Spiral Ratchet Screwdrivers

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked up this 1908 patent North Brothers "YANKEE" No. 35 at the flea market this morning.

 

[RTM]

Those with the conical collar are a bit rare. Here are some images with references from a tool pusher I know.

https://swingleydev.com/ot/get/270511/single/

There is a picture in Joe Ward's North Brothers' Yankee collectors guide, published in 2000 (no known updates), on page 186. He says that feature probably appeared on each wood handled model, but he didn't know what its purpose was.


https://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Manufacturing-Company-
Product-Handyman/dp/B002VF29QU

I guess I should jump into this thread at some point, I have a few of these in the garage, most fitted with the LV adapters.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Those with the conical collar are a bit rare.

That's why I grabbed it. I didn't know that at the time, but I had never seen one before. So thanks.

 

[WisJim]

I collect Yankee spiral screwdrivers and similar tools and have many dozens of them. Among them are a dozen or so with the conical collar, including North Bros Yankee, Stanley Yankee, and Miller's Falls in numerous sizes and finishes. I'll post some pics when I get home

 

[WisJim]

Here's some pictures of a few of my spiral screwdrivers. These are just ones with the cone or funnel collar. First picture are Yankees of various sizes, second are all 35 or 135 size, and the third pic is of Millers Falls drivers. From what I have seen, I think that the small tan square of foam on the shank of some of them was original on at least some of them, not sure of models or time span, and probably was to keep the tool from rolling off a workbench.

 

[RTM]

I have a handful of mostly Yankee a Division of Stanley, 2 North Bro’s, and a couple of Stanley’s, and a Germany and a Craftsman. The North 30s are in the bottom, then the Division of 30As, then a 131A by Stanley, 135, a 135A Division of, 2 135 Division of, a Germany (big fellow), and a little Craftsman with a rotating reversing collar. Note the one that is slightly extended is bent, but also an inch shorter than the rest. Those with the Lee Valley hex adapters are the main users. The smallest went traveling with a full bit set for assembling IKEA furniture in my daughters 1st college apartment. Much easier than taking a power screwdriver on a plane, cuz who would steal this out of your luggage?



I also grab all the bits I see, great for outfitting a gifted Yankee. There are three shank sizes. Couple of fun ones in there, a multi sized nut driver, couple of hex adapters.



WisJim, way to make my rare cone statement look silly, with lots of them. I’ve seen one with the anti roll device, but didn’t buy it.

And those who have an all metal one, that’s probably a drill, not a screwdriver. Another great tool to have tho, especially with the original bits.

 

[WisJim]

I've been actively looking for the Yankees with the cone/funnel collar for maybe 30 years and rarely find one at a flea market or garage sale, and a few at M-WTCA area meetings. And I've been picking up bits for Yankees since they were available at the local hardware store as stock items. I first got interested when I was given his Yankee 130 by my grandfather along with some of my great-grandfather's tools that he had used working in the coal mines of Pennsylvania around the end of the 19th century--but that's another long story.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Have you ever seen one of these THE CAMPBELL DRIVER screw holders before? Do you know anything about it? I found it on an early North Brothers "YANKEE" No. 10 ratcheting screwdriver ("PAT. Nov 2, 1897", referring to Furbish's second patent, 593,157) at a flea market a few years ago. It was patented on July 1, 1902 by a Philadelphia native. I surmised a relationship based on location, but have been unable to find any literature on the piece.

 

[RTM]

Here is a bit of a reference for those who care about the Yankee numbers. The 1xx models have a return spring. The ** model numbers do not. I noticed up thread that someone said a spring was broken, maybe not.

For those using them, people recommend the non-spring return models when working around finished materials. An acquaintance tells a story of scratching the #$%@ out of a brand new wood elevator trim piece using his spring return unit. The spring return are for jobs where you are putting in lots of screws in a hurry, and less concerned about appearance if it slips.

https://archive.org/details/YankeeTools1931/page/n9/mode/2up

 

[RTM]

Have you ever seen one of these THE CAMPBELL DRIVER screw holders before? Do you know anything about it? I found it on an early North Brothers "YANKEE" No. 10 ratcheting screwdriver ("PAT. Nov 2, 1897", referring to Furbish's second patent, 593,157) ...s patented on July 1, 1902 by a Philadelphia native.

Looking through old Yankee literature, no. Found this catalog cut with something different installed.

https://archive.org/details/YankeeToolBook1908/page/n13/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/YankeeToolBook1908/page/n23/mode/2up

I also don't see any reference in the Ward book I referenced (poorly, need to fix that ) above

 

[WisJim]

I've never seen the Campbell Driver either--now you have given me something new to be aware of.
Earlier there was mention of other companies who made spiral screwdrivers. I dug out a few and took a picture. Left to right, a Howard screwdriver, Decatur coffin, another Howard, one I'm not sure of, small Mueller, large Mueller, a Bowser (all polished up by a previous owner), and yet another Howard.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Your Decatur Coffin has a different handle than mine. I had never seen another, so now I'm thinking mine might be a replacement. It's kind of crude. See post #23, page 2.

 

[WisJim]

I've seen different handles on the Decatur Coffin drivers, and some with handles missing. The original handles must have been fragile or easily damaged and frequently replaced. I think that the one I pictured is original, though.

 

[RTM]

I imagine this might help

https://www.google.com/search?q="de...8&prmd=sinv&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS777US777&hl=en-US

 

[WisJim]

Also, Cliff Fales has put a lot of work into researching spiral screwdrivers. For more than you thought that you wanted to know about Decatur Coffin Company tools: http://cfales.sos4net.com/articles/Decatur_Mueller/DecaturCoffin_Mueller1.htm
His pages include info on lots of other drivers too.

 

[DadsTools]

I acquired two of these Decatur drivers from the liquidation of a large collection of vintage and antique woodworker tools. I left a third one behind because the mechanism was broke. All three had different handle style, but all looked original. I saw others when researching online. I think there were a number of different handle styles by the factory for some unknown reason.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think there were a number of different handle styles by the factory for some unknown reason.

RTM's link (to a mess of internet photos...) and WisJim's link (to a very well-done Decatur tutorial on a collectors' club site...) confirms that. According to the tutorial, there were at least three different handle styles. Unfortunately, none of them look like mine (post #23, which prompted your clever quip in post #24...), which I have to conclude is surely a replacement. I like it though, because it has tapering straight lines that kind of remind me of a coffin in shape.

 

[RTM]

Those hexagon handles are very popular on carving tools, so wouldn't surprise me if one was repurposed, or made to match. I have some that taper from the center to both ends, like yours, and some that taper from the handle **** forward, like these.

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/carving-4pc-intro-set

 

[didit]

Thought I would add one more to the list. Made by the Anglo Scottish Tool Co. LTD in England, Model No. 133H. Looks like it takes the same 1/4" bit as the Yankee. Interesting that on the box end it states "Right and Left Hand" not forward and reverse or loosening and tightening.

 

[bmwrd0]

A week or so ago, I picked up this Yankee box set, partially filled.



As you can see, it is missing the bit holder, along with two of the drivers, an 11 and a 15.


So, grabbing some scrap Oak, I decided to make the bit holder. Here is how it turned out:


Going through my assortment of random bits I have picked up over the years, I had everything except the correct countersink, and instead of the third flat blade, I added a Phillips #2.

The bit holder is not glued into place, but instead is held on by two metal pins, so I set it up to tilt, making it easier to select and grab the bit you want. I had one of the ratcheting drivers that the box needed, but not the smaller one, at least not in the right blade length. So, as always something to keep my eyes open for. I haven't decided whether or not to fix the tip holder, as that is glued in and I don't want to damage the box, plus it never hurts to show its age and use.

Overall, I am pretty happy with how that turned out.

 

[RTM]

The Yankee boxed set to watch for is the Radio Tool Kit, I think #106. The collectors go crazy for them. I have about 80% of the tools, had a guy offer to buy one piece, before I realized how much was present.

Yankee Tools Make Better Mechanics : 6th Ed. : North Brothers Manufacturing Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

49 p., illus., 26.2 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[bmwrd0]

Yeah, that is one I am definitely on the lookout for.

 

[RTM]

A week or so ago, I picked up this Yankee box set, partially filled.

So, grabbing some scrap Oak, I decided to make the bit holder. Here is how it turned out:

The bit holder is not glued into place, but instead is held on by two metal pins, so I set it up to tilt, making it easier to select and grab the bit you want. I had one of the ratcheting drivers that the box needed, but not the smaller one, at least not in the right blade length. So, as always something to keep my eyes open for. I haven't decided whether or not to fix the tip holder, as that is glued in and I don't want to damage the box, plus it never hurts to show its age and use.

Nice Work

So, silly question. I see the recess behind your bit holder, and I see a few have what appears to be a screw hole on the bit holder opposite it.. Is there supposed to be a spring behind that to pop it up when opened? Never noticed the pins before, but quite obvious in the your picture. I wonder if the other boxes I've seen pulled the pins when they lost or broke the bit holder?

What is incorrect about your CSink? And looks like you need a #15 screwdriver to make it right? Lemme check on both.

We need to find you a scrap of vintage oak, try to match the existing wood a little better (and rotate the grain to match the originals).

 

[bmwrd0]

Well, the countersink is the wrong bore size. As you pointed out, there are three different sizes, that one is for the middle of three, while it should be the largest. Yes, I need a 3" bladed no. 15, I have a Ionger bladed one but it is obviously wrong.

As far as the pins go, it seemed obvious that they allowed for tilting the till, so to speak. I didn't think of it but putting a small spring in the recess between the pins and the label would allow finger pressure to raise the till, and the spring would keep it in its place. But, with the pins in place, there is no way to remove the till without cutting it out, as they are driven in. Too bad the catalogs didn't mention that.

I don't mind the grain direction, as it was what worked best with what I had on hand, and it makes it easy to see that it was done as a repair, and isn't being passed off as original. But, that is just me.

 

[RTM]

Argh. I have a 2" bladed #15, and a 3" bladed EDU, german made, but without the knurled knob, and a stubby #10. Cant find the box of Yankee CSinks right now. More later.

 

[Marvin Berry]

Here is a Craftsman and a Stanley Yankee that I picked up with a bunch of tools at a garage sale last weekend.

 

[CHRIII]

Here's my Dad's North Bros. Yankee 30 A along with some original bits and some newer ones I got as they were becoming unavailable. It's really smooth and handy for quick jobs.

 

[Ton ton]

.

 

[GreyOwl]

I have 3 different sizes/styles.
Small 4” Yankee Handyman #2H, USA
Stanley Yankee #41Y, USA, Bell System B
Yankee #30A, North Bros, USA

The small one belonged to a Great Uncle, the 30A was my Dad’s. and the Bell I picked up somewhere. It has about 6 drill bits in the handle.
The 30A has no spring for return and only seem to have one driver for it.

 

[RTM]

Leftmost is a drill, right most is a ratcheting screwdriver, center one is a spiral ratcheting screwdriver.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up this North Brothers (pre-Stanley) Yankee Handyman No. 33-H yesterday at the flea. It has the 1937 Leopold/Fegley design patent (D103,676) marked on it and the typical Christmas tree slide selector (no photo). These aren't rare, but I thought I'd bump the thread with it.

 

[Two Sheds]

Here are some of mine.
Yankee 30A Stanley
Handyman North Bros. Div of Stanley
Unmarked - Handyman North Bros. Div of Stanley
Craftsman
Yankee 30A North Bros.
Millers-Falls
Yankee 131A Stanley

 

[RTM]

OK, these are not mine, but did show up on our local CL as a for sale. All in all, probably not a bad deal, about $5 each. Lots goodies and extra bits.

 

[1930artdeco]

Just grabbed this screwdriver for $2 this weekend. The only reason I grabbed it was because it is was ‘made in Germany-British zone’. I just need to get a few more bits like cross points.

 

[Ricky Joe]

If you mean archimedean type ratcheting screwdrivers, in general, I see them almost every week at the fleas, but they are almost always either a North Brothers (who owned the original Furbish patent - 593,157, granted Nov 2, 1897) or a Stanley (which bought out North Brothers). I don't think I've ever seen a Craftsman. And I don't think I can name another brand I have seen with a gun to my head!

Ask and ye shall receive!

 

[Ricky Joe]

Ask and ye shall receive!

Oops! Just noticed you asked three years ago! Maybe I should add “eventually “ to my post!

 

[Ricky Joe]

Here is a couple of old ones.

 

[four.cycle]

what? what are those?

 

[RTM]

Push drill, not ratchet screwdrivers. Typically 41 model numbers

 

[DSS]

A guy at work collects these, so all the 6-8 that I've came across in my travels have gone to him. All were Stanley except for one Miller's Falls if I remember correctly