Proto Duratek Slotted Tip Thickness

[Submariner733]

I have been using my Proto yellow handled slotted screwdrivers for electric and recently tried out the Duratek's. This is where I noticed something peculiar.

On cover plate screws I can use either 3/16 or 1/4 on the yellow handles. However, some of the legacy screws seem to be smaller dimensions and the Duratek 3/16 would only slot into about half of the screws.

On the device combination screws the 5/16 yellow handle works great. With the Duratek the 1/4 doesn't bottom out into the slot.

These Duratek's were made in France and finished in the US. Are they perhaps metric, and if so, what is the relationship between metric and US tip thickness?

 

[KnurledNut]

@Submariner733

Proto Duratek is specified to the ASME B107.15 standard (listed as Width at Tip x Nominal Tip Thickness):
5/32 (3.97mm) x .025 (.64mm)
3/16 (4.76) x .030 (.76)
7/32 (5.56) x .032 (.81)
1/4 (6.35) x .037 (.94)
5/16 (7.94) x .042 (1.07)
5/16 (7.94) x .046 (1.17)
3/8 (9.53) x .050 (1.27)
3/8 (9.53) x .060 (1.52)

Metric screwdriver standards typically reflect ISO 2380:
3.5mm x 0.6mm
4 x 0.8
4.5 x 1.0
5.5 x 1.0
6.5 x 1.2
8.0 x 1.2
8.0 x 1.6
10.0 x 1.6

Metric screwdrivers usually have a thicker tip than an American fractional of comparable size.

If you live in America, it's benefical to have both. Since it's minimal cost yet highly versatile and portable, I keep both fractional and metric slotted in my bit kit. When I built this, I was surprised that most manufactured sets came with one or the other but not both.

 

[Submariner733]

Excellent info KnurledNut

Puzzling at what I am seeing with the ASME B107.15 Duratek's, looks like I need more field testing.

Nice bit storage box. What are the case and bit storage rails?

 

[woody 73]

Not to hijack a post, but whatever happened to Duratek screwdriver/nut line drivers, I am not able to find them and sometimes I can find a few for sale, what gives? Did proto stop making them? Seems like they quietly disappeared.

 

[woody 73]

I think, (key word here) I just found out they that proto discontinued them, I just picked up a set from eBay for two of my kidneys and Ohio state football tickets for life.

 

[Submariner733]

Not to continue the hijack on my thread, but here is some info on Proto part numbers.

Since the Proto catalog was printed, Proto has added letters to the end of many part numbers. A and B and S and even an F. If you search Zoro with the catalog part number nothing shows up. However, MSC automatically cross-references and brings up the current part number. In the case of nut drivers. add a S. For drivers add a F. Zoro shows both in stock. The only drivers I have not seen in the wild are square shank slotted and the Robertson's. As for pricing the Duratek drivers have always been at least double the Williams hard handles and the nut drivers tipple the Klein's. For this reason it took me awhile to justify the Duratek's. I finally moved forward and have no regrets with my Duratek's.

 

[Fedwrench]

@Submariner733

Proto Duratek is specified to the ASME B107.15 standard (listed as Width at Tip x Nominal Tip Thickness):
5/32 (3.97mm) x .025 (.64mm)
3/16 (4.76) x .030 (.76)
7/32 (5.56) x .032 (.81)
1/4 (6.35) x .037 (.94)
5/16 (7.94) x .042 (1.07)
5/16 (7.94) x .046 (1.17)
3/8 (9.53) x .050 (1.27)
3/8 (9.53) x .060 (1.52)

Metric screwdriver standards typically reflect ISO 2380:
3.5mm x 0.6mm
4 x 0.8
4.5 x 1.0
5.5 x 1.0
6.5 x 1.2
8.0 x 1.2
8.0 x 1.6
10.0 x 1.6

Metric screwdrivers usually have a thicker tip than an American fractional of comparable size.

If you live in America, it's benefical to have both. Since it's minimal cost yet highly versatile and portable, I keep both fractional and metric slotted in my bit kit. When I built this, I was surprised that most manufactured sets came with one or the other but not both. Metric on the left:
View attachment 2442172

You never cease to amaze me with your knowledge and tools you've assembled. Well Done

 

[KnurledNut]

You never cease to amaze me with your knowledge and tools you've assembled. Well Done

Thanks for the kind words, Fedwrench. The GJ veterans like yourself are a valuable asset here!