richfinn
Well-known member
Maybe not as much demand for them, now cordless electric screwdrivers have become so popular
USA made ratcheting screwdrivers?
- Thread starter Dzmax77
- Start date
Maybe not as much demand for them, now cordless electric screwdrivers have become so popular
bassbone52
Well-known member
The Proto stripped out on me. I would look elsewhere.
I think I found another USA made ratcheting screwdriver. Snap On (Williams and other variants), Proto and now Klenk Tools.
They offer a ratcheting screwdriver with a speed gear.
https://klenk.everhard.com/products/da86450-16-in-1-multidriver/
They offer a ratcheting screwdriver with a speed gear.
https://klenk.everhard.com/products/da86450-16-in-1-multidriver/
Attachments
Im not too sure about that. There are many being made and sold for almost all consumer DIY brands. Probably has something to do with labor costs.
Last edited:
Dave455
Well-known member
Well, as you have correctly pointed out, there are ratcheting screwdrivers made in the U.S, Germany, Japan and Canada. There are also other countries, such as France and Switzerland (PB Swiss make probably the smoothest ratcheting screwdriver out there) so I don’t think it’s true to say that China and Taiwan have monopolised production.
China and Taiwan are pretty much the cheapest game in town though, and they make it very easy for companies to rebrand the tools produced there. Given the minimal costs of producing the tools, there’s an easy profit for an importer that isn’t too choosy about quality, or is selling to a customer base who aren’t.
The solution, if you don’t like the crappy stuff, is to simply not buy it. This is where forums such as Garage Journal are incredibly useful as enthusiasts can share information about other options. Here’s a PB Swiss -
Attachments
Last edited:
Yes, there are some produced in other countries but it’s not about options as much as it is about why there are only 2-3 manufacturers in the US making them (and I’d argue it’s basically Snap On making them in a considerable volume) when we have several premium tool manufacturers here in the US that don’t. Wright, and SK don’t offer one (Ideal imports from Taiwan); Proto imports from Taiwan in addition to making the J9320 (which doesn’t have positive reviews); Mac, Cornwell, Klein and Matco imports from Taiwan as well. Then you have the DIY average consumer grade brands like Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Stanley, BluePoint that all source from China and Taiwan. Even foreign brands like Bahco, Wiha source from Taiwan as well.
So Im just curious, why in the past 10 years we went from Armstrong/Matco/SpecTools and many other companies making this tool type to a few today. Is production that difficult and labor intensive? Or, have Asian companies filed patents to secure production of a cheaper variant?
Just seems like with the success MegaPro and RolGear are having, selling at a decent price point, that a companies like Ideal and Klein wouldn’t try to make one on their own.
RoundedNut
Well-known member
MegaPro and Rolgear are two of the best ratcheting drivers. I find it interesting that MegaPro makes all their screwdrivers in the USA except for the ratcheting ones, which are made in Canada.
I believe their patents are expired or expiring now so I see brands like Gedore use Rolgear's design: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07S2YCRCX/
I just don't think there is manufacturing capability and interest in the USA. Snappy is just milking an old design, similar to how Chapman and Lang are still make old sheet metal bit ratchets.
I believe their patents are expired or expiring now so I see brands like Gedore use Rolgear's design: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07S2YCRCX/
I just don't think there is manufacturing capability and interest in the USA. Snappy is just milking an old design, similar to how Chapman and Lang are still make old sheet metal bit ratchets.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I have the Megapro Automotive, but the version that uses double-ended ball detent bits. The ratcheting system is very good, and it is becoming my go-to screwdriver at work.
I may get the standard bit version, since I prefer magnetic bit holders. In either case, the self-contained bit storage is nice and works well. The end cap also spins, which can be handy if you are palming it.
The Ideal collet-type driver mentioned earlier is nice, but it isn't ratcheting. It is made by Pratt-Read, which is an Ideal Industries company. The bits appear to be pretty good, but hard to get out of the block. They also fit a little deep into the holder, though power bits fit perfectly. I found that some double-ended bits also fit. A magnetic bit holder makes thing easier, though that sort of defeats the purpose.
I should also note that Pratt-Read makes the USA-made Tekton screwdrivers.
Great Neck offers a few ratcheting screwdrivers, but I believe they are imported. They do make regular screwdrivers in the USA. The Kobalt acetate-handle screwdrivers are made by them. They are decent, but not nearly as good as anything made by Pratt-Read/Ideal, Williams/Snap-On or Klein.
I may get the standard bit version, since I prefer magnetic bit holders. In either case, the self-contained bit storage is nice and works well. The end cap also spins, which can be handy if you are palming it.
The Ideal collet-type driver mentioned earlier is nice, but it isn't ratcheting. It is made by Pratt-Read, which is an Ideal Industries company. The bits appear to be pretty good, but hard to get out of the block. They also fit a little deep into the holder, though power bits fit perfectly. I found that some double-ended bits also fit. A magnetic bit holder makes thing easier, though that sort of defeats the purpose.
I should also note that Pratt-Read makes the USA-made Tekton screwdrivers.
Great Neck offers a few ratcheting screwdrivers, but I believe they are imported. They do make regular screwdrivers in the USA. The Kobalt acetate-handle screwdrivers are made by them. They are decent, but not nearly as good as anything made by Pratt-Read/Ideal, Williams/Snap-On or Klein.
Milking indeed. I have the Williams version and really want a stubby one. I also like the Armstrong gearless made by SpecTools in the Us; I have both long and stubby versions.
I also have the Craftsman USA megapro gearless ratcheting but its nowhere near as good. Sometimes the mechanism skips and doesn’t engage when helpfnat a certain angle. Since it has the same design with bit holder I think it was made by MegaPro.
Yes, I would bet great neck imports. Does great neck make anything in the US anymore other than their saws...?
Menards master force’s screwdrivers are still made by Pratt & Reed and are a decent deal. Next time Im there Im getting their hex screwdriver set.
That Ideal ratcheting screwdriver looks like the same Taiwanese made driver sold by Klein, Channellock and some others.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0925QWW5J/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Last edited:
If you're in the market for a stubby, check out the Williams stubby T-handle.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNUUG2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Edit: Also, how did those Armstrong shafts work out from Cripe? Are they a good fit in the handle? Any wobble or play? Do they stay in pretty good?
Hey! Yes, they work great! I got the 6 and 9 inch. Magnet holds them in place nicely. And actually after some additional digging, I found those same shafts on Spec Tools website.
I added that T ratcheting driver to my Amazon cart like 20 times but always end up deciding against it because I want the snap on stubby. Hoping to find one on Ebay or on sale somewhere. I don’t own anything Snap On so it would be nice to have at least one in my tool drawer...
