Craftsman makes an Autoloading screwdriver, or at least they used to. It had a nice grip and was a step up from the Autoloader and auto-loading screwdrivers that the same OEM company made for other tool brands. I bought one a few years back, and rather like it. That screwdriver is on clearance at Sears for $15.
Craftsman is replacing their Autoloading screwdriver with a new auto-loading ratcheting screwdriver, which is shown at the top of the page.
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I haven’t seen the new auto-loading screwdriver yet in person yet, but it looks to be significantly different compared to the now-clearanced one.
The new design features a bit cartridge at the front of the tool, rather than within the handle. This makes the handle slimmer and more ergonomic looking. That’s actually my main complaint about the older design – the handle is large and chunky.
Plus, the new screwdriver has a ratcheting mechanism.
As with the previous version, bit changes are done with a pump-action motion. You pull back on the handle to retract the bit, rotate the cartridge to select the bit you want, and then push the handle forward to select your bit. With the previous model, you rotated the handle.
I’m assuming that you’re supposed to rotate the bit cartridge with the new model. The bit holder is offset from the cartridge, and so rotating the cartridge looks to be the only way to change the bit selection.
The screwdriver comes with 12 screwdriver bits: Phillips #1, #2, #3; slotted 1/8″, 5/32″, 3/16″, Torx T10, T15, T20; hex 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm.
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Price: $20
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First Thoughts
If it wasn’t for my positive experiences with the older Autoloading screwdriver design, I would have dismissed this new one to be a holiday-timed gimmick destined for thousands of kitchen junk drawers.
Compared to the older/other auto-loading design, this new Craftsman driver does look to offer a number of improvements. There’s the offset bit holder, which makes it easier to access fasteners near an obstruction, a more ergonomic handle shape, and a ratcheting mechanism.
If the ratcheting mechanism is half-good, this might be a good home/auto/portable multi-bit screwdriver.
I’d wait until the holiday season to see if it drops in price. Otherwise, the regular Autoloader screwdriver that’s on clearance is a bulkier but safer buy.
Yadda
My local Sears cleared the Autoloader branded (not Craftsman) screwdriver sets several years ago for $2. I picked up the last one for that price.
This new version is only useful if you don’t have recessed screws. Depending upon the depth it would not be very useful.
Nathan
longer shank would be nice.
Can you trade out the bit set for your own mix – that would be very handy.
Stuart
You could with the older Autoloader, Craftsman-branded or otherwise. I’m pretty sure that you can do the same with this one. It’s not a very quick process though, since you have to load/unload one bit at a time through the bit holder. Maybe this one’s different, but it doesn’t look to be the case.
Paul
C’mon guys… just another stocking stuffer, last minute, gotta give him something and cross him/her off the list, auto loading whatever tool…
Michael
I completely agree.
typhoon
Oddly, Craftsman already has a similar product:
https://m.sears.com/cm-24in1/p-00945033000P
The shank isn’t as long (though they’re always pretty short on these designs) and it doesn’t have the “pump-action” effect (there’s a slider instead), but it’s cheaper and feels well made.
I’ve seen the same screwdriver sold at AutoZone as a Duralast and Lowe’s as a Kobalt (actually, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was sourced from the same company as the “Double Drive” screwdrivers). Craftsman also has a 4X ratcheting screwdriver that looks like it has the same manufacturer.
Nate 818
12v drill trumps everything like this
Stuart
Until you strip a screw head of overdrive a fastener. There’s a reason I don’t use power tools, even 3.6V/4V screwdrivers for assembling IKEA furniture or other such stuff.
Michael
The only time I won’t use my 22v max is if I know that the screw or materials being fastened are too delete or around electricity
Michael
12V
SteveR
I agree with Stuart. Unless you’re very good using one, power screwdrivers are usually a bad idea (the exception is driving drywall screws, which use either Robertson or Phillips heads). A drill is particularly difficult to use with slotted screws; they keep slipping out and/or messing up the head. Another problem area is using a drill with an extractor to remove a bolt or screw that’s damaged (head or threads). It often gets overdriven and the tool is blamed, rather than the “craftsman” accepting blame for over-powering it.
Ergonomic, rubber-coated handles on any screwdriver are the way to go. I recently bought a couple of Klein double-insulated long-shaft screwdrivers (a #2 Phillips tip and a 1/4″ slotted tip). I wasn’t keen that they still utilize the older style round (but rubber-covered) handles; however, these are the industry standard. There are others available, with nicer handles (Wiha, etc.), but they use single-layer insulation. I’m not an electrician, so I want to keep as much protection between me and the potential to get zapped as possible.
Now that I’ve complained about it, Klein will probably introduce a new line in six months with really nice ergonomic handles.
Jerry
If it came with Robertson instead of hex tips, I’d give it a serious look. As it is, for about the same money, I can get a pretty decent multi tip ratcheting screwdriver with a wider selection of bits I’d likely use, but without the auto load feature. That may be a mixed blessing, as the ones without seem to have a longer shank, which I think could be useful.
SteveR
The bit load seems weighted more toward smaller screws and Asian- or European-style screws. The exception seems to be the #3 Phillips; that comes up so infrequently (at least at my house) as to be one they could have passed on. But since that might be the only #3 driver you have, it’s not a bad thing if you need it one day. I have so little use for hex and Torx bits myself that I’d pass based on that. I already have the slotted bits in other screwdrivers I own, so another reason for not buying it.
As for Jerry’s comment, I believe Megapro is the one manufacturer (there may be others) that you can get a custom load of bits. You contact them directly and tell them what bits you need, and they load the screwdriver with them. They also have custom loads designed for various trades (automotive technicians, electricians, etc.). Ask, and ye shall receive.
Stuart
Torx fasteners are quite popular in the USA, and metric hex too.
SteveR
I’m in agreement with you; all I’m saying is that I presently don’t own many things that use them. Most of my stuff is older vintage (often using Phillips head fasteners) or hasn’t had a need for maintenance yet. I have a bunch of Torx bits, from T-5 up to T-55, plus a foldaway driver (Blue Point) with blades for eight different Torx sizes that I bought in the late 1980s or early 90s.
I also have metric and SAE hex wrenches, and bits as well. I’m ready when things start falling apart.
Stuart
I was responding to the “the bit load seems weighted more toward smaller screws and Asian- or European-style screws” part of what you said.
Some screwdrivers are targeted towards different regional needs and preferences. This was one is most definitely aimed at USA users and covers the most common fastener sizes most DIYers or homeowners might come across – on average.
andrew
Odd, but as I’m reading this post, an infomercial came on for the “Bit 360” and save for yellow instead of red, it is EXACTLY the same as the new Craftsman model in the post. They look identical.
Stuart
It does. I *facepalmed* after watching an infomercial for the Bit360 on YouTube. “The greatest thing to happen to screwdrivers since the invention of the Phillips head.” Oh, goodness.
Keep in mind that this one ratchets, the regular Bit360s don’t.
Based on the commercials for the Bit360, I’ve changed my mind and wouldn’t go near this one, ratcheting or non-ratcheting, at all.
Sledgecrowbar
Craftsman: slowly driving our brand quality to be lower than the early days of Harbor Freight, one gimmick at a time.