Thorsen screwdrivers

[alohavw]

Does anyone have any opinions on these screwdrivers from Costco?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...11&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[NOMAD]

I have a single thorsen phillips and it's lasted fine with home use for years.

I have no other experience with them. It's a bit worn now but it's still the go-to when I don't want to strip a hard screw. Comfortable grip too.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I would take a pass on anything new wearing the Thorsen name these days. The last decent quality Thorsen tools made were sold no later than the early 1980's at most, perhaps even a few years before. The same thing happened to them as Industro, the entire product line was shipped across the pond with no more quality tools wearing those names ever seeing the light of day again! Anyway, you asked my opinion so there it is.

 

[old salvage]

I would take a pass on anything new wearing the Thorsen name these days. The last decent quality Thorsen tools made were sold no later than the early 1980's at most, perhaps even a few years before. The same thing happened to them as Industro, the entire product line was shipped across the pond with no more quality tools wearing those names ever seeing the light of day again! Anyway, you asked my opinion so there it is.

Interesting.
I know Indestro stopped production around 1990 but did they make things oveseas before then ?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Interesting.
I know Indestro stopped production around 1990 but did they make things oveseas before then ?

In honesty I cannot tell you the exact year their production went out of country, I can only say that the last few years Industro was sold here I think the entire product line was nothing but cheap import stuff, which is a real shame. Their old American made tools were quality tools I have a few bits and pieces of the old quality stuff and I really enjoy using it.

 

[old salvage]

hholmberg
Ditto. The few tools by Duro chrome and Indestro that I have are good. In particular A 1/2 inch drive Duro Chrome ratchet from the late 30's. The thing was allowed to rust so badly it was good for nothing but maybe a doorstop when I got it. It was completely frozen. I de rusted it and now it works fine. I bet a lot of modern tools wouldnt recover from that much neglect.
Anyway if you say they went down the crapper then at the flea market i will now look over used Duro Indestro stuff a little more carefully.
thanks.

 

[Uncle Buck]

hholmberg
Ditto. The few tools by Duro chrome and Indestro that I have are good. In particular A 1/2 inch drive Duro Chrome ratchet from the late 30's. The thing was allowed to rust so badly it was good for nothing but maybe a doorstop when I got it. It was completely frozen. I de rusted it and now it works fine. I bet a lot of modern tools wouldnt recover from that much neglect.
Anyway if you say they went down the crapper then at the flea market i will now look over used Duro Indestro stuff a little more carefully.
thanks.

I buy many of my hand tools used and have for years; it is still easy to find the good quality old stuff if you have a good eye for it.

 

[Coach James]

I have several old (USA Made)Thorson wrenches and sockets that are A+ good. The only place I see the new Taiwan made Thorson stuff being sold is in Big Lots. Those screwdrivers look nice, but I have no idea how they would perform.

Coach

 

[Danglerb]

I dug around in some old toolboxes, idea being to set one up as Plumbing, one as computer stuff, etc. and found a Thorsen Torx I bought my guess is 10 years ago. Its a handle with a two headed holder insert and a two headed Torx in each end. Lots of surface rust, and everything else in the box was fine.

 

[eschoendorff]

For the $$$, there are better, more reputable brand screwdrivers out there to be had. I would pass....

 

[alohavw]

For the $$$, there are better, more reputable brand screwdrivers out there to be had. I would pass....

I'm gonna pass on these and go get the Craftsman Pro's when they go on sale for half price again.