Replace Craftsman Pro screwdriver set with???

[pgray007]

I'm very disappointed in my Craftsman Pro screwdriver set, that came with a large mechanics tool set I got about 10 years ago. The handles have spilt on a few of them near the blade, apparently just from sitting as they're subject to DIY use and certainly not "pro" use.

It also seems C-Man has gone to a fairly limited warranty. They do seem to fetch good prices on fleabay, so I was thinking of selling the set and replacing with a new set. I like the ergos of the cman, but the splitting handles and general inability to effectively turn Philips head screws as well as the old acrylic handle versions makes them have to go.

Any recommendations for a replacement?

 

[turnthewrench]

Any recommendations for a replacement?

Tekton. Made in USA, cheap, weird ergo handle. They're great.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014US26JU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I went from CM Pros professionally to Proto Durateks (trying a few other brands along the way), and couldn't be happier with them.
https://www.zoro.com/proto-screwdriver-set-slottedphillips-8-pc-j1208sc/i/G5291115/

 

[Tonyuk]

Wera kraftform with the lasertips. Best screwdrivers i've used.

 

[morrillm06]

I second proto durateks, I love mine

 

[uncwstudent]

I second the Wera Kraftforms. Once you go Wera, you never go back....

 

[HanShotFirst]

Wera kraftform with the lasertips. Best screwdrivers i've used.

I'll second that.

I think for all around use, nothing even touches the Wera Lasertips. If your use is cars or heavy machinery, then you may want to choose their Chisel Drivers, or something like the Williams screwdriver set (which are basically SnapOn hard handles for MUCH less money)

 

[VinceG]

Nepros are awesome you can get wooden handle too. their ratchets and sockets are awesome also. I like their plating and attention to detail on tools

http://www.nepros.net/?cat=4&grp=19

 

[exmaxima1]

Wiha 3K ACO (Anti Cam Out). Best Phillips drivers I've ever used.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T9SLF8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tarbellb]

Just about anything else!


oh that wasnt helpful just a diss, ya.

$ - HF Pro red/blue set
$$ - Tekton made in USA tri-lobe
$$$ - Wiha, Witt, Proto, Snap-on....

 

[kythri]

I like the ergos of the cman, but the splitting handles and general inability to effectively turn Philips head screws as well as the old acrylic handle versions makes them have to go.

What Craftsman Pro drivers are you talking about? Got any pictures?

 

[Fbmoose48]

Felo. Ergonic, Frico 550, Beech Wood, M-Tec - all great. Absolute best I've tried, and I own a lot.

PB Swiss are a close second, the Swiss Grip isn't quite as Ergo feeling as the Felo's, but still a pleasure to use, however at their price I'd hardly call them a "Craftsman Replacement". They seem to be one of the few that appear to be hollow ground, which has it's benefits...

I have several types of Wiha's. but still prefer the Felo's Ergo-grip over their bulky roundedness.

I have the entire line of Wera Kraftform, both in 300 and 900. While I liked the Ergo Grip (similar to Felo's) the 300 aren't thru-tang and the 900's striking caps began to rust within 3 months of getting them, otherwise also good picks.

Big fan of Hazet 810U, less bulky feeling than the Wihas, but a little spendy unless you buy them direct from Germany (and wait on the shipping time).

I have a full set of Stahlwille Dralls, which are the only Stahlwille tool I've ever handled I didn't love. They just seem... plain. Round, but not bulky. No ergo grip molding. No thru-tang. They do fit nicely.

I'd be interested to hear about Facom ProTwists if anyone knows first hand, they seem interesting, although they also seem to share design similarities with some other Stanley (Mac Expert) brandings.

Someone is going to say "It all comes down to what feels best in YOUR hand", so I'll temper this and say these opinions are based on my hands, and I like weighty, tang-thru drivers with ergo grips.

 

[zktk01]

Williams USA set basically snap on old black hard handles is a great deal, but you can also pickup Proto on HJE in the closeout section. I personally don't like the Wera Kraftform feel. Tektons are probably cheapest USA screwdrivers your going to find if that is important to you.

 

[M6erfan]

For Phillips I've settled on Vessel screwdrivers. They are excellent but I work a lot on motorcycles so JIS screw fitment is important to me. Either the 900 or the 930 series.

For slotted I've settled on PB Swiss as they are one of the few manufacturers that provide both cabinet & hollow ground tips.

I like Wiha too. I never took to Wera, they are nothing special IMO, and I'm not a fan of their handles.

ProTo DuraTeks get good reviews around here.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Hes DIY so there is no need for an expensive Nepros or SO set. Tekton and Williams are great and won't hurt your wallet much

 

[Sal Bandini]

Great set and not expensive either:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T9SI60/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[toolmutt]

I've been trying out some Proto Durateks and have been pleased.

 

[rednotch]

wera sets are nice.

 

[markw365]

Williams are nice.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[toolaholic]

Even though they are electrical, I love these wihas! http://www.sears.com/wiha-6-pc-screwdriver-set-insulated/p-00973626000P

 

[exmaxima1]

Williams are nice.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Price keeps creeping up---those were around $50 last year...

 

[metaldad]

klein.
pratt reed/ideal
masterforce, made by ideal
new channellock, made by ideal
s/k, made by ideal

 

[yost69]

I have wera, beta, wiha and snap on. I keep reaching for my snap on soft grips as they are the ones that feel more comfortable to me.

 

[HanShotFirst]

klein.
pratt reed/ideal
masterforce, made by ideal
new channellock, made by ideal
s/k, made by ideal

While they may all be made by Ideal, they are not the same screwdrivers. The SK's are a big step up from the others on your list in my experience. The blades are very similar to Snap On's, they have the hex bolster, and I like SK's hard handles MUCH better than any other screwdriver on your list.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Just about anything else!


oh that wasnt helpful just a diss, ya.

$ - HF Pro red/blue set
$$ - Tekton made in USA tri-lobe
$$$ - Wiha, Witt, Proto, Snap-on....

I like the feel of Tekton's handles...they're funny looking but it works. The rest of the screwdriver is decent quality. I think they're similar to the US made Stanley screwdrivers, but with nicer handles.

 

[hangfirew8]

I won't miss the Craftsmans because even though cheap and US-made, the straights were amazingly easy to twist and permanently deform. I have a pile of New Old Stock Craftsman that I picked up years ago, on sale with SYW points every Holiday. I use them a few times then throw them on the repurpose pile.

I refuse to drop any more good money on any set that includes non-JIS Phillips (or non-diamond Phillips screwdrivers), or those awful cabinet-tip straight screwdrivers that are designed to cam-out.

A few of the Wiha's linked here have proper parallel tip straights. Too bad they didn't do that with all their straights.

I'm buying screwdrivers individually now, or in small sets. Lately I've been rounding out my mini screwdriver sets with Wiha's. Meanwhile for larger stuff my Chapmans are getting more use than ever. But replaceable bit screwdrivers don't always fit everywhere, so I just buy JIS or parallel tip screwdrivers individually.

 

[Hollow Idol Eyes]

If you like soft grips, Wiha SoftFinish and Vessel Megadora are good. I've found the elastomer material on those drivers to be a lot more durable than the rubbery cushion on Craftsman Pros and Kleins.

Although, if you you work around solvents, I'd recommend a hard handle, like Wiha MicroFinish, Williams black hard handle, or Proto DuraTek. Out of these, the Wiha MicroFinish is my favorite; that's what I use most. For Phillips fitment, any of these (including Vessel) are very reliable.

 

[pgray007]

Anyone use Facom? The internet seems agog with them. The Wera “Big Pack 900” seems like a decent setup.

I’m in the good (or bad depending on how you look at it) stage of life where I’ve got limited time but decent finding, so don’t mind dropping a few bucks on a tool that will make working in the garage more enjoyable, and screwdrivers are such a core tool.

Thanks for all the ideas this far. I’ll get some pics of the cman set I have that a new set would be replacing.


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[kythri]

What Craftsman Pro drivers are you talking about? Got any pictures?

Still curious what variant of the Craftsman pro's you're referring to - there were at least two or three styles. Wondering what I may have to look forward to.

 

[stercorarius]

Putting in my two cents for wera. Used to be a Klein guy because I worked around the trades and that was a staple in everyone's gear. Bought a set of wera kraftforms that were on sale for like $20 and bought a set of the ones with the striking caps when they went on sale too. Amazon and Sears seem to have them for cheap all the time. Best screwdriver set you can get for $20 imho.

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[Tonyuk]

Anyone use Facom? The internet seems agog with them. The Wera “Big Pack 900” seems like a decent setup.

I had a set off Primetools here in the UK a few years ago, they were good but not exactly special for the price. Its when i started replacing some of them with the Wera drivers that i decided to buy kraftfrom from then on.

If you can get them for a good price then go for them, if not just get any other decent make.

 

[Zewnten]

I use the Carlyle brand. Only thing is the tips are magnetic and they are soft grip but i like the wrench assist on the shaft if the screw is really stuck.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I had a set off Primetools here in the UK a few years ago, they were good but not exactly special for the price. Its when i started replacing some of them with the Wera drivers that i decided to buy kraftfrom from then on.

If you can get them for a good price then go for them, if not just get any other decent make.

Agreed,

NOTHING grips a screw like Wera LaserTips. What's great about them is the basic 6 driver set is under $40.00.

 

[Mr_B]

+1 on williams, they superb for the money, I got a 19pc set (under $7 a piece) and these just like the old snapon hard handles that I grew up with and loved .
Is a tool gem and tool bargain .

 

[stercorarius]

Deal on the weras.
https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-105650-kraftform-plus-slotted-phillips-screwdriver-set-rack/

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[oldldh]

I really wanted the 50+ piece set of Craftsman Professionals (Photos 1, 2, and 3...)

But they went away, just about the time I got around to looking...

So...

I bought Proto Yellow Handle Professionals (Photos 4 and 5 (my screwdriver drawer))...

I'm extremely happy with them...

Alas --- They to have gone the way of the "Honest Politician", too...

The Proto Duratech Drivers (Photo 6) have a lot of fans...

But...

I think the Tekton set (Photo 7) is the mostest for the leastest...

 

[pgray007]

Finally remembered to take a pic of what’s happening to my lightly used “pro” craftsman’s screwdrivers.







This is after pretty light use over about 10 years. I wish I could claim bone crushing hand strength that destroys plastic grips, but I have the hand strength of a little girl so that’s not the issue, and these get far lighter use than a “real” mechanic.

I did grab a pair of Wera torx drivers that were on sale on Amazon and like the cut of their jib, so may grab some more if I can find a good BF sale. For reasons I don’t fully understand eBay seems all aflutter over the Cman screwdrivers so hopefully I can recoup the cost of the replacements.


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[Fedwrench]

The handle cracks aren't from use. I have an 8 piece set still in the plastic that cracked like that.
I blamed it on the heat here initially but, i think it may be a bad mix of the handle material.
You could always fill the crack with jb weld/bondo if you really liked the screwdrivers
Me, i just reach for Proto or one of my German brands. If you can find the NAPA German made blue/yellow screwdrivers online at a closeout place, those are some very nice screwdrivers.

 

[pgray007]

The handle cracks aren't from use. I have an 8 piece set still in the plastic that cracked like that.
I blamed it on the heat here initially but, i think it may be a bad mix of the handle material.
You could always fill the crack with jb weld/bondo if you really liked the screwdrivers
Me, i just reach for Proto or one of my German brands. If you can find the NAPA German made blue/yellow screwdrivers online at a closeout place, those are some very nice screwdrivers.

I blamed SC heat as well, but WTF, I can’t imagine every “pro” garage is air conditioned at 65F all summer. I don’t love the grips or tips so once I get replacements they’re headed for fleabay.


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[Mr_B]

+1 on williams, very nice drivers for general mechanical type work and few varying set selections.
Wera a good option if Williams not your thing or price .
Don't go too cheap or have pretty useless drivers .