Very General question, Screwdrivers?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 745
Likes: 66
From: Hutto Texas
One brand that has not been mentioned is Husky from Home Depot. I have some of their screw drivers and they are just as good as Craftsman in my opinion. However I have had one of their socket sets with 3/8 and 1/4 sockets and drivers for almost 13 years. The red plastic case has seen better days but is still holding up. I use them all the time, both drivers are original and still work perfectly, even the chrome on everything is in good shape minus normal wear. Plus there seem to be a lot more Home Depot's around than Sears stores.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Most people don't know this but Phillips head screws and torx head screw are a patented design and only Snap-on owns the rights to make a driver that fits them perfectly. All others are just close enough. Kind of like how after market and reproduction parts for our cars just barely fit.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 704
Likes: 10
From: Blairsville Ga
Just got back from my local sears and they do not carry the professional screwdrivers. They are privately owned and not many people around here want to spend 100 bucks on a set of screw drivers. I'll check out Klein and the Huskys at Home Depot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I make my living turning wrenches. Some items such as craftsman tools screwdrivers are perfectly fine. I have many in my home tool box, and a few in my work box. I have yet to destroy any craftsman screwdriver used in a proper manor. I also recommend getting a good quality magnetic screwdriver with replacable apex bits for your philips and torx tips. Tips wear out too, but are easily replaced. Gear wrench makes a decent one. I still have many of my snap-on screwdrivers that I bought nearly 30 yrs ago. But I mainly reach for my snap-on magnetic tip screwdriver.
Wrenches and sockets in my tool boxes are filled with snap-on (superior grip) bonney, and even craftman in the larger sizes, snap-on prices are really pricey on large stuff, and frankly I dont use sizes much larger than 7/8" too much. Spend money on the 1/4" & 3/8" drive sockets, these are going to be used 90% of the time and are prone to high wear.
Whatever you do, avoid the hand tools from harbor freight. Plain junk.
Wrenches and sockets in my tool boxes are filled with snap-on (superior grip) bonney, and even craftman in the larger sizes, snap-on prices are really pricey on large stuff, and frankly I dont use sizes much larger than 7/8" too much. Spend money on the 1/4" & 3/8" drive sockets, these are going to be used 90% of the time and are prone to high wear.
Whatever you do, avoid the hand tools from harbor freight. Plain junk.
Sorry, but that is plain BS.....I have a 1/4-3/8 ratchet with extendable handle on a pull collar like a air hose, black and red plastic handle that I dearly love 1/4 on one side 3/8 on the other I reach for it far before my Snap 3/8 or 1/4 if I have the room for the large handle....I bought it for like 8 bux on sale....sure I not a line mechanic but it's been great for some time now, and I a heavy mechanic doing stuff every damn day...even retired, get friends all the time calling...
and you are correct about the 1/4 and 3/8 all the time...my 1/2 deep well TAIWAN from a store up north 25 years ago are still in use on my Ingersoll impact.....they even stay on the impact driver ALL of them...go figger....
Sears is good for ONE thing, convenience, and nothing else....IMO to buy Sears chrome tools at hock shops and flea markets/yard sales.... the new Sears stuff is JUNK for many reasons...ONE of which is that irritating trick of the 1/2 depth to insert a socket and have it fall off as being 45* out of position to go fully home....it's a new innovation with them, and so to never buy another Sears socket....try working with them one time....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
I don't think the Craftsman screwdrivers are as well made as they were when I bought my set. It seems like every time I take one back, the replacement isn't as good as the one I turned in. These are NOT the professional series. In fact I didn't know there was a professional series until I read this thread. I don't recall seeing them in our local stores. The good thing is there is never a problem getting a new one. It just seems like they don't last as long. And I have bent the tips of some of them while using them in the proper manner and nobody would ever mistake me for Arnold Schwartenegger in his prime.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Bradenton Florida
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Craftsman! I just went through my box the other day as I realized my drivers were getting pretty beat up. Some abused, some just plain worn out. Took them back to my local Sears hardware store, went to the aisle picked up all of the replacements ( about 12 ) and went through the check out in about 2 minutes, no questions, no hassels! Looked at the reciept and I just exchanged about $85.00 in used tools for new! That is why the majority of my tools are Craftsman! 
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: Watkins Glen New York
I don't have screwdriver sets in my tool box anymore.
I have two heavy duty handles (and a stubby) that accept a huge assortment of hex shanked bits in every style and size.
It all fits in a small drawer and the tips are less expensive to replace than an entire screwdriver.
I have two heavy duty handles (and a stubby) that accept a huge assortment of hex shanked bits in every style and size.
It all fits in a small drawer and the tips are less expensive to replace than an entire screwdriver.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Craftsman! I just went through my box the other day as I realized my drivers were getting pretty beat up. Some abused, some just plain worn out. Took them back to my local Sears hardware store, went to the aisle picked up all of the replacements ( about 12 ) and went through the check out in about 2 minutes, no questions, no hassels! Looked at the reciept and I just exchanged about $85.00 in used tools for new! That is why the majority of my tools are Craftsman! I spun my 3/8" ratchet so I'm on my way to get it replaced for free. I looked closely at the Husky line from Home Depot, but they're all made in China. Not for me.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 704
Likes: 10
From: Blairsville Ga
I just purshased the Craftsman Pro 16 piece for $65 from AutoBody Tool Mart. They have them on sale now http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/craf...t-p-13388.aspx pretty good deal. Thanks for all the post
