Lowe’s has launched a new Craftsman micro bit screwdriver set, CMHT68011N, and it’s unlike anything I’ve seen from the tool brand before.
The new Craftsman screwdriver set at Lowe’s is described as a precision 50-piece 4mm multi-bit screwdriver set.
This looks to be a compact screwdriver set that works with common micro-style 4mm hex bits.
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Craftsman says this is a “comprehensive repair kit” with 50 essential bits, including for Apple devices.
The Craftsman tool set comes with a metal screwdriver bit driver handle, with a slim profile bit-locking collet.
They say that the free-spinning end cap helps optimize speed in confined spaces.
There’s a built-in LED worklight at the front of the screwdriver.
I couldn’t find a list for all the bits, but from the product images it looks like the selection is fairly broad.
Price: $40
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There’s no launch ETA yet, but I presume it will be available at Lowe’s stores this fall.
Let’s hear what you think about this new Craftsman screwdriver bit set!
Need Something Sooner?
There are plenty of compact sets from Hoto and other brands, and Klein has a 27-in-1 set for $21.
iFixit is *the name* in DIY electronics repair tools. The iFixit Mako set is also $40.
There are a lot more options. This is the iFixit Mahi set, which is also $40.
This Wiha bit set is $35 at the time of this posting.
Scott K
I’ve gone back and forth with that iFixit set for
a while. I never pulled the trigger because I already have a Wiha precision driver (Philips and flat head) set as well as plenty of hex keys that cover most of my needs. I did recently need a few smaller torx sizes so I bought a set of 10 Eklind drivers (Made in the US!) that I’m happy with.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F0EJSY
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029T6X2O
Scott K
I hit post too quickly- I meant to add that the built in light looks really handy. There are lots of times where I’m hovering over what I’m working on and blocking my light.
Farmerguy
Meme tools appear to be a new marketing category that consumers are buying well.
andres
These aren’t meme tools, the meme are the 1/4 inch kits that people think they can do everything with.
CMF
What exactly is a “meme” tool?
Or “the meme are the 1/4 inch kits “.
Not always being up with the times, I have never quite understood the application of meme to anything. And in this case these 2 comments for tools.
Farmerguy
For example, Harbor Freight meme tool 1.0 is “ICON Locking Flex-Head Ratchet and Bit Set, 35-Piece” and their 2.0 is 52pc bit and socket drive set.
To me, it seems to need to meet a couple criteria, I could be wrong:
Compact, neatly organized, useful, “fun money” price point, EDC compatible, and mainstream branding
John
I’ve used my iFixIt set for a good 15+ years now. Never lost or broken a bit somehow. Used to work in IT device repair putting myself through college and I can’t tell you how many hundreds or low-thousands of laptops/iPhones/iPads I’ve fixed with this set. It was what started my fascination with nicely made tools. Now here I am as a middle-aged dad typing into an online tool website comment section on a Friday evening lol. Thanks for keeping regular websites alive, Stuart!
Bill
All hail the desktop computer with a 27” monitor and a real keyboard.
And yet I type this entry on my phone.
Portability has its upsides too. 🙂
BobH
Seems like a very large handle for very small bits.
fred
I have a Nanch set that also has a fatter handle – that fits my fat hands better than most:
https://www.amazon.com/Nanch-Precision-Screwdriver-Smartphone-Electronics/dp/B00QZLV03O
jake
Thank you fred; this looks useful.
The bits are longer than I have seen with some of the other sets, and the handle appears extendable. Have you used it extended?
fred
Yes
Closed, the handle is 117mm tip to top. The pull-out shaft extension adds 55mm. When seated in the holder – the bits extend 32mm – but the thin part of the bit is only about 23mm – but that is usually enough to reach in to drive deep seated screws. The bits are held in place by a magnet.
Wayne R.
I use a full size Wiha Centrofix handle with a 1/4-to-4mm adapter in it. I find that combo to be way better than those slim hard handles.
Reflector
The funny shape reminds me of some of those weird, no name Chinese aluminum precision screwdriver kits on Amazon. To be specific: The ones where the end cap is kind of big but the section going towards the front grip is thin and tapered like a vase while the grip has some diameter to it. I’m thinking this is one of those from the same factory but Craftsman badged?
Chris
I’m very intrigued by that handle. Just the shape of it and having the led light is just cool. $40 seems a bit (pun?) steep but not outrageous.
The ifixit kits are super, super nice though. And would definitely be my recommendation for a fix-it-all toolkit.
Nathan
Neat but for 40 dollars id trade for other kits. Tekton outlet still has their everbit rescue kit which has tweezers and spurgers and etc for 26. That ifixit kit is good too and the hota
Andrew Holmes
I got the Milwaukee micro screwdriver kit about a year ago. I’ve had no complaints, it was between that and the iFixIt but the Milwaukee was on sale at the time.
andres
When comparing prices you at least have to do some research on them. Craftsman for some reason brings out in people some weird expectation that it has to be Snap-on quality and bottom of the barrel pricing. at $40 it is in line with multiple other kits being sold for that price as Stuart posted here. Most of these are coming from the same place either Taiwan or china. One has to considered the quality of the kit, what’s included and its features. I can already see some good things, for one a sturdy looking box with a slide type lock. perhaps that’s the FACOM/USAG influence. Second is the all metal body driver, and the interesting inclusion of a light. I can say that sometimes you want some light shining down the cavity or whatever your removing. Definitely a nice entry into the segment, you ain’t gonna please everyone.
Dave Clark
About 10 years ago, I bought a similar 44 piece set from Wal-Mart. It was their Hyper Tough brand. $5.95.
I have used it many many times and I’ve never been disappointed with any of the bits. 40 bucks for that Craftsman set seems a bit steep. But then a Toyota Sequoia is now 80 grand. That is insane.
Horace P.
Craftsman offering this kit a little late in the game. Someone in corporate was asleep at the wheel while iFixit et al were raking in many dollars with them sets they were marketing. Heading to Lowe’s today anyway so, hopefully they’re stocked and ready for my perusal/critique (but not my $40). My trusty Radio Shack set has many more miles left (unlike myself) before an upgrade becomes necessary.
Oarman
This really shows off how bad the recent Craftsman font is. Zeroes should be round. 1’s should be distinguishable from I’s. There’s no need to have the kerning so dang tight.
Kobalt uses a variant of it too, and it looks like the newer DeWalt hand tools as well. Certainly makes me turn away towards other vendors.
Plain+grainy
https://www.homedepot.com/p/OBJLGEV-152-in-1-Precision-Screwdriver-Set-Magnetic-Tool-Kit-for-Electronics-Macbook-PC-PS5-iPhone-Jewelers-Glasses-314D27ISA9913/335355486 Home Depot sells this, does anyone know anything about the company?
fred
OBJLGEV is a trademark of Shenzhen Qingqin Technology Co., Ltd.
They have other trademarks (just as informative of origin) such as: EKIEUDL, ADEBDCF, and LIJSRBU. Maybe these names mean something to a speaker of one of the Chinese languages – or perhaps they were selected for some other reason.
Plain+grainy
Thanks!
Gary
That looks like a very good set but am wondering about the bit quality. I’ve twisted and damaged a bunch of small Torx head bits before moving onto Wiha bits which have stood up to high torque demands. I have the small Wiha gobox set and love the quality.
CMF
I have this Wiha set
https://carbideprocessors.com/51pc-tool-tray-precision-screwdriver-set-wiha-92191/
Make no mistake, it is a great set. BUT, zero convenience. There is no cover, not really portable, drivers easily fall out of place.
This Craftsman and the many similar sets have a ton of convenience. The shape of this box looks a bit like the Klein KNECT, I wonder of Craftsman may come out with other similar kits that snap together.
Mark M.
Funny timing because 10 minutes ago I was charging out AirTag batteries in waterproof cases with some super tiny torx screws. I’ve got a couple of nice kits out in my garage but I grab a Picquic Teeny Turner 90% of the time. Good bits, good handle, and relatively inexpensive. Love those things.
928'er
I’ve had the iFixit Mako kit for years. I added a 2″ extension, one of their Jimmys, and a plastic spudger – it all fits inside the case. Also have a pair of their straight tipped tweezers, their magnetic mat + their 1/4″ bit handle (as shown in the Mahi set).
Also have a couple of sets of Vessel precision drivers and just added a Vessel 36 bit and driver set, so my precision needs are covered.
iFixit & Vessel = quality tools. No complaints.
CA
Is anyone else perplexed with Craftsman? Who are they now and what do they want to do…….can they go back? They are just in this limbo stage and quite frankly putting out bizarre offerings like this.
Andres
No, not sure what you are seeing. But to me it’s the same as before but without the many rebranded USA products. They still offer cheap tools, gimmicky tools, and have improved on the power tool department. Only real change is the loss of their home base(sears). But now they are sold essentially everywhere.
Bizarre offering? Huh do you not remember all the gimmicky tools sears craftsman used to offer. This one is not even close to bizarre. It’s standard fare, almost every brand offers one now.
Nathan
Robo grip pliers
ca
Andre we hammered the sockets and beat the piss out of em working on big block chevys and tractors…..i can never remember asking craftsman to return a bit or a socket…..they just lasted……this precision stuff is new and it bends like plastic
Andres
I highly don’t that as I’ve old enough to had bought craftsman USA from sears. I broke them constantly, it was never perfect. The 1/4 ratchet were particular weak. Then they change to a plastic selector to try and save money. Yeah those where complete piles of you know. Don’t hate craftsman, but their weren’t top quality like some remember. It’s mostly their jaded view from time past that put the brand on a pedestal.
I also own own new craftsman and they don’t bend like plastic. They do have some issue they corrected since. Like the fat ratchet they came out with. But since they replaced them with thin version. Craftsman is basically where it’s left off by sears. About the same quality.
PB
My main issue with all of these is that they won’t work for deep counterbores like many electronics have.
The best swapable driver I have found other than getting a driver for every size like the Whia sets is this kobalt one:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Precision-Screwdriver-Set/5001836919
I wish the tips had better geometry , but they work.
Kyle
Hopefully it will be better than the powered craftsman screwdriver I got a month ago that boggs down assembling Amazon furniture.
CW
Is it just me or does it look like craftsman has repurposed an old flashlight to make a screwdriver set?
Jaime
I needed to open a Mac and didn’t have any of their pentalob special bits. So I got this one because it has everything you could probably need for cheap. So far so good.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPHVP75J