New Craftsman screwdrivers (Taiwan)

[OmegaDPW]

I'd like to grab a true set of screwdrivers. Everything I have now are just a mixed bundle of stuff I've bought and was given. I gotta say, the nostalgia of having screwdrivers like I grew up with is playing into the idea of a Craftsman set- but the prices aren't bad and I've had great luck with Taiwan made hand tools, also.

These will not be for work- just toolbox/house use. Does anyone have them? What do you think? I've got some of the old USA ones, but it would be pretty expensive to try and make a set buying them on Ebay or wherever.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[cody1325]

Tekton from Rural King if you have one nearby is what I now recommend for screwdrivers after trying stuff from across the board. About the same price as Craftsman, and much better. USA-made too. Honestly, I'd say they are just one step below tool truck, at around 20% of the price.

The only Craftsman screwdrivers I use (as most of what Granddad had was slotted), are around an 8-inch PH2 (from a flea market) as well as the Professional driver (PH0 from Granddad, PH1 from an area flea market). Not a fan of acetate, but they get the job done.

Honestly, I don't understand why that Lowe's never gave V-Series any peg space outside of the limited selection sold this past Christmas season (at my store, mostly ratchets, a limited selection of sets, and the ratcheting screwdriver--we never got the French-made Facom rebrand pliers wrenches, cutters, or screwdrivers)

 

[Bubba Fett]

The new Craftsman acetate drivers (Taiwan) are quite good. They look great, they actually fit the screws they are labled for, which I couldn't always say about Sears Craftsman. The price is hard to beat.

However they also have the same issues that the classic drivers had. The Phillips drivers have handles that are too small, and there are not enough varieties of some sizes (PH1) while other have too many (PH2). They are also not the most comfortable handles, but not the worst I've ever used.

I agree, that Tekton drivers are good. I also like Klein, and Williams. Mayhew has some nice ones, and they now make Channellock's drivers. Those two are basically the same thing, but different color handles. Pricey for what they are, IMO.

If you want *really* good ones, Vessel is where it's at.

 

[Steve_P]

Here's my vote for a starter set. They also make probably a hundred other drivers of various types that will match these, if you're into that type of thing

https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-30298-8-Piece-Phillips-Screwdriver/dp/B000T9XUHW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bkdc]

Wiha or Wera screwdrivers for me. I also like how they’re labeled and easy to sort out. The Craftsmans V-series drivers look like USAG and Facoms. I can attest that the Facoms are good. I think I’ve turned into a screwdriver snob.

 

[woody 73]

As a good rule items coming from Taiwan are pretty good but....

I am going to sound like a broken record, and I will say it again on any given day in every state in the USA you will find thousands and thousands of good used craftsman screwdriver's, let's face it they produced their one million in screwdriver sales back in 1976.

If you got your heart set on them the sky is your limit, just wait till the weather warms up a bit and hit the trail, trust me you will see so many your eyes will spin. I will not even talk you out of a better screwdriver, (like the black and yellow Stanly post), because both you and that other op had their heart set on them.

Happy hunting.

 

[Basskiller]

I’m pretty sure that Western Forge made the Craftsman screwdrivers and that they also made the Husky brand. Or maybe it was Pratt Read?

10 Piece Husky USA Screwdriver Set

10 Piece Husky USA Screwdriver Set

www.harryepstein.com

 

[cody1325]

I’m pretty sure that Western Forge made the Craftsman screwdrivers and that they also made the Husky brand. Or maybe it was Pratt Read?

10 Piece Husky USA Screwdriver Set

10 Piece Husky USA Screwdriver Set

www.harryepstein.com

Purchased an eBay lot of the Husky 4-in-1s to supplement the few Craftsmans I have, and they're all marked "WF", thus, I'd assume Western Forge mad them as well.

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

Made in the USA for $71.00

https://www.amazon.com/Williams-100P-8MD-8-Piece-Premium-Screwdriver/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[four.cycle]

The 7-piece HEYCO set from KC Tool (Kansas City) is up to $45.70 today

 

[woody 73]

Oh, **** you guys just spoil me, I bought the HEYCO and the Williams set some time back, very nice indeed.

 

[woody 73]

Along with the tekton,not so nice tips, and the whia and Wera, very nice, strange handles. the vessel ones are the kats meow. No pb Swiss as of yet.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Made in the USA for $71.00

https://www.amazon.com/Williams-100P-8MD-8-Piece-Premium-Screwdriver/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Love these Williams

 

[mikey03]

harbor freight icon screwdrivers 35% off through Monday

 

[ohhimark]

I've no idea how I got them, but a P3 or P4 asian sourced classic Craftsman screwdriver, and similarly large slotted driver appeared in the basement tool box. They performed well on Project Farm. I like the green Heyco's, but their handles feel smaller than the Craftsman. The Klein/Vaco orange handle Bull Drivers have proper, larger grips.

 

[yjWrangler]

The new Craftsman acetate drivers (Taiwan) are quite good. They look great, they actually fit the screws they are labled for, which I couldn't always say about Sears Craftsman. The price is hard to beat.

However they also have the same issues that the classic drivers had. The Phillips drivers have handles that are too small, and there are not enough varieties of some sizes (PH1) while other have too many (PH2). They are also not the most comfortable handles, but not the worst I've ever used.

I agree, that Tekton drivers are good. I also like Klein, and Williams. Mayhew has some nice ones, and they now make Channellock's drivers. Those two are basically the same thing, but different color handles. Pricey for what they are, IMO.

If you want *really* good ones, Vessel is where it's at.

Do they emit the same lovely aroma of the older screwdriver handles?

 

[Etchase]

Do they emit the same lovely aroma of the older screwdriver handles?

No. I think that problem went away in maybe the 70’s? Anyone know when they changed material?

 

[yjWrangler]

No. I think that problem went away in maybe the 70’s? Anyone know when they changed material?

I've got a set from probably 2012 that stink up the drawer they're in

 

[CJM8515]

i have the good williams set, well worth the coin

i also have the craftsman western forge set from like 20 years ago. the slotted screwdrivers still scare me the tips will break off. ive had to replace a few of them

 

[Etchase]

I've got a set from probably 2012 that stink up the drawer they're in

I guess WF never figured it out!

 

[Ohio Andy]

i have the good williams set, well worth the coin

i also have the craftsman western forge set from like 20 years ago. the slotted screwdrivers still scare me the tips will break off. ive had to replace a few of them

Understand that Williams are my favorite, but I really torqued on my old Craftsman and never broke one. All by hand off course.

My black and red professional versions held up well. My black professional set from Craftsman I did not like the handles so they only saw light duty. I recently gave that set to a friend.

 

[woody 73]

Shame because I like the old black handled craftsman screwdrivers, I still hunt for them, but they are harder to find.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Do they emit the same lovely aroma of the older screwdriver handles?

So far, no!

 

[CJM8515]

Understand that Williams are my favorite, but I really torqued on my old Craftsman and never broke one. All by hand off course.

My black and red professional versions held up well. My black professional set from Craftsman I did not like the handles so they only saw light duty. I recently gave that set to a friend.

I was talking bout the old western forge acetate handles, blue/red? those didnt holdup well for me at all

 

[four.cycle]

$60 bucks - NO stinky handles

 

[Ohio Andy]

I was talking bout the old western forge acetate handles, blue/red? those didnt holdup well for me at all

Mine held up but I did not love those handles.

So I bought things I liked better. Finally have them away last year and I replaced them with Williams, PB swiss, vessel, grace, USA Milwaukee, and Tekton (mostly)

 

[four.cycle]

SO many better options than those stinky old acetate-handled Craftsman and Western Forge units. Even not-stinky Pratt-Read and Vaco pale in comparison to contemporary offerings.

 

[Davefr]

Take it for what it's worth. (he likes the CM set):

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Screwdriver are one of the few things I will only buy from Snap-On.
Maybe it's all in my head but I do think they are better than others.
Williams being a very close second.

Logic be damned....lol

I posted this pic when I bought a set a few months ago.

 

[1982fxr]

Are the Williams just old Snap-on hard handles? Is there any difference besides the name?

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Are the Williams just old Snap-on hard handles? Is there any difference besides the name?

Not sure - they seem to be identical.

 

[lund]

Shame because I like the old black handled craftsman screwdrivers, I still hunt for them, but they are harder to find.

Agree: they are super good. Not great handles but super steel and good grip. I ave been using them regularly for 30+ years with little tip wear even on p2.

 

[CJM8515]

Are the Williams just old Snap-on hard handles? Is there any difference besides the name?

same at 1/2 the price

 

[cody1325]

One thing I will note--screwdriver handles are not one size fits all. You'll probably go through several brands before you find something that fits your hands and allows a lot of torque without discomfort.

Thus, may I suggest getting one each of various brands in whatever size you use the most? Mostly PH2 for me.

 

[ohhimark]

One thing I will note--screwdriver handles are not one size fits all. You'll probably go through several brands before you find something that fits your hands and allows a lot of torque without discomfort.

Thus, may I suggest getting one each of various brands in whatever size you use the most? Mostly PH2 for me.

+1

Different hands, different preferences. I relegated a nice Wera laser tip screwdriver to the drywall box because I don't like the shape of the grip, but it ended up excelling at driving not fully sunk drywall screws. I can't discern any difference between the Snap on and Williams drivers I have. They are ok, but the chrome flakes off. I was surprised they didn't do that well in Project Farms recent tests.

 

[Ohio Andy]

If you are able, be sure to just try them in your hand before you buy them.

All of the vessels have felt good in my hand. The vessel megadors have knurling that I like a lot. I have two other type of vessel screwdrivers but none of them have the knurling and I like all of them. But for fine stuff I want the knurling.

I really like the snap-on drivers.

A personal favorite of mine are the Williams. They fit my hands quite well and I like them.

I like both types of tekton handles, both the red ones and the high torque versions.

Pb Swiss works great for me In my hands.

Wera, A crowd favorite, I just can't love them no matter how much I try. Don't get me wrong. They grip well they turn well but they feel awful in my hand. I've decided that people either absolutely love them or absolutely cannot stand them. Regardless, they're a great tool.

I have some Craftsman professionals that I like. I actually like the old original Craftsman screwdrivers but I needed to use gloves with them if I use them a lot

I have the old Craftsman falcomms and I like them. I don't use them much but I like them.

I like the Milwaukee USA made very much. I think they just feel good in my hands. I like them enough that I've ordered all the others that they have. I started with the six-piece set. I have like 13 other drivers coming. I was kind of torn on their ECX bits. I ordered the USA made but if I wanted the insulated versions I had to order Chinese or maybe it's Taiwan I don't know. I wish they had USA made ecx t
Insulated; I prefer the USA handles. Then again I have to admit that I've never thought. Hey, I sure wish my ECX driver was insulated when I've used one.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I hate those screwdrivers, the quality on the old ones where always inconsistent. The new one are much better quality for sure. I prefer the old cushion grip or the SK rebranded ones.

But today you have multiple better option, the problems comes with what fits best in your hand. Like most have commented, it's best to buy multiple brands of what you need to try out. I have from vessel to gedore and other.

The best tips are JIS from vessel(megadora), great handle too and they have knurling. Snap-on also has a nice driver, and handle. KTC has a super nice square handle, fantastic tip and can put a lot of torque down. The best handle is from gedore imo, they just fit so good in the hand. Heck I even like the newer craftsman screwdrivers, they feel good in hand.

 

[908Jim]

@OmegaDPW you don't seem to be getting too many of the direct replies you're looking for, but I'll echo the below:

The new Craftsman acetate drivers (Taiwan) are quite good. They look great, they actually fit the screws they are labled for, which I couldn't always say about Sears Craftsman. The price is hard to beat.

However they also have the same issues that the classic drivers had. The Phillips drivers have handles that are too small, and there are not enough varieties of some sizes (PH1) while other have too many (PH2). They are also not the most comfortable handles, but not the worst I've ever used.

I have a current gen Made in Taiwan Craftsman acetate flat-head that I bought out of curiosity for a couple bucks on amazon and I like it quite a bit. They are absolutely better than the 2000's Western Forged sourced Craftsman's, and the finish is honestly better than the 2000' Pratt-Reed drivers I have. The Phillips handles are indeed a bit small in diameter for a #2 driver. They aren't quite as good as the fat handled 80s/90s? PR Craftsmans with the chrome shanks, but they're fine for the price point.

If you're budget limited, I'm sure they are fine for general household use like assembling toys, changing switches and receptacles, or even light work in the garage. Your other option is the $9.99 HF set which has served me well. For Nostalgia's sake, I'll probably be picking up a few more of the Craftsman drivers because I like supporting SBD who is keeping Craftsman Stuff in Taiwan and not China.

The HF contender:
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

 

[threewood]

I just remember how horrible Craftsman screwdrivers were in the 70's and 80's. I now preach the gospel of Wera.