Can You Still Buy Old Style Multi Driver Bits?

[Gregg33]

Hi, I was wondering if you can still buy the old school multi driver bits? (The style with 2 notches) I have several of this style of driver, but pretty much they are all missing bits or have broken bits. If possible I would like to buy sets of these bits that are either made in Canada or USA, but I suppose I can't be fussy. I did a quick Google search but couldn't find anything. See photo for reference of the bits I'm looking for. Thanks!

 

[beamrider]

Looks similar to the older Xcelite blades. Here's an example: https://www.jensentools.com/xcelite-99822-2-phillips-screwdriver-blade/p/115-463

Hopefully that at least gets you started.

 

[theluke]

Do a google search for round shank screwdriver bit. They have some on Amazon. Not sure if they're what you're looking for or not

 

[Sine Swept]

That was the screwdriver I would see my Grandmother pull out when I was a kid. I think it had a good rattle to it as the bits were just loose in the handle.

 

[matthew]

I don't think I've ever seen replacement bits for collet-style screwdrivers, but you can still buy the whole handle + bits as a set -

https://www.rona.ca/en/dial-a-bit-screwdriver-p1422121

I actually kind of like those - not as much choice of bits available as the 1/4" hex bits, but holds the bits more rigidly. I suspect any remaining manufacturers are just using existing tooling, and would retool to make these again

 

[toplessHO]

try Klein
I have a few of those that had 2 double ended bits

 

[Sine Swept]

The one I am picturing has a spring loaded bit storage, green in colour and the bit holder has a threaded collet - like bit holder. I spent 5 minutes on google image but didn't see the one.

 

[CoogarXR]

You'd pretty much have to match the brand name to those bits if you want those exact ones.

As others have mentioned, Xcelite was one of the most mainstream companies to make interchangeable shank/blade drivers. The Xcelite 99-series is huge. They are Chinese-made now, and the selection is thinning out. But if you don't mind used, there are over 100 different USA-made blade types for the 99-series out there, and probably 10+ different handle styles. I buy them up wherever I spot them. I am a bit of an Xcelite Fanboy/Hoarder, so I am a little biased, lol.

 

[beamrider]

The old Xcelite 99 series was pretty much THE setup for my father, who did TV repair, and then coin-op machine repair. I remember his original setup was the orange acetate handles, with a ton of screwdriver/phillips/nutdriver blades, in a black roll. I used to get a kick of clicking the blades in and out of the handles....lol

He flipped his **** on me one day when a particular blade came up missing. I don't remember if I lost it, or if he misplaced it, but it was a bad day, still haunts me...

Regardless, I think X99 series blades would leave you a happy man.

 

[Gregg33]

Thanks for the responses guys. I think the Xcelite 99 series bits would fit, but are likely too long to store in the handles of the drivers I have. matthew's link is probably most helpful. One of the driver's I'm looking for bits for is the older Canadian made version Fuller that is shown in the link he provided. The other drivers I need bits for are the green handled ones Sine Swept is referring to. They are called Torque Tops and were made by Cluthe. (see attached photo). My best bet is probably just buying a couple of the new Fuller drivers and robbing the bits from them. Probably easier and cheaper than trying to find individual bits, unless I can come across some old stock Canadian or U.S. made bits.

 

[Sine Swept]

Nice! You have found just the screwdriver I have been picturing in my head.

I will have to check my parents house for one next time I am out there.

 

[Gregg33]

Several month old post but I ended up buying a few of the Fuller multi bit drivers from Wal-Mart ( I think they were $8 each) and I took the bits from them to use in my old Cluthe's. Unfortunately they are most likely Chinese or if I'm lucky Taiwan made bits, but the price and availability factor made it a no-brainer to go this route.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I pick up any I find at the fleamarket, one time I got a bag of them. Those old Cluthe' were great screw drivers. I've switched over to Picquik http://picquic.ca/

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

The old Xcelite 99 series was pretty much THE setup for my father, who did TV repair, and then coin-op machine repair. I remember his original setup was the orange acetate handles, with a ton of screwdriver/phillips/nutdriver blades, in a black roll. I used to get a kick of clicking the blades in and out of the handles....lol

He flipped his **** on me one day when a particular blade came up missing. I don't remember if I lost it, or if he misplaced it, but it was a bad day, still haunts me...

Regardless, I think X99 series blades would leave you a happy man.

That was probably like the day my Dad caught me beating one of his Xcelite 99s with a claw hammer to punch holes in a coffee can. I was informed (loudly, lol) that the the Xcelites were for turning screws only and that I should use one of his Craftsman drivers for a beater. I came to understand that the tools in his TV repair van were how he made his living. The Craftsman stuff in the garage was considered expendable.