Urrea 9600RH Red handled screwdriver set

[wvrrcarknocker]

I have been putting together a basic kit of tools to keep in the truck for both working on vehicles at home and roadside emergencies. I tend to buy tools made in the US whenever possible, buy\t quality is my #1 concern. Recently, home depot has been carrying the Urrea brand of hand tools online, made in Mexico using old Proto designs, so I decided to give them a try. They seem to be good quality and a bargain for north american manufactured tools. The handles are trilobular, casting lines are not cleaned off but that's okay. Plastic feels a little slippery but might rough up okay with a little sandpaper. Chrome is bright and flawless as far as I can see. The tips are black oxide. All in all, I am very satisfied for what twenty bucks got me. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Here is the link should you be inclined to get a set of your own.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/URREA-Re...src=17588969&gclid=CM7juuqOxcUCFRCnaQod9GMACA

 

[devoncoolman]

Looks like a copy of the older witte design. I have a few old mac branded witte drivers that look identical.

 

[jvitez]

For $20 they look way better than the average Chinese brand which is all Home Depot sells here in Canada. I searched around the USA Home Depot site, and the yellow handled Urrea set looks quite nice too.

Please post back once you've used them for a while to see how the tips wear.

 

[SMKS]

I've owned a few Urrea tools, but I don't keep up on their new products very well.

Are these a newer release? Last time I checked I think they mainly had the copies of the old Proto drivers.

 

[superautobacs]

Looks like a copy of the older witte design. I have a few old mac branded witte drivers that look identical.

Indeed!

 

[oldldh]

If they want to copy old Proto designs...

They should copy these...

Proto Yellow Handle Professional Classics...

 

[Fedwrench]

Thanks for sharing.

I saw those on the website and was curious about them.

What Phillips sizes are included in the set? Are there beefier flat tips?

 

[wvrrcarknocker]

oldldh, they have.

 

[oldldh]

Well, the "copies" are close...

Very close...

But they ain't the same...

The Yellow Handles can be found if one is diligent, in one's search...

Harry Epstein has a few left...

 

[wornoutoldman]

^^^^Want!

 

[oldldh]

My screwdriver drawer...

36 Proto Yellow Handle Classic Professionals....

I'm a happy camper...

Amazon used to have the 19 pc set (The Box) available for $ 90.00ish...

Harry Epstein had an 18 piece set for $ 65.00...

www.store.harryepstein.com/search?q=proto+screwdriver+set

 

[littletoes]

Urrea is the Mexican version of PROTO, isn't it?

 

[SMKS]

Urrea is the Mexican version of PROTO, isn't it?

Not really.

Urrea is an independent tool company. They used to be associated with Proto's parent company but now they aren't.

Many of their tools have been copies of older Proto tools, but that seems to be changing. They've been releasing new ratchets and other tools recently that aren't Proto copies.

 

[SMKS]

Well, the "copies" are close...

Very close...

But they ain't the same...

The Yellow Handles can be found if one is diligent, in one's search...

Harry Epstein has a few left...

You are talking about a series offered by Proto drivers that use the word "classic" in the name. They still seem to be for sale from a good number of places if you google.

The other people are talking about classic (as in vintage) Proto drivers. The yellow Urrea drivers shown above are in fact copies of the old Proto drivers.

Here are some older Proto drivers like the ones still offered by Urrea.

 

[Sine Swept]

Most of the Proto tools I have were purchased at a local metal recycler that happens to have a small retail store. It is all kinds of odds and sods, however I have made out with multiple pairs of side cutters as well as 4-5 of these yellow hard handles. I managed to improve my collection at a local electronics supplier that has a small selection of hand tools.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Not really.

Urrea is an independent tool company. They used to be associated with Proto's parent company but now they aren't.

Many of their tools have been copies of older Proto tools, but that seems to be changing. They've been releasing new ratchets and other tools recently that aren't Proto copies.

Did not know this. So Urrea is now not associated with Proto anymore, but can still make use of their older designs? Or not? I have some Urrea from the past that was good quality. The $20 screwdriver set above looks like a good deal. But very curious about Urrea today and what relationships they have today and with who. - Paul

 

[Monte]

Witte-Urrea is a joint venture between Witte and Urrea to manufacture screwdrivers in Mexico (est. 2001)

(Destornilladores)
http://www.urrea.com/home/infraestructuram.php

 

[LordPsychon]

If the tips don't twist or shear, I'd consider buying it - I have some old Stanleys (well, 10 years old) that are still going strong, a couple of USA Kobalts that are going strong, a handful of HDX drivers that I use for low torque applications (read: never), and several not-sure-where-they're-from drivers of varying quality. I'd like to standardize my sets and this may fit the bill nicely.

 

[shoggoth80]

Been considering these myself. The amount of tools I need available for home use are limited to such activities as basic automotive work, fetching parts at pick-n-pulls, and general house work. I get issued tools at work, but I have realized that I have 2 ok phillips drivers, and one so-so flat head, and the rest are all cheap-o's.

What seems to be an ok set, in their own roll for organization... I'm game. I've got some old Proto stuff at work that I beat the snot out of. It holds up.

 

[bonneyman]

My screwdriver drawer...

36 Proto Yellow Handle Classic Professionals....

I'm a happy camper...

Amazon used to have the 19 pc set (The Box) available for $ 90.00ish...

Harry Epstein had an 18 piece set for $ 65.00...

www.store.harryepstein.com/search?q=proto+screwdriver+set

Another thumbs-up for the old Proto design. My (fairly current) set of classic Betrgrips:

 

[HandToolGuy]

Urrea is the Mexican version of PROTO, isn't it?

Proto and Urrea have not been "related" since 1984.
When Stanley bought Proto in 84 we did not buy the facilities in Mexico. We still have some part numbers that are similar but that is all.

There are two yellow screwdrivers styles that came from Proto. The older style handle was made in Portland, OR. The newer ones you that were recently discontinued were made in Cheraw, SC.

FYI... I was around in 84 when Stanley bought Proto. I came with the sale and have been w/ Stanley ever since

 

[jvitez]

Has the OP had a chance to develop an opinion of these Urrea drivers?

 

[PFSard]

Has the OP had a chance to develop an opinion of these Urrea drivers?

You might want to PM the OP. According to his public profile, his last activity was early September.

 

[jvitez]

Good point. I was asking more out of general curiosity though, and so other GJ members could find out what the OP thinks. I see many "What's a good quality but inexpensive screwdriver" posts, so if this Urrea set fits the bill and is available easily at Home Depot, it might be what quite a few gents are looking for.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Good point. I was asking more out of general curiosity though, and so other GJ members could find out what the OP thinks. I see many "What's a good quality but inexpensive screwdriver" posts, so if this Urrea set fits the bill and is available easily at Home Depot, it might be what quite a few gents are looking for.

I would be interested in hearing thoughts on the set. Cheap enough to stomach and interesting since it is Urrea.