have HAZET and SK screwdrivers. My cheap BIL drew my name at 
and he asked what I want. He bought the HAZET set for me, but complained for 6 months. I bought SK screwdrivers from the Allied tool. They were expensive, but, nothing like the Hazet. I like both sets.
I have an old set of Craftsman screwdrivers from the 1960s. Fantastic quality and heavily used.
I have a partial set of my Father's wood handle screwdrivers. I so not sue the "woodies" very often. They are with my metric dies and I use them to adjust the die handles.
and he asked what I want. He bought the HAZET set for me, but complained for 6 months. I bought SK screwdrivers from the Allied tool. They were expensive, but, nothing like the Hazet. I like both sets.I have an old set of Craftsman screwdrivers from the 1960s. Fantastic quality and heavily used.
I have a partial set of my Father's wood handle screwdrivers. I so not sue the "woodies" very often. They are with my metric dies and I use them to adjust the die handles.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
For me, there is not much more annoying than a cheap screwdriver. A poorly ground tip can damage the fastener, then the real grief starts.
Craftsman screwdriver used to be strong enough that we used them for splitting sheeetmetal duct-work. After what seem like hundreds of 2 inch splits, a little touch on a ginder was all it took to make the driver as good as new. Good old days and made in USA
I say, vote with you money. Do not buy **** from "over there." The industry will rise to meet the demands of the users.
Craftsman screwdriver used to be strong enough that we used them for splitting sheeetmetal duct-work. After what seem like hundreds of 2 inch splits, a little touch on a ginder was all it took to make the driver as good as new. Good old days and made in USA
I say, vote with you money. Do not buy **** from "over there." The industry will rise to meet the demands of the users.
racinfarmer
Well-known member
Felo out of Germany has treated me great.
sberry
Banned
I am not kind to screwdrivers. I traded in a couple old cman, the new are ok. Philips number 2 get dull, I keep a new one stashed. But I got dull hi dollar drivers too. I just bought a couple new hf, 1.50$. Just as in about a year with some use, gonna have a hard time getting away from as my go to and got no problem replacing them at that price.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
You are right to stay away from new Craftsman made in China. But the old Craftsman USA screwdrivers are still plentiful. I can find old stock locally at Ace Hardware and Sears Hometown Store. Last time I looked they were also available on Amazon sold directly by Amazon as well as 3rd party sellers. On Amazon, you do need to be extremely careful that you are buying USA drivers and not China drivers. Make sure the description directly states that they are made in the USA.
I think the Craftsman slotted is okay but I'd buy Phillips and Torx from a German (Wiha, Wera, Witte, Felo, Hazet, Gedore), Swiss (PB Swiss) or Japanese (Vessel) manufacturer.
A step up from Craftsman USA would be Klein USA. Also consider Williams.
There is almost always a hot deal on screwdrivers. You can also get some good deals by ordering German screwdrivers from Amazon.de and Japanese screwdrivers from Amazon.co.jp . Recently, I posted a deal on Hazet drivers in the Hot Deals section of the forum.
Menards.com (online only) has the Felo wood handle set on sale for $20 shipped with 11% back by rebate. Fleet Farm has a small entry level set of Felo for $9 and they just had a 10% off coupon. Fleet Farm also has the lowest price that I've seen in the USA for the Felo Ergonic (top of their line) Torx set.
If you don't want to spend a lot of money then PB Swiss is out. In the USA, Vessel is also expensive but it's much cheaper from Amazon.co.jp .
Check the hot deals section to see if the Wiha coupons are still active. KC Tools is a good store in the USA and they have a 10% off coupon for the forum.
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cstmg8
Well-known member
Klein for American made. If you don't mind German made, I'd get Wera. They have several different lines depending on what your doing. I have regular, insulated shaft, and pound through/demo. I'm happy with all.
Oh, precision would follow the same brands as well.
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Oh, precision would follow the same brands as well.
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Shopguy78
Well-known member
Carlyle makes a good set. They're still on sale through the end of the month as well...
chipjumper
Well-known member
+1 for Williams. I think I paid about $100 for a very nice set. Classic Snap-on handles and the metal quality is great. The Phillips have the same style tips like my brothers Snap On’s.
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Torque&Recoil
Well-known member
I'm with you. Klein and Wera (laser-tip).
jeepinerdeep
Well-known member
I've bought Felo, Williams and Bahco on Amazon.
Any of them drive screws nice. I don't use them for anything other than that.
Any of them drive screws nice. I don't use them for anything other than that.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
My preference for reasonably affordable screwdrivers would be Wera. For made in Usa options, Tekton is the only cheap option I can think of.
I got so irritated with screwdrivers, specifically the #2 philips that I finally purchased a Snap-on set. On every screw that other screwdrivers have already cammed out on, the snappy gets the job done with no frustration. Doesn't round them out, just locks right in and twists it out. Excellent grip as well for my hand, but I didn't opt for soft grips either, just the regular hard handle ones. Money well spent for my applications as I use them everyday, but your particular results may vary as Snap-on isn't really something a DIY guy would typically consider.
klassenl
Well-known member
Phillips = Westward
Robertson = Klein
Flat = Fuller
Robertson = Klein
Flat = Fuller
That is stupid cheap for the quality. Seriously, assuming you need slotted, Phillips, and pozidrive, there’s no reason not to get Felo woodies at $20.
chad w
Banned
The industry did rise. Thats the reason the "over there" as you say tools are here. If you need or want us made screwdrivers there are tons out there. I like williams hard handles
MarvinBerry
Well-known member
Depot has a USA set of husky brand acetate for $10 or less. Has # 0 1 & 2 Phillips w/ matching flats. Not terrible at all, I've been wailing on 2 sets for the last year plus. Very comperable to,old Cman.
Could also check the $20 Milwaukee set. Certainly hi fi & I like the grip more but sorta odd size offerings.
Could also check the $20 Milwaukee set. Certainly hi fi & I like the grip more but sorta odd size offerings.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
If you're after NOS craftsman, take a look at Harry Epstein's: https://www.harryepstein.com/
Lot's of Craftsman on closeout, and you might also look at their offerings from Proto, which are very reasonable, with yellow acetate handles. Craftsman is good for straight blade, but don't bother with them for Philips, too soft. Spend a little more money on Philips and cut your frustration level - Vessel is good, so is PB Swiss. And MarvinBerry is right - the Husky at HD is pretty comparable to CM USA - in fact, Epstein's has those on closeout as well.
Lot's of Craftsman on closeout, and you might also look at their offerings from Proto, which are very reasonable, with yellow acetate handles. Craftsman is good for straight blade, but don't bother with them for Philips, too soft. Spend a little more money on Philips and cut your frustration level - Vessel is good, so is PB Swiss. And MarvinBerry is right - the Husky at HD is pretty comparable to CM USA - in fact, Epstein's has those on closeout as well.
Use a coupon and buy the 19 pc Proto Duratek set from Zoro. (approx. $150)
You won't find a better USA screwdriver and the price/driver isn't too bad if you buy the set.
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Also look at the Pratt-Read 83014 set. Made in USA, and very much like Klein as far as handles. In particular, having the blade size imprinted on the handles is a great feature if you ever wear a tool belt.
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woody 73
Well-known member
Not to hijack this post, most of you know that I have done a ton of screwdriver reviews on the GJ; but one screwdriver that I never did review was the following one from the Eastwood company.
http://www.trucktrend.com/news/1303tr-ultimate-screwdriver-shootout-truckin-tough
Made in Taiwan has anyone on the GJ ever tried them? Are they any good?
http://www.trucktrend.com/news/1303tr-ultimate-screwdriver-shootout-truckin-tough
Made in Taiwan has anyone on the GJ ever tried them? Are they any good?
Parrothead
Well-known member
Masterforce (Pratt Read) made in the USA, 6 screwdrivers for $14. The added benefit is you can supplement that set with additional drivers. They’ve got a bunch.
yellow wagon
Well-known member
Williams hard handles for sure.
visionguru
Well-known member
Yeah, Snap On Phillips drivers have small groves on the tips, which tend to grab better.
However, Phillips cams out by design. JIS screwdrivers are better in dealing with the issues you describe.
For the OP, if you do a lot of mechanical work, I'd recommend:
Williams (pretty much the same as Snap On)
Carlyle
If it's just casual/around the home type of stuff, made in China Craftsman isn't that bad at all. Why not warranty the broken ones, and buy a multi-bit or ratcheting screwdriver as backup? So many choices from Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, ... Harbor Freight.
Not by design. In fact, the design was developed to prevent the slipping that slotted screws are prone to.
The idea that Phillips screws cam out to prevent overtightening is a myth repeated so often it's assumed to be true.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
I double dog dare you to find a better set than this at the price.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20
That is for the 8 piece set but if I was buying for me I'd get the 2 6 piece sets, one Philips and one Flat. That is how I bought my Snap On orange handled drivers.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20
That is for the 8 piece set but if I was buying for me I'd get the 2 6 piece sets, one Philips and one Flat. That is how I bought my Snap On orange handled drivers.
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visionguru
Well-known member
Last year, when I was installing closet doors, I noticed the camming out in action. The work was mostly drilling screw holes in the wood frames and threading screws in.
I used a Craftsman cordless drill to do the work. I found that when the screws were fully in, the screwdriver bit would just jump in/out the screw head, and making "ka ka ka ...." noise. If I press the drill really hard, the drill would stop. I then proceeded: when I heard the noise, I'd stop. All the screws were perfectly installed.
That's camming out in action. It's a genius design which can make life easier by preventing overtightening.
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