Replace Craftsman Pro screwdriver set with???

[tojan19]

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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I've got a set of 20 of those craftsman screwdrivers and I've only had that happen to one of them. If I had it happen to a bunch, I'd be a little more concerned. Not worth upgrading for me at the time. If it was just one or two of mine, I'd fill the cracks with epoxy.

 

[Skeptic68W]

You can send all those cracked Cman Pros to me, I'll use em.

 

[mmason7764]

Pgray,

Since everyone has different hands and needs your evaluation should include:

- do you use them in oily / greasy service? This will narrow down your choices.

- what size are your hands ? Hand size difference explains a lot of preferences voiced on the forum. As an example, I have size XL hands, and one of the best screwdrivers available, Proto Duratechs, don't fit me well. Really want to, but can't get used to them. A little bigger around and they would be great for me.

- do you like round, 3 lobed, square, or the lumpy ergo grips? These are quite different feeling in use.

Something that I find peculiar is there is usually 3 or 4 fifferent handle sizes in any given set. When I come across a smaller screw, I don't usually have the option to use smaller hands. Klein gets this right. From pictures looks like Snap On instincts and Vessel Megadoras do as well.

I have not run into the Tecktons yet. Anyone know who makes them ?

Mark

 

[gayler]

I’m looking into new drivers as well. Have you bought any yet? If so, what did you get and how do you like them?

 

[PugetDude]

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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Post them here on the GJ before offering them up to the unwashed masses on eBay...Quite a few members here trying to fill or complete their sets.

 

[four.cycle]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone have anything good, bad, or otherwise to say about Wilde screwdrivers?
Reason I ask is that they've got some on a close-out on their website - 9 pieces for $25 bucks = $2.77 each (and presumably plus shipping.)

Worth a damn?
(Gotta be better than the Craftsman clear-handle models that were given to me, yes? No?)

 

[mmason7764]

Those Wilde drivers on close out look like Pratt Read products, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[pgray007]

I’m looking into new drivers as well. Have you bought any yet? If so, what did you get and how do you like them?

Got some Weras on sale and like them, so I bought some more from Amazon.de as some of the German tools are way cheaper, and shipping is 7 EUR on the slow boat.

I really like them, with my only complaint being that the handles are sized to the bit, so in the Torx set there are like 3-4 different sized handles. The big ones feel great, a little less so for the smaller handles. I'm not sure if this is the case in the phillips and flat as those look to have similar grip sizes in the pictures.

 

[zktk01]

If I had to do it over I would just get a JIS drivers from Vessell or any other Japanese screwdriver manufacturer. JIS works great in Phillips, but not the other way around.

 

[chaddles623]

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...

SK makes the same Screwdrivers as the Red & Black Craftsman Professional Screwdrivers you posted pictures of, I really like them also, the only difference is that color, SK Green. Very nice Harry J Epstein stocks them and so does Clark's Tools here in Kansas City & online.

Sent from my LGMP450 using Tapatalk

 

[chaddles623]

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...

Here is a picture of the SK Screwdrivers just like the Craftsman Professional Screwdrivers

Sent from my LGMP450 using Tapatalk

 

[Here2Learn]

I have one Craftsman Professional that came new with the crack in the handle. It was in the same place as the one shown in the picture.

 

[johndeereman]

Carlyle or Williams

 

[kythri]

Here is a picture of the SK Screwdrivers just like the Craftsman Professional Screwdrivers

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The sad part about those screwdrivers, at least compared to the Craftsman, is that the size ranges are missing some of what was available with the Craftsman.

The matching Armstrong drivers (blue, instead of red or green) are worse - nowhere near the offering of the Craftsman.

Then, of course, there's the price delta.

 

[crewchief888]

my go to screwdrivers are old hard handle snap-on, followed by old hard handle SK and mac...

yea i prefer hard handles...

 

[mikebaker1129]

The crack in the handle must be a batch of bad material.
Have you thought about contacting Ideal and asking ?

 

[bulletpruf]

Bumping an old thread. I have Snap On Instinct - soft grip. Have served me well for about 10 years, but they're getting worn out.

I'm looking for a new kit - 20 pieces or so - with large soft handles. I have XL hands, so the small handles don't work for me. And I prefer soft handles to hard plastic.

Here's what I'm looking at -

20 piece Wiha for about $100. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T9XUI6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And 12 piece Wera kraftform for around $100. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ7L8EA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Anyone have any recommendations on these or similar?

Thanks!

Scott

 

[PugetDude]

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

Why would you replace failed Craftsman Pro Screwdrivers with anything sold by Sears? After they cornholed everyone who bought Craftsman tools with a lifetime warranty replacement (For many of us, there are no Sears stores left to honor the warranty) no way I'd buy from Wiha (or any other tool brand) from them...
YMMV

 

[uncwstudent]

I actually converted from Wera to Wiha and I love them. Very comfortable in the hand and I felt like the Wera tips tended to wear out. The old SK blue handled (French made) drivers are great too!

 

[jsmeece]

I have both, a few Wera and a set of Wiha, I tend to agree the Wiha tips do seem to hold up better. I would by Wiha again, Wera, probably not.

 

[Tinner]

Bumping an old thread. I have Snap On Instinct - soft grip. Have served me well for about 10 years, but they're getting worn out.
Scott

Why don't you warranty them? That way new screwdrivers will cost you $0.

 

[xin]

CRAFTSMAN is goin to be building NEW PLANT - just wait.

 

[rick carpenter]

Milwaukee's latest with cushion grip handles. They work well with my older, less grippy hands (sigh...).

<img src="https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=845936&d=1546226134" alt="attachment.php (677×1000)"/>

 

[bulletpruf]

I ended up getting this set - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ATOSNK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sberry]

I throw the stuff away as it gets worn and grab up a couple new in HF or similar as I need new ones.

 

[Legion Prime]

I've been really liking the Felo and Vessel myself lately. The Vessel don't look like they've got that much grip but they aren't bad and I like the bulk of the handle, great for bigger hands. Fleet Farm has a basic Felo set that's cheap enough to be disposable. The handles aren't soft and grippy but the shape isn't bad even in the hard plastic.
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/felo-5-pc-slotted-phillips-screwdriver-set/0000000078681

 

[yellow wagon]

Williams hard handles. Awesome screwdrivers!!