Pratt Read Screwdrivers?

[WESTOF7]

Any good?

 

[ChrisF250]

I have a couple, i like them. They're not really anything special but they're affordable and USA made.

 

[SMKS]

I also like them.

Western Forge and Pratt-Read are both now owned by Ideal. But, I like Pratt-Read screwdrivers more than the WF-made regular Craftsmans. Some Craftsmans are also made by PR, but they're far less common where I live.

I assume eventually Ideal will consolidate all the screwdriver production into one facility. I'm guessing that will eventually be the Pratt-Read facility, but that's just a guess.

Amazon has a decent selection of Pratt-Read drivers.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032AMIV4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C00CBY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C00BYM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also really like the PR pick set I bought about 8 months ago. They've been holding up really well.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BZZ33W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mudflap]

I have some, i would say they are in almost every toolbox in AMERICA, (CRAFTSMAN). Has anybody ever figured out why they make your screwdriver drawer smell like toe jam ?

 

[BHH]

I love the ones I have. Very nice drivers at a great price.

 

[alan camby]

I have a few at work that I really like.

My local Rural King sells them. I have the same set of picks that Stephen posted, which came from there. They were about the same price as Amazon

 

[Jawn]

I have a decent pile of 'em. A few of the cushion-grip (Klein style) and some of the "Classic" (clear hard handle) style. I love 'em.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

I bought one open stock once as I needed a new #2 Phillips, and I wasn't impressed. It didn't grip well, and worse the tip wore out pretty quickly. Maybe I got a dud.

 

[slob]

I have some, i would say they are in almost every toolbox in AMERICA, (CRAFTSMAN). Has anybody ever figured out why they make your screwdriver drawer smell like toe jam ?

That awful stench is the cellulose in the handle breaking down.

 

[Trucky]

Cheap and good, which is exactly how I like most of my screwdrivers to be. The classic handles are my favorite. Steel isn't too shabby either. I use them myself and keep a set of "made in ching-chong-long-dong" ones to lend out.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

These Pratt Read nutdrivers over at Cripe look an awful lot like Kleins...

I would've thought that yellow and black combination was patented...

 

[rick carpenter]

I think P-R makes MasterMechanic screwdrivers.

 

[exmaxima1]

I would've thought that yellow and black combination was patented...

Like CAT, or DeWalt, or Smiley Face T-Shirts?

 

[bob from indiana]

I ordered two #4 phillips drivers from McMaster-Carr this week. They sent Pratt-Read plastic handles. They look like Stanley 100+ and seem to be well made.

 

[disston]

I have or had a set of PR screwdrivers I like a bunch. Not sure I have the whole set anymore. You know all my screwdrivers made by anybody come with legs on them. Wish they would stop doing that.

 

[WildwoodChuck]

Master Force from Menard's are A&L handles with Prat Read shanks. The most expensive single driver is $7.99.

 

[gdocktor3]

Pratt Read is a leading manufacturer of screwdrivers in the USA. A rep told me SK, Stanley and Snap On are all customers of theirs. Klein is not one of them. If you look closely at the Klein and Pratt screwdrivers, you will notice differences. The Kleins have black machined tips while the Pratt's have vapor blasted. You will also notice the acetate section of the Klein handles have a beveled look from grip to shaft, while the Pratt's are thick the entire length between grip and shaft. The comfort grip screwdriver is common to the electrical industry and therefor many manufacturers offer that style. I have cheap Praz branded screwdrivers I bought from Ocean State Job Lot one day when my Harley broke down that look just the same.

 

[bonneyman]

I bought an Easydriver ratcheting ball driver made by Pratt-Reade in 2005. Was walking through Sears and saw the "brought back by popular demand" sign. Been using it ever since. Other than being yellow/black, it's indistinguishable from the 70's era Easydrivers.

On the far left:

 

[mikebaker1129]

Ideal is the parent company to both A&L and Pratt Read,I would think it would be safe to add them to the list of Pratt Read rebrands.
I really like the older Pratt Read cushion grip drivers

 

[dnschmidt]

Pratt-Reed isn't bad for slotted screwdrivers but I think their Phillips drivers ****. More Japanese bikes have had their screws destroyed by Craftsman screwdrivers than any other brand. For Phillips you need something made to the DIN standard which works great on normal Phillips and also on JIS screws. Most of the Asian and European "Phillips" type screwdrivers are made to the DIN standard. Pratt-Reed's Phillips are not.

 

[AE2]

I have a lot of the masterforce cushion grips made by Pratt reed. I like them.

 

[zktk01]

I picked up a Pratt today at a Rural King Store they look similar to Channellock with the Blue.
I actually like the feel of the hard handle now. Still good to be able to pick up a USA screwdriver in the store.