Your Opinion about Craftsman Screwdriver Set?

[Tul]

I have the Husky version, diamond/magnetic tip and all, and like it. Would a second set for school of this one, about the same price as Husky, be good? I can't tell where it's made.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-p...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[The Fall]

Scroll down to the Q&A on Sears' site. China.

I've never met anyone from California who's refered to the state as "Cali." Just sayin'.

I'd go grab Kleins at Home Depot.

 

[The Fall]

FYI: The screwdrivers from Sears everyone liked (and for good reason) were the CMan Pros, made by WF. Those flew out of the Outlets about two years ago. WF Cman screwdrivers (the clear ones everyone knows) were good. They did the job and you could beat on them with a hammer, chisel-like, and use them as a prybar and not feel bad about it. I wouldn't buy any of the Chinese stuff. There are too many better options out there.

 

[measuredtwice]

I have the Husky version, diamond/magnetic tip and all, and like it. Would a second set for school of this one, about the same price as Husky, be good? I can't tell where it's made.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-p...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

The Husky/Craftsman/Harbor Freight set is garbage imho.

Pick up these for $17.79 ($20 before rebate) shipped free.
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...060-c-9158.htm?tid=-324891369330510646&ipos=2

 

[atomicpunk]

Using them around the house for maintenance and putting things together I say go for it. Using them everyday at work - pass.

 

[jd_1138]

You can never have enough screwdrivers. I keep a full set in the garage, house, shed, trunk. I'd probably stick to a better brand like Klein, Vaco, Felo, Wera, Wiha, Snap-On, Mac, etc..

Mine are mostly USA CM (Western Forge), Vaco, Powr-Kraft (Montgomery Ward -- Western Forge I think), but I do have a set of HF Pro ones (in the trunk). Main thing is have lots of screwdrivers in lots of places, and preferably better brands.

 

[mrspeed]

On all the screwdriver threads one read on here, these diamond tipped screwdrivers always get good reviews. The consensus is generally that these are one of the few tools Craftsman sells that are inexpensive and made in China, but actually good.

I've had this set for many years, and I like them quite a bit. Much of the cheap Craftsman stuff is ****, but I like these and still use them in the track box.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[kythri]

Yeah, when these "Extreme Grip" screwdrivers came out, there was TONS of discussion here, and, the general consensus of people who actually gave them a try was that they were pretty decent..

I've got a bunch of them, and they're good.

I do remember some discussion about the diamond tip treatment wearing off prematurely, but I haven't seen that happen on any of mine.

On the other hand, the clear acetate-handled Made in the USA drivers? Yeah, those are pretty universally derided for their weak tips.

 

[measuredtwice]

No real professional would use those screwdrivers. It's laughable that anyone would claim otherwise. I have an extra set. I haven't been able to get rid of them. If you were local, I'd trade you for a cheddar burger... not even asking for a double or fries to go with it.

 

[measuredtwice]

...I'd probably stick to a better brand like Klein, Vaco, Felo, Wera, Wiha, Snap-On, Mac, etc...

I'm not sure about Vaco... but I have the others and they are good recommendations. You might also look at Williams. They are similar to the Snap-On drivers.

PB Swiss is expensive but if you are in the mood to spend some cash, then toollady.com has 25% this weekend. Free shipping with $100... that's before coupon so you could get free shipping with $75.

 

[Wamsutta]

The new Huskys are pretty nice. The tips look well machined and the handles have a comfy shape covered in Santoprene; real sticky.

 

[Jtels85]

Those Diamond tip screwdriver sets can also be found at Auto Zone under the Duralast brand, and I found a set of Gearwrench diamond tip screwdrivers at Tractor Supply on clearance for $10. You can find a set on eBay for around $20. The blades and tips are the same as the Craftsman’s (Apex sourced), but the handles on the other brands are much more comfortable.

You’re asking what we think about Craftsman screwdrivers... so expect people to chime in and bash them while suggesting Snap On, Wera, Whia and Felo. There’s nothing wrong with the Craftsman set.

 

[yrly]

I like the extreme grip. I’ve got extreme grip, western forge regular and pro, the current copy of the western forge, evolve, another new design craftsman that just came out and I have not even tried yet. I found these to be not half bad. They don’t sell them individually outside of a set but I got extreme grip tips and hex keys in other sets and they’re quite nice you can use them with other handles if you don’t like the Craftsman ones. I think the set with them is like $50 but I think it’s discontinued, however our store still has a few so they may have them in different regions.

 

[measuredtwice]

If a dog turd was chromed in China and sold at Harbor Freight, there would be posts online recommending it. Made in China is heavily pushed online. You'll get plenty of bad advice online as well as some good. If you're going to earn a living using tools, you'll want to learn to recognize quality. The most important tool is between your ears.

 

[ARFLY]

I have several of them. I really like them. The extreme grips are much better than the WF made in USA acetate handle screwdrivers. They have been running a little over $12, but the current price is not to bad.

 

[jd_1138]

Those Diamond tip screwdriver sets can also be found at Auto Zone under the Duralast brand, and I found a set of Gearwrench diamond tip screwdrivers at Tractor Supply on clearance for $10. You can find a set on eBay for around $20. The blades and tips are the same as the Craftsman’s (Apex sourced), but the handles on the other brands are much more comfortable.

You’re asking what we think about Craftsman screwdrivers... so expect people to chime in and bash them while suggesting Snap On, Wera, Whia and Felo. There’s nothing wrong with the Craftsman set.

We aren't really bashing the CM set, but why spend 18 bucks on Chinese tools that are inferior to a set that you can get for only 20 buck more? Looking on Zoro Tools, I see Wera, Wiha, Proto, Bondhus, etc. sets for like 35 bucks.

I know most people don't really give a **** if their products are made by virtual slave labor in a s--t hole factory, but some of us care. We'd rather pay a little bit more for a better product that's made under more humane conditions.

Plus heck as DIYers, we are saving craploads of money by working on our own cars, houses, equipment, etc., so dropping a little more on better tools is sorta chump change.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have them and use them daily. I really like them. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they work. Seriously for the price you can't go wrong. I definitely give them a thumbs up.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I use that wood handle Felo set daily and love it!

 

[CJM8515]

Williams or bust

 

[rsparks64]

I have a few of those and like them. The handles are comfortable and provide a good grip. They are not as good as my old real craftsman, but I am not a professional and they work fine for me in the garage and around the house.

 

[rsanter]

I have the Husky version, diamond/magnetic tip and all, and like it. Would a second set for school of this one, about the same price as Husky, be good? I can't tell where it's made.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-p...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

I have just one of these that was from a warranty exchange.
I like it

 

[yrly]

I'm not sure about Vaco... but I have the others and they are good recommendations. You might also look at Williams. They are similar to the Snap-On drivers.

PB Swiss is expensive but if you are in the mood to spend some cash, then toollady.com has 25% this weekend. Free shipping with $100... that's before coupon so you could get free shipping with $75.

Vaco used to make an excellent screwdriver, not sure about their recent stuff

 

[joe_pinehill1]

You can never have enough screwdrivers. I keep a full set in the garage, house, shed, trunk. I'd probably stick to a better brand like Klein, Vaco, Felo, Wera, Wiha, Snap-On, Mac, etc..

Mine are mostly USA CM (Western Forge), Vaco, Powr-Kraft (Montgomery Ward -- Western Forge I think), but I do have a set of HF Pro ones (in the trunk). Main thing is have lots of screwdrivers in lots of places, and preferably better brands.

True. Screwdrivers are one tool everyone in the house seems to need and not always return.

 

[exmaxima1]

The quality is not bad, but I would not buy a set with such short shanks. You will find them difficult to see the tip when using them. The set I bought included very long shanks, and along with the diamond plated tips they are very useful for reaching into deep areas. Spend a little more for the bigger set.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you like them, and the price is right for you, get them.

I have a set that I got a couple of years ago on post christmas clearance for less than $10. They're fine. The only thing i remember reading about them when they first came out was that some people were having issues with the handle & blade separating. I can't find the post now but, with normal use, I think they'll be fine.

I'm sorry but, it's lately hard to ask about a specific tool here without waking the country of origin police, the brand loyalists, or people that just don't like your choice. It's good to have options to choose from but, often a question about a certain tool results in a torrent of other choices. It's not so much what I like but, what you like & how the screwdrivers fit your hands, etc. Good luck in your quest

 

[kythri]

I'm sorry but, it's lately hard to ask about a specific tool here without waking the country of origin police, the brand loyalists, or people that just don't like your choice. It's good to have options to choose from but, often a question about a certain tool results in a torrent of other choices. It's not so much what I like but, what you like & how the screwdrivers fit your hands, etc. Good luck in your quest

You ain't kidding.

 

[measuredtwice]

Vaco used to make an excellent screwdriver, not sure about their recent stuff

I agree. Some of the old stuff was good. I assume he's buying new and I'm just not familiar with their new stuff.

I'm sorry but, it's lately hard to ask about a specific tool here without waking the country of origin police, the brand loyalists

Is the person who recommends a dozen brands from the USA, Germany, and Japan a loyalist? Not really. Or is the person who always recommends Made in China (even if it's not cheapest) a loyalist? I think so. Where is their loyalty? To China rather than quality or price?

or people that just don't like your choice.

"Waking" people who just don't like your choice is what you want if you want to learn. If you just want people to pat you on the back, then you post in the new arrivals topic.

Not one person has mentioned that chrome shafts will hold up much better than the chalky black paint on these drivers. Not one person has mentioned that abrasive tipped drivers won't be suitable for soft fasteners like brass and leaving no foot print on your work. While anti-cam out drivers are useful on stubborn screws, you do not want them as your only drivers. Lots of other reasons not to buy these drivers also, including poor fit. And they are not even the best price. The German ones that I posted were even a little less with free shipping.

Don't give the OP the wrong advices -->

 

[visionguru]

The Husky/Craftsman/Harbor Freight set is garbage imho.

Pick up these for $17.79 ($20 before rebate) shipped free.
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...060-c-9158.htm?tid=-324891369330510646&ipos=2

Craftsman/Husky drivers are the same as Harbor Freight drivers to you? I thought Craftsman clear handles were quite decent screw drivers. I don't like Harbor Freight screwdrivers, not because they don't work (or garbage), but because I can't get over with some obviously flaws in the workmanship of the handles. Brands from Craftsman, Husky, Menards, Lowes are clearly a level above in terms of workmanship.

I have the exact Felo set you recommended. They look great with features like the nut and the passing through blade, and "made in Germany". The workmanship of the wood handle is good, though very slippery. IMHO, this Felo set is not quality drivers: 2 of the blade have a slight movement that you won't find in plastic handled ones, 1 of the blade is slightly off center. The worst part, they are made of CR-MO steel, instead of common CR-V steel. The tips don't seem to be machined well, no bite.

After stripping a screw head with Felo, I down graded them to chisel/car brake pry bar.

If a dog turd was chromed in China and sold at Harbor Freight, there would be posts online recommending it. Made in China is heavily pushed online. You'll get plenty of bad advice online as well as some good. If you're going to earn a living using tools, you'll want to learn to recognize quality. The most important tool is between your ears.

When a person thinks: "unregistered foreign agents" are constantly trolling him, there might be other little voices between his ears.

COO is a 1st world problem, when you have the extra money and options. For other people, they just want tools they can afford.

....
Is the person who recommends a dozen brands from the USA, Germany, and Japan a loyalist? Not really. Or is the person who always recommends Made in China (even if it's not cheapest) a loyalist? I think so. Where is their loyalty? To China rather than quality or price?
.....

Money saved can go to local businesses, local contractors, traveling, investment..... That's not as loyal as spending them on small gadgets?

For OP, the Craftsman set seems decent. You might want to feel the handle in a store first before making the purchase.

 

[pstemari]

My experience with US made Craftsman clear handled screwdrivers has been less than stellar. In fact, I managed to actually twist the blade on one in a particularly tightly stuck screw. I just kept turning the handle and the screw kept staying in place and the shaft of the screwdriver twisted 90°.

I've since replaced them with Proto Duratek.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[yrly]

My experience with US made Craftsman clear handled screwdrivers has been less than stellar. In fact, I managed to actually twist the blade on one in a particularly tightly stuck screw. I just kept turning the handle and the screw kept staying in place and the shaft of the screwdriver twisted 90°.

I've since replaced them with Proto Duratek.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I never had an issue with them as far as the USA ones go. I got the chinese variety in the largest set around Black Friday last year for $11 but I put them in my wife’s toolbag for her car so I’ve only used them once or twice. I can’t really draw a comparison. I do have a set of the Chinese ones in hex heads which so far have been ok but I mainly use them for disassembly of electronics which isn’t really all that demanding.

My biggest gripe was always the handle feel, I just don’t care for it. I mean it’s better than the squared off harbor freight ones or those ones with the cheap rubber sleeve like grip, but plenty of other screwdrivers feel better.

I just popped open a new Craftsman variety from Sears that basically look like red handled evolve. They seem like they’re just a better made and finished versions of those. I guess we will see how they fare with some use.

 

[B17E1943]

Scroll down to the Q&A on Sears' site. China.

I've never met anyone from California who's refered to the state as "Cali." Just sayin'.

I'd go grab Kleins at Home Depot.

Born & bred here - I call it Kommifornia.

 

[dledinger]

Very true that the old professionals were decent, but I won’t buy Chinese craftsman out of principle.

For non-US made screwdrivers, the Gearwrench are decent.