Proto Duratex screwdrivers

[Nortonscustom]

Kind of a neat video showing the new Proto Duratek screwdrivers being made. I'm going have to try some of these, seem pretty nice.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Those look real nice. I like them so far. Are they out yet? I shall google...

 

[MattPersman]

Mac is selling them as Mac with a different handle color I have seen the standard/Phillips set it was pretty up there in price I can't find it on the website though.

 

[Steven67fr]

Wow - I'm going to have to look into those.

 

[1950mercury]

The mac/proto screwdrivers are close. The proto flat tips have a square shank and the macs have a round one that you can put a wrench on buy the handle. They are not the same

 

[Nortonscustom]

The mac/proto screwdrivers are close. The proto flat tips have a square shank and the macs have a round one that you can put a wrench on buy the handle. They are not the same

Actually that's not entirely true, many of the Proto's have round shanks and hex blosters as well. Depends on the size I guess.

http://www.grainger.com/product/PROTO-Screwdriver-Set-13G269?s_pp=false






Watching the Mac video you'll see much of the same footage and many of the same employees. Wonder how many screwdrivers the "handle presser on lady" see's in a day?

http://bcove.me/fc2t9r46

 

[upgrading]

This Gray/Black color scheme is much nicer than the Mac colors.

Funny I just did a search for these to see who is selling them and this thread comes up first.

 

[stratman977]

Anyone finding them anywhere other than grainger?

 

[BajaBound]

I am interested for sure

 

[Brownsfan]

I am interested in the nut driver sets for sure. I have been looking to upgrade my nut driver set for a while now.

 

[1950mercury]

If you look at them on protoindustrial.com they all have square shafts

Actually that's not entirely true, many of the Proto's have round shanks and hex blosters as well. Depends on the size I guess.

http://www.grainger.com/product/PROTO-Screwdriver-Set-13G269?s_pp=false





Watching the Mac video you'll see much of the same footage
and many of the same employees. Wonder how many screwdrivers the "handle presser on lady" see's in a day?

http://bcove.me/fc2t9r46

 

[stratman977]

If you look at them on protoindustrial.com they all have square shafts

There appears to be different model numbers for round, round with bolster, and square on grainger. Mac hard handles are the same way, so I'd assume Mac is going to offer both as well???

Searching the part numbers only brings up grainger and Stanley proto sites. So a real example of either has yet to be seen.

 

[BajaBound]

I want the nut drivers

 

[Fedwrench]

I refer to them as quad lobe. I got the 8 piece combination set part number J1208SCP. They are the same as the MAC set except for handle color and being $50 cheaper.
I got mine from Trident supply who are in the hot deals section. The new screwdrivers aren't out widely yet and mine came straight from PROTO.
They are my favorite screwdrivers. They're light, well balanced, durable, and I like how the handle fits my hand.
Made in South Carolina just like MAC. Note the round shanks with bolsters for you blind people.

 

[1950mercury]

I cant argue with that....i was wrong

I refer to them as quad lobe. I got the 8 piece combination set part number J1208SCP. They are the same as the MAC set except for handle color and being $50 cheaper.
I got mine from Trident supply who are in the hot deals section. The new screwdrivers aren't out widely yet and mine came straight from PROTO.
They are my favorite screwdrivers. They're light, well balanced, durable, and I like how the handle fits my hand.
Made in South Carolina just like MAC. Note the round shanks with bolsters for you blind people.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I ordered one #2 from zoro when they had free shipping. I do not like them one bit. I am usually not very critical but one thing i noticed is the finish around the bolster is very rough and it looks like poor QC. Another thing I do not like is its entirely hard plastic and no soft gripping rubber. I find it difficult to hold onto. I am glad I just bought one and I will stick to Felo Ergonics.

 

[oldldh]

Proto should have kept making these...

Proto Professional Yellow Handles!!!

Best I've ever used!!!

 

[SawtoothJL]

Proto should have kept making these...

Proto Professional Yellow Handles!!!

Best I've ever used!!!

I agree! I have some of my grandfather's original proto yellow handles. They are extremely comfortable to use, as well as durable.

Sent from my SPH-M950 using Tapatalk

 

[ggoss]

Proto should have kept making these...

Proto Professional Yellow Handles!!!

Best I've ever used!!!

Urrea still makes some like these, though I'm not sure how they compare nowadays.

 

[woody 73]

Darn you guys are killing me, those screwdrivers look very nice I might have to keep my eyes open for a set.

 

[stratman977]

I ordered one #2 from zoro when they had free shipping. I do not like them one bit. I am usually not very critical but one thing i noticed is the finish around the bolster is very rough and it looks like poor QC. Another thing I do not like is its entirely hard plastic and no soft gripping rubber. I find it difficult to hold onto. I am glad I just bought one and I will stick to Felo Ergonics.

I did the same. I bought a #2 and a flat head from zoro with the free shipping. I have been waiting for someone other than grainger to stock these so I could try them out.

I had the same first impression when I picked it up out of the box. I expected the black part to be soft. I have been using them and find that I am getting to like them, give them a chance I bet you'll find that they grow on you. I like the fact that it has a rounded part on the end for spinning a loose screw out. They aren't an ergonomic style handle so if thats what you prefer I could understand not liking them.

They didn't polish the bolster part after they forged the shank which is why it looks rough. It's not poor QC it's just the way they made them. I'm not sure that I care that the bolster wasn't polished smooth as long as a wrench fits on it.

 

[Conductor562]

Proto should have kept making these...

Proto Professional Yellow Handles!!!

Best I've ever used!!!

The drivers pictured are not the older Bet'R grips, those have been gone for awhile. Those are the "Classic" Drivers and are still in production. The Duratek replace the red "super" drivers.

The new Duratek drivers awesome, no question about it. However, you should be aware that there are two different versions of them.

I had a little write up on the differences on "the other side of the tracks", but the jist of it is that there are versions with full polish shafts and hex bolsters, and versions with satin shafts and no bolsters. I'm sure you can get either version from Trident. I have the eight piece set that said Fed pictured, and also a 19 piece set that has the satin chance. Both are pretty sweet, unless you're really that worried about having a flawless finish one your bolster

 

[upgrading]

Amazon seems to have a good selection of these screwdrivers now.
Zoro seems to have cheaper pricing, but if one needs some filler for free shipping @Amazon this might be an option.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1...s=duratek+screwdrivers&ie=UTF8&qid=1415666017

 

[kball]

I just bought the cabinet set (long) from Zoro. Amazon wanted almost twice the price.

 

[wagon]

I have a set. they're ****! mine are round shank, no hex toward the handle.

 

[redwrench60]

Dug up this thread on a search. I've been eyeballing the Mac versions of these lately since we currently have a Mac Unicorn at the shop and the more I handled them the more I liked them. I've read on here about their superior chemical resistance, power and durability so after a sweetheart deal from the Mac man I'm in an orange handle set. I've gotta say these are pretty nice. They meet all my personal requirements. Comfortable, chrome hex bolstered shafts, no rubber tri-lobe ***** handles and USA made. Excellent turning power with slippery hands and easy parts washer/brake cleaner cleanup. Who else likes them.....or thinks they ****?

 

[Brownsfan]

I have a 6PC Proto Duratek set and love them. I own Snap on instincts Williams hard handles Cornwell craftsman pro and Klein. The protos are my go too. Great tips even better handles. Still my favorite handles are my Craftsman pros. I have too many screwdrivers. I need to sell a set or 3.

 

[redwrench60]

Yeah I needed these like I need a 1/2" hole drilled in my skull. what can I say, I'm a true tool *****. I have gobs of screwdrivers but these seem unique in USA made offerings. Snap On ran me off with their Instink handles, so I figured I'd shake the tree and see what else falls out.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I like them as well, zoro 30% off makes them a killer deal... I really shouldn't even say this because it's not funny, but has anyone hyper analyzed them to see if the shafts are crooked like the Williams ones?

(I'm kidding, I'm kidding, I have the Williams ones as well as snap on, both have some crooked shafts, which I never noticed in tons of use until I was told on this site what a fatal flaw it was... although now I'm curious.)

 

[Davefr]

The Durateks can go up against ANY German, Swiss or USA Tool Truck screwdriver, And at $5-6/ea in the 19 pc set after Zoro coupon, they can beat everybody in price.

They represent "real" quality USA made tools.

 

[redwrench60]

I like them as well, zoro 30% off makes them a killer deal... I really shouldn't even say this because it's not funny, but has anyone hyper analyzed them to see if the shafts are crooked like the Williams ones?

(I'm kidding, I'm kidding, I have the Williams ones as well as snap on, both have some crooked shafts, which I never noticed in tons of use until I was told on this site what a fatal flaw it was... although now I'm curious.)

I hate to admit it but with all the chatter about crooked screwdrivers I'm embarrassed to say I did look them over carefully and my set at least is absolutely arrow straight. I even chucked a couple up in a drill and spun them slow to check for runout.....how bad is that?

 

[Brownsfan]

Now when people are saying they are crooked. What do they mean? Are we talking properly indexed? Or actually mounted in the handle like its bent? Because all mine are indexed properly and not bent or crooked. My set is 3 years old. So maybe they have gone down in quality?

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Same as MAC Tools just a whole lot cheaper...

 

[Ruger_556]

Dug up this thread on a search. I've been eyeballing the Mac versions of these lately since we currently have a Mac Unicorn at the shop and the more I handled them the more I liked them. I've read on here about their superior chemical resistance, power and durability so after a sweetheart deal from the Mac man I'm in an orange handle set. I've gotta say these are pretty nice. They meet all my personal requirements. Comfortable, chrome hex bolstered shafts, no rubber tri-lobe ***** handles and USA made. Excellent turning power with slippery hands and easy parts washer/brake cleaner cleanup. Who else likes them.....or thinks they ****?

I have the bigger MAC set, they're awesome I only bought the MAC version because they come in orange.

 

[redwrench60]

Now when people are saying they are crooked. What do they mean? Are we talking properly indexed? Or actually mounted in the handle like its bent? Because all mine are indexed properly and not bent or crooked. My set is 3 years old. So maybe they have gone down in quality?

I haven't heard anyone say the Durateks are crooked, all the uproar seems to revolve around the Williams hard handles and some mention Snap On. My one Williams and my dozens of SO hard handles are all straight AND indexed to the handle properly FWIW.

 

[redwrench60]

I have the bigger MAC set, they're awesome I only bought the MAC version because they come in orange.

When there's a choice of color I always seem to reach for orange. It stands out in a dark space and it looks right at home in the Volunteer State These drivers are very nice and I can see how they can become a favorite.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Dug up this thread on a search. I've been eyeballing the Mac versions of these lately since we currently have a Mac Unicorn at the shop and the more I handled them the more I liked them. I've read on here about their superior chemical resistance, power and durability so after a sweetheart deal from the Mac man I'm in an orange handle set. I've gotta say these are pretty nice. They meet all my personal requirements. Comfortable, chrome hex bolstered shafts, no rubber tri-lobe ***** handles and USA made. Excellent turning power with slippery hands and easy parts washer/brake cleaner cleanup. Who else likes them.....or thinks they ****?

It's interesting you brought this thread back up today. Late last night and early this morning I was looking into these (again).

I went ahead and ordered a Proto Duratek 6-inch No. 2 Phillips to try out. If I like it I'll probably be ordering the Mac 12 piece set.

I generally like Witte drivers, but they can be hard to clean and the flecking wears off easily.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I hate to admit it but with all the chatter about crooked screwdrivers I'm embarrassed to say I did look them over carefully and my set at least is absolutely arrow straight. I even chucked a couple up in a drill and spun them slow to check for runout.....how bad is that?

That is hilarious, I'm glad you did it though, now that I know there is no concern I don't have to worry about my favorites being poorly crafted, or check myself if I happened to get bored in the shed.

 

[redwrench60]

After using these some I can see I'm gonna end up with more. What's currently the best place to buy these from? Amazon doesn't seem to have the best pricing on them.

 

[gmt]

I like them as well, zoro 30% off makes them a killer deal... I really shouldn't even say this because it's not funny, but has anyone hyper analyzed them to see if the shafts are crooked like the Williams ones?

(I'm kidding, I'm kidding, I have the Williams ones as well as snap on, both have some crooked shafts, which I never noticed in tons of use until I was told on this site what a fatal flaw it was... although now I'm curious.)

I had a P3 that had slight bend in the shaft. I didn't noticed it until the first time I used it (about 5 months after I bought it from Zoro). Zoro replaced it with no questions and didn't even want the screwdriver returned. The replacement was straight as an arrow.