Praise for the Craftsman regular screwdrivers.

[ajchien]

Need a gasket scraper? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a chisel? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a punch? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a prybar? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a paint can opener? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a knife? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a hammer? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a pick? Use a Screwdriver.
Need to short out a circuit? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a fork? Use a Screwdriver.


Yeah, my 74 year old dad is in down. For better or worse, He can't NOT do some "improvement" on something I own.

My father was kinda stunned when I pulled out a pair of plastic push pin pliers to open up the splash shield on my wife's car. He said, "Whats that? You need a screwdriver!"

Having dad around is great. But he makes me cringe a bit at times. I think I know what Im buying him for his birthday this weekend.

 

[Garage Junky]

hahaha, maybe he's just "doing more with less"

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[kythri]

I think that color-coding is just the nut drivers.

Looks like the Torx has black shafts instead of satin chrome.

 

[Cato]

Those Craftsman screwdrivers have provided lots of folks years and years of affordable and quality service.

...it's just that some of us would rather spend tens times the money and get in debt with the red and white ice cream truck.

 

[bobcatdan]

For all that pick on them, the old school craftsman drivers are fine tools. Can't say in the years I beat on them they ever failed. Granted they are not my go to any more, but I still have plenty around and are the prefect beater. Pa always used them and it always surprised me how he could wear a #2 tip down to nothing over the years.

 

[monomach]

Need a gasket scraper? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a chisel? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a punch? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a prybar? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a paint can opener? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a knife? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a hammer? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a pick? Use a Screwdriver.
Need to short out a circuit? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a fork? Use a Screwdriver.

I use the regular Craftsman screwdrivers for all of these things (well, ok...not to hammer). I can't use them to drive screws, though. They fit like ****. I prefer the Harbor Freight Pro drivers for that.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[1950mercury]

Ive used them for over 25 years and ican say the ones they make today are total GARBAGE compared to what they used to be. The only thing i use them for is anything but there intended purpose.

 

[Exceller8]

He is from an era when they did much more with much less. I miss the old days and I'm only 49.

 

[stage20]

I never liked a phillips but their flat heads are my go to for everything. Phillips I use my matco green/orange/maroon handles then my hf pros my next fav. I do like the phillips tips on my cman pros. They grab real nice

 

[Cato]

Ive used them for over 25 years and ican say the ones they make today are total GARBAGE compared to what they used to be. The only thing i use them for is anything but there intended purpose.

I've been using Craftsman regular screwdrivers for 35 years and I don't see any difference between the old ones and the new ones.

In fact, I like the new ones even better because the flat heads have ridges that grip better in the screw head.

...unless you mean the really old school ones with wooden handles. Those really ****. Those sometimes lose their shafts as the wood dries out or the metal sleeve gets loose.

 

[yowzer]

I think I know what Im buying him for his birthday this weekend.

A set of screwdrivers?

 

[Ponchoguy]

Ive used them for over 25 years and ican say the ones they make today are total GARBAGE compared to what they used to be. The only thing i use them for is anything but there intended purpose.

That's because years ago they were hot forged and they LASTED. Look at your older versions, they say "FORGED" on them. The new ones don't---and they aren't as good.

 

[Ruger_556]

That's because years ago they were hot forged and they LASTED. Look at your older versions, they say "FORGED" on them. The new ones don't---and they aren't as good.

I haven't had a problem...

 

[kythri]

Yeah, I haven't had a problem, either.

I really don't think Western Forge or Pratt-Read have been cutting corners on the drivers.

 

[Junkyard_dog]

Those Craftsman screwdrivers have provided lots of folks years and years of affordable and quality service.

...it's just that some of us would rather spend tens times the money and get in debt with the red and white ice cream truck.

Very true I love craftsman.... But I still go on the truck every week i think im just addicted to tools lol

 

[ArtDeco]

The newer ones all seem to eventually turn in their handles: the shafts spend freely

 

[NoahG]

I think that color-coding is just the nut drivers.

Looks like the Torx has black shafts instead of satin chrome.

They need to color code Metric nut drives, hex drivers and Torx.


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[Junkyard_dog]

The newer ones all seem to eventually turn in their handles: the shafts spend freely

Sad... its probably because there not .U.S.A made anymore ..

 

[stage20]

Sad... its probably because there not .U.S.A made anymore ..

Thought western forge was still usa?

 

[Hiball]

I'd hate to think how many of those screwdriver sets I've purchased over the years. I don't recall having any issues, other than i always seemed to misplace them and then find them after I bought another set.

 

[Junkyard_dog]

I'd hate to think how many of those screwdriver sets I've purchased over the years. I don't recall having any issues, other than i always seemed to misplace them and then find them after I bought another set.

Even though I buy more and more I seem to never have enough screwdrivers. I seem to misplace them faster than I can buy them lol

 

[Hiball]

Even though I buy more and more I seem to never have enough screwdrivers. I seem to misplace them faster than I can buy them lol

You know you have to many when you spend 5 minutes digging through your screwdriver drawer looking for a particular size, only to spot 3 of them at the same time.

 

[Junkyard_dog]

You know you have to many when you spend 5 minutes digging through your screwdriver drawer looking for a particular size, only to spot 3 of them at the same time.

Lol yeah .. I hate it when I need a phillips screwdriver and I can only find flat heads [emoji38]

 

[Jawn]

I'm hoping the forthcoming Channellock screwdrivers scratch that itch with better tips, though. I also like the color-coding, though I don't know why they don't take it a little further and color-code Torx as well.

Wow. News to me!

Way to go, Channellock! If I didn't already have a nice heap of Pratt-Reads...

 

[monomach]

Wow. News to me!

Way to go, Channellock! If I didn't already have a nice heap of Pratt-Reads...

Those are going to be made by either Western Forge or Pratt-Reead, anyway. You're not missing anything other than a different color handle.

 

[stage20]

Those are going to be made by either Western Forge or Pratt-Reead, anyway. You're not missing anything other than a different color handle.

Looks like you'll be missing a few more dollars over the craftsman.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I keep a few Craftsman beaters in strategic locations

 

[kythri]

Sad... its probably because there not .U.S.A made anymore ..

Yes, they are.

 

[PKile]

Except for a few oddballs, I have both Snap-On and Craftsman screwdrivers. They share equal billing in my tool drawer:

When I've got a major rebuild or repair on one of the vehicles, out come the Snap Ons. The grey-handled Pozidrivs are patiently waiting in the drawer for another MG to come into the family. But when I have a quickie home repair I find myself reaching for the good old Craftsmans. Most of mine hail from the 1970s, and if you look closely you will even see a Reed and Prince driver among the Phillips and slotted ones.
Cheers,
Paul

 

[Pumpman1968]

I still have a beater set that I grab first....every time....for everything. They may be worn....gouge marks on some of the handles........a bent tip (and almost straightened back out) or two...........paint drops.........but they are still the ones that are mounted right above my bench and ready to be put to work.

It isn't that they are the toughest...because they are not. Not the most precise.....but they are not a $20 tool............they are a $1.00 tool.

I have bought other, more expensive sets with great expectations. When they arrive............I am almost disappointed.......and in the drawer they go......not because I want to save them......but because they don't have the clear and red handle.....they don't have that smell..........they don't fit in my hand the same........maybe because they are perfect and unblemished and, somehow, not up for the task at hand.

Maybe it's the familiarity or the nostalgia of the tool that works for me...........or maybe it's because they are just simple, barebones tools. Similar to 30 y/o pair of Channellocks or even older Crescent adjustable wrench......or 60 y/o S-K ratchet. Simple, non ergonomic and built to be used.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Wow, Pkile, one of the older clear contoured handle drivers!

 

[PKile]

Wow, Pkile, one of the older clear contoured handle drivers!

Yep, I don't even remember when I got that one. Definitely feels good in the hand. I'd like to find a Phillips equivalent.
Cheers,
Paul

 

[ganymede]

Gramps had a couple of slotted he bought sometime in the mid 60's to early 70's.
He wore one of them down enough to where I wanted to dress the end a bit.
My vintage file that cuts fine on everything barely cut it. That same file will cut modern craftsman drivers like **** through a tin horn.

 

[Kev442]

Need a gasket scraper? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a chisel? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a punch? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a prybar? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a paint can opener? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a knife? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a hammer? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a pick? Use a Screwdriver.
Need to short out a circuit? Use a Screwdriver.
Need a fork? Use a Screwdriver.

I have the $4.99 HF throwaways for this stuff. I give my Cman screwdrivers a bit more respect.
I'll also go way out on a limb and state that I like the Channel lock Code Blue screwdrivers, they have good ergonomics for my hand and I haven't broken one yet.

 

[skruft]

The regular Craftsman USA , including the odd-colored ones that were sometimes offered in a bargain bin, were good tools. They were certainly better than the early dark colored "professional" ones that looked good but wore out too quickly, had tips that bent, etc.

 

[MagnumForce]

I have no issue with mine and I an not scared to death to use one as a pry bar if that is the only thing that will fit.

 

[Cato]

I have no issue with mine and I an not scared to death to use one as a pry bar if that is the only thing that will fit.

Is there something comparable? Something like a smaller screwdriver like prybar/scraper/pick/probe?

The smallest prybars I've seen are like HUGE screwdrivers with bent tips. Smaller ones are like mini crow bars. Nothing in between.

I'd like to have something the size of a medium size screwdriver with a straight shaft good handle.

 

[Junkyard_dog]

I have no issue with mine and I an not scared to death to use one as a pry bar if that is the only thing that will fit.

Ive had bad luck when using them as pry bars the tips usually snap off.