New Klein screwdrivers

11996 Views 49 Replies 20 Participants Last post by randomkiller, May 4, 2008

randomkiller

Discussion Starter · Apr 7, 2008

I have a couple of the new Klein screwdrivers with the soft embossed rubber handles, they aren't what the old ones were. I was trying to take out a stuck #12 machine screw with two hands on the driver and the tip snapped off at the point where the shaft starts to get wide. I have never had that happen with any brand before, needless to say I was surprised and pissed, it isn't a month old. Talk about some bad tempering.

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nap

· #2 · Apr 7, 2008

I have had a similar problem with several smaller straight tip Kleins. I guess they just don;t make things like they used to.

randomkiller

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 7, 2008

I hear that, but at $9.00 for a 1/4" x 4" keystone tip they should do better than that.

nap

· #4 · Apr 8, 2008

I definately agree. If anybody else shows up with a similar problem, I would think Klein is having a problem with quality.

Not sure where to go with it but if enough folks tell of a similar problem, maybe somebody should send a copy of the thread to Klein and see how they respond.

threewire

· #5 · Apr 8, 2008

I haven't broke one yet, but i twisted the tip of my flat head and now it has become my new beater.

KayJay

· #6 · Apr 8, 2008 (Edited)

Does this mean that Klein no longer makes the old style square shank and long cabinet tip screwdrivers, or are they still selling both the old and new type like they do with their lineman’s pliers?

Stanley sells an 8-peice set of Job Master cushion-grip screwdrivers for about $40.00 that are a dead ringer for Klein, so that may be another option.
I bought a set of these for about 6 years ago and couldn’t see any difference from my Klein’s. I think they must both be made at the same factory.
If you go to the Stanley [Jensen/Contact East] website, http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com they are item #185-667 or on page 240 of their 2007 catalog.

randomkiller

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 8, 2008

KayJay said:
Does this mean that Klein no longer makes the old style square shank and long cabinet tip screwdrivers, or are they still selling both the old and new type like they do with their lineman’s pliers?

Stanley sells an 8-peice set of Job Master cushion-grip screwdrivers for about $40.00 that are a dead ringer for Klein, so that may be another option.
I bought a set of these for about 6 years ago and couldn’t see any difference from my Klein’s. I think they must both be made at the same factory.
If you go to the Stanley [Jensen/Contact East] website, http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com they are item #185-667 or on page 240 of their 2007 catalog.

They look the same as the old drivers but the handles have the Klein logo in raised letters instead of just printed on the grip (which is softer than the original). The one I broke had the square shank.

RUSSIAN

· #8 · Apr 8, 2008

The new klein grips don't hold up well either. All my old grips still look better then the newer ones that are few years newer

cdnelectrician

· #9 · Apr 12, 2008

Yup I posted about this same issue a few months ago! Don't like the new Klein screwdrivers at all. Been using the Ideal screwdrivers recently and man they stand up well! Maybe we should all send an E-mail to Klein about this...I sent an email in March and I still have not gotten a reply from them! Noticed their pliers are starting to show signs of poor workmanship too...it's sad I used to love Klein tools

randomkiller

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 12, 2008

cdnelectrician said:
Yup I posted about this same issue a few months ago! Don't like the new Klein screwdrivers at all. Been using the Ideal screwdrivers recently and man they stand up well! Maybe we should all send an E-mail to Klein about this...I sent an email in March and I still have not gotten a reply from them! Noticed their pliers are starting to show signs of poor workmanship too...it's sad I used to love Klein tools

That's not a bad idea. Maybe with several tradespeople complaining they would rethink their "new and improved" tool designs.

JBIRD

· #11 · Apr 12, 2008

I think Kleins tools are getting built cheap! Not holding up to there NAME and PRICE!

cdnelectrician

· #12 · Apr 12, 2008

I sent an email to Klein with a link to this thread...we'll see what they say!

amptech

· #13 · Apr 12, 2008

I started having problems with Klein tools about a year ago. Screwdriver tips breaking/twisting, cutting edge chipping on 2000 series dikes and so on. I switched to Ideal and have not had these problems so far. My local supply house dropped Klein and went with Ideal at the end of 2007 because they couldn't get the rep to take care of warranty issues.

Mountain Electrician

· #14 · Apr 12, 2008

randomkiller said:
I have a couple of the new Klein screwdrivers with the soft embossed rubber handles, they aren't what the old ones were. I was trying to take out a stuck #12 machine screw with two hands on the driver and the tip snapped off at the point where the shaft starts to get wide. I have never had that happen with any brand before, needless to say I was surprised and pissed, it isn't a month old. Talk about some bad tempering.

Sounds like that bad tempering put you in a bad temper.

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gilbequick

· #15 · Apr 12, 2008

Anybody have an email link to send to Klein? I've had a few Klein screwdrivers break on me. The only Klein screwdrivers I buy now are the 2 twirlies. I use the Ideal 7-in-1 for almost everything else: http://www.idealindustries.com/prod...ers&l2=7-in-1_screwdriver_nutdriver&l3=35-908
To tell you the truth I look at Ideal before I look at Klein for most all of my tools. They seem to hold up better and cost less. My 9'' Klein linesman pliers don't want to loosen up (I use them more than my hammer) and I have a buddy who is a die hard Channel Lock guy for the pliers. He's had the same pair for over 8 years now. When I go to replace I'll pick up a pair of the Channel Locks. They're made in the USA and seem to be of good quality.

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Mountain Electrician

· #16 · Apr 12, 2008

gilbequick said:
Anybody have an email link to send to Klein? I've had a few Klein screwdrivers break on me. The only Klein screwdrivers I buy now are the 2 twirlies. I use the Ideal 7-in-1 for almost everything else: http://www.idealindustries.com/prod...ers&l2=7-in-1_screwdriver_nutdriver&l3=35-908
To tell you the truth I look at Ideal before I look at Klein for most all of my tools. They seem to hold up better and cost less. My 9'' Klein linesman pliers don't want to loosen up (I use them more than my hammer) and I have a buddy who is a die hard Channel Lock guy for the pliers. He's had the same pair for over 8 years now. When I go to replace I'll pick up a pair of the Channel Locks. They're made in the USA and seem to be of good quality.

I agree whole heartedly about the Ideal tools. I greatly prefer them to Klien.

randomkiller

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 12, 2008

amptech said:
I started having problems with Klein tools about a year ago. Screwdriver tips breaking/twisting, cutting edge chipping on 2000 series dikes and so on. I switched to Ideal and have not had these problems so far. My local supply house dropped Klein and went with Ideal at the end of 2007 because they couldn't get the rep to take care of warranty issues.

I did have the same issue with the 2000 series dikes but they swapped them right out over the counter and the replacements are going strong, so I didn't think it was an overall quality problem.

randomkiller

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 12, 2008

Mountain Electrician said:
Sounds like that bad tempering put you in a bad temper.

Too true, but I do have a matching set now.

randomkiller

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 12, 2008

gilbequick said:
Anybody have an email link to send to Klein? I've had a few Klein screwdrivers break on me. The only Klein screwdrivers I buy now are the 2 twirlies. I use the Ideal 7-in-1 for almost everything else: http://www.idealindustries.com/prod...ers&l2=7-in-1_screwdriver_nutdriver&l3=35-908
To tell you the truth I look at Ideal before I look at Klein for most all of my tools. They seem to hold up better and cost less. My 9'' Klein linesman pliers don't want to loosen up (I use them more than my hammer) and I have a buddy who is a die hard Channel Lock guy for the pliers. He's had the same pair for over 8 years now. When I go to replace I'll pick up a pair of the Channel Locks. They're made in the USA and seem to be of good quality.

I have had great luck with the new Klein 11 in 1, maybe they don't like it themselves.

gilbequick

· #20 · Apr 13, 2008

Random, I broke the tips of all the flat blade tips in 2 different 11 in 1's. That's why I went to the Ideal 7 in 1.

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