Craftsman overdrive review

[Princess Valiant]

They say craftsman overdrive has a design that will work on fasteners that are rounded up to 70%

Has anyone tried the overdrive series of craftsman?

Looking for real world reviews and discussion.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Never heard of it. I will go find it now.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Ok. That's essentially the same as the Snap On Flank Drive system. It grabs fasteners on the flats instead of the corners. Less chance to round a fastener. It doesn't appear they are made for removing rounded fasteners, just to reduce the risk of it.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I stand corrected. According to this little video, it does help with rounded fasteners.

OVERDRIVE™

CRAFTSMAN® OVERDRIVE™ mechanics tools make the most challenging applications seem almost effortless. Featuring sockets, ratchets, wrenches and more.

www.craftsman.com

 

[RAT ROD AL]

What's different about them ? look like any other wrench !

 

[Professor Fate]

I haven't tried them, but after watching the video and reading the blurbs on Craftsman's website, I'm having a hard time seeing the functional difference between these sockets/box end wrenches and a good set of 6-point sockets or box ends. And the 2* swing they advertise for the ratchets? Craftsman had always offered both coarse and fine geared ratchets in the past (I have several of each), so I fail to see anything "new" with that, either. Just remember; the finer toothed the ratchet is, the lower its torque capacity is- nature of the beast.
Not saying that they aren't decent tools, but I'm not seeing anything I would call "new" or "revolutionary"- or am I missing something?

 

[mopar head]

What's different about them ? look like any other wrench !

Well, they most certainly do not! lol
They have serrations every other flat, open end? no close up shot.

 

[harrisonm]

I have a set of sockets like this. The ridges dig into the rounded bolt head, and the harder you twist counterclockwise, the more those ridges dig in. Mine is a craftsman tool. My daughter bought it for me about 20 years ago. I don't need to use it often, but when I do, it ALWAYS works. Every time I use it, I send her a text.

 

[Princess Valiant]

I have a set of sockets like this. The ridges dig into the rounded bolt head, and the harder you twist counterclockwise, the more those ridges dig in. Mine is a craftsman tool. My daughter bought it for me about 20 years ago. I don't need to use it often, but when I do, it ALWAYS works. Every time I use it, I send her a text.

View attachment 1716473400

Your daughter sounds like a very smart and cool girl.

 

[Professor Fate]

I have a set of sockets like this. The ridges dig into the rounded bolt head, and the harder you twist counterclockwise, the more those ridges dig in. Mine is a craftsman tool. My daughter bought it for me about 20 years ago. I don't need to use it often, but when I do, it ALWAYS works. Every time I use it, I send her a text.

View attachment 1716473400

Now that you mention it, I have a similar set too. And you're right- it doesn't get used often, but it has saved my butt a number of times. They work kind of like an external easy-out, if that makes sense (except they don't snap off halfway through the job ).

 

[harrisonm]

Now that you mention it, I have a similar set too. And you're right- it doesn't get used often, but it has saved my butt a number of times. They work kind of like an external easy-out, if that makes sense (except they don't snap off halfway through the job ).

Very well said. I was trying to figure out a way to describe them, but my mind was blank. External easy-out is a perfect way to describe it. I hate it when I am using an easy-out, and you are pulling real hard saying, "Please don't break!" I have been fairly lucky, but I have broken a fer.

 

[Demonic]

I tend to take Craftsman with a grain of salt lately, as they overseas-d their production years ago.

 

[BrianT]

I tend to take Craftsman with a grain of salt lately, as they overseas-d their production years ago.

Lowe's will replace their ratchets with no questions asked so now I have shiny new ones. I put them at about the same level of quality as the cheaper Harbor Freight ratchets.

 

[YY1]

I bought a Lowes/Kobalt set similar to post 8.

It got my Renegade oil drain plug out when nothing else would, but still required an impact gun.

It will basically destroy the bolt head, though. It probably is already.

Whoever specified a 13mm head on a M14 bolt for that application is an idiot.
Should have been a 16mm to 20mm head.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Well, they most certainly do not! lol
They have serrations every other flat, open end? no close up shot.

There's an animated close up if you watch the video.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I bought a Lowes/Kobalt set similar to post 8.

It got my Renegade oil drain plug out when nothing else would, but still required an impact gun.

It will basically destroy the bolt head, though. It probably is already.

Whoever specified a 13mm head on a M14 bolt for that application is an idiot.
Should have been a 16mm to 20mm head.

The industry is ate slam up with idiots.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I tend to take Craftsman with a grain of salt lately, as they overseas-d their production years ago.

Their higher end hand tools are nice. I can tell you've not held one in your hand as of late. Go to Harbor Freight and look at their Icon wrenches. They are very nice.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I haven't tried them, but after watching the video and reading the blurbs on Craftsman's website, I'm having a hard time seeing the functional difference between these sockets/box end wrenches and a good set of 6-point sockets or box ends. And the 2* swing they advertise for the ratchets? Craftsman had always offered both coarse and fine geared ratchets in the past (I have several of each), so I fail to see anything "new" with that, either. Just remember; the finer toothed the ratchet is, the lower its torque capacity is- nature of the beast.
Not saying that they aren't decent tools, but I'm not seeing anything I would call "new" or "revolutionary"- or am I missing something?

For Craftsman, it is new. The box ends of the wrenches are made with ridges in them that contacts the flats of the fastener, rather than the points. They also can grip rounded fasteners. All y'all have to do is watch the animated video in the link I posted. It's really not hard to do. Just a click or three.

 

[Professor Fate]

For Craftsman, it is new. The box ends of the wrenches are made with ridges in them that contacts the flats of the fastener, rather than the points. They also can grip rounded fasteners. All y'all have to do is watch the animated video in the link I posted. It's really not hard to do. Just a click or three.

Reread my post, Rusty. I said I did watch the video. I saw the ridges on the flats that don't contact the points. I just fail to see how it is an advantage over a good 6-point that contacts the ENTIRE flat, instead of just the center (where you actually lose leverage, however miniscule it may be...).

 

[RustyRatRod]

Reread my post, Rusty. I said I did watch the video. I saw the ridges on the flats that don't contact the points. I just fail to see how it is an advantage over a good 6-point that contacts the ENTIRE flat, instead of just the center (where you actually lose leverage, however miniscule it may be...).

But a "standard" 6 point does not contact the flats it contacts the points. That's the whole point....pun intended. lol

 

[mopowers]

Reread my post, Rusty. I said I did watch the video. I saw the ridges on the flats that don't contact the points. I just fail to see how it is an advantage over a good 6-point that contacts the ENTIRE flat, instead of just the center (where you actually lose leverage, however miniscule it may be...).

Not to mention it's only gripping three sides. No thanks!

 

[Professor Fate]

But a "standard" 6 point does not contact the flats it contacts the points. That's the whole point....pun intended. lol

I can see a 12 point socket/wrench only contacting the points of a fastener, but a 6 point (at least a quality one that fits well) should be contacting the entire face, and on all six sides.
A hex gets rounded from either cheap or excessively corroded fasteners, or cheap/ill fitting tools. A good- fitting tool will not round off the points, it'll just twist the head clean off.
That said, the Overdrives may have some valid points, but nothing that makes me want to run out and buy new tools.

 

[Demonic]

I often see boxes of 12 pt sockets & wrenches at swap meets and such. I rarely see 6 point stuff.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Not to mention it's only gripping three sides. No thanks!

View attachment 1716473508

Three sides of a ROUNDED fastener. They've removed the points to illustrate how it works.

 

[mopowers]

Three sides of a ROUNDED fastener. They've removed the points to illustrate how it works.

I get it. I just think an appropriately sized quality 6-pt still work better in that scenario.

Alternatively, maybe they can invent a slightly undersized 6-pt to ensure a tight fit. Maybe it already exists.