Super Stubbies: All The Grip, Half The Size
By Chuck Cage
Everyone should own a few stubby screwdrivers; they fit into the tiny spaces your standard ‘drivers won’t. But what happens when you’re short on space but need to really crank down hard on a screw? Normally you’re screwed — unless you have one of these. Craftsman calls ‘em “Super Stubby” screwdrivers: a standard-sized handle with a stubby shaft and tip.
TM reader Paul recommended these via email recently, and it reminded me that we have more than a couple of these in the shop. We find ourselves reaching for ‘em regularly — especially on auto projects. These totally fit into the “gets you out of a bind” tool category.
The standard and Phillips models come in many of the screwdriver kits available at Sears, but if you already have all the other ‘drivers you need, you can snag a 4-piece set for $10. (They also offer a 4-piece Torx-only set for the same price.)
Craftsman 4-Piece Super Stubby Std. & Phillips [Sears]
Craftsman 4-Piece Super Stubby Torx [Sears]
December 31st, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Every shop needs some decent stubbies. These look as good as any and for $2.50 a driver, not bad.
January 1st, 2009 at 6:37 am
I thought so too. Picked up these and their Torx cousins yesterday.
January 1st, 2009 at 9:59 am
Agreed. Not only easier to fit in some spaces, but just plain less work to wield these things in awkward situations or angles becaust they aren’t so dang long.
January 1st, 2009 at 11:41 am
Lowes/Kobalt make a short ratcheting screwdriver with a full size handle,
Home Depot/ Workforce has a stubby handled short screwdriver.
January 1st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I got both of these for Christmas. Very good to have around. Would recommend them to anyone.
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I’m guessing that these sets were made for Sears by Pratt-Reed – and they certainly look like the Pratt Reed 82031 (Torx) and 82005 (Slotted-Phillips) sets. The Pratt-Reed Catalogs
http://www.prattread.com
also list similar handle on stubby nut driver sets 82048 or 84048 (SAE) and 82049 or 84049 (Metric) – the 84— series coming with cushioned grips.
Pratt-Reed may be the OEM for several brands including some Klein and Sears drivers.